“Would someone have a way of knowing what quadrants you regularly dive?” the captain asked.
The question cut straight to the heart of the matter and a theory Gavin had been playing around with on his own. “We don’t publicize our dives or the patterns we follow, and the quadrant management is as much how we map out the area ahead of time that we’re going to dive rather than being an actual location.”
“So you’d have missed these for an indeterminate period of time?” Captain Reed persisted.
“Yes. The rocky area beneath the surface where we found the weapons isn’t directly aligned or easily reached simply by tossing something off the Hell Gate Bridge. Or the RFK Bridge to its south. To position the guns in the place we uncovered, you’d need to do it deliberately and down near the water to make a drop.”
“Nor is that an area we regularly check for incendiary devices,” Wyatt added.
It was a sad reality that some of their team’s work was aligned around regular bomb checks under bridges and city access points. Wyatt’s added comment only reinforced the situation—that these guns were also in a place where they’d not be discovered on those regular dives.
Captain Reed stood and came around his desk, taking a spot perched against it. “I’d like you to work this, Gavin. I know it’s a lot, and I don’t want to take away from your task force work, but I’m hoping the additional days off the water will give you the time to lead this investigation.”
That same shot of excitement that had filled Gavin when he’d been chosen for the task force lit him up, a deep sense of pride welling in his chest. Captain Reed was exceedingly fair in his distribution of work, and Gavin had never felt overlooked, but the task force and now this opportunity demonstrated he was getting the chance to show he was increasingly ready for the rank of detective.
“I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
Captain Reed smiled, his first of the morning. “I believe it.”
“The task force might be a good conduit for this one,” Arlo offered up. “A way to talk with other teams and discuss how to approach something like this.”
At the man’s words, thoughts of Sera filled Gavin’s mind, and the anticipation of seeing her once he wrapped up this meeting grew. Their conversation the night before had been a revelation. Part getting-to-know-you and part professional brainstorming session, it amazed him to see how easy it was with her to shift seamlessly between any number of topics.
Even that kiss—hot and needy in her kitchen—hadn’t stopped their ability to talk to each other. To listen to one another’s opinions. And to willingly share thoughts with each other.
He wasn’t used to that. He was raised in an environment of children should be seen, not heard, and after he was past the point that such a rigid structure would matter, life took a dark turn that left him far more willing to keep his own counsel than share parts of himself with others.
And wasn’t that the miracle of Sera?
They didn’t know each other, and there was a long road toward whatever the future held for them, but he had this clear sense that they would figure it out.
It was Wyatt who spoke first, clearly finding humor in Arlo’s words. “This suggestion from the man who famously loves to close his cases with as little help as possible.”
“I take help. I just don’t need it,” Arlo shot back at Wyatt, their long-standing friendship more than evident in the banter.
“I think I want to watch you say that in front of Kerrigan.”
It was Captain Reed who finally broke up the byplay. “While Detective Prescott’s lone-wolf status has taken a hit these past few months, I think his point’s a good one. Use this time, Gavin. Talk to others and see what they think. Working through a case with someone else is never a bad idea, and getting a different perspective can open a new line of thinking.”
“I will, sir. And I’ll have an updated report on your desk tomorrow after seeing what the team brings up today. I’ll head over to the site later this afternoon.”
Their captain nodded before circling around back to his chair, signaling the close of their meeting. They all thanked him for his time before Captain Reed called out to Gavin, “A few more moments, Hayes?”
“Of course, sir.”
Arlo and Wyatt kept on going, their obvious trust of their captain ensuring they didn’t even look back. A sign of respect to Captain Reed and, Gavin realized, one to him, as well. He had this case, and he’d do it well. It felt good to have colleagues who believed that, too.
Captain Reed tapped on the printout of Gavin’s briefing. “This is good work.”
“Thank you.”
“You understood the implications on this one immediately, and you’ve suggested some strong lines to tug quickly to see what’s going on.”
He nodded, curious to see where the man was going.
“Arlo’s task force suggestion is a good one, as well. Use your partner there. Get their feedback.”
“I will, sir. I—” He stopped, careful with his words. “I admit, I’m a bit surprised. Are you open to other jurisdictions coming in on this one?”
“Resigned is maybe a better word.”
“Resigned how?”
Those lines that had been so obvious earlier only cut deeper in his captain’s face. “These guns are concerning. They’re going to draw attention. A find like this is going to get the FBI involved, and I get why. This smacks of a criminal ring with potential interstate traffic.”
“Of course.”
Although he avoided sharing any disappointment, Gavin knew himself and knew how much he wanted to handle this on his own. Without federal interference.
“If you can demonstrate from the start that you’re open to support and collaboration, it’ll grease the wheels early. Show you can run an op and work well with others.”
“Yes, sir.”
Captain Reed’s smile, normally soft and gentle in the way he spoke to his team and dispensed his leadership, turned positively wolfish. “And when you do all that great work and communicate well with others, I’ll have a very clear pathway to step in and ensure that you can remain lead on the case. This is your show, Officer Hayes. You have my full endorsement on that.”
Sera showed her credentials at the front desk and put her work bag and purse through the X-ray machines at the entrance to the 86th. The spring day was bright and crisp, and she’d gotten away with only her raincoat as she’d headed out that morning.
The air had a decided nip in it as she hoofed it from the subway to the precinct, but she simply couldn’t wear her thick winter coat one more day if she could help it.
