Recovery
Chapter 18
Journal of John Nolan
I think Bradford's mellowed a little since Lucy was his rookie. He didn't let me drive, but he did let me turn on the A/C before noon. Of course, it was over 100 degrees by 10 a.m. He couldn't have been too comfortable himself. No cop should get comfortable out there right now. I thought the drug dealers were battling for territory after the Derians went out of business, but it's much worse this time. The streets are on fire, and La Fiera lit the match.
When I was at the hospital, I had no idea what was going on in the garage. Lopez was involved in a shootout. She and the baby are fine, thank God. But La Fiera's son Diego was killed. Any restraints she might have put on members of her cartel are off. She's out of control, and so are they, conducting a hot war for territory.
The Chief put together a special force to handle the worst of the confrontations, but weapons fire is breaking out all over the city. Bradford urged me to be constantly alert – as if I had to be told. Bradford's always been stiff-necked, but now he's reached a whole new level. I wonder if he's flashing back to his time in the military, anticipating an ambush at every curve in the road.
Since Lucy's had so many psych courses, I wish I could talk to her about what's going on with her former T.O. But she and Harper are off somewhere still working on preparations for Lucy's undercover work. My guess is that knowing that's going on is making Bradford even jumpier. He hasn't said much about it, but from his attitude about his former boot's ambitions, he doesn't believe she's meant for that kind of assignment. I think he's wrong. I hope he's wrong.
When I was out with Tamar last night, I advised her to keep her people out of the streets as much as possible. She didn't like it. The way she sees it, with the cartel pushing drugs harder than ever, the need for outreach is also greater than ever. But I can't stand the thought of her or any of her people getting caught in a crossfire. She promised to limit her organizing to nutrition, tutoring, childcare, and other activities that shouldn't draw the attention of the cartel. But if there is an opportunity to sell drugs, the cartel will do its best to get its hooks in. I'm desperately hoping it doesn't see any opportunities in the churches Tamar serves. I also asked the units in her area to keep an eye on things. I suspect that Luna will make sure that Grey keeps protection for Tamar's people in place as well.
I got an invitation to Wesley and Angela's wedding. After the reminder that my own marriage didn't succeed, that was bittersweet. But I want to see something work out for someone. And in the middle of a war, those two, three really, are the embodiment of hope. They'll be starting a new path together with a new baby. But my fingers, toes, and everything else are crossed that Angela stays out of the line of fire and that the child is healthy. I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through the terror Sarah and I did with Henry's surgeries when he was born – and just did again.
The wedding may be part of the reason why Bradford is on edge. He's Angela's man of honor. It's a job I don't envy. He's been going crazy trying to find a venue for her bachelorette party. And I'm sure there are many other details to deal with. Also, like me, he may be reminded of a failed marriage. But he hasn't mentioned that, and I know better than to bring it up.
He's sticking strictly to work-related topics. I can understand that. He doesn't need any more distractions. I don't either. But I am staying in touch with Henry and Abigail. I'm not sure my son would tell me if he hit a hurdle in his recovery. But she will. His illness rocked her to her core. I'm not sure their engagement will survive. But if they're going to break up, they should know now instead of struggling through a divorce later. Either way, I'll be there for Henry. I hope that Sarah can be also.
Frowning, Harper studies Lucy. "You look too…."
"Much like a cop?" Lucy interrupts.
Harper shakes her head. "No. Clean. If you need a fix, you're not going to worry about finding a shower, and you're sure as hell not going to wash your hair – or condition it."
"If I didn't condition it, I'd never be able to get a brush through it," Lucy protests.
"If you play a junkie, I don't want you to be able to get a brush through it," Harper retorts.
"But what if I go in as the chemist?" Lucy demands. "I'd be able to pay some attention to hygiene."
"You might try, but if you kept turning out product, the stench of the fertilizer you used would never go away. And it wouldn't just be in your hair. It would be in your clothes and cling to your skin. If you breathe enough ether, it can make you all kinds of sick. And if you have to pop pills from the stock of pseudoephedrine to keep up with demand, you'd be too hyped up to eat. You could end up a mess, physically and mentally, with no way out. This could be a long-term placement. You won't have any backup, and there won't be anyone to pull you out. You need to be sure you can keep up your cover under those conditions.
"So what should I do?" Lucy asks.
"Until I get you in the field, skip the showers and live on coffee. Spend some time in the community garden Nolan's friend Tamar set up. Get dirty. If you can, hang around some fertilizer. You know what meth cooks use?"
"You know I do. I memorized all the formulas and all the processes. I could make meth in my sleep. Anhydrous ammonia."
"Look, Lucy, memorizing what's in the books and thinking you're a chemist is like reading a car manual and thinking you're a mechanic. You have to know how to use the tools, what they feel like. Getting used to ammonia or anything that stinks like it will help you play the part. But it won't take you all the way. You need to put in some lab time in the right lab. When we hear more from June Zhang, we'll figure out the final details. But right now, you'll need to get ready for anything. I'm going to try like hell to get you there, but the way I do it may make Bradford's little tests look like first-grade quizzes.
"What are you doing, Boot?" Bradford demands of Nolan. "You shouldn't be making personal phone calls while we're on the job."
"You'll want me to make this one," Nolan assures him. "I just thought of something. Ben's going to be out of town for a few days. His mansion, the one where I lived in the guest house, is a great place for parties. So I thought I'd ask if you can use it. You won't have to do anything to get it ready. He has a regular caterer he uses that knows exactly how to set up. He has a cleaning service for afterward, too. Lopez has been there before and said she loved it. This late in the game, I think it's your best chance – unless you've come up with something better. Didn't Smitty say his cousin has a Sports Bar?"
Bradford groans. "Lopez already said no bars. All right, Nolan. Make your call. But don't use it as an excuse not to keep your eyes open."
Nolan puts his phone down with a thumbs up to Bradford when gunfire rings out in the expanse ahead of their shop. John scans for shooters. "They're on both sides of that cemetery. We're heading into a crossfire."
As Nolan calls for backup, Tim pulls up to a row of gravestones. The exchange of shots is getting louder. And then it starts to die.
