Recovery

Chapter 26

Journal of John Nolan

Silas was in such a hurry to show me his list of license plates that he almost rode his bike right into me. He told me that he'd seen 20 vehicles new to the area, which according to him, is very unusual. And if anyone would know, it's Silas. I ran the plates and discovered most of them are registered to a corporate fleet. Who runs the corporation is another question. Since it's privately held, Google reveals almost no information. The detectives suspect La Fiera is involved. But if she is, none of the readily available paperwork indicates it.

As big a question is what all those vehicles are doing around the center. According to Silas, he saw them in different blocks. That could be a piece of misdirection, like the ownership of the cars. But it also could indicate someone's planning something big. It could even be something innocent, but for a corporation to have that much presence in that poor a neighborhood seems unlikely. And if a corporation is planning investment in a blighted area, it usually can't stop sending out press releases. I remember Tamar's skepticism over some of those announcements. She told me they usually went along with operations that involve loud noise, pollution, or outright dumping. And if the activities are genuinely philanthropic, the corporate executives should work with local representatives like James. No one's contacted James, and he doesn't know of anyone else they've spoken with. He told Harper that he thinks the whole thing stinks. She agrees, and so do I.

Angela is due to have her baby pretty much any minute. Both she and Wesley would love to have a wedding before the birth. With Tim away, he's out as Angela's best gentleman. But since Jackson originally ended up taking on a lot of the heavy lifting anyway, he's going to stand in. Angela's afraid that the original venue is bad luck. Since La Fiera managed to penetrate the place so easily, Wesley isn't feeling too good about it either. Jane Evers proposed holding the wedding at her home. I have no idea how that would work, but Jackson is optimistic. And if Angela needs someone to build an arch or help lay down a dance floor, I'm at her service.

Del Monte seems to be spending more time at Mid-Wilshire. As far as I can tell, we haven't had enough of an uptick in arrests to warrant that. I don't have any facts to back it up, but I have a feeling he's lurking to try to pick up information. I saw him hanging around the file room a couple of times, but Grey is making sure there's always someone on duty to guard the gate. The only files Del Monte can see will be the ones of cases he's charging, and he'll only get copies, not originals. If he's trying to get something he can pass on to La Fiera, he'll have a hell of a time. I'm hoping Grey's passed the word to other divisions, but I'm not exactly his confidant.

Angela, however, is. And I've seen her go into his office a few times. These days, she's pretty hard to miss. I think it's going to be a big baby. I hope her wedding dress will still fit, but that's the kind of thing Jackson will take care of. As gay men go, he's hardly a stereotype who fusses about clothes, but he is obsessive about details. So that will do the trick.

He and Lucy are still a team, although Grey could change that at any time. I don't know if he thinks new P-2s shouldn't feel settled too soon, or he just enjoys shaking things up. It may be a little of both. Harper and I are still a team too. That's also bound to change when a new class of rookies graduates, but that's almost a year away. Right now, there's no point in worrying about it.

I do have something closer to my heart to think about. Henry and Abigail are moved into Ben's guest house for now. Not that there was much to move. Before I married Sarah, I could pretty much carry my world in a backpack and a duffel bag if I shipped my books. Now the books aren't even as much of an issue. Henry and Abigail both have huge e-book libraries, and much of what he'll require for class, he can study online.

The kids are enjoying using looking for a more permanent place as an excuse to explore L.A. I understand. From the moment I arrived, I used my job for that. I justified it by convincing myself that a cop should thoroughly know the lay of the land. Knowing about obscure and even deserted spots did come in handy more than once, but I would have enjoyed looking around even if it hadn't. I suspect the kids are also having a great time. It's really good to see Henry with healthy color in his face and taking on life again. I see so much tragedy that I'm constantly grateful Henry didn't become another sad statistic.


Before Grey takes the podium in the roll call room, Jackson stands up. "I have an announcement to make. Angela Lopez and Wesley Evers will be getting married this weekend at the home of Jane Evers. I'll be texting the address and time to everyone who was invited the last time around. But Mrs. Evers wanted to make sure that you understand that R.S.V.P.s are not optional. If we don't receive enough R.S.V.P.s, there will not be enough food – or booze." Groans rumble through the room. "So unless you plan on toasting with L.A. tap water," Jackson continues, "respondez s'il vous plait."

"I wonder if Tim will be back by then," Lucy whispers to John. "He promised me a dance."

"Seems like that would depend on how things went with Rachel," John whispers back. "Have you heard anything from her?"

"Just that she and Tim are still trying to work things out."

"Then I wouldn't count on the dance," Rick advises. "Anyway, I've seen Bradford dance. He'd be all over your feet."

Lucy suppresses a smile as Grey begins his morning briefing.

"In light of apparent leaks of information from this division and others, the L.A.P.D. is instituting additional security protocols. When you or an authorized official request a file, we'll be requiring a thumbprint as well as a signature. And signouts will be audited. The same goes for evidence. Any data found to be in the possession of suspects or criminal organizations will be traceable to the source. So if you are even considering sharing information, even something you believe is harmless, forget it.

"Internal Affairs will be monitoring the situation, and I'll be making regular reports to Commander West. The watch commanders at other divisions will be doing the same. The bad guys have been a step ahead of us for too long, and it ends now. Are you hearing me?" Heads nod throughout the room. "I want your answer out loud," Grey demands.

"Yes, sir," Nolan responds in concert with the other cops in the room.

"All right. Now, Nolan, you will be continuing your assignment with Harper, and I want to see the two of you in my office before you leave. West, I gather that performing your duties for Detective Lopez won't distract you from your job on the street?"

"No, Sir," Jackson promises.

"Good. Then be safe out there. And get your R.S.V.P.s in. I want Champagne in my glass."


"What did you need, Sir?" Harper asks as she and Nolan join Grey in his office.

"I wanted to update you on the investigation into the entity connected to the cars Silas spotted near the center. Our people worked through shells of ownership to an S.D.C. Corporation."

"Sandra De La Cruz, La Fiera," Nolan realizes.

"That's the assumption," Grey confirms. "And you heard my update this morning. The new precautions have a specific target. Del Monte has been spending more time at the divisions, including this one, than would be justified by his caseload. He's also been asking a lot of questions."

"To gather information for La Fiera," Harper surmises.

"Unfortunately, that's the most likely explanation," Grey responds. "So, anything more you pick up about vehicles or any other operations around the center goes directly to me. Don't discuss it within earshot of anyone else. And don't run any checks through normal channels. I'll be controlling what Del Monte can get his hands on. And if La Fiera responds to it, we'll know where she got her information. Clear?"

Nolan and Harper answer in chorus. "Clear!"