Chapter two
"So what's the message and why you?"Athena asked the question on everyone's mind. But before Buck could speak, they heard footsteps, come up the stairs.
And looked over. Athena scowled at the new arrival.
"Rick what are you doing here"
"Followed a lead myself Sergeant Grant, afternoon folks."
Rick said glancing at the photo still visible on the phone and the file innocently lying closed on the table.
"Mrs diaz can we talk in private? Something has come up in the course of an investigation and you have become a person of interest."
Buck chuckled mirthlessly.
"You can say what you have to say here detective no reason to hide."
The look in her eyes unnerved the detective. He knew this woman would not be easy to read at all. Or intimidate. But he didn't think he would encounter such a cold and calculating look from the seemingly warm woman he had seen in passing before.
"Very well, Mrs Diaz just to rule this out. Could you tell me where you were at seven a.m. this morning?"
"Rick…"
"You've got to be kidding me…"
"Oh come on…"
Athena Eddie and Chim all said at the same time.
Displeased with the question.
"Relax guys," Buck said calmly. Eyes searing into the detective unwavering and unflinching.
"I was at home. Detective feeding my family. After my husband firefighter Diaz left for work. I cleaned off the kids and tidied up the kitchen, our home Aide Carla picked up my son for school and I took our daughter to daycare, which would have been at 0730 hours. The daycare can confirm that if you wish as they have state-of-the-art security. Around.
1400 I was picking up the kids. We came here as the kids hoped to see their father. Would you like a list of what I did after the kids were dropped off?" Buck asked calmly.
"No that's fine. I'll just need the name of the daycare if you don't mind." Rick Said.
"Sure, Castle Hills Child else detective?"
"Yes, Mrs. Diaz. Does the phrase 'Viper will die' have any meaning to you?"
"Some meaning yes detective. Viper was my call sign when I was on active duty."
"And do you know why someone would write something like that? Do you have any enemies?"
Buck late out a soft laugh. And said, "Of course, I have enemies detective. I was an American combat soldier deployed in hostile areas. My team and I made our fair share of enemies. Many of them terrorists... So take your pick. There are many to choose from."
"Anything recent that stands out?"
"No, trust me, detective. I am always alert to the danger that lurks as I have a family."
"Anything from your time on duty that could relate?"
"As I don't know who your victim is. I couldn't phantom a guess. And even if I could tell you his name, It would depend on where we crossed paths. If it was on a mission, which is very likely then I can't tell you much of anything. I am under oath to not speak about any of our missions.:
"Do you know this man?" Rick asked producing a picture from his pocket of the victim and showing it to Buck
Buck raised an eyebrow at the man "Can't say I do detective, I can tell you he was military. I can tell you he was a SEAL. But that's all I can tell you as I can't see much more than that tattoo."
"How do you know he was a SEAL?"Rick questioned suspiciously, "We haven't identified his name."
"Chicken on the fork, the tattoo detective. Surely you are a touch more informed than your current questions, at least I hope so." Buck said as she looked at the man in front of her.
"Chicken on the fork?" Rick questioned.
With a sigh and a roll of her shoulders, Buck replied "The Trident and the Eagle on his arm, detective. Many of the men I served with had one."
"I see, and the photo?" Rick said motioning to the phone."Who are they? you know them."
"Yes, that's right detective. I do know them. For years we served together." Buck replied steadily.
"And do you have any contact with these men?"
"Barring one, yes detective. I still have contact with them. They were and still are my first family"
"And the one you aren't speaking to?"
"Dead 3 and a 1/2 years ago," Buck said flatly.
"How?"
"You are tenacious, I'll give you that. Ambush detective. Steve was a dear friend and a good soldier. We got bad Intel and he got killed in the ensuing gunfight. Anything else you would like to know?"
"Would you know the location of these men? As of right now."
Rick asked after a moment of stunned silence.
"Exactly? No, but I do know none of them live in LA.
If that's your concern. And none of these men would have killed this one. Not like this."
"You seem so sure they wouldn't kill."
"Detective, this seems like reaching." Eddie protested.
"Eds It's fine."
" To clarify your question, detective, I didn't say they wouldn't kill at all. They are very much capable of killing same as I am capable of it. My hands are no more clean than theirs. But we do have morals such as they are. We don't torture people for sick games, detective. We do however kill in the defence of others. These men are trained to stand between the innocent and that which could and indeed would kill or harm in any way."
There was a beat of stunned silence while those around the table processed the cold violence delivered with such calm clarity.
Before anyone could speak, a small hand appeared on Buck's arm and caused everyone to look at the little girl so beautifully a mix between her father and her mother with her blue eyes and dark hair, And the sweet cherub smile.
"Mama" Isabelle smiled, wide and toothy as she raised her arms in the universal sign of all kids that said ' pick me up'.
Buck brought her daughter up into her lap, grateful that the police file was closed and Athena's phone had long since locked. The screen was blissfully dark.
" If that's all detective?: Eddie said annoyed as he glanced at the child resting contently in her mother's arms, playing with her mother's left hand, fascinated by her wedding ring, and his watch, meaning quite obvious.
"Yes. That's all, for now. Don't leave town, Mrs. Diaz. And if you can think of anything else, please give me a call."
So saying Rick got up from the table, gathered his notebook, and left his card on the table in front of Eddie.