Daniel Annechino - Hypocrisy

“We didn’t come down here voluntarily,” Adelman almost yelled. “You dragged us out of an important meeting as if we were criminals.” He folded his arms across his chest.

“We just want to ask you a few questions,” Dupree said.

“Do we have a choice?” Adelman asked Dupree.

“I’m afraid you don’t.”

“Well, let’s get this over with,” Adelman said, his cheeks crimson red. “My colleagues and I have a full schedule and I have a flight to catch later today.”

“We’ll have you out of here as soon as possible.”

Dupree was surprised at Adelman’s appearance. She figured that the CEO of the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world would be wearing a Valentino original, but his suit looked like he bought it off the bargain rack at an outlet store. And he didn’t appear to be particularly well groomed. He wasn’t an unattractive man, just unremarkable. Gallo, on the other hand, looked more like someone you might see on the cover of GQ magazine. His full head of salt and pepper hair looked freshly cut and neatly combed. His charcoal grey suit, custom tailored no doubt, fit perfectly. He stood about six-foot tall and looked trim and in good shape. She guessed he was in his mid-fifties.

Dupree pointed to an area that looked like a doctor’s waiting room. “Please have a seat gentleman while I talk to my colleagues. We’ll be with you in a few minutes. Mason, Adelman and Gallo followed Dupree’s instructions without comment. Mason and Gallo didn’t seem annoyed by Dupree’s request, but Adelman glared at Dupree as he brushed by her and made his way to the waiting area.

Dupree huddled with T.J., Parisi, and Wells as if she were an NFL quarterback calling a play. She went over the strategy T.J. and she had discussed earlier.

“Any questions?” Dupree asked.

“Nope,” Wells said. “Can’t wait to get a crack at Adelman. Something about this guy really irritates me.”

“It might be a while,” Dupree said. “Keep Adelman and Mason on ice until T.J and I grill Gallo.”

Parisi and Wells escorted Mason and Adelman down the long hallway towards the interview rooms. They placed Adelman in room 1 and Mason in room 2, while T.J. and Dupree led Gallo to interview room 3.

Once seated, Dupree studied Gallo closely and he appeared to be calm, not at all intimidated by Dupree and T.J. He looked like a man who had nothing to hide. Considering Gallo’s involvement in Dr. Crawford’s murder—at least according to Hansen’s testimony—Dupree expected to see concern in his eyes. After all, earlier this morning, he was in Dr. Mason’s office, prepared to meet with Michael Adelman to discuss a joint venture between Horizon and Hyland Laboratories, and suddenly, he found himself sitting across from two homicide detectives. Even a perfectly innocent man would likely show signs of anxiousness. But Gallo remained rock-solid.

“So now that you’ve got me here behind closed doors, mind telling me what this is all about?” Gallo said.

“It has to do with your stepson, Jonathan Lentz,” T.J. said.

“You dragged the three of us down here to talk about my stepson ?”

“Not exactly,” Dupree said “Is he in trouble again?” Gallo asked.

“I’m afraid it’s more than trouble,” T.J. said.

Gallo spoke in a calm, controlled voice. “What kind of predicament has Johnny gotten himself into this time?”

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Mr. Gallo, but Jonathan was murdered yesterday morning,” Dupree said.

Dupree expected that Gallo would react to such alarming news with strong emotions. Wouldn’t anyone in his position have difficulty suppressing their feelings? But it seemed as if Dupree had just delivered an unpleasant weather report. Dominic Gallo didn’t even flinch.

“Mr. Gallo,” Dupree said. “Did you hear what I said?”

“Clearly.”

“And you have no questions, or comments?”

Gallo adjusted himself in the seat. “Would it shock you if I said I wasn’t surprised?”

“Yes, actually, it would,” T.J. said.

“When he lost his job with Lehman Brothers back in 2008, something snapped and he went from a hardworking, successful young man to a reckless fool. As much as I tried to put him on the straight and narrow, he was always flirting with disaster. Hanging around with the wrong crowd. Forever falling for some get rich quick scheme. He didn’t understand the concept of working hard anymore, of saving, and building a financial future. He bought Lottery tickets every week, played the horses, made frequent trips to Atlantic City. He’d hop from one job to another, always believing that the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. After his mom died five years ago—the most wonderful woman I ever met—I tried my best to assume the father role, but no matter what I did, Johnny just wouldn’t turn his life around. He was bitter, angry with the world. He was always borrowing money from me that I knew he’d never pay back. But I let it go; tried to look the other way, hoping that he’d get with the program.”

Dupree didn’t understand how Gallo could give such a speech without even the slightest sign of emotion. The man was an iceberg. He hadn’t raised his voice, never lost his composure, and he didn’t seem moved by Lentz’s murder. He hadn’t even asked how he died or if they had any suspects.

“What does Johnny’s murder have to do with Ed Mason and Michael Adelman? Why are they here?” Gallo asked.

“We’re getting to that, Mr. Gallo,” Dupree said. “How well did you know Dr. Crawford?”

“I worked closely with Lauren for over two years. She was spearheading the most significant medical research in history. If all of her theories proved true—and I have every reason to believe they would—she would have radically changed the future of medicine.

“Isn’t it highly unethical for any member of the FDA to work directly with a pharmaceutical company or independent research group? Isn’t it a conflict of interest?” T.J. asked.

“Under normal circumstances, yes, it would be a conflict of interest. But what you need to understand is that her research was a new frontier. It has the potential to save millions of lives and extend the lives of millions more. And who knows what we’ll discover if we continue on the same path? Perhaps in another five or six years cancer might be like polio and literally vanish from the face of the Earth.”

Time to connect the dots, Dupree thought.

“Were you aware that Dr. Crawford and Jonathan were romantically involved?”

For the first time since starting the interview, Gallo showed signs of nervousness. “They met at a little shindig Ed Mason had hosted at his home. Ed had invited me to this gathering and told me I could bring a date. Well, I thought Johnny might enjoy such an exquisite event—Ed really knows how to throw a party. Contrary to what you might think—especially after my unsavory description of my stepson—I wasn’t shocked when I found out they were dating. That was the fascinating thing about Johnny. When he turned on the charm, he could seduce the Virgin Queen of the Nile. He was a real player and knew how to hide his dark side. I suspect when Lauren got to know the real Jonathan Lentz, she didn’t like what she saw.”

Gallo glanced at his watch. “Are we almost finished? Ed, Michael, and I have a full day ahead of us working out the details of their partnership agreement.”

“Just a few more questions, Mr. Gallo,” Dupree said. Her probing eyes met his. “Forgive me for saying this, but you don’t seem fazed at all by your stepson’s death. I find that really strange.”

“I’ve never been one to wear my heart on my shirtsleeve. I have my moments when I’m alone. But I’ve always felt that Johnny was headed for an early grave. Maybe that’s why I’m not shocked by his death.”