White Night

Chapter 49

Nikolai's lawyer was unavailable until the following morning. It was probably bullshit, but they weren't allowed to question Nikolai without him, and for the leverage they needed, she wanted the Romano lawyer there.

If the Romanos didn't know what their adopted son was up to, telling the Romano lawyer was as good as telling the Romanos. Nikolai would know that and need a deal if he wanted protection, the kind only the NYPD or FBI could provide.

The FBI and Homeland Security had been informed of the tip from Galina, and Connors was poring through Nikolai's phone records when she heard the commotion.

"Where the hell were you?"

"My car was penned in. I had to get there on foot... Where were you? You're her damn partner!"

"You son of a bitch..."

Crossing the squad room as fast as her leg would allow, she entered the break room to see Ross and Grinair toe to toe.

"What the hell is going on?" Connors shouted.

They both glared at her.

"I was just asking Detective Grinair where he was while you were being rammed repeatedly by a three-ton van," Ross replied, glaring darkly at Grinair.

"Hey, I showed up and fired at the assholes. Where were you? Checking your stock portfolio?"

Ross stepped toward Grinair and grabbed his jacket. She put a hand on her partner's chest and pushed him back.

"Then maybe you can explain why there was no junkie arrested close to the time of Weston's murder," Ross added.

Her head snapped around at Ross. He'd been investigating Grinair? She'd been suspicious of him since the hospital parking lot, but why was Ross investigating? Suspicion? Diversion?

"Check the records, Sir Ross. There was an arrest."

"Not until three hours later. I spoke to the junkie and she said it was after the club closed."

"You deal with many crack whores in the Upper West Side, Ross? They don't know who their frickin' mother is, never mind what time they got arrested."

"She seemed pretty clear when I talked to her," Ross said calmly.

"Oh yeah, what were you doing talking to her? Tryin' to get some skid-row action?"

Ross pushed against her hand and she fought to push him back again.

"Rein in your boy, Connors. I don't have time for this shit."

"Where were you after the ambush, Grinair? No one saw you arrive at the scene," Ross continued.

"I heard other gunshots. Figured you were under fire and Connors might need help. We all know you never pull the trigger."

Ross shrank back under her hand this time as hurt filled his eyes. Grinair had given him a direct hit.

"But we didn't see you at the scene," Ross said, more quietly, on his back foot now.

"I was there, then I followed those scumbag Colombians. I don't have to explain myself to you, anyway."

"How did you know they were Colombians?" Ross asked.

"Everyone knows the Romanos are doing battle with the Colombians. Everyone who's been here more than five minutes and done their homework..."

Ross looked at her, his eyes asking her where she stood.

"Detective Ross, I believe Detective Grinair has answered all your questions."

"What?" He stepped back, away from her hand. She'd followed Grinair's earlier hit on her partner's confidence with a solid kick to the balls.

"Are you serious?" Ross asked, his pained eyes reflecting her betrayal.

She didn't answer, but he knew she was.

He shook his head and stormed out of the break room, their partnership in worse shape than the moment she aimed her Glock at his chest.

"Connors, you don't need this and your career sure as hell don't," Grinair snapped.

"I know, he's just—"

"Just screwin' up his career and taking yours with it. He's not even a real cop, he doesn't belong here. One word to the captain about this and you're both suspended, you know that, right?"

"Are you going to let me deal with it, or are you going to have that word?" She fixed her glare into his slate eyes.

"This time, I'm going to let you deal with it. But one more word from rich boy..."

"Understood," she said.

"Okay then." Grinair smoothed out his jacket, snatched his coffee off the table, and marched out of the break room.

But nothing was okay.