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“What what means?”
“You bringing Evans to the crime scene where her husband was found murdered?”
Davis caught the exact moment when Detective Harper understood what was happening. His eyes traveled across the room to Davis, who remained quiet while Harper’s face tensed and flushed red. “You’re not taking me off the case—”
“I am,” Captain Jones replied with a huff and then raked a hand down his face and over his head. “You didn’t leave me much of a choice.”
“I get why you think that’s necessary, but I can be impartial, and more than anything, I can investigate in a way that will ensure justice is served. It’s her husband, for Christ’s sake.” Detective Harper threw his hands up exasperatedly.
“You’re too close to the situation, and you’ve already potentially compromised the case. You don’t need to be a part of this.” Nathanial’s tone was even, diplomatic when he finally spoke up. Both Captain Jones and Detective Harper listened to the newbie. The captain remained quiet. He was the one who’d made the call and filled Detective Davis in before calling them both into the office. Detective Harper’s reaction was explosive.
“Of course, I’m close to the case. She’s one of us—”
“No, actually, she’s not, and you’re proving why you don’t need to be a part of this investigation. She hasn’t been ruled out as a suspect. You two share a personal relationship that might cloud your judgment and—”
“She didn’t kill her husband,” Harper growled. “And you’re damn right; she and I have a personal relationship—as does everyone else in this precinct . . .”
“Not everyone,” Detective Davis noted, which further infuriated Harper.
“I’ve worked side-by-side with Cassidy. She’s part of why our precinct has been so successful in solving tough cases over the years. We owe her this.”
“Possibly, but we also can’t be sure she’s not involved. We have to protect ourselves. Cover our own asses, which means not trying to cover hers. Wouldn’t you agree, Captain?” Detective Davis didn’t bother looking at their captain. He kept his focus on Harper to deliver the final blow. “You, of all people, should understand.”
Harper cringed with the silent reminder that he’d almost botched a very important case for the same reason. He had a prior relationship with the senator’s son. They had been old college fraternity brothers. Their familiarity came into question during a sexual assault case where the senator’s son was the suspect. He was innocent, and Harper wanted justice for his old college chum but could have compromised the investigation’s validity by not recusing himself from the case due to their friendship.
“This isn’t the same,” he gritted through clenched teeth.
“Close enough,” Davis chimed in, still relaxed and void of emotions. He rarely got riled up, which often helped him become a better detective.
“You stay the fuck out of this,” Harper warned.
Davis stepped away from the door, closing the space between him and his colleague. Harper was angry, but Davis didn’t care. If Harper decided to get physical, Davis could surely defend himself. He was younger, more fit, and a skilled boxer from years of training before joining the force.
“Like it or not, the case is mine. You’re too emotional, anyway. Emotions mean mistakes, but regardless, the decision has been made. Captain’s orders. Not mine.”
“You cocky son of a bitch.” Harper stepped forward but relaxed his posture after hearing his name called. When his eyes landed on their captain, he reeled in his anger.
“He’s right, Harper. Like it or not, the case is his, and you will stay as far away from this as possible. Considering who she is, we can’t afford to mess this up, nor do we need the bad press that will be attached to it if we do. Things are quiet right now, but that won’t last long if Cassidy’s name gets attached to Williams’s. Stay out of it. If I find out otherwise, you’ll see me. Understood?”
“Yeah.”
Harper kept his eyes trained on Davis, scowling for a moment longer before his eyes moved past him, delivering one last glare at their captain. Davis didn’t react other than to follow the path that Harper took, leaving the office until he was out of his line of sight. His focus then moved to their captain.
“I’ll get started right away.”
“You do that, but please understand, he’s right about one thing. She’s one of us. Don’t fuck this up, Davis.” Davis offered a nod before turning to leave, stopping at the door when he heard the captain’s voice once more.
“Davis . . .”
“Yeah . . .”
“You’ve only been here a year. Technically, you’re still new. The guys around here are a family. You might want to try not to make enemies. Messing with Harper will get you just that. A bunch of enemies.”
Davis glanced over his shoulder, expression neutral but with amusement in his eyes. He wasn’t moved by the threat. He was his own man and a bit of a loner. He didn’t need friends in the department or to be considered anyone’s family. His only responsibility was to do his job, which he did efficiently and without bias. Still, he offered the confirmation that he knew his captain wanted.
“Noted. I’ll keep that in mind.”
With that, he walked away prepared to do what he did best: solve the case.
