“I appreciate that, Evan.”
Driving directly to the lab, the two detectives headed straight to one of the technicians that handled drug testing. “How long will it take you to tell us what this is?” Carter asked as Evan handed the evidence bag to the young man.
He opened the bag and pulled out the bottle, emptying several of the pills onto a sterile tray. “Give me just a minute.” Typing in the color, shape, description, and identification numbers on the pill, the technician quickly found what they needed. “Azithromycin.”
“Antibiotic?” Carter asked.
Nodding, the technician said, “Yeah. It’s used to fight bacterial infections.” He looked back down at his computer and began reading. “Can be used for respiratory infections, skin infections, ear or eye infections, and sexually-transmitted diseases. It’s also used for other infections, but those are the ones most listed. You should not use it if you have liver or kidney disease heart rhythm disorder, or low levels of potassium. Common side effects include diarrhea, stomach pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and liver problems.”
“Okay, thanks. If you get the report to us as soon as you can, we’d appreciate it.” Offering chin lifts, Carter and Evan left the lab.
He spent the rest of the afternoon at his desk, writing up his report. He walked to the evidence board and re-drew a few lines, making new connections, talking out loud as he worked. Evan had plopped down at Rachel’s desk, his attention focused on the board as well.
“Beth, the Kilton Pharmaceutical Rep, delivers samples of a variety of drugs to doctors’ offices, including the free clinic. Like with most doctors’ offices, she sometimes speaks to the doctor but often leaves the samples with nurses or receptionists. Polly reportedly hates to see homeless persons who are sick and yet won’t come into the clinic. She takes the antibiotics and distributes them to those who won’t see the doctor. So, we have her on illegal distribution of controlled substances.”
He looked over at the pictures of Carl, Jonathan, and Rocky. Shaking his head, he added, “But there’s not one damn thing that ties her to the opioids that are getting out. So, we took down one person who was doing something illegal, but we’re no closer to solving the narcotic issue.”
“Where do those bag lunches come from?”
“According to Tara, a bunch of different volunteers make them.” He stared at Evan for a moment, then asked, “What are you thinking?”
“I dunno. I guess I just thought if they were all coming from the same place then maybe we’re looking at another point in the pipeline.” Standing, Evan said, “I’m heading out.”
Before he made it out the door, their Lieutenant stepped out of her office and said, “My office, please.” They followed her in and sat down, and in typical fashion, she got right to the point. “I talked to Rachel and warned her that she is not to continue assisting in any way, even if she’s lying in bed with her feet up. As long as she’s on bed rest, she’s on medical leave. But that leaves you without a partner for several months.” She speared Carter with her gaze before shifting over to Evan. “With the work you’ve just been doing on this case, I’m temporarily assigning the two of you together. Evan, the other case you’re working on can take a backseat. Now that you’re partnered with Carter, this opioid case is your first priority. That’s all.”
The two men stood and walked back out to the workroom. Evan glanced down at Rachel’s desk and chuckled. “I guess you might as well get used to seeing me in the seat after all.” Shifting his gaze back to Carter’s, he asked, “You okay with this?”
“Yeah, it’s fine with me.” Stepping forward, he clapped Evan on the shoulder. “Glad to have you with me for the long haul on this.”
“Good. I’ve got to go get my shit. You gonna call your woman?”
Sighing heavily, he nodded. After Evan left, he tried calling Tara’s cell phone, but she never picked up. He left messages for her to please talk to him so that he could explain. She never called back.
“I feel so deceived.” Tara wadded up the tissue in her hand, reaching over to snag another one from the box. She lifted her watery gaze to Erin sitting across from her at their parents’ kitchen table. “I never meant for anything to happen to Polly. It never dawned on me when I said something the detective in him would take over. Jesus, she trusted me. I feel like I just handed her over to prison!”
Having left the shelter, she’d called her sister, desperate to have someone to talk to. Erin told her that their parents were out of the house, so she decided to meet her there. Now, with an unheeded cup of tea and a pile of wadded tissues in front of her on the table, she sighed heavily. “I’m glad I didn’t tell anybody else in the family about seeing Carter. I can’t stand the idea of everyone knowing what a fool I was.”
“Honey, I know you don’t want to hear this, but I have to say it.”
She wiped her nose and stared at Erin. “Okay, go ahead and say it.”
“Dad worked for the FBI and is now a consultant for them. Sean and Kyle are detectives. Hell, Chauncey is the Police Commissioner. On top of that, Brock and Brody are with the police. Tara, honey, you and I have been raised right smack in the middle of law enforcement.”
Sniffing, she drew one leg up, wrapping her arms around her shin and resting her chin on her knee, still focused on Erin. “Okay…”
“These men don’t just work in law enforcement. It’s who they are. It’s not a job they chose, it’s part of their being. As betrayed as you feel, I’m not sure Carter had much choice.”
She tossed another tissue onto the table
