Chapter 11
Mitchell Simpson met them in the squad room at the police station and led them to an observation room where they could watch Hawkeye and Detective Graves interrogate Rogers.
The two men were going at him hard over the rat poison purchases he’d made.
They’d not wasted any time pulling him out of his holding cell upon reviewing the information Swede had sent Hawkeye.
As hard as Hawkeye and Detective Graves were giving it to Rogers he was coming back even harder, refusing to cooperate without an attorney present.
“Why aren’t you in there with him?” Brand asked.
“He kicked me out.” Simpson’s answer was blunt, and it was clear he was pissed by what had happened.
“Has he got representation coming?” Brand asked.
“No. He got a lawyer the other night, but then he promptly fired her,” Simpson said.
“I can’t see him getting one again so easily without the court appointing him representation.
And he’d have to be booked to get that. He’s not even been arrested, just being held as a person of interest and for pissing us off.
And we don’t want him and Adams getting together easily. ”
“I don’t like this guy,” Jett said. “He was going on about how he was innocent and being accused of wrong doings and yet here he is acting this way.”
“Maybe it’s a ruse to keep the police tied up so Adams can get away,” Don Juan said. “Hawkeye asked this Graves to keep a watch on Adams and yet he’s in there interrogating Rogers.”
“Good point,” Brand said. “We need a reason to go by the arena to check on Adams though. He’d accuse us of harassment if we just show up.”
“Rescheduling of the exhibition game,” Simpson suggested. “I heard Hawkeye on the phone with the arena manager earlier and someone needs to go over and pick up the amended contract. It was left at the security office in Hawkeye’s name.”
“We could do that,” Brand said. “Whatcha say, Will?”
“Sure,” Loverboy said.
The two took the SUV back to the arena, checking the time to make sure that Adams would be at work when they arrived. His shift in the past had ran from two until midnight, but who knew if his shifts ever changed.
By the time they arrived it was well after two and they made their way to the security office where Adams was talking with the manager. He didn’t look pleased to see them.
“What do you guys want?” he barked.
“We’re here to pick up the amended contract for the rescheduled exhibition game,” Brand explained casually. “We were informed it would be left here under Commander Burns name.”
“That’s right,” the security manager said. “The arena manager brought it over this morning. Lighten up, Adams. This is official business with these guys.”
“Sorry,” Adams said. “But after I was hauled down to the station the other day I have a right to be on edge when I see you.”
“You went freely,” Loverboy reminded him. “We didn’t force you. You were more than happy to go down and answer a few questions.”
“Maybe, but when I got there it turned out you were trying to say that guy in the photo was me, when it wasn’t,” Adams accused, his mouth turning down into a sneer. “I felt like I was being jammed up again.”
“We asked if that was you in the photo and whether you and Clinton Rogers knew one another,” Brand said. “How was that jamming you up? But that’s not what we came about. This contract is, and now we are going to go.”
“See you around,” Loverboy said as they left.
Neither spoke as they walked back down the hallway to the exit.
“He was testy,” Loverboy said.
“Yes, he was,” Brand agreed. “Maybe everything is getting to him.”
“May be,” Loverboy said, clicking the key fob to unlock the SUV.
Across town, Hawkeye and Detective Graves came out of Interrogation having gotten nowhere with Rogers. Jett, Rookie, and Don Juan met them in the hallway.
“Hawkeye, we’ve got a theory,” Don Juan said.
“You mean, I’ve got a theory,” Jett said.
“What is it?” Hawkeye said.
“What if Rogers …” Jett began and repeated what they’d discussed at the brownstone about him replacing Adams as Dugan’s partner and not getting the recognition.
“And you think he really would try to kill Flynn just to make a name for himself just to be seen?” Graves said.
“Wait,” Hawkeye said. “It’s a stretch, but when you consider this whole song and dance he’s been putting us through, wanting a lawyer and then immediately firing his lawyer for such a crazy reason.
It’s like he needs to be center of attention.
I’ve tried to talk to his former partner as to why he requested that transfer. ”
“He requested it?” Rookie said. “To hear Rogers talk, the transfer came out of the blue from higher up.”
“Technically, the transfer was made to look that way,” Hawkeye explained, “so Rogers wouldn’t know his partner had requested to get out from working with him.”
“What did Dugan do to piss someone off that they assigned Rogers as his new partner?” Jett asked.
“I don’t think it was ever considered when Dugan’s partner was transferred– not by request in this case –that Rogers wouldn’t be a good fit for him,” Hawkeye said.
“But maybe it should have been looked into. I think I’ll make that recommendation now and have him a new partner when he returns next Monday. ”
“Won’t scuttlebutt have a field day with that move?” Rookie asked.
“Not if Rogers ends up going down for his involvement with Adams,” Hawkeye said. “I’m still convinced those two were in cahoots someway, somehow on this thing. Even if neither one of them will admit it.”
“I’m off to do my undercover work,” Graves told them. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“Walk with me,” Hawkeye said. “Where’s Brand and Loverboy?”
“They went to the arena to pick up the amended contract for the exhibition match,” Don Juan said. “And make sure Monte Adams was still in town.”
“Ah,” Hawkeye said. “Smart move. Saved me a trip down there.”
“What about Rogers purchasing the rat poison?” Rookie asked. “Even if we haven’t been able to make a connection between him and Adams.”
“Right now, it looks circumstantial,” Hawkeye said. “As much as I’d like to nail him for it, we have to stay cautious. Until we can put the two of them together and make it stick, we can’t tip our hands. And I’m afraid we’re going to have to let him go.”
“If he’ll go,” Simpson said, joining them as they reached Hawkeye’s office. “I’m assuming you were talking about Rogers leaving once he’s released. I overheard him chatting with an officer when he didn’t realize anyone else was around and he said he was afraid to leave the precinct.”
“Did he say why?” Jett asked.
Simpson shook his head. “He clammed up. I think he realized he’d said too much or thought better of admitting his weakness.”
“That is interesting,” Hawkeye said. “As his union representative, even though he has made it clear he doesn’t want your help, why don’t you offer him the use of the departments safe house.
Make it clear it’s a new location that Adams wouldn’t know about from when he was on the force if that is a concern.
And that we can offer him twenty-four-hour protection if he feels he needs it. ”
“What’s the catch?” Simpson asked. “You know he’s going ask that question.”
Hawkeye grinned. “He’s going to have to become a CI for us.”
“But what if he’s the one who actually poisoned Reilly?” Don Juan said.
“I don’t believe he is the one,” Hawkeye said.
“How can you be so sure?” Rookie asked.
“His reaction when we told him about the rat poison. He looked not only surprised, but very shocked. He might have purchased it, but who’s to say it wasn’t bought for legitimate reasons and later stolen? You’ve been to his apartment building. How would you classify it?”
“A classy place, but no doorman,” Jett said. “His is a studio, very small. Which I believe is the only way he could afford to live in the building.”
Hawkeye chuckled. “Loverboy told me in his initial report that the place was so tiny he almost hyperventilated. Maybe there’s a rodent problem in the basement and he was trying to get rid of them.”
“Then why not just say that instead of giving you the run around?” Don Juan asked.
“Because he has this loyalty fixation with Adams,” Simpson said. “Like Dugan, he believes in having his brother in blue’s back or go down fighting.”
Hawkeye nodded slowly. “Could be,” he said. “Simpson, I still say go to Rogers and make him that offer and see if he’ll bite. If he will turn on Adams, then we’ll play ball.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Simpson asked.
“We’ll table it until after the funeral services tomorrow,” Hawkeye said. “We need to show Harley our support.”
“Did I hear you say the funeral is tomorrow?” Brand asked entering the office with Loverboy.
“That’s right,” Hawkeye said.
Brand handed him the manilla envelope containing the contract. “Where’s it being held?”
Hawkeye grinned. “Christs Church.”
“Doesn’t anyone know of another place in this city to hold a funeral?” Brand asked.
“I don’t think we have to worry about Adams shooting at us,” Hawkeye replied.
“No?” Brand said.
“He did seem awful testy when we saw him today,” Loverboy said. “We may have pushed him to the breaking point.”
“So far that hasn’t been his MO,” Don Juan said.
“We weren’t expecting a shooter at Phil’s funeral either,” Brand said. “Or a bomb, but both happened in the parking lot. We have to make sure that Harley and Dugan are safe no matter what.”
“I’ll have SWAT on standby,” Hawkeye said.
The next morning…
Harley Stared at her reflection in the mirror of the ladies room at Christ’s Church after Fiona pinned the lovely black and blue corsage on her black coat dress she’d selected for the services.
She’d tried to pick something that wouldn’t be too hot for indoors but would keep her warm out when they went to the graveside.
She closed her eyes at the thought of her brother’s coffin being lowered six feet under.
At least she wouldn’t have to watch that.
“All set?” Fiona asked.