The Perfect Alibi (Robin Lockwood #2)(75)

“I know. It’s just that Doug had this great life, and so did Frank Nylander. Now everything is in ruins because of a one-in-a-million coincidence.”

“He lied to everyone for years,” Jeff said.

“But he was a good lawyer. He proved that over and over.”

“There are rules, Robin. Our society depends on a respect for the law. We need to know that attorneys are educated and qualified. That’s why we have a requirement that lawyers graduate from an accredited law school and pass the bar exam. We don’t throw out all the rules because one phony lawyer does a good job.”

“Do you know how many lawyers don’t live up to the ethics of the profession and how many incompetents graduate from a law school and pass the bar? Doug did everything right, even if he didn’t graduate from law school or pass the bar.”

“Will remembering that Douglas Armstrong murdered Frank Nylander, Tyler Harrison, and Rex Kellerman, and was prepared to kill you, help you get over your post-arrest depression?” Jeff asked.

“Yeah, there is that.”

“You liked Doug, and it made you feel good to save him when Rex went after him,” Jeff said. “Now you know that Rex was right all along. You were duped, and it’s hard for you to accept the fact that lovable Doug Armstrong is really a liar and a cold-blooded killer. Armstrong was wearing a mask all these years, and we’re lucky you ripped it off.”

“I guess.”

“There’s no guessing about it, so cheer up, and let’s get some sleep. We’re going to be spending a lot of time at the police station tomorrow, and I, for one, want to have a clear head when the cops grill us.”

Robin wrapped her arms around Jeff. “I’m too wound up to sleep.”

Jeff shook his head. “Does having someone try to shoot you always make you horny?”

“I’m two for two, so I’d say there’s a good chance it does.”





CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE


“Hello, Herschel,” Carrie Anders said. “I have good news for you.”

“I have some news for you, too.”

“Oh?”

“You first.”

“Okay. We’ve solved the Tyler Harrison murder. An Oregon lawyer killed him, Frank Nylander, and Rex Kellerman. We have him in custody for the Portland murders.”

“So, Norcross had nothing to do with Harrison’s and Nylander’s murders?”

“No.”

“That’s very interesting.”

“Why?”

“I’ll tell you after you tell me how you figured out who killed Harrison.”

Detective Jacobs listened quietly while Carrie explained how Robin Lockwood figured out that Douglas Armstrong had killed Tyler Harrison.

“Has Armstrong confessed?” Jacobs asked.

“No. He lawyered up, but thanks to Robin, we have the Glock that was used to kill Harrison and Kellerman, and we found a surveillance photo of Armstrong at a truck stop three-quarters of the way to Manhattan. So, we can give you everything you need to establish means, motive, and opportunity. I’ll send everything to you as soon as you send me your paycheck for this month for doing all your work for you.”

“The money should go to Robin Lockwood.” Jacobs chuckled. “This is like one of those TV shows where the clueless cops are shown up by the brilliant amateur.”

Carrie laughed. “I guess you’re right. So, what’s your news?”

“Ivar Gorski has disappeared. No one has seen him since our visit. And there’s something else. I think you convinced Gorski that Norcross had Tyler Harrison murdered and was going to go after him, because someone shot and killed Marvin Turnbull, Norcross’s CEO.”

“Damn. Any leads on where Gorski’s gone?”

“No. He hasn’t used his passport, but we’ve done some digging, and he’s got ties to the Russian Mafia—so he may be anywhere by now.”





CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX


Robin was working on a brief in the Oregon Court of Appeals when her receptionist told her that Randi Stark wanted to see her.

“Good morning, Randi,” Robin said when Stark was seated across from her in her office. “How are you feeling?”

“Really good.”

“School’s going well?”

“Yeah. I just got some grades back, and I aced three of my four tests.”

“And you’re sleeping well? No more nightmares?”

“Well, yeah, I’m still having trouble sleeping because of Blaine,” Randi said.

“Are you seeing someone who can help with that, one of the therapists I suggested?”

“No. They’re expensive. When the case is over, I’ll try to get help if I’m still having problems.”

“You’ll definitely be able to afford it. So, why did you want to talk to me?”

“Annie told me what you said to her when you two met. She was really upset.”

“What upset her?”

“You asked her if we faked the rape.”

“I told her what Blaine’s lawyer might argue.”

“Why would he argue that?”

“You said that you found out about the party at the Oregon–PSU game from boys on the PSU team who played on your high school’s team.”