Dooley shrugged. “Just sayin’.”
He swaggered out of the office without another word.
Officer Carson’s unemotional reaction to his suspension and the blankness Justice perceived in his dark eyes worried him far more than Dooley’s bluster. It kicked him in the gut, and he sank into his chair. Logging on to his laptop, he pulled up Officer Carson’s personnel file. He’d been with the Laguna Beach Police Department for a little more than two years, and his record was clean. Unremarkable, even. And that sent warning bells off in his head.
Exactly who was Officer Nash Carson?
Chapter 5
Justice spent the rest of his morning handling paperwork and touring the facility at his leisure. Everyone he met welcomed him, eagerly discussed their positions with him, and offered their help.
At noon, armed with turkey sandwiches, chips, and two bottles of water, he made his way to the uniform shop, hoping to bribe Sally into having lunch with him.
After he greeted her with a hug, she chuckled. “You’re still here.”
He smiled. “Yes. I brought turkey sandwiches. Want to join me?”
“Of course.”
“Is there somewhere we can talk privately?”
“My sewing room.”
She cleared a space for them, and he unpacked the bag of food. God bless Tawny. She anticipated his needs before he knew them himself. He definitely wanted her on his team.
They ate in silence for a few minutes before Justice began, “What did you mean last night when you said that the mayor and Ferguson were a match made in hell?”
Sally popped a chip in her mouth and chewed it. “Because their disagreements were legendary until two years ago. Suddenly, Linda and Mayor Gage are best friends, supporting each other’s initiatives and socializing when prior to that they couldn’t tolerate one another.”
Right around the same time Officer Carson joined the force. Justice kept that tidbit of information to himself, wondering if it held any significance.
“Why the about face? Do you think they’re having an affair?”
She laughed. “Oh no! Both are totally devoted to their significant others. And to their kids.”
Justice swallowed a bite of his sandwich. “So, do you have any theories?”
“Just one. Money. I read a lot of crime thrillers, and when you’re in cahoots with someone you normally wouldn’t associate with, it’s always about money.”
Justice smiled. “Follow the money, huh?”
“It generally leads to the truth.”
He nodded, and they finished their lunch as Sally spoke about her family.
Contemplating Sally’s comment about money being the root of Ferguson’s relationship with the mayor, Justice tracked down one of the detectives in the department, Luca Martinelli. He found him in his office.
Tall and slim with dark hair and eyes, Luca greeted Justice in an open and friendly manner as they shook hands.
“Detective Luca Martinelli,” he introduced himself. “Just call me Martini.” He grinned. “Everyone does.”
“Shaken, not stirred?” Justice inquired with a smile.
Luca laughed. “I like you, Chief. Now, what can I do for you?”
“I’m trying to get a handle on things. Tell me about your open cases.”
“At the moment we’re looking into a rash of stolen cars and B and E’s and convenient store robberies. It’s the start of the summer tourist season, so we’ll see an increase in petty crime and domestic violence.”
