“The reason doesn’t matter. It’s not procedure.”
“Please, reconsider, for William’s sake.” Mary spoke from the heart, still raw at the memory of William’s sweetness, as well as his pain. “I’m assuming that Glenn Meade doesn’t know aboutthese allegations against Shanahan or they wouldn’t have hired him. Shanahan will probably lose his job when this comes to light, whether from you or me. Now that I know that Shanahan may be violent, I’m concerned that he may retaliate against William for my coming to you, even if he hadn’t been told before about the complaint, by John. Either way, I don’t want William in harm’s way because we’re about to expose Shanahan.”
“I still don’t see the need to notify you.” Detective Krakoff’s attention returned to the papers.
“But you wouldn’t have this information if I hadn’t given it to you. I came in a spirit of cooperation, hoping we could coordinate our approach and—”
“How many ways do I have to say it? Police business is confidential.”
“But, obviously, I won’t reveal anything. I’m worried about William’s safety.”
“I’m not informing you of what I do.”
“But he’s an innocent person, whose brother was just murdered. He’s alone in the world. Vulnerable.”
“Not my problem,” Detective Krakoff said without looking up.
“You know, I wanted to give you a second chance after that stunt you pulled with the ring. I was hoping you could be trusted.” Mary rose to go. “But since you can’t, let me give it to you straight. If anything happens to William because you talked to Shanahan without telling me, then I will hold you personally responsible and sue youblind.”
Detective Krakoff snorted. “You don’t scare me, Mary.”
“That’s because you see what I look like, not what I cando. I may have a bellyful of baby, but I’m one of the best lawyers in the city.” Mary crossed to the door. “And if William gets hurt, you’re going to find out what I’m capable of. It will cost you your house, your car, your pension, and every last penny you have.”
“And how is that exactly?” Detective Krakoff looked up, his expression amused.
“I just recorded everything you said.” Mary showed him her phone. “Imagine how callous and awful you’ll sound to a jury, or judge, or even your boss, if something happens to William.”
Detective Krakoff fell quiet.
And Mary turned away, smiling.
***
Ten minutes later, Mary and Judy were hurrying to the glass exit doors of the Roundhouse, bracing themselves for the throng of media. The story of the triple homicide in the Northeast had blown up, with one suspect in custody and a citywide manhunt for another under way, and the Police Commissioner had been giving periodic updates from a makeshift lectern in front of the entrance, which was Philly’s idea of a classy press conference.
Mary and Judy hustled out of the building and past the reporters, keeping their faces down to avoid being recognized. They stepped off the curb behind the empty lectern, and just then Mary heard a female reporter shout, “Hey, Mary DiNunzio! Judy Carrier! Why are you back? You’re suspects in the murder of John Foxman, aren’t you? Where’s Bennie Rosato? Any comment? Any comment?”
The other reporters joined in, calling out questions. “Any comment, Mary?” “Are you suspects in the Foxman murder?” “What’s going on?” “Give us a comment!”
“No comment!” Mary hurried away as fast as she could, and Judy bolted ahead of her toward the street, breaking into a jog and flagging down a cab at the parking lot entrance. The cab lurched to a stop, and Judy opened the door, climbing in and sliding aside for Mary, who waddled like a duck on steroids.
“Mary, when are you going to make a statement?” shouted the same female reporter, dogging her steps. “What about Judyand Bennie? Are you going to confess? Are you trying to get a deal? What’s going on with the Foxman murder?”
Other reporters called out, “Any comment, Mary?” “Are both of you suspects?” “Come on, just one comment!”
Mary glanced back to see the female reporter who had started the questioning, startled to recognize her as the scruffy woman with the gelled spiky hair, who had been at the press conference.
“Come on, Mary!” “How about a comment? Just one comment?”
“No comment!” Mary ducked into the cab, raised her phone quickly, and snapped a picture as they took off.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Mary and Judy got off the elevator, passed the Rosato & DiNunzio sign, and hustled down the hallway toward their offices, surprised to find Bennie, Anne, and Lou talking with Roger in front of the conference room.
“Hi, Roger,” Mary and Judy said, in unison.
“Hello. Sorry to have missed you both.” Roger hoisted a trim leather messenger bag onto his shoulder. “How are you?”
