The granite piece made a slap against the man’s palm as he tossed it back and forth. “Not much. I have heard that he grew up in the barrio, on the northeast side of the city. That’s part of his local-boy-makes-good mystique.”
“He wouldn’t be the first person to grow up motivated to succeed.”
The captain stopped his game of catch and stared hard at her. “He wouldn’t be the first to grow up to want more, either. A lot more. I’m not making judgments about whether he’s a dirty cop. That’s your job. You find out and report to me. If he’s clean, fine. If not, we’ll nail him. At the same time you’ll find the dirt bag arming every two-bit punk in the city. Just watch yourself, Casey. From what I’ve heard, Martinez is one smooth operator, on and off the streets.” The rock flew in an arc again, and he caught it with his other hand.
She ignored his smirk, as well as his suggestive words. Not trusting herself to say anything more, she rose and turned toward the door.
“Oh, and Casey, I’ll expect complete written reports from you weekly.”
She gritted her teeth. Paperwork was the bane of any detective’s job, and she hated it with passionate intensity. She left the room, wishing darkly that the piece of granite would slip and knock Brewer on the head.
Hard.
Cruz stretched his long legs out in the recliner, sipping the beer Michele Easton McLain had just handed him. Michele sat on the couch next to her husband, Connor.
“To what do we owe the honor?” inquired Connor lazily, referring to his best friend’s unexpected appearance.
“Connor, don’t be rude,” his wife admonished him. “Cruz is welcome here anytime.”
“That’s right, pal,” Cruz echoed. “Anytime.” He winked at him. “And don’t you forget it.”
“Well, not anytime,” Connor corrected him, a glint of amusement in his pale green eyes. “Michele still insists on getting me to bed pretty early, you know.” He heaved a mock sigh, ignoring his wife’s narrowed look. “Marriage! What can I say, I have to do what I can to keep her happy…” His words were muffled by the pillow she swatted him with.