Shattered (Michael Bennett #14)(45)

I looked at the three of them and said, “Now you’re complete. You look like a middle-aged Mod Squad.”

Only the chubby guy laughed.

I said, “What’s the matter with you two? You never watch any reruns?”

Daggett had a deep, resonant voice. He used it to good effect. “Fun and games are over, Detective Bennett.” The way he’d emphasized Detective told me he wasn’t trying to be respectful. “You just ruined a potential lead.”

“I just kept your detective from looking like an ass.”

“Why? Because you’re NYPD and so much smarter than the rest of us?”

“That’s part of it. Yeah. But your man in there is under too much pressure. He was considering charging the wrong person. A poor homeless dude who doesn’t sound like he’s all there. It would’ve looked bad for everyone.”

Daggett took a minute to consider that. Of the three partners, he was the only one wearing both a tie and a coat. He could’ve been a lawyer, with his neatly trimmed goatee and just a few specks of gray in his close-cropped hair.

I said, “I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

“I’m listening.”

“You go in and talk to the so-called suspect. Just for a minute or two. Then, if you think that I’m wrong and he’s good for Emily Parker’s murder, you come out here and tell me that with a straight face. If you honestly think he’s a good suspect, I’ll go home.”

I paused and appreciated the anticipation on the faces of the three DC cops. Daggett was smart enough not to say anything.

So I dropped in the second part of my proposal. “On the other hand, if you agree with me, if you talk to him and realize the only thing he might have to answer for is why he has Emily’s Fitbit, then you come out here and wish me a good day. I’ll go about my business and you go about yours. But maybe you could appreciate someone trying to look out for one of your detectives. And the reputation of your department.”

Daggett would’ve been a good poker player. His face gave nothing away. It felt like the city had gone silent. Bobby was off mingling with some new arrivals. They were all wearing suits, so I assumed they were Feds.

Finally, Daggett said, “You have yourself a deal, Detective Bennett.”





Chapter 58



I didn’t mind waiting outside while Daggett took me up on my offer. I kept an eye on Bobby and wondered what he was telling the two men and two women he was talking to so earnestly at the corner of the building.

I hoped I’d read Daggett right. He seemed like a decent guy. One who would stick to a deal. He also didn’t impress me as someone who would meet this potential suspect and then lie to me. It didn’t matter now. I’d made my deal and I would stand by it.

The female detective—who had never given me her name, and I didn’t ask—looked over at me. I always liked to see sharp younger people on police forces. The way the police are treated in the media has made it harder and harder to recruit good cops. I couldn’t blame anyone who didn’t want to give their heart and soul to a job that didn’t really offer much.

She said, “Seriously, why are you in DC?”

I kept a very even tone. “Emily Parker was a friend of mine. I owed her a lot. Finding her killer doesn’t seem like that much to ask.”

The female detective looked off into space. After a few moments, she nodded. “I’ve gotta say, that’s a pretty good reason.”

The fat guy moved from the front of the Tahoe and now leaned on the SUV next to his partner. He said, “I still think it’s sort of arrogant to believe you’re the only one who can find the killer.”

I shook my head. “That’s not how I feel at all. I’m just another set of eyes and ears. Look at what happened here. I didn’t see the same thing your detective did. If your man, Daggett, disagrees, then I misjudged him. But I always keep my promises. If he honestly thinks this is the killer, I’ll leave.”

The fat detective said, “Tell you what, if Daggett walks out here, looks at you, and says, ‘Have a good day,’ lunch is on me any day you want.”

We shook on it. He said, “My name is Swinson. My friends call me Dave.”

The female detective said, “I’m Nancy Gorant. Nice to meet you. Maybe you’re not the asshole I pegged you for.”

I wagged a finger. “It’s awfully early to say I’m not. Trust me, I know we’re all in this together.” It was a feeling many cops shared. These two were no exception. I felt like I’d made a couple of friends. But I still didn’t have an answer from Daggett.

Bobby broke off from his meeting. When he came over to us, I explained exactly the deal I’d made with Daggett.

Bobby said, “I almost wish he’d come out here and say the guy’s a good suspect, if only to get you out of my hair. I just had a long talk with supervisors from my office. One of them noticed you. I hinted indirectly that you were here with the DC police and not me. Please don’t rat me out.”

Nancy Gorant said to Bobby, “We were just getting used to Detective Bennett being here. Are you as interested as him in finding the FBI agent’s killer?”

“I’m all in on finding Emily’s killer. That’s all I work on. I thought that Bennett would be a help, but so far I’m wasting too much time trying to explain him to other people.”