Shattered (Michael Bennett #14)(77)

It took all my willpower, but I forced myself to pat him on the back like I cared how he felt. I just wanted him to keep talking. Swinson had heard him as well. He moved a little closer.

Bobby looked at me. “She called you. I saw it on her phone. You guys never connected. I wonder what she was going to say to you.”

“I do too. I always will. I was in Ireland and thought I could get back to her.” I didn’t want to get into another subject. I shut my mouth and just waited for Bobby to talk. He finally decided it was time.

Bobby said, “I just got so frustrated. She dated a lot but wouldn’t even consider me. I did everything. I even watched her neighbor’s cat because she asked me to. I took assignments for her. I would’ve done anything for Emily.”

I said, “Except leave her alone. The only thing she really needed you to do.”

“I guess I’m screwed.”

I said, “We all lost on this one, Bobby.”





Chapter 103



Roberta Herring finished her testimony at the Senate early. She met me at Special Investigations’ off-site office. The squad was busy working with the MPD homicide team to complete the search of Bobby’s apartment before the media swarmed.

I was sitting behind a desk no one was using when Roberta walked up to me. She had sort of a silly grin on her face. “Why do you look so down? I knew you’d figure it out. I’m embarrassed to admit I never had a clue. Patel was such a diligent agent. It never occurred to me that he’d do something like this.”

I said, “Isn’t that what every neighbor says on the local news after a serial killer has been arrested?”

Roberta laughed. “Yeah, just about.” She turned serious. She sat down on the desk, then looked around to make sure no one was close enough to hear us talk. “The whole story of how you found the phone in Bobby’s apartment could be tricky if it ever goes to court.”

“I don’t know how to fix that.”

Roberta shrugged. “We’ll see what happens. I doubt anyone wants to expose the dirty secrets you discovered. Someone will offer Bobby a good deal. He’ll take it. No one in DC will give you a second thought. Even if you did commit an outright burglary.” Roberta looked around the room again, then turned back to me. “C’mon, Mike, what else is bothering you?”

It’s hard to keep something from a friend, especially if that friend is an experienced investigator. I said, “I missed my train. I won’t make it to Manhattan for Trent’s ceremony with the mayor.”

Roberta smiled. “Not being in the same room with the New York mayor is usually a good thing. He’s so full of hot air it’s a wonder Gracie Mansion doesn’t float away.”

I gave her a weak smile. She probably didn’t realize what seeing the ceremony meant to me. I still didn’t have the guts to call Mary Catherine and tell her I wouldn’t be back until after nine.

Roberta smiled.

I had to say, “What?”

“I have an idea.”

Thirty minutes later, Roberta dropped me off at a small fixed-base operation on the perimeter of Reagan National Airport. This was where the Department of Justice kept most of its air assets. Roberta had used her influence to delay a flight to New York on a government Gulfstream jet. She somehow got me on the passenger list. I was on board with two witnesses for a mob trial and three US marshals.

We stood in front of the small field-operations office at the airport to say our good-byes. I gave her a huge hug and a kiss good-bye. She’d done so much for me I couldn’t even put it in words.

I waited with the small group of passengers to board the plane. The TV behind the courtesy counter was broadcasting the local news. The only story anyone was talking about was the arrest of Rhea Wellmy-Steinberg. I was surprised there hadn’t even been any accusation of the charges being politically motivated. It seemed that a lot of people in DC knew about the Steinbergs’ personal habits. I watched to the end, but there was no mention of Emily. I wondered if anyone might link Bobby’s arrest with Baltimore’s arrest of Rhea.

I sat next to a tall female deputy US marshal. She turned to me and asked, “You work for DOJ?”

“NYPD.” That was enough to earn an entire trip without another word. I didn’t really care.

I was going home.





Chapter 104



After the Department of Justice plane landed at JFK Airport, I grabbed a cab and held up a fifty to the glass partition. “Get me to City Hall by 6:30 and this is yours on top of the fare.” I looked at the license and the smiling face of the young Israeli driver. “Does that sound like a deal, Yossi?”

The young man with a mop of dark hair smiled. “That’s easy. I feel bad taking your money.”

I liked that kind of confidence. I wished my nerves were as steady as Yossi’s confidence. The terror I felt on the ride would be worth it if we made it to City Hall alive. Yossi squeezed between a step van and a giant old-school Cadillac. I tried not to make a sound, but a yelp slipped out of me.

Yossi just chuckled. He skidded to a stop outside City Hall right on time. I’d have to run like Usain Bolt to make the ceremony. I gave Yossi an additional fifty to drop my bag at my apartment building. I had a feel for the young man and thought he was trustworthy enough. Just in case, I wrote my address on the back of one of my business cards. He glanced at the card, then looked up at me. “I guessed you were a newscaster, not a cop. I guarantee your bag will be there.”