Page 63 (1/2)

“Ah, Dallas” His s in on his own people “I hate that shit”

“So do I Run them anyway Keep it to the city for now”

“Right” He blew out a breath, wondered if she realized his name would be on the list “Hell of a way to start the day Now I’ve got a present for you, kid There was a ot in The chief’s on his way in to the commander’s office He wants both of us”

“Fuck that”

Feeney just looked at his watch “I make it in five , so Siood look at that shirt and decide we’re overpaid”

“Fuck that, too”

Chief Edward Si tri brown hair was tipped with gray

It ell known throughout the departhts were added by his personal cosmetician His eyes were a steely blue—a color his polls indicated inspired voter confidence—that rarely showed hu at hiht of power and authority

It was disillusioning to kno carelessly he used both to do laps in the heady pool of politics

He sat down, steepling his long, creas His voice, when he spoke, had an actor’s resonance

“Commander, captain, lieutenant, we have a delicate situation”

And an actor’s ti He paused, let those hard blue eyes scan each face in turn

“You’re all aware of how the media enjoys sensationalism,” he continued “Our city has, in the five years of my jurisdiction, lowered its crie a year However, with recent events, it isn’t the progress that will be touted by the press Already there are headlines of these two killings Stories that question the investigation and demand answers”

Whitney, detesting Simpson in every pore, answered mildly “The stories lack details, chief The Code Five on the DeBlass case makes it impossible to cooperate with the press or feed it”

“By not feeding it,” Simpson snapped back “We allow the a statement this afternoon” He held up a hand even as Whitney started to protest “It’s necessary to give the public so feel confident that the department has the matter under control Even if that isn’t the case”