Melting Steele Part 7

Sitting behind my desk, I stare at the white board with all the information under the photos. Itas an archaic way of doing things but it works for me. Rubbing the back of my neck, Iam trying to come up with a plan of attack. How can we go into Brandtas office without spooking either of them?

aCan I come in?a Will says from the door. I lean back and wave him in. My words are failing me as my frustration grows.

aSo, I hear we have a raid planned for tomorrow.a aYep. Just have no idea how the h.e.l.l weare going to handle it.a aCaptain is over with the D.A. trying to expedite a warrant. I donat think Brandtas lawyer is going to make this one disappear.a aNo, but we have to be smart about how we go in. You and I know the floor. If thereas a hail of bullets, too many innocent people will get hurt.a aThe leader of the team has blueprints of the building. Heas made an optimal route to the floor, how to evacuate the other floors in case excessive force is necessary.a aOne thing has been irritating me, what the h.e.l.l does D.B.M. stand for?a aDoes it matter? All killers like to have nicknames. Makes them more official.a aNot really, but it means something to me.a Leaning back in my chair, I put my feet up on the corner of my desk. My eyes stay focused on the white board. All those connections, every bit of information all points to one man running the show. I think Will has slowly started to believe me that Irving Garrison is that puppeteer, but we canat connect him. We donat have enough.

aHeall trip up. You just have to be patient. One case at a time.a My eyes focus on Will. Heas staring at the board as well, having moved his chair.

Iave gone off the handle a bit this entire case. Luckily it didnat cost me the people who support me the most. Like my brother said, I canat go down that rabbit hole. No matter how appealing it is to walk up to a vile human being and remove them from the world. There would be less pain. Less hate. Less evil. Less of everything negative that seems to rule the world, But there would be a problem with my theory. Eventually, I would become no better than the person I killed. I would remove people, for reasons only known to me. That vile human being is still someoneas parent or son. That someone is still a living breathing person. I would have snuffed out their ability to obtain a balance with light. One day, when I least expect it, someone would remove me from the world for being that very vile person that started the cycle.

Itas a never ending Ferris Wheel with no ability to get off. Life sucks that way. You canat choose how fast you spin. You canat control who gets into your car all the time either. You just get on and pray you donat fall off the d.a.m.n ride.

aWhen do they want to do this?a aEarly morning hours. Itall take that long to get a judge to sign off.a aFigures. In the meantime they can destroy any and all evidence sitting in their offices.a aJasmine, theyave been doing that since we first came by. Theyare c.o.c.ky, not stupid. I say we both go home and enjoy time with the family. Tomorrowas gonna be a heavy day.a Will says as he stands up and stretches. I follow suit and stay silent as we walk out. My mind is full to the brim with theories and other random c.r.a.p. I need another good nightas rest. Maybe I wonat have a nightmare again.

The house is quiet but Frankieas car is in the driveway. The dinner table is set complete with wine gla.s.ses. Placing my keys on the hook, the nervous bile slowly creeps up my throat. The noise in the bas.e.m.e.nt makes the bile rise up into my mouth forcing me to swallow it back down. Dropping my bag, I rush down the stairs two at a time.

The door to my locked room is open. I must have forgotten to lock it the last time I was down here. I walk into the room and my worst fear is revealed. Frankie stands there, one hand on her hip the other covering her mouth.

aI can explain,a I say full well knowing I really canat explain an obsession to a psychologist. I wonat sound normal at all.

aHow can you explain all this?a I walk into the room and place my hand on her shoulder. She shrugs me off and spins around. Her reddened eyes and tear stained face locks to mine.

aHow long?a aFrankieaa aJust answer me! How long have you been sneaking down here and creating thisa obsessive behavior?a aA month or two after we moved here.a Her eyes widen and she takes a step back from me. I can see her eyes darting all over the room. The doctor in her is working overtime and Iam sure a lecture is to follow.

aYou need to get rid of this. All of it.a aFrankie, you know I canat do that.a aIam converting this room for storage of Chaseas sports equipment. You donat have a choice.a Her voice is a tone Iave rarely heard before. I know thereas no room to argue, but I know myself. Iam going to do it anyway.

aIave put in too much time to just toss away all this work!a aWork? This is obsessive behavior! People pay me a fortune to help them get over things like this. Not my girlfriend through, she just does it right under my nose. Here I thought you wanted a writing room. A place where you could go and be free of distractions. You lied to me, again.a That stops me. I lied to her again. Iave been doing that a lot lately. How can we plan a future, when I keep hiding things from her? I take a step back from her and lean against the wall.

aI have to finish this. I have to make him pay for what happened.a My voice betrays me. It cracks and the fear is evident. I want to make it stop, but once the flood gates open itas over. Frankie looks me over, runs her hand through her hair and wipes her face. She walks up to me, places her hands on my biceps.

aHow about we pack it away? Youave done a lot of hard work and research. We can put it in a box for a later time. If something comes up, weall have the information someone else.a aButaa I try to protest.

aNo, Jasmine, this is not healthy. I need the s.p.a.ce for Chaseas various sports endeavors and you need to let this go. Iam not saying forever. Iam saying this way of doing things is done. I can help you. Victor lives here now and then thereas Will. You do not have to fight this alone. Let us help you.a I nod simply. She kisses my forehead and leaves the room. I know sheas gone to get those plastic tubs we use to store old decorations in. My hideaway, my safe haven where I can air out my demons, itas being taken from me. My heart is racing and I really wish I could control it. This is what it feels like to rip off the Band-Aid. Maybe I am still that young girl whose mother took away her pacifier one night. I cried for hours every night until I learned to suck my thumb. Still have a scar on my thumb from that. Found solace in it until I was about ten. Mom never broke me of that addiction. Frankie is forcing me to go cold turkey.

This is going to be h.e.l.l.

Chapter Eleven.

Imagine about fifty young kids at a small park are vying for the slide. Itas chaos. Thatas what the ground floor of Bridge the Gapas building looks like. There are trucks outside with the powers that be barking orders. Will and I are up front of the main barrage of personnel. Our case, we walk in first. Normally they wouldnat let me do s.h.i.+t, but you donat mess with a Marine.

The vest is a bit tight on me, and I hate it. Will made sure it was as snug as could be. Something about protecting my body as much as possible. I get it, I do, but a girl has to breathe. Heall deny it, but since weave been working together he treats me like his baby sister. I know weare equals, that isnat it. You just try telling a Marine that youare not a family when you head into enemy territory. You wonat win that argument. Heas my partner in crime and the big brother I need. I just seriously wish he would understand a womanas right to have her b.o.o.bs only squished for a mammogram.

aOkay, the teams are sweeping floor by floor.a The captain says calmly.

aHeat signatures,a Will pipes up.

aThatas where we run into a slight issue. Heas got someone with him.a aAny idea who they are? Kiernan? Another employee?a Depending on who that is, might alter our plan of attack.

aI wish I could tell you. Whoever it is hasnat left his office. Weave got a team checking the cars in the parking garage. If we find a visitoras pa.s.s, weall run the plate. Might give us the information before you get to the top floor.a aIf someoneas in there, we need to get eyes on them.a The captain looks at me and I can see the cogs moving in his brain. I know he wants to let me do my job, but the concern for my safety is holding him back a bit. Like Iave said a million times before, weare family.

aWhat do you suggest?a aWill and I go inside. We take the elevator and go inside like weave done many times before.a aCaptain, Steele and I can relay information back to you. It might help move things along.a aFine, whatever you do, the two of you do not engage the suspect. Do you understand?a aYes sir,a Will and I both utter quickly. We know weall probably break that request, but what can you do. Life throws curve b.a.l.l.s but sometimes you have to swing.

aPay attention to the voices in your ear. You hear anything you donat like, you get the h.e.l.l out of there. Remember, you are only our eyes on the floor. We do this by the book.a The captain walks away from us. Will turns to me and starts pulling on the d.a.m.n Velcro of my vest. Nervously, I start doing the same thing to him. I donat want to explain to his wife why his vest slid and a bullet hit him. Not a conversation I want to partake in, ever.

aYou coming?a Without thinking, I start the walk to the building. My mind goes through random check lists. Leg holsters tight. My hands check the belts as I walk. Check. Guns are loaded, check. Earpiece in ear, chatter understood, check. Push all thoughts of Frankie and Chase out of your mind. Itas then that I hear them laughing together. Iave heard it so many times before, but right now that laughter makes me want to turn around and go home. I take a deep breath, push the sounds out of my head. Mind clear, check.

The elevator doors open and we both enter. Backs to the wall, facing the door. Will hits the floor number. He cracks his knuckles and then his neck. I can tell heas running through his random checklist now. Itas calming knowing Iam not alone in this.

aSteele, Everts, mic check.a The captainas voice echoes in our ears.

aEverts here.a Will states. His tone militaristic, emotionless.

aSteele here.a Iam surprised that my voice sounds the same. Although the throat mic feels funny. I know Will said it was the best for this situation, but it feels like Iam choking.

Heas rubbing off on me in a good way. The elevator doors open. Will steps out first, gun raised. I follow behind him. We quickly clear the lobby, with tactical precision. He turns to face me and motions with his eyes. Anyone else would be lost, but not me. I am in awe at how easily our friends.h.i.+p has transcended words. We understand each otheras moves.

Will and I each grab a handle on each side of the double door. I nod and we quickly slide inside them. The two of us fall to the ground and hold our hands out. We catch the doors and help them close quietly. Will waves his hands, points to the main office and holds his hand level. I nod in understanding.

Keeping as low as possible, we walk around the wall and into the main area. Just as we enter the area, shots ring out shattering the gla.s.s of Harry Brandtas office. The two of us drop down with our backs to the desks.

aWhatas going on up there?a I hear the captain asking, but it barely registers.

I look over at Will before leaning around the corner of the desk to get a better look. The long alley path between the rows allows me clear view of Brandtas office. The lawyer sits tied to a chair crying. Her distinct moans m.u.f.fled by the duct tape over her mouth. Leaning back I realize weare in trouble.

aHeas got the lawyer,a I whisper over to Will.

aCall it in,a he replies quietly.

aThis is Steele, we have a situation up here.a aGo ahead Steele.a aBrandtas lawyer is being held hostage. Full restraints. Shots were fired from his gun shattering the officeas gla.s.s walls.a aDo not engage,a the captain says calmly.

aSir, we feelaa aEverts, I sent you and Steele up there to be our eyes, nothing more.a aSir, heas acting like a rat backed into a corner. Iam concerned about the welfare of the hostage.a I say mechanically.

aWe are in position to negotiate, sir.a Will offers.

aEverts, I understand you want to help this woman, I do, but we donat know what weare facing. If what you two said is true, this guy is really good at covering his tracks. Let us clear the floors before you open your mouths. Udall out.a Will closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. This is not what the two of us signed up for. Well, it sort of is, but on paper only. You never really want to be a part of it. This is no longer a simple wait and see to us. The simple arrest isnat an option. I hit my head against the desk, causing something to fall and hit the floor. The shattering noise fills the room. I look over to Will and mouth Iam sorry. Even now I can easily make a mistake.

aWhoas out there? You the f.u.c.king cops? I wonat come easily. You want to take me in, you have to go through this b.i.t.c.h first!a I look over at Will and he knows exactly what Iam thinking. Iam rather thankful for it considering this large pile of s.h.i.+t we find ourselves knee deep in. He shakes his head at me and I turn away from him. I know what the rational side of my brain is telling me.

aCaptain, cover is compromised. We need a negotiator to call or get up here ASAP.a aNegative, we are evacuating the building. All personnel are to retreat to the lower floors.a aSir,a my voice raises slightly, awe need someone to help diffuse the situation.a aJasmine,a his voice is soft, aI need you and Everts to take the stairs and get out of the building now.a aCaptainaa aThis is not an option. This is an order.a aExplanation?a aThe building is wired. Bomb squad found no trigger box. We had images sent to Pevy and the team. Itas a secure wireless setup. They are trying to access the feed but it will take time.a aBrandt has to have the trigger.a aItas a risk weare not willing to take.a aThen whatas the play?a aNearby buildings are being evacuated. Once clear, weall call Brandt. Meanwhile, tech is trying to isolate the signal and disrupt it.a aSteele out.a aJasmine, you and Willaa I pull out my earpiece and ignore the rest. Will looks at me and does the same. I know the boss is in control and he feels the best course of action is to wait. Will and I know it isnat, because weare up here. Brandtas deranged and running off the deep end. We both understand one thing clearly, the lawyeras time is limited.

Will tilts his head and looks at me. One of us has to do this. It just depends on who stands first. Itas like a stare down at high noon, who is going to draw their pistol and fire. I take a deep breath and stand up. I look to my left and Will is standing as well. He pushes me to the ground and makes sure to stare at me for a second. Heas in the open so I have to have his back. I motion to the outside route around the desks. He nods and walks toward the office. I pray he knows what heas doing, or we both might end up on a table. Then our significant others would bring us back to life just to kill us again.

aYouare that cop whoas been up my a.s.s,a Brandt aims his gun at Will.

aHarry, Iam just here to talk.a He holds his weapon above his head so Harry can see it.

aTake out the clip and toss it to the side.a Will slowly does as heas told. I hear the clip land by my feet. Itas standard issue. I pick it up in case Iall need it.

aEmpty the round in the chamber.a Once again, Will is obedient. The bullet hits the carpeted floor.

aNow toss your gun away.a Will tosses the gun to his right, in the path I plan to take. Smart Marine. Doing the one move Will taught me that I hate, the snake crawl, I slowly navigate the desks unseen. I look at the floor and see Will has moved closer to the room. Heas gotten way too far ahead of me. Not good.

aStop. You stay there now.a aOkay, tell me what you want.a aThis b.i.t.c.h was supposed to make it all go away. Was gonna hire someone to fix things, but no sheas letting me go down alone. a aWe know you didnat act alone Harry. Kiernan, she was helping you?a I reach out and grab Willas gun, reload it and place it in my empty holster. I hear the pause in Harryas voice. He didnat know his receptionist was in on it.

aWhat does she have to do with this?a I go back to the snake crawl and maneuver my way around the floor. Coming to another desk, I sit up and take a peek. Iam about level with Will, but I still donat have a clear shot if I need to take one.

aShe was seen at the park many times, at your drop off point.a aNo one knew about that.a aHer cell phone pinged the tower there several different times.a aThat b.i.t.c.h.a He pulls on his lawyeras hair, she whimpers. aDid you know about this?a She frantically shakes her head in the negative.

Crawling on the floor again, I manage to get myself into position quickly. A pretty d.a.m.n good job, if I do say so myself. I look around and see some officers with riot gear waiting where Will and I started out. I try to get their attention carefully, but no one is paying attention to me. If they rush in, everyone is as good as dead.

aI had nothing to do with that s.h.i.+t. Whatever she did, I have nothing to do with it.a aShe killed Jake Morris at the hospital.a aThat alcoholic was dying anyway, what does it matter when he died?a Brandt laughs.

aShe injected air into his IV tube. He didnat stand a chance. Thatas homicide. Itas on her, not you.a aI had nothing to do with it but I donat feel bad the b.a.s.t.a.r.d is dead. He wasnat worthy of life anymore.a Iave got a clear shot, but my hand is shaking. I could shoot him in the leg. I could end this right now, but I canat. This is why I should have been the negotiator. Will could be sitting here right now, wondering to hit the tibia or fibula. He would never hit the femur since he had a buddy with that fracture. Youare never the same again. Me Iam just trying to aim and hit the man. Right now itas worse than trying to hit the d.a.m.n ducks at a carnival.

aWhatever happened, we can sit and talk about it. Just let her go.a aYou think Iam an idiot? I want an untraceable car out front. She comes with me. When I get to where I want, Iall let her go. Free and easy.a Brandt holds his gun on Will. I watch him cut the restraints on the hostage. He pushes the knife into her neck and forces her to stand up. He pulls her back to his front. If Will wanted to overpower Brandt, it just became more difficult.

aLet me talk to my captain and Iall see about the car, but I canat let you take her with you. My boss wonat allow it.a Will slowly puts the earpiece in as Brandt watches him closely.

aCaptain, Mr. Brandt here has a request for an unmarked vehicleaa aUntraceable too,a Brandt screams.

aAs well as untraceable.a aWe need the hostage in return, and we need time.a aHarry, my boss says the car might take a bit of time, but when it gets here we need the hostage as an act of good faith.a aIam not stupid, detective. Tell your boss if he tries to screw me over Iall kill everyone here and whoever is outside.a Willas face doesnat change. Iam sure Brandt noticed this because heas slowly moving to a back door. The hostage is blocking my shot.

aYou know about my backup plan.a aYes.a Without saying another word, Brandt fires directly into Willas vest. It knocks him down hard. Brandt hits the hostage over the head with his gun and rushes out the back door. I jump out from cover and rush to him.

aIam fine! Get him!a I rush out the back door and fly down the steps as fast as I can. Looking down the railing I see Brandt a floor below me. I continue rus.h.i.+ng down lower and lower. No matter how fast I seem to go, Brandt stays one floor ahead of me. Finally I hear a door open and slam shut. Itas the last floor down, but not the bas.e.m.e.nt. This was not on the blueprints.

Pulling open the door, I enter the dank room gun first. The walls remind me of my nightmares. Paint peels from the walls. The musty smell sours my stomach. I can feel the fear from my dreams creeping up on me. Thereas a flickering light at the end of the hallway half blocked by a door. Thereas no telling where Brandt is down here. I canat see too far in front of my face to tell if there are any offshoots from this main hallway.

I keep my stance firm, small steps, gun aimed straight towards the light. I hear Hadleyas screams in my head. I know they arenat real, but they feel it. The light ahead flickers and goes out. Iave got a flashlight in my cargo pocket, but Iam unsure if I should use it. If I click it on, Brandt will know here I am. If I donat, Brandt can get the jump on me. I wish I had night vision goggles.

I place my left hand on the wall. My gun still facing forward in my right hand. Slide left foot forward, slide right foot to meet it. I continue to do this while taking deep calm breaths. I donat want to think about what my hand it touching on the wall. Mold, urine, feces, lead paint or maybe even dried blood - all the options dash though my mind. Any normal human being would let go of the wall, but Iam not normal.

My left foot kicks the wall in front of me. Using my left hand I feel around for the door and push it open. Thereas a small glimmer of light from the back of the room on the ceiling. Walking over to it, I kick a set of steps. I slowly climb up two steps. I grab my flashlight out of my pocket. Switch hands with my gun and take a swing at the light. The wood pops up and crashes back down. Using all the force I can muster, I ram my shoulder into the cracks and I hear a click. I push it open all the way. Sunlight floods the room from an alley. Brandt never left this way but the light will help.

An arm quickly wraps around my throat and pulls me back down off the steps. I swing my gun backwards and hit nothing. I drop the flashlight as I try to put the arm away. Itas an interesting high when your brain starts to feel the loss of oxygen. He could snap my neck right now. My arm feels like Iam swinging through water, but my gun connects with his head. I fall to the floor hard. My brain desperate for air and not focusing on Brandt crawling up the stairs.

I drag myself to my feet and stumble after him. I hit the ground again, my body fighting me. Brandt struggles ahead of me, holding his head. I raise my gun and take aim. Focus sucks, looks like two of them. I need to relax and breathe.

aJust aim slightly above your target,a I whisper to myself. aLook for the back of the rim and let the ball go.a I fire. Time slows. My gun recoils, but I handle it. A scream pieces the air and Brandt falls to the ground. My brain finally catches up and allows me to slowly stand. I drag myself to his fallen form. His left leg bleeding from the wound. I hear him laughing at I approach. Thatas when I hear it. The sound of bombs exploding a slight distance behind me. I look at his hands, but they are firmly holding the wound.

I kick his leg and force him to roll over. I slam my cuffs on him and drag him to his feet. Heas going to hobble to a cop car. Iam not going to think about Will right now. Not until I know for sure he was still in there. I canat.

aHowad you set it off?a aI didnat,a he winces in pain, ait was on a timer.a aYou knew wead try to disrupt it.a aYou cops are always predictable. You might think youare one step ahead but you never are. Just like I know Iall never stand trial,a he says confidently.

I wordlessly accept his comments. If I was younger with less experience, Iad probably argue with him. Sadly, he knows too many people. Heas too valuable. Heall either end up in federal custody or dead. Even if he does stand trial, the government might be flipping the bill. In other words, they would stage it to look like a conviction followed by a prisoner killed by another inmate. It isnat uncommon and people would think the score was settled. In the meantime, head be on some beach drinking Corona while I was hunting down another psycho.

The captain sees me and runs with two officers in tow yelling out commands. The officers grab Brandt and drag him away to a cruiser. The captain looks me up and down. Heas probably seeing if I have any new war wounds for the hospital to deal with. I wait, silently praying he will tell me the status of our team and the surrounding civilians.

aEveryone got out before it blew. Only minor injuries.a aWill?a aIs at the hospital. The bullet hit him with some force, might have a broken rib or two.a aHeall have a h.e.l.l of a bruise but deny the rest.a aI shot another man, captain.a aI know, but heas still alive. Meet me back at the precinct okay?a aI nod my head and walk off. I just want to go to the locker room and take a hot shower. I need to disinfect myself, especially my hand. I need to wash the fear off my skin.

The captain opens his office door. I havenat spoken to anyone since the shooting. I know heas alive. I know heas going to have a h.e.l.l of a recovery time, but I didnat kill him. I wonder if that is whatas eating at me. I know I was capable of killing him. I could have aimed the gun a bit higher, but I didnat. That makes me different from Harry Brandt and the entire Garrison family.

aYou know the drill.a The captain somberly says.

I grab my gun and place it in the plastic evidence bag. He seals it and looks at casually. Iam waiting for the lecture. I want the lecture. Tell me anything, I donat care. I just need to know I did the right thing. I need someone besides myself to remind me.

aIt was a good shoot. You should have your weapon back by the end of the week. Do you have your secondary on you?a aNo,a my throat is so dry, aitas locked in the case at home.a aNo problem. When you come into work tomorrow, just use that gun. Iall make sure itas noted in your file.a aThanks.a aYou want to talk about it?a I sit down in the chair and lean my elbows on my knees. The captain sits next to me, waiting for me to say something but I have nothing to say. Maybe itas because the words donat come or because Iam emotionally shot, but I start to cry. The tears rolls silently down my face.

I feel the captain place a hand on my shoulder. The d.a.m.n breaks and I crumble into my hands. Itas as if all the stress, fear and pressure oozes out of my body. I donat gag, or cough. I just shake violently as the tears fall down my face. The captain pulls me into a hug and I feel myself start to calm.

aItas okay Jasmine, I promise you itall get better.a aYou donat understand, Tyler.a I pull away from the captain and lean back in the chair staring at the ceiling. aI wanted to kill him,a I whisper.

Tyleras eyes widen for a second before he relaxes back in his chair.

aMy fourth case on the force, we got a call about a floater. So, my partner and I go down to the pier and we see this white blob floating in the water. He says itas trash, but I walk to the steps and use a pole to try and pull whatever it was closer to me. I managed to grab onto some cloth and got it close enough. It was stuck on the side of the pier. When I poked it again, it rolled. The body was so swollen, skin peeling, I thought it was butcheras meat since we were in the district. It wasnat until the washed-out gray eyes stared at me that I freaked out. I was screaming at my partner. He comes running down, screaming to dispatch everything I told him. When they finally come down to the scene, they pull the body from the water. Coroner said it was a young male, at most nine years old. Most of the evidence washed away, but they had dental records.a The captain stands up and walks behind his desk. He sits down and pulls open a drawer. I watch him search for something before he drops a file on his desk.

aEdgar Flores, was reported missing the day we found him. Doc said he had to be in the water for longer than that. Iall never forget the greenish tint to his skin. He looked like a zombie in some horror with Hadley. Anyway, since we found the body my captain wanted us helping the detectives on the case. So there I am, working alongside the best of the best and my partner is a know-it-all. Williams, the lead detective, sends the two of us to interview the family. Theyad already been notified and there was no way they were going to ask for them to ID the body.a The captain opens up the file and pulls out a photo. He holds it up respectfully. He leans forward and hands me the photo, then leans back in his chair again.

aWhen I went to see his parents they gave me that photo. Asked that we keep it with the file. They wanted us to see the young boy, not the mutilation. I understood, but my partner was such a fool. He acted like hot s.h.i.+t, almost accusing the parents of murder. I finally told him to look at the boyas room while I continued the investigation. After two months, we had evidence leading toward a young college student named Justin Bartlett. He was well known around campus as having a young boy fetish. Justin was a scholars.h.i.+p student, no connections to the community. Nothing stopping him from running. We argued with the D.A., but without any hard evidence, they wouldnat hold him. We didnat have DNA or all this technology. It was easier to commit a murder and walk away. Trial date comes and Iam waiting in the hall. D.A. comes out and pulls me aside. Asks me if I know where Justin was. I had no idea. We searched high and low, but the man had no ties fled. I had to tell his parents.a He turns the file around and pushes it towards me. I take it carefully and scan over some of the yellowed pages.

aEvery time a young boy was found, I made sure to watch the case. I wanted to know if Justin surfaced. I wanted to bring him in. In the back of my head though, I wanted to bring him into a dark alley and beat the s.h.i.+t out of him. Then I wanted to put my gun in his mouth and scare him. Then Iad kill him.a aI feel that way sometimes too.a aBut we donat. Thatas the important part, Jasmine. We are better than the average murderer on the street because we care enough to let the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds live. Forgive yourself.a aDid you ever find him?a aI came across his picture a few years ago. He died in a drunk driving accident.a aFigures.a aHe was sober.a Karma strikes again. I place the photo back in the folder, close it and put it on the desk.

aWhat happened to your partner?a aKilled in the line of duty. He was a pompous a.s.s but he became one h.e.l.l of a cop.a I stand up, nod and head to the door.

aTech seized Harry Brandtas laptop. Theyare going over it all. There might be something in there thatas useful to you.a aThank you.a aJasmine, just remember there might be a case you canat let go of, but you canat let it rule you.a I donat reply. I want to talk to Logan now. I donat want anyone else touching the laptop. He knows what I need. Heas my dealer and if I want to let this go, I need answers.

Logan is waiting for me in his office, shouldnat surprise me. I walk in expecting to hear some protests or words of calm, but he just looks at me.

aDetective, I a.s.sume youare here for the laptop.a aOnly you.a aItas just me in here, yes.a aNo, only you touch the laptop. I donat want any information lost. If you can connect Brandt to the murders with his own laptop thatas life without parole. If you happen to find more, thatas excellent for me.a aYes, well that might be difficult.a aWhyas that?a aItas encoded in a way I have never tackled before. I truly donat know if I or any member of our team can break it.a aDo your best, thatas all I ask and make a copy. Just in case thereas some back door bulls.h.i.+t that deletes everything.a Logan smiles at me as he stands and walks around his desk.

aAww, you thought of modern technology in an understandable way. Iam so proud of you.a He goes to hug me, but I take two steps back.

aYou might be dating a very good friend of mine, but no hugging.a Logan holds his hands up and walks back around to his chair. He rubs the back of his neck and cracks his knuckles before going back to work.

aIall let you know if I find anything.a aThanks.a aNow, if youall excuse me I have to call my girlfriend and explain that my slave driver of a boss demands I work late.a aFunny.a aShe wonat get mad if I blame you. Blame Skyrim and my life is over.a Walking out of his office, I have the sudden urge to go home and be with my family. Maybe itas because of what the captain shared with me. Maybe itas the pressure getting to me, but I swear Chaseas hugs cure whatever ails me. Frankie, the world would stop spinning without her. I need to go home and appreciate the life I do have.