Chapter 2 #2
Joshua looked between them, his voice raw. “So we’re not worried about what he might do from Red Onion. We’re worried about what he already did before he got there.”
“Exactly,” Norm said. “We’re pulling his call logs and visitor logs from Buckingham. If there’s a trail, we’ll find it.”
He stared at the floor, lips pressed into a hard, thin line. After a moment, he slammed his fist down on Esther’s desk. “Son of a bitch!” He spun to face Clayton. “Are investigators working the angle that the killer was from Moreno’s crew?”
“They are,” Norm said. “They’re already pulling phone records, known associates, surveillance hits. Trying to pin down who had the motive and the balls to carry it out.”
Colin sighed, nodding. “But Elias himself?”
Clayton shrugged. “They won’t touch him yet—not unless they get something solid, which is highly unlikely. He’s too smart to put his name on anything like this.” He drew in and exhaled a deep breath. “In my opinion, the more likely candidate is Lexi.”
Colin let out a dry laugh. “Yeah. I’m sure when they question him, the truth’ll come pouring out.”
“Three members of your security detail will escort you home to pack,” Esther told them both. “They’ll take you to the hotel to check in, then bring you back here. One member of the detail will escort Joshua to Rainier.”
Colin spun toward her. “Esther, I want Josh protected!”
“Two agents will stay with Josh—one at the clinic, one at the hotel. Three will handle your coverage here. The schedule’s still being finalized.”
Colin gave a grim nod and slumped into his chair. “Fine.”
Seeing his expression, Joshua leaned against his arm. “Colin, I’m so sorry.”
“I got that guy killed, Josh,” Colin murmured, gazing down at the floor. “He’s dead because he worked for me.”
“Colin, no,” Joshua moaned.
“I brought this down on us,” Colin whispered.
“Colin, don’t be ridiculous!” Esther exclaimed. “You followed the law!”
“I know, Esther, but…"
“Wait!” Joshua insisted. “Wait a …”
“What other choice did you have? Let Lexi Moreno go? He was arrested for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and at least four subsidiary charges related to that crime!”
Colin’s eyes locked with Esther’s as Joshua slowly rose to his feet, his features grim.
“You followed the law,” Esther repeated.
“You did your job! If Norm had drawn the case, he would have done the same thing as would any prosecutor in this office! Lexi Moreno was using ten, eleven, and twelve-year-old children to staff a prostitution ring designed to accomodate malignant pigs who enjoy having sex with minors! He was indicted by a grand jury, given a fair trial, found guilty by a jury of his peers, and sentenced by a duly appointed Commonwealth jurist. You did nothing! The law put Moreno in prison, not you.”
“So fucking what?!” Joshua blurted out, unable to contain himself any longer. “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t give a fuck what put Lexi Moreno in prison! He’s threatening my husband’s life! The rest is semantics! Just–legalistic bullshit!”
“Josh, we’ll see that Colin is protected!” Esther assured him. “Look. I know this is all upsetting but…”
“Upsetting?” Joshua interrupted, his tone cool and razor-sharp.
“I’m not upset, Esther. I’m angry. A goddamn mob kingpin is threatening to murder my husband and has already murdered one of his informants.
And so far, all we’ve gotten from this office is exile to a Charlottesville high-rise and a shit-ton of legal jargon. ”
Esther’s eyes narrowed, her tone clipped. “This isn’t jargon, Joshua. It’s the law — and the law is the only weapon we have against people like Moreno.”
“Josh.” Colin’s voice cut in low. “I promise you, no one here is going to forget what really matters.” He took Joshua’s hand and turned to Esther. “Who’s going with us to the house? Let’s get this shit show on the road.”
Esther spoke into her intercom while Joshua tightened his fingers around Colin’s, feeling his heart hammering against his chest. Then, seeing Colin’s anguished expression, he linked their arms together. “I know how hard this hits you. I’m so sorry.”
“He was a good guy, Josh,” Colin said, his voice low. “He tried hard. He wanted a better life. We could’ve moved him, but he refused the protection.” His head snapped as he hissed out an anger-filled noise. “Goddammit!”
“Colin, I know you cared about him,” Norm said, one hand pressing down on Colin’s shoulder. “We all did. But don’t blame yourself for this. The people who killed Hannibal are the ones responsible. Don’t lose sight of that.”
Colin opened his mouth to speak, then thought better of it and slumped in his chair. Next to him, Joshua hissed out a disgusted breath.
“Norm’s right, Colin,” Esther said. “This is on whoever shot and killed Hannibal Barrett.”
Joshua stood, bracing a hand on Colin’s shoulder. “Esther, the question of blame is beside the point. Let’s stay on track here. Someone has threatened to kill my husband. That is the only thing that matters.”
Colin gently pulled him back into his chair. “Easy, Josh. It’s going to be OK. No one’s trying to kill me yet.”
Joshua shot him a look. “No one’s trying to kill you yet? That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“Josh,” Esther said, her tone measured, “this office will do everything in its power to keep both of you safe.
Joshua’s gaze fell. He drew in a breath, let it out, and then met Esther’s eyes. “I know you will, Esther.” His voice was steady. “I just hope that keeping us safe won’t mean giving up everything that matters most to us.”
Esther nodded. “I’m afraid, at this point, you may be right. This thing is going to play havoc with all of our lives. At least until we get it settled.” She turned to Colin. “We’ll inquire about Hannibal’s family or dependents, if any. See what we can do to help.”
Colin nodded. “Thanks, Esther.” He gripped Joshua’s arm and turned him until they were face-to-face. “We’ll get through this,” he said, voice low and insistent. “I promise you. We will.”
Joshua’s eyes locked on Colin’s, his gaze unflinching, and when he spoke, his voice shook–not with fear, but with barely contained rage.
“Don’t. Don’t make promises you already know you can’t keep.”
Colin’s eyes fell.
“That doesn’t comfort me, Colin,” Joshua went on, softer but no less fierce. “If anything, it tells me you understand exactly how bad this could get.”
Colin reached for his hand. “Josh…”
There was a soft knock at the door.
“Come,” Esther called.
An attractive policewoman entered the office, and Colin sprang to his feet. “Sarah!”
“Well, damn.” Her grin spread as she crossed the room. “Look who crawled out of his courtroom and remembered the little people.”
Colin broke into the kind of broad, unguarded smile that Joshua rarely saw outside their home. Colin broke into the kind of broad, unguarded smile that Joshua rarely saw outside their home “Aw, quit your bitching, woman!” he said with a grin, holding his arms wide.
She walked straight into his hug, their embrace rough and familiar. “Still got your elbows out like a damn linebacker,” she muttered into his shoulder. “Missed you, Campbell.”
“You too,” Colin said quietly, pulling back just far enough to search her face, like he needed to see it with his own eyes. “God, it’s good to see you, Sar.”
Sarah gave him a mock salute and a wink. “Great to see you too, Sarge.”
Colin rolled his eyes and brushed off the salute like swatting away an old inside joke. “Josh,” he said, turning back, “come meet a good friend of mine—and one of the best cops I’ve ever known.”
He led Joshua to where Sarah stood. “This is Lieutenant Sarah Mitchell of the Charlottesville Police Department. We’ve worked together many times. Sarah, this is Josh, my husband.”
“Nice to meet you,” Joshua murmured, managing a small smile as he shook her hand, his other hand clutching Colin’s arm.
“Lieutenant Mitchell will head your security detail,” Esther explained. “And you two,” she said, indicating Colin and Joshua, “… are to follow her instructions to the letter.”
Joshua shot her a disbelieving glower but remained silent.
“Lieutenant Mitchell, I’ll expect to see nightly reports, and if anyone gives you any grief…”
“Ma’am, Sergeant Campbell and I know each other way too well for that. He understands how these things work. I’m not concerned.” She turned to face Colin and Joshua. “Colin, I need your house keys. I have to have a set made for the team.”
“Take mine,” Joshua told her, offering his keyring.
“I’ll give them back later,” Sarah told him, then turned to Esther. “I’ll wait outside, ma’am. Sergeant Daniel Lopez, Officer Emily Hayes, and I will escort ACA Campbell and his husband to their home whenever they’re ready.”
“Then to the hotel,” Esther added.
“Yes, ma’am. Then Officer Hayes will escort Mr. Campbell-Abrams…” she indicated Joshua.
“Please. It’s Josh,” Joshua interrupted.
She smiled at him and nodded. “She will escort Josh to Rainier Clinic and remain as his on-site protection. Sergeant Lopez and I will escort Colin back to these offices and remain here with him.”
“Then back to the hotel after work,” Esther said.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m operating with a six-man security detail. Profiles and preliminary schedules will be on your desk by the end of the day.”
“I’d like to see a copy of those reports,” Colin told his boss.
“No,” Esther told him, her voice sharp. “This isn’t your responsibility. You focus on your casework. I’ll handle security.”
“But, boss…” Colin began, but Esther cut him off.
“You have enough on your plate. Step back, Colin.”
Joshua heard his husband sigh and mumble: “Yes, ma’am.”
Lieutenant Mitchell gave Esther a slight bow and turned to leave the office, pausing to tell Colin. “We’ll be outside when you’re ready.”
Colin nodded. “We’ll be right out, Sarah, and thank you.” He turned back to Esther, who was huddling with Norman Clayton. “Unless there’s something else, we’re going to head to the house now, boss-lady.”
She nodded and walked to his side, then laid a hand on Joshua’s arm. “I’m sorry, Josh. I know you’re upset, but this is all probably overkill. I just want to keep you and Colin safe.”
“We don’t know that it’s overkill, Esther. We don’t know anything except that Lexi Moreno is threatening to kill my husband and has quite likely arranged the murder of one of this office’s informants. Safe? Right now, safe feels a long way off.”
Esther gave a long sigh and bowed her head. After a moment, she met Joshua’s eyes. “I’ll stop by the hotel later,” she said. “Bring you both up to speed on anything the investigation turns up.”
Joshua gave her a nod and turned away.
“Thank you, Esther,” Colin said. He led Joshua out the door and down the hallway a few steps, then grabbed his arm and spun him around. “Would you take it easy, bud? I know you’re upset, but Jesus, Josh! That lady is my boss!”
Joshua jerked his arm out of Colin’s grasp. “I’m not going to be ‘lawyered,’ Colin. She’s not my boss, and I’m not going to let what’s happening here be covered over by a thick layer of jurisprudence-flavored rhetoric.”
“What are you…”
“Don’t act like you don’t know. I’m being handled! Bought off with reassuring words and legalistic double-talk! Security details and controlled environments! It’s all bullshit!”
“Josh, it’s not! It’s what will keep us safe until we can…”
“Until we can what? All Lexi Moreno has to do is wait. Wait until they drop the investigation into Hannibal’s murder—he’s small potatoes, they won’t chase it forever.
Wait until they decide Lexi’s missed his chance or lost interest. Then they’ll send us home, and sooner or later–he’ll finish what he started.
” Joshua looked away, jaw tight, pain etched in every line of his body.
“He’ll kill you, Colin. He’ll fucking kill you! ”