Page 24 of Outsider

For a moment I’m so dumbstruck I can’t speak. The urge to defend her rises in my chest, but I quickly bank it. The truth of the matter is I have my doubts about Gina. But murder? Is it possible she’s done something unthinkable? That she’s lying to me about all of it, and I’m harboring not only a dirty cop, but a cold-blooded killer?

“Tomasetti, I can’t believe she would do that,” I say quietly. “Unless it was self-defense.”

“If the lab matches her weapon to Cysco, it’s over for Colorosa.”

But my thoughts have already jumped to everything Gina told me. “If we are, indeed, dealing with corruption, someone could have planted the gun found at her house.”

“Combined with everything else, Cysco’s death is a damning scenario for her.”

We fall silent, our thoughts buzzing through the airwaves between us. “Which agencies are involved in the investigation?” I ask.

The ensuing silence hangs heavy.

“You can’t tell me,” I say.

“I can’t tell you because I don’t know.”

“Tomasetti, I thought you knew everything.”

The laugh that follows is short-lived. “Look, we both know that when a cop is under investigation for something as serious as this, multiple agencies will likely get involved and they’re going to do their damnedest to keep it under wraps.”

“BCI?” I ask.

“And/or the FBI.”

“That’s why no one wants to talk about it.”

“Franklin County is out of my region. I’ve had to call in some favors just to get what little I’ve told you.”

“So this could get … precarious. I mean, for you.”

“It already is.”

Silence hisses over the line and then he asks, “Kate, do you trust Colorosa?”

“I used to,” I tell him. “I trusted her with my life.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I don’t think she shot that CI,” I whisper, hating the echo of uncertainty in my voice.

“Where are you?” he asks.

“Adam Lengacher’s place.” I tell him about the Explorer getting stuck in the lane. “I can’t get out.”

“What’s the address?”

“I don’t think you’re going to be able to make the drive. The roads are nearly impassable.”

“I’ll make it.”

Groaning, I give him the address. “Tomasetti, I could be wrong about Gina. I mean, we were friends. But I’ve been around long enough to know … people change.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got pretty good instincts.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Maybe not when it comes to her. We were close once.”

“Look, even if she’s not been completely straight with you, we’ve uncovered enough to conclude there’s something else going on at the Columbus Division of Police. Let’s keep digging. See where it takes us.”