Daniel Annechino - Hypocrisy

“Tell us what you know about Margaret Hansen.”

Dupree watched Gallo’s Adam’s apple rise and fall several times. His cheeks blushed red.

“Does she have something to do with Johnny’s… murder?”

“We were hoping you could answer that question,” T.J. said.

“I don’t appreciate the implication,” Gallo said, his voice slightly louder.

“There is no implication, Mr. Gallo,” T.J. said. “We would just like to know if you were aware of any conflict in their relationship.”

“I didn’t even know they had a relationship. Last I heard, they had a fling and that was that.”

“They had more than a fling,” Dupree said. “They were quite the item.”

“Do you have evidence that incriminates Maggie?” Gallo asked.

Interesting, Dupree thought. He knew Hansen well enough to call her “Maggie.” “Sorry, that’s something we can’t discuss while we’re in the middle of an investigation.”

“Well, I’m really sorry I can’t offer more assistance,” Gallo said. “Are we done now ?”

“Not quite,” Dupree said. “You might be interested to know that Jonathan Lentz made a full confession regarding his part in the Crawford murder. We know that you—or one of your cronies—paid him one-hundred-fifty thousand dollars to find someone to steal Dr. Crawford’s computer. But we have evidence—strong evidence—that your ultimate goal was not to get your hands on her computer but to have her murdered. We have sworn statements from both Jonathan and the man hired to murder Dr. Crawford.”

For the first time since speaking to Gallo, Dupree saw his expressionless face break a smile. “Unless you intend to arrest me, I’d suggest that the two of you continue your investigation elsewhere and let Ed, Michael, and me conduct our business.”

Ignoring his comment, Dupree said, “Who are you working with, Mr. Gallo? We know you’re not a solo pilot on this. Is it Dr. Mason? Michael Adelman?”

“Apparently,” Gallo said, “English is not your first language, Detective. Let me make it abundantly clear: This conversation is over, and I strongly suggest that both of you release me before I contact my attorney and file a formal complaint against the police department.”

“Let me also make it clear ,” Dupree said. “You’re under arrest as an accessory to murder and conspiracy to commit murder, for the death of Dr. Lauren Crawford. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights, or are they not clear enough?”

“What I understand is that both of you are making a huge mistake.”

“I think not, Mr. Gallo,” Dupree said.

“You have no basis for your accusations,” Gallo said. “Do you think that a dead man’s statement is going to stand up in court? Do you really believe that the word of a criminal like Cassano holds any credibility at all? I have an unblemished record of accomplishment and strong business ethics with the FDA. Once the DA examines the evidence, this case will never make it to court.” He grinned. “Excuse the expression, but you’re pissing in the wind.”

“That’s interesting,” Dupree said. “We never mentioned Cassano. Where did you hear his name?”

A look came over Gallo’s face that Dupree had seen many times before. It was what she called an “oh-shit-moment.”

“Well, Mr. Gallo,” Dupree said. “I really hate to ruin your day, but I have more bad news for you.”

Gallo’s eyes were wide open.

“You see, along with the testimony and sworn statements from your stepson and Oscar Cassano, Margaret Hansen sang like a whippoorwill. She spilled her guts and told us everything . You knew that once Dr. Crawford was out of the way, you could manipulate Dr. Mason and convince him to partner with Adelman and then rehire Hansen, and the four of you would be on your merry way to Emerald City.

“Using your tremendous influence with the FDA, you were going to cut through all the red tape and push Dr. Crawford’s treatment for cancer through the approval process. And then the floodgates would open and all of you would get filthy rich. Your stepson was nothing more than a pawn.”

T.J. pushed a legal pad and pen across the table, in front of Gallo. “We want your confession in writing.”

“I want to speak to my attorney.”

“Suit yourself,” T.J. said. He stood and reached for his handcuffs. “Please stand and turn around.”

“Is that really necessary?” Gallo said. “At least let me preserve some dignity. What do you think I’m going to do, outrun the two of you?”

“You compromised your dignity when you conspired to commit murder,” T.J. said. “Now please stand and turn around.”

Gallo complied and T.J. cuffed him and escorted him to a jail cell.

“Good luck with Adelman,” Dupree said.

“No worries,” T.J. said. “I’ll have a written confession in thirty minutes or less.”

Dupree and Parisi entered interview room 2 and found Dr. Mason pacing the floor.

“Would you mind telling me what the hell is going on?” Mason yelled. “Why are you detaining my associates and me? Do you have any idea how humiliated I am?”

She gestured. “Have a seat and we’ll talk about it,” Dupree said.

Mason dragged the chair away from the table and sat down.

“I’m afraid we’ve got some bad news for you,” Dupree said. “Your joint venture with Hyland is never going to happen.”

“ What ?”

“Adelman, Gallo, and Hansen will be spending the next two decades behind bars.”

“Forgive me,” Mason said, “but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Dupree explained to Mason the details of the conspiracy to murder Dr. Crawford. She watched the color drain from his face.

“Look, Detective, Michael Adelman and Dominic Gallo may be driven by success and financial reward, and Maggie Hansen might be an opportunist, but there is no way that any of them are capable of murder. I know these people well and they would never commit such a crime. Your accusations are preposterous.”

“With all due respect, Doctor, quite to the contrary, we’ve got rock-solid evidence. Hansen gave us a full confession and by the time Detective Brown gets done with Adelman, we’ll have his confession as well.” Dupree fixed her eyes on Mason’s. “The big question here, Dr. Mason, is whether or not you’ll be joining them in prison.”

“Are you accusing me of taking part in this horrific crime?”

“Should we be?” Dupree said.

“First of all, Detective, I respected Dr. Crawford in the highest regard. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like her. We had our little tiffs—mostly trivial disagreements, but the thought of harming her is incomprehensible to me. What would be my motive?”

“Money can corrupt even the most moral and ethical people. If and when Dr. Crawford’s theories and treatments proved credible and were approved by the FDA, Horizon Cancer Research Center would have made millions and I’m certain you would have benefited handsomely.”

“Well, Detective, before you make such a statement, perhaps you’d like to review my employment contract with Horizon.”

“What do you mean by that?” Dupree asked.

“My salary as Executive Director is one dollar a year.”

“A dollar a year?”

“Not exactly the golden goose,” Mason said.

“Why did you agree to such a deal?” Dupree asked.

“A couple reasons. First and foremost, I’m a retired oncologist. I’ve been treating cancer patients for over thirty years and I can tell you first hand, it’s a dirty business. I’ve seen my share of vibrant, seemingly healthy people reduced to skin and bones. And I’ve been forced to prescribe the most toxic meds in the world for people in so much pain they begged me to euthanize them. There are few things in life that would please me more than an effective treatment for cancer and the prospect of finding a cure.