Read Online Marcie's Murder by Michael J. McCann - Free Book Online

Steele.”
    “I understand you were also at the scene Saturday night,” Steele said aggressively, staring at Hank.
    “That’ s right , ” Hank star ed back , “ but I didn’t make it to the back of the goddamned building.”
    “I expect Chief Askew owes you an apology,” Hatfield said quickly , glancing at the small bandage on Hank’s left cheek and the scabbed nicks on his forehead and lower lip.
    “You think?” Hank replied angrily .
    “It’s a municipal issue. I’ll speak to the mayor about it.” Hatfield turned to Branham. “Get Billy out here . ”
    Branham knocked on the door of the interview room and let himself in.
    Karen looked at Steele. “Did y ou bring the l ieutenant’s firearm and personal effects back with you?”
    The sheriff ignored her.
    The door of the interview room opened and Chief Askew emerged, followed by Branham. Askew was clearly not a happy man. He shook hand s with Hatfield and ignored Steele altogether .
    “Mr. Hatfield, what can I do for you?”
    “You’ve got another suspect in custody, I understand?”
    “Correct. Brother Charles Baker, from the monastery in Burkes Garden.”
    Hatfield’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “He’s the abbot out there, isn’t he? Why on earth would you think he’s involved?”
    “Our eyewitness positively identified him as the man he saw walking past the window ,” Askew replied defensively, “and the suspect’s admitted he was there.”
    “And this man here,” Hatfield nodded at Hank, “that you told me about before , he’s not the man seen by the eyewitness after all?”
    “No.”
    “I intend to have a word with your mayor about this ,” Hatfield said, “but if you’ve got an ounce of common sense you’ll personally apologize in writing to Lieutenant Donaghue here and pray he doesn’t sue your ass. Has Baker given you anything at all to go on?”
    “Like I say,” Askew ground out, “he’s admitted he was there at the time of the murder, he’s admitted he went around to the back of the place, he’s admitted he went there to meet with someone but he won’t say who it was and he won’t say anything other than that.”
    “Has he been placed under arrest?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Is his attorney here?”
    “Not yet. He’s been Mirandized and has waived counsel . ”
    Hatfield turned to Steele. “Did your people find any physical evidence at all at the crime scene that might connect Baker to this?”
    “No,” Steele shook his head gravely.
    Askew jumped on it. “How the hell can you answer that question when it ’s supposed to be my crime scene? W hen the hell were you planning on letting me know what you may or may not have found?”
    “Are you aware of any connection between this guy and your wife ?” Hatfield pressed Askew . “ Anything that would be a motive for killing her?”
    “How the hell would I know?” Askew replied. “ H e won’t give me a straight answer on anything . I sure as hell never heard her mention him before. ”
    “This is the problem, Billy,” Steele said, trying to sound sympathetic. “If there was a connection between them it might be real upsetting for you since you were her husband, and you can’t be expected to keep a clear head about it.”
    “That’s fucking bullshit and you know it.”
    “No, it’s not bullshit,” Hatfield contradicted, “and you know it. You know as well as I do it’s SOP for a law enforcement officer to withdraw from a case when he has a personal connection. ” He held up a hand to forestall Askew’s protests. “I know, I know . I appreciate your years of experience and professional ism and all that, b ut I’m having a hard time seeing why this case shouldn’t be transferred to the c ounty s heriff’s o ffice right this minute.”
    “It’s goddamned politics, that’s what it is,” Askew growled. “I’m just appointed by the municipality here but you two ’ re elected, you cater to the press and your precious voters, and that means