Recovery

Chapter 31

The Journal of John Nolan

"I wasn't sure what I'd find when I took my turn searching the tunnels, but it wasn't Del Monte. I smelled him before I found him, and he was too decomposed for me to identify. But the M.E. didn't have much trouble. From what I heard, Del Monte was very particular about his smile. The dental records matched. Also, after he disappeared, the crime lab pulled D.N.A. from the hair in his hairbrush. That matched too.

If we establish an unassailable link between La Fiera and the tunnels, we'll have her for the murder of an A.D.A., as well as Angela's abduction and everything else connected to the cartel. However, given the circumstances of Del Monte's death and the department's suspicions about him, the D.A. is launching an investigation into all of Del Monte's cases. The fallout from that could continue for years.

The part of the tunnels where I found the body was practically beneath the center. I wanted to check out that particular area myself to make sure the center wasn't about to start sinking. The city will have to do some reinforcing. But thank God, the soil is holding together well.

Back above ground, it's no surprise that Bradford is back in L.A. I've already had my first class with him. So far, he isn't the torturer that Lucy painted him as. But it's only been one class. He may be setting us up for the kill.

What no one, except maybe Lucy, expected is that Rachel is coming back to L.A. too. Lucy hasn't said much about why, except that right now, Rachel needs to be with Tim and her family more than she needs a dream job. Lucy didn't look very happy when she said it. That's strange since she and Rachel are best friends. I'd think she'd be glad to have her back nearby. I'm afraid that something is going on with Rachel, and it isn't anything good.

What is good, no, great, is that Bailey is back. The wildfires up north have been knocked down, at least for now. So she gets to pursue her regular duties again here in L.A. Of course, it figures that now I have class so we'll have less time together. But we'll grab some whenever we can. I don't know what we'll do, except that we've both agreed we don't want to waste time waiting in line for tables or movies. So instead, I'll be using my limited skills in the kitchen for a welcome home dinner, and we'll see where it goes from there.

Lopez is another return. She's coming back to work. To me, it seems pretty soon, but with La Fiera still on the loose, I guess Angela's having a hard time staying out of the fight. With the Evers's money, she and Wesley won't have any trouble paying for whatever help they need. And Wesley told me father-to-father that he wanted to take an active role in caring for the baby. I don't know if he understood what that would mean when he said it, but he must know now.

Angela's due in tomorrow, and after our shift yesterday, Harper went to talk to Grey. Harper didn't say anything to me about it, but the two events could be connected. I may find out soon enough, possibly at roll call tomorrow.


"Take your seats," Grey orders, coming to the podium. "First matter: we're instituting a special task force to nail all the remaining tentacles of La Fiera's organization. Lopez and Harper will be spearheading Mid-Wilshire operations, and I expect all of you to give them your full cooperation.

"Also, Officer West is taking a position as a community liaison. He'll be monitoring L.A.P.D. relations with persons of color. Officer Nolan, Officer Chen, that leaves the two of you as partners. For the moment, you'll be patrolling the area Harper and Nolan have been covering near the Community Policing Center. You will, however, remain at ready to be called in for whatever other duty emerging situations require.

"For those of you taking Bradford's class, he's announced additional exercises. I've posted the schedule. Bradford isn't requiring participation, but he strongly advises it – as do I. So, arrange your personal activities accordingly."


You want to drive?" John offers as he and Lucy load gear into their shop. "You are the senior officer."

"By a month," Lucy notes. "But you had the higher test scores and took down the Derians. You brought Silas in to track La Fiera too. I'd say we're at least even."

"I doubt if Grey would agree with you, but how about rock, paper, scissors?" John proposes.

"Works for me," Lucy responds. As John's paper covers her rock, she shrugs. "No problem. You know that area better than I do anyway."

"We won't be there all that long," John guesses. "From what Grey said, he's planning to pull us away. I wonder what he has on his mind. You're the one who picks up on all the psychological cues. What do you think?"

"No idea," Lucy admits. "Grey makes a point of giving away as little as possible – except to Luna. She can read him like a book."

"Yeah, that's what Tamar told me."

"Do you miss her?" Lucy asks.

"As a friend and a living reminder that there's a reason to do the right thing – a lot. But Bailey fills many of the holes in my life right now. She's pretty amazing."

"She must be. Angela couldn't stop talking about how great Bailey was when the baby started coming. I think you finally got lucky, John. I hope things work out for you two."

"How about you, Lucy?" John inquires. "With your firefighter out of your life, are you still moping about Bradford?"

"I am not moping about Tim!" Lucy protests. "And anyway, he's committed to Rachel – really committed."

"What's that supposed to mean?" John presses.

"I can't tell you any more than that. But you know how Tim stuck by Isabel. He's sticking by Rachel too."

"Given how Isabel worked out for him, that sounds ominous," John notes.

Lucy shakes her head. "I told you I can't talk about it. Just drive, Nolan. I'll pick up any instructions from Grey."

"Yes, Ma'am, Officer Chen," John responds and starts the SUV.


Shouldn't you be on your way to school?" John inquires when Silas pops off his bike and flags him down.

"Staff development day. No school," Silas explains. "And I saw something new."

What?" Lucy asks.

"A truck, but not a semi like before. It was an F-150 crew-cab with U.S. Forest Service Department of Agriculture on the door. And it had a logo with the tree on it."

"Unless there's something I missed when I was exploring L.A., there's no forest around here," John notes.

"There are barely any trees," Lucy agrees.

"Did you get the license plate, Silas?" John queries.

Silas holds up his ever-present notebook, and Lucy jots down the number Silas reads off.

"We'll check it out, Silas," John promises. "And if you see that truck again, don't go near it unless we tell you it belongs here."

"OK. I won't," Silas promises. "But I still want to go looking at plates. I took out a library book about cool ones, and I want to see if I can find any of them."

Lucy's face lights in a smile. "Sounds like fun." She waves as Silas gets on his bike. "Have a great day off school."

As John steers the shop away from the side of the road, Lucy enters the plate number into the computer. "The plate belongs to the Forest Service, Nolan. But that truck was supposed to be taken out of service. So it shouldn't have been around here – or anywhere. Silas might be on to something again. I'm going to call Grey."

"Another vehicle mystery." Sarcasm tinges John's voice. "He'll love it."