“I have no knowledge of what you speak Annoying Grace. As I’ve explained to the nice gentlemen in uniform accusing me of everything from out of jurisdiction to assault with a deadly weapon, I went in person with weapon to assess the situation. I recognized if something wasn’t done immediately, the meth freaks were going to start hosing people down with their AK47’s which were completely automatic and illegal. The thin blue line here looked uncomfortable about asking me all this stuff, especially after getting the toxicity report from the hospital on those two upstanding citizens. They’re getting pressured from above somewhere. It’s not like I killed them which was my first choice.”
“They’ll never use those hands again to pull triggers. That’s for sure,” Grace agreed. “We shut off audio and visual in this room. Tim told them if they want to be brought up on Federal charges, then just go ahead and ignore us. You’re listed as a S.W.A.T. sniper. Tim and I pointed out that you don’t want any credit for assisting. Once we established Monterey’s Blue can claim the takedown in any manner they wish, it was decided you are free to go. Tim and I also forgive you for not calling us on the Carone operation.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about how busy I’ve been. The operation you speak of had extenuating circumstances we’re still in the process of handling. It was decided at the top of the food chain Carone and the threads leading from his organization would be handled by our special task force. I will update you two when it’s over. Don’t even mention the name again, okay?”
“Sorry, Nick,” Tim replied. “That will be great. ‘The ‘Starlight’ operation was incredible. Isis may not have been slowed down much, but you sure punched a hole in their enabler circuit.”
“It went well. If I understand you right, I can walk out of here with you two?”
“Not exactly. The Assistant DA wants to talk to you. Her name’s Emily Dorsett. She seems to think you need another five minutes of bullshit minutia after the hours you’ve already been through.”
“If I can keep my name out of this, it will all be worth the lost time,” Nick replied. “They made me check my iPhone though so I couldn’t funny FaceTime with Jean. Let’s get Em in here so I can get clearance to go.”
“Okay,” Grace agreed, “but hold onto your temper. Don’t let Dorsett bait you, Nick. Tim and I talked to her for fifteen minutes and I still don’t know what her point is.”
“Ditto,” Tim said. “Listen, nod, and let’s get out of here, Nick.”
“I’ll try, Tim.” Nick watched Grace walk out of the room and escort a thin young black woman with a pinched angry look into the interrogation room. Nick figured her age to be middle to late twenties.
She sat down opposite Nick while shuffling papers. When Nick didn’t react she set the folders down, clasped her hands in front of her, and glared into Nick’s smiling face. “I’m Assistant District Attorney Emily Dorsett. Do you know what these folders represent, Marshal McCarty?”
“No… but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me whether I want you to or not.”
Dorsett’s pursed lips almost spewed out whatever actually reflected the vitriol going through her mind. What Nick couldn’t figure out was why. He saw Grace and Tim giving him small head shakes. Grace in particular entertained him with oval mouthed pantomimes of no, no, no. Game on.
“You can make light of this if you like but these folders contain filings on behalf of your victims who are suing the city for twenty million dollars. Dominic Quale and Leo McKinley have a damn good chance of winning.”
“No they don’t.” Nick took a USB flash-drive out of his pocket. “Can I borrow your laptop, Grace?”
Grace set her laptop in front of Nick with it open and running. Nick plugged in the USB drive. Nick narrated it, noting the meth-heads body language shaking with every movement. “You can also see the tall perp blasting away over the heads of innocent hostages forced to lie on the pier in front of the restaurant waiting to die. The shorter one holding the phone gets word he doesn’t like on the phone from the negotiator. When the woman and kids were released she had been beaten and her arm was broken. The kids were manhandled and in shock with bruises and wrenched limbs. I know because I made sure to get a copy of the hospital report on the Mom and kids along with a drug screen on the two perps.”
“Where did you get this video?” Dorsett’s mouth went to instant torque.
“My associate filmed the entire incident. If need be, I have three eyewitnesses, two of whom hold FBI and US Marshal credentials. I explained all this to the police interrogators along with the fact I haven’t made any of it public because I figured a trained poodle could get a conviction on two meth-heads threatening the lives of a multitude of innocent people with illegal weapons. My bad. They seemed satisfied when I wanted to hand over all credit to the Monterey Police Department. Didn’t they explain all this to you?”
“They tried, Nick,” Tim said. “Grace and I were in on the meeting.”
“Dorsett here cut them off before they could get two words of explanation out,” Grace added, causing Dorsett to spin angrily toward them. Grace gave her the wave off. “Don’t bother, kid. You screwed up. I don’t know what your angle is, but Nick’s video stomps the hell out of it. Those two clucks will be going away for a long time. They ought to get the death penalty for what they did.”