His tone was teasing. It was nice to have a boss who supported her. “Just asking the questions that need to be asked, sir. The ambassador was our prime suspect and though he’s not totally off the hook, this second murder makes that less likely.”
He looked her in the eye. “Do what you have to do, Corelli. Makes me think he has something to hide.”
She nodded. “Me too. But is it the murder of his son he’s hiding? And would he kill a second time to cloud the issue?”
“Interesting thought, but I’ll caution you again to be very careful about sharing it outside this room until you have proof.” He straightened the papers on his desk. “Chief Broderick called me earlier. He’s not very happy with you. I tried to head him off, but I couldn’t talk him out of it. I’m not sure whether he’s more upset about the del Balzo article or Captain Benson’s claim that you’re muscling in on his case. How did you manage to step on Benson’s toes?” His smile took the sting out of the words.
“Miranda Foxworth, the cleaning woman who found del Balzo, called me this morning from Spencer Nickerson’s brownstone when she found him dead. Nickerson’s brownstone is in Benson’s district, but since it was another of her clients, I responded to her call. We were on our way to interview Nickerson’s partner when Benson showed up and claimed the case. When we went back to speak to him, we found a large uncontained media presence and a wall of blue that we had to pass through to get into the brownstone.”
“I’m sorry,” Captain Winfry said.
“It was a surprise but I can’t say I blame him.”
Winfry’s face darkened. “He was asleep at the wheel, Corelli. Not your fault. Nothing for you to feel guilty about.”
Once again, Winfry had read her mind. Was her guilt that obvious or was he that good?
“In any case, Nickerson was shot and posed in the same way as del Balzo. We haven’t released the details to the press but it looks like the same killer. Foxworth is the most likely suspect but Parker and I don’t think it’s her. The two cases need to be treated as one. And investigated by our team.”
He put his face in his hands and rubbed his forehead. He probably had a headache from dealing with turf wars. “Somehow the mayor found out you’re talking about a serial killer—”
“I’m sure Benson got him involved and used those words. I didn’t.”
He sighed. “Probably true, but Mayor Matthews doesn’t want to hear the words, serial killer because—”
“It will cause problems for his reelection if the press finds out that we have a serial killer.”
“Politics.” He shook his head. “I hate to waste your time on this Corelli, but Chief Broderick wants to see the two of you down at headquarters, now. Are you all right with this, Parker?”
“Not with the politics. I’d rather not be attacked for doing our job, but I’m on board with the investigation and pushing to combine the cases.”
Well, thank you, Detective Parker. Now that Parker had taken a stand, she might as well put her cards on the table so Winfry wouldn’t be caught by surprise if Broderick fired her. “I’m going to push the chief for a single investigation, Captain. I hope you’ll back me up.”
“A single investigation is the proper way to handle this. I support you one hundred percent, but given the politics, I’m not sure how much good it will do.” Winfry stood. “I’d be happy to come with you if you think it will make a difference.”
Corelli and Parker stood. “Thank you, sir. No need to waste your time too.” She put a hand out to stop Parker from leaving before she’d updated Winfry. “Just so you know, I did another interview with Darla North this morning. She wanted to do something positive in response to the del Balzo article, though it’s not mentioned in the interview. It’ll be aired at ten tonight.”
“It’s really strong,” Parker said, surprising Corelli. “And, I think, positive for the department.”
“Jeez, Corelli, I unleashed a monster. Soon you’ll be too busy to do the job.” He laughed. “Go for it. You and the department need all the positive attention we can get.”
“One more thing, Captain. I was thinking this might be the right time for a press conference.”
He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling, then smiled, a broad, knowing smile of approval. “You’re a fast learner, Corelli. Have Dietz set it up for later.”
He didn’t stand when they walked in. Not a good sign. And he definitely didn’t look friendly. They had barely stepped into the room when he lashed out.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Corelli?”
She touched Parker lightly on the arm, signaling her to stay behind, then strode to stand in front of his desk. She met his eyes but her face was a blank mask. She tried to keep the hostility out of her voice.
“My job. Sir.”
Parker’s intake of breath signaled that she hadn’t managed to hide the disdain she felt.
He chose to ignore her tone and tempered his own. “Tell me how you ended up on Benson’s turf? The del Balzo case not keeping you busy enough?”
“We have more than enough on our plate. Del Balzo’s murderer brought us to Benson’s turf. Miranda Foxworth, the cleaning person who found Nardo del Balzo, called me this morning. She found another client of hers, Spencer Nickerson, also gay, lying on a sofa, with a rosary in his hands, dead by a small bullet to the cerebellum. Sound familiar? I believe we have a killer targeting gays. We need a single investigation.”
He broke eye contact. “Have you looked at Foxworth? Maybe he, er, she—”
“We’re looking, but she seems to be a solid citizen and we haven’t uncovered a motive. Hey, the good news is that Ambassador del Balzo may be off the hook. That should make Carla del Balzo happy. And now you and the mayor can relax and let me do my job.”
“The fact that the ambassador is off the hook may save your job, Corelli, because now you can stop pressuring him.”
It didn’t escape Corelli that Broderick chose to hear that the ambassador is, rather than may be, off the hook because of the second murder. He could pretend all he wants but she’d continue to investigate Ambassador del Balzo until she proved his innocence or his guilt. “You believe the story in the Post? You know me better than that. When Parker and I were leaving after announcing their only son had been murdered, the ambassador said to his wife in Italian that she should be happy about their son’s death because now he won’t interfere with them becoming prime minister. Put that together with the fact that he and his son had a screaming argument the day before…Wouldn’t you follow up?”
He frowned. “I would. But it sounds as if you’re being confrontational. Tread lightly.” So did he just give her permission to continue to investigate del Balzo? Better not to ask.
He stood and walked to the window, then back. A sure sign he was uncomfortable with what he was going to say. “The mayor doesn’t want to see anything about a serial killer in the media.”
She could pussyfoot with the best of them. “I haven’t used those words. And, two murders do not make a serial killer.”
He was back at the window now, staring down at something of great interest. “Call it what you want. Mathews wants these two cases investigated separately. Of course, you’ll share whatever—”
“It’s not just me. Captain Winfry agrees that we have one killer and we need a combined investigation.” Pussyfooting didn’t work maybe direct would.
“Captain Winfry is entitled to his opinion, as are you, but the decision is not yours or his to make. As I said, tomorrow you will turn the Nickerson case over to Benson. Understand?”
“Would you excuse us, Parker? I’d like a minute with the chief.”
When the door closed, she turned. “What happened, Harry? Where’s the fighter? The man who believed we stand for the victims. You’ve become a bureaucrat, fat and comfortable, taking the path of least resistance. If we’re going to catch this guy before he kills again these cases need to be investigated together. You know it.
But you’re afraid, afraid to take a risk, afraid to do the right thing, afraid you’ll lose your job. What about your self-respect, your—”
He strode over and stood so close she could smell the coffee on his breath. His eyes were hard. “That’s enough. I’ll assume that little speech came from my friend Chiara, because any subordinate who addressed me that way would be back walking a beat in a minute. Tomorrow morning you will turn this new case over to Benson. That is an order, Detective.”
She stared at him. He looked away. She shook her head. “Yessir.”
“Corelli.” His voice had softened. “I’m really sorry Benson orchestrated the public display of the blue wall and invited the press. He’s being reprimanded.”
“I’ll live.” She had to get out of here. It was easier to deal with his anger than his pity. And she needed to hold on to her anger.
“Good. And lest you think you’re immune to politics, Kate Burke called again last night. She was on her way to a retreat in the Catskills where there’s no TV, radio, or telephones especially cells, and she asked me to let you know she’s driving straight back tomorrow morning and will expect you in her office at eight. You can’t avoid her, so I suggest you get your ass over to City Hall first thing. You don’t need any more enemies, and the gay community has some clout. Who knows? Maybe she can get the mayor to change his mind.”
“Politics, politics, politics,” she grumbled as she left his office.
Chapter Thirty
Saturday – 4:30 p.m.
They were alone in the conference room. “Is this a good idea? I mean he did say to turn the case over to Benson,” Parker said as Corelli opened the door.
“He didn’t say I couldn’t do a press conference. Besides, I’m not going to mention Nickerson unless a member of the media brings him up.”
“You know they will.”
Corelli raised her hands as if to say, what can I do? “Then I guess I’ll have to answer the questions.” She glanced back at Parker, then stopped, pulled the door closed, and leaned against it. “I don’t mean to be flip or make light of your concerns. I need to do this to feel that I’ve done everything I can to keep the cases together. Harry, the chief, knows me well enough to place the blame where it belongs. It won’t affect you.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” Parker said.
“Ah, the loyal sidekick.” She put her hand over her heart. “Don’t worry your pretty head about me, Parker. I’m willing to live with the consequences of doing the right thing.”
Parker shook her head. “You are one crazy bitch.”
Corelli smiled. “But I’m your bitch. And this might have a good outcome for you. If I get fired, you won’t have to work with me.” She started to leave, then stopped and stared at Parker. “You honestly think I should stand by while they take the case away from us, making it difficult to solve either, and wait for more murders, maybe some we could have prevented?”
Parker responded immediately. “No, I don’t.” She met Corelli’s eyes. “Let’s go do it.”
The laughter and shouted conversations got louder and louder as they neared the room where the press corps was assembled. No doubt the piranhas were hungry, ready to chew her up and swallow her.
Parker touched her shoulder. “Knock ’em dead.”
“If only,” Corelli said, flashing her Mona Lisa smile. She thought of Darla. They’re not all vultures; they’re just trying to do their jobs, to stay on top. She could do this. She took a deep breath, reached inside for a smile, and stepped through the door, onto the platform where her team waited. The room went silent. All eyes followed Corelli. When they reached the podium, Parker took a step back. Captain Winfry appeared from nowhere to stand beside Corelli.
Corelli scanned the audience. Darla and Bear must have arrived early because Darla was sitting up front and Bear was in the first line of camera people. Behind Bear, gangly Officer Jamie Twilliger smiled broadly. He waved. She smiled, a real smile this time. Suddenly the lights started flashing. Lights. Explosions. Gunfire. Fire. Get down. She started to drop but an arm circled her waist, keeping her upright.
“Open your eyes. Look at me,” Parker whispered in her ear. Corelli turned her head. “Good. You’re safe. Nod. Smile at me like I just told you something you like.”
On the other side, Winfry placed a hand on her arm. “Steady.” He spoke so only she could hear.
The contact, Parker’s arm, her reassurances, Winfry’s warm hand, grounded her.
Parker leaned in to speak into her ear. “Breathe deeply and say something to me.”
Corelli took a couple of breaths, then nodded. “Thanks, I’ve got it now.”
Parker smiled and tipped her head. Corelli’s flashbacks were a secret they shared. Hopefully, no one noticed.
She owed Parker for preventing a PR disaster. Parker stepped back and Corelli faced the podium. She couldn’t bring herself to call it PTSD yet, but the flashbacks were unacceptable and she would have to address them…sometime soon.
Corelli flashed Winfry a grateful smile. Once again he had sensed what she was feeling.
“You okay?”
“Fine. Thank you, sir.” She sipped the water placed there for her.
Captain Winfry turned on the mike. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight on such short notice. Most of you know Detective Chiara Corelli.” He waited for the laughter to subside. “Detective Corelli and her team are in the thick of the investigation we’re here to discuss, so I’ll let her take you through what’s happening. Please hold your questions until the end. Detective Corelli.” He stepped to the side. The team stepped forward, closer to her.
She took a minute to look around the room and make eye contact with as many members of the press as she could. Some smiled, others lowered their eyes, all were silent. Only Darla looked concerned. “As you know, I’m leading the investigation into the death of Leonardo del Balzo, known as Nardo, a young man found murdered in his apartment Wednesday morning. NYPD has put together an extensive team,” she indicated those standing around her, “that has followed every lead and continues to follow the leads we have. Now, we need your help in getting Nardo’s friends or anyone who has information that might be related to his death, to call our tip line, 1-800-TIP-COPS. We’ll be giving out a flyer with his picture and the information at the end of this meeting.” She stopped. “So. Any questions about the del Balzo case?”
“Is it true you accused Nardo’s father of murdering him?” said Jodi Timmons, a reporter for WNYZ, a TV station.
She smiled and shook her head. “We’re in the early stages of the investigation. And you all,” she waved a hand at the reporters, “should know better. I would never accuse anyone unless I had conclusive proof, so the answer is no. The del Balzos are under extraordinary pressure related to his bid to become Prime Minister of Italy and now the death of their only son. I believe they misunderstood my questions and my intentions.”
She called on Ed Wallace from the New York Daily World. “Are you focusing on any suspects at this time?”
“As I said, it’s still early and we’re casting a wide net.”
“Is it true Nardo was gay?” said the reporter from NEWS 1.
“I can’t confirm that.”
“Do you think the murder is related to his father’s bid to be Prime Minister of Italy?” said Jose Marti, the Channel Five reporter.
“That is definitely an avenue of inquiry, but at this point we have absolutely no evidence that indicates the murderer was motivated by politics.”
As she answered, she scanned the crowd. Her nemesis, Philip Melnick, the reporter from the Daily Post, was in the back of the room. She could tell by the smirk on his face that he was ready to zap her. As soon as she finished he jumped up and shouted his question.
“Detective Corelli, is it true you’re trying to grab the Nickerson murder case from your old precinct, the one-eight, where you accused your friends and colleagues of running an operation that stole from d
rug dealers? If taking money from drug deals can be called stealing. Are you building an empire, looking to grab the publicity and glory?”
The room went quiet. She smiled and gave him a second to enjoy his attempt to smear her. “Well, Philip, we’re not here to talk about the murder of Mr. Nickerson, but…let me explain. The team working on the del Balzo murder has more than enough to do. In fact, we’re busy fourteen to eighteen hours a day working to find the person who perpetrated this terrible murder, and we have no need to take on another investigation.” She took a sip of water to drag it out a little bit. “But the individual who found Mr. Nickerson also found Mr. del Balzo, and she called me to report Mr. Nickerson’s death. As you may know, I try to be a good citizen, so I didn’t stop to think, ‘this is not my job. Let me dump it on someone else.’ Rather I responded to a distraught call from a citizen in need. As it turned out, the two cases have a lot in common besides the individual who discovered the bodies. You could see it as a grab or you could see it as an attempt to solve both murders as quickly as possible by combining the investigations.”
Melnick smirked. “I hear that you think we have a serial killer in the city.”
“Your information is better than mine. At this point, all I can say is the two murders appear to be related.” She held his eyes. “And, Philip, just as a matter of record on a moral point. I believe taking money or belongings from another person is stealing no matter how that person originally obtained such objects or who the taker is. And killing is killing.” His smirk faded. “In my police department, police serve and protect, they do not steal and murder.” He looked away.
Her point made, she was ready to end the press conference but then decided to field a few more questions to see what turned up.
She called on Andrew Baron of Channel 43, one of the biggest vultures, always looking to stick it to the police and make a name for himself. “Detective Corelli. This morning we all again witnessed you walking through a line of your brother officers where they turned their backs on you. Are you being ostracized? Is this punishment for your undercover investigation?”
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