The Orphan (Sword and Lead Book 4)

by Rhiley McCabe

  Copyright © 2020 Rhiley McCabe

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  About the author

  Books in this series

  CHAPTER 1

  Crime-fighting is the primary responsibility of law enforcement, and an officer must not relent in his efforts to keep bad apples off the streets.

  Detective Harry Rogers sat in the interrogation room of the Fifth Precinct, recalling the words of the Governor of New York seven years ago at the graduation of the Advance Detective Course. Harry shared the sentiments of the Governor that crime fighting was the primary job of law enforcement. However, Harry believed in a more proactive approach to fighting crime. He believed that the best way to fight crime was by preventing crimes from happening in the first place. It was for this proactive cause that Harry considered crime-solving the secondary responsibility of a police officer. Therefore the relief he felt after solving a crime came second to his relief in the knowledge that he would soon resume the more important task of preventing it.

  Harry believed that the worth of a decent police officer was determined by the officer’s ability to put himself between criminals and their victims, that the ability to stop criminals from executing their intents is what law enforcement is about. Harry had failed to put himself between Jennifer James and her killer, and his failure broke his heart, despite the fact that tragic outcome was not as a result of his own shortcomings, nor that of the NYPD. Harry knew it was practically impossible for the police to stop every criminal from carrying out their despicable acts. Some unlucky victims would become statistics, and officers like himself would be required to bring the culprit to book, thus ensuring justice for the victims, for the state and, in sad cases such as that of Jennifer, for her loved ones. Harry’s crime-solving expertise was an invaluable asset to the police force, some members of the force held him in awe. However, Harry’s proactive crime-solving ideology made him wish he could prevent crimes as expertly as he solved them.

  Harry’s wandering mind was halted by the entrance of Catherine Underwood, who was accompanied by her lawyer. Harry had previously, albeit unsuccessfully, attempted to interrogate Catherine, but she had declined to answer any of his questions without a lawyer present. Catherine’s resistance to speaking to him alone was often a sign of someone who had something to hide. However, Harry had no choice but to wait, as Catherine was well within her rights to refuse to speak until a lawyer was in the room. Harry didn’t expect to face many difficulties in proving Catherine’s culpability. He was confident the evidence was sufficient to convince a jury of her guilt. Still, Harry wanted to ascertain Catherine’s motive. Although the evidence suggested jealousy, Harry wanted to confirm this and, if he could, get a confession out of Catherine. Once he was done with his interrogation, he would cross-check Catherine’s answers with the evidence he had acquired, and his job would be as good as done.

  It was the responsibility of the office of the Attorney General to file the charges and prove Catherine’s culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. Harry knew that the sooner he could conclude the interrogation, the sooner he could finish his job and go back to preventing crime. As Catherine walked in, Harry locked eyes with her lawyer. Instantly, he knew this was going to be a tough interrogation.

  Detective Harry Rogers would recognize Felicia Brown anywhere. The last time their paths crossed was six months ago when she had ferociously cross-examined Harry at the trial of a Wall Street billionaire who had sexually assaulted some of the women working in his firm. Harry had been in charge of the investigation, and it was he who made the arrest. Felicia Brown had intensely cross-examined some of the victims and cast doubts on their testimony. She had attempted to carry out the same intimidating style of cross-examination on Harry, but Harry stood his ground, and his testimony was decisive in helping the prosecution to win the case. Perhaps if Felicia Brown knew that Detective Harry Rogers held a law degree from Harvard she might have adopted a different approach in her cross-examination. Although the jury found the defendant guilty, Felicia Brown was able to negotiate a deal with the Department of Justice for her client. Her client’s sentence was substantially reduced, with a large fine making up for a lack of jail time. Harry had no doubt that the Wall Street billionaire would serve his reduced sentence in a facility that could hardly be called a prison, eating seafood and playing tennis. Felicia Brown had got her law degree from an Ivy League school. Her expertise in getting her clients out of trouble – even in the face of seemingly insurmountable evidence – made her the attorney of choice for white collar criminals – those who could afford her, at least.

  CHAPTER 2

  Seeing Felicia Brown next to Catherine was all Harry needed to know that Catherine’s family would spare no expense in proving her innocence. This was going to be a fight to the finish, and neither Detective Harry Rogers nor Felicia ever backed out of a fight.

  Felicia Brown smiled at Harry and extended her hand, “Isn’t it a pleasure to see you again, Harry. How’s the police force treating you?”

  Harry knew Felicia must have done some digging about him after their previous encounter, and she must have been looking forward to an opportunity to get her revenge. Harry smiled back and shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you too, Felicia. I see that you’re still the most expensive fixer in the city.”

  They all settled in their chairs, and Harry began the interrogation without allowing Catherine to gather herself. “Did you know Miss Jennifer James?” Harry asked.

  Catherine looked at Felicia, who nodded before Catherine answered, “Yes, I knew Jennifer. She was an acquaintance.”

  “What was your relationship with Miss James?”

  Once again, Catherine looked at Felicia to get her approval before answering, “I made Jennifer’s acquaintance when we met at a scholarship interview. Then we became friends… kinda.”

  “What do you mean by ‘friends kinda’?” Harry made a quote with his fingers to draw emphasis on his question.

  “We discussed academic-related issues, and Jennifer gave me advice on my essay.”

  Harry decided it was time to turn on the heat and unsettle Catherine. “When was the last time you saw Miss James?”

  “I saw Jennifer the night before she was murdered. We met to talk about the scholarship essay. Jennifer seemed upset. It looked like she had been crying.”

  “Did you ask Miss James why she looked upset?” Harry asked suspiciously

  “Yes, I asked her, but she didn’t say anything.”

  “What took you to Miss James’ room around 10 PM that night? You wanted to check if she was no longer sad, or was it to continue your scholarship essay conversation?” Harry asked with a sharp voice aimed at annoying Felicia Brown.

  Catherine whispered into her lawyer’s ears to inquire if she should divulge her mission at Jennifer’s room. Felicia nodded in approval before Catherine replied, “I went to Jennifer’s room to collect the essay she was helping me with. The deadline for submission was early the following morning.�
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  Harry was aware of the deadline; Jennifer’s professor had mentioned it. Interestingly, Felicia Brown knew that the essay found in possession of her client was the primary exhibit in proving her client’s culpability. Hence Felicia Brown wanted to make it look like Catherine hadn’t stolen the essay. Harry was impressed by Felicia’s maneuvering skills. But he knew Felicia had a mountain to climb to prove Catherine’s innocence, and Harry sure as hell wasn’t going to make it any easier for her.

  “Did you mean you went to Miss James’ room to steal her essay?” Harry asked calmly.

  “I beg your pardon? My client already answered your question. If you don’t have any other question to ask, then this interrogation is over,” Felicia Brown said, firmly.

  “This interrogation is far from over,” Harry said, smiling. “So you mean, Miss James was helping you with your essay when she was supposed to be working on her essay?”

  “Jennifer offered to help me, and she told me it wasn’t a problem,” Catherine said defensively.

  “So Miss James offered to help you with your essay and even went as far as taking it to her academic advisor. Now tell me, why would Miss James offer to do you such a favor?”

  Catherine looked at her lawyer for help, and it was Felicia Brown who calmly replied, “I suppose you would have to ask Miss James that question. But sadly, for everyone, you can’t.”

  Harry knew it would be difficult for Catherine to convince a jury that Jennifer had been willing to help her with her scholarship essay when Jennifer was applying for the same scholarship. Felicia Brown had her job cut out for her, and although she had done a decent job trying to explain Catherine’s relationship with Jennifer as well as Catherine’s presence in Jennifer’s room the night of the murder, Harry wanted to see how Catherine Underwood and her lawyer would explain her presence in Professor Smith’s neighborhood the night after the murder.

  “Do you know Professor Smith?”

  “Yes. Jennifer mentioned that he was her academic advisor, and he was helping her with my essay.”

  “Do you know where Professor Smith lives?”

  Catherine looked over at her lawyer in confusion. Felicia Brown also seemed taken aback by the question, but she quickly gathered herself together and replied: “Why would my client know Professor Smith’s place of residence?”

  “It’s a simple question, do you or do you not know where Professor Smith lives?” Harry asked impatiently.

  “What is the relevance of this question?” Felicia Brown fired back at Harry.

  “I’ll accept a simple yes or no,” Harry said calmly.

  “No,” Catherine replied curtly.

  “So, you are saying you have never been to Professor Smith’s neighborhood?” Harry doubled down on his question.

  “No. I don’t think so,” Catherine replied with a perplexing look on her face.

  “Well, we have CCTV footage of a person that looks like you driving into Professor Smith’s neighborhood a day after Jennifer was murdered,” Harry said with a smile, indicating he had Catherine boxed into a corner.

  “I can’t remember,” Catherine replied in an unconvincing manner.

  “I think you trailed Professor Smith home so you could plant the weapon you used to kill Miss James,” Harry spoke with a conviction that sent shivers running down Catherine’s spine.

  “That’s not true. I didn’t kill Jennifer,” Catherine said with a broken voice as tears began running down her cheeks.

  “If you tell me the truth, I might be able to help you,” Harry said in a kind manner, hoping that Catherine would let her guard down.

  “I didn’t kill Jennifer. Why would I kill someone who was kind to me?” Catherine had now broken down in tears, and her voice was shaking with emotion.

  “Maybe because you knew you didn’t stand a chance if you had written your scholarship essay yourself. Hence you decided to steal Miss James’ essay. And you decided to kill her so no one would find out,” Harry said to a helpless Catherine, who had completely lost her composure.

  “I didn’t kill Jennifer!” Catherine yelled at Harry.

  Felicia Brown decided that she had seen enough. If she allowed Harry to continue badgering Catherine with questions, Catherine might say something that could prejudice her defense.

  “That’s enough, Detective. This interrogation is over,” Felicia said firmly. She stood up and placed her hand on Catherine’s shoulder as they walked out.

  Detective Harry Rogers watched Catherine and her lawyer walk out of the room. The Police Chief and prosecutors from the office of the Attorney General had been watching the interrogation from the partition glass. Harry knew Catherine Underwood looked every bit a guilty person, and even the extraordinary defensive skills of Felicia Brown would not be enough to save her.

  CHAPTER 3

  Detective Harry Rogers sat at his Desk at the Fifth Precinct of the New York Police Department. He was filing the paperwork that had piled up during the investigation of Jennifer’s murder. Paperwork was the most boring aspect of a detective’s job, and Harry found his mind wandering as he worked. It had been two days since Harry interrogated Catherine Underwood. Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s office had filed charges including Theft and First Degree Murder against Catherine. The legal battle was going to begin soon, and the entire population of the State of New York was on the edge of their seats. The evidence against Catherine was substantial. She had been at the scene of the murder shortly before and after the crime was committed. Jennifer’s scholarship essay had been found in her possession, and Catherine had submitted the essay as her own. CCTV footage had placed Catherine in Professor Smith’s neighborhood. Although the footage wasn’t clear enough to be conclusive, when considered with other evidence it became quite persuasive.

  Harry predicted that Felicia Brown’s primary strategy would be to cast doubt on the prosecution’s argument that Catherine had stolen Jennifer’s scholarship essay. Felicia Brown would attempt to convince the jury that Jennifer had, in fact, offered to assist Catherine with her essay. But this was a long shot. There was no evidence of Jennifer offering to assist Catherine with her essay. Jennifer was the only one capable of proving Catherine’s assertion, and it was for Jennifer’s murder that she was being charged.

  The office of the Mayor and the Attorney General had addressed a joint press conference where sketchy details of Catherine’s life were revealed. Harry had expressly requested that he be exempted from the interview as he was not a fan of the press. But despite his attempt to avoid the press, journalists knew their way around the NYPD. It was a matter of hours before the press obtained the information that Detective Harry Rogers had led the investigation into Jennifer’s murder. As soon as that information got around, it became a race of which media outlet or journalist would get the first interview. Multinational media outlets, major newspapers, famous journalists and even up and coming freelancers were all vying to be the first to land an exclusive interview with the NYPD's finest Detective. Harry had been patient enough to refer the journalists who harassed him with phone calls to the Public Relations Office of the NYPD. He had not bothered to ask how they got his phone number – this was not his first rodeo with the press. Harry had been thrown into the limelight after he took down a notorious human trafficking ring. It was an operation that nearly cost his partner his life and subsequently forced his partner into early retirement. The significance of the operation attracted a media feast, and Harry had been the main course.

  From that experience, Harry had learned the almost maniacal ways of the press. These lessons came in handy two years later when Harry solved the mysterious disappearance of a popular YouTuber. Harry had learned that the best way to stay out of the press was to completely stay out of the press. And that involved declining to speak to journalists about any case he was handling, ever.

  Detective Harry Rogers had become tired and irritated by the barrage of phone calls from different journalists. He wanted to turn off his phone, bu
t his sense of responsibility wouldn’t allow him to risk missing an important call. Harry’s phone rang for what seemed to be the twentieth time that morning. He glanced over to see which journalist was calling to persuade him to grant an interview. The caller ID surprised Harry because it wasn’t one he had been expecting, and he closed his file and took the call. The call was brief, and it left Harry too curious to return to his paperwork. He had not spoken to the dean since he interviewed Professor Smith, hence his surprise at the call. The dean had called to inform him that a student had come forward with some information about the night of the murder. Harry thanked the dean and hung up. He would have to visit the University tomorrow morning to interview the student, and his curiosity made it difficult for him to concentrate on the paperwork. He wondered if the information would bring a new twist to the case, or would it deliver the conclusive proof of Catherine Underwood’s culpability.

  CHAPTER 4

  Detective Harry Rogers had gone to bed with an unbearable curiosity due to the call he received from the dean. When he woke up the next morning, it was with the same curiosity. Harry considered skipping his usual morning stop at Little Bobby’s Restaurant because his curiosity had displaced any hunger he was supposed to be feeling. However, Harry decided against this because the University’s daily business didn’t begin until 8 AM. If he went straight to the University, he would probably get to the Dean’s office before the secretary. Harry decided to have his customary thirty minute breakfast.

  * * *

  Harry drove into New York University exactly forty-five minutes past 8 AM. It was just about the time when the university residents began making their way to their respective jobs. Harry noticed that things were back to normal at the University, and the environment no longer had a tense and somber atmosphere that enveloped it after Jennifer was murdered. Harry assumed the news of Catherine’s arrest must have circulated the University, and, perhaps, the knowledge that Justice was going to be served brought the staff and students of the University enough relief to get back to their normal lives.