Daniel Annechino - Hypocrisy

“There is one more curious fact,” Dupree said. “We haven’t spoken to your buddy Cassano yet, but I’d bet he’s a wealth of information. Want to know why? When someone’s facing a murder one charge and the death penalty, even a tough guy like Cassano can be brought to his knees. What do you suppose is going to happen when we put his nuts in a vice and make a deal with him? Think he’ll trade his life for the names of his accomplices?”

Lentz’s eye twitched and Dupree heard the air draining from his lungs. He combed his fingers through his hair and coughed in his hand.

Dupree felt certain she had hit the right nerve.

“If I talk, what kind of deal can you cut me?”

“That depends on how valuable the information is. If it helps us, we’ll talk to the DA about reducing the conspiracy to commit murder charge. ”

Lentz’s lip twitched; he was silent a long time before he spoke. “About a month ago, my step-father contacted me.”

“Dominic Gallo?” T.J. asked.

Lentz nodded. “He asked me if I’d like to make some fast money—serious money. Not having more than loose change in my pocket, I was all ears. He knew that I’d had a relationship with Lauren Crawford. When he asked me if I could find a way to steal her computer, it about knocked me off my feet. I was ready to tell him to go fuck himself, but when he told me he’d be willing to pay one-hundred-fifty K for it, well, I guess he got my attention.”

“So, he wanted you to steal her computer?” Dupree asked.

“Not exactly. He wanted me to find someone to do it—someone she wouldn’t recognize.”

“And what made him think that you would know anyone who’d be willing to commit such a crime?” T.J. asked “Well, I guess my background is a little more colorful than I let on. But I’m sure if you’ve done your homework you already know that.” Lentz, for no obvious reason, let out a subdued laugh. “I know a few people who don’t exactly play by the rules. One of them, Jake Sullivan, probably my closest friend, is a bartender at a seedy little bar called the Night Owl.”

Dupree and T.J. exchanged glances.

“Did you say the Night Owl?” T.J. asked “Yep. For whatever reason, it’s a haven for ex-cons. Anyway, I spoke to Jake, explained the situation, and asked if he had anyone in mind. Without even hesitating for a minute, he pointed to a big bald guy playing pool.”

“Oscar Cassano?” Dupree asked.

Lentz nodded.

“So,” Dupree said, “you must have been a little shaken when Cassano ended up in the cell right next to you.”

“Wanted to strangle the asshole. But I felt relieved to see him behind bars. Believe me, I was happy we weren’t in the same cell.”

“How did you approach Cassano at the Night Owl?” T.J. asked.

“I didn’t. Jake huddled with him and the next thing I know, Cassano tugs my arm, he says, ‘Let’s talk,’ and he leads me outside to the back alley. Gotta admit, I nearly shit myself. He is one scary dude.”

“How much did you offer him to steal the computer?” T.J. said.

“That’s the strange thing. My step-father asked me to buy one of those prepaid cell phones—the kind they sell at Walmart or discount electronics stores. He told me to give it to whoever agreed to steal Lauren’s computer and tell him he’d be getting a call at a particular time with specific instructions and details of how he’d get paid. My step-father insisted that I not give Cassano his name.”

“And you didn’t question this at all?” Dupree asked.

“My only role was to find the guy. The rest was between my step-father and Cassano.”

“You had no idea that Cassano had planned to kill Dr. Crawford?” Dupree asked.

Lentz’s eyes glossed over. “I swear on my dead mother’s soul, I didn’t know. He agreed to snatch her computer and that was it. I know that I’m a slime-ball, but I never would have done anything to harm Lauren. She dumped my ass, and I deserved to be dumped, but I still cared for her.” He paused and covered his face with both hands.

Dupree and T.J. waited a few minutes for Lentz to regain his composure.

“If you suspected that Cassano was likely the one who murdered Dr. Crawford,” Dupree said, “why didn’t you contact the police?”

“Because I was scared to death that Cassano would come after me. The morning after Lauren was killed, Jake Sullivan called me. He said that Cassano had paid him a visit and asked him to contact me and give me a message.”

“And the message was?” T.J. asked.

“If I fingered him in any way, he’d gut me like a pig.”

“Do you think that your step-father orchestrated this on his own?” Dupree asked.

“Probably not.”

“Who else is involved?” Dupree asked.

“He kept me in the dark so I really don’t know. But you might want to speak with Dr. Mason at Horizon.”

“Why do you say that?” Dupree asked.

“Because they had a pretty close relationship.”

“So, being part of this scam to steal Dr. Crawford’s computer didn’t bother you?” Dupree asked. “Especially after what happened to her?”

“Sure it bothered me. Tore my heart out. But my step-father convinced me it was for the greater good. He swore that he had never intended that Lauren be harmed in any way.”

“But how would your step-father or anyone else for that matter, benefit from stealing Dr. Crawford’s computer?” Dupree asked.

“I honestly can’t answer that.”

“And you never asked that question?” T.J. said.

Lentz bit his lip. “No.”

“So, apparently,” T.J. said, “your step-father trusted that you would never share this information with anyone, particularly the cops.”

“Why would I? That would make me an accomplice. Besides, I’m cooperating so the DA will reduce the conspiracy to commit murder charge. That’s what we agreed on, right?”

“We’ll do everything we can to convince the DA to reduce the charges,” Dupree said. “However, you will have to testify in court.”

“I’ll do anything to ensure that Cassano gets what he deserves.”

A lull came over the room.

“A few more questions,” Dupree said. “First, do you know Ivan Tesler?”

“Never heard of him.”

“What’s Maggie Hansen’s part in this?” Dupree asked.

“Absolutely nothing.”

“Come on, Mr. Lentz,” Dupree said. “We know there was bad blood between Dr. Crawford and Ms. Hansen.”

“Sure there was, but I swear that she has no knowledge of anything.”

“Considering that you’re sweet on Ms. Hansen,” Dupree said, “how can we be sure you’re not trying to protect her?”

“Give me a lie detector test. I’m telling you the truth.”

Dupree believed him. In fact, she felt that his whole story was too bizarre to be fabricated.

“One final thing,” Dupree said. “We’re letting you leave, but don’t even think about leaving New York.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Dupree left T.J. sitting at the table and escorted Lentz to the precinct exit. Just before he left the precinct, she stopped him.

“By the way, you know you can’t keep the money, right?”

“ What ?” Lentz’s face flushed red. “I don’t understand.”

“When you receive compensation for actions associated with a felony, the money is confiscated.”

“Hardly sounds fair.”

“ Fair ?” Dupree felt herself losing control. “Was it fair that one of the most brilliant research scientists of our time was senselessly murdered? Does it seem fair that thousands, perhaps millions of people will die of cancer because Dr. Crawford’s research is on hold? Does it seem fair that Mrs. Crawford has to spend the rest of her life mourning her daughter’s brutal murder?”