* * *
The next night, she drove to the station in a state of panic. Did the D.A. call her boss yesterday? Was she going to be fired for – what did he say? Insubordination? She parked her car and walked slowly into the building. This was the first time she’d dreaded coming to work since she had started eleven months ago. The minute she saw her boss’s eyes, she knew she was in for it.
“In my office, Bynum,” the captain barked at her.
Kate held her head high as she walked by the other cops. She was not going to show any fear. She stepped into her boss’s office, wondering if this would be her last visit.
“Close the door,” he ordered.
Kate did as he asked and then stood, waiting for further instructions.
Captain Barnes sat down behind his desk and pointed to a chair across from him. “Sit.”
Kate did as she was told, her hands gripping the armrests.
“I got a call from District Attorney Martin yesterday. He says his wife fell down some stairs yesterday. He wasn’t home at the time, but she called 911. You took that call?”
“Yes, sir. I stayed with her until the ambulance came, and then I went to see her at the hospital after my shift.”
“And I take it you don’t think she fell down any stairs. You think Martin beat her up?”
“I know he did, sir.”
“And you know this how, Bynum? Is that what the wife says?”
Kate blinked rapidly. She didn’t want to look like an idiot, but she had to protect Melanie. “No, sir, but it was obvious. There was no blood on the stairs. It was all in the kitchen. And her injuries -- you could tell someone had pounded on her face.”
“But he denies that and she denies that, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then let me explain something to you. Whatever you think might have happened is irrelevant. We are not going to bring charges against someone as well connected as Carl Martin unless we have absolute proof, including, but not limited to, his wife’s statement.”
“But she won’t file charges. I think she’s too afraid of him.”
The captain leaned forward, his gaze like darts, and she was the dartboard. “Maybe you’re right, but that doesn’t change things. There’s nothing we can do without her cooperation, and even with it…” He shrugged and sat back in his chair. “It’s a long shot. Carl Martin is a very powerful guy. He’s not going down easily. There aren’t many people I’d say this about, but the fact is, the man’s untouchable.”
“No one should be untouchable, Captain.”
“You’re new here, Bynum. You’ve got a lot to learn about how this county works. You’re lucky that Martin just called me and not the sheriff, or you’d be handing over your badge. I stood up for you, but don’t prove me wrong.”
“I appreciate what you did for me, sir, but --”
The captain held up his hand. “Not another word. I am officially ordering you to close the file on this incident. Can you do that?”
Kate’s hands clenched the armrests, but she kept her voice steady. “Yes, sir.”
“That’s all then.” The captain leaned back in his chair. “Be safe out there.”
Kate nodded, and she turned to leave. Apparently it’s not the criminals I have to be afraid of, she thought. It’s the vipers nesting in our own system I have to worry about.
Breaking the Cycle Page 4