through to Sheriff Fisks line. The sheriff was not pleased to hear from him.
Rosen. I thought you were in New York. Whats so very important you have to wake me in the middle of the night?
Jake told him about the results of his autopsy on Theresa Alessis, his suspicion that both she and Harrigan were poisoned, the condition of Petes cottage, the missing bottle. Its a double murder, he finished. I wanted to alert you as soon as possible.
I surely am grateful, Fisk said, but I gotta tell you: I never heard such a pile of horse manure in my life.
You mean you dont believe me?
Rather than Harrigans doctor, who already signed the death certificate: Died of natural causes ? Not a chance.
Hes an enemy, Jake realized with surprise. Be careful.
Besides, Fisk went on, you dont have a motive or a suspect. Can you imagine the repercussions if I halt the mall project again because of some city doctors cockamamy theory? Maybe there was a bottle of scotch, maybe there wasnt. Maybe Harrigan killed himself because he didnt want to live through the pain of the cancer. Sickness can screw up your head. He probably never thought about the maid. Maybe you put poison in the bottle before you gave it to him for certain youd be my first suspect. And maybe well say good night nice and polite, and you and your lady friend can get back to the city and not bother us again. The receiver slammed down.
He was just as defensive about the bones, Jake thought. I wonder if he gets a kickback on the mall deal? He told Manny about his conversation as they got in the car. Hes right about the hard evidence, Jake said. Theres no proof anybody was murdered. He stretched. You sure youre okay to drive?
Unless youve learned to use a stick in the past eight hours, what choice do I have? She started the car. She was so tired she envied his shabby loafers.
They drove in silence for a while. Jake dozed against the window, a contented Mycroft curled on his lap. His eyelids are twitching, she noticed. Ill bet he saws people in half when he sleeps. She wanted to touch him, to ease his tension and her own. She wanted to feel the warmth of his hand on her face. She wanted to
Manny! He sat bolt upright.
Whats the matter?
Fisk told both of us to get back to the city. But I never mentioned you. How the hell did he know you were with me?
JAKE STOPPED at his apartment only long enough to shower and change clothes before heading to his office next to Bellevue Hospital, his mind not tired even if his body was. Was Fisk the man who had followed them, terrified Mycroft, and stolen the Johnnie Walker bottle? Did he know who the murderer was? Was he the murderer himself? A murder investigation would halt construction of the mall, even if the unidentified bones didnt. Did Fisk have a financial interest in the mall? Did Mayor Stevenson? Was there a conspiracy with Reynolds Construction to bilk Baxter County and the State of New York out of millions?
These were the questions that obsessed him, and he found it difficult to concentrate on the paperwork that lay before him. How much time can I afford to give to the case when my duty is to this MEs office? What responsibility do I have to solve it? Would I involve Manny again? If not, should I ask her to go out with me?
He shook his head to clear it What in Gods name are you thinking about? and decided his allegiance was to Pete Harrigan. Long as it takes. Dont let his murderer go free.
A knock on the door brought his mind back to his office. Come in, Wally.
Dr. Walter Winnick always knocked, though Jake had told him a hundred times he didnt have to; the office was as much his as Jakes. The man was excessively shy, probably because of his clubfoot, but his education was superb Harrigan, after all, had been his mentor at Columbia. Wally had taken Petes death hard, and he took over much of Jakes
Rosen. I thought you were in New York. Whats so very important you have to wake me in the middle of the night?
Jake told him about the results of his autopsy on Theresa Alessis, his suspicion that both she and Harrigan were poisoned, the condition of Petes cottage, the missing bottle. Its a double murder, he finished. I wanted to alert you as soon as possible.
I surely am grateful, Fisk said, but I gotta tell you: I never heard such a pile of horse manure in my life.
You mean you dont believe me?
Rather than Harrigans doctor, who already signed the death certificate: Died of natural causes ? Not a chance.
Hes an enemy, Jake realized with surprise. Be careful.
Besides, Fisk went on, you dont have a motive or a suspect. Can you imagine the repercussions if I halt the mall project again because of some city doctors cockamamy theory? Maybe there was a bottle of scotch, maybe there wasnt. Maybe Harrigan killed himself because he didnt want to live through the pain of the cancer. Sickness can screw up your head. He probably never thought about the maid. Maybe you put poison in the bottle before you gave it to him for certain youd be my first suspect. And maybe well say good night nice and polite, and you and your lady friend can get back to the city and not bother us again. The receiver slammed down.
He was just as defensive about the bones, Jake thought. I wonder if he gets a kickback on the mall deal? He told Manny about his conversation as they got in the car. Hes right about the hard evidence, Jake said. Theres no proof anybody was murdered. He stretched. You sure youre okay to drive?
Unless youve learned to use a stick in the past eight hours, what choice do I have? She started the car. She was so tired she envied his shabby loafers.
They drove in silence for a while. Jake dozed against the window, a contented Mycroft curled on his lap. His eyelids are twitching, she noticed. Ill bet he saws people in half when he sleeps. She wanted to touch him, to ease his tension and her own. She wanted to feel the warmth of his hand on her face. She wanted to
Manny! He sat bolt upright.
Whats the matter?
Fisk told both of us to get back to the city. But I never mentioned you. How the hell did he know you were with me?
JAKE STOPPED at his apartment only long enough to shower and change clothes before heading to his office next to Bellevue Hospital, his mind not tired even if his body was. Was Fisk the man who had followed them, terrified Mycroft, and stolen the Johnnie Walker bottle? Did he know who the murderer was? Was he the murderer himself? A murder investigation would halt construction of the mall, even if the unidentified bones didnt. Did Fisk have a financial interest in the mall? Did Mayor Stevenson? Was there a conspiracy with Reynolds Construction to bilk Baxter County and the State of New York out of millions?
These were the questions that obsessed him, and he found it difficult to concentrate on the paperwork that lay before him. How much time can I afford to give to the case when my duty is to this MEs office? What responsibility do I have to solve it? Would I involve Manny again? If not, should I ask her to go out with me?
He shook his head to clear it What in Gods name are you thinking about? and decided his allegiance was to Pete Harrigan. Long as it takes. Dont let his murderer go free.
A knock on the door brought his mind back to his office. Come in, Wally.
Dr. Walter Winnick always knocked, though Jake had told him a hundred times he didnt have to; the office was as much his as Jakes. The man was excessively shy, probably because of his clubfoot, but his education was superb Harrigan, after all, had been his mentor at Columbia. Wally had taken Petes death hard, and he took over much of Jakes
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