“You have a conscience, good for an officer of the law. But don’t let it torment you over actions that were lawful and necessary.”
Lainie let his words sink in. She’d done what was necessary, nothing more, and she could live with that.
CHAPTER 60
Ben returned to work stiff and sore but rested. He was met with very good news. The little black book proved invaluable. Analysts and agents had pored over the book, and the information already resulted in multiple arrests all over the country. However, here in Long Beach, no one knew where Dallas Vine was.
“How’s the shoulder?” Mark asked.
Ben rolled his shoulders and tried not to wince. “I’m good. What’s new?”
“Just talked to Shea. Stan Moffit is angling for a plea. He wants to turn state’s evidence.”
“Does he have anything we can use?”
“Don’t know. Shea and Collins will talk to him. We, on the other hand, get to talk to Crystal Benton.”
Ben didn’t hide his surprise. “She’s able and she wants to talk?”
“Her surgery went well; they repaired what they could. There is no repairing her spine. The doctors at County General had approved a visit, and she didn’t argue. The DA prepared an agreement that we will keep her in protective custody.” Mark held up a document. “Her public defender will be at the hospital to witness her signature and the interview.”
“That’s all she’s asking for?” Ben asked.
“Yep. We’re heading up there now. You ready?”
“You bet.”
County General Hospital was a sprawling facility off the 5 freeway. It took a while for Mark and Ben to be admitted. There was ID verification, then they had to stow their weapons, and finally they were admitted to Benton’s floor.
Ben was curious about what they’d find. He’d been a bit shocked at her prognosis. Lainie’s bullet had severed her spinal cord. Would that injury make her more or less likely to talk with them truthfully? They were about to find out.
When they entered the room, Benton had just been served lunch. Her bed was raised, so she was sitting up, but she wasn’t eating. Her eyes were closed, and Ben thought for a minute that she was sleeping. But when they reached the edge of her bed, she opened her eyes. She appeared small and pale lying in the hospital bed, but there was light in her eyes. They knew she was on pain meds, but the doctor said that she should be able to answer questions.
Before they spoke, a woman dressed in business attire came out of the restroom and identified herself as Benton’s attorney. “This is your show. My client has instructed me to butt out. I will be recording this interview.” She held up her phone.
“Not a problem,” Ben told her. “So will we.”
“Afternoon, Ms. Benton,” Mark spoke to her. “I’m Special Agent Mark Gentry and this is Agent Benjamin Isaacs.”
“Feds. I expected locals.”
“We are the ones with the protection agreement.” Mark set his briefcase down on a chair and took the form out, then handed it to the attorney.
She took a few minutes to read it, then moved Benton’s food to place it on the small table. “It’s what they promised, and what I advised against.”
“Doesn’t matter, I told you that. My life is over,” Benton said as she signed the paper. The attorney handed it back to Mark, who put it in his briefcase.
Mark turned back to Benton. “Do you feel up to answering questions now?”
“I know I’m facing local charges. I’m foggy on the federal ones.”
“Efren Gomez.”
Benton looked away and Mark continued. “The charges against you continue to shape up. You could help yourself out, though.”
“How? Gomez was a federal agent. You guys aren’t going to let me off on that. If you have the book, you have the key to everything.”
“Is that why you wanted the ledger?”
