Not in the Cards Read online

  “Your friend says you’re ready to see us now?”

  Delta straightened. “Us?”

  “The chief came as soon as he heard. Feel up to it?”

  Delta nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable that her boss was choosing this opportunity to ding her. “Why not? Come on in.”

  Lumbering through the door like a sailor walking into a hair salon, Captain Henry stood stiffly at the door and waited for Police Walker to enter. Delta had met the thin and balding man on a couple of occasions, none of which were worth remembering. Politically, he was too closely allied to the mayor to be of any real service to his officers, but Delta appreciated the fact that he gave his female officers the same respect he gave to his men. Secretly, she and Connie both thought he might be gay, but they’d never jeopardize their careers by vocalizing those thoughts. He was here, and right now, she had to deal with whatever he had to say.

  “Captain. Chief Walker.” Delta nodded her head at the two as they stood on either side of the bed like a pair of stone bookends. The captain was still in uniform but Chief Walker was wearing a gray sweat suit with a torn front pocket. It was the first time Delta had seen him in casual clothes. She wondered if he had been jogging before coming to the hospital.

  “Officer Stevens. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

  “Yes, it has.” Now she remembered. Their last two meetings were the result of “questionable actions on the part of a law enforcement officer out of the line of duty,” or so read the final report. It did not surprise her that he was here with her now, not just because one of his officers had been hurt in the line of duty, but Delta was astute enough politically to recognize a PR ploy when she saw one.

  Nonetheless, that PR might be the one thing that kept her neck from the guillotine. In fact, Delta counted on it.

  “How are you feeling?” The chief asked, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his sweats.

  “I’m fine, sir, really. I should be back at work in a day or two.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Yes, and speaking of excellent,” Captain Henry added, “You’ve done one hell of a fine job saving those kids. The department is proud of you.”

  “Thank you. I hate to be rude, Captain, but I’m feeling a little light-headed. Could you say whatever it is you have to say?”

  Chief Walker shook his head. “You never change, do you, Stevens?”

  “It doesn’t appear so, sir. ”

  The captain and chief exchanged glances and nodded to each other before calling a secretary in to take the report. While Delta hadn’t been surprised that the two men were in her room, she was surprised that they actually brought a secretary with them. They must think Delta had more information than she actually did.

  After the secretary settled in, Delta spent ten minutes telling her story. She told everything except the fact that the Camaro and the bug had been planted, that she had seen two men killed in the desert, and that she and Connie had been on the case since its inception. Basically, she told them nothing they didn’t already largely know.

  “Let me get this straight, Stevens,” The chief said, eyeing Captain Henry suspiciously. “You and Rivera put two-and-two together about the children being Indians—”

  “Native Americans, sir.”

  “Whatever. And then you discover there’s some kind of stolen vehicle pattern, so out of the blue you decide to chase after a red Camaro that zips right in front of you?”

  Delta nodded. “That’s about it. It was a hunch, sir. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “I see.”

  The secretary glanced up from her pad and grinned slightly at Delta.

  “I have great hunches,” Delta said, shrugging.

  “So it would seem.” Captain Henry paced over to the window and stared out. Delta could hear it coming like a Mack truck down a gravel road. “Is that the only suspicion you and Rivera have regarding this case?”

  Delta nodded.

  Returning to the bed, Captain Henry pulled a chair up and leaned close to Delta. “Stevens, there are three federal agents outside who don’t believe that. They don’t believe that you just decided to jump into your car and race after a red Camaro. They don’t believe that you and your partner just happened to end up at the same bar on your night off, and they sure as hell don’t believe that you aren’t withholding information from them. Do you get my meaning?”

  Delta nodded, not taking her eyes off Henry’s. “Yes, sir, I do.”

  “Then if you know what’s good for you, you’ll come clean with me and the chief so we can pad the way a bit for you. You have an awful lot to answer for.”

  Delta shrugged and looked over at the secretary. “There’s nothing more to tell, Captain. Carducci and I did just happen to end up at Harry’s. I did just happen to chase after the Camaro, and I just happened to hear their conversation about burning the house down.”

  “Then why did you call Rivera and not dispatch?”

  “Carducci should have already called dispatch, so I called Connie to make sure all bases were covered. I mean, I couldn’t figure out why no one had arrived yet. I didn’t have time to call them and find out why, so I called the one person I knew wouldn’t let me down.”

  “So you’re saying Carducci let you down?”

  Delta shook her head and immediately regretted doing so. It felt as if her brain cells rattled against her skull. “Not at all. I’m saying I needed back-up and I called the one person who would make sure I got it.”

  Captain Henry nodded. “I see.”

  Suddenly, the chief spoke up. “Your ‘hunches’ sure do put you in the spotlight, Stevens. You certainly have the makings of a hero.”

  “A heroine, sir, and thank you, but I just do what my gut tells me to.”

  The chief reached out and took Delta’s hand. The darts he threw at Captain Henry with his eyes did not go unnoticed. “Well, you keep listening to your gut, Officer. We need more cops like you, Stevens. You had a tough choice to make and it seems you made the right one. You saved children’s lives, Stevens, and there isn’t a soul in this city who gives much of a damn about how you did it. Congratulations on a job well done. You’re a wonderful asset to your department.”

  Feeling her head spin, Delta closed her eyes for a second and saw images of the fire leaping up around her. “I’m just glad we’re all okay. Connie says the kids are doing fine.”

  “Yes, doing quite well, considering the circumstances. Some of the families flew in from the reservations and the feds have a pack of investigators already on their way to the Southwest. They expect to dig up some data that will help lead to the arrest of these scumbags. You should be proud.”

  Delta smiled weakly. A pounding had begun in her head. “Actually, I’m just exhausted. Can we wrap this up?”

  The chief nodded and cleared his throat. “You know, I suppose you’ll warrant a commendation for this.”

  Delta shrugged. A commendation to her was just another note in her already towering file. What she wanted was to be left alone. “Thanks, sir, but all I want is to work the streets.”

  Glancing back at the captain, the chief nodded. “We’ll see what can be arranged. For now, just rest knowing that we’ve picked up on your lead and are following through.”

  “What about the feds?”

  Captain Henry’s moustache twitched as he smiled. “Don’t worry about them. I made it clear that if they needed anything from you, they were to go through me first. I think they’re a little peeved that you outdid them.”

  “And I’m still outdoing them, sir. If they’ve gone to the Southwest looking for ‘clues,’ they’re dumber than I thought. Our guys are still here in River Valley, not in the Southwest.” Delta closed her eyes and leaned back against the pillow. “But thanks for buffering for me, Captain. I really don’t need any more run-ins with Internal Affairs.”

  “Consider it done. And don’t rush back to work. You get all the rest you can and soak up all the attention you’re going to
get from the media and your fans. You’ve earned it.”

  Opening her eyes, Delta was surprised by the captain’s honest display of emotion. It was the first really kind thing he’d said to her. “Thanks. Right now, all I want is to rest.”

  “Done.” Captain Henry lightly touched Delta’s arm, then rose and joined Chief Walker at the door. “You’re a damn good cop, Delta Stevens. I may not believe a single thing you said in here just now, but you do know how to get the job done.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Closing her eyes again, Delta waited until she heard the door close before picking up the phone and dialing.

  “This is Delta Stevens...yeah, I’ll hold.” Delta waited less than ten seconds before the line clicked over. “Hi, Alex, it’s me. I just called to say thanks.”

  The sound of the door closing quietly woke her with a start. Cracking open her eyes, Delta looked up to find Alexandria Pendleton standing uncomfortably at the foot of her bed. She looked wonderful in her peach blouse and teal skirt.

  “Hello there, Counselor,” Delta said, struggling through the ache in her body to sit up.

  “You’re quite the heroine, aren’t you?”

  Delta shrugged. “You win some, you lose some. This time, I won.”

  “And it was that important to you, wasn’t it? Winning, I mean.”

  Alexandria crossed her arms over her chest, towering over Delta. She did not look happy.

  “No, Alex, what was important was saving the lives of those kids.” Delta shifted in the bed. “I failed to do that once and it’s been haunting me ever since. Besides, isn’t this what you wanted? Didn’t you want to shine over Wainwright? What’s with you, anyway?”

  Alexandria turned away and rummaged through her purse. “I’ve tried not to care,” she answered, not looking up from whatever held her attention inside the purse. “I’ve seen what lengths you’ll go to get the job done, and I can’t seem to stop caring about you.”

  Delta began to get it. “Is that so awful?”

  “It is,” Alexandria looked up from her purse, “when you go off half-cocked against wackos. Delta, you could have been killed. And now look at you...”

  Delta held one hand out for Alexandria, motioning her over to the side of the bed. “I’m not here because of you, Alex. Trust me when I say that.”

  “How can I, Delta? Have you taken a good look at yourself? Every bump and every scar on your body, I am, in some part, responsible for.”

  Delta blushed. “No, and I don’t have to look at myself to know I’ve done a damn good job. Alex, ever since Helen was killed, I’ve been carrying this huge ball of guilt. I’ve seen her dead eyes in my dreams. I’ve seen Helen’s little face so often, I thought I’d gone crazy. So you’re right—I have tried to balance the scales a bit. And you know what? I’m glad. I’m glad because people like you trust me enough to tell me to go for it. I did and I won. We won. These aches in my body are all part of the game. Be happy we’re all alive.”

  Alexandria sat on the bed and held Delta’s hand. “I am. It’s just...”

  “You care about me. As much as it’s against whatever creed you signed in blood, you do care. And I’m glad, Alex. I’m really glad you do. Because I care about you, too.”

  Alexandria fixed an invisible curl in her hair and smiled warmly into Delta’s face. “I think you’ve shown me that enough times, Delta Stevens, don’t you?”

  “This thick head of mine learned something the other day, Alex, and I want to share it with you. Family comes through for each other. It doesn’t have to be your biological family, either. We’re family, and because we are, you feel comfortable asking me to take risks. And because we are, you save my charred hide by going to the press with the story. That’s what family does for each other, Alex. That’s what we’re all about. Don’t apologize for it. Accept it and be happy you have people who care about you.”

  Alexandria slowly stood up, but continued to hold Delta’s hand. “You amaze me, Delta Stevens. I thought I was supposed to come in here and cheer you up. Instead...”

  Something about the look in her eyes, about the worry lines running across her forehead, sent warning signals through Delta’s body. At first, she thought she was misreading them, but a closer look into Alexandria’s eyes told Delta everything she needed to know.

  Alexandria Pendleton cared too much.

  As if sensing Delta’s thoughts, Alexandria released her hand and walked over to the same window that had attracted Captain Henry’s attention. “If you want off of TP, I think it can be arranged now.”

  “I’ll think about it. Right now, I just want to see the guys follow through on any leads the feds might have to catch those bastards.”

  Alexandria blew out a long sigh. “Watching those federal guys work makes me understand why you cut corners.”

  That made Delta smile. “Isn’t that the truth? They’re so wrapped up in procedure and protocol and doing everything by the book, it’s amazing they arrest anyone at all. Connie tells me they’re even going to the Southwest. Good going, guys, but didn’t we just prove to you that our suspects are right here?”

  “The feds want the guy at the top.”

  “Right. At the expense of how many other lives?”

  Stepping back to the bed, Alexandria stared down at Delta for a long time before speaking again. “I’m really proud of you, you know.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you? Do you have you any idea, Delta Stevens, what it means to me to have someone like you working in this city? I come to you for a favor and you literally put your neck on the line to deliver. You’re amazing. But best of all,” Alexandria’s eyes softened, “you’re a truly great friend.”

  Delta saw the same look in Alexandria’s eyes that she’d seen earlier. “I’ll do in a pinch. Hey, I see you’re using the press to beef this up.”

  “Oh, I am. We’ve been meeting with them all morning. The public loves a hero, and we’ve just given them one.”

  “I didn’t do it alone, Alex—”

  Alexandria held up a hand for her to stop. “Del, if you think I’m going to give a shred of credit to your bumbling boob of a partner, then you really do need a doctor to examine your head. He nearly cost you your life.”

  “Not so fast, Counselor. Tony called it in like I asked him to. Everything was happening so quickly, I’m sure he just got confused.”

  “Well, I don’t care if he was confused or not. That man shouldn’t be on the streets if he doesn’t know straight up from a duck.” Alexandria’s voice rose slightly, but she caught herself. “You just say the word, and he’s out of there. I’ll make sure of it, even if I have to do it myself.”

  Delta shook her head. “I can’t make any decisions right now, Alex. My head hurts so much, it’s all I can do to decide whether I want red or green jello for breakfast.”

  “I’m sorry, Del, have I tired you out?”

  “No, not really. I just don’t want to see anybody slamming Carducci, that’s all. The poor guy is probably feeling really shitty about this whole thing.”

  A surprised expression fell over Alexandria’s face. “You mean, you haven’t seen him since the fire?”

  Delta shook her head. “No. Why?”

  Walking over to the door, Alexandria peered out the tiny square window before answering Delta’s question. “He hasn’t left the waiting room since they brought you in here.”

  “What?” Delta pulled herself up higher in the bed. “You’re kidding.”

  Alexandria shook her head. “Connie tried to get him to go home and get some sleep, but he wouldn’t budge. He’s just been sitting there, staring at the floor.”

  “Why hasn’t he come in to see me?”

  “Embarrassed, probably. He knows how close you came to not making it out of that house alive. How would you feel?”

  Delta thought for a moment. “Alex, would you mind calling him in here for me?”

  “You sure you’re up to seeing him?”

  “He needs to
see me. He needs to know that I’m okay.”

  Shaking her head, Alexandria walked back over to the bed and held Delta’s hand once more. “You’re one of a kind, Delta Stevens. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, well, when we find out what kind, look out.”

  Smiling, Alexandria held onto her hand a second longer before starting for the door. “Get yourself some rest, okay?”

  “Will do. And Alex, thanks for stopping by. It means a lot to me.”

  “My friends mean a great deal to me, Delta. Take care.”

  Watching the door close behind Alex, Delta heaved a sigh that seemed to bounce off the bright walls and land against her forehead. She must have misjudged her jump and hit the glass with most of her head instead of her shoulder; she was getting tired of the pounding headache.

  Hearing the slow squeak of the door, Delta glanced up. Poking his head in first, Tony leaned halfway in.

  “The DA said you wanted to see me.”

  Poor guy. He was miserable and uncomfortable, and he didn’t even know where to put all the feelings he’d accumulated since the fire.

  “Get your butt in here, Carducci,” Delta said, waving him in.

  Cautiously entering the room, as if he were in a china shop with very narrow walkways, Tony stood straight with his hands at his sides. His eyes were big saucers that took in the room like a child might a haunted house.

  “Have a seat.”

  In two big strides, Tony was at the chair, where he sat down heavily. He still wore the clothes he’d been wearing at Harry’s. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Better than last night. My head is still vibrating from hitting the window, but other than that, I’m fine.”

  Staring down at his clasped hands, Tony nodded, but said nothing.

  “Carducci, it wasn’t your fault. I would have gone into that house whether there was back-up or not. You have to believe that.”

  “But there could have been back-up if I wasn’t such a fuck-up.”

  Delta leaned forward. “Look, you can sit there and kick yourself for making a mistake, or you can look at the outcome and know that it all worked out. Remember what I said about getting the job done? Well, we did.”