"Detective?" Tony asked, approaching Bernero's desk.
"Yeah?" replied the gruff older man.
"A case landed on your desk last night. Gallagher, Phillip and Ian?"
"Yeah."
Tony bent lower and said quietly, "What's it gonna take to let them walk?"
"What?" the detective looked up. "You related somehow?"
"No. But they're from my neighborhood. Phillip's bright as hell and does great in school. Ian is in the ROTC and wants to join the Marines. They wouldn't have been in that car if they knew it was stolen."
"So, tell me, Markovich, why did Phillip confess he stole the car? ...If he's such a good kid."
"I think he wants to keep his little brother out of trouble."
"Well, if they didn't do it, then they are gonna have to give me a name."
"You know they won't snitch. Look, if they get off, I promise that I'll kick their asses up and down the block."
"No name means they're doing time."
The detective got up from his seat and walked over to the coffee pot. Tony stood there deciding what to do. He waited for the man to return and said quietly, "I have their sister's permission to tan their hides. You think some Old Testament discipline will do the trick?"
"Investigation Room 7 doesn't have a working camera," the detective stated flatly.
Tony nodded, as he followed the detective to where the boys sat.