It's crazy when watchers are being watched.
I mean, hell, we're the police―experts in surveillance―and all the time we're observing potential suspects, we ourselves are being observed. I'm not concerned about our system being compromised, I'm worried about having rifle sights trained on my head.
Before leaving Clare's house, I discuss the situation with her and we decide to speak privately with Cyril somewhere we are sure we won't be overheard, so I suggest breakfast at Timmies.
We text him and arrange a morning meeting.
I know, it sounds lame, but I can't even be sure Cyril's office isn't being bugged.
Cyril's morose as he listens to our suspicions. "So you're both figuring Robyn Lynch might be involved in these killings?"
"She fits the profile," I reply, "and certainly has the means, motive and opportunity."
"Well, if she's not the shooter, do you have any idea who might be working with her?"
Clare jumps in, "We don't at the moment but we want permission to surveil her and see who she befriends."
Cyril nods. "Okay, go for it but keep enough daylight that you don't tip your hand and spook her."
He needn't have said it―it was the last thing we wanted to happen, but we were curious to find out the identity of her accomplice, but as far as we could figure out, she was a loner.
After Cyril left to go back to work we stayed behind in the coffee shop to talk strategy.
"We could work covertly," I tell her, "making sure only Cyril knows about our plans and pursuits, but if there's a mole inside the detachment, they can still track our movements."
She takes a sip of coffee and stares pensively into space, "Yeah, I thought about that," she muses. "So, what we do?"
"We'll tip off Cyril we're planting covert cameras in the detachment where we can keep an eye on Robyn's movements. Then, we'll continue to appear to work openly but we'll watch who Robyn interacts with and check for possible accomplices."
"Good idea," she smiles. "I think that'll save us some time but you know we're also going to have to stake out her place."
"Yeah, I hate stakeouts―that's the part of the job I find exhausting."
"Hey, you'll be with me. It'll be fun."
"You're right," I laugh, "it'll make the job. easier and we can take turns sleeping if necessary."
"You're going to watch me sleep? What if I snore?"
"Knowing you, it won't be annoying―probably adorable."
She colours, but I can see she's pleased. Besides, I mean what I said―I had yet to find fault with her.
She isn't perfect, but pretty damn close. And in a way that worries me. I know I'm developing feelings for her, but I'm not sure I'm ready to make a commitment.
I'm still trying to get over Sarah and being with another woman would feel like a betrayal. Maybe I just need time to sort through my feelings.
Yeah, these are the kinds of thoughts I'm constantly mulling over to the point where I’m worried it might compromise the investigation or put us both in danger.
Going slowly and covering all the bases is not only sound policing but wise policy when it comes to affairs of the heart.
