“What?”
“Kirk is here.”
“What’s he doing?”
“Talking to Carter.”
“I’ll be right down.”
Demi looked at Carter and nodded her head.
“I’m sure she’ll be right with you, Kirk,” Carter said to the detective, but he was looking at Dawkins. “Why don’t you have a seat.”
“But you haven’t answered my question,” Kirk said.
Carter smiled. “I’m here to see Rain. And now if you’ll excuse me,” he said and walked away.
“That’s-”
“Carter Garrison,” Dawkins said as they went to wait at the nearest table.
“What do you know about Carter Garrison?” Kirk asked dismissively as they sat down. Dawkins nodded her head.
“I know that he recently got out of jail for keeping his mouth shut and now he’s a captain.”
“How do you know that?” Kirk asked, thinking that her answer would be, Jada told me.
“When I got assigned to this precinct, I tried to learn everything I could about Mike Black and his organization.”
Kirk looked at her for a second while he decided how to ask his next question. “Why?” was what he settled on.
“Because I’m a cop, detective.” She leaned forward and pointed at him. “I hope that’s the last time I have to remind you of that.”
“I think it will be, but I’m not making any promises.”
Dawkins sat back. “Fair enough.”
“What conclusion did you draw from that?”
“From what? From Carter Garrison walking out of jail one week and the next week, he’s a captain? Oh, that’s an easy one. That the person he kept his mouth shut for was Mike Black.”
“That was my conclusion as well,” Kirk said, impressed by his new partner as Rain came into the club from her office and started toward them.
“And if anything happens to Double R there, Mr. Garrison may be the next boss of The Family.”
“You think so?” Kirk said, nodding as he and Dawkins watched Rain make eye contact with Carter. He stopped talking to Demi and started for the table.
“See what I mean,” Dawkins leaned close and said quietly. “She’s coming to talk to the police, but she wants him with her. And from what I read about the two of them, they are a murderous match made in heaven.”
“Interesting analysis, detective,” Kirk said as he began to stand up. Dawkins prepared to meet Rain, wondering what, if anything, Jada told Rain about her and what she did.
“Don’t bother getting up, Kirk,” Rain said as she and Carter sat down.
“Rain, Carter, this is my new partner, Detective Dawkins.”
Rain looked at Dawkins and then at Kirk. “I know that ain’t all you came here for.”
“No, it isn’t.”