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because of Olga Kadyrov’s indictment, her work as an Assistant State’s Attorney was now under suspicion and many of her convictions were coming up for review.  Moreover, many of those she helped convict were appealing their verdicts.  He was working to keep those felons in prison; there was a power vacuum between the crime syndicates in the city now.  He wanted to keep it that way.
    Crime in Chicago had been at an all-time low for the past two months.  Working through Olga Kadyrov, they had gotten rid of the competition by supplying tips and evidence.  Now with their organization broken, the rats were all scrambling for hiding places, many of them leaving a city that had grown too hot for them.  Nearly a billion dollars in assets had been confiscated or frozen pending results of over a thousand separate indictments.
    Low crime stats meant the City Council didn’t think he needed more officers on the streets.  So he was lobbying to keep his work force intact while he was still digging around quietly to stop leaks and keep evidence from disappearing. 
    He was glad he’d set up a temporary property room at the Records Building and put Fareed Singh in charge.  Now that Fareed was no longer needed undercover to operate a cab, he was watching over their most precious items - the evidence that would put the Kadyrovs away for good.
    He reached his bedroom and debated taking a shower or just falling into bed.  He decided the shower would help relax him, so he could sleep.  He really missed his wife and kids, but there was no way he was going to have them around until he knew it was safe for them. 
    He was well aware of Kadyrov’s reputation.  He’d spoken to everyone who worked this case.  Since Grace was exposed already, either he or she signed every single report.  Someone would have to dig to find out the other officers involved.  He would make sure they were all recognized after the fact.
    He had just turned on the water when he felt, more than heard, the door open behind him.  The displacement of air and familiarity with this old house made him know someone was there.
    “Turn around slowly and keep your hands where I can see them, Udaka,” said the intruder. 
    He was dressed all in black, including gloves.  However, he hadn’t bothered to cover his face, so Udaka knew his getting out alive was not in the cards.  The man walked backwards, motioning for the Captain to follow.  He was very careful to stay out of reach, with his weapon rock steady on the Captain’s chest.
    When he was in the middle of the room, he motioned with the gun, “Sit in the chair, if you try anything, the first bullet goes in your knee. 
    “I’ve got some questions you’re going to answer.  Answer them right away and you’ll get a bullet in the head, nice and quick.  Don’t answer, and we’ll be in for a long night.” 
    He grinned, “It was nice of you to strip down to your boxers, makes my job easier.”
    Just then the lights went out, and the Captain dove to the floor beside the bed as the intruder fired his gun.  He reached underneath for the weapon he’d tucked under the frame.  The intruder would be rounding the bed at any second. 
    Udaka’s heart was racing inside his ribcage, and he was trying to hold his breath so he could listen for the steps.  He brought his gun up and fired just as the lights came on, and the door to the bedroom slammed open. 
    His Protection Detail shouted out as the intruder turned at the sound and fired again.  His eyes adjusting to the dark, Captain Udaka was able to see better, and he fired a second time, aiming for center mass.  A shot from the door came at the same time.  Then all was silent.
    “You all right, Captain?” shouted out Sam from his Protection Detail.
    The Captain took a moment to assess his condition.  “Pretty much okay, I’m probably going to need a few stitches.  The bullet grazed me as I dove.  Is he dead?”
    “Yeah, he’s toast.  I think