Ties That Bind

Chapter Fifty-One.

Harvey Grant had met Maria Lopez in the park across the street from the courthouse during the noon recess, and given her Tim Kerrigan's confession and the weapon Kerrigan had used to murder Ally Bennett. Grant ate dinner while Kerrigan and Lopez were driving to the cabin. The judge went to bed at ten and slept soundly, expecting to wake up to news that Tim Kerrigan was dead. The bad news was waiting with his morning paper.

The judge usually enjoyed a hearty breakfast before going to work, but the story on the front page of the Oregonian killed his appetite and made Grant feel something he had not felt in a long time--fear.

DEPUTY DA ARRESTED IN MURDER PLOT

Maria Lopez, a deputy district attorney in Multnomah County, was arrested last night by the FBI and charged with the attempted murder of former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Kerrigan, her direct superior at the district attorney's office. The murder attempt took place at the cabin where Jon Dupre, the owner of Exotic Escorts, allegedly murdered United States Senator Harold Travis. Kerrigan and Lopez are prosecuting Dupre for Travis's murder and the murder of prominent Oregon attorney Wendell Hayes.

In a prepared statement, FBI agent J. D. Hunter stated that he and several other agents were involved in an ongoing investigation--the details of which he could not disclose--when they followed Lopez and Kerrigan to the cabin and set up surveillance. The agents arrived as Deputy District Attorney Lopez fired a gun at Kerrigan. They arrested Lopez, who is now in custody. The agents would not comment on Kerrigan's medical condition or reveal his whereabouts.

There was more to the story--most of it recapping Kerrigan's football career and his achievements in the district attorney's office.

Grant took pride in the control he had over his emotions. He exercised it now and willed away his doubts and fears while reviewing his assets and liabilities. Maria Lopez was in custody and looking at some serious time. Attempted murder if Kerrigan wasn't dead; murder if he was. But Maria wouldn't cooperate. She was Pedro's daughter and completely loyal to her father and the club. What if she did crack? It wouldn't be for a while. Besides, her word alone wouldn't be enough to support charges against him, Grant reasoned. Then he realized that it wouldn't be just her word. The FBI had the gun Kerrigan used to murder Ally Bennett, and Kerrigan's suicide note. This gave them an ironclad case against Kerrigan and the leverage they needed to force him to cooperate, and Kerrigan would cooperate once he figured out that the judge gave Maria the order to kill him.

"Tim knows that we'll kill Cindy and Megan if he talks," Grant said out loud. "But the Bureau's had him since early yesterday evening. Cindy and Megan could be in protective custody by now."

Grant grabbed the phone and dialed Kerrigan's home.

"Yes?" Cindy answered hesitantly. She sounded scared.

"It's Harvey."

"Thank God. I thought you might be another reporter." Grant could hear the relief in her voice. "They haven't stopped since early morning. There's a camera crew camped outside our driveway."

"I just read about Tim in the morning paper. Is he okay?"

"He's alive, but no one will tell me anything else. Tim's father is going to meet with Katherine Hickox this morning," she said, naming the United States attorney for Oregon.

"If anyone can find out what's going on, Bill can."

"I'm so worried about Tim. The story in the paper said that woman tried to murder him. They work together. Why would she do that?"

"I don't know any more than you do but I'll talk to Jack Stamm and see what I can find out. Meanwhile, you take care of Megan. This could be tough on her."

"Please call me if you find out anything. I don't even know if Tim is hurt or . . ."

"Don't let your imagination get the best of you, Cindy. The paper said that Lopez was being charged with attempted murder, so Tim must be alive."

"Oh, God. I hope so."

"You have to be strong. Whenever you're tempted to panic think of your daughter."

"I will, Harvey. Thank you so much. You mean a lot to us."

Grant hung up. Cindy and Megan were home, which meant that Kerrigan wasn't cooperating yet. How much longer would that last?

Katherine Hickox, a member of the Westmont Country Club, had known William and Tim Kerrigan for years. She and another man were in her office when William and his attorney, Peter Schwab, arrived. She shook Schwab's hand quickly, but held Kerrigan's.

"I'm so sorry to hear about all this, Bill. Are you okay?"

"I'm holding up, but I'll feel a lot better when I know how Tim is doing."

Katherine released Kerrigan's hand and introduced the other man in the room.

"This is J. D. Hunter. He's the FBI agent in charge of the case."

Hunter shook hands with Kerrigan and Schwab while the U.S. attorney sat behind her desk.

"How is my son?"

"When we broke into the cabin, Maria Lopez had a gun to Tim's head. It went off as she was turning toward us. The gun moved, so Tim only suffered a minor head wound. It's nothing serious. We have him in the secure wing at OHSU. I thought it would be better to hold your son at a hospital instead of a jail."

"Why would you hold him at all?"

"Tim is the prime suspect in the murder of a prostitute who was shot to death in Forest Park a few days ago."

Kerrigan's mouth opened. He stared at Hunter for a moment, then turned toward Katherine. She nodded.

"You're serious?"

"I'm sorry, Bill," the U.S. attorney said.

"Are you planning on transferring Tim to jail when he's able to move?" Schwab asked.

"No. We're releasing him sometime today."

"If he's a suspect, why are you letting him out?"

"I can't get into that. I will tell you that we're handing over everything we have to the state. Katherine doesn't see a federal crime here. There's evidence that the lab is still checking. If they get the results we think they will, I'm certain the state will indict."

"From what I know, it doesn't look good for Tim," Hickox said.

"Everyone I talk to says nothing but the finest things about your son," Hunter said. "He must have been under tremendous pressure. I'd like to help him, and you can play an important part in making sure that he gets a lenient sentence."

"What can I do?"

"Before I go any further I'll need your word that you won't discuss what I tell you with anyone else."

"I don't understand."

"And I can't explain without your promise."

Kerrigan conferred with his attorney. When they were through he turned back to Hunter.

"I give my word that I'll keep your confidence. Now tell me how I can help Tim."

"Tim's assistance in a larger investigation could have an impact on his charges and his sentence, but he's refusing to cooperate. If you want to help him, go to the hospital and talk sense into him. Believe me, he needs all the help he can get."