Chapter 18
This story isn't dead yet. I have been working on it off and on lately. For those wondering about Love During War it's my main priority I just wanted to get this chapter up. I also know I need to update Squad Reborn at some point because its been even longer since I updated that.
"We are so fucking screwed. Will you hurry up man we need to get out of here," Dash Wilder yells at his friend Scott Dawson. "Will you calm down. I bet that stupid cop is still crying over his dead sister," Scott says. "We fucked up moron! Morgan is alive! If he doesn't come for us you know the guy that hired us will," Dash says. "I'm not scared of that guy. If he had any guts he would have killed Morgan himself," Scott says. "You really aren't that smart!" A voice says before four shots are fired. Two for Scott and two for Dash. One hits Dash right in the head but Dawson is still alive. "Come on man mercy," Dawson begs. "Wrong guy to ask." Another shot is fired this time killing Dawson.
Shawn's Home Garage Apartment
Riley opened the door and Mandy followed him in. "Have you eaten anything today?" Mandy asks as hunger hit her. "A power bar here, a bag of chips there," he says. "Does your boss keep any food up here?" She asks. Riley walks over to the fridge and pulls a pizza out of a the freezer. "Its not fancy but it will do," he says. Silecne falls over them for a while. Finally Riley speaks. "So I bet you thought if were ever on the opposite of a table from me it would be in an intergation room. You would have evidence and more evidence," Riley says. "Well yeah," Mandy says. "I wish you had just locked Liv up," he doesn't have to add because she would still be alive.
"Are there any leads? I haven't talked to in the NYPD since last night," Mandy says. "I know who did it," Riley says. "What?" He explains about Adam's call and confronting him after leaving the hospital. How Adam named Dash and Wilder. "Are you sure you can trust him?" Mandy asks. "If Adam Cole wanted me dead he would have taken me out a long time ago. And sure as he wouldn't have warned me the attack was coming," Riley says. "I don't recall you having any recorded history with anyone named Dash or Wilder," Mandy says. "I don't," He says before going into the story of Mia Yim being killed.
"An attempt to draw you out?"Mandy asks. "Maybe," He says. "Wait you don't think Mike had something to do with this. Your theory on your father maybe… A desperate kid… but he's the DA now," Mandy says. "Look Rose one thing I tell myself when I investigate any case I know you can't rule anything out to quickly. I know your boss has wanted me out of the way for a while…
"Don't you knock?" Mizanni asks as Riley enters his office. "You are the one that wanted to meet with me," Riley says. Mike rolls his eyes. "I guess you aren't that worried about your partner," Mike says in a taunting tone. Riley wants to punch this SOB. "Look I gave my side of the story," Riley says. I know about the lies you told," Mike says. "Look what do you want? I have a desk full of case files. I am trying to help Dean's wife Renee. You know the woman who is losing her husband because of your railroading," Riley rants. "And you could save him," Mike says.
"How so?" Riley asks. "Just confess," Mike says. "Confess to what?" Riley asks. "You shot that guy. Its clear Ambrose lied to cover for you. Likely thought his cleaner record..." "You live in a fantasy world don't you?" Riley asks. "I just know the type of man you are. The law means nothing to people like you. But you also love to talk about your family with a badge. Do the right thing Morgan. Spare Ambrose and his wife," Mike urges. "So all your talf of justice is just shit! You have no evidance but you see a chance to get rid of me. And if you can't you are going to send my partner to jail," Riley says getting mad. "You really didn't care about your partner by having him violate the rules looking into your father's death," Mike taunts. What Riley wants to do is throw the son of a bitch through a window. But he stops himself.
Mandy sits listening. "I remember that case. It was such a hot button issue. Mike really rode that got a lot of support for his run to DA. Manged to bridge some gaps," Mandy says. "Don't I know it," Riley says just as Mandy's phone starts to ring. She checks it and sees it Sonya and decides to ignore it. Sonya calls again right away. "Not a good time Sonya," Mandy says before hanging up and turning the phone off.
Same time
Shawn looked around the crime scene. Bobby was waiting for him. "This isn't good sir. Riley names Wilder and Dawson as the people thinks killed his younger sister. Now they are dead," Bobby says. ""You have any actual evidence?" Shawn snaps. "No sir but but isn't it better we are open to the idea. You always preach family well right now we have might have to save a member of the family from himself," Bobby says staying firm. "Work the scene Bobby," Shawn orders. Shawn walked towards Mickie and Dana. "Anything?" He asks. "Just spent shells sir," Dana says. Mickie speaks next, "Its more than just spent sir. These were clearly used by a Mossberg 500 and a Sauer p226. Riley..." I know. Riley carries a Sauer and he has a Mossberg," Shawn says knowing what he has do now.
"Hey sarge you are going to want to see this," Keith Lee called. Shawn heads over to anotehr room with two parked cars. In the back of one old El Camino is a large. "So they did kill Liv," Shawn declares. "Yeah they did. Bullets match what tore up Riley's place. So does this make it worse for Riley or better?" Keith asks. "We don't know what this makes for Riley," Shawn snaps.
Riley ran into a hospital. He saw Mickie and Bobby. "Any updates?" Riley asks. Mickie just looked she wanted to cry while Bobby shook his head no. "How they hell did it happen?" Riley asks. "They don't know a guard found him. Who ever did know the blind spot from the cameras," Bobby says. "Is Renee here?" Riley asks. "Shawn is with her..." Mickie says as there boss and there former college's wife returns. Renee looks shattered her eyes are red as she has been crying seeing Riley the look changes to pure anger and hate. She runs up and slaps him. "BASTARD! This is all your fault he was there because of you! You know how many times he told he would be fine because he had you as partner!" She ranted.
"Renee I'm sorry," Riley says holding his cheek. "The blood is on your hands Riley. Just get the hell out of here," She yells. Riley turns and leaves. He gets through the door and pulls out a ciggarte it was a habbit he had been trying to kick but the stress of the job kept causing him to start again. He head someone approaching him. "She's just upset. When she calms down she won't be blaming you," Shawn says. "She should. I blame myself," He declares walking to his car and jumping in.
A week later Riley walked into into a grave yard. It was after midnight and not a single other sole was around. Riley found the grave the dirt on top still looked fresh. Dean should have been burrried with honors but the brass had refused that officially. Shawn had been able to pull some things together and any officer that showed up was in there dress blues. Riley had stayed away from the funeral. Renee had sent word she didn't want him around. Still Riley needed to say goodbye. Some had rushed to get a headstone made. Riley placed his hand on it. "Dean brother I'm sorry. I really am. You always had my back. I knew I was going to make it home. You were a damn good cop. And deserved a hell of a lot better than some scum bag DA tossing you in jail by race baiting for votes," Riley rants.
Two Months later Riley was in Adam's office sharing a drink. "I want to thank you again for that info on Enzo and Cass," Riley says. "Hey getting those idiots off the streets of my city its good for everyone. I am sorry about what they did to Liv," Cole says. "Yeah those two bastards took advantage of her… issues. Cass at least took it like a man. Enzo all that tough guy bullshit dropped he was in tears. I've seen men on death row take it better," Riley notes. Adam pours two more drink and offers a toast. "Couldn't have happned to a more deserving guy." Riley toches Cole's class and gulps down his drink. "So you ever going to tell me about that favor you asked Kyle for?" Adam says finally.
"Do I need to?" Riley replies with. "Riley I get you loved your father. But you have been chasing his killer for how long now?" Adam asks. "You know how long," Riley says. "Would he want you to do this? To keep chasing a ghost in the dark?" Adam asks. "How would you react if it was your dad?" Riley snaps. "Well I hated my old man," Adam says. "Look Adam I need to find out who killed my dad. I'm never going to be at peace," Riley admits. "Yeah well here you go… tread lightly my friend," Adam says pulling a flash driver out of his desk. He slides it across the table and Riley takes it. "Thank you."
A loud knocking breaks Riley from telling his story. "Who is it?" Riley yells clearly on edge and moving his hand to his gun. "Riley Morgan this is the police throw out any weapons and open the door!" A voice yells. "You are the police," Mandy says. Riley holds his fingers up to his lips to quite her before peaking out the window. "Well your boss is outside with a swat team and some morons I know from internal affairs," Riley says. "That makes no sense. You are the victim of a crime they look like they are here for a raid," Mandy says. "You have been the one trying to take me down," Riley reminds her. "I told Mike there is nothing there," Mandy tells him. "And that stopped him with Dean," Riley remarks.
"Last warning Morgan!" The voice yells out. Riley tosses his gun out the window and than walks out. Mandy is stunned to several cops tackle Morgan to the ground. "Riley Morgan you are under arrest for the murders of Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder!" Mandy moves toward her boss. "Mike what are you doing?" Mandy asks. "Taking down a dirty cop at long last. He killed the two men he thinks killed his sister," Mike says with a smile that Mandy soundly found very smug. "When? I've been with him for hours," Mandy says. "Just let me handle this Mandy. If you value your career you will fall back in line," Mike warns. Two officers put handcuffs on Morgan and force him into a squad car.
Integration Room
Riley had never been on this side before. He had dealt with Internal Affairs many times but being handcuffed on this side of the table was new. He had been stuck in this room for a half hour. He knew this tactic. He had used it himself plenty of times. Make the person sweet make them worry. Hope they over think and wind up making a mistake when you finally came in to the room to question them. Of course any tactic could backfire.
The door opened and in walked Mizanin walked in followed by Sargent Lawler from Internal Affairs. "Morgan good to see you again," Lawler says sarcastically. "Its still Detective Morgan. So I want my both my union rep and my lawyer. And I know you are about to say I'm making a mistake. It will easier for me if I talk. And you are going to claim you have proof or some eye witness that puts me at the scene. But I will make it clear I want my lawyer and my union rep. And yes I know how long you can hold me," Riley says locking eyes with Mizanin. "Look Morgan you aren't the one calling the shots," Lawler warns him. Riley turns toward the mirror which he knows is two way and likely someone is watching. "Third time I am asking for a lawyer and my rep. Not a good look. I know my rights and I'm not waving my right to have an attorney present," Riley states.
Mike looks at Riley with disgust, "oh you of all people are going to claim a civil rights issues? That is rich. Morgan I have you on this. You found out those two killed your sister and decided to play judge jury..." Before Mike can finish the door opens and Alexa Bliss enters. "What the hell this is? Mike I guess you have spent to much time on the campaing trail to remember proper procedure," Bliss scolds. "What are you doing here Alexa?" Mike says more annoyed than anything. "I will be severing as Detective Morgan's console. And before you claim conflict of interest due to the Orton case. That is for a judge to decide. Now get out. I need to speak with my client," Bliss says totally taking command.
Same time
The man that actually killed Wilder and Dawson has since disposed of the guns. They would never be found much less linked to him. "Of course they will never been linked to me. Who tries to link a murder to dead man." He thinks as he pulls a different gun out of the case in the garage he is using as a safe house. He checked the scanner and things were mostly silent. "Even an idiot like Mizanin should be able to get this taken care of," He thought.
