Best Laid Plans(108)

“Good for Juan.”

Lucy looked down at Sean’s hands. “What happened?” She turned them over.

He looked down. His knuckles were scratched and there was a bruise on the top of his fist. “I was an idiot when I was working out this morning. Letting off steam with my punching bag. Nothing to worry about.”

Barry, Brad, and Juan stepped off the elevator and approached Lucy and Sean. “Any word on Detective Mancini?” Juan asked.

“Still in surgery,” Lucy said. “The bullet went in through her side, at an angle, caused a lot of damage. But there’s plenty of blood on hand, and her captain is organizing a blood drive at SAPD if they need more.”

Juan glanced at Sean. Sean couldn’t read his expression, but Juan said to Lucy, “I’m sure Sean told you what Agent Donnelly learned today.”

“Yes. I don’t know how much to believe, sir,” she said. “I’m sorry, Brad—but my witness pointed at Garza.”

“And Garza is dead,” Juan said. “We can’t interrogate him. I can’t discount the threat, considering all the fallout after Operation Heatwave. You were involved in the takedown, you and Ryan fingered Nicole Rollins, and you shut down the pipeline of boys they were using. If Tobias is behind this in any way, it’s my duty to protect you.”

“You can’t take me off this case,” Lucy said, her voice quivering. “We’re so close to proving Adeline orchestrated her husband’s murder.”

“I’m not taking you off the case. Tobias is a terrorist, and I don’t run from terrorists. Neither do you. But you’re not stupid, Lucy. Brad’s attached to your hip from the minute you leave your house until you return.” Juan looked at Sean. “And I assume your home security is still the best.”

“It is, but—”

“Sean, I’ve made my decision. I’ll also be posting a unit on your house until we know what’s going on, so don’t give them a hard time. And I have two agents who will be following to make sure Barry and Lucy don’t pick up a tail.” He paused. “I don’t have to tell you that Agent Donnelly is trained for this kind of detail.”

“No, sir,” Sean said. He wasn’t happy. But he couldn’t force himself into the investigation. He’d already crossed the line; he needed to step back and trust Donnelly to watch Lucy’s back.

But he didn’t have to like it.

“Good.” Juan turned to Barry. “Dunbar is furious, but he’s backing down. He’s with the AUSA right now working on the case to present to the grand jury as soon as possible. AD Stockton said they have more than enough, but Dunbar had hints that Adeline was involved with a known criminal, a thug by the name of Javier Marquez. He wanted to develop that further, but he’s going to have plenty on her. If we get her on murder or conspiracy to murder, she won’t be given a slap on the wrist. And—she might turn on Marquez if given enough incentive. If she paid to have her husband killed, she’s eligible for the death penalty. We can take that off the table.”

Sean caught Brad’s eye. He didn’t dare say anything.

“Did you say Marquez?” Brad asked.

“Is he on your radar?”

“Yes, sir. We believe his gang took out nine people on Sunday night—the remainder of the Trejo/Sanchez gang. It’s the case I’ve been working with Ryan.”

“Are you positive?”

“Yes. The guns used in the slaughter were from the shipment stolen from the dead Marines six months ago. One of the shooters was shot during the attack and then executed by the gang. He has SAS gang tats on his arm. The San Antonio Saints swore allegiance to Marquez.”

“What would a congresswoman be doing associating with a violent street gang?”

“That’s the thing—Marquez likes to pretend he’s a legitimate businessman. He’s not running around the streets, but he has layers under him who are, like the SAS. We thought he might be making a move to take over since Sanchez is out of the picture.” Brad glanced at Sean. “But,” Brad added, “one of my informants believes that the hit on Sunday was sanctioned by Tobias.”

Juan’s jaw tightened. “Spill it, Donnelly. This informant of yours is Kane Rogan, isn’t it?”

“Sir—”

“Don’t. I’ve watched you and Sean exchanging signs for the last five minutes. I’m not an idiot, don’t treat me like one.”

“I wasn’t—”

Juan cut him off again. “I don’t suppose Kane Rogan would come in and discuss this with me?”

“Juan, it’s true that Kane is a source, but it was Nicole Rollins who implied that Tobias was behind the hit,” Brad said. “I talked to her yesterday morning.”

Juan hesitated as he mulled over that information, then he turned to Barry. “Push the congresswoman. If she calls for a lawyer, fine. We’ll bring her in officially tomorrow morning for questioning. If she confesses, arrest her.”

“Yes, sir,” Barry said.

“Go. Now.”

Barry, Brad, and Lucy left. Sean itched to go with them, but Juan put his hand up.

“Do not say a word, Rogan,” Juan said in a low voice. “I know the truth, just like I know you’ll deny it with your last breath. This Tobias is after Lucy because she was in Mexico, not because she did a good job working on Operation Heatwave. She’s in danger because you and your brother put her in danger. Without you and your resources, she would never have crossed the border. And because she has to lie about it, she’s in even more danger.”