“I’m glad you could make it,” he said.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” The two men shook hands, their gazes locking. “She’s gorgeous.”
Madrid shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know what the hell she wants with me.”
Cutter grinned. “I guess that’s one of those mysteries we’ll probably never figure out.” Removing an envelope from the inside pocket of his tux, he passed it to Madrid.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Open it and find out.”
Madrid tore open the envelope, pulled out the single sheet of paper printed on official MIDNIGHT Agency letterhead and quickly read. He wasn’t an emotional man, but for a moment he couldn’t speak. “You’re promoting me?”
“You earned it.” Cutter grimaced. “You followed your instincts on the Lighthouse Point PD case. You did the right thing against tremendous odds.” He sighed. “Against pressure from your superiors.” He looked down, then met Madrid’s gaze. “I was wrong.”
Madrid didn’t know what to say. A month ago when he’d laid down his badge and gun, he’d thought his career with the MIDNIGHT Agency was over. “Thanks,” he managed.
“Norm Mummert and most of the officers working for him are behind bars as of last week. The corruption had penetrated all levels of the Lighthouse Point PD and another small police department with partial jurisdiction over Humboldt Bay. It was one of the most far-reaching cases of police corruption the agency has ever seen. Prosecutors say it’s going to be a slam dunk.”
“What about Capricorn and Yates?”
“Jake Vanderpol took Yates into custody yesterday in Paris. So far as we can tell, Capricorn in clean.”
“What about the women?” he asked, referring to the young immigrants who had been smuggled into the United States using Capricorn container ships in Luna Bay, Lighthouse Point and Humboldt Bay to the north.
“Most of them have been reunited with their families.”
Madrid was overwhelmed by a powerful sense of gratification knowing justice had prevailed. “I couldn’t have done it without Jess and Nicolas.”
“Jess received a formal apology from the governor of California for what local law enforcement put her and the boy through.”
“I’m glad.”
Through the closed doors leading into the nave where dozens of people had gathered for the celebration, they heard the organ begin the traditional wedding march.
Cutter cleared his throat. “You’ve got the next three weeks off,” he said. “I suggest you use them wisely, because I’m going to work your butt off once you’re back.”
Madrid couldn’t help it; he smiled. He thought of Jess waiting for him beyond those doors. He thought of little Nicolas, and for the second time in two minutes he found himself fighting emotion.
“After the wedding today, the three of us are flying to Hawaii for some R and R,” he said.
“You’re adopting the boy?”
Madrid nodded. “We’re crazy about him. He’s a great kid.”
“Angela would have been pleased.” Cutter crossed to the ornately carved doors. “Ready?”
“I’ve been ready my whole life.”
Cutter swung open the doors. “Good luck, man.”