THE CLUB - ANGIE BARTONI CASE FILE

by Marshall Huffman

  “Not really, but if I had to look at just one person? I would take a hard look at the ones from the people we found the most prints of in various sections of the house. I rather thought you were fishing for that so I have a list of my top five people who left the most prints behind.”

  I shook my head in awe. I told you he was the best. The guy was as smart as a whip. Wait, what does that mean? How smart is a whip anyway? Still, you get my drift.

  We chatted for a few more minutes but didn’t really find anything that would either eliminate or spotlight the murderer. We decided to go with the list and start talking to those people first.

  There were some interesting names on Johnny’s list:

  City Financial Officer – Carl Townsend

  Attorney - Wesley Asher

  Police Captain – James Tyson

  City Councilman – Bobby Finks

  City Treasure – Sandy Seals

  **

  “That is Riker’s top five?” the captain said after I had shown him the document.

  “Yep.”

  “I guess Asher’s makes sense to some extent. He is their attorney of record.”

  “So why are his prints not only upstairs but in the basement as well?”

  “Hell if I know, but he is going to be one tough nut to crack. I can guarantee you he will have a reason.”

  “Even if he does, how well will it settle with Doctor Rotelli? The guy is supposed to be his attorney, not sitting in on Mimi’s sex shows.”

  “So what do you intend to do?”

  “Go talk to the Doctor. Tell him we are coming with just a few more questions. I’m betting on him having Asher there as well. I just drop the bombshell and see what happens.”

  “I hope it doesn’t blow up in your face,” McGregor replied.

  He wasn’t the only one.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  It had stopped snowing by the time we headed out to see the good doctor. Dan was driving one of the new SUVs and despite the accumulation of snow, it was doing really well.

  We were just crossing 38th street when I caught movement out of my peripheral vision.

  “Dan” I yelled and could see a city snow plow coming through the intersection.

  Dan tried to yank the wheel to the right but it was too late. The plow caught the SUV at the right front tire and spun us around like a top. I don’t know how many times. All I could do was hold on as the air bag deployed, slapping me in the face. I felt the seat belt dig into my shoulder and then we seemed to be flying. I heard the windshield explode and metal screeching as we went over on the roof and then back up on our wheels.

  I could smell antifreeze and oil as the car finally settled.

  I could vaguely hear someone yelling but I couldn’t understand what they were saying. I shook my head trying to focus. I looked over at Dan and saw him slowly move his head. Someone was yanking on my door but it wouldn’t open. What the hell had just happened? Oh the heck with it. This would be a good time to just check out. And I did.

  When I came to I was on a stretcher and someone was telling me I was going to be okay. I was cold, disoriented, and worried about Dan. Before I could say anything a mask was placed over my face. I felt a slight prick in my left hand and then I was shoved into the back of an ambulance. I tried to move my head to see if anyone else was in the ambulance but I had some kind of neck brace holding me in place.

  “Dan?” I managed to get out.

  “BP 144 over 78.”

  That is not what I asked. My eyelid was pulled back and someone about blinded me with a flashlight. Some more mumbo-jumbo in the background and then the doors slammed shut. The ambulance lurched forward, sirens blaring, taking me to the hospital I presumed.

  “Dan,” I asked again.

  “Who?”

  At least they were paying attention.

  “My partner. Dan Roberts.”

  “He is already on his way to the hospital.”

  “How is he?”

  “I can’t say.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” I asked.

  “Neither,” was the reply.

  I wasn’t going to get anything further out of these guys so I just closed my eyes and slid into unconsciousness again.

  **

  “Angie, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes for me?” I could just hear through the fog.

  “Open your eyes Angie,” the voice insisted.

  I wanted to say I was trying but nothing came out. Finally I was able to get them to open.

  “Ben?”

  “Angie. Yes, it’s Ben. How are you feeling?”

  “A little nauseated. Sore. Weird.”

  “That is to be expected. You just came out of surgery and are in recovery right now.”

  “Ben, how is Dan?”

  “Dan is doing fine. He came through better than you did. He has already been here about ten times checking on you. I’ve sent him down to the cafeteria. I wanted to talk to you first,” Doctor Warman said.

  Doctor Ben Warman and I had been dating casually for a few months now. He even managed to get a great deal on my Austin Healey for me. Our relationship wasn’t serious because of me. I was the major obstacle but Ben was patient and hadn’t pushed me. What I probably needed was a good shrink to help me understand why it is so difficult for me to let people get close. Ben is a fantastic guy. He has a great sense of humor, is well educated, good looking, and he likes me just the way I am. So what in the world is my problem?

  “Ben, you said I was in surgery. What’s up?”

  “Your knee was damaged. You had a tear to the meniscal. The cartilage was torn and they had to go in and make a repair.”

  “What does that mean to me?”

  “That you are going to be laid up for a while. Rehabilitation. The good news is that it took place in the red zone and that heals faster.”

  “The red zone. That sounds like something from a football program.”

  “We divide the area into the red and white zones. The white zone is much more difficult to heal due to the lack of blood flow. You are still going to have to take it easy and undergo rehab. A brace will help that area some as well but you have to give it time Angie or you will be right back in here and it will be a lot worse,” Ben said squeezing my hand.

  “Geez, what the heck happened?” I asked.

  “Evidently you went through the intersection on the green and the snow plow just didn’t see you guys and ran the red light. They had to cut you out of the car. You have a few stiches in your leg and some staples on your thigh where a piece of metal sliced you. It was not deep enough to cause serious muscle damage but it required staples to close off.”

  “And Dan?”

  “Just the concussion and a sprained wrist from the steering wheel.”

  “Well I’m thankful for that.”

  “And I’m thankful that you are going to be okay. Look I need to get back to my patients but I wanted to look in on you. I’ll be around later to sit with you and discuss what you are facing.”

  “Thanks Ben. I would like that,” I said.

  He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. What a nice guy. I need to get my head screwed on right before I scare the guy off.

  I had just closed my eyes when I heard Dan’s voice. He was being fairly abrupt with someone and then there he was.

  “Hey partner.”

  “Hey.”

  “How you feeling?”

  “Ready to go skiing.”

  “Yeah. I’ll just bet you are.”

  “What was all that about?” I asked, pointing at the hall.

  “They said I couldn’t come in without the doctor’s permission. I decided they were wrong. What are they gonna do call the police?”

  “How about security?”

  “I have news for them, cops trump security. Anyway I finally used my charm to get her to back down.”

  “It didn’t sound like charm.”

  “Anyway, I damn sure was going to see how you are doing.”


  “So far so good. The drugs haven’t worn off yet so I still feel pretty good.”

  “Angie, I am so sorry. I just didn’t see that damn thing coming.”

  “Hey, you went through on green. He is the one that screwed up.”

  “It’s a good thing you at least saw him coming and I got the car turned some or it could have been really bad.”

  “It was bad enough, thank you,” I said.

  “I should have been paying more attention, especially in these conditions.”

  “Look, forget it. Just be thankful neither one of us was hurt seriously. Dan, it could have been a lot worse.”

  “I know but I still feel bad.”

  “Get over it.”

  **

  “When can I get out of here?” I asked the doctor.

  “Tomorrow, if everything goes well. I was talking to the physical therapist and they said you were doing better than expected.”

  “That’s good. I need to get back to work.”

  “Hold on. I didn’t say work. You will need to wear a brace and use crutches for a couple of weeks. You have to do the exercises they showed you every day or you will be right back in here only this time it will be much worse. I talked to your boss, Captain McGregor, and he said you weren’t much at following instructions.”

  “That rat.”

  “I’m just telling you. If you don’t follow these you will end right back in that bed only for a much longer time. Understand.”

  “Crutches?”

  “Just for a couple of weeks. No driving or anything that will put serious pressure on that knee.”

  “Man, this isn’t going to be easy.”

  “It is unless you want to undergo another operation.”

  “Point taken,” I replied.

  Crutches. I can just hear them at the station when I hobble in.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The captain was waiting as I hobbled up the stairs and ushered me into his office. It was strange to see him fussing over me. He actually had me lay down on his couch to rest my leg and pulled his chair around so he could talk to me.

  “I’m glad you are all right. I’m so sorry I didn’t make it to the hospital.”

  “It’s fine captain. Dan filled me in on your helping him with the initial interview with Captain Tyson. He said it was being turned over to IAD as well.”

  “Tyson is a good cop but made some stupid choices. He was pretty deep into what was going on there but he has agreed to take a polygraph test and has been very open about his participation. He went through a divorce a year ago and while he didn’t exactly say it, I think this had a lot to do with that.”

  “What about murder? Could he have done that?”

  “I suppose but I can’t see what the motive would be. Blackmail? I don’t see that since he doesn’t have much to begin with after the divorce. I suppose a crime of passion but he wasn’t in love with Mimi, or so he says. I think he was stupid but I doubt he is our man.”

  “Do you mind if we do a second interview?” I asked.

  “Of course not,” McGregor readily replied.

  “What about the FBI? Are they still coming?”

  “Unfortunately yes. They got here last night and are due in sometime today after the last person in their party shows up. They are at the regional office getting their marching orders right now. I think the Commissioner is going to talk to them as well.”

  “The Commissioner? Why would he do that?” I asked puzzled.

  “He wants to make sure they understand that they are here at our request and are in a support role, not to take over the case,” McGregor said.

  “Our Commissioner said that?”

  “Don’t be a wiseass Angie. He is feeling really bad about what happened to you and is trying to help.”

  “It’s just so unusual.”

  “He may not like certain things about you but he thinks you are a first rate cop. He actually said there was no one he would rather have working this than you.”

  “Wow. I guess I need to be a little nicer.”

  “Probably wouldn’t hurt any. He does have feelings too. Look, I know you Angie. You are going to want to get right back in it but you need to take care of that knee. I talked to your doctor and he said if you rushed it you would be right back in there for a more extensive operation. He made it very clear that you need to do the therapy and to stay off of it as much as possible. That is exactly what I want you to do. Let Dan handle the legwork on this case. You get to play captain and just direct. I can give you another detective if you need it but use the FBI as well. That’s what they are here for,” the captain told me.

  “I’ll do the best I can.”

  “No, you’ll do it or I’ll assign the case to someone else. I mean it. I want you to recover.”

  “Yes sir,” was all I could say.

  It isn’t often that McGregor gets sentimental or protective about one of his detectives but he is a good man and he does care once you get through that gruff exterior. I also know he wouldn’t pull me off the case but wanted to impress upon me to take it easy. He was right about the FBI. If they were going to be underfoot I might as well put them to good use.

  **

  “Detective Bartoni. Detective Roberts,” FBI Special Agent Pendergrass said as he came up the stairs.

  I was at my desk with my leg propped up on another chair with a small pillow under it. It is really difficult to get any work done like that.

  “Well, well, well. You must have really irritated someone if they sent you back again,” I said as he came over and patted me on the shoulder.

  “Not really. I asked to be sent. Especially when I heard what happened. That was some car wreck from what I have heard. You know, I never got to thank you properly for saving my life,” he said.

  “Oh heck, it was not big deal. You would have done the same thing. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  During our last job together I ended up giving him CPR until the paramedics came and took him away. A crazy bomber blew up a house we were checking out and he was too close and took a heck of a wallop.

  With him he had Cynthia, you can call me Cindy, Eric the resident techno genius, and Marsha Baker. Marsha is a top notch profiler and nice person as well. Actually they were all good people that I had worked with in the past. We worked well as a unit so I wasn’t nearly as apprehensive as I had been earlier.

  “We read the files during the flight. I can see why your Mayor and Commissioner are nervous and want us to be here. We can help take the pressure off of you if people start to get pushy. That’s okay with us. We don’t have a vested interest so this way we can push back if necessary,” Brad said.

  “Lots of money is involved which means lots of people thinking they are privileged. I think the Mayor was worried that my charming personality might be a little too brash for some of them.”

  “What? Not meek and mild Angie Bartoni,” Marsha quipped.

  “The very same one,” I replied.

  “So where do you want us to start?”

  “Dan is bringing in Carl Townsend for questioning. He is the City Manager.”

  “Oooh, a political animal right off the bat. He is sure to be hostile.”

  “Maybe not so much. He married into money and I’m sure this is going to cause him some real problems if it gets out. That is the one thing we can hold over all of their heads. The fact that if this were to accidently get into the media’s hands it could do them a great deal of harm.”

  “I don’t know Angie. It happens in Washington all the time and people just shake it off like it is no big deal,” Brad said.

  “Yeah but this is the Midwest. We are a little less forgiving here. Maybe they can get away with that on the two coasts but it is still frowned upon in this area.”

  “How is Dan doing? Last I heard he took a pretty hard hit to the head,” Cindy Shores asked.

  She had a little crush on Dan for a while but both Brad and I had to step in and curtail the pot
ential romance. It was getting in the way of the investigation at the time. It had all worked out for the better.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Dan was in the interview room with Pendergrass and I was relegated to watching via video. This really did stink. Dan was a lot nicer than I was and I was afraid he would be too gentle on the City Manager.

  “Mr. Townsend, how well did you know Mimi Rotelli?” Dan asked.

  “She was a casual acquaintance. You know, various functions.”

  “Like the ones you attended in the theater of her home?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said indignantly.

  “Strange. We found your fingerprints in seven different locations in her home, including the toilet in the theater area. They were also on a wine glass we found.”

  “I know nothing about any of that. I have never been in their basement.”

  “You said basement. I didn’t say basement. Did you say basement Agent Pendergrass?”

  “I believe Carl is the only one to mention basement,” Brad said.

  “I just assumed it was in the basement,” Carl said.

  “Townsend, don’t sit there and tell me a bald faced lie. Don’t get me pissed off or I’ll smack that stupid looking smirk right off your face.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Lie to me again and let’s see if I would or not. What I want to know is when was the last time you were at one of Mrs. Rotelli’s little sex shows. The CSI team says your prints look to have been there around the time of the murder. They can use carbon dating to determine the approximate time. We know there were no shows on the 5th of February so that means you must have been there on the 6th, the last day she was alive,” Dan said.

  Way to go Dan. I love a good lie. Carbon dating of prints. I’ll have to steal that sometime. Carbon dating, I love it.

  “Look, I’m married. I work for the Mayor’s Office. I can’t have a scandal like this getting out. It would ruin me,” he said, no longer smirking.

  “I suggest you go home and tell her the whole story and tell the Mayor as well. This will all come out. The only thing undetermined is what your part is going to look like,” Pendergrass told him.