Trial by Fire by Taylor Lee Page A

for a case that might warrant calling in the big guy.”
    Sam agreed. “It’s obvious why. I don’t remember when I’ve seen a more skillful management of witnesses. Damn, I think a lot of people are going to be losing sleep tonight. Even the lovely Ms. Chambers. Or perhaps, mostly Ms. Chambers.” Sam hesitated then like the commander that he was, refused to shirk the discussion.
    “Nate, I can tell you don’t like to discuss strategies, so if I’m out of line, say so and I’ll back off.”
    Seeing the earnest expression on Sam’s face, Nate jerked himself out of his self-imposed isolation and forced himself to respond.
    “Hell Sam, go for it. I’m not a total asshole. Ask Dan here. Christ, occasionally I even share my insights. But I’ll forego that for the moment. I’m more interested in your opinion, your reaction. You’ve got fresh eyes. Hell you might even prove yourself useful, hotshot. Not having a history with all these yahoos could make you valuable. What’s your read on the case?”
    Nate was intentionally putting Sam on the spot, as much as anything to keep from being forced into airing any of his mucked up views. But he was interested to see if the hotshot was as good as advertised.
    He pressed. “Let’s have it, Sam. Show me why everyone in ‘pretty boy town’ thinks you’re up to being Chief of one of the largest and most prestigious police departments in the country.”
    Sam laughed.
    “Hmm, Nate, the last time I felt this much pressure was when the drill sergeant at Paris Island screamed at me in front of a class of new recruits, ‘Let’s see, nigga, if your dick is as big as you think it is.’ Fortunately he was ordering me to do two hundred pushups not unzip my pants.”
    Nate’s laugh erupted from his gut. “Damn, Sam. That one of the better putdowns I’ve heard. I’ll have to use it as my own. But in this politically correct climate, I’ll forego the racial insult.”
    Sam shrugged. “He was a black guy and the meanest, most outrageous son of a bitch I ever met. But I’ll tell you, he toughened me up in a way that saved my pride and my life more times than I deserved to live.”
    Nate felt the tension in his gut release. He shot Sam an admiring glance. “Thanks. You are good. You pulled me outa my cave. That’s not easy to do. Ask Dan. So keep going, hotshot. Now that I’m all mellow and gooey, tell me what happened in that interrogation that’s got you drooling over me.”
    Sam’s lips quirked in a slight smile. “I’ll try not to openly drool, Detective. That’s unseemly at best. And yes, I’ll put myself in the hot-seat for you to tear down at your leisure.”
    Dan demurred. “Just so you know, Sam, in the years I’ve worked with Nate, I’ve never seen him tear down a guy who was giving his opinion. Oh, he doesn’t hesitate to share his, or let you know where he disagrees, but not in a way that diminishes the other guy.”
    Nate groaned. “Ignore my well-meaning partner, Sam. I delight in tearing people down. I just don’t do it in front of Dan. You know how these Irish Catholic boys are. Gullible as they come. Hell, they even believe that Mary was a virgin. Guess that’s what happens when you’ve had your hand slapped so many times by the nuns you almost get to appreciate it when the priest comes after you.”
    Dan rolled his eyes.
    “In case you didn’t notice, Sam, my partner doesn’t take well to compliments. I stand by my opinion. You’ll never meet a more straight-up guy than Nate Stryker, no matter how much he tries to convince you otherwise.”
    Sam laughed softly. “I’m beginning to see the picture. But here goes. I’ll take a chance and give you my impressions. In twenty minutes with as few words as I’ve heard spoken in an interview, you’ve turned the town upside down. Between Margaret, Maggie and of course, Laura and the good doctor, the word will spread by nightfall, that everyone is open to suspicion. Intentionally or