Read Online L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: James Ellroy
Tags: Fiction, General, Suspense, Mystery & Detective, Crime, Mystery, Genre Fiction, Political, Hard-Boiled, Literature, Crime & mystery, Crime thriller, Detective and mystery stories - lcsh, Police corruption - California - Los Angeles - Fiction
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you testify as to Dick Stensland's actions and the grand jury hands down a bill against him, Stensland will serve no time in jail if convicted. We have Ellis Loew's word on that. Stensland will be dismissed from the Department without pension, but his pension will be paid to him sub rosa, through monies diverted from the Widows and Orphans Fund. Lad, will you testify?"
But stared at the mirror. "Sir, I won't testify."
Thad Green pointed to the door. "Be at Division 43 grand jury chambers tomorrow at 9:00. Be prepared to stand in a show-up and be called to testify. If you refuse to testify, you'll receive a subpoena and be suspended from duty pending a trial board. Get out of here, White."
Dudley Smith smiled--very slightly. Bud shot the mirror a stiff middle finger.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Streaks and smudges on the two-way----expressions came off blurred. Thad Green tough to read; Parker simple--he turned ugly colors. Dudley Smith-- lexophile with a brogue--too calculated to figure. Bud White too _too_ easy: the chief quoted, "This is a goddamned disgrace"; a big thought balloon popped up: "Ed Exley is the stool pigeon." The middle finger salute was just icing.
Ed tapped the speaker; static crackled. The closet was hot-- but not stifling like the Central Jail storeroom. He thought of his last two weeks.
He'd played it brass balls with Parker, presenting all three depositions, agreeing to testify as the Department's key witness. Parker considered his assessment of the situation brilliant, the mark of an exemplary officer. He gave the least damaging of the three statements to Ellis Loew and his favorite D.A.'S investigator, a young law school graduate--Bob Gallaudet. The blame was shifted, more than deservedly, to Sergeant Richard Stensland and Officer Wendell White; less deservedly to three men with their pensions already secured. The chief's reward to his exemplary witness: a transfer to a detective squadroom--a huge promotion. With the lieutenant's exam aced, within a year he would stand as Detective Lieutenant E. J. Exley.
Green left the office; Ellis Loew and Gallaudet walked in. Loew and Parker conferred; Gallaudet opened the door. "Sergeant Vincennes, please"--static out of the speaker.
Trashcan Jack: sleek in a chalk-striped suit. No amenities--he took the middle seat checking his watch. A look passed--Trash, Ellis Loew. Parker eyed the new fish, an easy read--pure contempt. Gallaudet stood by the door, smoking.
Loew said, "Sergeant, we'll get right to it. You've been very cooperative with l.A., which is to your credit. But nine witnesses have identified you as hitting Juan Carbijal, and four drunk tank prisoners saw you carrying in a case of rum. You see, your notoriety preceded you. Even drunks read the scandal sheets."
Dudley Smith took over. "Lad, we need your notoriety. We have a stellar witness who will tell the grand jury that you hit back only after being hit, and since that is probably the truth, further prisoner testimony will vindicate you. But we need you to admit bringing the liquor the men got drunk on. Admit to that interdepartmental infraction and you'll get off with a trial board. Mr. Loew guarantees a quashed criminal indictment should one arise."
Trashcan kept still. Ed read in: Bud White brought most of the booze, he's afraid to inform on him. Parker said, "There will have to be a large shake-up within the Department. Testify, and you'll receive a minor trial board, no suspension, no demotion. I'll guarantee you a light slap on the wrist--a transfer to Administrative Vice for a year or so."
Vincennes to Loew. "Ellis, have I got any more truck with you on this? You know what working Narco means to me."
Loew flinched. Parker said, "None, and there's more. You'll have to stand in the show-up tomorrow, and we want you to testify against Officer Krugman, Sergeant Tucker and Officer Pratt. All three men have already earned their pensions. Our key witness will
But stared at the mirror. "Sir, I won't testify."
Thad Green pointed to the door. "Be at Division 43 grand jury chambers tomorrow at 9:00. Be prepared to stand in a show-up and be called to testify. If you refuse to testify, you'll receive a subpoena and be suspended from duty pending a trial board. Get out of here, White."
Dudley Smith smiled--very slightly. Bud shot the mirror a stiff middle finger.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Streaks and smudges on the two-way----expressions came off blurred. Thad Green tough to read; Parker simple--he turned ugly colors. Dudley Smith-- lexophile with a brogue--too calculated to figure. Bud White too _too_ easy: the chief quoted, "This is a goddamned disgrace"; a big thought balloon popped up: "Ed Exley is the stool pigeon." The middle finger salute was just icing.
Ed tapped the speaker; static crackled. The closet was hot-- but not stifling like the Central Jail storeroom. He thought of his last two weeks.
He'd played it brass balls with Parker, presenting all three depositions, agreeing to testify as the Department's key witness. Parker considered his assessment of the situation brilliant, the mark of an exemplary officer. He gave the least damaging of the three statements to Ellis Loew and his favorite D.A.'S investigator, a young law school graduate--Bob Gallaudet. The blame was shifted, more than deservedly, to Sergeant Richard Stensland and Officer Wendell White; less deservedly to three men with their pensions already secured. The chief's reward to his exemplary witness: a transfer to a detective squadroom--a huge promotion. With the lieutenant's exam aced, within a year he would stand as Detective Lieutenant E. J. Exley.
Green left the office; Ellis Loew and Gallaudet walked in. Loew and Parker conferred; Gallaudet opened the door. "Sergeant Vincennes, please"--static out of the speaker.
Trashcan Jack: sleek in a chalk-striped suit. No amenities--he took the middle seat checking his watch. A look passed--Trash, Ellis Loew. Parker eyed the new fish, an easy read--pure contempt. Gallaudet stood by the door, smoking.
Loew said, "Sergeant, we'll get right to it. You've been very cooperative with l.A., which is to your credit. But nine witnesses have identified you as hitting Juan Carbijal, and four drunk tank prisoners saw you carrying in a case of rum. You see, your notoriety preceded you. Even drunks read the scandal sheets."
Dudley Smith took over. "Lad, we need your notoriety. We have a stellar witness who will tell the grand jury that you hit back only after being hit, and since that is probably the truth, further prisoner testimony will vindicate you. But we need you to admit bringing the liquor the men got drunk on. Admit to that interdepartmental infraction and you'll get off with a trial board. Mr. Loew guarantees a quashed criminal indictment should one arise."
Trashcan kept still. Ed read in: Bud White brought most of the booze, he's afraid to inform on him. Parker said, "There will have to be a large shake-up within the Department. Testify, and you'll receive a minor trial board, no suspension, no demotion. I'll guarantee you a light slap on the wrist--a transfer to Administrative Vice for a year or so."
Vincennes to Loew. "Ellis, have I got any more truck with you on this? You know what working Narco means to me."
Loew flinched. Parker said, "None, and there's more. You'll have to stand in the show-up tomorrow, and we want you to testify against Officer Krugman, Sergeant Tucker and Officer Pratt. All three men have already earned their pensions. Our key witness will
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