Junior did not answer. He looked desperate.
'We know that Brademas told your father that you were skimming money from the mortuaries. That's what you and your father argued about.'
'That's bullshit, pure bullshit, and I'm not talking to you two anymore without a lawyer.'
'That's your choice,' Dennis said, 'but it might be smart to cooperate with us now. That way we can tell the D. A. to give you a break.'
'What D. A.? Are you gonna charge me with some crime?'
'Why, have you done something you're worried about?'
'No, I haven't,' Junior said, but he looked confused and scared. 'Now, why don't you two get out of here?'
'We're going to leave, but you'll be coming with us while these officers search your apartment.
'Take him into the bedroom and let him dress,' Anthony told two of the officers. Two men surrounded Junior. He hesitated and Anthony said, 'We can take you downtown dressed in those skivvies and put you in the drunk tank, if you'd like.'
Junior wrenched his elbow free and strode angrily out of the room.
Chapter 25.
[1]
Lou Anthony and Leroy Dennis met Cedric Riker at Benjamin Gage's house at three o'clock/Tuesday afternoon. Benjamin Gage ushered Anthony and Dennis into his den, where Riker was waiting drink in hand. It looked like their arrival had interrupted a chat between old friends.
'I know that you gentlemen are busy, so why don't you tell me how I can help you?'
'Do you know a woman named Karen Fargo, Senator?' Anthony asked quickly to keep Riker from conducting the questioning.
'No. I don't believe I've ever met her.'
'But you know who she is,' Dennis said.
Dennis smiled disarmingly, but Ryan Clark had briefed his boss on both detectives and he knew that he was not dealing with fools.
'Of course. I've followed Senator Crease's case very closely.'
'Have you ever paid her any money, Senator?' Dennis asked.
'Now, wait a minute,' Riker interjected, 'we're not here to . . .'
Gage held up his hand and Riker's sentence squealed to a halt.
'I have great respect for the law, Ced. I want to be completely candid with these men.'
Gage turned to Dennis. 'I hope I didn't do anything wrong in urging Miss Fargo to go to the police with what she knew, but I felt that her evidence would be of use in finding Lamar Hoyt's killer. Was it illegal to find Miss Fargo a job after Ellen Crease had her fired? Was I wrong to help her with her rent and food until she could get back on her feet?'
'No one is accusing you of doing anything illegal, Senator,' Riker assured Gage.
'I appreciate that, because, after the fact, I wondered if I'd been out of bounds.'
'Mr. Clark, he's your assistant?' Anthony asked.
'Administrative assistant. A true patriot. He was a navy SEAL. Decorated extensively.'
'Do you happen to know his whereabouts on last Wednesday?'
'I'm afraid you'll have to ask him about that. I'm sure he'll answer all your questions.'
'Do you know where we can reach him?'
'Certainly.'
Gage told them a phone number.
'Senator, did you or Mr. Clark know Marie Ritter or Martin Jablonski?'
Gage smiled patientiy. 'I can only speak for myself. I recognize Mr. Jablonski's name, of course, and I can assure you that we never met. I'm unfamiliar with the other person you mentioned. I can't speak for Mr. Clark. You'll have to ask him.'
Riker stood up. 'Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.'
'Anytime, Ced. I'm a strong supporter of the police.'
Gage walked the detectives and the district attorney to the front door. When they were on their way, the senator returned to his study and phoned Ryan Clark.
'How did it go?' Clark asked.
'Piece of cake.'
[2]
The message light on the answering machine was blinking furiously when Quinn and Laura returned home from the beach late Tuesday afternoon.
'Probably reporters/' Quinn said as he carried the last of the bags in from the car.
'Or my office,' Laura answered as she hit the Play button.
They were right about the first four messages, but the fifth was from Ellen Crease.
'Judge, I've tried calling you every place I could think of, but no one knows where you are. It's urgent that we speak as soon as possible. Please call me immediately.'
'I wonder what that's about,' Laura said.
'I'd better call. She sounded upset.'
Quinn dialed the number Crease had left. James Allen answered the phone. Quinn gave his name and Ellen Crease picked up a moment later.
'I just got your message. Laura and I have been hiding out at the coast since early Sunday. What's up?'
'We need to talk.'
Crease sounded very tense.
'About what?'
'It's not something that we should discuss over the phone. Can you come to my house?'
'Now?'
'Right away.'
'Can't this wait until tomorrow? We just walked in the door and I'm bushed.'
'It has to be now. Please. This concerns both of our futures. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.'
Quinn hesitated. Then he gave in.
'Use the back entrance to the estate. That way, no one will see you. I'll leave the gate open. It's a little tricky to get to. You have to take some back roads.'
'Give me the directions.'
Quinn grabbed a pencil and wrote down Crease's instructions on a pad, then read them back.
'What was that about?' Laura asked when Quinn hung up.
'I have no idea.'
'Can't it wait until tomorrow?'
'She sounded very uptight, so she must think that it's important we meet. She even wants me to come by a back way so I won't be seen.'
'Call her back and tell her you'll talk to her tomorrow.'
'She saved my life, Laura.'
Laura sighed. 'You're right. Do you want me to come with you?'
Quinn squeezed Laura's hand. 'There's no reason why both of us should run out. I won't be gone long.'
Quinn left and Laura carried their bags upstairs to the bedroom. She was unpacking them when something Crease had said on the answering machine flitted in and out of her consciousness. Laura paused and tried to recapture the thought. She frowned, then shook her head. It was gone. She was tempted to replay Crease's message but that would mean going downstairs. She felt sticky from the ride. She decided to shower first. It was probably nothing, anyway.
Quinn took the back roads to the Hoyt estate and ended at a small gated entrance surrounded by woods. The gate was open, just as Crease said it would be. It was almost a mile to the house on a narrow unpaved road.
Ellen Crease was waiting for Quinn at the rear door.
