by Diane Meier
“Jay, there was absolutely no good reason for Tina to be looking
in that window on the night before the brick was found. Then she
was with the animal control guys when it was found. I wasn’t sure
of that but she certainly didn’t argue the fact when I said it on the
phone. Also, there’s the fact that she was wearing a hoodie just
like the killer in the SPCA security tape. It’s probably too circumstantial for a conviction, but believe me, her DNA will be a match.” “I just wish I knew her motive for killing Randolph,” said Jay. “It certainly wasn’t because she’s an advocate for animals.
When I first interviewed her, she was bitching at people she called
no kill extremists,” said Matt.
“I think that the way Randolph’s head was crushed shows that
it was a crime of passion, so maybe she was in love with him,” said
Aidan.
“It sure looked that way,” said the Mayor. “But Gary only dated
beautiful women. Is Tina beautiful?”
“Not by a long shot,” said Matt. “And we interviewed a couple
of the women he dated. They were pretty young women in their
twenties. Tina doesn’t fit Randolph’s criteria.”
“It’s all so strange,” said the Mayor pensively. “I am just in shock
that Randolph was selling animals to dog fighters for use as bait.
You just never know people as well as you think. I’d like to hang
around and see this Tina. Just curious.”
“No problem. You can thank her for doing her civic duty,” Matt
said.
The Mayor smiled at how ridiculous it was to thank a killer, but
he knew it might help with the trick that Matt was about to play.
“Indeed. I’m a champion at thanking people who don’t deserve it.
That may be all I’m good for in this whole mess.”
“Sir, I’m going to have to argue with you there,” said Matt.
“Getting Clara’s DNA results through the system so fast is incredibly helpful. For the case and me personally since I am in love with
her.”
“That certainly was a compelling reason for me to push on it.
And that’s the beauty of a small state. I just pick up the phone and
call the Governor on things like that.”
Aidan said, “Mr. Mayor, a lot of elected officials in the state
would like to get that kind of action from the Governor but can’t.
I’m sure it’s because you are so highly regarded in Delaware.” “Thank you, Aidan,” said the Mayor. “It’s nice to hear something like that from a man wearing the blue in service to the citizens of our state.”
“We’d appreciate it if you could expedite this one for us, too,”
said Aidan.
“Absolutely, although I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that a third
time when the arrest is made.”
“Oh, you’re being too modest, sir,” said Jay. “I’m guessing that
you’ll have no trouble at all getting the DNA test done quickly after
Tina is arrested. The Governor wants the killer arrested as much
as you do.” He looked out the window. “Hey, this must be Tina
arriving.”
When Tina came into the room, she hesitated at the sight of all
of them. “I didn’t expect there’d be so many people here.” “Tina, welcome, welcome,” said Matt. After he introduced everyone the Mayor shook Tina’s hand and thanked her profusely. “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Mayor. I want justice done for Gary.” “Please sit here,” said Jay pointing at a desk. “There’s paper and
pen for you. Just write down what happened that morning when
the brick was found.”
“I’ll be very happy to testify in court, too,” Tina said, sitting and
taking pen in hand.
Matt almost laughed. Tina would be the one on trial. As Tina dutifully wrote her statement, Matt walked past her.
“Oh my gosh,” he cried suddenly. “There’s a big spider in your
hair.”
“Holy shit,” yelled Tina.
“Hold still.” Matt plucked at her hair and pretended to clap his
hand over the spider.
“Ouch,” yelled Tina.
“I’m going to take it outside,” said Matt.
“Are you kidding me?” Tina asked angrily. “Kill the damn
thing.”
“Oh my, no. I can’t. I believe in the no kill ethic even for spiders,” he said as he looked straight at her. “I’ll be right back.” “Jesus, what a fool,” fumed Tina. “He hurt me, Mayor Riley.
He should be arrested for assault.”
The Mayor hurried over and patted her shoulder. “Oh dear,
what an awful experience Are you sure you’re okay? Would you
like some water?”
Matt started to laugh but turned it into a sneeze. He couldn’t
wait to tell Clara and Sharon.
Tina started to say “bless you,” but stopped herself, deciding
that she wouldn’t bless such a jackass.
When Matt returned to the room, Tina stood up and handed
him the pad. “I told Janice at the Beach Herald that you’re arresting Clara Butler, but she’ll hold off on her article until Butler is
booked and she can get a comment from you.”
“Well, we need to get back to work,” said Jay, ushering her out
the door. “Thanks for your help.”
Matt burst out laughing as soon as she left.
“She probably heard that,” said Jay, smiling.
Matt couldn’t stop laughing and it was contagious. Tina did hear them all laughing and figured that they were
making fun of her. Why was everyone always so disrespectful and mean to her? She almost returned to the room to grab her state
ment and rip it up. She stalked out to her car.
“I’ll call Janice and tell her to kill that story,” said Aidan. “She’s going to ask why,” said Matt.
“I’ll tell her that the Mayor will be happy to get her fired if she
prints that story. Is that acceptable to you, Mr. Mayor?” “Absolutely,” said the Mayor with a chuckle.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
M
att and Aidan sauntered into Sasso’s office. Matt was amused to see what a shiner Clara had given Sasso. Sasso was nervous. “I hear that you had the New Castle kennel owner arrested. I just want to say that I had nothing to do with those guys taking the cats up there regardless of what anyone says.”
Matt banged his hand on the desk and Sasso jumped. “Cut the crap. We know very well that you’re the mastermind on the whole thing. You’re lucky that I’m not here to add to the damage on that ugly mug of yours. And that you’re not being arrested.”
“Really? I’m not going to be arrested?” Sasso was surprised to hear that. He had been sure that he’d be led out in handcuffs. He had thought about running, but decided that he’d try to brazen it out and blame Gary.
“You’re going to help us bust the dog fighters, Sasso,” said Aidan.
Sasso was horrified. “They’ll kill me. No. I can’t do that. Those guys are scary. I never would have gotten involved but
No Kill Station Randolph had been supplying animals and the mob wouldn’t let me out of the deal.”
“Really? So you turned down the money?” asked Aidan.
Sasso opened his mouth to say yes, but gave up when he saw the murderous look on Matt’s face.
“Here’s what you’re going to do,” said Matt. “Call your contact and apologize for not having the cats delivered. Tell him that you will personally deliver animals to them.”
Sasso shook his head. “That’s not going to work. Mahoney wanted the cats yesterday for training. He called me again and again yest
erday, but I didn’t pick up. The dogfight is tonight.” Sasso was literally shaking. “He’s going to kill me. Last night I went to a hotel. I was thinking that I’d be safe from those mobsters here because of all the people around.”
“Poor Sasso,” said Matt sarcastically. “Tell this Mahoney that you’re so sorry but the cops were watching. Tell him that you want to make it up to him so you’ll give him free house cats for warming up the fighting dogs.”
Sasso pondered that idea. “That might work. But I can’t have the animal control van arriving at the fight. That would look bad.”
“Because people might know you for the scumbag that you are,” said Aidan. “Makes sense. So here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll drive you in an unmarked police van. You’ll wear a wire and talk to him.”
“My God, I can’t wear a wire. They’ll find it and kill me.”
“Sasso, this might help you get immunity. And if you’re lucky, we can get you into witness protection,” said Matt although there was zero chance of that happening.
Sasso brightened up. “Oh man, that would be wonderful.”
“When we get there, you’ll find Mahoney and get him talking about organizing the dog fight,” said Aidan.
“Call Mahoney, now,” Matt ordered.
Diane Meier Sasso dialed the number. “Mr Mahoney, I’d like to apologize for yesterday. The cops were all over us. We couldn’t do a damn thing. I meant to call you but we had a crisis here.”
“Sasso, I don’t give a damn about your problems. You really screwed up this time. I may lose a fight tonight because my dogs didn’t get the practice they needed. You’re lucky that you’re still breathing.”
“I am so sorry,” Sasso said. “I want to make it up to you.” Sasso made the offer of the free cats for warming up the dogs at the fight.
“That doesn’t begin to make up for what you’ve done. You’re going to give me free animals from now on. Got that?”
“Yes, yes, of course,” said Sasso.
“Get here at 9 pm, Sasso. The fight is five miles east of Clayton on Route 6 at Patriot Farm. If you don’t show up, I’ll have someone pick you up so that your worthless carcass can be used for warming up the dogs.” Mahoney hung up.
“I’m tempted to let Mahoney make good on his threat, Sasso. I’d like to see you ripped to shreds, but I’m such a nice guy that I’ll let you live. You’ll be there to meet Mahoney at 9 pm. Until then, you’ll be sitting in a cell. Get up and walk quietly to my car,” said Aidan.
“Do I have to get in the back like a criminal? What if somebody sees me?”
“You’re lucky that I’m not cuffing you,” said Matt. “And if you make a sudden move, you’ll find yourself on the ground in two seconds.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Patriot Farm was an abandoned farmhouse surrounded by junk. Dozens of vehicles were parked in the field. Mercedes SUVs were next to beat up old Ford trucks. Men in polo shirts and khaki pants chatted with guys in old jeans and trucker hats.
The technician in the van adjusted the wire on Sasso. She checked the controls. “Say something.”
“I don’t want to do this,” Sasso begged.
“Don’t screw this up, Sasso. We’re your only hope,” said Matt. “Get out of the van and find Mahoney.”
Sasso nodded and did as he was told.
“Do you think that idiot can handle this?” asked the technician.
“He’s highly motivated,” said Matt but he wasn’t sure at all about whether Sasso could pull it off. They wanted Mahoney to admit his guilt in organizing the fight. Matt was hoping that Sasso’s fantasy about immunity would make him try hard not to tip off the mobsters by mistake.
Sasso wandered in the crowd. He couldn’t help staring at the prostitutes hanging on the arms of some well dressed men. One of the bookies asked him if wanted to place a bet. Sasso shook his head and kept searching for Mahoney. He walked past a black Cane Corso covered with scars that was barking at a huge Akita mix. A crowd standing around a Mastiff argued about the dog’s chances in its upcoming fight.
Finally Sasso spotted Mahoney, who held a thick chain attached to the collar of a massive Blue Pit Bull. Sasso hurried over. He was so nervous that he couldn’t speak.
“Well, well, you actually showed up, Sasso. What a surprise.”
“I’m so sorry for not getting the cats to you yesterday.”
“You should be. And you better hope my dog performs well today,”
“Beautiful dog! I’m sure he’ll win. I didn’t realize how many people come out for the fights.” Sasso was struggling with what to say. He hoped ass kissing would wok. “I’m impressed with how you’ve got it set up, Mr. Mahoney. I had no idea this was so big.”
Mahoney surveyed the scene. “It’s not just the size of the crowd. It’s the caliber of the dogs that matters. I have scouts who find dogs that match up well for good fights. The big money doesn’t come out for just any dog fight. It takes me a lot of time to get things just right. Go get a couple of cats, Sasso. I need to announce the first fight.” Mahoney picked up a microphone and called out the names of the first two dogs.
Sasso raced to the van and returned with an empty cat carrier that was covered by a blanket. He placed the carrier next to Mahoney. The Cane Corso was led by his owner over to the ring. Another owner opened the crate and leashed up his Pit Bull mix.
Dressed in jeans and plaid shirt, Aidan had been mingling with the crowd and moved with them toward the ring. “Go,” yelled Aidan into the radio.
SWAT team members rode on the sides of three vehicles that sped down the dirt road leading to the fight ring. They jumped down and aimed their assault rifles at the astonished crowd. Dogs barked wildly in their crates. People shrieked and yelled. Most had the sense to obey the SWAT team orders and dropped to the ground. One man started to sprint away in an attempt to escape and was shot in the leg. Another pulled out his gun and was shot immediately in the chest. The Cane Corso lunged toward a SWAT team member and was killed. The Pit Bull mix was smarter and raced into the field.
Matt had jumped out of the van with his gun ready to pick off anybody running their way. “Don’t shoot,” yelled a man and fell. Matt grabbed his arms to cuff him. As another guy tried to race past them, Matt tackled him and snapped on handcuffs.
“Don’t shoot my dog” cried Mahoney, collapsing and pulling the dog down in an effort to save him. When Sasso dropped on the ground nearby, Mahoney shouted “You’re a dead man, Sasso.”
In about two minutes, everyone at the fight was on the ground. The SWAT team stood over them. Troopers worked methodically to get handcuffs on everyone and loaded them into the vans provided by the Department of Corrections.
The SPCA vans arrived. Matt told the animal control officers to start loading the dog crates into the vans. “If you hurt one dog, you’ll be arrested. Do you understand me, Dewald? How about you, Block?” Matt wasn’t happy but he had to use the same animal control officers who had trapped the cats. He had no choice because the New Castle animal control officers had been arrested and Sasso had fired the two officers in Kent County.
He turned to Aidan. “I want to go make sure these idiots don’t hurt the dogs.”
“Always looking after the animals, aren’t you?” laughed Aidan.
“Damned right I am.” Matt got into the van with Dewald.
“I am totally shocked by all of this,” Dewald told Matt.
“Don’t try and bullshit me, Dewald. I know damn well that you drove the cats from Rehoboth. That makes you as guilty as the other guys who were arrested.”
At the satellite facility, Matt supervised the unloading of the dogs. The son of the kennel owner who had been arrested came to greet them. The young man had sworn that he was horrified by his mother’s involvement with the sale of animals as bait. Matt didn’t believe it but he figured that the man would take good care of the dogs. Matt made sure that the dogs had food and water. Block was waiting in the second van with the rest of the
dogs. They drove down to the Kent satellite facility and put the dogs into kennels.
Buddy was waiting for them. “I’ll take good care of the dogs,” he promised.
“I’m sure you will, Buddy. If not, I’ll be happy to arrest you,” Matt said.
After all the dogs were settled, Dewald and Block stood by the vans. “Turn around and put your hands on the van,” said Matt taking out his handcuffs.
“I didn’t do any of this,” cried Block as Matt cuffed both of them and recited their rights.
Jay arrived in the squad car. Matt shoved Block and Dewald into the back.
“How did it go?”asked Jay.
“I had thought the SWAT team would have to kill more of those bastards. Only one dog was shot. But the other dogs are now safe from those monsters.”
“How many dogs were confiscated?”
“Twenty eight,” said Matt. “I put the fear of God into those kennel owners so I’m confident that they’ll take good care of them. None of the dogs were injured in a fight tonight. The scars on the dogs are horrible.”
“What happened to Sasso tonight?” asked Jay.
“He was arrested, of course. The little fairy tale we told him about immunity and witness protection didn’t come true. I look forward to testifying against him in court. I hope they throw the proverbial book at him”
“What will happen to the animals at the SPCA?”
“Yeah, I need to talk to you about that. I want the SPCA Director job,” said Matt.
“What? You’re not serious!”
“Yes, I’m completely serious. After Tina left yesterday, I asked the Mayor to help. He’ll make calls to state and county officials. It’s important to have them on my side, but I still have to convince the SPCA Board. I’ve got an interview with the Board right after we arrest Tina. Assuming they vote yes, I’m ready to accept the job.”
“I’m surprised that you’d want to leave police work, Matt. I’m really sorry to lose you.”
“Thanks, Jay. It’s been a real pleasure working for you. You’re an outstanding Chief of Police. And I’m not just saying that. This whole SPCA mess got me thinking. There are lots of good cops but not so many shelter directors who are working at saving most of the animals. I think it can be done. I did a lot of research and I am convinced that I can do it.”