Caffeine & Killers (Roasted Love Cozy 3)

At eleven a.m., I pulled up in front of the precinct house. Chief Hayes’s look of concern when I walked into his office touched me more than I would have expected. He came around his desk, took my arm, and led me to the chair across from his desk.

"How are you, Laila?" he asked. "Are you sure you're up to this today?"

I grinned, feeling better than I had last night and relieved that things were going to go back to normal. "I’m more than up to it. I had no idea John Collins was anyone other than an officer who had his head on straight."

"Well, we've had our eye on him for the last few weeks, along with some higher-ups in the DEA," said the chief. "At first things appeared to be only rumors with no evidence to back them up. But Collins started spending too many extra hours in the old downtown. He confiscated a lot of drugs, but the problem was that his reports didn’t match what he actually turned in. It was easier for us to watch him than fellow DEA agents."

I looked up. "Are you telling me he was a drug dealer, too?"

Chief Hayes nodded. "Well, in a way. He wasn't pushing on the street, but doing bigger deals by confiscating drugs from street dealers. But he wouldn't arrest them so he could keep the supply coming. And I'm sure you being down there talking to someone like Ricky Thomas, made him nervous too. There were a few people down there who knew he was crooked."

I moved around in the chair, trying to get comfortable. The chief noticed and spoke with genuine concern for me. "Laila, you go home and relax the rest of the day. You’ve been through a lot. We can get your statement later. I can even send a couple of officers to your house and take care of that."

"Sounds good to me. I guess I am a little sore this morning." Actually, I was a lot sore, but I didn't want to let on how much.

Chief Hayes came around and took my arm again, and then walked with me to my car.

"Laila, Larch has been a friend of John Collins for a long time. It seems he had his own suspicions, but didn't know Collins was being watched. Larch was ready to tell everything he knew, but until Linda confided in you, he was worried his own life would be endanger. I don't think he thought we'd believe him. So, in a way, you were part of the catalyst for bringing everything together and solving this case." He paused.

I just wish I'd thought about the possibility that Collins would attack you like he did last night. I didn’t put it together that he was your stalker until it was too late."

"Hey, I'm fine. It's dangerous work. I know that."

He looked down at me with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, but that's why you should leave it to the professionals, young lady. Understand?"

"Yes. I understand. I'm just glad it's over for everyone."

"So am I." With that, I got in my car and drove away.

I had one more stop to make before going home. I planned to take things slow today, but I wanted to have everything ready for Daniel when he came back later in the evening.

# # #

When my doorbell rang, I opened the door to Daniel and Benji Junior. The little dog raced past me towards Thor while I reached for Daniel and pulled him inside.

I gave him a kiss and a big smile. I turned and reached for a wrapped gift that I'd had made especially for him.

Daniel pulled the ribbon from the package and held up a framed picture of the two of us. "It’s perfect," he said. "Thank you, Laila. I sure remember this day well. You practically forced that kid to take our picture in front of that fountain."

"Aw, he didn’t object that much when I gave him five bucks to do it. I’m just glad you like it. I know I’ve neglected quality time with you and for that I apologize."

"Thanks. Apology accepted." He set the picture down on my coffee table. "I saw on the news just before I left that Agent John Collins was arrested for the murder of John Wilkins. There are other charges to come, according to the report."

"Good. I'll look forward to his trial." Daniel looked sideways at me, but I just laughed and walked with him to the kitchen.

I pulled out fresh tortillas along with chicken strips and everything else I knew Daniel liked in his enchiladas. I had a lot to tell him and so I jumped right in as we worked together to fix our dinner.

"According to Chief Hayes," I said, "John Collins was spending way too much time on Skid Row. At first everyone thought he was seriously trying to rid West River of drugs. Instead, he was stealing small amounts of the confiscated drugs and hiding the stuff in a small storage locker. The rest he turned in for appearances, of course, but he was dealing the stolen stuff out to some small syndicates for extra money.

"Anyway, I guess he made the mistake of listing more confiscated drugs than was actually in the inventory."

"Yeah. I heard tonight from Leo Swenson that Collins was trafficking in narcotics," said Daniel. "He threatened

everyone down there so they'd keep their mouths shut."

"It seems that a couple years ago, there was wind of a possible investigation and Collins had to get rid of his dope stash," I said. "So, he moved it into Steven Wilkins apartment and framed him."

"I think Steve's brother, Homeless John, must have figured it out and threatened him. And after Agent John killed Homeless John, he threatened Ricky that he would die like Homeless John if he didn’t keep quiet. I think Ricky must have threatened to say something to Agent Stanton, who recently started working along side John Wilkins, because Ricky was killed right about that time."