To Die in Beverly Hills

murder, burglary and everything else we can think of. If you will give us Bailey, we will make your cooperation known to the District Attorney. We'll recommend that you be released on a personal recognizance bond. We will be on your side. If Bailey tries to cause you problems, we will provide you protection.'

Chagra was quiet for a while, still staring at the table.

'I'll cooperate if I get immunity,' he said finally. 'That's the only way I'll do it. I want a free pass. I want to be able to get up and walk right out of here. For anything less than that, it's not worth the risk.'

'Can't do it,' Carr said. 'It's out of the question.'

'I know you can't. That's why I'm ready to go downtown right now. I'm ready to be booked. You people are wasting your breath.'

The men looked at one another around the table.

'I say we throw a phone call in to the district attorney's office and see what they say,' Higgins said.

'They'll never go for immunity,' Carr said, 'but I guess it can't hurt to give 'em a call.'

'You tell the D.A. that I want it in writing,' Chagra said. 'I want it in writing that if I cooperate and do what you want to make a case on Bailey, that I will get complete immunity from all charges and you will let me go with no strings attached. Tell 'em I said that.'

Higgins stood up and walked to a phone in the living room. He dialed information and asked for the number of the district attorney's office. He wrote the number down, then made another phone call. Without lowering his voice, he explained the case in detail. Having completed the call, he returned to the kitchen and took his seat. 'A deputy district attorney will be here within the hour.'

'I'm not trying to be an asshole about this,' Bones said. 'It's just that I've been screwed on deals before.'

'We understand.' Carr stood up from the table. Exhausted, he went over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of eggs. He set the carton on the work counter.

'Two or three?'

'Are you talking to me?' Chagra said with a quizzical look.

'I'm going to make breakfast,' Carr said. 'How many eggs would you like?'

Chagra smiled. 'You guys are all right.'

'We're just doing a job,' Higgins said. 'Just a job.'

After preparing enough eggs and toast for all of them Carr set the plates on the table. Higgins unshackled Chagra's hand from the table leg.

There was little conversation as they ate. When they finished, Carr refilled their coffee cups. As they sat drinking their coffee, the doorbell rang. Higgins left the table and opened the front door. He returned to the kitchen followed by Jack Kelly, who wore a blue suit and carried a briefcase. He set the briefcase on the kitchen table before he pulled out a chair and sat down.

Carr introduced himself. They shook hands.

Kelly turned to Chagra. 'My name is Harry Weese,' he said. 'I'm a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney. Before we go any further I must warn you that you have the right to remain silent and anything you say to me could be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand that?'

'Do you have any identification to prove you work for the district attorney's office?' Chagra said.

Carr's stomach muscles tightened.

Without hesitation, Jack Kelly pulled out his wallet. He thumbed out a business card and handed it to Chagra, put his wallet back.

Chagra stared at the card for a moment. 'Do you have anything else … an I.D. card or something?'

Kelly frowned. 'A few minutes ago I was sitting in my office preparing for a very important trial. My supervisor walks in my office and tells me to drive to Beverly Hills to write out a prosecutory deal. I drive through peak rush-hour traffic. Here I am. And now you want to see my I.D.? Like who in the hell do you think I am? You called me. I didn't call you.'

Chagra paused for a moment, looking at Kelly. 'Never mind,' he said sheepishly.

Carr's stomach muscles finally relaxed. 'We were staked out here,' he said. 'We apprehended Mr. Chagra in the act of breaking into this house. Because we're more interested in the person who set up the burglary, we'd like to offer him a deal.'

'Look, I don't like these do a deal at the scene operations,' Kelly said. 'In general, I don't approve of them.' He glanced at his wristwatch. 'Excuse me.' He stood up, walked over to the phone and dialed a number. 'This is Weese,' he said. 'Tell the clerk in courtroom twenty-three I'll be a few minutes late. Thanks.' He hung up the receiver and returned to the table.

'We want to give this man immunity because it was a policeman who set up the burglary,' Carr said. 'He can lead us to him.'

'And I want it in writing,' Chagra said. 'That's the only way I'll do it.'

'I have about fifteen minutes before I have to leave to be in court.' Kelly opened his briefcase and took out a sheet of paper and a pen. He wrote 'Grant of Immunity' across the top.

'You understand that this grant implies that you must cooperate fully with the investigation that these officers are conducting,' Kelly said.

'Yes, sir.'

Kelly spent a quarter of an hour preparing the phony document. Finally, he signed it and handed it to Carr. It read:

In exchange for complete cooperation with Special Agent Charles Carr, U.S. Treasury Department, and Detective Ralph Higgins, Los Angeles Police Department, the District Attorney of the County of Los Angeles agrees not to prosecute Robert Chagra for the burglary committed this date at the residence, 1678 King's Circle Road, Beverly Hills, California. Immunity herein granted applies to no other crime in this nor any other jurisdiction and implies no further immunity for crimes. Cooperation by Robert Chagra is defined for purposes of this limited grant of immunity as his (Chagra's) full, complete, and honest efforts in the gathering of evidence concerning other conspirators.

Harry K. Weese

Deputy District Attorney

Carr handed the document to Chagra. He moved his lips as he read. When he finished, he looked up at Kelly, who reached out for the sheet of paper.

'Don't I get to keep the agreement?' Chagra said, drawing it toward him.

'Sure,' Kelly said. 'But I suggest you allow me to take it back to the courthouse and file it in the immunity file. If a dispute ever developed between you and these officers, the original copy would be in possession of the Office of the District Attorney. It will be a matter of legal record.'

Chagra stared at the agreement for a moment, then looked at Carr.

Kelly stood up to leave. Grudgingly, Bones Chagra handed the agreement to Kelly.

Without expression, he flipped open his briefcase and dropped the agreement inside. He shut the briefcase and, after making another comment about being late for a hearing, rushed out the door.

Carr had the urge to sigh but didn't. 'How do you and Bailey usually get in touch after you make a score?' he said.

'He usually phones me.'

'Where?'

'At my apartment. He gives me a number and tells me to go to a pay phone. I call him back. He asks me how everything went. I tell him.'

'Then what?'

'Then he picks me up. We drive around in his car and discuss where to fence everything. But lately he doesn't want to meet in person. He said there's too much heat.'

'This isn't going to be easy,' Higgins said.

'Does he talk freely on the phone?' Carr said.

Chagra shook his head. 'No way. On the phone it's just yes and no and how'd everything go? He doesn't trust anyone. He's a cop, man.'

'And when you meet in person?' Higgins said.

Chagra nodded. 'He talks pretty freely.'