“IF goes well, we should have Huera and Montenegro in custody soon, and you and your sister can go back to your normal lives.” Genie released a breath, confident in the imminent capture of the two killers. “After you testify, of course,” Genie added.
Diego Cera gave her a look of disbelief. He repositioned himself on the hospital bed and blew out a heavy breath, beads of sweat on his forehead. He seemed groggy, still under the influence of pain medications. After surgery to repair his collapsed lung, doctors gave him an excellent prognosis.
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
Rafa spoke from the end of the bed. “Look, you don’t have to do this if you’re uncomfortable. You’re still recovering and your health and safety are our primary concern. The FBI will still take you into protective custody. But this might be our one shot at getting these guys.” He crossed his arms and leaned forward, the dark pools of his eyes swirling. “You know they won’t stop—”
“Until I’m dead, I know,” Diego finished the thought. His body shook with a ragged sigh. His eyes watered either from exertion or fear. Genie put a gentle hand on his arm.
“Diego, I know you’re scared, but I believe this could work,” she whispered.
“What about my sister?” He regarded her with trepidation. “You… you won’t use her, will you?”
“Of course not,” Rafa stated firmly. “In no way will she be involved. She’ll remain protected.”
From behind them, a throat cleared. Genie and Rafa turned at the sound. Lieutenant Winters stood in the doorway, his face more grim than normal. “I need to see you two in the hall.” He let the door close behind him, not waiting for their answer. Genie and Rafa exchanged hesitant looks.
“That didn’t sound so good.” Diego slid down into his covers.
Genie forced a smile. “He’s usually like that. Get some rest. We’ll let you know if anything changes.” She patted him on the arm and then faced Rafa. He put a hand on her elbow and leaned in close.
“Something doesn’t feel right.”
“I know.” Genie’s voice was low as they made their way toward the door. “I hope there hasn’t been another murder.”
“Diego is the only one left alive who was in the restaurant that night.”
“That we know of.”
Rafa opened the door, and they stepped into the quiet hallway. Two women manned the nurse’s station across the way, and the only other visible souls were the lieutenant and the guards posted at Diego’s door. Winters motioned for the two of them to follow him to an empty room down the hall. He shut the door for privacy. He stood before them with his eyes on the floor, pudgy arms crossed over his wide chest. Genie glanced at Rafa, who kept his gaze on the lieutenant. Finally, her supervisor raised his head.
“The FBI has pulled rank and is now in control of the investigation.”
“What?” Genie stepped forward. The case had been a joint one with the Springfield department as the lead agency. Genie expected to remain lead investigator, even with the assistance of the FBI and the IRS.
“I just got off the phone with the special agent in charge. He insists this case would be better run with them at the helm.”
“You mean with Agent Compton at the helm.” Rafa’s low tone held anger Genie heard him struggle to control. Well, she didn’t want to be in control.
“This is unbelievable! This was our case from the beginning, Lieu. They can’t come in here and—”
“Yes, they can, Detective, and you know it.” Winters’ hard eyes warned her into silence. “Apparently they’ve been expending more resources than originally agreed to and have exercised their right to take the lead on this investigation.”
Now they have an issue. Genie ground her teeth. If there were any complaints, why weren’t they voiced earlier? “I can’t believe this,” Genie spat through thick teeth. She stomped to a nearby corner. All of her efforts… and Rafael’s! The promises they’d made to Diego and Flores. Although the FBI was a capable agency, Genie had become quite possessive of the case, having received physical injury in the course of her investigation.
“What about Diego and Flores? Are their protective orders still good?” Rafa asked.
Winters sighed, fingering his moist brow, but his tone lightened. “We didn’t get into specifics, but I was assured both Diego and Ms. Cera would be under FBI protection. But we were given strict orders to back off and let Agent Compton do his job.”
Genie whirled. “This is Agent Compton’s doing.”
“Now, Genie,” Winters held up his hands, his palms facing her, “we don’t know that for certain. But with the formation of the task force involving the IRS, it’s no surprise the FBI has decided to take charge.”
“No surprise? We just saw Agent Compton not more than an hour ago, and he didn’t bother to give us the good news,” she spat.
“Genie,” Rafa whispered gently. Genie knew she was flying off the handle but it was easier to just let go than to calm down. She crossed her arms in defiance. She’d worked hard on this case. Very hard. The FBI didn’t usually steal investigations unless they wanted the glory. The potential for their case to become the biggest homicide investigation in Springfield history no doubt drew the FBI to take a more command role. Unless…
From her corner, Genie studied Rafa. He quietly spoke to Winters, both content to let her stew it out alone. Genie didn’t mind; she needed to think. Less than an hour ago, she and Rafa had spoken to Agent Compton. He only mentioned the paperwork for the protective order. Even then he knew the FBI would assert jurisdiction and he'd be the lead on a case rapidly becoming high profile. The FBI would get the glory even though the Springfield PD did all the work.
And therein lies the problem.
“I’ll be right back.” In a few long strides, she was out of the room before they could object. She pushed through the pain in her chest as she jogged down the hallway until she spotted Compton talking to a guard outside of Diego’s room. She grabbed Compton by the crook of his elbow and steered him towards the common waiting room. “I want to talk to you.”
“Detective Green,” he protested, but Genie didn’t let go until they were alone.
She drew in a breath and glared at him. He returned her glare with an even stare of his own. “What is this?”
“What’s what?” he answered.
“What’s this I hear about the FBI suddenly taking point on this investigation?”
“Just procedure.”
“I’m not stupid, Compton. This isn’t about procedure.” She stepped closer. Blood pounded in her ears and she fought to keep her fury in check. “You made a phone call to your boss earlier, didn’t you?”
Compton crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. “Is this an interrogation?”
“What did you say? Or better yet, what did you ask?”
“You don’t get to question me. I’m the agent in charge here, and I ask the questions.”
“Not when I’ve spent a considerable amount of time on this investigation.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s mine. We all know it. You did persuade your boss to pull rank, didn’t you?”
His eyes steeled over. “I did.”
“Over some petty thugs who’ve graduated to murder?”
“Now you’re playing dumb. You know as well as I do that this is huge. Money laundering, possible human trafficking—”
“Ah, so it is about your pride?”
Compton’s lips formed a tight smile. “I’m above being petty. Two people’s lives are on the line, and two killers remain at large. At the end of the day, we need to shut down La Cocina Dulce’s operation and bring justice to those families who’ve lost loved ones. The FBI has more resources, more manpower, and our agents are better trained. It’s only logical we now assume command of this investigation to ensure the best possible result.”
Genie shook with anger.
“Now, I know you were here at the hospital, injured only a few hours ago. I suggest you and Detective Santiago go home and get
some rest. I’m going to need you two sharp to type up your latest investigative reports. Forward them to my office for inclusion into the official file. If I need anything else, I’ll let you know.” He walked toward the door but stopped before passing through. “Also, tell Detective Santiago he might as well pack his bags. We probably won’t need him after he’s finished his paperwork.” Drake smiled and exited with a quiet click of the door.
Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) Page 30
