Ties That Bind

Chapter Forty-Two.

It took a moment or so for the flashing light in his rearview mirror to register, and a few more seconds for Tim to figure out that the police car wanted him to stop. He pulled to the side of a winding stretch of road in the West Hills where the lots were large and there was little traffic. Once the other car had parked behind him, Kerrigan saw that it was unmarked. Stan Gregaros got out. Kerrigan gripped the wheel and fought his panic. Was it possible that the detective knew about the plot to murder Ally Bennett? Was he going to be arrested?

Gregaros came around the passenger side and rapped on the window.

"Stan!" Kerrigan said a little too loudly after lowering the window. "Don't tell me I was speeding."

"No, Tim," the detective answered. "It's something bigger than that. Let me in."

Kerrigan unlocked the passenger door and Gregaros slid into the seat, propping a briefcase on his lap.

"So, what's up?" Kerrigan asked, trying to keep calm.

Gregaros grinned. "Welcome to the club."

"The club? I don't . . ."

Gregaros laughed. "It's okay, Tim. Didn't Harvey tell you that you'd have friends who would help you get through this problem with Ally Bennett? Well, I'm one of them."

Kerrigan closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, his relief palpable. Gregaros opened the briefcase and took out two sheets of paper, a clipboard, and a plastic bag containing a revolver. Kerrigan's eyes fell on the revolver. Something about it looked familiar. Then he realized that it had been evidence in one of his earlier cases.

"Is that the revolver from the Madigan case?"

"I took it from the property room. The case is closed, so no one will be looking for it, but the use of a gun that was an exhibit in one of your cases will add to the authenticity of your confession if we ever have to use it."

"What confession?"

Gregaros handed Tim one of the sheets of paper, which Tim read.

I'm sorry for any pain that my death causes, but I could not live with my guilt anymore. I had a relationship with Ally Bennett, one of Jon Dupre's escorts, while our office was prosecuting his case. She threatened to expose me if I didn't dismiss Dupre's murder charges. I killed her with this gun. God help me.

"What is this?" Tim asked.

"Our insurance policy. Not everyone knows you as well as Harvey and I do. And even the best person can become weak under stress, so every new member signs one of these."

"You . . . you'd kill me?"

"We've had an occasion or two where we misplaced our trust. Those people were dealt with, and so were their families and close friends, anyone they could have told about us."

"You're threatening Cindy and Megan?"

Gregaros stared directly into Kerrigan's eyes. "It would be out of my hands, Tim, and there are those of us who believe that there are no limits where self-preservation is concerned."

The detective fastened a blank sheet of paper to the clipboard.

"I want you to copy the note in your own hand and sign it."

"What if I refuse?"

"You'd be completely on your own, and so would your family. I'm sure Harvey would try to convince the others that you wouldn't tell anyone about us, but they all know how much pressure you're under. I wish I could promise you that nothing would happen to you or your wife and kid, but I can't."

Suddenly Kerrigan's car felt like a cage. He was having trouble breathing.

"Look at you," the detective said. "You're a wreck, and why? That bitch, Ally. Think how good it's gonna feel when she's gone. That's the way to be safe, pal. Putting that whore in the ground will help your disposition better than a bottle of tranqs."

Gregaros handed Kerrigan a pen. Tim's hand shook when he copied the note and it looked as if it had been written in a moving car. When he was done, Gregaros put the signed confession in a plastic evidence bag and took back the note that Kerrigan had copied. Then he handed Kerrigan the pistol.

"This is the gun you'll use. You won't wear gloves. I'll be there to help if you need me, but you won't see me. When she's dead, I'll take the gun. You got all that?"

Kerrigan nodded because his mouth was too dry for him to try to speak. Gregaros looked Tim in the eye and waited until he was certain that Tim was listening.

"You ever killed anyone?"

Melissa Stebbins face flashed in Tim's head but he shook his head anyway.

"That's what I figured. You never know, though." Gregaros grinned. "I'm gonna tell you how. It's easy if you do what I say. So pay attention."