Fatal Reckoning (Fatal #14)(68)

“Deputy Chief Conklin has been arrested for lying about the events of that day.”

Viera’s eyes bugged. “Whoa.”

“We’re going to need you to make a formal statement to the facts you’ve given us here.”

“Okay.”

Avery spent the next two hours recording every detail that Viera could recall, and when they’d nailed down the statement, he asked Viera to sign it.

The paramedic scrawled his signature across the bottom of the page. “What now?”

“Go about your business and don’t talk about any of this with anyone. We’ll be in touch.”



* * *



SAM’S TEAM, AIDED by Lieutenant Archelotta from IT, never left the conference room for the rest of their shift, sifting through years-old reports, phone records and investigatory notes after an emergency search warrant was obtained to give them access to the contents of the deputy chief’s office.

Per Malone’s orders, Sam had remained in her own office throughout the afternoon, told to stay away from the goings-on in the conference room. She’d watched as officers arrived at regular intervals with boxes and other items that were delivered to her detectives. Sitting on the sidelines made her crazy, but she understood why she couldn’t be in there, even if she didn’t like it.

She’d been reviewing reports submitted by her team, including the one about Patrick Connolly’s homicide, the details making her profoundly sad once again for the wife and family the talented young agent had left behind.

At four o’clock, she turned off her computer, gathered her keys and phone and headed out, encountering Lindsey McNamara coming out of the morgue. “Step into my office.”

Sam followed her through the automatic doors that led to the frigid morgue.

“What the hell is going on around here today? Everyone is buzzing about Conklin being arrested.”

“I’m not allowed to know anything about it.”

Lindsey gasped. “Because it involves your father’s case?”

“I can neither confirm nor deny.”

Lindsey’s expression went flat with shock. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Sam shrugged.

“Was he the shooter?”

Sam shrugged again.

“Holy crap. This is going to be huge.”

Sam nodded. “I’m on my way out. Talk to you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, of course. Sam… Are you okay? You have to be reeling—in more ways than one.”

“I’m okay.” She’d said those words a hundred times in the last few days and would keep saying them for as long as people asked how she was. “I’ll check in tomorrow.”

“I’m here if I can do anything for you—anything at all.”

“Appreciate it.”

As she stepped out into blustery late-afternoon chill, she thought about how blessed she was to have such great friends. Their love and support had been tremendous since her dad passed away, and they’d have her back no matter what happened with Conklin and the investigation.

Sam got into her car and started to head home but then decided to make a stop on the way. She wasn’t exactly sure what she was doing in front of the building where Patrick Connolly had lived with his wife, Veronica, but something had brought her there. She put the car into Park and shut off the engine. For a long time, she stared at the vestibule, wondering whether she should do this. In the end, compelled by a need she couldn’t exactly explain, she got out of the car and pushed the button next to the name Connolly on the keypad.

A female voice answered, “Yes?”

“Lieutenant Sam Holland, from the Metro PD, to see Mrs. Connolly.”

The sound of commotion came through the intercom before a buzz unlocked the door. Sam went inside and took the stairs to the third floor, where a gray-haired woman stood in the doorway of 3C waiting for Sam, who withdrew her badge more out of habit than necessity.

“I’m Lieutenant Holland.”

“Yes, I know who you are. I’m Justine, Roni’s mother. She isn’t really up for guests, but when I told her you had come by, she asked me to let you in.”

“I won’t stay too long. I just wanted to…” What did she want exactly? The case was closed. She had no actual business here. So what was the point? “I wanted to see how she is.”

“Not good.” Justine’s grim expression told the story. “Not good at all. Patrick, he was…” Her eyes filled and she crossed her arms, seeming to hug herself. “I’m sorry. It’s just the most awful thing. They were so happy together, and now… I don’t know what’ll become of her. I just don’t know.”

“I’m so sorry for your terrible loss. I wish there was something I could say.”

“There’s nothing anyone can say. The sheer senselessness of it is the part I can’t get past.”

“I know.” Sam took a deep breath. “I’ll only stay for a minute.”

“Is there something new about the case? We were told the man who shot him was arrested.”

“That’s correct, and no, there’s nothing new. I just…” Sam had no idea what she was doing there, but something had brought her there. “I was the one who had to tell her the news yesterday, and I just… I wanted to see her. I understand if this isn’t a good time.”