My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite, #1)(45)

Nolasco’s lips pinched. He was growing red in the face. “It’s a simple question. Did you facilitate an attorney’s access to speak with House?”

“Define ‘facilitate.’?”

“Did you assist in any manner?”

“I drove with the attorney to the facility in his car, on a day I was off duty. Didn’t even pay for the gas. We entered through the public access on a day scheduled for inmate visitations just like everyone else.”

“Did you use your badge number?”

“Not to get in.”

“Tracy,” Laub said. “We’re getting inquiries from the press. It’s important we’re all on the same page, saying the same thing.”

“I’m not saying anything, Lieutenant. I told Vanpelt it’s a private matter and nobody’s damn business.”

“That’s not reasonable given the public nature of the proceedings,” Nolasco said. “Whether you like it or not, it’s in the public domain, and our job is to make sure it does not reflect badly on this department. Vanpelt is asking for an official comment.”

“Who gives a shit what Vanpelt is asking for?”

“She’s the police beat reporter for the number one news station in town.”

“She’s an ambulance chaser. She’s a hack. And she’s unethical. Everyone knows that. No matter what I say, she’ll twist it to create a seeming conflict. I’m not playing her game. It’s personal. We don’t comment on personal matters. Why is this being treated differently?”

Laub said, “I think what the Captain is asking is, Tracy, do you have a suggestion for how we should respond?”

“More than one,” she said.

“Something printable?” Laub asked.

“Say it’s a personal matter and neither I nor the department will comment on ongoing legal proceedings. That’s how we handle open files. Why should this be any different?”

“Because it is not one of our files,” Nolasco said.

“Bingo,” Tracy said.

Laub turned to Nolasco. “I don’t disagree with Detective Crosswhite. We gain nothing by making a statement.”

Williams backed her too. “Vanpelt will report what she wants regardless of what we say. We’ve been down this road before.”

“She’s going to run a story that one of our homicide detectives is assisting an attorney in getting a convicted killer a new trial,” Nolasco said. “We say ‘no comment,’ it’s a tacit admission we condone it.”

“If you feel compelled to make a comment, tell her I’m interested in a thorough resolution of my sister’s murder,” Tracy said. “How does that reflect on the department?”

“That sounds good to me,” Laub said.

“There are some people in Cedar Grove who think there already was a thorough resolution twenty years ago,” Nolasco said.

“And they didn’t like me asking questions then either.”

Nolasco pointed his pen at her. She wanted to reach out and snap his finger. “If there is something to cast doubt on this man’s guilt, it should be brought to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office in Cascade County. That’s their jurisdiction.”

“Didn’t you just tell me you didn’t want me involved? Now you want me to provide the sheriff with information?”

Nolasco’s nostrils flared. “I’m saying, as a law-enforcement officer, you have a professional obligation to share information with them.”

“I tried that once; it didn’t get me very far.”

Nolasco set his pen down. “You realize that your assisting a convicted murderer reflects on the entire Violent Crimes Section.”

“Maybe it will show we’re impartial.”

Williams and Laub did a poor job suppressing smiles. Nolasco was not amused. “This is a serious matter, Detective Crosswhite.”

“Murder always is.”

“Perhaps I should ask if this is going to impact your ability to perform your job?”

“With all due respect, I thought finding murderers was my job.”

“And you should be devoting your time to finding out who killed Nicole Hansen.”

Laub intervened again. “Can we all take a deep breath? Are we at least in agreement that the department will issue a statement that neither Detective Crosswhite nor anyone else will comment on ongoing legal proceedings and refer all questions to the Sheriff’s Office in Cascade County?”

Lee started scribbling.

“You are not to use your official position or any of this department’s resources to investigate the matter. Do I make myself clear?” Nolasco was no longer trying to mask his annoyance.

Tracy said, “Are we equally clear that the department is not to put words in my mouth?”

“Nobody’s going to put words in your mouth, Tracy,” Laub said. “Bennett can put together a statement and we will review it together. Does that work for everyone?”

Nolasco did not answer. Tracy wasn’t about to capitulate without some show of good faith from him.

“I can’t protect you on this,” Nolasco finally said. “This is outside the department’s business. Something goes sideways, you’re on your own.”