Stillwater
Leo stood up. He motioned to the doctor to follow him outside into the hallway. The doctor stood and followed him out the door. Leo led him into the darkened waiting room next door before the news crew down the hall noticed them.Leo shut the door, and didn’t bother to turn on the lights. “So there’s … nothing you can do?”
The doctor winced. He kept his voice soft. “Mr. Tyler has days … maybe a week, if he’s lucky. But there’s always the chance his condition could get very bad, very fast. His state seems to be degenerative, so the clock is ticking. As I said, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. We’re running further tests, but we haven’t even found what substance is causing the problems Mr. Tyler is experiencing. Even if we do find out what it is … we will probably have no idea how to stop it.”
Leo had to ask. “What is the worst case scenario?”
The doctor was almost reluctant to answer. “Worst case … he could be dead in the next few days.”
Leo closed his eyes, and leaned his head back, resting it on the wall. “All right,” he said, after a long pause. He raised his head again, and opened up the door. The doctor followed him out, then he started down the hall. He fought the crowd around Rollie’s room, and Leo saw the top of his head disappear through the doorway.
Leo watched him go. Leo suspected that the doctor himself didn’t believe Rollie had willingly taken drugs – assuming, of course, that drugs were the cause of the problems he was experiencing. Even the doctor knew that, since Rollie was left-handed, injecting himself in the left arm was unlikely.
But that evidence wouldn’t hold up well in court. From all anyone knew, the injection could have been made by Rollie himself.
Leo took a deep breath, turning to face the door beyond which Angie was waiting. Now came the hard part.
He found Angie still sitting in the same chair, with the nurse sitting next to her, doing her best to provide a comforting presence. Angie was wiping the tears away from her eyes.
Leo couldn’t help but think back to the time at Cream Cola Headquarters, during their takedown of the illegal gem auction.
The skylight above them had burst into hundreds of tiny shards and Rollie’s form had come hurtling downward, yelling for Leo and Angie to get down.
Every gun in the place swung around, and the bullets began to fly. Leo had turned to Angie, watching her terrified reaction as the bullets connected with their target. She held her hands to her face, and screamed.
She had used that terror against her captors. The distraction had provided them enough time to try to get away. She had fought in an animalistic manner, her screams almost inhuman as she and Leo took advantage of the opportunity to escape.
They had escaped, and Rollie had reappeared.
It had only been his dummy that had been shot at.
But it isn’t fake now, Leo thought.
He wondered how Angie would handle it if Rollie actually did die.
He wished he didn’t have to find out.
9:05 a.m.
“… And welcome back to the third hour of Good Morning Manhattan. Coming up next we’ll have Chef Andiella serve us up some delicious barbecue creations that you too can enjoy this summer! But first, let’s move to a breaking entertainment news story with Kit Donahue.”
“Some shocking news from Manhattan General this morning: just a few hours ago movie director Rollie Tyler was admitted to the emergency ward. Details aren’t being released at this point, but rumours say that he was found unconscious in a downtown alley holding a bloody knife. Some speculate that this may have a connection to the overnight murder of Matthew Domlin, the producer of Tyler’s box-office smash Stillwater. Our crews are on the scene, so stay tuned for more.”
9:30
a.m.
Vanduren’s first concern was for Angie. “How is she taking it?”
Leo paced Vanduren’s small office. “As well as you would expect,” Leo said, grimly.
Vanduren’s voice was flat and nearly unreadable … as usual. Leo wondered what emotions lay behind it. “What about you?”
“I’m coping.”
“And Francis?”
“He’s okay.”
Vanduren nodded. He turned and opened the lid to his fish tank, sprinkling food across the surface of the water. “McCarthy, I’m sure you’re expecting me to assign both you and Francis to investigate and determine exactly what happened to Rollie Tyler out there.”
“Good, then I’ll be right on it,” Leo said, turning to leave.
“But,” Vanduren added, his voice stopping Leo in his tracks, “I can’t help but wonder if your investigative abilities may be compromised.”
Leo balked. “With all due respect, if you’re implying that because Rollie was friends with Francis and I will try to screw up the facts because Rollie –!”
In an outburst that was very unlike Vanduren, the police Captain spun around to face Leo, slamming the fish food container next to the tank. “He was my friend too, McCarthy. And I know for a fact that if you and Francis were to investigate you would be completely impartial.”
“Then sir – ”
“But I also know that what with Tyler’s entry into the vast public eye your investigation would be scrutinized and picked apart by many interested parties, most of whom probably already think Tyler is guilty!”
“By that you mean – ”
“I’ve already had calls from the media demanding to know if there’s any connection between Tyler and the Domlin murder. I’ve also had calls from Domlin’s lawyers emphasizing that if we attempt to cover up Tyler’s possible guilt we will be facing legal action from Domlin Entertainment!”
Leo understood now. “Lawsuit.”
“That’s
right, and we can’t face them with our resources at this point! That is why I need to make sure this
investigation is completely by the book and uncompromised.”
Leo was silent for a moment. Vanduren sat wordlessly back down at his desk.
“What can you do?”
“Well, McCarthy, there is a point in your favour. You and Francis are two of the best that I have at this precinct. And I know that if there does exist proof out there that Tyler is innocent, you and Francis will be the ones who could find it.”
Leo began to crack a smile. “Are you saying that you believe Rollie is innocent?”
Vanduren raised
an eyebrow. “I’m not saying anything
formally, McCarthy. But informally … I
want you to get out there and figure out who the hell framed Rollie for
Domlin’s murder and what the hell is happening to him.”
Leo’s voice cracked. “How will I do that?”
Vanduren sighed. “My only option is to assign a third detective to work with you. She’s good, but she’s also very precise.” His voice was harder now. He was giving definite orders. “She will be with you at all times, and she will be there to make sure that everything is by the book, so that if we have to face Domlin’s lawyers later on we will have solid evidence that we did everything properly.”
“A third
person? But – ”
“No buts, McCarthy. This is my final offer, and you had better
be thankful that you’ve got it. You’re
meeting your newest partner, Detective Albert, in the parking lot in five
minutes. You will investigate what
happened to Tyler and will only take part in the Domlin murder investigation
if there is a direct link between the two cases. Understand?”
Leo knew that Vanduren’s hands were tied. This was as good as he’d get. “Yes, sir.” He started to leave.
“And McCarthy?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Get some rest, but remember – the clock is ticking, even now. We must be able to do something for him.”
9:43 a.m.
“You must be Detective McCarthy.”
Leo eyed the young woman standing next to his squad car. She was of medium height and built, with short hair. She wore only a hint of makeup, just enough to accent her features. “Leo,” he corrected.
“Detective McCarthy,” she said again, shaking his hand. “And you’re Detective Gatti?” she said, glancing at Leo’s partner.
Poor Francis, thought Leo. Francis Gatti wasn’t “short” by any standards, but Detective Albert’s strong stature made him appear tiny.
Francis shook her hand. “Uh, hi,” he said.
“I’m Detective Shawna Albert. Vanduren’s briefed me fully, and he tells me that I’m here to make sure you do everything properly, and add my expertise to the investigation.”
Leo moved around to the opposite side of the car, and unlocked the driver’s door. “Shawna – ah, Detective Albert. We’ll investigate, you just make sure that there’s nothing that appears questionable.”
“We’ll see.” She paused, then turned to Leo, a frown on her face. “Are you saying that things will appear questionable?”
Leo climbed into the driver’s seat. Shawna took the passenger seat and Francis was relegated to the back. The car didn’t have a grate between the front and back seats.
“Listen, McCarthy,” Shawna answers, “as Vanduren probably told you, I’m meticulous for details.” She shot a glance back at Francis, who said nothing. “I don’t like detectives who try to bend the rules. I have friends in Internal Affairs who have been notified that I’m working with you.”
Leo nodded. Stay cool. That’s how to get her respect. “I’m sure that you’re going to to your job perfectly, just as Francis and I will.”
“I’m sure.”