The car purred along the tarmac, moving slowly but with intent. The occupants were silent – their eyes glued to the street, taking in every parked car, every passing face. They had been searching for nearly two hours now and privately both yearned for a break, but there was no question of letting up yet.
Gabrielle and her deputy had been trawling the Lower West Side since leaving Redmond’s trailer. Though he might be hiding out anywhere in the city – or perhaps even outside it – it nevertheless made sense to commence their search in the areas closest to the trailer site. They were not alone in the hunt: two dozen traffic officers and a handful of detectives from Gabrielle’s own team had been doing the same thing, completing circuits of Pilsen, Chinatown, the Medical District, the Near West Side and beyond. But so far no one had had so much as a sniff of Redmond’s pickup truck or the man himself.
It was perhaps a mark of desperation that Gabrielle and Miller had joined the hunt, rather than directing operations from back at base. But there was no new strategy to plot and no new intelligence to sift, until Bartlett had completed her investigations at least. For now, all roads led to Redmond and until they found him their investigation would continue to stutter.
Miller stifled a yawn, raising a hand to conceal her fatigue. But Gabrielle wasn’t fooled, nor was she insensitive to her plight. Her deputy had barely slept this week, spending every waking hour chasing leads or pounding the streets.
‘You know, if you want to go home, I’m happy to do this alone. I’ve only got a couple of hours left anyway.’
‘I’m fine, really.’
‘It’s not a problem. You’ve worked your tail off these last few days.’
‘ “We serve and protect”,’ Miller responded cheerfully.
‘And I’m grateful that you do, but you mustn’t burn yourself out. Everyone’s got a right to a life.’
‘Not me,’ her deputy replied cheerily. ‘I love my job, it gives me everything I need.’
‘What about family?’ Gabrielle queried, aware how little she knew about her deputy.
‘All in Detroit.’
‘A partner then?’
‘No time for that.’
‘Really? I thought young people spent all their free time swiping right, swiping left …’
‘Not my scene,’ Miller replied, turning away to check out a pickup truck rolling past in the opposite direction.
The female driver smiled at them as she sped past. They drove on, abandoning the Medical District to head north. The giant Chicago–Kansas City expressway loomed overhead, as they passed through to the Lower West Side. Gabrielle doubted they would have any better luck here, but they had to try.
‘Mom and Dad in Detroit?’ Gabrielle asked, as they turned the corner on to South Laflin Street.
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Get back there often?’
‘Once a year maybe. We’re not close.’
Gabrielle glanced discreetly at her colleague, who continued to survey the road, seemingly unperturbed by her confession.
‘You know, Jane, we all appreciate your dedication, but it is important to have someone to fall back on. This job is demanding and sometimes you’ll need –’
‘I have the team, that’s enough.’
‘And that’s great, but teams change. You’ll get promoted one day and then you’ll have a whole new set of faces …’
But Miller was shaking her head gently.
‘I’m happy where I am. This team is the closest thing to a family I’ve ever had.’
It was said simply, like a matter of fact, but still took Gabrielle by surprise.
‘I’ve never really fitted in anywhere before,’ Miller went on, sensing Gabrielle’s reaction. ‘At school, at work, at home even. But you took a chance on me … and I’ll never forget that.’
‘You’ve more than repaid my faith in you.’
‘I mean it,’ Miller continued urgently. ‘I had no focus, no direction at all until I joined your team.’
Gabrielle was taken aback by emotion in Miller’s voice. She had never heard her deputy talk like this before. Pulling up at a red light, Gabrielle took the opportunity to turn to her deputy, curious to know what had brought on this uncharacteristic openness. Miller returned her gaze briefly, then quickly averted her eyes.
‘I probably shouldn’t be talking to you like this,’ Miller continued, staring at a point somewhere above Gabrielle’s shoulder. ‘It’s just that … I guess nobody’s ever believed in me before. That’s why it means so much. Why I wouldn’t even consider promotion if it was offered to me. I just want to be in the Bureau doing good work, with you, the team …’
There was a zeal in her voice, in her expression, but something else too. Something that troubled Gabrielle.
‘And does this goodwill extend to Detective Montgomery too?’ Gabrielle replied.
‘She’s young,’ Miller said quickly. ‘She’s still learning, but she’ll get there.’
‘With the right guidance.’
‘Of course,’ Miller responded. ‘I’ve got no problem with her at all. She will be … she is a good detective. And I’ll help her in any way I can. It’s my duty, given what you’ve done for me –’
Gabrielle braced herself for more – a stumbling, awkward protestation of solidarity and intent – but to her surprise Miller suddenly ground to a halt. Gabrielle turned to her, unsure what to expect next, but was wrong-footed once more. Miller was not looking at her, but at something directly behind her.
‘Look,’ Miller breathed, gesturing over Gabrielle’s shoulder.
Gabrielle swivelled in her seat, scarcely daring to hope. But this time she was not to be disappointed. Hidden in a shadowy alleyway off the main street was a brown Ford pickup truck with Louisiana plates.