Page 20 of Lost Cause
He told his boss about Abby and her team, plus Blackwell Tactical.
Ryder picked up and toyed with a pen. “I’ve run into Day a few times. She’s got a good rep. Was a solid sheriff. Don’t know her team, but I’m willing to give them a try.”
“Willing, as in deputizing them? Or do you want me to simply coordinate with them?”
Ryder grimaced. “Nothing simple about that. Not with all of them being former law enforcement officers. They’re trained to take charge. We deputize the ones we need. Hopefully only one or two. They’re less likely to go rogue if they have to report to you.”
As much as Burke didn’t want Abby reporting to him on a regular basis, Ryder made a solid point. “I’ll get with Day to discover necessary personnel and get back to you tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“One more thing,” Burke said. “Forensics. What are the odds one of our techs could get on this first thing in the morning?”
Ryder snorted. “Fat chance. Wexler homicide trumps everything. No way I’ll pull a tech off that and reassign them to your investigation.”
“As I expected.” He shared Abby’s suggestions for forensic staff. “I figured if they both did the work pro bono, we’d use the first one available.”
Ryder snapped his chair forward. “You can’t go wrong with either one. If Gage Blackwell hired someone, that person has top-notch skills, but the Veritas Center will have far more resources. I’ll leave it up to you to decide. In either event, all results come to you first.”
Burke took this as a sign their conversation had ended and stood. “I’ll let you know what I decide.”
“I’d like a preliminary report on my desk by eight. Make it detailed but vague on the crown in case the commissioner asks to see the investigation details in writing.”
“Roger that.”
“And Ulrich,” Ryder locked his eyes on Burke, “I’m glad to have you back where you belong, but don’t let me down on this investigation or you just might find yourself in the hot seat again.”
Burke nodded, but couldn’t find the right words to say, so he took off. Back in his cubicle, he developed a to-do list. First, he would fill out the request for the old files. The next item he didn’t much like. Calling Abby Day. No biggie, right? There were often tasks he didn’t like in his job.
“Yeah… right,” he mumbled, feeling that familiar edge of caution. “Like talking to her would be anything like talking to any other ex-sheriff.”
Abby’s phone rang. Expecting her team’s video call, she opened her laptop and looked at the screen. Whoa! Not a video call and not her team, but ID for the county sheriff’s office appeared. Had to be Burke. Should she talk to him when she hadn’t spoken to her team yet? She had to. She’d promised to let Sam know as soon as possible if she was needed in the morning.
Her friendship with Sam trumped her unease in taking the call.
“Abby Day,” she answered, trying to keep her voice light when she was exhausted.
“It’s Burke Ulrich,” Burke said, sounding as fatigued as she felt. “I’ve made a decision on the forensics. I’d like you to contact both parties to see who might be available first thing in the morning.”
“I’ve already left a message for Sierra at Veritas, and I’m waiting to hear back from her, and I’ve spoken to Samantha Griffin at Blackwell. She’s available, but not pro bono. She’ll work for whatever wage you’d pay a state tech. And that’s a real bargain.”
He let silence answer for him.
She wouldn’t give in easily on offering Sam’s services pro bono, so sat back to wait him out.
He finally cleared his throat. “If Veritas isn’t available first thing, I’ll check with the sheriff to see if we can offer Ms. Griffin any payment.”
“Perfect.”
“I’ve also spoken to the sheriff about you and your team. He’s agreed to deputize you and any of your teammates who you feel are vital to this investigation.”
“Deputize… oh, uh, I didn’t expect him to agree to that.”
“Sheriff Ryder wants this case closed quickly and believes it’s the best way to accomplish it.”
So she’d be reporting to Burke as her supervisor. Could she report to him? She wouldn’t answer now and would give it some thought. “I haven’t met with my team yet.”
“No worries. We can meet at Victor’s estate at eight a.m. sharp, and you can let me know your decision then.” He disconnected before she could agree or add anything else.
