“I’m really getting nuts with all of this,” Bud remarked.
Paul looked over at him and said, “Wasn’t it you who wanted to do the interview in the first place?”
“Yes, but he has his hands in everything!”
Paul leaned forward and said, “We have to play this out, Bud. Together we will get it done.”
Cronin’s phone rang from the judge’s office, telling him to meet him in the chambers in one hour with Assistant District Attorney Ashley and Saunders’ attorney, Al Simmons. Cronin got up to leave, when Ashley came in.
“How the hell did you get here so fast?” Cronin asked.
Ashley laughed and said, “Steinberg told me about his phone call with Judge Green last night. He told me to meet you here so we could go in together.”
Cronin smiled and said, “This should be fun,” as they headed out the door.
“See you guys later,” he said, as he waved to Bud and Paul.
Bud looked over the questions from the Pulse and started reading them to Paul. They agreed on most of the questions, and where they didn’t agree they wrote separate answers from each of them. It was during this rehearsal of questions and answers that Bud sent Deborah a text.
“May I call you?” he texted.
Deborah was lying on the beach with her protection detail about 20 feet behind her, sitting on a blanket, when her phone buzzed.
She smiled and wrote back, “Yes, but only if you call me now.” Her phone rang within two minutes, but she answered, “What took you so long?”
Bud laughed and told her he just wanted to check up on her and see how she was doing. She told him she had not been so relaxed in quite a while, and the same went for her father.
“That’s good,” Bud replied.
Deborah continued, “I’m a little nervous about Patty getting out on bail, though. I’m not ready to speak with her.”
Bud answered quickly, “You have nothing to worry about. First of all, she’s not getting out, and if she did, she won’t be able to leave the state ’til her trial.”
“No,” Deborah replied. “They are working on some sort of bail deal to get her out but Patty only agreed if she gets to talk to me first.” Bud’s face flushed as he listened to Deborah.
“Hello? Bud, are you there?”
“Ah, yes,” he replied. “Deborah, I will call you back; I need to check on something.”
“OK,” she answered, and the call went click before she could say goodbye.
“This fucking game is getting out of hand! I’m going to the courthouse! Are you coming?” he said to Paul.
“Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Paul asked.
“You better come! You may need to stop me from shooting someone!”
They jumped in the car as Bud told him what he had found out from Debbie. A deal was in the making for the release of Patty Saunders, and Cronin had kept them in the dark. They were about 20 minutes behind the detective lieutenant and the assistant district attorney, and Bud was hoping old Judge Green would keep them waiting a bit.
While they were driving out to Riverhead, Paul called Sherry to check in on her. The hero officer told Paul she would be going home the next day. Seven days and going home. Not bad. Sherry told him that Rachelle would be stopping by her room for a visit after her therapy session upstairs.
“Tell her I said hello. Bud’s driving but wants to say hello. Putting you on speaker.”
Bud started singing, and Sherry just said, “Oh, Lordy,” and hung up.
“Well, I guess she’s getting better,” Paul said.
They pulled off of exit 73 and got to the courthouse but were too late. Cronin and Ashley were already in Judge Green’s chambers. Bud stood by the outside office and would not move. The judge’s clerk buzzed Judge Green as he started to speak to Simmons, Ashley, and Cronin. His Honor looked up at Cronin and told him he had two restless detectives waiting outside for him.
“They can wait, Your Honor,” the detective lieutenant replied.
“OK, then, I have considered this very unusual request, understanding that this is an unusual case. I will give Patty Saunders bail on arraignment but not for one and a half million dollars but for two million dollars, and she must have an ankle monitor and a bulletproof vest when she leaves the house. In addition, I don’t want the money given to the bail bondsman to be anonymous. I want a name attached to it. Take it or leave it. I’ll give you five minutes to discuss it. I’ll be right back; coffee goes right through me.”
Ashley started speaking first.
“I don’t think Steinberg thought the judge would raise the stakes,” Simmons spoke.
“We are still agreeable, it’s you guys that have to come up with the money.”
They both looked at Cronin for his thoughts. He looked at Ashley, “It’s agreeable, do it.”
Ashley pulled him aside to whisper to him, “Does Lance want his name in this?”
“It won’t be his name.” Cronin replied.
“Listen!” Ashley said in a loud whisper. “Whose name will be on the bail?
Cronin smiled, “It will be Robert Simpson”
Ashley pulled Cronin again. “Our careers are on the line here” Cronin said it again, “Simpson, Robert Simpson” as he stepped away from Ashley
Judge Green came back to his office and was told they were in agreement. The judge told them the arraignment would be in four hours and to get Saunders ready for release. Simmons spoke to Ashley and Cronin as they were walking out about the phone call that was needed between Patty and Deborah Lance before the arraignment. Cronin said he would take care of it through the father.
As they hit the hallway, Bud walked up fast toward Cronin, interrupting their conversation. He said, “Just what the fuck is going on?”
Paul came up behind Bud to ensure he wouldn’t do something foolish to the boss. Bud continued, “You are not telling us everything, and you may be jeopardizing this case and lives! What’s going on?”
Cronin calmly looked at Detective Johnson and said, “Just do your job; you will understand.”
“No!” Bud replied. “You understand something. I will do my job, and I will figure it out, no matter who it hurts.”
“I’m counting on it,” Cronin replied.
Bud started to walk away, when Cronin called out to him, “Detective!”
With his back still to him, Bud stopped as Cronin spoke. “Don’t call Debbie Lance anymore until this case is over. Get right with it or go home, understood?” Bud didn’t answer but started to walk away as Paul looked at Cronin.
“This is not you. Why?” Paul asked.
“I’ve told you everything I can. Get back to the precinct with Bud. Later, check on ballistics on Allan’s bullet and the Anderson family. We will have a meeting after Saunders’ release around 3:30 pm to discuss how we are going to handle her.”
Paul just looked at him as well as the assistant district attorney and Simmons, nodded, and walked away. Cronin dialed a number while Simmons and Ashley heard him speak to William Lance about having his daughter speak to Patty in about three hours. He disconnected the call to tell both Ashley and Simmons it was a done deal.
Deborah got to her house on Collier Boulevard, where her father was waiting for her. He spoke to her about why it was important she speak to Patty. After about 30 minutes of yelling and crying, she finally agreed to do it.
Officer Healey was, as usual, on time to relieve Dugan from being Lindsey’s escort to take her to school, when he got the call from Cronin.
“Sir,” Healey answered the phone.
“Officer, get in plainclothes. You are now moving into Lindsey’s house and will be responsible for her safety 24 hours a day ’til this case is over. Got it?”
“Yes, sir,” Healey replied. No questions, he understood.
Cronin disconnected and called Lindsey’s father to request
Officer Healey’s presence at all times because of where they were in the case. The father was only too happy and told him the guest room was next door to Lindsey’s. They disconnected as Cronin looked out the window. Ashley was trying to look at him while he was driving.
“Anything to say?” he said to Cronin.
The detective lieutenant looked at Ashley and said, “This is where the game gets interesting. There’s no going back now, my friend.” Ashley just shook his head.
Cronin spoke again, saying, “Have them bring Patty down to the precinct. I’d like to hear the conversation.”
“I’ll bring the popcorn,” Ashley remarked. Then he paused before speaking again. “Your man, Bud Johnson, is getting a little worked up.”
“We all are,” the detective lieutenant answered. “They are not used to me being so active in a case. They are good cops, but I’ve been through a few difficult cases in my career as well. The publicity and pressure needs my involvement, whether they want to admit it or not; hopefully they will understand when it’s over.”
The assistant district attorney nodded and said, “I agree with your experience and taking the active responsibility on a case such as this, but it’s clear, no one knows everything you are doing, and that tells me you’re not sure if you can trust them.”
Cronin nodded and said, “Let me just say, we are going to find out who can be trusted in the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Ashley continued, “What about Healey?”
Cronin laughed and said, “I trust him to keep the girl protected, and I feel sorry for the poor bastard who attempts anything on his watch. He’s so gung-ho I’m surprised he doesn’t have a couple knives in his socks somewhere. His job is the girl. He’s not involved in any other part of this case.”
Ashley went into the precinct with Cronin, and they were informed by Gina that Patty would be brought to the interview room within 25 minutes.
Cronin was in his office when Bud came in with the Long Island Pulse questions and answers.
“Thank you,” Cronin said. “Just leave them on the desk, I’ll take a look at it and let you know.”
As Bud reached the door to exit, Cronin spoke, saying, “Bud, Patty Saunders is going to have a conversation with Debbie Lance. You are welcome to listen to it so we can discuss her release at the arraignment today.”
Bud turned around slowly and looked at the detective lieutenant before he asked, “You are really going to do this?”
“Yes. Do you want to listen in on the conversation?” Cronin replied.
“Who managed to work out a release for her?” Bud asked.
Ashley spoke up, saying, “We made the arrangements, but it was his idea,” pointing at Cronin.
“Why am I not surprised?” Bud said.
“Yes or No?” Cronin asked.
“Yes,” Bud said.
“OK,” Cronin said. “She will be sitting in the interrogation room with the speakerphone on. We will be in the room, but we guaranteed we would not interrupt or speak during the conversation. Can you keep your promise?”
“Yes,” Bud replied.
“One more thing,” Cronin replied, starting to leave the room. “Don’t bring your gun or your car keys in the room with you.”
Cronin went to Paul’s desk as he left Bud in the room with Ashley. Bud stared at Cronin as he spoke to the assistant district attorney. “Was that a joke? Was he trying to be funny?”
“Yes,” Ashley said, smiling. “I thought it was humorous.”
Bud looked at him and said, “I still have my gun, smartass.”
Ashley’s smile was erased as Bud pointed his finger at him and said, “Gotcha,” and laughed all the way to his desk. Cronin had just finished telling Paul to get officers assigned to the outside of the Wilkerson house from 8:00 pm to 7:00 am while Healey was inside the house during the night.
“Once you get the schedule, go down to the school and go over it with Healey, see if he is comfortable with your selections. Give him a voice, he is the one with the girl’s life in his hands.”
Paul got up to look at the duty roster and schedules for the next couple nights as Patty Saunders was led to the interrogation room.
“OK, everyone. Time to put on the seat belts,” Cronin said. “There’s no going back after this. By the way,” he whispered in Bud’s ear, “the deal struck with Saunders is discussed with no one as of now. No one. I know Paul knows, but no one else.”
“Understood,” Bud answered.
When they got to the interrogation room, Simmons was sitting with Patty, and Bud, Cronin, and Ashley each took a seat as Patty dialed Deborah’s cell phone number. It rang four times before Deborah Lance picked up.
“Hello, Patty. I didn’t want to pick up, but a promise is a promise.”
“I know, Debbie. I know you won’t believe me, but I never thought it would be like this. I swear. To prove it, I only have my life to lose and only a few years shaved off my prison sentence if I make it. I’m doing this to help finish this case for everyone but mostly for you.”
“Don’t do anything else for me, Patty. You not only almost cost me my life, but you took my dignity, my relationship with Robert, and almost my father. And for what! You call yourself a friend?”
Deborah started to cry as Patty said, “I’m sorry. I hope when my life is over, you will see it as a token from me to try and make what I can right.”
“You have my attention, Patty. What else do you want?”
“I want you to know that no matter what happens from this point on that I know I was wrong and I will regret losing you as my friend because of this.”
“Hello? Reality check,” Deborah answered. “Patty, this one thing you thought would be so smooth and end so quickly cost eight people their lives already! And it’s not over.”
“It will be, Debbie,” Patty replied. “I just wanted to hear your voice one last time. I know you can never forgive me, but I wanted to say it.”
Deborah was crying and said, “You have hurt me beyond what anyone who considered me a friend could do. I have to go now. Good luck, Patty. I don’t want to see anything happen to you, but I think it’s fair to say you brought it on yourself.”
“Yes, you are right, Debbie. This will be over, and you can come back to Long Island soon.”
“Goodbye, Patty.”
“Bye, Debbie. Thank you for speaking with me.” Click.
As Deborah disconnected, she covered her face to hide her tears. “OK,” Patty said, “I’m ready.”
“First,” Cronin said, “I would like to have a private conversation with Ms. Saunders.”
“Hold on,” Simmons balked.
“Counselor,” Cronin said, “her rights are protected; however, she’s not going anywhere without a couple minutes with me. You can look through the glass windows if you wish, but I believe it’s important to the case to speak privately with her.”
“It’s OK,” Patty remarked.
They walked into Cronin’s office as Bud, Ashley, and Simmons looked at the two of them.
“What the hell is this?” Simmons remarked.
“Hey,” Bud said, “things could be worse. How about a song?” Simmons raised up his hand and said, “Stay away from me, you freak.”
As Cronin spoke privately with Patty, Bud sent Deborah a text asking her if she was all right. She answered back, asking him to call her. He shook his head and wrote back to her that he was directed not to speak to her until the case was over.
“I’m sorry,” he wrote. “I lost my temper with the boss about you having to speak with Patty.”
She wrote back, “I’m sorry too. Don’t forget about me.”
He answered back, “This will be over soon, and I want you to come back and spend some time with the funny man.”
“Promise,” she wrote. “I’m OK now, thank you.”
Bud’s thoughts were interrupted by Si
mmons, who said, “Hello to earth! Anybody home?”
Bud started singing “You Can Call Me Al” again just to see if he could get a rise out of the attorney, at the very least annoy him a bit more.
Simmons looked over at Ashley and said, “He must be getting laid tonight.”
“Where did you say you lived?” Bud asked.
“I didn’t,” Simmons said, with his smile gone.
“Oh, that’s right. Guess I’ll have to look it up,” Bud said as he went to his desk.
Simmons looked at Ashley and asked, “He’s not dangerous, is he?”
“Well,” Ashley said, “he did shoot Kyle Winters in the groin.”
“Funny,” Simmons said. Bud sat at his computer and signed on to Twitter and sang more lyrics from the song. The ADA and Simmons walked away while Bud continued until he signed off and started looking at the pile of paperwork.
Healey was sitting in the back of the room during history class. He sat in amazement as Lindsey led the class through the Revolutionary War period. She was so far ahead of her class that some of the teachers had her “teach” as part of her grade. Some had wanted to push her to high school; however, Ms. Meghan, her favorite teacher from this particular class, felt strongly that, as smart as Lindsey was, she was emotionally immature and convinced her parents she would regress to age 12 with the older kids. As a compromise, she stayed in the sixth grade but took math, science and history classes on the senior level one day a week at the high school.
Healey watched the girl he was becoming very fond of and was concerned about whether he could keep her alive. He had no doubt whoever put a bullet in Allan’s head would eliminate her in a second. As fond as he was of her, he had not spoken much in conversation with her, but she let him know she felt protected with him. As the class continued, he noticed Paul outside the door waving to him to come out in the hallway. Healey wrote a note and held it up for him to read. It read, “She’s not leaving my sight. Please come in.”
The Face of Fear: A Powers and Johnson Novel Page 38