Read Online Until Judgment Day by Christine McGuire - Free Book Online Page A

aloud.
    Nelson arched his eyebrows. “In-house legal staff?”
    â€œWhy not?” Mackay turned toward Nelson. “The Diocese oversees four counties, fifty parishes, an eight-digit annual budget, and half-a-million Catholics. The church is no different from any other big business that has to deal with complex finances, contracts, litigation, employee relations, you name it.”
    â€œWhat now?” Fields asked.
    Mackay looked at Miller, then at Escalante. “Would it do any good if the Sheriff or I contacted Winfield or Bishop Davidson personally?”
    Escalante shook her head.
    â€œNot a chance.” Miller eyed the Camel. “They’ve already circled the wagons.”
    Mackay thought for a moment, then told Escalante, “Prepare a subpoena duces tecum for the records, and a subpoena compelling appearance before the Grand Jury.”
    â€œWill do. Who do I subpoena to appear?”
    â€œI’m not sure yet.”
    â€œJesus, Kate!” Granz slapped his palms on the table. “If we don’t get those records before they’re destroyed, we’re screwed. How are we going to get someone in front of the Grand Jury if you don’t tell her who to serve?”
    Mackay gave her husband a stern look. “I’ll let her know after one o’clock. She can serve the subpoenas this afternoon.”
    â€œThat could be too late.”
    â€œI’ll convene an emergency session of the Grand Jury for first thing tomorrow morning.”

Chapter 14
    T HE C OUNTY B UILDING’S cement stairwell rose from the basement to the roof and reeked of paint, disinfectant, and mildew, so Mackay stopped in the hallway outside the Sheriff’s conference room to speak with Escalante.
    â€œI’ll have my secretary round up as many grand jurors as possible, and I’ll call the foreperson personally, to explain the emergency session. Tell the Court Administrator we need a courtroom all day tomorrow.”
    â€œAnything else?” Escalante asked.
    â€œYeah, have the subpoenas ready for service when I get back to the office,” Mackay told her.
    They headed down quickly, heels clacking on the stainless steel stairs.
    â€œKate!” Granz’ shout echoed back and forth between the bare cement walls. “Kathryn, wait.”
    Mackay and Escalante stopped on the landing while Granz charged down.
    â€œGlad I caught you. Can we talk a minute?” he panted.
    Escalante turned to leave.
    â€œStay please, Inspector.”
    Granz’ face flushed. “I was rude to you both at the briefing. I don’t know why I’ve been so irritable lately, but I was out of line.”
    â€œI didn’t notice,” Mackay lied.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he answered.
    â€œNo need to apologize to me, Sheriff,” Escalante told him.
    â€œEveryone but you calls me Dave.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œSee you later.” Granz sprinted back up the stairs two at a time.
    Mackay watched until he was gone, then turned to her Inspector, frowning.
    â€œIf I’m off base, Ms. Mackay, tell me,” Escalante said. “Are you okay?”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    â€œYou don’t look fine.”
    Mackay hesitated. “I’m seeing my gynecologist at eleven o’clock,” she finally said.
    â€œIf you’d like to talk, I’m a good listener, and you can trust me to honor a confidence.”
    Mackay laid her hand on Escalante’s forearm momentarily, in an unusual gesture of friendship.
    â€œThank you, Donna, I might need to take you up on that.”
    She turned away. “If I don’t get moving, I’ll be late for the appointment—and my gynecologist can be even grouchier than my husband.”
    Â 
    Mackay crossed her right leg over her left knee, bounced her foot furiously, and stared across her doctor’s desk. “Well?”
    â€œYou’re pregnant, Kathryn.”
    â€œI know, I’ve missed two