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I slowly nod, not allowing my eyes to give away any recognition. I slowly inhale and exhale subtly so they won’t notice.
“Where does Harry Maine come into it?”
“Looks as though Alex called him just before Detective Strode was shot and then again around fifteen minutes after. There was a few back-and-forth phone calls for around an hour or so before all communication stopped, and no one has heard from Alex since. I managed to get to the bar and retrieve the security footage before it was wiped, it looks as though Alex grabbed Summer before she could leave. Within a minute, Strode comes in and pulls her away from the bar.”
“That confirms Strode’s version of events, too.” My eyes shoot to the captain. “He’s awake. I spoke to him an hour ago. He’s off for physio, but you can head over after this.”
I turn my attention back to the issue, running a hand over my mouth and contemplating my next move.
“And you don’t think it was a coincidence the guy that works at the bar where Strode was shot called Harry within that time, and that disappeared?” I say nonchalantly.
“Definitely not.”
“Did CSU find anything at Alex’s apartment?” I ask.
Detective Daly shakes his head before his brows pinch, and he shrugs.
“They tested the blood. It was pigs, not Alex’s.”
I paint a confused expression on my face, looking between the two men. My facial features manage to mirror the captains.
“Could it have been a warning?”
“Possibly, but we don’t know why. I’ve issued an arrest warrant for Harry Maine. But by the sounds, it may be best off sitting on Michael’s apartment for now if that’s where Summer is, he may turn up there.”
I blink a couple of times; I don’t like the idea of someone watching the building. Questions will be asked if they see me coming and going at different times, but that’s something I can mull over later.
“Makes sense, but you should know Harry was spotted twice with Luca Bernardi. I haven’t worked out their connection yet, but it’s just a heads up.”
Detective Daly pales slightly, swallowing hard. He looks between both the captain and me.
“Fuck sake.” He mutters before turning his attention towards the open office door.
“What is it?” The captain asks, as Daly stands up and closes the door.
Sitting back down, he gives one final look to anyone passing the office before lowering his voice.
“Apparently, an investigation started around twelve months ago. The PC had a team put together to investigate the potential that cops and detectives on the inside may have been working for Luca.”
“But this isn’t confirmed?” I ask.
“No, it’s only what I’ve heard from a confidential source at One PP.”
“Why has this only just started? Luca’s been around for years.”
“This is only a rumor.” Daly leans in closer. “The PC and a team reviewed all the case files related to Luca. They found that many previous associates that worked with Luca over a brace of years had all gone missing. Now don’t get me wrong, these people were scum but they just vanished without a trace.”
“The PC thinks some cops did this for Luca?” I ask, trying to understand why anyone would help that fucking bastard or how Daly has come to this pretty dumb conclusion.
“I find that hard to believe, son. Luca’s a killer and a rapist, I don’t see why anyone would help him.” As the captain interjects, I can see he’s not buying this shit either.
“Money.” Daly shrugs, leaning back in his chair. “If he’s willing to pay, sometimes the offer is hard to turn down.”
Briefly looking away, I feel a pang of anger rush through me. After seeing what Alex was willing to do for five grand from Harry, it’s now a little more believable that we could have dirty cops walking among us.
“Look, I get this could just be a rumor.” Daly raises his hands in defense. “I don’t want to believe anyone I work with could be taking backhanders from this guy, it’s just what I’ve heard. The PC may be just trying to protect the NYPD and trying to quash anything before something concrete could hit the press.”
“We think that Luca could have been the one who killed Michael Harper.” I look to the captain, surprised he even said anything. Especially after he told me to let it go.
