The Face of Fear: A Powers and Johnson Novel (44 page)

Healey walked in as Bud was telling Lindsey what an amazing girl she was as well as a baker. Bud excused himself and walked over to Healey and said, “The extra shotgun will be sent with Dugan tonight. That way you have one in the cruiser and one in the house. I assume you are qualified?” Healey shot him a look with cross-eyes.

“Yeah, I guess you are,” Bud said.

“OK,” Healey said. “But we should have someone from emergency service with an MP5 over here.”

“If,” Bud replied, “we knew for certain they were going to make an attempt, yes, but let me discuss it further with Cronin. Listen,” Bud continued, “I will come over tonight for a few hours, then Paul will relieve me or we both will be here for about six hours so you can get some shuteye. Tomorrow night we will work something out, maybe even bring Dugan in the house so you can get some sleep during the night.” Healey nodded.

An MP5 is a select switch-type machine gun that has one bullet round, three bullet rounds, and a setting for a full-round burst, and Bud was not sure if they would want a weapon like that in a residential home.

“You won’t be alone, Justin. I know this changes a few things, but what the hell? Between Sherry, Rachelle, and now Lindsey, the taxpayers have a heavy cost with this one.” Healey looked over at Lindsey at the kitchen table then back at Bud.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, I’m worried about who we are dealing with here. This is not going to be pretty, I feel it.”

Lindsey interrupted them, saying, “I also am very good at hearing.”

Bud turned around and asked the girl, “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Yes,” she replied. “I can’t swim. I’m afraid of the water.”

“Well,” Bud answered, “I’m sure you could write a thesis on the scientific reasons why you can’t swim.”

Lindsey gave him a face and answered, “I’d rather write the scientific reasons why a plane should not be able to fly based on the way they are built,” and she stuck her tongue out.

“Ah,” Bud said, “we are going to have to have that discussion later before I fly to Los Angeles next month. Until then, can you go in the bathroom for a few minutes and turn on the fan. This is serious police business.”

Lindsey huffed and puffed as she went into the bathroom and shut the door. Bud looked at the door and spoke. “That kid is really going to have a husband one day and a family, I hope I’m around to see that.”

Healey answered, “I hope we are all around.

“Listen,” Bud said, “I have to get to the courthouse and see what’s going on, but we will be back. I think over the next 24 to 48 hours we should consider whether we want the parents going out on their own.”

“Yeah, I agree,” the officer replied.

Bud said, “Let me say goodbye to Lindsey, and I’ll see you later.” As he walked toward the door, it opened. “Were you listening to us?” he asked.

“No,” she smiled. “I heard footsteps coming toward the door.” He looked back at Healey then looked back at the young girl.

“You like playing with me, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she smiled. “You’re a funny guy.”

He nodded again and said, “That’s what they tell me.” He smiled and said, “I’ll see you later.” Lindsey smiled back.

“Bud,” Lindsey said, “it is faith that sometimes gives you the extra incentive or power to do more than what you originally intended to do.”

The detective stared at her for a moment and was very touched by her comment. He walked back to Lindsey and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you later, special girl.”

“OK,” she said. As he walked out the door, Lindsey yelled, “Hey, Officer Healey, how about I teach you how to play Angry Birds?” Bud waved to Franks as he got in his car to drive to the arraignment. He called Paul to find out if he was in the courtroom awaiting Judge Green, and his partner answered he was. Assistant District Attorney Ashley, Saunders, Simmons, as well as FBI Agents Sherman and O’Connor were in the courtroom as well.

“OK,” Bud said, “thanks for getting there for me. I’ll explain when I get there what’s going on now. As Cronin would say, 'The game just got a little more challenging.’”

Before he turned on the car, Bud looked up to the sky. “I hope you don’t mind that I did some verifying today. If you are all right with Lindsey, then you’re OK with me also. Please remember my request, and I will keep my word.”

He turned on the ignition and started driving out to Riverhead. As usual, when Bud drove alone, he had time to fill his mind with many thoughts. On this particular drive he was wondering why Cronin only showed Lindsey one photograph. His BlackBerry buzzed with a text from Nada thanking him for the terrific interview and the exclusive. He sent her a quick text back—“YW,” for “You’re welcome”—while he was driving. Of course, he had no idea what she was so excited about. Like everyone else, except, of course, Cronin, no one else knew. Yet in the morning, the whole world would know that the Suffolk County Police Department, through the words of Detective Lieutenant Cronin, knew who was responsible for all of this.

Bud lost so much track of time that he was at exit 69 on the expressway before he knew it. He noticed the radio was playing “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry. Normally he would be singing along with it, but this time his mind was too distracted. He spoke aloud in the car, saying, “Too much going on.”

It was another 10 minutes before Bud turned off the Long Island Expressway on exit 73 and drove to the court building. It was 3:50 pm by the time Bud met Paul in the courtroom, and his timing was perfect. Judge Green was delayed with other
State of New York vs. People
arraignments, and the Patty Saunders hearing was just getting under way.

Bud whispered to Paul, “More problems. Lindsey witnessed Allan’s murder. Your friend was also a hero; he hid her inside the desk opening with his legs. This is why he was sitting there. If he got up to fight off Phil, she would have been seen. We’ll talk after this.”

Paul looked at Bud and put his hand to his forehead. His thoughts were with his friend, Allan, who had saved Lindsey’s life.

The bailiff started talking, saying, “The People versus Patricia Saunders.” Assistant District Attorney Ashley began talking to Judge Green for the People’s recommendation of bail for $2 million, the surrender of her passport, and the wearing of an ankle monitor.

Judge Green looked over at defense attorney Simmons and asked, “Any comments?”

“No, Your Honor,” he replied.

“Excuse me, Your Honor. I’m Special Agent Sherman, this is Special Agent O’Connor. We would appreciate a delay on the bail arraignment.”

The judge looked at Agent Sherman and asked, “On what grounds?”

Agent Sherman replied, “We have been requested by the U.S. Attorney to delay this until he can get here to discuss with you.”

The judge shrugged his shoulders and asked, “So where is he?”

“He should be here by tomorrow, Your Honor,” Agent O’Connor replied.

Judge Green sat in silence as he looked at Ashley and Simmons. Ashley was starting to get a sinking feeling, when the judge surprised him by saying, “I haven’t heard a thing. No one from the U.S. Attorney’s office has sent me a note, given me a phone call, or even an email about this. Instead, the two of you come into my courtroom and basically object and ask for a delay until it’s convenient for him. I don’t operate that way. So consider your objection denied. We will proceed unless, of course, the U.S. Attorney walks in during this.”

Bud sent Deborah a text during all of this, saying, “This is probably inappropriate, but I wanted you to know I was thinking about you.”

She answered back, “Thank you. It makes me feel good that you were, because I think about you.”

Paul looked over at Bud’s smile as the court proceedings continued and whispered to him, “What are you looking like a proud peacock who’s showing his feathers for?”

Bud looked over at him and said, “That obvious, eh?” as he smiled again.

Paul and Bud were actually enjoying watching Judge Green interact with the two attorneys. Bud even waved at O’Connor and even gave him the ASL sign for “sorry” about being denied the chance to delay the hearing. ASL stood for American Sign Language for deaf children and adults. “Sorry” in ASL is closing your hand like a fist over your chest and moving it in a circular motion.

“You forgot the bulletproof vest,” Green said to Ashley, regarding the release.

“It will be taken care of, Your Honor,” Ashley replied.

Judge Green set bail at $2 million, contingent upon the ankle monitor and bulletproof vest. The judge asked who was posting bail, and the name Robert Simpson was given. Bud stood up as he heard the name. Paul tried to pull him down.

“Wait,” Bud yelled.

“Who the hell are you?” Judge Green asked.

“Detective Johnson,” Bud answered, as he walked up to Assistant District Attorney Ashley. “He’s using the money from the house to get this bitch out on bail,” he said to the assistant district attorney.

“Let it go,” Ashley said to him in a loud whisper.

“What?” Bud replied.

The judge interrupted them, saying, “Sit down, Detective, before I find you in contempt.”

Bud waved at the judge to speak to Ashley again and said, “Listen to me; he’s going to use the cash from the mansion.”

Ashley moved closer to Bud as Paul came up behind him. The ADA said, “Stop right now and go speak to Cronin. We know what we are doing.”

Paul grabbed Bud as his partner yelled, “Cronin again! What the fuck is going on!”

The judge stood up, saying, “You are in contempt. Take this detective into lockup! Bailiff!”

Paul put his fingers on Bud’s mouth as the court officer took Bud away. He turned to Ashley and said, “John, we can’t help if we don’t know what’s going on.”

“Listen,” the assistant district attorney answered, “I don’t know everything going on, but there’s one thing I do have that you and Bud need to get, and that’s faith in your boss. You guys do as you’re told, and you might just get out of this case alive. Now if you want me to get Bud out, I’m going to have to find more money for bail.”

Paul spoke up again, saying, “So Cronin is aware that Simpson is putting up the bond for her?”

“Talk to him!” Ashley said as he walked away.

“I’m coming with you,” Paul said as they walked to the holding cell. “The girl witnessed Allan Jones’ murder.”

Ashley stopped and turned around, asking, “Who’s watching her?”

“We have Justin Healey staying with her. There’s no one better. They have no chance getting to her unless they rush the house with 20 suicide-mission guys, and even then it’s not a sure thing. We also have a car outside and unscheduled stops at the house.”

O’Connor and Sherman walked up to them in the hallway. “We will want to question her,” O’Connor said.

“What for?” Paul asked.

O’Connor made a face and looked at Sherman, who said, “She witnessed a murder by someone responsible for the kidnapping of Deborah Lance. I think that gives us the right to interview her. We will make arrangements with your chief if Cronin doesn’t want to help. Meanwhile, I think your boy needs you.”

Paul stood there looking at them as they walked away. “Interesting,” the detective said out loud.

“What?” Ashley said.

“All in due time,” Paul said. “Let’s get Bud the hell out of here.”

“Let’s go talk to Judge Green first; it’s our best chance,” Ashley said.

They walked into Judge Green’s office with Assistant District Attorney Ashley beginning the conversation. “I apologize, Judge, on behalf of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Police Department, but I would like to explain the circumstances behind it.”

The judge leaned back as he spoke and said, “I can’t wait to hear this one,” as he looked at Paul. “And you are?”

“I’m Detective Sergeant Powers, Your Honor. Bud Johnson is my partner, and I must apologize also, but please understand that when you said Robert Simpson would be paying the bond on Patty Saunders, he knew where the money was coming from.”

“So?” the judge said.

“Well,” Paul continued, “the money being used for the bail is the same that was intended to be used for Deborah Lance.”

“I suppose you have proof of that?” the judge said.

Paul raised his voice and said, “Your Honor, Robert Simpson does not have 10 percent of $2 million for the release. It’s obvious where the money is coming from!”

“One more raised tone from you, and you will be in the cell with your partner,” the judge replied.

“Sir,” Assistant District Attorney Ashley said, “it is imperative to this case that Detective Johnson be released to serve your contempt charge at another time.”

“Give me a good reason,” the judge replied.

Paul spoke up again, saying, “A 12-year-old girl is a witness in this case that can break it wide open. She is in protective custody at her house now, and Detective Johnson is one of only a few people this girl trusts. If he is kept here, her life could be in jeopardy.”

The judge grumbled some inaudible words and told the assistant district attorney he could get his detective.

They went into the hallway as Paul called Cronin to inform him what happened at the courthouse.

Robert Simpson’s cell phone rang, and it was William Lance on the other end.

“Mr. Lance,” Simpson said, “Debbie won’t take any of my calls. You have to believe me, I had nothing to do with any of this.”

“I suppose not,” William Lance answered, “except betrayal.”

“That was over a year ago,” Simpson answered. “Patty even approached you, from what I hear. Please, I would never have anything to do with hurting Debbie in this way.”

“This is not why I called you,” Mr. Lance spoke. “Whatever issues you and Deborah have, you will have to either work out between yourselves or move on; it will be her decision.”

There was a pause, and then Simpson asked, “My job?”

“Robert,” Lance replied, “You know I can’t have you at the house while Deborah is with me; it would be too uncomfortable.” Then he spoke again, saying, “But I have had time down here the past few days to consider a few things, and I would like to offer you an opportunity to stay in the guesthouse and tie up any loose ends with your belongings and such. Someone will be in the house, and it will give you a chance to get things right in your mind. I’m doing this, Robert, because I’ve been told from Detective Lieutenant Cronin you had nothing to do with Deborah’s kidnapping or the killings.”