Total pages in book: 183
Estimated words: 178343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 892(@200wpm)___ 713(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 892(@200wpm)___ 713(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
“Oh really?” I ask.
No shit.
“Really. Lotta connections pointing, leading people to wanna dig into things.”
“Meaning?”
“Ray Iadanza’s escape. What happened to you. The thing that happened to you a coupla months ago when you were jumped outside that hotel. The dosing with the designer drugs that are connected to the dead dealer who’s connected to the potential heist plan for here. All of it. Real interesting. You’ve either done a good job of stayin’ under radar until now or something… trying to suss that out.”
“Meaning?” I repeat.
“All I’m gonna say, you’ve got eyes on you. You seem like a smart guy, so you probably already figure this. And I’m good at reading people and situations, so I’m also gonna go out on a limb here and say you seem like a decent guy. Seems to me you could do with having a friend or two in the department who can keep you in the know about conversations, action plans, that kinda thing.”
“I consider all police officers friends, MacDonald, so I guess that’s a good thing.”
“Yeah,” he sniffles, staring at his shoes. “I get you. I get you. But I’m prepared to be an extra-good friend, if you get me.” He makes deliberate, loaded eye contact.
“Nice of you to offer,” I say, holding his gaze. “Always good to have friends. Good friends especially. Though not if they come at a steep price. I don’t need to buy my friends.”
He shakes his head. “As a family man with kids I worry about the drugs on the street and it’s gonna make me sleep better at night knowin’ that someone like Felix Hoffman is no longer in that lab cookin’ up crazy shit that might make its way onto school grounds, no matter how he happened to find his end. I’m not against vigilantism. Not at all. If I hadn’t gotten this job when I applied, I woulda joined someone like Zack Jacobs who selectively picks which side of the law he wants to work on depending on the situation.”
Interesting name drop. Makes me think he’s talked to Zack about me. And good to know Zack isn’t just a Fed. That I was right to hire Wes for Violet again and that I maybe don’t need to worry about some of the conversations Wes was privy to in Numbers during my meltdown.
“And Killian, I can absolutely get behind doin’ what you’ve got to do to keep your woman safe. I’d be the same with my wife. I’m not a dirty cop. What I am is an officer who is also a concerned citizen. As a cop, I can’t always handle shit like I’d like to because of the badge, but I like bein’ acquainted with people who don’t wear badges that have the same values I’ve got. You get me?”
We stare for a long minute before I say, “I get you.”
“Anyway,” Carlson continues, “Better head out. Later, Killian.”
“Have a good day. See you later. Too bad we won’t be able to celebrate the end of this year like most folks.”
“Too bad about that. Maybe we can all catch a drink afterwards, you know, celebrate belatedly after we make sure we serve and protect the citizens of Portland and make sure your club doesn’t get robbed while your customers enjoy ringing in the new year.”
“Sounds good to me. You bring the hooch. Seems my hooch has some ill-effects.”
He laughs and waves at me. “Yeah. I’m happy to bring the hooch.”
As I’m making a mental note to look into this guy later, Jag steps outside.
“Oh, hey,” I greet. “Didn’t know you were here, too.”
“Yeah. Quick downstairs meeting with the team in the surveillance room. I’m gonna head out. Pick up Jem and drive home. Be back New Year’s Eve by around noon. Work?”
“That works.”
We bump fists.
“What do you make of Carlson MacDonald?” I ask.
“Good cop. Good guy. From the little I know, MacDonald doesn’t mind playing in the gray to get shit done. Wouldn’t push him too far into the gray, but he’ll dip a toe over the line if it’s warranted.”
“Good to know.”
“Not sure his partner is of the same mind, though so it’s still good to be careful.”
“Agreed. You looked into those two without me asking.”
He gives me a look that says of course I did. And I’m glad Jag is back. And on that thought, I’ll need to have a conversation with Zack Jacobs. I want Wes Traynor getting a bonus from me. He went above and beyond with Violet when I had that drug-induced meltdown and I want him to know I appreciate it.
I also think about asking if Carlson MacDonald will get me some footage of what went down at that bar between Iadanza, Hoffman, and Stephanie Whitley. I’d like to clap eyes on the other people they haven’t yet identified from those meetings.