“He’s a sly one not coming out directly. He’s heard the rumors as I have. You know how things are. Rory Connors is in town and asking questions and getting court and police reports. He’s been seen with you a few times.”
“My personal life is just that,” she said. “I don’t owe any explanations to anyone.”
Judge Rooney laughed. “Good for you, but now you’re both on their radar.”
“So this was a courtesy call?”
“I don’t like bullshitters,” Judge Rooney said. “Nor do I like men who think they can talk down to women and pat me on the head as if I need them to guide me.”
“Me neither.”
“You can take care of yourself. You and your family, but a word of caution—whatever is going on, if Daniel or Kane has their eye on it, it’s not going away.”
“I didn’t think it would. Thank you for the call though. I appreciate it.”
“Have a good day.”
She took a deep breath, and another, then called Ford. “What’s going on, Gale?” her brother asked when he answered.
“No one knows you’re looking into Rene’s murder, right?”
“I haven’t talked to anyone about it but the one lab tech I trust, why?”
“I just had an interesting call from Judge Rooney.” She filled her brother in. “Things are spreading fast. Are they just guessing or do they have someone giving them information?”
“I don’t know,” Ford said. “I’ll try to get to the bottom of it without directly asking anyone. Might be time to plant a few deep seeds and see if they sprout. That will let me know if it’s coming from in my department.”
“It’s a start. I’m waiting to hear if or when I can check on the tapes to the building. I’m sure I’ll find out soon.”
“Let me know.”
“I will. I talked to Rory. You should know, he’s going to get in people’s faces. He said there is no reason to sit back and pretend, and after that call, I agree. Just thought I’d let you know.”
Ford sighed on the other line. “Gale.”
“I know. Watch myself. Got it. But I’m not backing off and you can’t make me.”
“Now you sound like you’re ten again.”
She let out a triumphant giggle. “That’s right. I won back then and I will now.”
“But at what cost?” Ford asked.
“Victory. For everyone.”
And just before five, she knew she got her way as she made her way into McGregors’ main headquarters in Glens Falls. It’d taken some maneuvering with her schedule, but she wasn’t putting this off.
“Can I help you?”
“Gale Ridgeway. I said I’d be here before you closed to look at the tapes. Sorry, I was running behind. Hope it’s still available.”
“Yes, have a seat and I’ll get someone in security to come get you.”
She’d gotten a call from the security department a few hours ago saying she could come in and that was it. Nothing else.
Part of her was disappointed, the other not surprised. The McGregors were arrogant, but not careless.
Yet when Daniel, Kane, and Rocco all came down the hall together while she was sitting there waiting, she wondered if this could have fallen into her lap any better.
