Harm's Reach

39

‘For goodness’ sake,’ said Robert, ‘I’m a moral man — obviously I meant anything in the realm of what is good and moral.’

That tone of voice... the arrogance... the self-righteousness...

Hit him. Now. ‘Mr Prince, I’d like to talk to you about the OCBLA,’ said Ren.

Robert nodded. ‘What would you like to know?’

‘What your involvement is with them,’ said Ren.

‘I’ve been a member since 2002,’ said Robert. ‘Via charity work I had done post 9/11 to support the families of the firefighters, police, EMTs who lost loved ones in the attack. The OCBLA was pretty new, I met some of the members, I was impressed with what they were doing, I joined up.’ He paused, studying Ren’s reaction. ‘I acknowledge it’s an exclusive club of wealthy men — mainly men,’ said Robert, ‘but there’s nothing sinister about it.’

Who said anything about sinister?

‘We support each other, various causes, we meet for dinner every now and then, we have guest speakers, authors, Church figures, politicians...’

‘When you failed in your leadership bid in 2005,’ said Ren, ‘did you feel it was because you weren’t married?’

His eyes went wide. ‘No, I did not. That’s ludicrous.’

‘You lost out to a married man with children,’ said Ren. ‘Did you feel in 2010 that maybe not being seen as a family man could have been a problem?’

‘No,’ said Robert. ‘No. And I don’t appreciate this line of questioning, Agent Bryce.’

‘I have to ask,’ said Ren.

‘You’re wasting time,’ said Robert.

‘Did the OCBLA contribute to a settlement for the victims of two Catholic pedophile priests in Denver?’

Robert paused. ‘Yes.’

Ren waited.

‘I see by your face that that doesn’t impress you,’ said Robert. ‘You’re presuming that this is something negative, that this was about me supporting pedophiles or about me paying to make a problem go away.’ He leaned forward. ‘Not so, Agent Bryce.’

Patronization rocks. Check later if that’s a word: patronization. I’m not convinced.

‘I’m not patroni...’ shit, ‘presuming anything,’ said Ren.

‘I contributed so that victims were compensated,’ said Robert. ‘The diocese didn’t have the funds to pay them. The priests are long dead, they are no longer a threat. I’m not supporting pedophiles, I’m supporting victims who otherwise either wouldn’t have received a dime or would not have seen the money in their lifetimes.’

What do I do with that information?

‘It’s quite difficult to find one’s honorable deeds viewed in such an unfavorable light...’ said Robert.

‘Well, I like victims to be compensated too,’ said Ren. ‘In that, I like to bring their killer to justice.’

‘What are you trying to say?’ said Robert.

‘You’re presuming that this is something negative,’ said Ren.

He stared at her. ‘This conversation has taken a juvenile turn.’

Ren stared through him. ‘Do you think Laura Flynn might have felt betrayed if she had discovered that you had lied to her?’

‘I don’t know what Laura would have felt,’ said Robert, ‘I don’t quite know how the mind of a surrogate works. And I’m a man, I don’t expect ever to understand maternity and all that goes with it. I’m happy for that to remain an enigma. I was concerned for my wife and I was concerned for Laura, that they both had the very best.’ He paused. ‘I haven’t done very well...’

Ren went back to her desk and called Janine to tell her about the interview.

‘Ugh,’ said Janine.

‘And his explanation about not wanting to be a father because he’s “so old” is ridiculous,’ said Ren. ‘One hundred and twenty is old in my book — not fifty-five.’

‘It’s weird, we’ve stumbled into this private world of Robert Prince and it seems perfectly normal to him, but it’s just... bizarre.’

‘Maybe Laura stumbled onto something private too...’ said Ren.

‘Is it the religious militancy or... the wealth...?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Ren. ‘All I know is it’s an alien world.’

‘Did you hear anything back about “worriedmom”?’ said Janine.

‘Let me check my mail,’ said Ren. ‘Yes, I have a response. Blah, blah, blah... Terry Ragland... will talk to you herself... situation two years ago with her son and Jesse Coombes... Coombes assaulted him. The mother is working shifts, she can talk tomorrow morning, seven a.m., Denver time.’

‘Intriguing,’ said Janine.

‘Early,’ said Ren. ‘Does she not realize Ben Rader is coming tonight? Does she not know how hot he is?’ She heard beeps on the line. ‘OK, gotta go — Robbie is calling me.’

‘Hey Ren,’ said Robbie, ‘I need a big favor. Can you get something in the bottom drawer of my desk?’

‘I can,’ said Ren.

‘I can’t get back just now and I left my iPad in there. I need it later.’

‘Sure. Do you need me to drop it by your place?’ That I haven’t been in for so long.

‘No, just keep it safe,’ said Robbie. ‘I’ll call by your place later to pick it up... if that’s OK?’

‘Of course it is. Will you stay for dinner?’ said Ren. ‘It’s just me and Ben.’

‘Oh, he’s back?’ said Robbie. ‘Great.’

‘Great,’ said Ren, ‘see you later.’

Let’s see if we can’t all be friends...