Page 47 of The Law of Deceit

I’m annoyed because rather than getting to simmer in the information I learned from Dempsey, I’m about to get reamed. I can just feel it.

He shuts the door behind us and motions for me to sit in the chair across from his desk. Since the old chief left, Tanaka has decluttered and updated the new space. Expensive, modern wood furniture adorns the office—a far cry from the ’70s crap that was here before.

Did the department pay for this excessive upgrade?

His office walls are lined with his accolades from Seattle. When he ran out of those near his desk, he decorated the rest with colorful abstract art canvases that remind me of Dempsey.

“I see you’ve been busy lately,” Tanaka says when he takes a seat in his squeaky leather chair. He adjusts the knot of his sleek slate-colored tie and pins me with a probing stare. “I heard you’ve been digging around in some recently closed case files.”

A chill races down my spine at his words. His features are sharp and birdlike. He watches me as though he can see the thoughts skittering around in my head, ready to pounce on the one he wants when the time is right.

“Just doing my job,” I say lightly. “Following up on cases I responded to.”

“I see.” He crosses his arms over his chest and studies me. “You’re more thorough than our detectives around here.”

No surprise there.

The PMPD detectives are comfortable in their positions, and frankly, lazy. It’s a boys’ club I want no part of. Most of the day, they shoot the shit and stroke each other’s egos. Hard pass.

“The Ghirard case was checked out to you,” he rumbles, stern disappointment crossing over his features. “Wasn’t checked back in. Still dotting Is and crossing Ts of your colleagues’ work?”

I try not to fidget, but I feel like I’m being put on trial for asking questions someone—anyone—should have been asking.

“Is there a problem with that?” I ask, lifting my chin and meeting his gaze with a hard one of my own.

We’re interrupted when Tara knocks on the door. She peeks her head in and says, “Chief, the mayor’s here to see you.”

Tanaka glances down at his shiny Rolex and sighs heavily. “I’ll be with him in two minutes.”

She leaves us be and closes the door. We continue our staring game for what feels like a lot longer than two minutes.

“I’m going to ask you to stick to your patrolling and normal reporting duties. No need to go above and beyond. We have a whole department that goes over files to make sure everything is above par.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him why? Why does he want me to back off? What’s he hiding? Too many files are coasting on by without much effort since he took office.

“You’re excused.” He rises from his seat and continues his intimidating stare-off. “Also, tell your little friend to park in the visitors’ lot. I won’t ask nicely next time.”

Gritting my teeth, I resist the urge to say more. In the end, I give him a clipped nod. “Yes, sir.”

I’m boiling by the time I exit his office. The mayor and a couple of other suits strut past me to greet Tanaka. They all laugh like they’re buddies who’re eager to catch up. Does the mayor know his perfect new chief is shady?

Bishop lifts a brow at me in question and I shake my head. Not exactly something I want to discuss. But there is one thing I’d like to ask him about.

“Hey,” I say as I approach his desk that faces Montgomery’s. “What do you know about the local motorcycle clubs around here?”

Montgomery lifts his head and frowns at me. “Why?”

“I’m just curious, is all.” I cross my arms over my chest and dart my gaze between them. “Ran into a few sketchy guys at the pool hall the other day—”

“Hold the phone,” Montgomery interrupts. “You actually do something on your time off besides obsess over police work?” He mock gasps. “Color me shocked, Thurman.”

I roll my eyes, turning to Bishop. “Anything you can tell me?”

Bishop rubs at his beard as he thinks. “I mean, there’re all the old geezers up the road, but I think they’re pretty harmless aside from a DUI here and there. And then there’s the Park Mountain Shadows MC. They mostly keep to themselves and don’t cause trouble. Only two clubs I know of.”

PMS MC.

Sounds like the guys who harassed Dempsey.