Just after ten A.M., Lieutenant Brook Lawton steered his unmarked car into a reserved spot outside the four-story brick building that housed the Sheriff’s Office. Located on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City, the seat of one of the largest sheriff’s offices in the country sat smack in the middle of the Tampa Police Department’s jurisdiction. The joke around the office was that any crime on the property had to be reported to TPD and that the Tampa police wouldn’t be hustling over with sirens and lights on.
Lawton wasn’t in a joking mood. He knew what this summons was about and his irritation made him clench his jaws tight. A molar pierced at him.
I’ve got to get that tooth looked at.
He jogged up the stairs, wanting his blood pumping. No tame elevator rides today.
“Lieutenant Brook Lawton, re
