Best Laid Plans(55)

“She doesn’t think that way,” Lucy said. “She justified everything. Convinced herself that the war on drugs will never be won and why not take a slice of the pie? The boys the cartel used, just collateral damage—besides, they were the kids of violent criminals, statistics suggest they’d grow up to be the same. It’s cyclical.”

Brad looked at her oddly. “You don’t think—”

Lucy shook her head. “No, of course not—I’m trying to think like Nicole. You have to understand why she did this if you’re ever going to get her to share information. Go in knowing what you want, but don’t ask for it. If she sees any sign of desperation on your face, she’ll be overjoyed in keeping the information from you. You need to manipulate it out of her, but don’t let her see you manipulating her. Remember—you know this woman better than everyone else.”

“Do I? I didn’t know she was a traitor.”

“But you worked with her. Even if you don’t think you know her, you do. Granted, she was an exceptional liar. What is it you want to know?”

“We need information on Tobias. He’s a ghost. No last name. You and the kid, Michael, were the only two who saw him well enough to give a description, and even so, it’s not very detailed. Either he had Sanchez’s gang killed, or he’s the next target. If he retaliates, there’ll be extensive collateral damage. We can’t let that happen. Innocent blood has already spilled—a kid of one of the gangbangers was killed in the raid.”

Lucy frowned and rubbed her eyes. “I’d know Tobias if I saw him.” She really was tired, Sean noted, and probably not just from work. The thought of another child dying because of these cartels angered Sean, and it tore Lucy up inside. He walked over and rubbed her back.

“Between the DEA and Kane, we’ll find him,” Sean said.

“She’s not going to give up Tobias unless it benefits her,” Lucy added.

Brad shook his head. “She’s not getting out in her lifetime, no matter what or who she gives up.”

“Find out what she wants, other than her freedom,” Sean said. “Then you might have something to negotiate.”

Brad shrugged. “And that’s the crux of my problem—what does she want?” He got up and motioned to the refrigerator. “Maybe I do need another beer.”

“Help yourself,” Sean said. “Do you really think Nicole knows something about the attack last night?”

“Hell if I know. But I need information. Anything I can get at this point. I don’t know what is going on, but it’s out of the norm. And I don’t like anything I don’t understand. Give me a drive-by shooting, or a retaliation kill, or a drug theft … but this? It’s like someone is moving in and taking out everyone on the opposing team. They’ll start with one, then move to the next group that doesn’t capitulate. A power grab like this? We have to stop them. And if we don’t know who the f*ck they are, how the hell do we find them?”

*



Brad left at ten and Sean tried to call Kane. Of course he didn’t answer so Sean left a brief message. “Call Donnelly. Then call me.”

Sean was partly bothered by the fact that his brother was involved in this situation at all. Why was Kane keeping tabs on the elusive Tobias? Why would he call Donnelly? Kane rarely worked with law enforcement. He would share information, usually through RCK because Kane didn’t have a tolerance for bureaucracy. Which made Sean think there was something else going on.

He would find out what it was.

Sean sat down next to Lucy on the couch. She leaned over and rested her head on his chest. “I assume you got what you needed from our conversation?” she said.

“Yes. The tech guys Juan sent were good.”

“High praise.”

“Barry’s a jerk.”

“Sean—”

“He may be a good cop, but he’s still a jerk.”

“Okay.”

“You’re giving in easily.”

“I thought the same thing about him at first.”

“And now?”

“I understand him better. He’s not like us. Or, rather, me. He doesn’t obsess or let his work consume him, but he’s sharp. He gives one hundred percent when he’s on duty, and when he’s off, he’s off. It’s healthier that way. I sometimes wish…” Her voice trailed off.

Sean turned her head so he could kiss her. “I know exactly what you’re thinking, and stop. You’re thickheaded, you know that? How many times do I have to tell you I love you exactly the way you are?”

“Maybe I just like hearing you say it.”

That wasn’t it. She was doing it again, feeling like something was wrong with her. “What happened today?”

“It was just a long day.”

“Lucy.” He wasn’t going to let her avoid the conversation.

She didn’t say anything for several minutes. But she was too tense to be sleeping.

“We interviewed this woman named Mona Hill. She has a long and sordid past—and she’s hard. Shrewd and calculating. I got the distinct impression that, if given the choice, she would continue down the same path. That she actually enjoys what she’s doing.”

“Which is?”