Beaming, my wife raises her hand and I nod. “Go for it, babe.”
“Maybe I can explain. While investigating the missing teenager, I found her picture on a URL hosted on a UB college server. The site was supposed to be for a legitimate club but if you put a few more characters in the URL, a window pops up with a whole different menu. So, pretending to be a john, I ordered Selena’s daughter online, but another girl shows up and says her co-worker is gone so I go back home but someone follows me in the airport and tells me I better back off or-else and before you ask, he did not specify the threat. I had to fill in the blanks and I tell you, with a baby, it doesn’t take a whole lot of imagination to figure out what he meant so I called my less-than-above-board Uncle Vinny and my dad, Police Chief Russo. Now, my son and the rest of the people I love are well-guarded, but I really want to go home. That being said, I wish like fuck you would ask your god damned questions so I can have a good night’s sleep!”
I clap my hands. “Damn, girl. You were magnificent.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” My wife kisses my cheek.
Grinning, the detective in the corner makes an OK sign with thumb and forefinger at the mirror.
Miller glances behind his back but he’s too late. “So, who do you think killed the college kid?”
When I chuckle under my breath, Sam kicks me under the table. “I’m guessing it was Ronnie. She did dispose of the body.”
“Dare I ask? Who is she and how is she involved?”
Sam’s eyes pop open. “That’s it! She’s the missing piece. Two birds with one stone. Get it?”
“I’m not following you, babe.” My eyes search her animated face.
“Let’s think about this.” She ignores everyone else, speaking only to me. “We have a justice reversing his opinion on a dime. The FBI is called in to investigate. If we research, I’ll bet ten million dollars Selena saw the lobbyist payoff Bannerman.
“Excuse me can I-” Miller tries interrupting but I shut him down with a loud shush because my wife is on to something.
“I’ll break it down for you. Hold on a second.” My gal’s eyes light up. “A federal judge does not change his opinion overnight. The FBI must’ve suspected a bribe. Social media did, too. The authorities wouldn’t’ve needed to dig deep to find our client and Cavell were both with Bannerman the night he changed his mind. However, like us, the government boys couldn’t make the hooker talk. I’m guessing they learned her daughter was a person of interest in a murder and put pressure on Selena. Either she sings or Chrissy is arrested.
I catch her drift. “The agents investigating Bannerman must’ve learned about Chrissy’s profession. They had the perfect weapon.”
“But our girl escapes and now the Feds have squat.” Sam high-fives me as the detective in the corner moves in closer. “But who killed the college kid?”
My wife skews her face. “I’m not sure. Maybe, it has nothing to do with the Brights. However, it was very convenient. What better way to scare the teenager into leaving town?”
Miller digs his knuckles into his temples. “What does this all have to do with the man lying in my morgue?”
Sam frowns at me. “He sure is impatient.”
“Agreed.” I lean back in my chair, lift my legs, and cross my ankles on the table. “Alrighty. Let me try this from a different angle. A high-end escort comes into my office to find her daughter and is shot at. She also hires me as her bodyguard. Come to find out, my client witnessed a judge bein’ bribed and by who?”
My wife pokes me. “It’s by whom.”
“Huh. No shit. I always confuse the two. Are you sure?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Sutcliff. Please continue.” Poor Sergeant Miller. I kind of feel sorry for him so try harder to explain.
“The bribe came from none other than Mr. CJ Cavell, your dead lobbyist, who spoke to Bannerman the night he reversed his stance. And that is why we was talkin’ to him yesterday, to try to find out who he was lobbying for.”
“And who is he promoting?” Our interrogator wipes his brow with a tiny paper napkin leftover from our last coffee run.
“America’s Pride. A super PAC.” Sam jumps in.
“Are you saying a campaigner bribed a judge.” When Miller’s jaw drops, I shake my head.
“No sir, I am suggesting it is mighty suspicious.”
“Do you have any evidence to support your theory?”
I share a knowing look with my partner and wait for her nod before speaking my mind. “Selena saw Cavell give the judge a USB drive. He put it in his safe, but he will no doubt deny it. You’ll never get a warrant. Even if you do, who’ll the courts believe, one of their own or an escort?”
After we finish, I repeat my story at least a dozen more times, with more and more elaborate details. My gal gave up hours ago and drools, snoring with her head on my lap.
“So, you were watching the judge’s house for what reason?” Miller sighs, drinks the dregs of his coffee, and gags.
“As I already explained, me and my wife were staking out his home, hoping whoever was trying to scare Ms. Bright would tip their hand.”
“That makes no sense whatsoever.”
“You want me to start over?” Raising my brows, I glance at him hopefully, but the man closes his eyes, lines of pain etched in his forehead.
“God no. Not another word.”
