First to Die

"I

I didn't really have a choice. I nodded yes. "If you don't get in the way. Besides, you wear nicer ties than Jacobi." "Father's Day present." He beamed. I couldn't believe I felt a tremor of disappointment shooting through me. Jesus, Lindsay. I didn't see a ring. Lindsay! "I'm taking you off all other assignments," Roth announced. "No conflicting obligations. Jacobi can handle the back end, if he wants to stay on the case." "So who's in charge?" I asked Cheery. I was senior partner to Jacobi; I was used to running my own cases. Roth chortled. "He works with the mayor. He's an ex district captain. Who do you think's in charge?" "How about, in the field you lead?" Raleigh suggested. "What we do with what we find is mine." I hesitated, giving him an evaluating stare. God, he was so smooth. Roth looked at me. "You want me to ask Jacobi if he's got similar reservations?" Raleigh met my eyes. "Look, I'll let you know when we can't work it out." It was as good a negotiation as I was going to get. The deal had changed. But at least I kept my case. "So what do I call you? Captain?" With a casual ease, Raleigh tossed a light brown sport coat over his shoulder and reached for the door. "Try my name. I've been a civilian now for five years." "Okay, Raleigh," I said with a faint smile. "You ever get to see a dead body while you were in Northern?"