Page 62 of Murder Notes

“You’re one of the best detectives on Planet Earth,” I say, “and that’s not an exaggeration.”

“Yeah, yeah. Skip your normal build-me-up routine. What do you need?”

“The Emerson case. Nelson Moser is now handling it because the lead detective was injured on the job.”

“Moser, huh?”

“Yeah. Moser, who I hear is dirty.”

“He is. Believe me. I saw things.”

“Anything you can prove?”

“No. But he’s dirty.”

“He’s part of what I believe is a setup. A poor guy named Woods is being wrapped with a bow for a series of murders, including your Emerson case. I don’t know who might be helping Moser, or who is involved, but I need to know what you can find out about him and the case without anyone finding out.”

“Holy fuck. Yes. I know who’s involved. Try IA.”

“What?”

“Think about it, Lilah. An innocent man being set up. It’s one of my hot spots. I’d never let that happen. And with me on the chopping block, if anything comes out of this, I’ll take the fall for it. I’ll already have the dirty reputation.”

“Oh. Fuck. Yes. This makes sense.” A really nasty thought hits me, and I almost don’t want to ask the question to get the answer, but I make myself. I man up. “What was the drug bust you did? Who were the targets?” I hold my breath, praying the answer isn’t the Mendez Cartel.

“A top tier in the Romano family,” he says. “A damn good notch on the detective bedpost I should be celebrating.”

Romano. The name offers both relief and an icy chill, considering this is the family who’s been at odds with the Mendez Cartel for generations on end and an enemy to Kane. If they were behind the murders, if they killed on his territory, it could mean war, and this could get really damn bloody before it’s over.

“Lilah?” Greg says. “Hello?”

I blink and realize he’s been speaking and I have no clue what he’s said. “What can you find out for me about the Emerson case without getting caught?” I ask.

“I have a source that can help.”

“How long do you need?”

“Could be an hour. Could be a day.”

“You still have my number?”

He presses his hand to his chest. “Embedded in my heart.”

“Okay then. I’d give you a hug, but you stink. Go take a bath.” I head for the door.

“Lilah.”

I turn to face him. “Yes?”

“You never told me what happened between you and Moser.”

“I wish I could give you some heroic story about how I stopped him from hurting some innocent person. But the truth is, he tried to kiss me and I kneed him rather dramatically in the groin.”

“What does ‘rather dramatically’ mean?”

“He was on the ground, rolling around, panting, and doing some funny thing with his hips.”

He gives me a deadpan look. “I’d laugh, but Moser’s six feet tall with a short-man complex. Be careful out there.”