Cruz nodded. Drive-by shootings were alarmingly commonplace, but it had been the selection of guns that made these even more dangerous. AK-47s had been the weapon of choice in all the crimes the captain had mentioned, and that was an ominous similarity. Use of assault weapons in the commission of crimes was up seventeen per cent across the city this year. Cruz had never much believed in coincidence, and he had to agree with Ritter. Someone was selling these guns on the street, at prices too low for the gangs to resist.

“What I want, Detective,” Captain Ritter continued, resting his elbows on his desk and leaning forward, “is for you to drop everything else and concentrate your investigation on the supplier of these weapons. I want him found and stopped as soon as possible. If you’re right about these drive-by shootings being gang related, that means the weapons are already in the hands of kids. I hate to think of how widespread the distribution already is. I’ve already had your other cases reassigned.”

Cruz couldn’t keep his surprise from his expression. This investigation had to be critical to warrant clearing his caseload. It was customary for a detective to work on several cases at the same time, and only rarely had he ever been ordered to drop everything to concentrate on one matter, as the captain was requesting. But he hated being relieved of cases after he’d already become involved in them. “It sounds like the drive-bys might be related in some way to the distributor,” he said slowly. “I’d be glad to continue that investigation while working on the supply angle.”

Ritter shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. I want all your time available to wrap up this investigation as soon as possible.” He hesitated, and then continued. “I was telling Detective Casey earlier that you’re one of the best detectives in the district.” He paused, but Cruz didn’t respond to the compliment. “That’s why I’m assigning you as her partner, for the duration of this case.”