Page 21 of In Her Bed
Mickey leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms.“I don’t think so.I’ve got rights, and unless you’re arresting me for something, I’m not going anywhere.”
Jenna caught Jake’s eye.They both knew Mickey was right—they had no grounds for an arrest, no warrant for entering his apartment.
“Then we’ll talk here,” Morgan said, undeterred.“You were at Golden Legend Treasures earlier today.”
Mickey shrugged.“So?Last I checked, browsing antique shops wasn’t illegal.”
“What were you doing there?”Jake asked.
“Just looking at stuff.That’s what a lot of people do in shops.Lynch has some interesting items.I like to keep an eye on what’s available.”
Jenna stepped forward.“We saw a very nice samovar at Lynch’s shop.Did you sell it to him?”
Mickey’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his composure held.“What’s a samovar?Whatever it is, I don’t know anything about it.”
“You expect us to believe that?”Morgan pressed.“You have a history.”
“Only ancient history,” Mickey corrected.“I’ve already served my time for all that, and I’m clean now.Any deals with Lynch—and I’m not saying there ever were any—were before I got sent up.”
Jenna studied Mickey’s face, noting the ease with which he deflected their questions.His responses were measured, his body language controlled.He’d been through this kind of routine many times before.
“Mickey,” she tried one last time, “a man is dead and Lynch could be connected.If you know something—”
“I don’t,” he cut her off.“And even if I did, talking to cops has never done me any favors.”He stepped back from the door.“Now, unless you’re here to arrest me, I’ve got things to do.”
“Tell you what, Mickey,” Morgan said.“I’m going to get that warrant to search your place right now.I know a judge who owes me a favor.”
“See you later, then,” Mickey said, about to close the door.
“But I’m going to ask my friends to wait for me here, outside your door.That way we’ll be sure that nothing comes out of your place that we don’t know about.In fact, a couple of them can watch the outside, just in case something happens to fall out a window.Of course if you’re not holding any stolen goods now, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Mickey’s gaze hardened, locked onto the stern expression of Chief Morgan in a silent standoff.
Suddenly, Mickey’s lips curled into a smirk.“How ‘bout we make this interesting?”He suggested, his voice carrying an undercurrent of defiance.“I give you some info...you keep me outta cuffs.”
He crossed his arms defensively over his nondescript clothing, his posture suggesting a man accustomed to bargaining for his freedom.And Morgan’s expression indicated his willingness to go along.
A deal?Jenna glanced sideways at Jake.This whole encounter was beginning to sound a little shady to her.
Jake leaned towards Jenna, lowering his voice so only she could hear him.“I don’t like it either.But this is Chief Morgan’s jurisdiction.”
The Pineville Police Chief’s gaze never wavered from Mickey’s face, his stern expression unchanging.“Maybe we’ll cut a deal,” he suggested, his voice low, “but only if I can be certain you won’t be caught peddling stolen goods again.”
Mickey’s eyes flickered to Jenna before returning to Morgan.“Deal,” he grunted in agreement.“Exactly what’s your question?”
“Did Lynch know the things you sold to him were stolen goods?”
“Of course he knew.I even told him exactly where they came from.”With a grin, he added, “Even that samovar.And yeah, I know what a samovar is.”
“And you’ll attest to that in writing?In court if necessary?”
“Just as long as we’re clear.No more charges against me?”
“You got it—at least as long as you keep your nose clean.”
Inside, Jenna felt a flare of protest at the arrangement.The words were on the tip of her tongue to challenge it, but she swallowed them down.Jake was right, this was Morgan’s call; his authority held sway here.
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Mickey,” Morgan warned.
