Not One of Us by Debbie Herbert

Author:Debbie Herbert [Herbert, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2021-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

TEGAN

The excitement of discovering the Cormier bones was tempered by my sympathy for Jori. But as sad as this day must be for her, I believed that finally finding answers and eventually getting justice for that family would be the best thing for Jori in the long run. When Oliver buzzed me into his office later that day, I’d already forgotten we were scheduled to meet the new narcotics officer. I hurried into his office just in time to be seated before Carter Holt arrived.

Disheveled, sporting a scraggly beard and mustache, an oversize army coat, scuffed boots, and a ratty T-shirt, he indeed appeared as if he’d seamlessly blend into the underbelly drug culture he’d been hired to infiltrate.

“Thanks for meeting with us this afternoon,” Oliver said, motioning to the extra chair beside me.

It was 3:45 p.m., but Agent Holt looked like he’d just rolled out of bed, bleary eyed as though he’d been up all night.

“Next time let’s make it later in the day, ’kay?” he grunted, dropping his ungainly, tall body into the chair. His legs sprawled in front of him in a manner that suggested irritation without being insubordinate. He frowned at me. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“Deputy Blackwell,” I answered, matching his unfriendly tone.

Holt had a surly attitude to match the grungy attire. Was this guy a for-real cop or a junkie who’d found a way to get high and get paid for it?

I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from saying anything I’d regret. This was my first encounter with a narcotics agent. What did I know of their protocol and methods? Oliver had reviewed Holt’s work record and was pleased with what he’d found.

“Whatcha got?” Oliver asked, getting right down to business. “Any progress discovering who’s distributing in town?”

“Absolutely. I’m the best at this work,” Holt boasted. “I’ve been meeting with your informant. Shouldn’t take too long to bring down this two-bit ring.”

“Two bit or not, I thought Enigma was too small to have an organized operation,” I said.

“I told you there’d be one,” Oliver said. “If I didn’t believe there was, I wouldn’t have bothered hiring an agent.”

My face heated with embarrassment. Yeah, he’d told me that, but I’d been skeptical. “Right,” I muttered, averting my head and fiddling with my cell phone. Damned if I’d say another word.

“Strange thing is, my leads indicate that the drug drop in Enigma isn’t coming from Mobile’s port,” Holt said.

My head jerked up. “What do you mean?” So much for keeping my mouth shut. I’d never been one to refrain from asking questions.

Holt ignored me and kept his gaze focused on Oliver. “Enigma’s drug pipeline appears to be sourced from a minor distributor. Now, when I say minor, keep in mind that it’s still big money, more money than any of us will ever earn in our lifetimes, but it’s not a major operation with a platoon of boats. My guess is it’s one or two people who have a smaller boat delivering the merchandise directly in the bayou backwaters.

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