Friend or Foe Read online

  Lily giggled and placed her wine glass on the kitchen counter. “We’re not judging you. It’s just easier to understand now why you think Garcia and I are such slobs.”

  Ryan started dishing pasta and sauce into three bowls, followed by a generous helping of salad, causing a less than subtle sigh of despondency from Garcia.

  “Salad is good for you,” Ryan scolded, holding the bowl out for Garcia. “And if you eat it all, I’ll give you some ice cream.”

  Silence descended on the group as they each dug into their meal.

  Shame overwhelmed Lily with every mouthful, realizing she wouldn’t have been able to produce a meal like this unless she had professional training; she sucked as a cook.

  Ryan smirked as Garcia reached for a second helping.

  “So, what’s our next step?” Lily asked, fighting hard to ignore the urge to lick her bowl.

  “Well, Sandra seemed pretty determined that Mickie Romano’s gang was somehow involved in Candy’s death,” Ryan said, staring pensively at the bottom of his empty bowl. “I have to admit, it does sound pretty plausible.”

  “Exactly.” Garcia forked in his last mouthful, leaving Ryan and Lily waiting patiently for him to swallow and continue. “If Candy was somehow an informant for a cop, then there would be some serious consequences if the gang found out.”

  “So, how do we get into the gang? Surely you guys can’t just walk up and flash some badges to get them to reveal everything they know.” Lily frowned, imagining how well that would go.

  “Well,” Garcia rubbed his hands together, “that’s a question for after ice cream…”

  Chapter 4

  An Unexpected Visitor

  Lily found she felt more and more comfortable waltzing into the depths of the police station. Every time she was greeted with a smile of recognition by the officer at the front desk, she was struck by just how incredibly her life had changed.

  About six months before, Lily had been the top student of her class in med school. She’d lived and breathed medicine and had only managed to stay in her relationship with Nick—her college boyfriend—because he was also a med student and they spent most of their time studying together. Since the murder of her grandfather, Lily had found herself walking out the doors of her med school and through the doors of the Douglasdale Police Station, run by her uncle. Somehow, she had used her medical knowledge to win the respect of the medical examiner, Dr. Banks, as well as the two detectives that she had grown to admire.

  And now, Lily Wilkens, med-school dropout, walked through the station and stepped into the elevator with the very real sensation that she actually belonged there, working alongside the homicide detectives, helping solve murders.

  It had certainly come at a cost, though. Three months ago, Nick came all the way to Douglasdale to break up with her, making her feel like even more of a drop-out loser. But slowly, thanks to the help of the station, some of her pride had been restored. She imagined her grandfather would have been proud of her sudden exploration into the unknown.

  “And that smile?”

  Lily jolted in surprise, turning to see a man she hadn’t noticed before leaning in the corner of the elevator. He appeared to be in his late thirties and had a few days of dark stubble growing on his chiseled chin. He stared at her with big brown eyes from under the shadow of his messy dark curls.

  “Uh… sorry I didn’t see you there,” Lily stammered, warmth growing in her cheeks. “Lost in thought, I guess.” She hated how self-conscious this man had suddenly made her feel, intruding on her private thinking-time.

  “I’m Gary. Gary Chester.” The man pulled his hands out of his pocket and extended it to Lily.

  “Lily Wilkens.” She timidly shook his hand, aware of how his eyes never left hers.

  “So, what’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” Gary’s eyebrows flicked up and he took a few steps closer until he stood beside Lily.

  The elevator pinged, reaching her floor. “A question for another day, I guess,” she said, gratefully escaping through the elevator doors.

  Gary grinned, stepping out behind her and matching her pace. “Looks like we’re on the same floor.”

  “Is there someone you’re looking for?” Lily asked pointedly, convinced that this very good-looking man was borderline stalking her.

  “Yeah. Detectives Garcia and Scott. You know them?”

  “Oh. Follow me.” Lily ‘s her mind simultaneously burst with questions and embarrassed for thinking someone would stalk her. Seeing Ryan up ahead, she noticed curiosity flickering through his eyes, as well as a scowl spreading across his brow as they drew nearer. Lily smiled awkwardly. “Morning. This is Gary Chester. Uh… we met in the elevator. He’s looking for you guys.”

  After the men shook hands, Garcia took over of the conversation while Ryan eyed Gary suspiciously.

  “What can we help you with?” Garcia asked.

  “I believe you’re investigating the murder of Candy Wilheart, my informant, and I want to know more,” Gary stated, squaring his shoulders as he folded his arms across his chest.

  “Your informant?” Ryan said. “And who are you, exactly?”

  “Okay, detective, calm down. I didn’t mean to rustle your feathers,” Gary said.

  Ryan clenched his jaw, annoyed by the chastising.

  “I work with the gang intelligence unit over in the city, but I’ve been assigned to keep an eye on the gangs around here,” Gary explained.

  “I’m afraid we’re going to need some credentials,” Garcia said politely.

  “Sure.” Gary held up his badge, and Garcia subsequently nodded in approval.

  “So, what was your interest in Candy?” Ryan asked, pulling out a chair for Gary and then taking a seat himself.

  “Candy and I met years ago. I was working undercover in the Flash gang. Mickie trusted me,” Gary flicked his hair out of his eyes, “but Candy didn’t. She figured out I was a cop almost immediately, and well… instead of ratting me out, she struck a deal so that she could get out.” Gary looked around. “You guys got any coffee round here?”

  “What was the deal?” Ryan asked, still studying Gary from head-to-foot.

  “I organized that she did a little jail time to pay for her crimes and a trip back home to mommy to get her away from most of the gang operatives. In exchange, Candy had to give me valuable intel on Mickie’s moves.” Gary stretched out his legs, seemingly at home in Garcia’s little office.

  “But she wanted out,” Lily protested. “So why did you make her stay longer?”

  “It’s how it works, honey.” Gary shrugged. “If you want Uncle Sam to help you, then you’ve got to help him out first.”

  Heat spread through Lily’s face. “But Candy was murdered! And all you’re upset about is losing your informant?”

  Gary smirked at Garcia. “I like this one. She’s feisty. She definitely livens up the place!”

  Garcia chuckled, and even Ryan snorted.

  “Look, I don’t know what you guys have uncovered so far,” Gary resumed, his face growing serious, “but if Mickie had any wind that Candy was a snitch, then we don’t have to look very far for our first suspect. I want the first crack at him.”

  Garcia nodded while rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

  “What was Candy like as an informant?” Lily asked.

  “She was the best.” Gary sighed sorrowfully. “Loyal and reliable. She gave us good intel that helped us get into other local gangs. We’ve put quite a few people behind bars because of Candy.”

  “Then why would she rob a bank?” Lily asked, frustrated by the case’s loose ends.

  “What?” Gary demanded. “I got her that job at a bank. Why would she rob it?”

  “We have strong evidence that points to Candy hacking the system to access one of the safes for cash,” Garcia said, and then proceeded to fill Gary in on the rest of the details.

  “Well, it’s got to be Mickie!” Gary said. “I mean, come on! He must have planned
the heist, forcing Candy to either assist or have her cover blown, and then turning on her in punishment for being an informant.” He ran his hands through his hair. “It’s the perfect crime to cover another crime.”

  “What about Candy’s boyfriend, Milo, and the best friend, Sandra?” Lily asked.

  “Ah, those idiots. I don’t know why Candy hung out with them, but they didn’t really have a clue about what was really going on in Candy’s life.”

  Lily gave Ryan a look. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Sandra mentioned Candy had a ‘cop friend’ who was helping her by the name of ‘G’. Her mother knew about you too.” Lily folded her arms and stared at Gary, unsure of whether she was intimidated, disgusted, or intrigued by him.

  “Lily’s right. There are more people than you think who knew about Candy’s involvement with you as an informant,” Ryan added.

  Gary dropped the smug act for the first time since Lily met him twenty minutes ago. He rested his head in his hand, his proud shoulders slumping in defeat. “If my carelessness brought this on Candy, I’ll never forgive myself,” his muffled voice escaped through his fingers.

  Garcia nodded to himself as if making a silent decision, and looked to Ryan, who gave a slight nod in agreement. Then, to Lily’s surprise, Garcia raised a questioning eyebrow at her too. She’d never been involved in their unspoken conversations before. Nevertheless, she gave Garcia the nod too, understanding that they’d just soundlessly agreed to allow Gary in on the case.

  Gary, somehow sensing his acceptance, recovered instantly from his grief and looked up at the group. “Right. So what’s the plan of action?”

  “Well, Garcia and I will question Mickie, and then we’ll—” Ryan paused mid-sentence as Gary’s mocking laughter interrupted him. “Is there a problem?”

  “You don’t just ‘question’ Mickie!” Gary jeered. “The Flashes won’t even let the two of you anywhere near Mickie. You don’t think they already know what the local cops look like? They’ve probably got your faces stuck up behind their dart boards.”

  Frustrated, Ryan stomped over to the window to distract himself from punching Gary in the head.

  “Well, what would you do?” Lily said, knowing Garcia and Ryan were too proud to ask.

  Chapter 5

  Plan B

  Gary winked at Lily, much to Ryan’s disgust. “I thought you’d never ask. Say, you wouldn’t happen to have an evening gown hanging in your closet, by any chance?”

  Lily blinked, puzzled. “What?”

  Gary abruptly jumped to his feet and wiped Garcia’s white-board clean. He then pulled a thick file from his bag and slammed it on the desk in front of him. “Never mind,” he said, flashing another unnerving smile at Lily before continuing. “So, this is the plan.” He slapped a photograph from his file onto the board. “Mickie. He’s young, rich, and has a weakness for two things—beautiful girls and money, in that order.”

  Ryan rolled his eyes, growing broodier as the spectacle continued. Garcia, on the other hand, seemed both amused and intrigued as to where Gary was going with the theatrics of slapping more photographs on the board and drawing elaborate lines in between them.

  “Mickie is having a party tonight, and of course, cops aren’t invited. I, however,” Gary slapped on a photograph of himself with greased back hair and a smoldering pout, “have returned from my family business in Ireland.” His voice suddenly picked up an Irish tinge. “I’ll attend this party and speak to Mickie.”

  “And what makes you so sure he’s going to welcome you back with open arms?” Garcia asked.

  “Or that he hasn’t since found out you’re an undercover cop?” Ryan added.

  “That’s true,” Lily agreed. “What if they found out Candy was an informant for you?”

  Gary smirked. “Well, luckily, I’ll attend the party with a gorgeous, dazzling woman on my arm who will distract Mickie’s cronies.”

  Lily snorted into her coffee mug while eyeing the last chocolate croissant. “And where exactly are you going to find one of those?”

  “I’ve already found one,” Gary said, eyeing her and extending an arm. “You.”

  “Are you insane?” an outraged Ryan practically yelled. “You want to drag Lily into this and put her inside a gang?!”

  “Ryan,” Garcia cautioned.

  “Lily is a civilian. You can’t just drag her into the middle of some gang party!” Ryan continued, flailing his arms wildly.

  “Ryan!” Garcia said a little louder.

  “She’ll be with me, a trained officer. She’ll be safe,” Gary countered.

  “How well did that work out for you last time, Gary?” Ryan sneered. “The last woman entrusted to your care ended up dead on a bank floor!”

  “Detective Scott and Detective Chester,” Garcia intervened, his usually steady and calm voice booming with disapproval and authority.

  Ryan shamefully lowered his eyes. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “That last accusation was uncalled for.”

  Gary shrugged, but it was clear he was shaken by Ryan’s words. “You’re right,” he conceded. “Candy did get shot. And so, if we’re going to tackle Mickie’s gang, we need a team for backup and support.”

  Garcia nodded. “That sounds like a wiser plan. Just explain to me why Lily is necessary for this operation?”

  “Lily will look good in a dress. It’s a poker evening and the men will be in dire need of some eye-candy. If I walk in there with an attractive woman on my arm, Mickie is bound to give me a one-on-one interview.”

  “You’re sure of that?” Ryan asked testily.

  “Well, do you doubt the striking allure of your associate here?” Gary asked slyly.

  Ryan wisely chose not to answer, and Garcia stifled a laugh. Meanwhile, Lily now felt like the one who needed to walk away to avoid punching Gary in the head.

  “There’s more to it though,” Gary added. “Lily was at the bank robbery, so she might be able to recognize a voice, a shoe, a mannerism in one of Mickie’s gang members—or anyone else at the party, for that matter. It’s the only way. I can almost smell how desperate you are for a concrete lead, and Lily is the only one who can help me get one.”

  Ryan gritted his teeth a few times before nodding. “It depends on whether Lily is willing to participate though,” he said, playing his final card. “She works as a consultant for us and as a result, is kept out of life-threatening situations. She would have to give consent.”

  “Lily?” Garcia’s voice trailed behind her.

  Lily was still staring out of the window, trying to comprehend what had just happened and what she was being asked to do. Her first reaction was that she definitely wasn’t the woman for the job. And if her life was going to be at risk, she certainly didn’t want to put her grandmother through another death in the family.

  Furthermore, she wasn’t entirely sure she even trusted Gary. He was just this unexpected visitor that had popped out of the blue with solutions to their problems; where had he been when Candy needed his help?

  Lily turned to face the three men, parting her lips slightly to give her response. Her eyes flicked to the picture of Mickie on the white-board behind Gary’s head. Instantly, the image of Candy lying dead on the bank floor with a bullet hole in her chest flashed in her mind.

  The force had already failed to protect Candy once….

  Lily knew what she had to do. “Fine,” she said. “But I want a gun.”

  “Not a chance.” Garcia laughed. “But maybe we can fix you up with a nice dress.”

  Ryan didn’t say a word, and Lily felt a twinge of guilt crumple her insides as he turned away, failing to hide his disappointment in her answer.

  “I already have a nice dress,” Lily snapped. “Why wouldn’t you think I owned a nice dress?”

  Garcia shrugged, immediately backing out of the conversation with his hands held up in surrender.

  “You just don’t dress like a woman who owns nice dresses,” Ryan said, oblivious to his mistake.

/>   Lily folded her arms and narrowed her eyes at him, satisfied when he recoiled from her scathing stare. “And what, Detective Scott, is exactly wrong with the way I dress?” she asked icily.

  Ryan, having learned his lesson, smiled sheepishly and slowly backed away.

  “Lily, why don’t you take some time off while we work out the security detailing for tonight,” Garcia ordered more than suggested. “Get a haircut or a manicure or something that girls like to do before getting all dressed up.”

  Lily glared at him before leaving the room with her chin held high and her shoulders squared. She climbed into the elevator, annoyed on many levels. First, Gary Chester had strolled in casually and taken over her spot on the team, and now, she’d been demoted to the role of the ‘female’ in the group, fetching coffee orders and batting her eyelashes at gangsters while trying to breathe in a dress two sizes too small.

  Her finger hesitated over the ground floor button before moving to the basement level button instead. She suddenly sought comfort in the air-conditioned world of pathology, chemistry, and human anatomy, where she could confidently bring most men to their knees, figuratively speaking.

  “Well, don’t you like a picture of happiness today,” Dr. Banks joked, eyeing her through his goggles with a blow-torch burning in one hand.

  “Don’t start,” Lily mumbled. She held up her phone with a photograph of the gold piece she’d found on the bank floor. “Can you tell me what this is?”

  Banks removed his goggles and squinted at the evidence photo for a few seconds before reaching into the box marked ‘Candy Wilheart’. He pulled out the plastic bag containing the gold bit.

  Lily raised an eyebrow. “You see, doctor, this is why I check up on you.”

  Banks scrunched his nose into a sneer. “There’s a lot of work down here, you know. But you’re too busy up there flirting with the detectives to assist me anymore.” He pulled out his magnifying glass and started examining the piece Lily had found.

  “I don’t flirt with anyone,” she growled, offended. “Besides, my heart will always be in the medical field.”