The Face of Fear: A Powers and Johnson Novel

by Torbert, R. J. ;

  Lindsey huffed and puffed as she went into the bathroom and shut the door. Bud looked at the door and spoke. “That kid is really going to have a husband one day and a family, I hope I’m around to see that.”

  Healey answered, “I hope we are all around.

  “Listen,” Bud said, “I have to get to the courthouse and see what’s going on, but we will be back. I think over the next 24 to 48 hours we should consider whether we want the parents going out on their own.”

  “Yeah, I agree,” the officer replied.

  Bud said, “Let me say goodbye to Lindsey, and I’ll see you later.” As he walked toward the door, it opened. “Were you listening to us?” he asked.

  “No,” she smiled. “I heard footsteps coming toward the door.” He looked back at Healey then looked back at the young girl.

  “You like playing with me, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” she smiled. “You’re a funny guy.”

  He nodded again and said, “That’s what they tell me.” He smiled and said, “I’ll see you later.” Lindsey smiled back.

  “Bud,” Lindsey said, “it is faith that sometimes gives you the extra incentive or power to do more than what you originally intended to do.”

  The detective stared at her for a moment and was very touched by her comment. He walked back to Lindsey and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you later, special girl.”

  “OK,” she said. As he walked out the door, Lindsey yelled, “Hey, Officer Healey, how about I teach you how to play Angry Birds?” Bud waved to Franks as he got in his car to drive to the arraignment. He called Paul to find out if he was in the courtroom awaiting Judge Green, and his partner answered he was. Assistant District Attorney Ashley, Saunders, Simmons, as well as FBI Agents Sherman and O’Connor were in the courtroom as well.

  “OK,” Bud said, “thanks for getting there for me. I’ll explain when I get there what’s going on now. As Cronin would say, 'The game just got a little more challenging.’”

  Before he turned on the car, Bud looked up to the sky. “I hope you don’t mind that I did some verifying today. If you are all right with Lindsey, then you’re OK with me also. Please remember my request, and I will keep my word.”

  He turned on the ignition and started driving out to Riverhead. As usual, when Bud drove alone, he had time to fill his mind with many thoughts. On this particular drive he was wondering why Cronin only showed Lindsey one photograph. His BlackBerry buzzed with a text from Nada thanking him for the terrific interview and the exclusive. He sent her a quick text back—“YW,” for “You’re welcome”—while he was driving. Of course, he had no idea what she was so excited about. Like everyone else, except, of course, Cronin, no one else knew. Yet in the morning, the whole world would know that the Suffolk County Police Department, through the words of Detective Lieutenant Cronin, knew who was responsible for all of this.

  Bud lost so much track of time that he was at exit 69 on the expressway before he knew it. He noticed the radio was playing “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry. Normally he would be singing along with it, but this time his mind was too distracted. He spoke aloud in the car, saying, “Too much going on.”

  It was another 10 minutes before Bud turned off the Long Island Expressway on exit 73 and drove to the court building. It was 3:50 pm by the time Bud met Paul in the courtroom, and his timing was perfect. Judge Green was delayed with other State of New York vs. People arraignments, and the Patty Saunders hearing was just getting under way.

  Bud whispered to Paul, “More problems. Lindsey witnessed Allan’s murder. Your friend was also a hero; he hid her inside the desk opening with his legs. This is why he was sitting there. If he got up to fight off Phil, she would have been seen. We’ll talk after this.”

  Paul looked at Bud and put his hand to his forehead. His thoughts were with his friend, Allan, who had saved Lindsey’s life.

  The bailiff started talking, saying, “The People versus Patricia Saunders.” Assistant District Attorney Ashley began talking to Judge Green for the People’s recommendation of bail for $2 million, the surrender of her passport, and the wearing of an ankle monitor.

  Judge Green looked over at defense attorney Simmons and asked, “Any comments?”

  “No, Your Honor,” he replied.

  “Excuse me, Your Honor. I’m Special Agent Sherman, this is Special Agent O’Connor. We would appreciate a delay on the bail arraignment.”

  The judge looked at Agent Sherman and asked, “On what grounds?”

  Agent Sherman replied, “We have been requested by the U.S. Attorney to delay this until he can get here to discuss with you.”

  The judge shrugged his shoulders and asked, “So where is he?”

  “He should be here by tomorrow, Your Honor,” Agent O’Connor replied.

  Judge Green sat in silence as he looked at Ashley and Simmons. Ashley was starting to get a sinking feeling, when the judge surprised him by saying, “I haven’t heard a thing. No one from the U.S. Attorney’s office has sent me a note, given me a phone call, or even an email about this. Instead, the two of you come into my courtroom and basically object and ask for a delay until it’s convenient for him. I don’t operate that way. So consider your objection denied. We will proceed unless, of course, the U.S. Attorney walks in during this.”

  Bud sent Deborah a text during all of this, saying, “This is probably inappropriate, but I wanted you to know I was thinking about you.”

  She answered back, “Thank you. It makes me feel good that you were, because I think about you.”

  Paul looked over at Bud’s smile as the court proceedings continued and whispered to him, “What are you looking like a proud peacock who’s showing his feathers for?”

  Bud looked over at him and said, “That obvious, eh?” as he smiled again.

  Paul and Bud were actually enjoying watching Judge Green interact with the two attorneys. Bud even waved at O’Connor and even gave him the ASL sign for “sorry” about being denied the chance to delay the hearing. ASL stood for American Sign Language for deaf children and adults. “Sorry” in ASL is closing your hand like a fist over your chest and moving it in a circular motion.

  “You forgot the bulletproof vest,” Green said to Ashley, regarding the release.

  “It will be taken care of, Your Honor,” Ashley replied.

  Judge Green set bail at $2 million, contingent upon the ankle monitor and bulletproof vest. The judge asked who was posting bail, and the name Robert Simpson was given. Bud stood up as he heard the name. Paul tried to pull him down.

  “Wait,” Bud yelled.

  “Who the hell are you?” Judge Green asked.

  “Detective Johnson,” Bud answered, as he walked up to Assistant District Attorney Ashley. “He’s using the money from the house to get this bitch out on bail,” he said to the assistant district attorney.

  “Let it go,” Ashley said to him in a loud whisper.

  “What?” Bud replied.

  The judge interrupted them, saying, “Sit down, Detective, before I find you in contempt.”

  Bud waved at the judge to speak to Ashley again and said, “Listen to me; he’s going to use the cash from the mansion.”

  Ashley moved closer to Bud as Paul came up behind him. The ADA said, “Stop right now and go speak to Cronin. We know what we are doing.”

  Paul grabbed Bud as his partner yelled, “Cronin again! What the fuck is going on!”

  The judge stood up, saying, “You are in contempt. Take this detective into lockup! Bailiff!”

  Paul put his fingers on Bud’s mouth as the court officer took Bud away. He turned to Ashley and said, “John, we can’t help if we don’t know what’s going on.”

  “Listen,” the assistant district attorney answered, “I don’t know everything going on, but there’s one thing I do have that you and Bud need to get, and that’s faith in your boss. You guys do as you’re told, and you mi
ght just get out of this case alive. Now if you want me to get Bud out, I’m going to have to find more money for bail.”

  Paul spoke up again, saying, “So Cronin is aware that Simpson is putting up the bond for her?”

  “Talk to him!” Ashley said as he walked away.

  “I’m coming with you,” Paul said as they walked to the holding cell. “The girl witnessed Allan Jones’ murder.”

  Ashley stopped and turned around, asking, “Who’s watching her?”

  “We have Justin Healey staying with her. There’s no one better. They have no chance getting to her unless they rush the house with 20 suicide-mission guys, and even then it’s not a sure thing. We also have a car outside and unscheduled stops at the house.”

  O’Connor and Sherman walked up to them in the hallway. “We will want to question her,” O’Connor said.

  “What for?” Paul asked.

  O’Connor made a face and looked at Sherman, who said, “She witnessed a murder by someone responsible for the kidnapping of Deborah Lance. I think that gives us the right to interview her. We will make arrangements with your chief if Cronin doesn’t want to help. Meanwhile, I think your boy needs you.”

  Paul stood there looking at them as they walked away. “Interesting,” the detective said out loud.

  “What?” Ashley said.

  “All in due time,” Paul said. “Let’s get Bud the hell out of here.”

  “Let’s go talk to Judge Green first; it’s our best chance,” Ashley said.

  They walked into Judge Green’s office with Assistant District Attorney Ashley beginning the conversation. “I apologize, Judge, on behalf of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Police Department, but I would like to explain the circumstances behind it.”

  The judge leaned back as he spoke and said, “I can’t wait to hear this one,” as he looked at Paul. “And you are?”

  “I’m Detective Sergeant Powers, Your Honor. Bud Johnson is my partner, and I must apologize also, but please understand that when you said Robert Simpson would be paying the bond on Patty Saunders, he knew where the money was coming from.”

  “So?” the judge said.

  “Well,” Paul continued, “the money being used for the bail is the same that was intended to be used for Deborah Lance.”

  “I suppose you have proof of that?” the judge said.

  Paul raised his voice and said, “Your Honor, Robert Simpson does not have 10 percent of $2 million for the release. It’s obvious where the money is coming from!”

  “One more raised tone from you, and you will be in the cell with your partner,” the judge replied.

  “Sir,” Assistant District Attorney Ashley said, “it is imperative to this case that Detective Johnson be released to serve your contempt charge at another time.”

  “Give me a good reason,” the judge replied.

  Paul spoke up again, saying, “A 12-year-old girl is a witness in this case that can break it wide open. She is in protective custody at her house now, and Detective Johnson is one of only a few people this girl trusts. If he is kept here, her life could be in jeopardy.”

  The judge grumbled some inaudible words and told the assistant district attorney he could get his detective.

  They went into the hallway as Paul called Cronin to inform him what happened at the courthouse.

  Robert Simpson’s cell phone rang, and it was William Lance on the other end.

  “Mr. Lance,” Simpson said, “Debbie won’t take any of my calls. You have to believe me, I had nothing to do with any of this.”

  “I suppose not,” William Lance answered, “except betrayal.”

  “That was over a year ago,” Simpson answered. “Patty even approached you, from what I hear. Please, I would never have anything to do with hurting Debbie in this way.”

  “This is not why I called you,” Mr. Lance spoke. “Whatever issues you and Deborah have, you will have to either work out between yourselves or move on; it will be her decision.”

  There was a pause, and then Simpson asked, “My job?”

  “Robert,” Lance replied, “You know I can’t have you at the house while Deborah is with me; it would be too uncomfortable.” Then he spoke again, saying, “But I have had time down here the past few days to consider a few things, and I would like to offer you an opportunity to stay in the guesthouse and tie up any loose ends with your belongings and such. Someone will be in the house, and it will give you a chance to get things right in your mind. I’m doing this, Robert, because I’ve been told from Detective Lieutenant Cronin you had nothing to do with Deborah’s kidnapping or the killings.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Lance, it’s a very nice gesture on your part,” Simpson replied. “Will we be able to talk when you get back?”

  Deborah’s father spoke again. “We can always talk, Robert, but no promises. My daughter is my world.”

  “Understood,” Robert replied. “I will go in today. I assume the codes are the same?”

  “Yes,” William Lance replied. “Just give me a couple of hours to notify Detective Lieutenant Cronin that I have authorized you to go back in until we return.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Simpson replied.

  “OK, Robert,” Lance replied. “Just make sure all your things are packed up and ready to move when we get back. We will give you a couple days’ notice when we plan to arrive.”

  They disconnected, and Robert let out a long sigh of relief before he started pushing the buttons on his cell phone.

  As the phone rang, Robert Simpson was getting nervous there would be no answer. Finally before voice mail picked up, Rachelle picked up. Robert spoke, saying, “I’m back in at the house for a few days. I will be moving in tonight. Tomorrow I will be packing up the rest of my things and taking care of our 'needs’ during the evening.”

  “Good,” Rachelle answered. “Meet me Friday morning at the same location, and we can discuss the rest of our 'needs.’ Just make sure everything is taken care of.”

  “No problem,” Simpson replied. He hung up and started on a hunt to get some boxes so he could finish his move once and for all.

  Once Bud was released and met up with Paul and Assistant District Attorney Ashley, they decided to get back to the precinct, since Cronin had been calling for them. They also had to ride back in separate cars. While Bud was driving back, he called in to Dugan to get a Remington 12-gauge shotgun to Healey at the house.

  “Also,” he said, “see if the precinct commander can spare Officer Lynagh at the house from 2:00 am to 6:00 am so Healey can get some sleep, as well as Paul and myself. I would like to see if we can get him for Thursday morning as well.” Dugan said he would confirm and get back to him.

  As Bud drove back to the precinct, he was conflicted over his feelings about what had just happened. He was thrown in jail for contempt because of arguing with the judge and assistant district attorney over Robert Simpson paying the 10 percent of the bail to the bondsman. He knew Simpson didn’t have the money, and it was clear he knew where the money was. Instead he was told to speak to Cronin, just like Rachelle had told him to do.

  Bud called William Lance in Florida during the drive back to the precinct and asked him if he knew where Simpson was getting the money to pay the bail. William Lance promptly told him it would be best if he spoke to Cronin, before he hung up.

  Bud started banging the steering wheel as he was told to speak to the detective lieutenant again. He started to get a headache trying to figure out why everyone was telling him this. He made up his mind during the last 10 minutes of the drive that he was going to find out. Bud reached the precinct and was handed two messages from Gina. One was from Officer Dugan that he had brought the extra shotgun to Healey and confirmation that Officer Lynagh would be in the house from 2:00 am to 6:00 am. The second message was from Detective Lieutenant Cronin to come to his office right away.

  As he stepped
in the boss’ office, Bud decided to try a different approach with Cronin and just stay calm. “OK,” the detective lieutenant said, “let’s have it. What’s on your mind?”

  Bud paused, then spoke in the calmest voice he could. “I’m working this case. Every time I begin to make progress, I’m told to speak to you. I’m tired of hitting dead ends.”

  “That’s it?” Cronin asked.

  “No,” Bud replied. “All this tells me you are keeping things from us. Why? Do you not trust us? We have been on your team for a while. Why are you not telling us things and keeping us informed?”

  Cronin sat back and replied, “Bud, you are a good cop and a much better investigator than most realize. I’ve said this before, and I’m going to say it again. This is all a game, and you just happen to be a terrific player. But it’s not about trusting you or anyone else right now. You are going to have to trust me. Some of the moves I’m making are to get the game to end the way I need it to end, and some of the moves I’m making are to protect your careers and to keep you in the game. I need your trust for another 24 to 36 hours. As for not keeping you informed, I could say the same for you. You schedule Lynagh from 2:00 am to 6:00 am, and you told me you couldn’t make the court appearance because of a development, then you made it and got yourself thrown in jail because you decided to fuck around with Judge Green.”

  “Boss,” Bud replied, “Simpson is using Lance’s money for the bail.”

  “Let it ride, let the game play out,” Cronin replied.

  Bud just sat there and shook his head at the boss and said, “Is it going to be worth it?”

  “I hope so, Detective,” he answered. “I certainly hope so.”

  “One last question,” Bud said. “The photo that Lindsey picked out for you...”

  Cronin interrupted him, “Now is not the time to go there, but soon it will be.”

  “OK,” Bud said. “I’m going to share all of this with Paul. Any problem with that?”

  Cronin smiled and said, “He’s your partner; you should be sharing all of this with him.”

  As Bud reached the door, he turned around and spoke. “Did we accomplish anything by this talk?”