The next morning.
The Century Avenue standalone second-floor shooting had officially been handed to the Ashmire substation, but in an unusually rare move, Chief Elliot Vaughn made no appearance. He cited a meeting in Las Vegas and left town. The highest officer assigned to the case ended up being a deputy chief on the verge of retirement.
This left the Second Team captain in charge deeply uncertain. He couldn’t read upper leadership’s intent, so he dragged his feet, stalling completely—no pursuit of leads.
…
9:30 a.m.
Victor’s phone rang.
“Yeah?” Elliot Vaughn’s voice.
“You know?” Victor low.
Elliot silent long, then tone brooked no argument. “Whatever you think—stay out of Sebastian’s mess. Back to department now. Stay office these days.”
“No.” Victor flat refuse.
“You f*****g b
