Gated Prey (Eve Ronin #3)(21)

“Dead,” Eve said.

Lansing looked at her now. “Excuse me?”

“I’m finishing the captain’s sentence,” she said. “It should have ended in the house with the two of you dead. That’s what Collier was hoping for when he went to the bathroom instead of calling for backup. If he actually left his post. I think he just waited to see how things played out for us.”

Moffett pointed his finger at her again. “You’re accusing a deputy of attempted murder.”

“I sure am. He’s got a Great White tattoo on his calf, just like the deputies I sent to prison.”

“So do dozens of other deputies who’ve served here over the years,” Moffett said. “It doesn’t make them all criminals or put their integrity in doubt.”

Eve knew that it was true. Deputy Tom Ross had the tattoo and he was a good cop. There were certainly more like him out there among the deputies in the clique. At least she hoped there were. But that wasn’t the point here.

“Collier saw an opportunity for payback and he took it.”

“You have no evidence to support that charge,” Moffett said.

“I have the three corpses in the morgue and the wound on Duncan’s face.”

Lansing turned to Duncan. “Do you agree with her?”

“I only slugged Collier when I saw him,” Duncan said. “But, in retrospect, I should have arrested him, too.”

Moffett rose from behind his desk. “You struck a deputy?”

“I also kneed him in the balls, not that he has any.”

“Unbelievable. This is a hell of a way to end your career, Duncan.”

Lansing nodded. “It certainly is. A lesser man would have shot the son of a bitch.”

Moffett gave him an incredulous look. “You’re congratulating Duncan for his self-control?”

“That’s right. I don’t think I would have been so gentle if I’d been in his position. Collier is fired, effective immediately. I’m going to tell him that if he fights me on this, I’ll order Eve and Duncan to arrest him for attempted murder and he can go to prison instead. That’s not the only personnel change I’m making. Tomorrow morning, you start your new assignment at the Men’s Central Jail.”

Moffett was startled. “What?”

“As captain of Lost Hills station, you are ultimately responsible for every operation and the safety of your officers. Collier’s fuckup is entirely on you. I’d hoped you’d step up and say that. I’d have respected that and might even have kept you in that seat. But no, you took the coward’s way out. You’re done here. Pack up.”

Moffett started to walk around the desk to the sheriff. “Sir, could we discuss this in private?”

“No, we can’t. You’re lucky you still have your badge and bars. Say another word and you might lose those, too.” Lansing faced Eve and Duncan, his back to Moffett. “I wanted you to hear this for yourselves so you’d know that while Captain Moffett doesn’t have your back, I do.”

Duncan stood up and offered Lansing his hand. “Thank you, sir.”

Lansing shook it. “Step outside with me for a moment.”

He opened the door and walked out of the office. Eve and Duncan followed him, without taking another look at Moffett. Lansing led them outside into the parking lot and stopped beside his Expedition before he spoke again.

“I heard from the Officer-Involved unit. The videos at the house and supermarket conclusively clear you both. Your actions were entirely justified.” Lansing shifted his gaze to Eve. “Though I wish you could have been gentler on the confiscated Rolls-Royce. It wasn’t insured.”

Duncan pointed across the parking lot. “I’ll swap you my Buick for the Rolls to make up for it.”

“I appreciate the selflessness of your offer, Duncan, but I’ll pass. Sometime in the next day or two, the mayor of Calabasas and I are going to give that security guard an award for his heroism. I’ll let you know when and where. I’m sure you’ll both want to be there.” His gaze settled on Eve for emphasis.

“Of course,” she said. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good. I want this case wrapped up fast. I’ll tell the watch commander to give you a couple of deputies tomorrow to help you with the final grunt work.”

“That would be very helpful, sir,” Duncan said. “Thank you.”

“Now both of you go home. It may not feel like it right now, but this was your lucky day. It could have been you two in the morgue instead of those three assholes.”

Lansing got into the back of the Expedition. Eve and Duncan remained in place, like two soldiers at attention, until the sheriff drove off.

Duncan watched him go. “Hell of a thing Lansing just did for us.”

Eve wasn’t impressed. She knew Lansing too well.

“He was protecting himself and the department. Somebody had to take the fall for this mess and it just as easily could have been me instead of Collier and Moffett.”

“What about me?”

“You were always in the clear because you’re retiring. It’s like a temporary superpower. You’re invincible to reprimand.”

Duncan shook his head and started walking to his Buick. “How can you be so cynical?”