So, I know this is super short, but it's just an introduction. The chapters will get longer, I promise. Thanks to moviemom44 for encouraging me to get a new story up. Let me know what you think!
"We're going to have to send someone in." Gage said gravely.
"Gage, the last person that went undercover didn't make it out alive. He only lasted three weeks." Sydney implored.
"Syd, it's not like we have much choice. Carr is too careful; he's not giving us anything." Gage argued.
"So we're going to send someone to the slaughter? There's got to be another way." Sydney was adamant.
"Guys, stop." Trivette leaned back in his chair running his hands down his face. He looked at Sydney. "We're not sending anyone in right now. If we do, they won't be without backup. Right now, I want you and Gage to look more into Carr's associates. Something tells me we're only at the tip of the iceberg on this one."
Appeased, Sydney nodded and retreated to her desk with Gage trailing behind her. Trivette stared after them. They'd been bickering more than ever these last few months. Before, it had been different, not bickering, more teasing. Things they said were accompanied with a cheeky grin or a friendly punch on the arm. Now, it was different. Their voices were tense and sharp, snapping at the smallest disagreement. Trivette remembered the days when he thought they were going to get married. Now, it looked doubtful that they could even remain friends. They were overly cordial; they didn't talk about anything other than work. The worst thing was, Trivette didn't know how to reach them, though it wasn't for lack of trying. He and Gage had gone for drinks, but Gage had only gotten drunk and rambled about everything except Sydney. Or Walker. He didn't talk about Walker either.
Walker. That was really where it all started, Trivette knew it. He chanced a surreptitious glance at Walker's empty desk. And not just empty in the sense that Walker wasn't there, but empty in the sense that none of his stuff was there either. No phone, no files, no picture of Alex. It was so hard to think about the fact that Walker wasn't just going to come through the door and hang up his hat before settling in at his desk. It had been far too long since Trivette had been able to crack a joke about the Cherokee instinct he was adamant Walker had. He realized on a daily basis how much he had taken for granted. He'd been blessed with a great partner, one that always had his back. He had a sounding board for whatever was on his mind. He had someone to bounce ideas off of and test theories on. And now he didn't. He took also took for granted just how hard Walker's job was. Being in charge put him in a constant battle with himself. Who should he send where? Who should question who? How could he send Gage or Sydney into a situation he knew was dangerous?
Of course, he still got an immense amount of satisfaction out of his job. Every drug dealer or murderer they put behind bars was one less on the streets. It made him feel good to know that they were making a difference. And yet, he hated the politics. Dealing with judges and attorneys made him want to pound his head against a wall. Alex had been so good at procuring warrants when they needed them. He smiled at the numerous memories of Walker saying "Alex, go wake up a judge." "I know, I know." She'd reply.
Trivette smiled at the image he'd conjured in his head. The smile faded at the realization that that mental picture would never actually be reality again.
"Trivette. Trivette. Trivette!" he jerked as he realized Sydney was saying his name.
"Yeah, what do you have?" he shook his head, trying to clear it.
"Okay, Carr's cellmate from Huntsville is still there. Apparently, he's willing to talk. We thought we'd go down and have a chat with him." She was looking at him strangely; he tried again to make his face neutral.
"Okay, you guys do that. Give me a call when you're done." She nodded at him and grabbed her jacket, Gage did the same and they exited.
Trivette grabbed the case file and perused it some more. James Carr, known on the street as Jamie. One of the newer dealers on the scene, he was rumored to control a lot of the crystal meth market in Dallas and other parts of Texas. His competition was disappearing rapidly without a trace. Jamie, of course, was the prime suspect in these disappearances, though there was no evidence to support this theory. They didn't know much about him at all, in fact. He'd been brought in for questioning by the DEA, who got nowhere; his lawyers had him out before they could even get him to sign his understanding of his Miranda rights. The DEA had, in turn, shoved Jamie Carr off onto the Texas Rangers, who had sent Ranger Gregory Williamson undercover as a low level dealer. They'd found his body three weeks later. Since then, Trivette had pulled back, eased the pressure off Carr. Right now, he figured he needed to lull Carr into a false sense of security before they could go at him again. So for now, they were focusing on his street dealers, trying to bust them and get them to roll on Carr. Many of them were reluctant to do so, they were all scared. Threats of Huntsville and additional charges made no impact on them whatsoever.
Reluctant though he was to send someone in undercover, Trivette didn't see much choice. They'd gotten another body last week, another mid-sized drug dealer that Carr must have seen as competition. He'd already started trying to come up with a cover that would be strong enough to hold up against the inevitable background checks Carr would run. He knew a long distance one would work best, whoever went in could pose as a buyer for a potential client, maybe from California. He already knew that he would be the one going undercover; he wouldn't be able to handle it if anyone got hurt because of his decision. Again, a thought ran through his head, and he was more aware than ever that this was the same decision Walker would have made. He always put himself in more danger than anyone else. He just wished Walker was actually here to make it.