Brian Haig - PrivateSector

Still, when I finished, Meany just had to say, “It’s just too bad we had to go through all this. If you hadn’t stuck your nose where it doesn’t belong, Drummond… none of this had to happen.”

“What does that mean?”

“Simple. You nearly compromised a very important operation that we worked a long time to build. You nearly exposed one of our agents. We really don’t appreciate ignorant clowns messing around in our business.”

Of course, Meany was posturing for Miss You-know-who. Also, I guess, that little incident on my back porch had left some bruised feelings. He was chewing his breakfast a bit gingerly. So maybe he couldn’t stop himself, but I’d had enough of him, and he’d called me a clown once too often, and I knew I shouldn’t but I said, “Did I make your job hard, George?”

“Damned right you did.”

“What is your job?”

“You know damn well what my job is.”

“I know what you said your job was. But in fact, that wasn’t your job, was it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But for a guy who was merely confused over semantics he did in fact look nervous.

I asked him, “Are you still telling the public you’re hunting the

L. A. Killer?” “Is that what this is about? You’re still trying to second-guess us?”

I now had Janet’s attention, and she said to George, “Is that true?”

George ignored her and said to me, “In a case of this scope and importance, the choice of suspects is out of my hands.”

“Is it really?”

“Yes.”

“Do you believe it’s the L. A. Killer?”

“I might have a few doubts. In murder cases, I always have doubts. As an attorney, I would expect you to understand that.” He added, “The Bureau’s position is that the similarities between here and L. A. remain persuasive.”

“What about the differing physical descriptions?”

“I’m glad you raised that issue. Had you read the morning paper, you’d know that one of the two witnesses who claimed she saw the L. A. Killer three years ago recanted. She admits the man she saw could’ve been much taller.”

“Or maybe he gained a foot since then?” I suggested.

“He was bending over, shoving the victim into a car, and she admits she probably misjudged his height.”

“How convenient.”

“What are you implying, Drummond? I don’t control what witnesses say.”

It was time to switch tacks, so I asked, “How did you get to my apartment so fast yesterday?”

“How did I…?” He paused, then said, “I work around the clock. I was at Martin’s office, coordinating, when one of your neighbors called and reported gunfire. We checked the address, saw it was your building, and I thought I’d better be there.”

George had just made his fatal mistake. And I think he knew it. He had to know, as a cop experienced in interrogation, that the whole trick is to prod that first unsupportable lie from the suspect’s lips.

“Who called?” I asked him.

“I… I don’t remember. Actually, I never knew. Martin’s people took the call.”

“Odd. The Alexandria station is over fifteen minutes away. You were at my apartment inside three minutes. Account for that.”

“I’m not going to account for it. I’m not here to be interrogated by you. You’re way out of line.”

Janet suddenly bent forward and said, “Answer him, George. I’d like to know, too.”

He stared at her. “Honey, I can’t believe you’re taking this jerk’s side. I… are you forgetting us… what you mean to me?”

But Janet had put two and two together. She leaned back and studied George. She said, “You’re supposed to cover this up. You’re supposed to mislead the public… to hide the true identity of the killer.”

“That’s not true, honey. I-”

I said to Janet, “I wouldn’t be surprised if George was the one who tipped off the press, and made the connection with the L. A. Killer. Not only that,” I added, “I’ll bet George was supposed to make sure the killer wasn’t captured, to make sure this guy died with the secret of who he worked for.”

Meany sat back in his chair. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but if I had to guess, it would start with putting a bullet through my forehead. And it would end with the realization that the gig was up.

Never one to leave well enough alone, I continued, “So, you’re a bright guy, George. And you figured out I was taunting the killer, that I was setting myself up. So you and Martin… you what?… you set up a stakeout around my building?”

He had not yet made up his mind to be cooperative, so I further suggested, “Your guys had the killer’s composite, and if they laid eyes on him, they had orders to shoot to kill. Right?”

“Don’t be an idiot. We were there to protect you. You owe me your thanks, Drummond.”

“And a fine job you did. I’ll remember to call you the next time my life’s at risk.”

When he failed to reply to that, I asked, “How did they get past you, George?”

“You’re such a smart guy, you figure it out.”

So I did. I said, “They didn’t. They were already inside my building.”

He nodded. “Good guess, Drummond. There was a vacant apartment down the hall from you. They broke into it the day before and set up shop. We hadn’t anticipated that, nor that outside contractors would be brought in to handle you.”

He turned to Janet and said, “Stop looking at me that way. We both wanted the same thing here.”

“Did we?”

“Yes, of course. When I went to the Deputy Director, I told him I wanted this case. I wanted Lisa’s killer. I told him about us, and he said I could have this case, but on one condition. I had to handle it this way.”

Possibly George was telling the truth. In fact, he probably was. But both Janet and I could fill in the rest of the void. George was perfect, because of his relationship with a victim’s sister, and as it became more and more clear that Janet and I needed to be reined in, he became more and more perfect.

Janet’s eyes moved from George’s face, to MacGruder’s face, ending up at my face, and I think she concluded that she wasn’t really in the best of company, that all her breakfast partners had, in our own unique ways, betrayed her trust.

She stood and said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to return to my room.” She paused, then said, “And I’d like to return to Boston, today.” She took another step, then stopped and said, “I would appreciate it, Agent Meany, if your people would make the proper arrangements.”

Did I mention that Janet looked absolutely stunning in a scarlet sweater as she walked out?

The first thing I did when I arrived at the firm was ask Elizabeth for the key to the ninth floor to make another visit to my pal Hal. His two assistants again had their asses parked at their desks, and were staring intently into their computer screens. Maybe they had X-rated videos in their hard drives, or something.

The same one who had spoken to me the day before looked up and said, “Yes?”

“I’m here to see Hal.”

“He’s not in yet.”

It was ten o’clock. I said, “When do you expect him?”

“He’s usually here at seven. Maybe he had a dentist appointment or something. But I’ll tell Hal you came by.”

His face was stuffed back in his terminal when I said, “Do that.”

I next went to visit Cy in his office. The partners’ suites were set up like Hal’s office, but with a paralegal or secretary parked out front, and considerably more elegant furnishings inside. Cy’s paralegal appeared to be about twenty-five, a great body and nice face, though a bit slutty-looking, if you want my personal opinion. I wondered if Cy was doing her, too, as she buzzed him and told me to go in.