Jerry Labriola - Murders at Hollings General

"Question: Why did you kill Victor Spritz?"

"Answer: Because he butchered my Dad. Because he stole the secrets in my safe. Because he called me stupid."

"Question: What exactly took place Friday night, January 23rd?"

"Answer: Spritzy called me and said he wanted to show me some new drugs at his office. He wanted to kill me, you know. But I wanted to kill him, too. With karate. I drove my motorcycle there because I didn't want anybody to see my Dodge. I got there early, I guess. He wasn't there and the back door was open. I looked outside and saw the light in the ambulance. I went in and Spritzy pulls a gun, but I was too fast for him and I choked his neck. Then I picked up the gun and shot him good."

"Question: Then what did you do?"

"Answer: I got scared and ran home. I took the gun with me and sneaked back for my Honda later on."

Kathy came into the room and David closed the folder and swept it to the side.

"Well?" she said. She perched on the corner of the desk.

"Well, I'm glad it's over," he replied, grunting as he rose from the chair. "My knee's sore, my back's sore, and my brain's sore." He moved stiffly to the service table to return his coffee cup.

"You'll be happy to hear," Kathy said, "the hospital's gearing up again."

"How do you know?"

"Just before you got here, Foster called to congratulate us. So did Dr. Corliss. Foster said he might throw a celebration party at his home."

"Oh, wonderful," David said, yawning. "And what's with Bernie?"

"They located him in Teaneck. He didn't resist. In fact, he waived extradition and should be here before the morning's over. We'll charge him as an accessory because of the dagger. Then we'll turn him over to the feds on the drug thing. Are you going to Spritz's funeral?"

David gave her a frosty look. "No way," he said.

"Good, hang around for Bernie. We'll see what he says."

"Nah, that's a no-brainer. He'll deny everything: the lovely scrap metal letter, the Asian goons with their stupid barbed wire, ransacking my place last week." David massaged his decision scar before adding in a softer tone, "Even that he believed I was onto his drug operation."

He walked over to Kathy, lifted her to her feet and folded her hands in his. "But will you do me a favor," he said. His voice was firmer.

"What's that?"

"Tell him thanks for not breaking any of my stuff."

"Amen. And what are you doing today with nothing more to chase?"

"That's easy. First, I call Belle to see if she can whip together some house calls for this afternoon. Then, I go home and put my guns to bed. Maybe even myself for an hour or two. Care to join me?"