Detective Hanson also looks defensive and angry. She puts her hands on her hips and purses her lips, her eyes narrowing with displeasure. “This is our jurisdiction, Agent Doyle. As I was just telling these concerned citizens here, the Bayonne precinct has this case covered. It’s ours, Agent. You can tell the FBI we don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m sure you’re perfectly competent, Detective,” answers the suit, “but this case is under our thumb now. The Federal Bureau of Investigation fully appreciates your participation and hard work regarding this matter up until now, but we will be handling the case from here on out.”
“And what if we refuse to stand down?” Hanson rebuts, taking a step closer. I’m amazed at her ability to stay tough and collected in the face of an FBI agent. I, however, am quietly shrinking away. I’m not a fan of cops, and I am definitely in no position to tangle with the FBI.
“Then you will be forcibly removed from the case by whatever means necessary, with a reprimand to your commanding officer,” the agent answers coolly.
“Our forensics team is the one out there getting their hands dirty digging up bodies, not yours,” Hanson shoots back defiantly. “We’re the ones using our resources and time to get this done while you just conveniently show up just as all the bodies are accounted for. You don’t like to work very hard, do you, Agent? No, you much prefer to ride up on your high horse just in time to steal all the credit and tell us little guys to go home.”
“You’re crossing a line, Detective.”
“And you’re trampling on one!” she hisses.
“I’ve seen your record, Hanson. Pretty clean so far. It would be a real shame to mar such an excellent record with an insubordination mark.”
Detective Hanson bristles at this, glaring at the agent with hatred burning in her dark eyes. Then she finally looks away, shaking her head angrily. “Fine. You want it? Get your own team out here. And good luck tracking down suspects without the assistance of the local PD. We know this town like the back of our hands — its secrets, its idiosyncrasies. The people know us. They’ll never open up to an outsider in a luxury car like you,” she says.
I look over to see a fleet of more black sedans squealing to a stop on the side of the road, more agents in sunglasses and black suits approaching quickly, looking like serious business.
“Well, as our main suspects have been so considerate as to go ahead and show up to the scene of the crime, I doubt we’ll have much trouble taking them into custody,” the agent replies, gesturing toward the Club. My stomach drops. They’re going to arrest Leon! As if he really has anything to do with this gruesome scene!
“No!” I shout before I can stop myself, running over to Leon. He shakes his head at me, his beautiful green eyes wide and emphatic, telling me to stay out of it.
“Who is this?” the agent asks.
“Our informant,” Hanson answers him reluctantly. “She’s not involved.”
“Well, if she hinders our investigation in any way she will most certainly be considered ‘involved’ and I will not hesitate to arrest her for obstruction,” he says darkly.
I hate the way he talks about me as though I’m not here. I want to turn and tell the union Club to run, to escape however possible. But they are all standing here quietly, allowing themselves to be arrested! Leon’s jaw is clenching and I know it’s hurting every fiber of his being to acquiesce so easily to the police.
I wonder why they’re not fighting it.
The men in suits start cuffing the Club members, reading them their Miranda rights and leading them away to the cars. When one of them comes up to Leon with a pair of handcuffs out, something snaps in me and I wrap my arms around Leon’s body tightly.
“Don’t take him, please! He’s innocent! They all are, I swear!” I cry.
“I thought you said she was not involved,” the agent says impatiently.
“Miss LaBeau, please step back!” Detective Hanson orders.
“I won’t let you arrest him when he’s done nothing wrong!” I retort, shaking my head. Leon gives me a panicked look.
“No, Cherry. Let me go. Don’t give them any reason to drag you in, too,” he murmurs to me gently. “I’ll be alright. It’s just for questioning, they have nothing on me. Ne volnuytes, kroshka. It will be okay.”
Reluctantly, I release him just as the suited guy pulls Leon’s arms behind his back to cuff him and start pulling him away. I run after them a few steps and the first agent follows after me. Leon shouts, “Leave her out of this! She’s not involved!”