Page 40 of Protect My Heart

“Wait.” Little J jumped up. “I know stuff. Good stuff.”

“He doesn’t know anything.” Jim knew a stall tactic when he saw one. He looked at CJ, who raised an eyebrow and they both sat back down. “Okay Jerome, you got one shot and make it good, because I got places to be and you got a nice cold cell with your next boyfriend waiting for you.”

“No man, really, it’s good shit.” He licked his cracked lips, and his gaze darted to the mirror then back. “My cousin was on the inside. Stillwater, you know, and he was bragging how he could get all the shit he wants on the inside ‘cause he did somethin’ for the guard.”

“We don’t care about who your cousin blows.” Jim slouched back in his chair.

“No man, he didn’t do that. He killed another prisoner for the guard.”

Jim shared a look with his partner. He only knew of one death in Stillwater in the last six months and it was from an allergic reaction. “I know for a fact no prisoners have been murdered in Stillwater lately.”

Little J sat up straighter, excitement sparked in his eyes as he spoke. “No man, that’s the beauty of his plan. The guard gave him this stuff to put into the guy’s food. My cousin was on kitchen duty and slipped it into this guy’s food. Bam— the guy grabbed at his throat and keeled over right there in the dinner hall. Everyone thought it was an allergy or something.”

Jim fought the urge to look at the two-way mirror where Doc stood on the other side. If this was true, he had his tie to O’Roarke. “I think you’re full of shit, but give me your cousin’s name and I’ll see if your story checks out.”

Little J slumped back in his chair. A mist came over his eyes. “Can’t man. Reggie got out two weeks ago and was stabbed by one of those fuckers on the west side.” He spit on the ground as he muttered about the other gang.

“So if your cousin was killed by the other gang, why did you go after Noah Delie?” CJ asked.

“His brother was the piece of shit that killed Reggie.” He must have realized what he said, because he backtracked. “Not that I killed the asshole’s brother. Hey, I want that lawyer.”

“Right.” Jim and CJ signaled for the guard. “Escort Mr. Wilson here back to his cell, and he would like an attorney.”

When CJ and Jim were alone in the room, Jim ended the session for the recorder and turned it off. “Do you think he’s telling the truth?”

“Easy enough to check his statement of his cousin’s death, but as for Patrick O’Roarke’s death, that will be a little more difficult.”

Doc entered the room. “My father never had any allergies. I asked my mom earlier today. And in my professional opinion, Jerome ‘Little J’ Wilson showed real grief over the loss of his cousin. A boy with his life situation could and would most likely seek retribution. I would like to evaluate him further.”

The last thing Jim wanted was for Doc to be alone in a room with the gangbanger. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Lizzy’s professional opinion would add weight to the case. But in this situation, she is tied to the witness and possibly the victim in his story. The defense would have it thrown out because of the conflict of interest.”

“CJ’s right.” Jim exhaled his first deep breath since she walked in the room. “I like the idea of a psych eval. Maybe you could recommend someone.”

“I’ve only been back a couple of weeks, but I have some contacts at County.” She pulled out her phone and started to scroll. “They would know the best person for the job. I’ll text you their info.”

“No, I’ll call County and get the info tomorrow. Best if you aren’t involved.’ CJ checked his phone, shook his head, and huffed out a breath. “It’s late. I’m going to type up my report in the morning. I have to make it up to Lorna for bailing on our first Valentine’s dinner. Catch you guys tomorrow.”

“Good plan. Let me check one thing at my desk then we can go.” Jim put his hand on the small of her back and guided Doc out of the interrogation room.

He ran a quick search on Jerome’s cousin Reggie and his story checked out. Reggie Wilson met the end of a knife on his way to the light rail after he left his parole officer’s building. No witnesses, but a rival gang took credit for the kill. It all seemed too neat in Jim’s book. He needed to dig a little deeper into the guard story.

When he shut down his computer, an hour had passed. Doc sat at CJ’s desk next to him scrolling through her phone. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you start shooting rubber bands at me or something?”

“It’s fine. Obviously whatever you were doing is important. I answered some emails and caught up on the latest memes on the internet.” She waved her phone at him.

Yes, it was important, but getting back to what they were doing earlier was equally important. “Come on. Let’s go.”

A soft snore came from the passenger side of the truck. Doc zonked out within minutes of pulling onto the road. Jim watched the streetlights stream across her face as they drove back to her parents’ home. She looked all high society and snooty, but she was anything but. Doc carried herself with a professional demeanor but underneath was a scared child. Her deep love of her family peeked out, letting Jim see the real her.

She roused as he put the truck in park. “Sorry, I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

He rounded the hood and helped her from the vehicle. Taking her bag, he kept a vigilant eye as he escorted her into the house. Tigger greeted them but he wanted to do a quick walk through before she went to her room. “Stay here.”

After the check, Jim found her slumped on the couch, Tigger’s head on her lap. Her eyelids at half-mast and her hand lazily stroking the dog’s fur. She needed sleep. No picking up where they left off. “Come on. It’s been a busy day. You need sleep.”

Jim pulled her up from the couch, and started toward the stairs, but Doc stopped. “I have to activate the alarm.”