Phillip Margolin - Ties That Bind

"Tim knows that we'll kill Cindy and Megan if he talks," Grant said out loud. "But the Bureau's had him since early yesterday evening. Cindy and Megan could be in protective custody by now."

Grant grabbed the phone and dialed Kerrigan's home.

"Yes?" Cindy answered hesitantly. She sounded scared.

"It's Harvey."

"Thank God. I thought you might be another reporter." Grant could hear the relief in her voice. "They haven't stopped since early morning. There's a camera crew camped outside our driveway."

"I just read about Tim in the morning paper. Is he okay?"

"He's alive, but no one will tell me anything else. Tim's father is going to meet with Katherine Hickox this morning," she said, naming the United States attorney for Oregon.

"If anyone can find out what's going on, Bill can."

"I'm so worried about Tim. The story in the paper said that woman tried to murder him. They work together. Why would she do that?"

"I don't know any more than you do but I'll talk to Jack Stamm and see what I can find out. Meanwhile, you take care of Megan. This could be tough on her."

"Please call me if you find out anything. I don't even know if Tim is hurt or . . ."

"Don't let your imagination get the best of you, Cindy. The paper said that Lopez was being charged with attempted murder, so Tim must be alive."

"Oh, God. I hope so."

"You have to be strong. Whenever you're tempted to panic think of your daughter."

"I will, Harvey. Thank you so much. You mean a lot to us."

Grant hung up. Cindy and Megan were home, which meant that Kerrigan wasn't cooperating yet. How much longer would that last?

Katherine Hickox, a member of the Westmont Country Club, had known William and Tim Kerrigan for years. She and another man were in her office when William and his attorney, Peter Schwab, arrived. She shook Schwab's hand quickly, but held Kerrigan's.

"I'm so sorry to hear about all this, Bill. Are you okay?"

"I'm holding up, but I'll feel a lot better when I know how Tim is doing."

Katherine released Kerrigan's hand and introduced the other man in the room.

"This is J. D. Hunter. He's the FBI agent in charge of the case."

Hunter shook hands with Kerrigan and Schwab while the U.S. attorney sat behind her desk.

"How is my son?"

"When we broke into the cabin, Maria Lopez had a gun to Tim's head. It went off as she was turning toward us. The gun moved, so Tim only suffered a minor head wound. It's nothing serious. We have him in the secure wing at OHSU. I thought it would be better to hold your son at a hospital instead of a jail."

"Why would you hold him at all?"

"Tim is the prime suspect in the murder of a prostitute who was shot to death in Forest Park a few days ago."

Kerrigan's mouth opened. He stared at Hunter for a moment, then turned toward Katherine. She nodded.

"You're serious?"

"I'm sorry, Bill," the U.S. attorney said.

"Are you planning on transferring Tim to jail when he's able to move?" Schwab asked.

"No. We're releasing him sometime today."

"If he's a suspect, why are you letting him out?"

"I can't get into that. I will tell you that we're handing over everything we have to the state. Katherine doesn't see a federal crime here. There's evidence that the lab is still checking. If they get the results we think they will, I'm certain the state will indict."

"From what I know, it doesn't look good for Tim," Hickox said.

"Everyone I talk to says nothing but the finest things about your son," Hunter said. "He must have been under tremendous pressure. I'd like to help him, and you can play an important part in making sure that he gets a lenient sentence."

"What can I do?"

"Before I go any further I'll need your word that you won't discuss what I tell you with anyone else."

"I don't understand."

"And I can't explain without your promise."

Kerrigan conferred with his attorney. When they were through he turned back to Hunter.

"I give my word that I'll keep your confidence. Now tell me how I can help Tim."

"Tim's assistance in a larger investigation could have an impact on his charges and his sentence, but he's refusing to cooperate. If you want to help him, go to the hospital and talk sense into him. Believe me, he needs all the help he can get."

Chapter Fifty-Two.

An armed police officer manned a desk in front of the thick steel door that barred entry to the secure wing of the state hospital. William Kerrigan signed in. The officer checked his ID then pressed a button under the desk. Moments later, the steel door opened and an orderly escorted Kerrigan down a corridor surfaced with linoleum that smelled faintly of antiseptic. Halfway down the hall, another officer was sitting in front of Tim's hospital room. He checked Kerrigan's ID a second time before unlocking the door to the room.

Tim turned toward the door when his father entered. He was pale. A thick bandage covered a good part of the right side of his head and there was a dark bruise where the bandage did not cover his skin. There was no life in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" William asked.

"I messed up, Dad." A tear formed. "I really messed up."

William pulled a chair next to the bed. Tim looked away from him and wiped his eyes.

"It'll be okay, son. I talked to J. D. Hunter, the FBI agent in charge of this case. You're going to be released from the hospital, today. Once you're out of here, we'll get the best lawyers and we'll get you through this."

"No, I don't think so. You don't even know what's happened to me."

"Hunter said that you killed a woman. You didn't do it, did you, Tim?"

"I did kill her." Tim looked so lost. "God forgive me. I . . . I shot her then I set her on fire." Tim couldn't meet his father's eye. "I'm a terrible person. I've ruined Cindy's life and Megan's."

"Hunter said that he'll help you if you cooperate with him. He didn't tell me what he wanted you to do, but he assured me that something will be done if you assist the FBI in an investigation."

"I can't, Dad. If I . . ."

"What is it?"

"I can't tell you. I'd be putting you in danger."

"I don't care, Tim. You're my son. What is it that they want you to do?"

"You don't understand. They'll kill Cindy and Megan if I talk. They might even come after you."

"Who are you talking about?"

Tim shook his head.

"The people who threatened you aren't more powerful than the federal government. I'll make sure that Cindy and Megan are protected."

"You can't guarantee that. You don't understand who you're dealing with."

"Then you have to tell me."

Tim stared out the window. His father waited patiently. Then Tim seemed to make a decision.

"Maybe you can help me. Maybe we can work this out."

He thought some more. Then he took a deep breath.

"It's Harvey, Dad. Harvey Grant. He's the one who threatened me."

William's mouth dropped open. Then he laughed in disbelief.

"Harvey is my oldest friend. We go back to junior high. He loves you. He's your godfather."

"Please don't hate me, but I went to Harvey when I got in trouble. I didn't go to you. I felt that he . . . that you . . ."

"You don't have to say any more, Tim. I understand why you didn't come to me. I'm not the warmest person. It's hard for me to show affection. But I've always loved you. If I've been hard on you it's because I wanted you to be the best."

"I always thought you were disappointed in me, that you wished I . . . that I wasn't your son."

"Oh, no, Tim. You've always made me proud. Now tell me what this is all about."

Tim told his father about his evening with Ally Bennett and her attempt to blackmail him into dismissing Jon Dupre's case. Then he told him about his meetings with Harvey Grant and what had happened in Forest Park.