Page 121 of Our Daughter's Bones

“Yeah. I confirmed his scheduled whereabouts going back weeks. Either he’s telling the truth, or everyone’s lying for him. I wouldn’t completely disregard the latter. Doesn’t seem as ridiculous anymore.”

“Can you believe that?” Nick winced. “Club 916 got away with raping and assaulting women, andeveryoneprotected them.”

“It was the Sixties. These things still happen, but it was worse back then.”

“I can’t believe no one cared,” he whispered. He glanced at Finn, who was sitting at his desk with his headphones on. Nick leaned closer anyway. “I had nightmares last night. I kept thinking about Luna. Someone doing this to her and then no one does anything about it. How can they not care?”

“You don’t have to worry about Luna. If anyone touches her without her consent, I’ll shoot them in the groin.”

“If anyone touches herat all, I’ll shoot them.”

Sully stepped out of his office. “You two are on duty for Sharks–Falcons this week.”

“What? We have uniform for that.”

Sully pouted. His mustache tickled his nose, and he repressed a sneeze. “The budget for Abby’s investigation has been slashed.”

Mackenzie’s spine steeled. “Are you serious?”

“It’s been over twenty days—”

“What about Erica’s homicide?” Nick asked.

“We have a budget for that. But we have to reduce the resources allocated to Abby’s––”

“Looking into Abby’s disappearance will help us catch Erica’s killer,” Nick protested. “Abby might still be alive. The evidence is fresh. Once again, the department is favoring––”

Sully raised a hand. “I’m not in charge of this. The order came from Peck. If you have a problem, deal with him.”

Mackenzie watched Sully leave, a frown marring his face. She was afraid that one day her drive would wither away like Sully’s had. She’d always seen him as being lazy with the occasional ingenious idea. Maybe politics killed his motivation.

“Peck.” The word tasted bitter in her mouth.

“He’s retiring. Why does he care?”

“It’s his swan song. He wants to exert his authority before leaving.”

“Or maybe Peck is the obsessive fan we’re looking for. The new Club 916,” Nick commented dryly.

Mackenzie knew he wasn’t serious. But she couldn’t shrug off the thought that the distinguished lieutenant, still running the department with an iron fist, was guilty of more than carelessness and playing politics.

Sixty-Seven

October 10

Any news?

Mackenzie hadn’t replied to Daniel’s message. It hadn’t even been a week since he was so abruptly kicked off the case. She wasn’t allowed to share any information with someone not involved—but Daniel knew that.

She slid her phone towards Nick’s desk. He frowned, picking it up. “I got one too.”

“Did you reply?”

“I just said ‘not yet’.”

Justin walked into the office. His bushy mustache was trimmed into pointy ends. He saluted Mackenzie and Nick.

“You don’t need to do that, Justin,” she reminded him.