Page 95 of Newly Tied

This was new. “There was a film crew there?” Lang asked.

“Apparently so. The DEA didn’t read us in on that, which they didn’t have to, but I’m always upfront when we have civilians along.”

“So what happened?”

Long-suffering sigh. “It’s par for the course with this group, and honestly, I’ve been guilty of being less than complimentary of the DEA in the past myself. And between us, within the confines of our office, that’s fine. The trouble comes because we get used to saying things, because let’s face it, if the ball is dropped, it’s usually them, they’re cowboys who do whatever the hell they want, but when we share our opinions loosely in public, that’s when we have to pay the piper.”

“So someone mouthed off about the DEA last night durin’ that sweep of the apartment house and the film crew got it on tape,” I summed up.

“Exactly.”

“Yeah, but was whoever said it wrong?”

“The problem is, they weren’t talking about a specific incident but generally.”

“Like they’re cowboys who play loose and fast with the rules,” I said, chuckling.

He nodded.

“And now you have to smooth it over.”

“It’s my job to try, so I need to be ready with an answer when I’m asked about the documentary film crew and their sound bite, which I will be.”

Lang cleared his throat. “Is Kage going to get heat for that? For what whoever said?”

“Yes,” Kohn answered honestly. “And I’m sure the mayor will want to have some meetings to determine how to resolve this constant tension.”

I was worried. “They won’t use this to remove Kage, will they?”

Kohn smiled. “Our boss has the best working relationship with the mayor’s office of all the law enforcement agencies here in Chicago. Don’t worry about him.”

“That’s good.”

He took a breath then, reading something on his phone, then placed it in his back pocket. “Okay, I’m going in. You guys should too, or you’ll melt out here.”

“We will,” Lang told him. “Hey, do you need us to stand with you at the press conference? Maybe divert attention from the stupid sound bite by answering questions?”

“No, no. That’s tomorrow. Miro and Ian will both be there with me. But it’s kind of you to offer. And I’m sorry I can’t mention either of you by name in relation to Mosbach’s capture. That’s not how the marshals service works.”

“We know,” Lang said with a grin. “And that’s actually something we both appreciate. Having things appear only on our records, not on the news.”

Kohn nodded. “I agree. Justice. Integrity. Service.”

“That’s the way we roll,” I concurred.

He squinted at me, and when I turned to Lang, he looked like he ate a lemon as well.

“What?”

“I think he needs to sleep,” Kohn told Lang, then went into the house.

“Really, Del? That’s how we roll?”

“I might be tired,” I deadpanned.

Lang’s groan made me smile.

We stayed to watch the poker game begin, and Redeker was not kidding. The second the large round card table came out, people started to bail. Like put their drinks down on whatever surface they were closest to and bolt out the door.