"...I just need more time!"
"Believe me, I've pushed as far as I can," Hunter assured darkly. "Everybody understands your concern for your brother, but the chief is starting to lose his patience and getting ready to kick you from the force if you don't leave the issue to people that actually belong in that division."
Richie clenched his spare fist. "But I'm so close! I know where he is, I just need to reach him!"
"...Detective Hawkshaw, there's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"
Richie swallowed. "I...um..."
"Hawkshaw-" the prosecutor growled warningly.
"I-I'm sorry, sir! I can't tell you! I just can't! I... I...!"
There was a long pause on the other end as the detective tried to grasp for words. He wondered how much his refusal to speak would disappoint the prosecutor- Richie had always been able to talk to him about anything, for any reason, and now that he was dealing with something as important as his brother missing...
"You have one more week," Hunter said quietly. "After that, I can't defend your actions anymore. I can only wish you the best of luck."
And with that, Hunter hung up, leaving a heavy sense of guilt in the detective's stomach.