Ties That Bind

Chapter Fifty-Two.

An armed police officer manned a desk in front of the thick steel door that barred entry to the secure wing of the state hospital. William Kerrigan signed in. The officer checked his ID then pressed a button under the desk. Moments later, the steel door opened and an orderly escorted Kerrigan down a corridor surfaced with linoleum that smelled faintly of antiseptic. Halfway down the hall, another officer was sitting in front of Tim's hospital room. He checked Kerrigan's ID a second time before unlocking the door to the room.

Tim turned toward the door when his father entered. He was pale. A thick bandage covered a good part of the right side of his head and there was a dark bruise where the bandage did not cover his skin. There was no life in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" William asked.

"I messed up, Dad." A tear formed. "I really messed up."

William pulled a chair next to the bed. Tim looked away from him and wiped his eyes.

"It'll be okay, son. I talked to J. D. Hunter, the FBI agent in charge of this case. You're going to be released from the hospital, today. Once you're out of here, we'll get the best lawyers and we'll get you through this."

"No, I don't think so. You don't even know what's happened to me."

"Hunter said that you killed a woman. You didn't do it, did you, Tim?"

"I did kill her." Tim looked so lost. "God forgive me. I . . . I shot her then I set her on fire." Tim couldn't meet his father's eye. "I'm a terrible person. I've ruined Cindy's life and Megan's."

"Hunter said that he'll help you if you cooperate with him. He didn't tell me what he wanted you to do, but he assured me that something will be done if you assist the FBI in an investigation."

"I can't, Dad. If I . . ."

"What is it?"

"I can't tell you. I'd be putting you in danger."

"I don't care, Tim. You're my son. What is it that they want you to do?"

"You don't understand. They'll kill Cindy and Megan if I talk. They might even come after you."

"Who are you talking about?"

Tim shook his head.

"The people who threatened you aren't more powerful than the federal government. I'll make sure that Cindy and Megan are protected."

"You can't guarantee that. You don't understand who you're dealing with."

"Then you have to tell me."

Tim stared out the window. His father waited patiently. Then Tim seemed to make a decision.

"Maybe you can help me. Maybe we can work this out."

He thought some more. Then he took a deep breath.

"It's Harvey, Dad. Harvey Grant. He's the one who threatened me."

William's mouth dropped open. Then he laughed in disbelief.

"Harvey is my oldest friend. We go back to junior high. He loves you. He's your godfather."

"Please don't hate me, but I went to Harvey when I got in trouble. I didn't go to you. I felt that he . . . that you . . ."

"You don't have to say any more, Tim. I understand why you didn't come to me. I'm not the warmest person. It's hard for me to show affection. But I've always loved you. If I've been hard on you it's because I wanted you to be the best."

"I always thought you were disappointed in me, that you wished I . . . that I wasn't your son."

"Oh, no, Tim. You've always made me proud. Now tell me what this is all about."

Tim told his father about his evening with Ally Bennett and her attempt to blackmail him into dismissing Jon Dupre's case. Then he told him about his meetings with Harvey Grant and what had happened in Forest Park.

"I can't believe this," William said. "I've known Harvey my whole life. I never suspected . . ."

"It's true. And now you see why I can't cooperate. He'd have Cindy and Megan murdered. But I have something I can use against him. I know a way to find out the names of the members of his group."

"How will you do that?"

"When I signed the suicide note, Stan Gregaros told me that every new member does the same thing. The notes are confessions. The murder weapons have the member's fingerprints. If the police had them, they'd have a list of all the members and an airtight case against each one for murder. I want you to negotiate with Harvey. I'll go with you. We can meet in a public place so we'll be protected. The Westmont would be perfect."

William looked at Tim's bandaged head. "Are you sure you're up to this?"

"We have to act now. I told Hunter that Maria was insanely in love with me but I rejected her and she killed Ally Bennett to frame me. I said that she must have gotten my prints on the gun when I was unconscious and that she wrote the note. But the lab will analyze the note. Any minute, Hunter could learn that it's my writing. I'll be back in custody. That's why we have to meet with Harvey tonight."

"What do you want from Harvey?"

"A promise that he won't hurt my family. I won't help the authorities if he leaves everyone alone. I'll fight the murder charge but I'll take my medicine if I get convicted." Tim hung his head. "I'll deserve what I get, anyway."

Then Tim looked up. He seemed very determined.

"You tell Harvey that he has to promise not to hurt Cindy or Megan. If he won't agree I'll do everything I can to destroy him."