Dead Ringers; Chapter13

Miles's foot taps quickly and impatiently on the tile floor. With the silence in the corridor, the tapping echoes all the louder. I slowly turn my head to shoot him a glare. "Seriously?"

The tapping stops as he returns my glare. "Yes."

"You didn't have to come," I remind him.

"Yes, I did."

"What exactly did you two get into a fight over?"

"It wasn't a fight."

"Fine, argument."

Miles looks away, "None of your concern."

"Detective Elijah Miles," a voice calls, "What a surprise to see you so soon."

Miles stands, glaring toward the voice. "Not my idea."

I stand and turn towards DA Cullen. I had seen him before, in passing and on television, but being this close, I could see why people would say he was intimidating. His dark hair is slicked back and though he wears an easy smile, his ice-blue eyes are cool and calculating. He's as tall as Miles is, but that's not what has my brain spinning. I can't get over the fact that there's something about him that seems familiar.

His eyes slide to me, and I hold out a hand, I never get to say my name though, it would seem he also knows who I am.

"Detective Fullin," he says clasping my hand, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise."

DA Cullen easily tucks his hands in his pockets, eyes flicking between the two of us. "Forgive me, Detective Fullin, but I was under the impression that you worked for Day Division, not Night Division."

"I do work for Day Division. This is a joint custody case."

He arches an eyebrow. "Really?"

"She's rather persistent and doesn't know when to quit," Miles says. I don't miss the edge in his voice.

"We've hit an obstacle of sorts and Max, Miles's Nigh Division partner suggested that you might be able to help. Miles insisted on tagging along," I shoot Miles a warning glare.

DA Cullen looks at Miles. "Afraid my charming personality will lessen her tolerance for your chilly one, cousin?"

My mind stops and restarts as Miles growls at DA Cullen.

Had I heard that right? Had DA Cullen just called Miles's cousin? I make a T with my hands. "Time out." I turn towards Miles. "Cousin?" Looking at Miles, I can now see the resemblance.

Miles is glaring at DA Cullen. "Unfortunately."

"And you didn't mention that because?" I spread my hands wide. My hands turn up as if to ward off what he might be about to say, "Actually, no. I don't want to know. Just get over it."

I hear DA Cullen chuckle. "I like her."

Miles growls again.

"Stop it." Miles looks at me, incredulous. "You're a grown adult and a detective at that. Act like it." I shake my head, "You're worse than Elliot." I turn back to DA Cullen. "My apologies."

"I'm rather used to it. Please, let's talk in my office," DA Cullen motions down the hall.

xXxXx

Cullen taps his thumbs. "That is quite the situation, but I think I might have a possible solution," he tilts his head, "A very slight one at that."

"We're listening."

Cullen leans forward. "What you need is a way to speak to the Jones's in a situation where no suspicion will be raised about you talking to them. In other words, you can't be a badge. You'd have to be very careful in what you say, if it's too obvious that you're fishing for clues, the jig is up-"

"No, everything needs to be on the record," I intercede.

"That's why you'll have witnesses there," he says, gesturing between Miles and himself. "Anything they say won't technically be off the record. It will be said in public with no 'off the record' insinuation. You, of course, can't record it, but if you have witnesses there, such as the DA and a fellow detective, they can't just discredit anything that any of us say they said."

I nod. "Alright."

"Which is why you'll have to be careful in what you say. Say the wrong thing, and if they are involved, you won't get anything that you can use against them."

"Wonderful plan, but how do you plan on getting all three of us close to the Jones's without raising suspicion?" Miles drawls.

Cullen turns his head to look at Miles. "I can guarantee Detective Fullin and myself. I will need some time to figure out something for you, Elijah."

Miles shakes his head. "No. You can count me out."

I turn my full attention to Miles. Had I missed something?

"Do you have a better idea?" Cullen asks.

"No, and I'm not saying no to your idea. I'm saying no to going."

"Okay, I must have missed something. Where exactly are we planning on going?" I ask.

Both men look at me. "The city's anniversary ball," Cullen says.

"It's nothing but a bunch of pretentious a-"

"Anyone who is of any importance in the city will be there along with other various big players in the city," Cullen explains, cutting Miles off, "Including the Jones'."

"It's invite-only," I point out.

Cullen nods, "Yes, but each invite comes with a plus one."

"So, you automatically counted me as your plus one?"

"I doubt Elijah would agree to be my plus one."

I glance at Miles. He's still glaring at Cullen. "You're probably right, but how are we getting him in."

"I am not going," Miles states.

"Fine." I pull out my phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Texting Elliot."

"Who's Elliot?" Cullen asks as Miles asks "Why?"

"He'll gladly accept the challenge to find a way to get into the city's anniversary ball and will help in the questioning of the Jones'. He won't ask questions. He's used to me asking these kinds of favors." My phone is ripped from my hands. I slowly look up to glare at Miles. "Give me back my phone."

"No," he says sternly. "No one else from Day Division is getting involved in this case. You're already a big enough risk."

"So, you'll go then?"

Miles blinks as he realizes the catch twenty-two I've backed him into. He growls, shoving my phone back at me. "Fine. I'll go. I know someone who should be able to get me in."

"See? That wasn't so hard now, was it?"

Miles stands. "I'll be in the car." He leaves Cullen's office without another word.

Cullen laughs. "You are one of the few people I've met who can play Elijah like that. Just how long have you two been working together on the case?"

"This is day two."

Cullen nods. "Impressive."

"Well, thank you for agreeing to help us," I stand from my seat.

Cullen stands as well, "It's the least I can do for my cousin and his surprisingly agreeable partner."

"It was a pleasure to actually meet you for once," I hold out my hand.

"Likewise," he takes my hand. "Should I pick you up tomorrow?"

Tomorrow? That's right. Tomorrow was the twenty-third. "I suppose," I say, releasing his hand. "I am your plus one after all."

"You might find this useful then," he holds out a business card, "For summoning me. Though you are more than welcome to call if you ever require my assistance in the future."

The card is simple and elegant. A picture on one half, contact information on the other. Shoot. I don't have any of my own cards with me.

I pluck a pen off his desk, ripping the card in two. Scrawling my number across the back, I hand him back the half with his picture. "In case my timeliness is different from yours." I stick the pen back in its holder as he takes the half from my hand. "Thank you, again. You've been a great help, Cullen."

Cullen walks around his desk, heading towards the door. "Micaiah. The guest might find it a little suspicious if you call me by my last name." Stopping at the door, he holds it open for me, "You are my plus one, after all."

"Fair enough. You can call me Winter."