Chapter 42:

"Nothing specific. Just him always moving out of hearing range every time he got a call, or the fact that he never talked about his job. Not even small details. I don't know, Mom," Cat said sadly and Sharon hugged her. "I don't even know who my father was."

"Your father…" Sharon started, but she wasn't sure what to say. Most of her memories from Richard weren't good. "He was a good man when I met him."

"So what happened to him?"

"I don't really know. He never told me much. Maybe he was blinded by money and power," Sharon caressed her daughter's back gently and Cat nodded.

"When's the funeral?"

"Um, as soon as they're done with… him at the… morgue," Sharon said carefully.

"You can say body, Mom, I'm not five," Cat said and Sharon smiled bitterly. "Oh, Chris! We have to tell him!"

"I called him before I left work," Sharon said quietly. "He was planning on making his visit next month, but he'll have to come sooner, obviously."

Cat nodded again and yawned. "I'm going to sleep a little. You should do the same."

"I wish I could, but I have to go back to work," Sharon said as Cat walked to the door. "Oh, do you still need help in organizing your apartment?"

"No, you're busy… and I don't have much left," she put her hand on the doorknob and opened the door. "Good night… or good morning."

The door closed behind her and Sharon hurried to take a shower and have a quick breakfast before she drove back to work. When she entered the murder room, only Tao was there, sitting at his desk, concentrated on his computer screen. He looked at her when he heard her footsteps.

"Captain, ballistics just confirmed that the gun used to kill Richard was also used on Martin. They'll send the official report soon," he said quickly.

"Well, we have Richard's deathbed testimony against Hernandez," Sharon shook her head. "We have to get the one of the brothers to confess."

"The rest of the squad went to pick them up a while ago. They should be back any minute now."

"We're back," Sharon heard a voice behind her and turned around to see Provenza and Flynn walking towards her. "Sanchez and Sykes are with the suspects in the interview rooms," Provenza said tiredly.

"Good. Let's get started," Sharon said and walked toward the interview rooms, followed by her three Lieutenants.

Provenza and Flynn went to the electronics room, to watch the interview from there, while Tao entered interview room 1 with Sharon. They sat across the table from Lionel Hernandez and stared at him in silence for a moment.

"I ain't talking. You're wasting your time," Lionel said and crossed his arms on his chest.

"Yes, I remember the last time you were in this room. Didn't say a word the whole time, very impressive," Sharon said in her usual steady, calm voice, which didn't give away any sentiment. "But this time it's different, because we also have your brother."

"So? He ain't talking either."

"Do you really believe that he won't talk to save his own skin?" Sharon asked slowly, and Lionel nodded hesitantly. "Well, then, how do I know that you were the one who shot Richard Raydor a few hours ago?" she watched him as he frowned and shifted in his chair.

"Charlie told you that?"

"Not only that. He described the whole thing, and John Martin's murder also."

"Who's that?"

"The man that you shot just before you killed Richard," she said coldly.

"I didn't shoot nobody," Lionel said quietly and Sharon waited for him to continue, but he looked back at her without saying a word.

"Well, it's your word against Charlie's, and he talked first. So…" Sharon got on her feet and Tao did the same.

"Wait! Okay, I was with Charlie, but he's the one who always pulls the trigger!" Lionel yelled and Sharon sat back down, followed by Tao right away.

"Why did he shoot Martin?"

"Richard ordered him to."

"Why?"

"I don't know. He didn't give us no details, we weren't his friends."

"So why did he shoot Richard if he was getting orders from him?"

"I… I don't know," Lionel muttered.

"Fine. I'll take Charlie's version of events," she said and got up again. This time, Tao stayed in his chair and waited for her to sit back down.

"No, wait! I really don't know much. Someone called Charlie and told him to kill Richard."

"Was it one of the cartel bosses?" Sharon asked from her standing position, looking down on her suspect.

"I guess… I don't know. Richard was our boss, we don't know the others."

"Your brother obviously does."

"He's been working for them longer than I have. He got me on this job."

Sharon sat back down and looked at Lionel for a few seconds in silence. "Tell me what was Richard's part in the cartel."

"No, I'm not saying another word before you get me a deal with the DA and promise me my brother won't get it first," Lionel crossed his arms on his chest again and glared at Sharon.