Moffett sat back in his chair. “He did fumble the ball due to circumstances beyond his control, but I’ve seen the video. You both let things go too far before you took action. You allowed the situation to spiral out of control.”
Duncan sighed, a dramatic exhalation that expressed his weariness and his frustration, then said, “We were playing for time, waiting for backup to arrive and catch the perpetrators in the act. But if I’d known the deputy you assigned to watch our backs was taking a shit instead, I would have pulled my weapon on those three assholes before they’d walked in the door.”
Moffett waved away Duncan’s criticism. “Even if Collier had acted immediately, I’m convinced backup wouldn’t have arrived in time to change anything that happened in that house.”
Lansing watched the back-and-forth as if he were a spectator at a tennis match. The ball was in Duncan’s court.
Duncan said, “What about the carjacking, chase, and the shooting in the grocery store? Are you convinced it wouldn’t have prevented that?”
That elicited another wave from Moffett. “Who can say? But I know it should have ended in the house with the two of you.”
“Dead,” Eve said.
Lansing looked at her now. “Excuse me?”
“I’m finishing the captain’s sentence,” she said. “It should have ended in the house with the two of you dead. That’s what Collier was hoping for when he went to the bathroom instead of calling for backup. If he actually left his post. I think he just waited to see how things played out for us.”
Moffett pointed his finger at her again. “You’re accusing a deputy of attempted murder.”
“I sure am. He’s got a Great White tattoo on his calf, just like the deputies I sent to prison.”
“So do dozens of other deputies who’ve served here over the years,” Moffett said. “It doesn’t make them all criminals or put their integrity in doubt.”
Eve knew that it was true. Deputy Tom Ross had the tattoo and he was a good cop. There were certainly more like him out there among the deputies in the clique. At least she hoped there were. But that wasn’t the point here.
“Collier saw an opportunity for payback and he took it.”
“You have no evidence to support that charge,” Moffett said.
“I have the three corpses in the morgue and the wound on Duncan’s face.”
Lansing turned to Duncan. “Do you agree with her?”
“I only slugged Collier when I saw him,” Duncan said. “But, in retrospect, I should have arrested him, too.”
Moffett rose from behind his desk. “You struck a deputy?”
“I also kneed him in the balls, not that he has any.”
“Unbelievable. This is a hell of a way to end your career, Duncan.”
Lansing nodded. “It certainly is. A lesser man would have shot the son of a bitch.”
Moffett gave him an incredulous look. “You’re congratulating Duncan for his self-control?”
“That’s right. I don’t think I would have been so gentle if I’d been in his position. Collier is fired, effective immediately. I’m going to tell him that if he fights me on this, I’ll order Eve and Duncan to arrest him for attempted murder and he can go to prison instead. That’s not the only personnel change I’m making. Tomorrow morning, you start your new assignment at the Men’s Central Jail.”
Moffett was startled. “What?”
“As captain of Lost Hills station, you are ultimately responsible for every operation and the safety of your officers. Collier’s fuckup is entirely on you. I’d hoped you’d step up and say that. I’d have respected that and might even have kept you in that seat. But no, you took the coward’s way out. You’re done here. Pack up.”
Moffett started to walk around the desk to the sheriff. “Sir, could we discuss this in private?”
“No, we can’t. You’re lucky you still have your badge and bars. Say another word and you might lose those, too.” Lansing faced Eve and Duncan, his back to Moffett. “I wanted you to hear this for yourselves so you’d know that while Captain Moffett doesn’t have your back, I do.”
Duncan stood up and offered Lansing his hand. “Thank you, sir.”
Lansing shook it. “Step outside with me for a moment.”
He opened the door and walked out of the office. Eve and Duncan followed him, without taking another look at Moffett. Lansing led them outside into the parking lot and stopped beside his Expedition before he spoke again.