Chapter Thirty Nine

Clint

Clint - Chad, I can’t say I’m surprised. Even a blind man could see that he’s as crooked as they come. But I have a feeling you’re not telling us everything.

Chad - I swear, that’s all I know.

Clint - First, we’re not friends. Second, your word means nothing to me. You couldn’t tell the truth if your life depended on it. So, for everyone’s sake, and because it’s been a while since I’ve had a good fight, tell us what you’re hiding.

Chad - There’s nothing else.

I glance at Stephen, who gives a nod. I turn back to Chad and kick him in the knee.

Chad - Ahhh, fuck!

Clint - If you think that hurt, you’re in for a surprise.

Chad - I swear, Clint, there’s nothing else.

I kick him again, in the same knee.

Chad - Ahhh! Okay, okay!

Clint - I’m listening.

Chad - It’s more than just Detective Peters.

Clint - No shit, Sherlock. Give me something I can use, Chad. I’m losing patience.

Chad - What do you want from me, Clint?

Clint - I want the whole story, and I want it now. You just admitted you were ready to let Mike or Daniel or whatever his name is, kill my best friend’s wife. A woman I love like a sister. So believe me when I say, if the next words out of your mouth aren’t what I want to hear, I’ll bury you right here and now.

He starts to speak, then hesitates.

Clint - Take your time, Chad. Make sure you think before you speak.

A heavy silence fills the room. I glance at Stephen, who’s sitting back, giving nothing away.

Chad - It’s more than Peters. It’s the whole damn station.

Clint - Go on.

Chad - Peters’ current partner, Detective Grounds...

Stephen - We know who he is.

Chad - Right, so you know his father was Peters’ partner?

Stephen - Yes, and we know Grounds’ father is Mike’s uncle. His brother married Mike’s mother.

Chad - Okay.

He takes a few deep breaths.

Chad - Detective Grounds’ father worked with Peters. He’s the one who got Mike in without any background checks.

Stephen - We figured that out, Chad. Get to the point.

Chad - Did you know Detective Grounds’ father, Mike’s uncle, is now Captain Grounds?

Clint - What!

Stephen - Fuck!

Chad - Maybe now you understand why I felt I had no choice.

Stephen - I still don’t feel sorry for you after what you’ve done to my family.

Chad - Captain Grounds is the one pulling the strings. Peters and Suarez just take a cut, like I did. The big fish is Captain Grounds.

Stephen stands up and storms out of the room. I know he’s doing it for Chad’s sake, or he’d rip his head off.

Clint - Why should I believe you, Chad, after all the lies you’ve told us?

Chad - You probably shouldn’t, Clint. But I can do one better.

Clint - Really? Go on then, humor me. What can you do?

Chad - Get Stephen and Phil in here. Convince them to let me go, and I promise you’ll never see or hear from me again.

Clint - And why would I do that?

Chad - Because in exchange, I can give you my nest egg to get them off your back.

Clint - You realize that makes no sense, right?

Chad - How doesn’t it?

Clint - If you had this supposed nest egg, why wouldn’t you use it to get them off your back?

Chad - If you get your guys in here, I can explain, can’t I?

I glare at him, trying to figure out if he’s telling the truth or just buying time.

I leave the room without another word and shut the door. I find Phil, Eddie, Sergio, Mia, Stephen, and Trinity all waiting and watching through the two-way glass. Stephen is holding Trinity tightly. I know he’s rattled by what Chad said. I walk over to my wife, wrap my arm around her shoulder, and give her a soft kiss.

Clint - So, what do you guys want to do?

Eduardo - It wouldn’t hurt to hear what he has to say. Doesn’t mean we have to make a deal with him.

Philippe - Eddie’s right. Sergio, you’re coming in too. If I’m dealing with this jerk, I want my own conditions.

The four of us go back in and stand in front of Chad.

Stephen - You wanted to be the center of attention. The stage is yours.

Chad - How do you think I found out Captain Grounds was involved?

Stephen - Why should I care?

Chad - That’s where you’re wrong.

Stephen - Get to the point, Chad!

Chad - I collected evidence that Peters and Grounds were corrupt. I still have it. The problem was, I went to Captain Grounds to discuss it before handing the evidence over.

Chad - Not knowing he was involved.

We all look at each other. This could work for us.

Philippe - What’s your offer?

Chad - You let me go, and in exchange, I give you everything I collected - recordings, photos, everything. Like you guys taught me. I made the mistake of going to the captain, not knowing he was involved. But you know he is. You can take it further.

Stephen - You’re missing a key point. He already knows what his officers are up to.

Chad - That’s where the smoking gun comes in. Captain Grounds doesn’t know I recorded our conversation. It implicates him and gives the name of his new supplier. It’s all in a red cap locker at Union Station. So, what do you say, boys?