Дэвид Балдаччи - Redemption

“Now you’re bullshitting me, right?”

Mars held up his right hand. “God’s honest truth.”

She looked at Decker, who nodded. “Military intelligence.”

“Sonofabitch,” exclaimed Lancaster. “You have a whole new class of friends, Amos.”

“Hey, if you don’t grow, you wither, right?” said Mars.

Decker put a hand on his shoulder. “All that aside, this is dangerous, Melvin. You’re not going into this clean. They know what side you’re on. Things can go sideways fast. If you sense any of that happening, you need to get out, pronto.”

“I’ve always been fast, Decker, you know that from our college football days.”

Lancaster said, “Wait a minute, you two played football against each other?”

“Longhorn versus Buckeye,” said Mars. “And guess who won?”

“You did,” said Decker. “And I hope you win again. Because unlike our college football matchup, I’m rooting for you.”

Mars smiled, but when he saw the look Decker was giving him he gripped his shoulder and said, “Look, I know this isn’t a game. But people have been killed. For no reason other than some assholes decided they didn’t get to live anymore, and that included kids. If I can help you take them down, then I will.”

Lancaster exchanged a glance with Decker. “You have seriously upgraded your friends, Amos.”

“I know,” he said. “And I want to keep them.”

“What the hell is he doing here?”

Decker, Mars, and Lancaster were walking into the police station the next morning when Childress stormed across the front lobby to confront them.

Decker eyed the police superintendent, who was attempting to stare him down. “I’m observing,” he replied. “Like I was told I could. Natty’s on board with it.”

“I don’t give a damn if Natty’s on board with it.” Childress put a finger in Decker’s face. “And I know damn well that you’re hardly just ‘observing.’ You’re working this case, I know you are, because I know you.”

“Then you know that I want to get to the truth.”

In a scoffing tone, Childress said, “You think you can just waltz back in here and try to do our work for us? We’re perfectly capable of investigating this case ourselves. We don’t need you or the FBI to help us.” He glanced at Mars. “Are you FBI?”

“No, just your friendly neighborhood vigilante.”

“Nothing wrong with cooperation,” interjected Decker. “Happens all the time.” He glanced at Lancaster but was not surprised to see her remain silent. This was her job, this was how she supported her family. And with her health issues, Childress could make her life miserable.

Now Childress got right in Decker’s face. “Just remember that we are still pressing charges against you. And you still have a court date to keep. Hired that lawyer yet? Because you’re going to need one.”

“Well, I won’t be hiring Ken Finger.”

Childress drew back. “Why not? He’s got a good reputation.”

“Yeah, he did such a bang-up job for Meryl Hawkins.”

“Hell! The world’s greatest lawyer couldn’t have gotten Hawkins off. The forensic case was overwhelming.”

“You think so?”

“You built that damn case, Decker,” snapped Childress.

“Only I built it wrong .”

Childress was about to say something but seemed to swallow his words. “What are you talking about?”

“We were all had, that’s what I’m talking about.”

“You’re nuts. Forensics don’t lie.”

“No, they don’t. But people do. All the time.”

“You’re making no damn sense at all.” Childress glared at Lancaster. “How the hell can you work with this guy, Mary?”

“He gets results. You know that as well as I do.”

Childress turned back to Decker. “One step out of line. One. And your ass is mine.”

“Well, that’s quite tempting,” replied Decker.

Childress looked like he was about to throw a punch, but he somehow marshaled his anger and marched off.

“Is he always that mellow?” asked Mars.

“He’s actually gotten better,” said Lancaster. “He went from Satan to just being an asshole.”

“You’re really being prosecuted, Decker?” asked Mars. “I thought it was just a joke.”

“For now, I am. I doubt it will ever get to an actual trial.”

“Don’t believe that, if Childress has anything to do with it,” said Lancaster.

“He’ll keep. And we need to ‘keep’ our focus on the case.”

“What’s the next move?” asked Lancaster.

“Someone impersonated Susan Richards on the day she disappeared.”

“That’s still not been proven,” pointed out Lancaster. “It’s just speculation.”

“Fine, but speculation or not, we have to follow the theory up.”

Mars said, “Why don’t you two run that down? I’m going to try to connect with Rachel. She left me her cell phone number.”

“We want to be around when you do,” said Decker.

“Okay, but you can’t be hovering over me. I’ll let you know what I set up.”

“We can wire you up again.”

Mars shook his head. “No, I don’t want to chance her finding a wire on me. That will blow everything.”

“Okay,” said Decker reluctantly. “But be careful.”

Mars gave him a thumbs-up as he left them.

Lancaster watched him go. “Don’t worry, Decker. He looks like he can take care of himself.”

“I’d worry less if he were going into a bar fight with five big guys. Melvin would win that battle for sure.”

“Then what are you worried about? He’s not going into a fight with five guys. He’s meeting up with one woman.”

“ That’s what I’m worried about.”

“So, what are we going to do next?”

“Something you can’t help me with.”

“Why not?”

“Like I said, it has to do with Susan Richards. And what I want to check also involves Rachel Katz. You can’t work that part of the case because of Earl.”

“Earl was Rachel Katz’s alibi for Meryl Hawkins’s murder. Not for what happened to Richards.”

“But do you think Childress will see it that way?”

“Who gives a shit?” In a bit of gallows humor, she added, “Next year I might not even remember who he is.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I am. But how is Katz involved in Richards’s disappearance and murder?”

“Someone impersonated Richards so Agatha Bates could ID her. And both Rachel Katz and Mitzi Gardiner are the right height and build. From a distance and with a long coat and hat on, they could be mistaken for Susan Richards. Especially by someone whose eyesight isn’t the best, like Bates.”

“You really think that one of them killed Richards and took her place after sticking the woman in that suitcase?”

“Either we prove it is true or we don’t.”

“Who’s first? Katz or Gardiner?”

“We’ll leave Katz for Melvin right now. Let’s go talk to Gardiner.”

“She’s not obligated to tell us anything.”

“Then let’s hear that from her.”

“Are you going to just point-blank accuse the woman?”

“You’ve never appreciated the subtle side of my personality, Mary.”

Lancaster looked surprised. “That may be because I’ve never seen it, Amos.”

“Well, hang on, because you’re about to.”

“Okay, this is harassment, damn it.”

Decker and Lancaster were standing on the front porch of Mitzi Gardiner’s home, while the woman stared angrily across at them over the width of the doorway.

“I can understand your feeling that way, Ms. Gardiner. But the fact is, we’re doing our best to solve multiple homicides connected to your father, and, like it or not, you’re one of the best resources we have. We just have some questions for you, and we’ll make them as painless as possible. I promise.”