Chapter 3
Previous Morning
Don stood in front of Director Merrick's desk, looked at the file in his hand. "You're kidding," he finally managed. "Sir."
The Director leaned back in his chair, crossed his hands in a "V" under his chin. "This is procedure, Agent Eppes. While this office has two field-certified teams, no team will work two consecutive violent crimes."
"But they're not even assigned to this office! Alburquerque sent them here to train!"
"They are tentatively under the jurisdiction of this office. They are field-certified. David Sinclair will be assigned to work with them on this case. This could be the case that raises their certification to the level Alburquerque wants." The Director stood, to signal an end to the meeting.
"Because it is procedure, Agent Eppes, and because your team will be down one member, and because I am the Director and I am telling you to, you will work this embezzlement case."
"Yes, sir." Don turned to leave, but Merrick's voice stopped him.
"Granger is the primary on this."
Don turned slowly back around. "What?"
"You heard my orders, Agent. Just as I witnessed your interrogation of suspect Gilliam last week. Pedophile, murderer, it doesn't matter. You still crossed the line."
"You were there?"
"You know I like to drop by the bullpen now and then, see how things are progressing. I'm sure when I saw you put your hand on that suspect, it was a one-time thing."
Don swallowed. "I…it was."
"I've seen you work, Agent Eppes. I have not seen anything or heard anything that would require official departmental discipline. This incident was borderline. Consider this an opportunity to calm down. Unofficially."
Don swallowed again. "Thank you, sir," he said, and turned to the door.
Previous Afternoon
The team had been disappointed to lose David, even temporarity, and to lose the home invasion case. Colby cheered up when he learned Merrick wanted him to be the primary — until he opened the file, and saw that the case was embezzlement. Don kept his mouth shut, sat at his desk and waited to be told what to do. That act alone nearly did him in.
Finally his cell rang. "Eppes"
"Donnie, it's your father."
"Hey, pop."
"I just found some excellent tri tips. Come to dinner tonight?"
"Sorry, Dad, I have a date."
Alan sounded even happier. "A date? Anyone I know?"
"Nah. It's only our second date, though, so keep your hopes up!"
Alan laughed. "I'll save you some steak. Do you think you could make it by for lunch tomorrow?"
Don considered. Let's see: Unofficial discipline, nonviolent case, not the primary…"Sure," he almost growled. The beep signaling another call sounded, and his Dad quickly disconnected so that he could take it. "Eppes," he said again.
"Don. How are you?"
He relaxed a little. "Lisa! Great to hear from you. We still on for tonight?"
"Actually, that's why I was calling."
"Has something come up? Do you need to reschedule?"
"Well, not really…"Don didn't like the way this was sounding.
"…it's just that since our last date — which was only our first, after all — well, I sort-of met someone. I've seen him every night for a week, and I really think he's the one."
Don was silent, drew his hand across his forehead. "So. No rescheduling."
"You're a great guy, really, Don. If I hadn't met Charlie…"
Don straightened in his chair at that. "Charlie?"
"Yes, Charlie Gunderson, why? Do you know him?"
Don collapsed back in the chair again. "No, I… listen, Lisa, best of luck with that. I hope it works out for you."
"Thank-you, Don. I just knew if I was honest with you, you'd understand."
Don clicked the cell shut, opened it again, hit speed dial 1. "Dad? Still making those steaks tonight?"
Previous Evening
Don had such a headache by the end of the day, he almost decided not to go to his father's after all. His brother's. Whosever house it was, now.
Half a mile away, the telltale flash of red and blue reflected in the driver's window. Automatically, he looked down. Ten miles over the limit. Please.
He pulled over, had his liscense, registration and badge waiting for the young uniform who approached the car. The kid looked nervous, kept looking back at his partner back by the unit, with another man. "The thing is, Agent, this is a residential area."
"I understand that, officer. My father and brother live here, I'm very familiar with this area."
"Is your behavior this evening in some way work related?"
Don's head was pounding. He put his hand over his eyes. "No."
"The kid looked back again, then said quietly to Don, "We've got a ride-along tonight. Reporter. If I let this go…" Don heard a rip, looked up to see the officer extending a ticket toward him. "I'm sorry, Agent," the kid said. "Maybe you can do traffic school?"
Dinner
"I'm just saying that it might be a nice break to work on a nonviolent crime for once," Charlie explained, handing his brother the salt.
Don's day exploded, and even he wasn't really ready for it. "What would you know about it? What would you know about anything, Charlie? We all protect you, we all spoil you, so you can stay in your Styrofoam world!"
Charlie dropped his fork. "What to you mean? Who protects me?"
"All of us at work, Charlie, the whole team. We make sure you don't go to crime scenes, and if you show up there anyway someone is always leading you away from the ugly stuff. Usually me. We can't even leave our working files open in the office, Megan is concerned you can't handle the photos. You don't live with the rest of us, Charlie."
The brothers glared at each other over the table.
Charlie's voice was low, angry. "Take that back."