by Dale Roberts
“By making my suspension public?”
“By having you out of the way.”
Alex sat quietly, trying to figure out what Rachel was saying.
“Who gets credit for making the arrest? Who is the instant hero on the front page of the paper?”
“Samuels? You think Samuels is behind this?”
“No, not by herself anyway. I don’t think she’s that smart. But, she could be easily manipulated.”
“By who?”
“Think about it. How else would the paper have gotten the story so fast? Some reporter makes Samuels the public hero in exchange for inside information to break the story. I mean look at the timing.”
“It’s just coincidence.” Alex said. “The DNA results came back the same day I was suspended. That’s just incredible timing. And Samuels was the only other person working the case.”
“Notice how they didn’t give the suspects name?”
“They didn’t want to give him any warning. They didn’t want him to run.”
“They’re saving it for tomorrow’s headline.” Rachel said with disgust. “They’ll have the guy’s mug shot right beside the picture of the arresting officer. So, she get’s not only her name, but her picture on the front page as well.”
“You seem to be taking this harder that I am.” He said, leaning toward her. “Why is that?”
Rachel looked down at her coffee, avoiding his gaze, trying to wipe a tear before Alex could see it run down her cheek “You’ve put so much into this case. It’s not fair having it pulled out from under you like this.”
“Look at me” Alex placed his folded finger under her chin and gently raised her face toward him. “It’s not the paper. What’s going on? Why the tears?”
“I just can’t stand to see someone I care about so much, being dragged through the mud like this.”
“Hey, at least they didn’t put my picture in there.” Alex said, smiling. His smile faded as what Rachel said found home. “Someone you care about so much?”
Rachel wiped a tear and chuckled. “Look at me, blubbering like a school girl.”
Alex looked at her, trying to see what was going on in her head.
“You really don’t remember last night, do you?”
“I remember you saving me from my demons at the bar.”
“What’s the last thing you do remember?” She said, looking down at the table as she blushed.
“You dragged me out of the bar and helped me into your car. It’s pretty much a blank after that. Next thing I know, Carmen’s saying something about me being proud of myself.”
“Well first, it was your car. And, during that blank... we made love.” Rachel slowly looked up at him, seeming half afraid to see his reaction.
Alex sat silent, desperately searching his memory. Surely he would’ve remembered something like that. Giving up on trying to remember, he searched for something to say. He had never felt this awkward. “So…how was I?”
Rachel’s relief escaped as a soft chuckle. “You were wonderful.”
“Thank God, I would have hated to give a bad impression. At least one of us can have a good memory of it.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
Alex felt a lump rising in his throat. Having sex with her was a mistake made by a drunken fool. He wasn’t ready for a relationship. His life was complicated enough. “I think we should just consider it a lack of judgment on my part…I’m really not ready to ruin our friendship with…”
“I mean about the news paper.”
Alex blushed, but felt instant relief. “Oh, there’s not much I can do is there?”
“Samuels is a lesbian right? I think she must be in a relationship with that reporter. She’s feeding her information.”
“Samuels will hang herself eventually.” Alex said. “She’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.”
“What about the case? Can she handle it without screwing things up?”
“No. I have to get myself re-instated.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure. I think I need to talk to Dr. Reynolds.”
“How can she help?”
“I’m not sure about that either.”
_________
Kathy Samuels was finally doing something that was familiar to her. She had made hundreds of arrests in the past. She took two uniformed officers with her as a show of force. She didn’t want any resistance. The plan was simple. They would show the warrant to the general manager, have him direct them to the suspect’s work station, where they would make the arrest.
It was nine thirty-five when the three police cars entered the dealership lot. Samuels and the uniformed officers entered the showroom through the front door and walked toward the office of Raymond Greer. Sales staff gathered at one end of the floor while heads appeared in the doorways of the small, glass walled offices of sales support and finance staff.
“Mr. Greer, I’m Officer Kathy Samuels with the Cypress Village Police. I have a warrant for one of your employees.” She showed Greer her badge and handed him the warrant.
Greer looked over the piece of paper. A look of disbelief came over his face. “There must be some mistake.” He handed the paper back to Samuels.
“No sir, I’m afraid there’s no mistake.” She said. “Could you please direct us to his location?”
“Of course,” Greer stood and walked out of his office. “I just can’t believe it.”
The three officers followed him into the service area.
“That’s him, over there.” Greer pointed to the podium in the center of the greeting area.
Samuels approached the podium. “Michael Dupree?”
“Yes, can I help you?” the man said.
“Mr. Dupree, you are under arrest for rape.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Have you seen the paper?” Alex asked as he sat on Liz’s couch.
“I’m sure everyone has seen it.” She offered a consoling smile.
“They’re making the arrest as we speak.” Alex said.
“And you feel you should be there, right?” Liz said, handing Alex a cup of coffee.
“Yes, I should. I’ve sacrificed a lot for this case.”
“What have you sacrificed?”
“What do you mean? You know what I’ve been through.”
“I just want to hear you tell me. Tell me how big of an impact this case has had on you. What’s the one thing that stands out for you?”
Alex thought for a moment, staring at the floor. “Respect.”
“Respect?”
“Yes, I’ve lost the respect of my daughter.” Alex looked up at Liz, “She thinks I willingly put her in danger. She thinks I don’t care about her. She thinks I’m afraid to live, afraid to let go of Allyson.” He paused and looked back down at the floor. “And now, I’ve gotten myself suspended, in jeopardy of losing my job. She thinks I’m a looser.”
“What do you think?”
“I think she may be right.”
“Alex, I’ve known you for two years now.” Liz said as she relaxed back into her chair, “You’ve always been one of the most rational people I’ve ever met. You seem to be led, no, driven by reason, never responding to your own emotional needs, much less anyone else’s. But, I’m seeing a change in you.” Liz leaned forward, getting closer to Alex, “You seem to be responding to your feelings more. Is it that change that you’re struggling with?”
“Maybe.” Alex felt himself opening up. He didn’t want to but he couldn’t stop himself. “I’ve found myself feeling things that I hadn’t allowed myself to feel.”
“What kind of things?”
Alex slowly looked up and made eye contact. “I think I’m falling in love.”
“Congratulations. I think that’s wonderful.”
“I guess Carmen sees it too. She’s pointed it out several times. She’s tried to play match maker, but I’ve been telling myself that it couldn’t be. I still love Allyson.”
“I’ve got news for you.” Liz said, “You always will. But that can’t stop you from living the rest of your life. If you continue to use her as an excuse, I’m afraid you’ll eventually come to resent her, and she doesn’t deserve that. Neither do you.”
“So, what do I do now?” Alex said.
“You fix things.”
“How?”
“Why don’t you tell me? How do you regain the respect of your daughter, and your self-respect for that matter? But, be careful how you answer. Sometimes pride can get in the way of self-respect.” Liz said. “Think about it.”
“I have to get myself reinstated. I have to talk to Levine and get him to drop the complaint. I get to see what crow tastes like.”
_________
Samuels placed Michael in the interview room. She had never conducted an interrogation by herself. She needed to get herself together. “Could I get you some coffee?” she asked.
“You can tell me what this is all about.” He said.
“We’ll get to that. I need some coffee. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Samuels excused herself from the room. She poured a cup of coffee in the break room and tried to gather her thoughts. She needed a game plan. She drank her coffee, staring at the wall. When she was ready, she returned to the room.
“Mr. Dupree, the reason you’re here is that we have connected you to the rape of three women.”
“I’m sorry officer. I didn’t get your name?”
“Samuels.”
“Right, Officer Samuels, I’m under arrest right?”
“Yes you are.”
“Just making sure.” He said.
_________
Alex rang the doorbell, then backed away to look about the neighborhood.
After a moment of jiggling, the door opened slightly. “Get the hell off my property before I call the police.”
“Dr. Levine, please, I just need a few moments of your time.” Alex said. “I want to apologize.”
“Go to hell.” Levine slammed the door.
“Sir, I was wrong. I over reacted to protect my daughter. Surely you must understand that. I know about your daughter. I know the charges weren’t true.” Alex spoke loud enough to be heard through the door, and the neighborhood. “And I know you didn’t have anything to do with those rapes. Please sir, just a few moments.”
Levine opened the door. “Stop talking about rapes where the whole world can hear you.” He moved aside and allowed Alex to enter.
“Thank you.” Alex said. “I know how you feel about me, especially now that I know you’re innocent. I just hope you can understand my reaction. You driving by my house scared my daughter and I took it as a threat. I was simply responding to that threat.”
“And I perceived you’re suspicions of me as a threat.” Levine said, “I was simply responding to that threat.”
“I just want to say I was wrong and I’m sorry. I’ll make a public apology if you like, but right now I have a problem. We have identified the rapist. He’s in custody, but I’m on suspension for… well, you know why. I have been working lead on this case and I need to be there to make sure things don’t get screwed up.”
“Let me guess. You’re talking about that top notch officer who was so smooth when she was tailing me.”
“Yea, that’s pretty much it.” Alex said. “And you obviously know how sharp she is.”
“I’m not an unreasonable man, detective. I wouldn’t want a rapist to go free just because my feelings were hurt.” Levine said. “I’ll make a deal with you. If you promise to make a public apology, I’ll drop my complaint.”
“You have my word.” Alex offered his hand.
“By public, I mean a story in the paper.” Levine shook Alex’s hand. “So, I suppose you’ll need me to talk to your lieutenant?”
“That would be great.” Alex said. “Again, I’m sorry and I appreciate your understanding.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“The man told me he was going to withdraw his complaint.” Alex said, standing in front of Phelps’ desk.
“I don’t give a damn what he told you.” Phelps shouted back, now standing behind the desk. “You can’t be goin’ off half cocked. You’re a liability to this department.”
“Look, lieutenant, I was in fear for my daughter’s safety. Levine admitted himself that he was trying to intimidate me when he drove by my house. What was I supposed to do? What would you have done?” Alex paused to let the question sink in. “Hell, There was a time when you would’ve shot the guy.”
“We aren’t talkin’ about me though, are we? What I would have done doesn’t mean shit.” Phelps argued.
Alex placed both hands on the desk and leaned toward Phelps, who was now seated again. “Who caught the guy four years ago?”
“You did.”
“And, who busts his ass for this department?”
Phelps raised an eyebrow.
“I do.” Alex answered his own question. “And who caught this guy?”
“Ain’t nobody caught yet.”
“We have our suspect in custody with irrefutable evidence against him.”
Phelps paused and looked down as he ran his finger along the edge of his desk. “We have a little problem with that.” He said as he looked up.
“What?” The color drained from Alex’s face. He sat in the ‘hot seat’, preparing for the worst.
“Seems that Samuels didn’t Mirandize him.”
Alex stared silently at him for several seconds. He leaned his head back and placed both hands over his face and slid them downward, stretching his skin into a distorted mask. “So, what you’re telling me is that we have this guy, dead to rights, with DNA proof, and we have to let him walk because of a technicality. Is that what you’re telling me?” Alex’s voice getting louder with each word.
“Relax,” Phelps began to laugh, “I’m pullin’ you’re leg. He’s in a holding cell. Samuels tried to get him to talk but she’s a little dim witted when it comes to that.”
“You son-of a…” Alex began to laugh himself.
Phelps pulled the badge and ID from his desk drawer and tossed them across the desk to Alex. “Your doctor friend called half an hour ago. He said you got everything worked out. He agreed to withdraw the complaint.”
Alex grabbed his badge and placed it on his belt. “I want to talk to him.”
“I figured you would. He’s in interview two. I had him brought up after Levine called.”
Alex left the office without another word. He walked to the conference room to watch the suspect on the video monitor for a few minutes.
“He’s very cocky. Kind of a smart ass.” Samuels said.
Alex glared at her. But in the interest of closing this case, decided not to confront her about leaking the story to the paper. “Did you try to interview him?”
“No, not really. All I told him was what he was charged with.”
“Did you confront him with any evidence?”
“No, Lieutenant Phelps wouldn’t let me.” She said, “He wanted to wait for you.”
Alex stood up straight for a second. “That son-of-a-bitch. He was gonna let me back anyway.”
“What?” Samuels had missed something.
“Nothing.” Alex watched the monitor as Michael sat in the chair in the tiny room. “The first thing I do is sweat the suspect.” he told Samuels. “I never go straight in and start hitting them with questions.”
“Sweat them?”
“Yeah, I let them know we have solid evidence against them I make sure they notice the camera then I leave the room and watch on the monitor while the suspect sweats. He’s in there all alone. He knows we’re watching. It makes him wonder what we’re up to.” Alex said. “You’ve been to a doctor’s office and sat in a room for an hour waiting for the doctor. You go nuts. Same thing. We want to see how they act when they’re in there alone.”
“What are you looking for?”
“Anything that says they know they’re caught.�
� Alex said. “Some actually think they can fool us. We’ve had people rub their fingertips on their pants really hard, trying to rub their prints off.”
“So you do it for fun.” Samuels said.
“Exactly” Alex teased. “Maybe you are starting to get it after all.”
“That’s not very funny, or professional.” She said
Alex continued to watch the monitor. Michael stood and walked across the small room and back several times, then returned the chair, crossed his arms and closed his eyes. “You never want to let them relax though. Time to go.” Alex left the break room.
Samuels continued to watch the monitor. After a few seconds, Alex appeared on the screen.
Michael looked up as Alex entered the room, a smirk on his face as he rolled his eyes.
“Mr. Dupree? I’m Detective Mendez.” Alex removed his jacket and hung it over the camera.
“Why did you do that?” Michael asked. The smirk was gone.
“Do what?”
“Why did you cover the camera?”
“Oh, I just like my privacy, when I question a suspect.” Alex slowly walked back toward the table and sat across from Michael.
“Or, you don’t want any witnesses.”
Alex smiled and placed his elbows on the table. “Tell me Mr. Dupree, were you mirandized when you were arrested? You know, read you rights?”
“I don’t remember.”
Alex proceeded with the formality of reading Michael his rights. “Do you understand these rights as I’ve explained them?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Will you answer a few questions for me?”
“Why not?” Michael threw his hand out to the side.
“Can you tell me where you were on the night of the fourth?”
“I was at my girlfriend’s house.”
“All night?”
“Yes, all night.”
“Was your girl friend there also?”
“Yes.”
“If we call her, will she confirm that?”
“I certainly hope so.” Michael was biting his nails.
“What about the night of the seventh?”