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off?"
    Drew shrugged. "Sorry. I hadn't planned to get the tar beat out of me three weeks ago. I just hope Kevin doesn't want to take any pictures with my shirt off. I might still have some bruises."
    "I can't believe this."

    "I told you last month it was coming up. The dates were verified while I was on leave."
    Drew waited for a jab about his second occupation. Even though Skeeps knew Drew modeled, his partner still ribbed him about it every now and then. Sometimes when they were alone, he threw in an off-color remark about being gay, too. Drew took it in stride because he knew Skeeps respected him as an enforcement agent and a friend.
    He'd even complimented Drew on a few of the photos he'd seen.
    Skeeps let out a frustrated growl. "One problem at a time. I'll talk to Lieutenant Fisk."
    He pointed at Drew, his finger damn close to jabbing him in the chest. "You make sure you're in my vehicle tomorrow or . . . ."
    "Or?" Grinning, Drew stretched out the word.
    "I might have the flu."
    Picking up his stack of paperwork for the D.A., Drew chuckled. "Believe me, I'm sick of restricted duty. I'd love to get back out there where I belong."
    "I heard the lieutenant warn you about the possibility of some Sandalio payback."
    Drew had thought about that, off and on, all week. Although threats were common, most of the time they didn't pan out. Thank God.
    "Watch my back, and it'll work out fine."
    "You watch your back, too. Those assholes shoot first and ask questions later.
    Don't take any chances—anywhere—until this thing is over."
    Drew nodded. "I won't." He glanced at his watch. "I'd better get to my doctor's appointment. Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow."
    "If you aren't back on regular duty, call me tonight so I can practice being sick."
    He laughed at his partner's lame attempt at humor. "Will do."

    * * * * *

    Drew got a clean bill of health and, much to Skeeps' joy, went back to his regular work routine. Today, he sat in the hallway outside Courtroom 3B, waiting for the district attorney to summon him. Drew reviewed the events of that morning in as much detail as he could recall. No one could predict what the grand jury might want to know about that day. Hell, they might want to know whether I spotted rabbit turds next to Sandalio's tires.
    The door swung open. The D.A. stuck her head out into the hallway. "Agent Rothem, we're ready for you now."
    "Let's get this over with." Drew followed Sheila Parsons into the grand jury room.
    After being sworn in, Drew took his seat on the witness stand. He'd appeared before grand juries twice before and found the experience nerve-wracking.
    Attorney Parsons approached him. "Please state your name for the record."
    "Drew Rothem."
    "And your job title, please."
    "Senior Agent with the Region 8 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Enforcement."
    "How many years have you worked there, Agent Rothem?"
    "Two."
    "Tell the grand jury what happened the morning of August 6."
    "I was following up on a report of alligator poaching in the Barataria Preserve, south of the city."
    "You were alone?"
    "Yes, my partner was in court that morning, and we were shorthanded."
    "Please go on, Agent Rothem."
    "I noticed tire tracks leaving the gravel road and pulled off to investigate."
    "On foot?"
    "Yes, I walked in about fifty yards. When I got to the edge of the swamp, the defendant was standing behind his truck. I watched him take off his bloody gloves, and figured he probably had an alligator in there. I backtracked closer to my vehicle and called in the situation. When I returned, he was shutting his tailgate. I waited until he'd cleared the vehicle before announcing my presence."
    "You surprised him?"
    "Yes. I drew my weapon and came out from behind a tree. I told him to move away from the truck, and put his hands where I could see them."
    "And did Mr. Sandalio cooperate with you, Agent Rothem?"
    "At first, yes. He put his hands above his head and walked toward me. His eyes were very red; he