"Yeah." He rakes his fingers through his hair. "It's one of the reasons Keegan's grandparents got together. Leighton's family was running moonshine that killed a kid."
I'm speechless. I never knew that Laurel Springs lore.
He continues. "I need you to find out if he's heard any names. If kids are talking about who's dealing at school. If there's a specific person they're going to, or if it's just word of mouth that The Rebels are the source." Harrison pauses, studying my face. "And I need to know if he's seen anything himself. If anyone's approached him."
The protective instinct that flares up surprises me. Keegan's a good kid, despite having a cop for a father and all the baggage that comes with it. The thought of someone pushing drugs on him pisses me the fuck off.
"I'll talk to him," I say finally. "But I'm not going to pressure him. If he doesn't want to talk, I'm not going to push."
"I wouldn't expect you to." Harrison's expression softens slightly. "Look, Devil, I know this situation you're in... it's not easy. Hell, it's probably the hardest thing any cop can go through."
I look at him, surprised by the understanding in his voice.
"You think I don't get it? You think I don't see what's happening with you and Dani?" He shakes his head. "I've been doing this job for twenty-five years. I've seen good cops get caught between their duty and their heart more times than I can count."
"It's not that simple," I start, but he holds up a hand.
"No, it's not simple at all. You've got real feelings for her. Anyone with eyes can see that. And she's not just some random club member - she's integral to what they do, who they are. Walking away from her means walking away from everything you've built with The Saint's Outlaws. Regardless of what that is, it's been your leadership that's done that. A leadership that would work just as well with the badge." Chief Harrison leans against his patrol car. "But staying means compromising everything you swore to uphold as a cop. I don't envy you."
I run both hands through my hair, the frustration and conflict eating at me from the inside. "So what would you do? If it was you and Karina?"
Harrison is quiet for a long moment, his gaze distant. "Honestly? I don't know if I'd be able to make that decision. Rina and I... we've been together a long time. She had my heart from the first time I saw her walking toward me in a parking lot. If I had to choose between her and the badge..." He trails off, shaking his head. "I'd like to think I'd do the right thing, but when you love someone, really love them, it changes everything."
"That's not exactly helping me figure this out," I say, but there's no anger in my voice. Just exhaustion and desperation.
"I'm not trying to make the decision for you, Devil. I'm just trying to let you know that I understand why this is tearin' you apart." He straightens up, his professional demeanor returning. "But I also need you to understand that kids are dyin'. That changes the stakes."
I nod, knowing he's right. When it was just about moving product, about the club making money in ways that didn't directly hurt innocent people, I could rationalize it. But fentanyl-laced weed being sold to teenagers? There's no rationalizing that.
"The thing that makes this even more complicated," Chief Harrison continues, "is that I think Ethan's using a bit of your product. Y'all haven't been out to the greenhouse lately have you?"
"No, no one has been. We've all been surviving."
"Go check it out. There's been some weird movement over there, away from your cameras."
"Alright" I sigh heavily. "So what happens if I find out Keegan knows something? What happens if the information he gives me leads back to The Rebels?"
"Then we follow the evidence wherever it leads," Harrison says simply. "But right now, our priority is stopping these laced drugs from getting to more kids. Everything else... we'll figure out as we go."
I know what he's not saying. If the evidence leads back to Saint's Outlaws, if it leads back to the weed that Dani grew, even though it may be stolen, then my time as an undercover cop is over. One way or another.
"When do you want me to talk to Keegan?"
"Soon. Today if possible. The longer we wait, the more kids are at risk." He checks his watch. "School gets out in about an hour. Maybe catch him on his way home? Is he working for you today?"
"Yeah, he's coming in for a few hours." I pause, then look at Harrison directly. "What if he doesn't know anything? What if this is all happening outside of what the kids at school are seeing?"
"Then we keep digging. But my gut tells me the kids know more than they're letting on. They always do." He moves toward his car, then stops. "And Devil? Be careful how you approach this. Keegan's smart. He might put two and two together."
"You think he suspects something about me?"
"I think he's a cop's kid and cop’s grandson who's grown up watching people, learning to read situations. He might not know exactly what's going on, but he's observant." Chief Harrison opens his car door. "Just... be yourself. Don't try to be too casual about it, because that'll tip him off faster than anything."
I nod, already thinking about how to approach Keegan without raising suspicions. The kid's always been friendly with me, but there's a difference between casual conversation and pumping him for information about what drugs kids are using these days.
"One more thing," he says as he settles into the driver's seat. "I really do hope Dani's okay after what happened with Tommy."
The mention of Tommy and what went down sends a fresh wave of complicated emotions through me. "She's handling it," I say, though I know it's not the whole truth. She's handling it because she has to, because the club needs her to, but it's costing all of us.
