Theres probably nothing to it, Lucas said.
Oh, bull… feathers, Mr. Davenport. Three people dead and Wilson gets all the promotions? My God, he murdered Andy!
No-no-no. Theres no evidence of that at all.
Then whyd you bring it up?
Because Im checking everything…
Wilson McDonald, she marveled. Who wouldve thought.
Please, Mrs. Ingall…
He halfheartedly tried to talk her out of the sudden conviction that Wilson McDonald had killed her husband; then said goodbye.
He was out the door and on the sidewalk when she called after him: Mr. Davenport?
Yes? He turned and she came down the walk to him.
If this was murderjust say it was, that somebody loosened up the bolts on the keel, okay? They couldnt have taken them all the way off, because then the only thing that would be holding it on would be some adhesive and sealer. Then, with a good bump, the keel might have fallen off in the harbor.
Yeah?
So they had to leave the bolts partway on, expecting them to work off, which they eventually would have. But they couldnt knowwhen. Toby and I usually went up with Andy, so whoever it was… wasnt just killing Andy, she said. If Andyd made the islands, wed have been on the boat the next day, and it mightve fallen off with us aboard. This guy, whoever it ishe was willing to kill all three of us.
LUCAS HAD LAST SEEN SHERRILL WHEN SHE LEFT TO pick up Bonnie Bonet, Robless friend. When he got back, Sherrill and a uniformed cop were marching a young woman down the hall, her hands cuffed behind her back. Lucas caught up with them, said, Bonet?
Yeah, Sherrill said.
Bonet snarled, Who the fuck are you?
Sit her down in Homicide, Lucas said. Ill be there in a minute.
She wants an attorney, Sherrill said.
Got any money? Lucas asked.
Bonet shook her head defiantly. No. You gotta appoint one.
Lucas nodded: So call the public defender, he told Sherrill. Ill be right back.
He dumped his coat and the file on Ingall in his office, and made a quick calclass="underline" I want everything we can find on Wilson McDonald. Everything.
BACK AT HOMICIDE, BONET WAS SITTING NEXT TO Sherrill's desk, while the uniformed cop lounged at another desk between her and the door. Shed been uncuffed and Sherrill was scratching notes on a legal pad.
When Lucas walked in, Bonet looked up and said, I want the attorney. Im not answering any questions without an attorney.
I called. Somebodys walking over, Sherrill said.
Im not going to ask you a question, Ms. Bonet, Lucas said. Im gonna make a little speech. Mr. Robles says you told him you shot Daniel Kresge because you thought Kresge was setting up a bank merger and your mother would lose her job. But he says he really doesnt think you shot him, that youre making a grandstand play, because you like the attention. For the experience of it. To fuck us over. Do you know the first thing that will happen when the word of your arrest gets out? The banks gonna fire your mother.
Bonet, naturally pale, went a shade paler. They cant do that. Thats discrimination…
Lucas was shaking his head: No. Theres no union at the bank. They can fire her f or any reason they want, as long as the firing isnt illegalbecause of race or religion or like that. If her daughter is accused of murdering the bank president on her behalf… you think thats not a reason? Ill tell you what: Your mothers gonna be on the sidewalk in about half an hour, as soon as theStar-Tribuneguy checks out the days arrest reports. And they check every couple of hours.
Bonet looked at Sherrill, who nodded, then back at Lucas. But I didnt shoot him, she blurted.
Sherrill dropped her pencil and said, Oh, shit.
Lucas said, Again, Im not going to ask you any questions, but Ill say this: If theres anything that would provethat you didnt shoot him, this would be a good time to mention it.
Friday night, Bonet said. I was at a friends house until almost four in the morning, we were on-line, gaming.
How many people? Lucas asked.
Four… three besides me.
Shed still have time to drive up there, Lucas said.
Itd be tight, Sherrill said.
But she could make it, Lucas said.
I didnt shoot anybody, Bonet wailed. I dont even know where the asshole lived.
You were never up there?
Never. Why would I be?
After you left your friends, you went right home? Did you see anybody who knew you?
No… Well, I bought some Pepsi at the gas station, but they dont know me there. Maybe theyd remember me.
What gas station?
Its an Amoco down off 494, like 494 and France.
Did you pay with cash or a credit card?
Credit card! Her face brightened. The goddamn credit slip has the time and location on it. And it comes on my statementI bet you can call Amoco and find out.
Lucas nodded and said, Whyn the hell did you tell Robles that you shot McDonald?
Just to jerk his chain, Bonet said. He called me up and he pretended to be all freaking out and worried, and the next thing I know, hes turned me in.
He pretended to be freaking out?
Yeah. Pretended. Hes a cold fish, Bonet said. Ill tell you what, I wouldnt be surprised if he did it, and he deliberately set me up with that talk on the net about how to kill McDonald. I mean, he started it, I didnt. And then he fed me to you.
Why do you think he might have done it? Sherrill asked.
Because of the way he plays with guns all the time, she said. I think if you pretend to be killing people long enough, pretty soon you want to try it. Dont you think?
Lucass and Sherrills eyes locked: theyd both killed people in gunfights. I dont know, Lucas said finally. Maybe.
Sherrill said, What do you mean, plays with guns? Hes always out shooting. You know, rifles and pistols and sometimes he goes out to Wyoming and shoots prairie dogs. He calls them prairie rats. Or prairie pups. And he does that whole paintball thing. You know, runs around in the woods in camouflage clothes with other guys and they shoot each other.
Robles, Lucas said.
Yeah. He doesnt come off that way, does he?
Have you ever done the paintball thing with him?
Nohe doesnt even know that I know about it. But I know a friend of his, and he saw us together, and he told me. I thought it was weird.
Huh. Lucas rubbed his chin, then looked at Sherrill. What do you think?
I think I should check with Amoco, Sherrill said. And maybe start talking to people about Robles.
Lucas pointed a finger at Bonet: If this checks out, well forget about it. But you keep your mouth shut about what happened. And what you told us. You dont talk to Robles about it, or anyone else. And remember whats at stake here. Im talking about mom.
Okay, she said, solemnly. A tear started in one eye.
Okay, Lucas said. And to Sherrilclass="underline" Call Amoco.
ON THE WAY BACK TO HIS OFFICE, LUCAS BUMPEDinto an assistant public defender heading toward Homicide. She was carrying two briefcases, apparently full of briefs, which bumped alternately against her thighs as she walked. Her hair stood out from her round face in an electrocution halo. Her face was drawn with lack of sleep. on your way to see marcy sherrill? lucas asked.
She stopped and said, Yeah. But if youre not done with the rubber hoses, I could wait. Maybe catch a nap.
Were all done. We beat the truth out of her and shes innocent, Lucas said. Were turning her loose in a few minutes.
Really? The lawyer yawned and said, God, Ive gone to bed with men whove said less pleasant things to me.
Yeah, well… sleep tight.
Wont let the bedbugs bite, she said with another yawn, and humped the briefcases on down the hall toward Homicide. Had to see for herself.
LUCAS SAT IN HIS OFFICE, HIS FEET ON HIS DESK, AND added up the accusations. After a while he picked up the phone and called Sherrill. All done?