They think she may have escaped nerve damage, Jessie said. The knife blade got a little muscle but mostly bone. Shell be on desk duty for a while after she returns but she should be back in the field in a couple of months.

Im glad to hear that, Decker said. And you were clearedno concussion?

Just a bump, Jessie assured him. Its actually my hand that feels worse. Its so bruised that I cant even make a fist.

Please dont, Parker said, feigning alarm. I dont want to get knocked out by Sugar Ray Hunt.

Before Jessie could crack back, Jamil walked in.

Sorry for being late, he said. I just had to wrap something up.

Such a slacker, Jessie joked.

Dont give him a hard time, Hunt, Decker said. He just verified who the mole is.

Wait, Jessie interrupted. Is it safe for us to be discussing this here?

We had the whole station swept this morning, the captain replied. They found multiple listening devices throughout the station, including in here. But we should be good now.

Okay, then dont keep me in suspense, Jessie said. Who did all this?

Fred Timmons, Decker announced.

Jessie searched her memory, but came up empty.

I have no idea who that is, she said.

Hes a deputy desk sergeant, Parker said. He usually works nights and the weekend shift.

Thats how he was able to do all this surreptitiously, Jamil added. The station was usually at about one-quarter capacity when he was on duty and he had easy access to lockers, surveillance footage, logbooks, and schedules.

And he just did it for the money? Jessie asked.

According to his bank account, it looks like hes been getting payments for the last two years, Jamil said.

He was originally paid to bury those cold cases we uncovered, Parker said. He couldnt destroy them but he misfiled some and hid others. So when Otiss people found out about the Marla audio file, they already had someone in place to steal it.

Is he willing to turn on Otis? Jessie asked.

I doubt he ever interacted with the guy, Decker said. But Trembleys working on him in interrogation now. If he turns on his boss, maybe we can work our way up the line.

That seems to be the order of the day, Parker said.

Hows that? Jessie asked.

Parker smiled broadly for the first time since the meeting started.

Its partly because of your sister. Everybody we caught at that house yesterday is climbing over each other to make a deal. That Rico fella tried to hold out for a while. He kept saying your sister made up the sexual assault claim against him. But when he found out that she was the kid sister of the legendary Jessie Hunt, he changed his tune. He knew wed go to the mat on that. Truthfully, I think he would have kept his mouth shut if not for her.