The Aftermath

49

Baker briefed Roads about  the phone call on the way to the Union Tribune building in Mission Valley. Roads became stoic, and lit a cigarette. She rolled down the window but didn't say anything. She only smoked when she was drinking. Something about alcohol made smoking a good idea, and even a pleasant indulgence, but she enjoyed her health too much to take it up as a full time occupation like Roads did. Maybe he would go for one of those e-cigs I've seen, She thought to herself, and tried to remember where she had seen one.

They came through the front door, and were escorted by front desk security up to the third floor, and into a meeting room. Roads helped himself to the coffee, and sat down next to her, taking out his note book and putting a cigarette between his teeth. He was in full Roads' mode now. His mind going through the details they had so far, and making notes in short-hand on the page.

"You know short-hand?" She smiled.

"Yeah? So what? Learned it in high-school. Damn fine skill." He gruffed at her.

"Uh-huh. You learn how to smoke in high-school too?" she jibed.

This time he smiled a little, "About the same time if I recall correctly."

She noticed he had small cigarette burns on the lapel of his sports jacket. She reached over and fingered one of them, but said nothing. She had probably noticed them a thousand times, why they bothered her now she couldn't guess.

He scowled at her, "You going to fidget on me all day?"

"Probably." She admitted.

He harrumphed but said nothing.

The door opened and Teri Mast came in with two other men. She got a cup of coffee and sat down across from them at the meeting table. The two mend did the same, one of them asked, Baker if she wanted a cup. "Yes please." She nodded with a smile. Roads harrumphed again, but quieter this time.

He was smiling at Teri Mast. At first this bothered Baker, but then she noticed that there was more fox in that smile than wolf. And there was a bit of rabbit-that-got-away in Teri's smirk as she looked at him.

"When I called for you, they told me you were suspended from duty." She pinned.

"He is." Baker answered.

"Then why is he here?"

"Because I asked him to come. Despite some personal issues, he is still the best at what he does."

"That might not say much for your department."

Baker noticed Roads flush with anger, but before he could say anything, she injected, "Actually it does. Roads has an 80% solved case rate. He has more than twenty years of experience in homicide. And he has more cold case solutions than anyone on the west cost. Since you seem to be next on the to-do list for these psychopaths, it might be wise to consider very carefully who you want to throw out of your office."

Teri's smirk settled into a frown, and she nodded, "I withdraw the comment. I do need all the help I can get, so thank you for coming Roads." She nodded, "But I'm not sure I'm really on a to-do list. I think they spotted me at the hospital. I gave Tom and Kemp a hug outside the front door, in front of God and everyone. I think I just became a target of convenience."

"Not the way I see it." Roads gruffed, as he made some notes.

"No?"

"No." Roads shook his head looking up from his notebook. "You were with both Davis and Blake at the Oceanside PD station, posing as Davis' assistant. Then you left in his car. You went to his mother's place. You came back to his house with him. You ate ice cream on the porch. You staid after the police arrived, and you have been playing at being his personal publicist, showing what a hero he is, and how he is the victim of his circumstance. Right or wrong, these two are going to put you on the list. They know where you live already, they know about your wife, where she works, and what your schedules are like. I agree that spotting you at the hospital was a moment of convenience for them, but don't think for a moment that your life isn't on their list."