“You selling these?” asked Sullivan. “I don’t see a price.”
“I told you I needed tags.” Drew’s slack features brightened a bit. “You interested? I can do a deal for you.”
Out of the side of his mouth, Buddy said, “I’ll just bet.” He shook his head. “This your idea of keeping your nose clean?”
“What?” asked Drew, rubbing his furrowed brow. “What are you saying?”
Sullivan cut to the chase. “There should be five, Drew. Where’s the fifth TV? Inside?”
Buddy said, “Maybe you left it in Mr. Mansfield’s pickup. A token of your appreciation as it were.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about it. I don’t know who this Mansfield is. What pickup? I don’t like this. I know something about my rights. You need a warrant.”
“You told me I could go in the garage,” said Sullivan. “You practically invited me to look around. No warrant needed.”
“You were posing as customers. That’s entrapment.”
Buddy sighed. “You believe this shit, Sullivan? He’s got his head so far up his ass that he has to yawn to see daylight.”
Drew looked from one officer to the other. “You think that’s funny? I want a lawyer.”
“Jeez,” said Buddy. “You’re not even under arrest yet.”
Sullivan got out his cuffs. “Hands behind your back, Drew.” He cuffed him while Buddy recited the Miranda warning. “Nowyou’re under arrest.”
“Grand larceny,” Buddy told him, taking him by the arm. “That’s a felony. You’re looking at one to ten.”
“You guys think Istolethose TVs. You got it all wrong.”
“I’m sure you have an interesting explanation for how you came by them,” said Sullivan, taking his other arm. “The thing is there’s a recording. I recognized you right away and so will a jury. If your lawyer suggests a plea, you should probably consider it.”
Drew asked to speak to his wife as he was sliding into the backseat of the police car, but since Lisa Butterick was still watching at the window, Sullivan figured she didn’t want to speak to her husband.
“I’ll let her know what’s going on,” said Sullivan. “And I’ll give her the keys.” He closed the door on Drew and told Buddy to give him a few minutes. He saw curtains drift back into place as Lisa left her post at the window. She reappeared in the garage. The door that led into the house remained open behind her. He saw two children, both with the same dark curly hair as their mother, peeking around the corner. He kept his voice low.
“Officer Conglose is taking your husband to Regional. I’m going to wait here until another car comes to pick up the evidence.”
“Evidence?”
“The TVs, Mrs. Butterick.”
“But he said…” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what he said, does it? It was a lie.”
Sullivan thought she looked more resigned than angry.
“They look expensive,” she said, staring at the boxes. “I don’t suppose he’s in misdemeanor territory any longer.”
“No. Felony.”
Her eyes watered. “And he was doing so well…I thought.”
“He stole five TVs, Mrs. Butterick, but there are only four boxes here.”
She nodded. “Kids are playing with the other one.” She looked over her shoulder, spied her children, and quickly moved to shut the door. “They were playing. When they come for pick up, they can take it.”
“I could get it now.”
“No. I’ll bring it out. If you want inside, you’ll have to get a warrant. I’m not an idiot. That would be my husband.”
