Hunter's poker face was transformed by a wide smile.
'Weapons taken from Wendell Hayes's home were used in the shooting. The police concluded that a burglar stole the guns but I think Wendell took them. Hayes had an alibi for the night of the killings. Supposedly he was at a party with college friends who were home on Christmas break. I'm willing to bet that somewhere there is an interview with these boys. I think they were the original members of The Vaughn Street Glee Club and this is the only record that can point us to them.'
'Miss Jaffe,' Hunter said, 'if you ever get tired of practicing law there's a spot for you in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.'
'Then you believe me?'
'Oh, yes. I've been on this case for a while. Senator Travis had a penchant for rough sex and a thing for Lori Andrews. Dupre was buying his drugs from Pedro Aragon. When Portland Vice arrested Andrews, she agreed to work as an informant to help them get Dupre. The Bureau has been trying to break Pedro's cartel and we found out about Lori. During a debriefing, she told an agent about the senator, and I was brought in. We'd heard rumors that Pedro was connected to several prominent people in Oregon, and I'd heard Sammy Cortez's story about The Vaughn Street Glee Club. When Wendell Hayes tried to kill Dupre I started taking the story seriously. You've given me the last piece of information that I needed.'
'To do what?'
'Again, I'm afraid I can't tell you that, not until we close the loop. But I can tell you that you've performed an invaluable service by opening up to me.'
'Since I've been so helpful to you, do something for me.'
'If I can.'
'Can you take me to the hospital? I've got to see my father.'
Part Six
Chapter Forty-Nine.
Harvey Grant was taking off his robe when Tim Kerrigan burst into his chambers and collapsed onto a chair.
'You've got to help me,' Kerrigan pleaded.
'What's wrong, Tim?' Grant asked, alarmed. Kerrigan looked like a drunk or a crack addict. If he came apart it would be a disaster.
'I . . . I have dreams. I see her burning, and I can still see the way her face looked when I pulled the trigger. It exploded. There was so much blood.'
The judge sat next to Kerrigan. 'I'm glad that you've come to me, Tim. I'm glad that you know that you can trust me to help you.'
'You're the only one I can talk to.' His head dropped into his hands. 'I can't take it. I can't live like this. Maybe I should go to the police. I'd tell them it was all my idea. I wouldn't tell them about you or anyone else.'
Grant kept his voice calm. He had to stop Kerrigan from coming unglued.
'You're not thinking straight,' the judge said. 'A confession would destroy Cindy. And think of Megan. She would always be known as the daughter of a murderer, and she'd lose her father. You know what happens to children who grow up with that curse. You would be destroying her chance of happiness.'
Kerrigan nodded. 'You're right. I have to think of Megan. But what can I do? I feel lost. I can't find any peace.'
'Time will make the pain go. Two years from now you won't remember how sad you are today. You'll be in Washington, D.C., with Megan and Cindy by your side. You'll be one of the most powerful men in America and Ally Bennett will seem like someone who only existed in a dream.'
Kerrigan looked at Grant hopefully. 'Do you think that will really happen?'
Grant squeezed Kerrigan's shoulder. 'Trust me, Tim. This empty feeling, your guilt, it will all fade away. You'll be fine and your life will be good.'
Kerrigan embraced Grant. 'Thank you, Harvey.'
Grant patted Tim on the back. Then he got him a glass of water and waited while Tim pulled himself together. They talked for a while more and Kerrigan was calmer when he left. As soon as the door closed behind the prosecutor, Grant sagged.
'Detective Gregaros is here, Judge,' Grant's secretary said over the intercom.
'Send him in,' Grant said.
The judge had rarely seen Gregaros rattled, but he looked bad today.
'What happened last night?'
'Castillo fucked up. He's dead and so are his men.'
'What about Amanda Jaffe?'
'She's the one who killed Manuel.'
