She was confused. “What?”
“You tell Juan. Now, not later. And I’m going to find out where James Everett is so we can interview him.” He held up the tablet. “I’m going to give this to Zach to work on cracking the code and extracting data.”
Lucy nodded and left the conference room. Barry didn’t follow her, but sat down at the table and pulled out his phone.
She walked back to her squad room and knocked on Juan’s doorframe, even though his door was open and he was typing at the computer. He had an open-door policy, but ever since she’d been suspended, she’d avoided him. She hated the tension and suspected it contributed to her insomnia.
But if she was truthful with herself, she knew there was far more to it than tension in the office. Seeing Michael and the other boys yesterday had reminded her that there were more children like them out there. It was her overwhelming feeling of helplessness that disrupted her sleep. Intellectually, she knew she couldn’t save everyone. That children would be murdered and women raped and predators freed. But when her defenses were down and her mind was at rest, her emotions took over and all she could dream about were those she couldn’t save.
And sometimes, in her nightmares, she couldn’t save herself.
Juan looked up. “Come in, Lucy. Close the door.”
She sat on the edge of a chair. “On the case Barry and I are working, the victim’s company hired Sean to assist with the security audit. Sean told me yesterday. I don’t think there’s a conflict, I didn’t recommend him, but Barry wanted to make sure you knew.”
Juan nodded. “Sean called me.”
“Oh. Okay.” She stood.
“Sit back down.”
She did, her heart pounding. She hadn’t done anything wrong since she’d returned. She’d done everything she’d been asked, gone above and beyond, worked extra hours—yes, to make amends for what happened in Mexico, but also because she loved her job and wanted to get back in Juan’s good graces.
Juan finished typing something on his computer, then turned his attention to her. “Agent Donnelly called this morning. He asked me to loan you to him on a case he’s working. The last-known associates of Jaime Sanchez and Vasco Trejo were murdered last night. Nine people dead, including a child.”
Her stomach turned. “What happened?”
“I don’t have the details yet. Brad was heading to the crime scene when he called. I can’t let you work the case. You’re in the middle of an important investigation.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re welcome to talk to him and share information, but I need you working the Worthington case with your undivided attention.”
“Absolutely.”
“However, Brad’s concerned about your safety and frankly, so am I. You and Brad were instrumental in taking down Trejo’s smuggling operation and Sanchez’s local gang. While most of their people are dead, that doesn’t necessarily mean you and Brad are not on the cartel’s radar. I already talked to Ryan, and he’s going to liaison with the DEA’s office until we figure out what’s going on with this situation.”
“Thank you for letting me know. Is that all?”
“Yes.”
She got up and put her hand on the doorknob.
“One more thing, Lucy,” he said.
She turned, still apprehensive.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’ve been putting in extra hours. You don’t need to do that.”
“I know,” she said, then added, “I love my job.”
Juan didn’t say anything else, so she walked out, uncertain if she’d helped or hurt her case.
Barry approached. “Everett’s in his office, let’s go.”
She grabbed her gun and credentials from her desk drawer, then rushed to follow Barry out to the parking lot. They ran into Ryan Quiroz getting into a pool car. “Luce,” he said, “did you talk to Juan?”
She nodded. “He filled me in.”
“Make sure you watch your back.”
“If Trejo’s entire network was taken out, that should be good news.”
“Unless there’s a more dangerous player involved. I’ll let you know what I learn, I’m meeting Donnelly at the crime scene.”
“Thanks, Ryan. Tell Brad I said hi.”
Ryan drove off. Though he’d been angry with her for a few weeks after she came back from her suspension, they’d recently started talking and things were almost back to where they had been. She liked Ryan a lot—he was a great cop and they’d worked well together during Operation Heatwave. She wanted that back. Maybe she should plan a dinner or something at the house this weekend. Sean enjoyed socializing more than she did, so he’d probably be amicable to the idea.
“What’s going on?” Barry asked as he drove away.
“Remember Operation Heatwave?”
“Of course.”
“Fallout from that. Nine people from the Trejo/Sanchez gang were murdered last night. Ryan’s working with the DEA on it.”
“Is your attention going to be divided?”
“No—I’m committed to the Worthington case.”