In the early morning, Patrick, Kenzie, Teresa, Van Pelt, and Minelli climb the stairs of the Davis Motor Inn to Room 222, walking past cops at the door.
"We have a young female, Patrice Matigan, and Joseph Purcell, who was going to be the star witness in California Versus Carris, which was one of the Attorney General's favorite upcoming narcotics cases," explains Minelli.
The kitchenette room looks untidy, seeing a man who has been living there for at least a couple of weeks. Joe Purcell has a bullet hole in his forehead with a pistol in his hand. Patrice Matigan lays on the floor, shot through the heart. A bag of spilled groceries lies between them.
Clothes are draped around, a CD player is set up, and plates of half-eaten food sit on the table. There's a bag of white powder on the counter, a plastic scoop, another gun, and a hunting knife. In the corner, Patrick notices an electric kettle and a baby's bottle.
"State's witness and no police protection?" questions Teresa.
"Davis PD had it covered," says Minelli. "That is until Purcell went awol a few weeks ago. Didn't want to testify, I guess. With Purcell dead, the case against Carris died, too. He walks. So obviously, guys, for all over sakes, this is a must-close. Davis PD is still running the Carris case, so we have to work with them, by the way. Don't freeze 'em out."
"Who is Carris, and where's he or she at right now?"
"Rick Carris is the man to know in the Davis County meth business. Busted last month after a big expensive operation. Out and about on a two-million-dollar bond. Purcell, here, was one of his top street captains. Look at that." Minelli looks at the powder bag. "This fool is State's witness against the biggest cocaine dealer in the county, and he's selling the same drug out of his own motel room. Like Carris wouldn't hear about it. Must've had a death wish."
"That's not cocaine," says Patrick.
Teresa dips her finger into the powder to test it. While Teresa tests it, Patrick takes the keys out of Patrice's hand and walks out of the room. Kenzie and Van Pelt follow him.
"Powered milk."
"Yes, that's often used to cut the product."
"Jane?"
Patrick scans the motel's forecourt, the street, and the back alley behind the place. Teresa steps out.
"What are you looking for," asks Van Pelt.
"The girl had her keys in her hand. She was only planning on stopping by."
Patrick sees what he's looking for and hurries away, with Kenzie following after him. They cross the lot to an early 90s hatchback. He opens the door with Patrice's key. Kenzie sees a pack of diapers in the front passenger seat. Kenzie bends down, unstraps, and picks up a giggling seven-month-old baby out of the car. She grabs the baby's wrist and playfully waves to Teresa, Van Pelt, and Minelli.
🙂
Kenzie holds the baby while Van Pelt and Patrick try to make her smile, and Teresa and a Social Services lady stand waiting for them.
"What happens to her," asks Patrick.
"Social Services has foster moms who specialize in babies. She'll be okay until they find Patrice's family," says Kenzie.
"If she has family."
Van Pelt looks at Teresa.
"Yes," says Teresa.
Patrick waves at the baby before Kenzie says her goodbyes and hands the baby over. Everyone watches the crying baby go with the social worker. Minelli, Detective Blakely, and Detective Preciado approach the three agents and Patrick.
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I Bet on Losing Dogs - Patrick Jane
Fiksi Penggemar"I bet on losing dogs, I know they're losing, and I'll pay for my place by the ring, Where I'll be looking in their eyes when they're down, ...
