“Gotta admit. The scenario’s starting to sound like Jeanine.”
Decker said, “Manipulating men, Tom. You said it from the beginning. She loves to manipulate men. Just like with Harlan Manz. From the beginning, I’m sure she set Harlan up. She probably knew that Harlan had been fired from his job at Estelle’s, had been bitter over his dismissal. You want to know how I think Estelle’s went down?”
Everybody waited.
Decker said, “Jeanine’s a primo manipulator. She wants her parents out of the way, but she wants it to look like a random murder. Better than a murder, how about a mass murder using Harlan Manz as a mass murderer? Bet she knew he fit the profile.”
“That’s absolutely malevolent,” Marge said.
“It’s absolutely Jeanine,” Decker said. “So what does she do? She has an affair with Harlan Manz. We know from talking to Harlan’s girlfriend that Harlan fooled around. And we also know from talking to everyone else that Harlan loved money and big shots.”
Oliver stated, “Harlan musta thought he died and went to heaven when he met this dream girl.”
Decker said, “Schmuck must have been made delirious by his good fortune. Only snag was that he had to keep it quiet. But even that was okay. Because Harlan had a girlfriend and it made it exciting.”
Martinez said, “Okay. They have an affair. Then suddenly Harlan turns into a mass murderer?”
Decker said, “Check this out, Bert. Jeanine and Harlan have this affair. This way she can get Harlan to talk. Which is no big accomplishment. We know from our interviews that Harlan loved to talk.”
“So they talk,” Marge said. “Then what?”
“She gets him to open up about his unfair experience at Estelle’s. She works him up. She works him up until people recall Harlan talking about how bitter he was at Estelle’s for canning him so unjustly. She works him up until one day, she convinces him to go into the restaurant…man, it’s all coming down.”
Decker paused, gulped down water.
“She convinces him to go to the restaurant and confront the management. She even picks out his clothes. A noticeable green jacket. And the day Jeanine chose for him just happened to be a day her parents made reservations at Estelle’s. Which I bet wasn’t unusual. They probably ate at Estelle’s often. Maybe they even had a standing reservation.”
“A cold woman,” Oliver said.
Decker said, “Meanwhile, Jeanine has contracted an unknown hit man to follow Harlan. She tells the second guy what Harlan’s wearing—”
Marge said, “Remember what Tess Wetzel said about that odd man. He was wearing a green jacket.”
Decker said, “Exactly. Any of you think that was just a coincidence?”
No one spoke.
Decker said, “At the agreed-on moment, Mr. Unknown Hit Man makes his move and starts popping people—”
“So you’re saying we have only one shooter?” Marge asked. “So how do you explain the bullet-wound patterns on the Garrisons? The ones that led you to speculate on a second shooter in the first place?”
Decker thought a moment. “Could be the shooter had two guns. He used one to ice Harlan and left it at the scene. The other, he took with him. That’s how he could do so much damage so fast. Also, he probably shot from all sides and angles. The shooter knew Harlan was going to be the fall guy. Betcha he popped Manz and the Garrisons early on. The Garrisons he wanted dead for Jeanine. Harlan…he wanted him dead and out in the open. To take the blame.”
Martinez said, “Deck, I think someone would have noticed this real hit man.”
“Someone did, Bert,” Decker said. “Tess Wetzel noticed a second man. And maybe a few others did as well. But no one was sure. Because they were dressed similarly. And once the bullets start flying, you duck, close your eyes, and pray.”
Marge said, “So Harlan was a dupe.”
Decker said, “Just like Sean Amos. It’s Carey who’s the real psycho. Leading us to believe that he was in cahoots with Sean. When in reality Carey was collaborating with Jeanine. Which is why he struck a deal with us. Because he really did pop David Garrison. So he saved his butt by turning state’s witness against Sean, who didn’t have anything to do with it. Worked us perfectly, the little fuck!”
“You’re making logical leaps,” Webster said.
“’Course I’m making some leaps,” Decker answered. “But I’m also making some sense. You know what we’re going to do? Instead of going with Carey’s story, we’re going to drop the murder one charge against him. Try him on the drug charges alone. I’m going to find the nastiest antidrug judge in the court system. Someone who’ll lock that bastard up and throw away the key.”
“What about Sean?” Webster wanted to know.
“He’ll be tried on his drug charges, resisting arrest…probably get off light.”
“Stinks,” Webster said. “Carey’s deal gives the kid seven years in prison. If David Garrison was a contract hit with Jeanine as the brains behind the operation, Carey should have rolled over and given us Jeanine to save his own butt.”
Marge’s eyes grew wide. “He didn’t do that because he was beholden to Jeanine in a big way. As in Estelle’s—”
“Carey as Estelle’s hit man?” Webster shrugged. “Marge, where is the evidence?”
Decker said, “Lily Amos’s gun was stolen about two weeks before Estelle’s went down. We know we recovered more bullets than can be accounted for by the one gun we recovered. And Carey’s weapon was a semi-automatic. Let’s go back to Ballistics.”
Martinez said, “Something is still bothering me. By all accounts, Jeanine got along with her parents. The woman had everything she wanted. Why would she whack her parents?”
Decker said, “From the start, we knew that Jeanine was dependent on Dad’s good graces to run her charities. David Garrison said that Daddy was getting tired of Jeanine’s tantrums. Maybe she figured out she couldn’t manipulate Daddy forever. Maybe Daddy actually stood up and told her no.”
39
“Even forgetting about the admissibility of polygraphs as evidence…”
Elaine Reuter scratched a nest of curls, licked her prominent teeth with a snakelike tongue. She had a long face and wide eyes. Today, she wore a zebra-striped shirt under a black suit, reinforcing her equine features.
“Tell you the truth, I wouldn’t go to court on either one of these. Too murky.”
Decker said, “Both of them were inconclusive?”
“Both had what I’d call unusual reactions—not clearly lying but nervous.”
“How many questions did you ask?”
“Pertinent questions? Six. Which in this case is a lot. If I had to go with one, I’d pick Sean Amos. Talking to him…maybe he’s redeemable. I think he might be lying, but could be he’s very confused. Carey, on the other hand, is a hard case. I think he beat the test.”
Decker nodded.
Elaine said, “Don’t tell me. You dealt with Carey.”
“Yes, I went with Carey. But it doesn’t matter because we’re not going to charge him with murder.”
“You’ve got him on drugs, haven’t you?”
“Yep.”
“Then the kid’ll serve some time.” She smiled wanly. “Just probably turn him into a better psycho.”
“Probably.”
Elaine sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s always hard when the big one gets away.”
“The big one isn’t even in the picture.” Decker shrugged. “Damn shame. But life goes on.”
The chill of fall tickled Decker’s nose as he got out of the unmarked. The air smelled sweet—fresh, cool, and slightly mulchy from fallen flora. Evening mist blanketed his face. Though tired—having slept only three hours in the last two days—he nevertheless felt content. Life was good. He took a final whiff, then checked his watch. He had made it to his front door before six.
The house held the aroma of home cooking and love. The dining-room table had been set for dinner. Included was a place mat for him. That m
ade him smile. He walked into the kitchen, expecting to find his wife. Instead, he found his daughter, his sons, and Joachim Rush sitting around the small kitchen table, playing Scrabble. Rush had brought along a girl. A pint-size thing who looked to be around fourteen. She had long blond hair and hazel eyes. Not a drop of makeup. She was also the first one who graced him with a smile. Decker smiled back.
Cindy stood, nodded, looking very policelike and official. “Hello, sir.”
Decker nodded. “Officer Cohen…”
Sam looked up. “You need anything, Dad?”
“No, I’m fine. Where’s your mom?”
“Out in the barn with Hannah.”
The horses. Guilt pricking his skin. It had been a while since Decker had taken time to exercise and feed them. Rina had picked up the slack. He thought about joining her. In a minute. He said, “I thought the game was for four maximum.”
“I’m just kibitzing,” the girl answered. She introduced herself as Allison Berg.
Joachim said, “Have a seat, sir.”
Decker regarded the teen. “You think it’s a good idea for you to be here, Joachim?”
“Probably not.”
“I invited him,” Cindy said. “He was feeling a little antsy after the bust so I took him out for a ride. We wound up here. I hope that’s not a problem.”
“No, not at all.”
“Did everything go okay?” Joachim asked. “I mean with the bust? No one at school could concentrate on anything else today. That’s all anyone could talk about. Rumor has it that the haul was tremendous. And that Carey’ll be gray before he sees the light of day. Any of that true?”
“It was a good tip,” Decker said. “A very good tip and a good bust. But it’s not in your best interests to be associated with the police. Let alone at my house. For your own sake.”
The boy tried to hide his nervousness. “No one mentioned me, right?”
“No, Joachim. Your name never came up.”
The teen looked relieved. Cindy said, “C’mon, Joachim. I’ll take you home.”
Decker turned to his daughter, “A word with you, Officer?” They stepped into the dining room. Decker said, “He call you or did you call him?”
“He called me. He was really nervous, Daddy. I was worried he’d do something stupid. Blurt out something. So I suggested we go for a ride to talk it out. To calm him down actually. I figured I owed him that much.”
“You did the right thing. Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he seems to be fine now.”
“I’ll keep a watch on him. Thanks.”
“No one mentioned his name?”
“Nah, he wasn’t even in the viewfinder, let alone in the picture.”
“You look frustrated.”
“Tired.”
“Maybe tired and frustrated. You didn’t get her.”
“All things come to those who wait. And if you wait long enough, you die so it doesn’t matter anyway.”
“Love that optimistic attitude.”
The front door opened, Rina came in, Hannah tugging at her arm, giving one of her famous four-year-old lectures. She saw her father and Hannah jumped into his arms. “Daddy! We fed the horses!”
“That’s great.”
“They ate a lot. Their tummies were reeeeal full.”
“Good to have a full tummy.”
Rina brushed his lips. “You’re home. How wonderful!” She looked at her stepdaughter. “How’s the game going?”
“I’m leaving with Joachim.”
“Are you coming back for dinner?”
“Not tonight, Rina. But thank you.” She went back into the kitchen.
Decker plopped his younger daughter on top of his shoulders. Hannah said, “We found garbage outside, Daddy.”
He turned to Rina. “Is that good or bad?”
“Garbage is packing peanuts. She collects them, then glues them onto paper for her artwork. I wonder if Warhol started this way.”
“So it’s a good thing to find garbage.”
“Very good.”
“I found four garbages,” Hannah continued.
“Wonderful, Hannah Rosie. I’m very proud of you.” Decker paused. “If Cindy came with Joachim…who’s the girl in our kitchen?”
“Allison Berg. She goes to the yeshiva’s high school with the boys—I mean, the girls’ section of the boys’ school…I’m getting this wrong—”
“Rina, I know that the boys and girls are in separate classes.” A smile formed on Decker’s lips. “Obviously not that separate. Sammy bring her?”
“No, Jacob did.”
“Jacob?” Decker grinned. “No wonder he was so motivated to move.”
“Behave yourself.”
“Why? That never got me anywhere.”
The kitchen door opened and out came the wordsmiths. Sammy held the car keys. “I’m taking everyone home. Be back in around a half hour.”
“No longer, Shmuel,” Rina said. “I’m sure your father’s hungry.”
“I can wait. But not too long.” Decker held out his hand to Joachim. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Got it.”
“Half hour,” Rina reiterated. Sammy nodded, then left with his brother, Allison, and Joachim.
Cindy removed the keys from her purse, kissed Hannah’s baby-soft thigh. “Couldn’t you just eat her—”
“Noooo, don’t eat me.”
“It’s a metaphor, kid.” Cindy smiled. “Gotta go…oh, Grandma called.”
“What did she want?” Decker asked, anxiously.
Cindy chuckled. “The message was for Rina, Daddy. She said she’s bringing her own corn, squash, green beans, and pumpkin for Thanksgiving dinner next week. So don’t waste your money and buy them.”
“That’s a direct quote?” Rina said.
“Indeed it is.” Cindy blew a kiss to Hannah. The tot touched her fingers to pouty lips and returned the gesture. Waving, Cindy walked out the door.
Decker waited a moment, then said, “We have groceries here. Do you know how much a pumpkin weighs?”
“She probably grew the vegetables in her garden,” Rina said. “If it makes her feel good and useful to bring them, I say, more power to her.”
“Agreed.”
Silence.
Rina said, “I’m sure if anything was serious, she would have told us by now.”
“Not true. She could be on her deathbed and say straight-faced that everything was fine.”
“Then there’s nothing we can do.”
Decker nodded, helpless and anxious.
Though upset, Rina spoke in a cheery voice. “Good news. Your brother’s wife called this morning. Randy managed to trade shifts so they’re all coming out as well. Looks like we’ll have a full house next week.”
Decker said, “Oh, happy days!”
“They’re your relatives!” Rina took off her coat, put it in the closet. “Also, I invited Marge for dinner. She said she’d love to come, but she already promised Scott Oliver that she’d have Thanksgiving with him. So I was kind of stuck. I invited him, too.”
“Why don’t we just open up a mission and dish out turkey to indigents?”
“It’s not a bad idea. Giving a little charity when we have so much.”
“Saint Rina.”
She whacked him gently. “And while you’re feeling so ebullient, I might as well tell you that we’ve received a counter offer—”
“So fast?”
“He’s motivated.”
“I’m sure he is. He found a sucker—”
“Peter—”
“Did he come down?”
“He split the difference—”
“It’s too much!”
“Peter—”
“All right, just give me the papers and I’ll sign the damn thing.” He remembered he was holding Hannah. “The darn thing. I’ll sign the darn thing. How about a video, pumpkin?”
The child’s face lit up. “I want to watch Wonderful World of Bugs. You
watch it with me, Daddy?”
Decker stifled a groan. She’d seen the tape a hundred times, feasting with delight on such gruesome visuals as a hill of ants devouring dead beetles and a Venus flytrap snaring its unsuspecting victim in cold blood. “I’ll come watch in a few minutes. First I want to talk to Mommy, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Take off her coat, Peter. I don’t want her to get overheated.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Decker set up the machine, placed the child—sans jacket—in front of the boob tube, waited for the ominous theme music to start. As soon as it did, Hannah squealed with joy. Then came the credits with pictures. The child sang out, “There’s the beetle. And there’s the mill-i-pede. Oh, Daddy, the little praying mantis. He’s so cute—”
“I’ll be right back, sweetie—”
“Look, Daddy, the hissing cockroach!”
“Lovely, Hannah. I’ll come watch in a minute.” Decker went into the kitchen where Rina was putting the finishing touches on dinner. He said, “That child is strange.”
“She likes bugs. You should be delighted she isn’t squeamish.”
“Thrilled.”
Rina regarded her husband. “It didn’t go well, did it?”
“On the contrary, the bust went very well. We took a nasty kid off the streets and that’s very good.”
Rina paused, “And Jeanine?”
Decker shrugged. “God works in mysterious ways. Who am I to judge?”
“So she’s a lost cause?”
Decker said, “I have a glimmer of hope. Ballistics is running a gun we picked up at the bust. I want to see if it matches any of the strays we bagged at Estelle’s. I don’t expect anything.” He paused. “I never expect anything. That way, I’m rarely disappointed.”
Slowly, Marge walked into Decker’s office. He hung up the phone, offered her a seat and a newspaper. “She’s taking it on the road.”
“Pardon?”
“To wit: Today’s sports section. The wheelchair tournament was so successful, she’s taking it on the road with Wade.” Decker waited a beat. “The article refers to Wade as her fiancé. Think I should send him a card?”
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