White Night

Chapter 31

Ross wasn't at his desk when Connors returned to the department. Was he checking his stock portfolio, or working on leads that he hadn't told her about? Either way, she wasn't about to waste her time tracking him down.

Banner appeared. "I checked out the ex-boyfriend of Amanda Campos."

"And?"

"Petty larceny, misdemeanor assault, and a string of domestic calls. Works at an auto body repair shop now; boss says he's a good employee."

"No weapons charges?"

"Nope."

"Alibi?"

"Yeah, checks out. Unfortunately, he was out drinking with his brothers and a few of the guys from the shop, including his boss."

"The boss could be lying."

"I know, so I checked with the bar. Waitress confirms he was there and trying to get in her pants all night."

"Nice."

"Gotta give you the full report." Banner grinned broadly.

"Okay, get in touch with Organized Crime and see what they've got on Nikolai Kotov."

"Nikolai's involved in this?" His eyes widened.

"Maybe. I want to know what he's been up to lately."

"'K, you got it." Banner took off in the direction of his desk.

Straightening her leg under her desk, she rested her hand on the top of her aching knee and rubbed it slowly.

If Weston was working for Nikolai, why kill him? Weston would've known the score: do as you're told or I lean on Mom again. So what would make Weston risk a threat to his mom?

Captain Reyes leaned out of her office. "Detective Connors, a word."

She nodded and stood as the captain waited for her to walk into her office. Another test, another checkpoint. Screw it.

She marched into Reyes' office with her normal awkward gait and a boatload of attitude.

"Update?" The captain stretched back in her chair.

"Weston was killed with a .22. We've investigated several people connected to him, including his ex-girlfriend, but it appears his mom was being squeezed, and he made a deal to get them to lay off."

"Who?"

"Nikolai Kotov."

Captain Reyes shook her head slowly. "Anything to connect him to the murder?"

"Nothing yet."

"Well, congratulations, Detective, your case just went to the top of the list. Check in with Organized Crime on Nikolai's latest activities."

"We're working on that now," she replied, suppressing a sigh. She hadn't forgotten everything.

"We need the second victim and that bullet. Any leads?"

"Not yet. We're monitoring area hospitals and re-checking the construction workers who didn't show up for work."

"Okay, Detective. One more thing, Damian Redgrave's trial is in three months."

Her heart stopped.

She knew she had to face the man who ran her down, but a timeline made it real and gave her a date to dread.

"Did you hear me, Detective?"

She nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Reyes removed her glasses and smiled softly. "Let me know what you need."