‘Either way, well done,’ said Gary.
‘Thank you,’ said Ren.
‘I need you to come see me in Denver.’
‘Oh. OK,’ said Ren. ‘Can I ask why?’
‘Twelve o’clock, tomorrow, my office.’
‘Sure, no problem.’
What the hell was that about?
It took eighteen hours for Mark Allen Wilson’s body to thaw at the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. The following morning, Dr Tolman carried out the autopsy. Nobody expected – or got – any surprises. It was a straightforward case that had got sucked into a high-profile one.
* * *
Gary Dettling sat in his office with a stack of files on the desk in front of him.
Ren knocked on the door. ‘Can I come in?’
‘Yes,’ said Gary. He stood up when she walked in and quickly sat down. ‘Hey. Good to see you …’
‘Hey, Gary. You too. I …’ Ren paused when she saw his face.
‘Close the door, please. Sit down.’
She did as he asked. ‘Is this about the Mark Wilson thing?’
‘No,’ said Gary.
‘Is this about Jean Transom?’ said Ren.
‘Yes, it is … Ren, sweetheart? You’re off the case.’
‘What?’ said Ren.
‘Let’s just say you know why and we’ll leave it at that,’ said Gary.
‘What? Are you … serious?’
‘No, no. Are you serious, Ren? Do not fuck with me. I acknowledge that you are … well, were, a team player – you wouldn’t be with Safe Streets if you weren’t. But, fuck. You know what? I feel like I sent my child off to camp, the prettiest, brightest child I have, thinking she’s going to show them all … then I get a call to come pick her up because she’s … Fuck, Ren. Fuck.’
‘No one’s called you to come –’
‘Jesus Christ, no. Because I’m not dumb enough to wait. Daddy doesn’t want to be squirming in a seat listening to how he can’t control his kids.’
‘Loving the metaphor …’
‘Ren, Ren. Shut the fuck up. You’re unbelievable. This is about all of us,’ he said, stabbing a finger toward the other office. ‘The fucking fight to get this place up and running. And off you go, the syndicated Ren Bryce show, and nearly blow it all.’
‘I don’t know –’
Gary held up a hand. ‘Don’t. Are you listening to me? Your behavior risked everything – the squad, the investigation … Jesus, Ren, do you give a shit? My ass is on the line …’ He let out a breath. ‘God knows where yours is.’
‘I … I …’
‘I … I … need you not to say a fucking word, Ren. Just listen. Here’s how it goes: you’re replacing Jean Transom. I mean, you already have a close working relationship with some of the people out that way … Keep your lies as close to the truth as possible, right?’
‘But how did you –’
‘You respect me, right? You never questioned my appointment to this job, right? That’s your answer. But you learned well. Never ask a question you don’t already know the answer to.’
‘Can’t you just take me back here?’
‘No, no. Glenwood Springs can be your new home for a while. You need to take a little break from Breckenridge and Denver …’
‘But –’
‘But nada.’ He stood up.
Ren stood up. ‘Gary, I’m sorry.’
He shook his head. ‘Me too.’
She walked toward the door. ‘Look, I’d like to know – did Paul Louderback have anything to do with you taking me off this case?’
‘Why do you ask?’
She gave him a patient look.
‘No, he did not,’ said Gary. ‘Just you. You were to do with me taking you off the case.’
She stared at him. ‘I get it.’ She walked out and into the bullpen.
‘Hey, guys.’
‘Baby’s back,’ said Robbie, flicking a rubber band at her. It hit her shoulder and fell to the floor. She picked it up and fired it back at him. He ducked and slammed his head off his desk lamp. Everyone laughed.
‘The best agent in Safe Streets,’ said Robbie, pointing to Ren.
The other guys sucked in a breath.
‘God bless you,’ said Ren.
‘What?’ said Robbie. ‘She is.’ He looked at Ren. ‘You versus these losers?’ The guys all booed.
‘And,’ said Robbie, ‘you’re the only person I ever rode shotgun with and didn’t fear for my life.’
‘Only reason I drive like that,’ said Ren, ‘is because I don’t want you swinging from the hand grip with your ass in my face.’
‘Funny,’ said one of the others, ‘the only reason we drive so bad, Ren, when you’re shotgun … is for exactly the same reason.’
They all laughed.
Robbie looked around the office. ‘Anyway, you guys – I was just being nice. Saying nice things about our baby.’
‘I know,’ said Ren, leaning down to squeeze his arm. ‘I know. Thanks.’
‘You coming to lunch?’ said Robbie.
She turned around. Gary was putting on his jacket behind her.
‘Rain check,’ she said.
‘Come to lunch,’ said Gary.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Ren. ‘I can’t.’
She left, jogged down the stairs and out to the Jeep. She pulled her iPod out of the glove box and plugged it in. She started the engine and drove out of the parking lot, heading for I-70. She drove in silence, past her favorite sign warning her not to pick up hitch-hikers because there was a federal penitentiary close by. It usually made her smile. The next familiar sign she passed was the exit for Golden, and
