Chapter 7
Something didn't sit right with Angela about Rosalind's video. Rosalind was always sure of herself. However, Rosalind seemed to have an air of mystery about her desire to get John and Tim. It didn't make sense bringing Tim into the equation. It was a known fact that Rosalind had an attachment to Nolan. Her acknowledging Tim was the confusing part.
"How did you know it was you, Tim?" Angela questioned after the buzz of frantic calls settled down.
Tim looked over at Lucy for the answer. "Rosalind called Tim the fierce protector when we visited her in prison."
Lucy knew Tim didn't want all of their colleagues to know about his abusive childhood although Rosalind had told it to all that watched on the screen. How Rosalind knew was a mystery.
"I wasn't abused by my father." Nolan spoke up without thinking. "He wasn't in my life at all. My mother was selfish though."
Tim squirmed uncomfortably. Lucy touched his hand under the table before adding. "Does it really matter how this insane woman thinks? She was addressing John and Tim. We know that by the Boy Scout remark and The Fierce Protector."
Grey and Angela glanced briefly at Tim. His face told it all. There was the unfounded shame written on his face as with most abused persons. Angela wanted to run to Tim with an embrace. However, she knew that would further cause him problems. She could tell Lucy knew about Tim's childhood past. Angela couldn't help but wonder how close were the two?
"What we do know is that the guard, who helped her escape, was doing it for a payoff." Sergeant Grey spoke up. "His brother was due to go to prison in a couple of weeks. Guard Andrew Salmons was going to be transferred due to this. He never thought he'd get caught. However, Detective Lopez found some strange transactions in his duty schedule at the prison."
"Were you here all night?" Lucy interrupted.
"Nolan and I put in our overtime. It paid off." Angela stated matter of fact. "May I, Sergeant Grey?"
"Please do." Sergeant Grey stepped down as Angela made her way to stand at the front of the room.
"Andrew Salmons' payoff wasn't in monetary means. It was to get his brother a shorter sentence." Detective Lopez explained. "Someone in the DA's office worked out some deals. Salmons doesn't know who or how this was supposed to happen. He only confessed because he was in the prison wing of Rosalind's a few months ago. He wasn't assigned there."
"Salmons folded quickly." Nolan smirked. "Lopez scared the confession out of him."
Angela scoffed. "I was just doing my job. The problem is I believe Salmons when he says he didn't know who Rosalind was working with in the DA's office."
"Lucy is dating Sanford from the DA's office. Maybe he can help." Tim added quickly.
"Hold up. We are still trying to make a connection. We are pretty sure Chris Sanford is innocent. He wasn't even around when Rosalind was in the picture. Honestly, Sanford seems squeaky clean. But we need to be thorough." Angela noted as she glanced Lucy's way.
Lucy shook her head in understanding. "No problem. We need to rule out everyone first."
Lucy couldn't help but think of Chris offering her the list of jurors after only four dates. It was on a case worked on a week ago. Jurors were being targeted. Lucy never could figure out if Chris was trying to protect the jurors or impress her. He may not be as squeaky clean as he looked. To her, investigating Chris was fine. Anything to protect Tim was worth doing.
Angela continued to explain how Salmons had delivered messages to Rosalind from an unknown source. What were in those messages, he wasn't sure. However, Salmons freaked out when Rosalind escaped. He thought the deal was only to get her contraband considering her other supplier was in prison now.
"What we need to do now is find his brother. His sentencing was reduced drastically. The man served a month in county lock up for armed robbery. That in itself should have been a red flag. However, we all know the D.A.'s office makes deals all the time for the bigger picture. Even at that, the sentence should have been questioned." Sergeant Grey added.
"What is even more questionable is the fact Bradley Salmons records were sealed. We are trying to get those records unsealed as we speak." Angela looked frustrated with the whole mess.
After the briefing, the group parted ways. Sergeant Grey told them all to go home. Get some rest so they could start fresh in the morning. Lucy went to the locker room to pick up her belongings, which the undercover officer, Detective Carter, had brought her. On her way there, she ran into Chris.
"Lucy, I went by your place last night. What is going on?" Chris grabbed Lucy's arm as she walked by him.
Without thinking, Lucy knocked Chris to his back. She immediately went to help him up. Before she could, Tim was standing over Chris as well as Lucy.
"Problem, Officer Chen?" Tim's eyes dared Chris to move.
"No. None." Lucy placed her hand on Tim's arm. "I was startled."
Begrudgingly, Tim offered Chris his hand to help him up. After Tim pulled Chris to his feet, he addressed Lucy. "If you need me..."
Lucy smiled and nodded. Tim left Lucy to speak with Chris. "I'm sorry. It has been a trying couple of days."
"I get that considering you had an undercover officer at your place. I was treated like some kind of criminal when I knocked on your door." Chris brushed his tie down and straightened his suit jacket.
"It is a long story." Lucy sighed. "Basically, a prisoner escaped. There was a fear that she was targeting me."
"Was a fear? What changed?" Chris took Lucy's hand in his and rubbed his thumb over the top.
Any other time, Lucy would appreciate the gesture. However, she fought the urge to jerk her hand from his. She scolded herself for thinking she would prefer Tim to be holding her hand instead. She wasn't sure what that meant. Or she was sure and didn't want to face the reason.
"Tim and John seem to be the target now." Lucy blinked her eyes as she removed her hand from Chris's. "Listen. I need to get going. I'll let you know more when I have the time. I don't have the time right now. Tim needs me."
Chris watched Lucy walk away. Chris couldn't help the jealousy he felt. He whispered to himself. "Always. Tim"
