“More good questions, Brentt,” Ford said, “that we don’t yet have answers to.”
“But your theory about the drugs and the tech being connected is right,” Noble told her. “The focus of Trident is no longer just about stopping the supply of drugs, but also the tech. Whether Fyte or Flyte, our aim is shut down whoever is supplying this drug-tech experience.”
Salvi nodded. “So how do we get people to talk?”
“If you come up with an answer on that, let me know,” Ford said, then looked around the group. “Alright, keep working. I’ll update the Chief.”
The group disbanded and began to stagger their exits from the building. As they did, Salvi approached Ford.
“You look like you pulled an all-nighter,” she said.
Ford nodded. “Yeah. I sent Beggs home. He’s been like a dog with a bone.”
Salvi nodded. “He feels guilty.”
“There’s nothing he could’ve done.”
“I know. What about Grenville? How’s he doing?”
Ford shot her a glance. “He’s fine. He’s doing his job. Did you speak to the new psych from the Solme Complex?”
“Yeah. Asshole wants me to record a video for Subjugate-52.”
“He what?”
“He thinks it’ll close his fixation with me.”
“Fixation? What the fuck?”
“I… may have promised that he’d become a Serene if he helped me, and now Subjugate-52 wants the Complex to deliver that.”
Ford paused and looked at her. “Deliver his freedom?”
“The Serenes are only free to walk around Bountiful during the day. They’re not allowed into the city yet.”
“Yet,” Ford said, staring at her. “You know Solme wants to go there eventually, right? He wants to have them walking around here in the city.”
Salvi nodded. “Yeah, we spoke about that during the Bountiful case. Regardless, Subjugate-52 apparently wants to know when his Serenity will come and when I will visit and make that happen.”
“Shut that shit down, Brentt,” Ford said. “Now. That case is over. Close it out and move on.”
“I know. You think I want to see him again?”
Ford turned and walked on. Salvi sighed and followed.
Salvi stared at the beautiful barman. He was far too perfect to be real.
“Oh, he’s not coming in tonight?” she asked, disappointed.
“No. He’s at one of his other clubs tonight,” he said, shaking a cocktail, and flexing those biceps of his.
“That’s a shame,” she slumped her shoulders. “Is there a way I could contact him? I just wanted to say thank you for the drinks last night.”
“Er… I’m not sure I can give out the boss’ information, you know?”
“Oh, that’s fine! Here,” she motioned to the wristwatch he wore. “Can I give you my details to pass on to him?”
“Sure. No problems,” he said, holding his wrist out. She took her burner phone, the one set up for her cover, and held it alongside, then flicked her details across to the screen of his watch. It beeped and he tapped the screen, accepting the details.
“Sarah Parson,” he said reading it.
“Now don’t forget, will you?” She smiled sexily at him.
“Forget you?” he smiled back. “How could I?”
Salvi lay in her makeshift apartment’s bed, staring at the ceiling with silver-glazed eyes. She listened to the sound of the call ringing through her earpiece, waiting for Mitch to pick up.
“Hello?” he finally said.
“It’s me,” she said. “Calling from a burner.”
“Hey,” he said, then quickly added. “Is everything alright?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
He sighed heavily. Tiredly.
“I think that just answered my question,” she said.
“I’m fine. Just exhausted. You?”
“I’m good. I heard it’s been pretty brutal on the street.”
“Yeah, we’re on the verge of calling in back-up to help process the case load.”
“You taking care of yourself? You sleeping?”
“Are you?”
“Yeah. The body is adjusting to the hours and alcohol. You taking your vitamin shots?”
“You know I love my V shots. Let me know if you want some.”
“Now, now, Detective Grenville. I can’t use your prescription. That’s illegal.”
He gave a tired laugh. “So come and arrest me.”
The silence sat between them both for a moment, as she pictured herself doing something similar. She smiled to herself, but it quickly faded.
“How’s everything else?” she asked. “Are you processing Caine’s death alright?”
He sighed again. “Ford’s forcing us all to speak with the psych.”
“I hear Beggs is on edge,” she said.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen much of him.”
“Maybe check in on him, huh?”
“I don’t think Beggs wants to see me right now. I was supposed to be following Caine’s every move, remember?”
“It’s not your fault, Mitch. Beggs knows that. This started while Caine was still his partner. He’s just angry he didn’t pick up on it himself.”
“Nor should we have. That meant Caine was doing his job well. None of us suspected.”
“Yeah, he did it so well, he got himself killed without leaving us a breadcrumb trail.”
“Maybe he did. Maybe we just haven’t found it yet.”
Salvi’s mind turned over. “We need to hit the Ceiling and we need the keys to the basement.”
“We do, but you can’t rush this, Salvi. You need to be careful,” he said quietly.
“I am.”
“Don’t try to be a solo hero this time.”
“I won’t. I learned the hard way last time.”
“I’m keeping my ear to the ground, checking the Trident portal… I’ll be ready to come back you up whenever you need. Just say the word.”
She smiled softly. “Ditto. Call me if you need to.”
“I can’t. Not while you’re undercover. They can’t see you with me.”
She sighed. “Hopefully we can end this soon.”
“Let’s hope.”
She heard him yawn and she smiled again.
“Get some sleep, Grenville.”
“You too, Brentt.”
She ended the call and removed her comms lenses and earpiece, then rolled over with enough peace of mind to finally go to sleep.
Salvi was eating lunch when Bronte came stumbling in. She looked at the data pane before her and saw it was 2pm. She’d received a message during the night: partying on babe! So she hadn’t been worried. Besides, she knew Ford, Sorensen and Noble would be keeping an eye on him, and that Kara would’ve been close by.
“Looks like you
