They got back in the car and headed to headquarters. She parked in front and headed to the door. Steve instructed her what needed to happen. Inside he turned and headed down the administration wing and she headed upstairs to the homicide division.
He walked into the chiefs' office. The secretary looked at him warily and asked if she could help. Without a word he walked past her and into the office. She leapt up and followed him in, yammering about trespassing and calling an officer. A startled look raced across the Chief's face...
"Hello Steve. It's been a while. Its ok Rachel."
She left and Steve closed the door.
"What's up Steve? I hear you have had a little trouble."
Without a word Steve tossed the sheaf of papers onto the desk.
"See those highlighted names on that list. That is yours in yellow. That is the members list of the Dashwood Group. That is where my wife was found murdered. In the last 24 hours, my house has been bombed, my partners house has been vandalized and I am not sure that IAD isn't tailing me. Would you like to explain what the fuck is going on and why a group of people that you are associated with have a dungeon in the basement of a building downtown? If this group is behind this, you are fucked Randy. I have known you a long time. I trained you on the streets. I knew you were an up and comer and I was right, but I never figured you for this shit."
The chief wore a sickened look.
"Honest to god Steve, I don't think any of our people are behind this."
"Randy, that is horse shit. I asked for a subpoena to get this list and the judge gave it to me. Within an hour of it being served another judge quashes the subpoena and when I get the list guess whose name I find this list as well. Someone calls off the search of the building where my wife was murdered and I find out it was orders from your office. What was in that building someone didn't want to be found? The coroner had no more filled out the body tag in the morgue and IAD is in my office accusing me of the murder. The detectives had not even had time to file their preliminary reports. You want to explain this all to me Randy. It sure is coincidental isn't it?"
The Chief's eyes darted back and forth like a trapped animal.
"Steve, look, there are people involved here who are very sensitive to this kind of information getting out. You understand."
"I understand this Randy. I have copies of this stuff scattered all over town in safe places, I have it in digital format in another 3 or 4. If I don't start getting answers, I am going to start letting the press have this stuff."
"What do you want?"
Steve pointed to a handwritten list of names on the bottom of one page.
"I want to talk privately with these people"
The Chief scanned the marked names on the list.
"Fuck Steve. You don't ask much do you?"
"Those are the people whose names are all over the paperwork on this trust and this group. I want some answers. You make it happen or I am going to blow this whole fucking town wide open. Oh, and if anyone tosses another bomb my way, they better not fucking miss, because my next stop is to find you."
He turned and walked out the door without saying another word. At the car he moved up the block and found a place, out of sight of the main door to the headquarters but where he could see who was coming and going.
A half hour later he saw Rafferty come out and walk to the car. He stepped out, motioned to her and then stepped back behind the bushes. She joined him.
"What the hell did you do? About 15 minutes ago all hell broke loose upstairs. Stu's phone started ringing and the IAD guys all got phone calls. They immediately packed up their crap and vacated the office. Stu came out looking at little green. He said to tell you that anything you need, any support, information, backup you could have it."
He grinned.
"We have set a fire that is going to smoke out the weasel in the den."
They spent the afternoon shopping. He picked up a new laptop and some fresh clothes. She needed clothes as well and some toiletries. By late afternoon they were headed toward another hotel. He assured her this one was a bit nicer.
He directed her into the back door of the parking garage and up to the very top floor. They parked the car, got their gear and made for the elevator. It was a much nicer place. She could see that from the lobby. When he returned with the key he ushered her into the elevator. At the very top they exited the elevator. He led her to a door, ran the keycard through the slot and pushed the door open. This room was as elegant as the one last night have been a pit. She walked in and looked around in awe. There were two king sized beds.
She swiveled to look into his face.
"How much did this cost?"
"Don't worry, my wife is paying for it."
She frowned.
