McBride groaned. “The gift that never stops giving. Congressman Dell is the majority shareholder of Artog Shipping.”
He blinked as that tidbit of information registered. “As in the congressman who has been charged with interstate prescription drug theft and campaign fraud?”
Kyle McBride nodded. “The feds worked that portion of the case. I’m out of that end of it. But what we saw when we were working our investigation was that, occasionally, when a shipment with highly marketable prescription drugs went out to a major city, it would end up being stolen. The entire shipment, poof. Gone. Of course, it was usually a one-off, so it didn’t ring on the city or county’s radar. Artog Shipping has so many subsidiaries that, following the trail back to the primary company, owned by Congressman Dell, was difficult. Then the people getting rich got greedy and stole from their own backyard. We got lucky and found a trail of crumbs, crumbs the other cities wouldn’t have been able to identify.”
He leaned back and stared at the detective. “I wouldn’t call it lucky. From what I heard it was damn good police work.”
McBride looked uncomfortable with the compliment but muttered, “Thank you.”
“So, we need to get with the FBI. If they are already looking into Artog, this will just be another feather in their cap.” Brody rolled his shoulders as he spoke.
He hit his mouse and woke up his computer screen, glancing at the cases that were active and the detectives assigned. “I’ll make the call to the feds, but until they pull us off this, make sure Cantrell and Lewis follow through with their informants and see what you can dig up from other sergeants working narcotics in the other precincts. If Artog is associated with prescription drugs and cocaine shipments, it may run deeper. I don’t want us to sit on this if the feds are just going to drop it back in our lap, and if they take it, we might have a bit of information to make their lives easier.” He glanced up at a tap at his door.
“Cap, sorry for the interruption, but Alston Towing called while you were in the interview room. Said they were leaving to pick up your SUV?” Amber cocked her head. “Thought you drove a sedan?”
“Not my vehicle, it belongs to a friend of mine. Thanks.”
“No problem.” She waved at Kyle and winked at Brody before she shut the door.
“Thank you, Detective McBride. I appreciate you stopping by.”
Kyle stood, as did Brody. “No worries, sir. I was in the area and decided Brody and Amber need to take me to lunch.”
Brody chuffed and pointed at him. “My captain just gave me more work. You’ll have to find someone else to buy your food, mooch.”
Ryker cleared his throat. “Actually, those calls can wait for an hour or so.”
Kyle laughed at Brody’s crestfallen expression. “Captain Ryker, you just moved up to being my favorite officer on the entire force. Come on, tightwad, I want lunch at Horizon.”
“Call ahead for a table, today is clam chowder day.” He snapped his mouth shut, realizing what he’d just said. He glanced down at his desk blotter as if the scribbling there held the secrets to the universe.
“How do you know that?”
Brody’s brow was scrunched together when Ryker glanced up. “It’s the best damn chowder in town. What? Is it illegal to like chowder?”
“Ah, no, it’s just that my sister owns that place and it’s kinda out of the way from this part of town.” Brody shrugged. “Strange that someone else would know about it.”
“You’re not the only one who owns a vehicle or likes to eat, King. Get out of my office and shut the door on your way out.”
“Yes, sir.” Brody was out of the seat and at the door in a heartbeat.
“See, now you did it. You pissed off your boss,” Kyle fake-whispered as he punched Brody in the shoulder on the way out the door. When it closed behind them, Ryker drew a deep breath. It was getting harder and harder to keep his and Brie’s relationship under wraps. Perhaps it was a good thing that her mother was pressing for an introduction. Dealing with Brody and his brothers would be awkward, but they were all adults. Well, mostly. He watched as Kyle ducked from a headlock Brody put on him and smiled as Amber shook her head and followed them out of the building.
He retrieved his cell and called Brie.
“Hey, good-looking,” her voice purred across the line.
“Hey yourself. The tow truck is on its way to come get your vehicle. If they don’t finish it today, I’ll pick you up tonight. I don’t want you to Uber.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
He chuckled. “What, no argument? Who are you and what have you done with the independent woman that I fell in love with?”
“She’s still here. Things are just a little hectic again today. You gave the company my number so I can pay for the tow and new tires, right?”
“I haven’t, but if you want me to, I will.”
“Please do, I have the money to take care of it.” She covered the phone with her hand and spoke to someone. “Sorry.”
“I know you’re busy. I just wanted to give you a heads up that Brody, Amber, and Kyle McBride are on their way. You’ll have to dust off the owner’s table.”
“Are they? Wonderful! I haven’t seen them in a couple weeks. I wish you could have come with them.”
“Well, maybe after we do the introduction thing.”
“You’re not freaking out about that, are you?”
He chuckled softly. “Not at all. I love you and you come with a big family.”
“So do you.”
“But my family isn’t close like yours.”
“Well, if you meet my family, I need to meet yours.”
“We can do that.” He hated to think of it, and he'd put it off as long as he could, but he could arrange it. “I’ll text you when the garage says the
