When Crimmens and his partner came back, Bastilla changed their orders.

Question him here. Don't take him in.

The chief said take him in.

The chief changed his mind. Question him, then canvass this neighborhood and do your goddamned job. You have a murder to solve.

She stalked back to the command car, got in beside Marx, then they drove away, too.

I grinned at Crimmens.

Is it still good for you?

They kept me in the backseat of Giardi's car for almost two hours, first Crimmens and his partner, then one, then the other, then both together again. They questioned me about Tomaso, the phone calls I placed prior to arriving at his residence, and everything I saw, did, and witnessed once I reached the scene. I kept Pat Kyle out of it. I told them I had checked the exterior doors and windows for signs of forced entry because I knew they would find my fingerprints, but refused to admit I had entered the guesthouse. If I admitted entering, Marx would have an uncontested shot at me for unlawful entry, and I didn't trust he wouldn't book me. I told the truth about everything else. The questions were fair and appropriate, and would have been asked of anyone found at the scene. A criminalist appeared halfway through the questioning to take my fingerprints.

We were going over the same questions for the third time when Crimmens received a call on his cell. He listened a moment before responding.

Sure, Chief. We're still questioning him.

He listened some more, then held out the phone.

Chief Marx.

I took the phone.

Marx said, Listen to me, Cole, and make no mistake. Lieutenant Poitras told me you two were close. I understand you're the godfather to one of his children.

I felt irritated and confused, and suddenly scared.

That isn't your business, Marx.

I gave the lieutenant a lawful and direct order when I instructed him to seal Byrd's house and deny all requests for information. Yet there you were, a civilian, present at a crime scene I had sealed, and you were accompanied by the lieutenant in direct violation of my orders, and in front of multiple witnesses. Are you hearing me?

I felt the sting of acid on the back of my tongue.

I hear you.

I could have Lieutenant Poitras brought up before a review board for administrative punishment. This would effectively end his career.

What are you doing, Marx?

Stay away from the Repkos. Stay away from the good people at Leverage and away from my case. Do we understand each other?

Yes.

Give the phone to Crimmens.

I felt empty, as if I had not eaten in days and would never eat again. Crimmens listened for a moment, then closed his phone.

Get outta here, Cole. He says you can go.

Chapter 24