True Blue

CHAPTER 33

THE LADY was wearing a dress that looked like it cost more than Mace’s Ducati. The makeup and hair were perfect, the jewelry tasteful but heavyweight enough to still retain the “wow” factor. The only thing marring the package was the woman’s expression. For a beautiful woman Mona Danforth could look very ugly.

“Hello, Mona,” said Beth pleasantly.

Mona snagged another chair from an adjacent table, unmindful of whether anyone was actually using it or not, and sat down. “We need to talk.”

The statement was directed at Beth, but Mace answered first. “Really, Moan, you’ve learned to actually do that? Congratulations.”

Mona didn’t even bother to look at her. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Mace started to shoot something back, but Beth nudged her leg under the table. “I’m assuming this has something to do with Jamie Meldon’s death?”

“Why else would I be sitting here?”

“You know, Mona, we are on the same team here. Police, prosecutor? Do you sense a pattern?”

“I heard you got bumped from the case.”

“Didn’t even have time to step on any shell casings. Go talk to the mayor. You just missed him. Or the CIA, I’m sure Langley would love to fill you in.”

Mace, not knowing what they were talking about, merely hunkered down and listened attentively as she would at any contest where one of the players has the potential to go home all bloody.

“One of my people was murdered in your jurisdiction. And you’re not going to do anything about it?”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to do anything. But while we’re on the subject, what exactly do you want me to do?”

Mona looked incredulous. “You’re asking me how to do your job?”

“I know you’ve just been dying to tell me all these years. So here’s your chance. Fire away.” Beth sat back and looked expectant.

“This is unbelievable. I’m not a cop.”

“But you are the interim chief of the largest federal prosecutor’s office in the country outside of DOJ. So if you don’t have a suggestion on how to do my job, let me give you some help on how to do yours.”

“Excuse me?” snapped Mona.

“You’re pissed that the case was snagged from MPD? In any event, since Jamie was technically a federal employee his murder falls under the jurisdiction of the FBI. Normally we would support that effort, but for some reason we got a muzzle thrown on us. So here’s what you can do. Go talk to your high-up contacts at Justice and find out why we were pulled from the case. Do the same at the legal counsel’s office at the Bureau. From there it’s a short hop to the intelligence community. It was intimated to me that it was the CIA who yanked the cord, but I don’t believe everything I’m told. Maybe it was DHS. You know folks over there. In fact a photo of you and the DHS director was in the Style section of the Post just last week. Your dress and cleavage were stunning and his drool was unmistakable. I’m sure his wife really enjoyed seeing that. And when you have everything in a nice box with a big red bow, you bring it all to me and I’ll run with it. How’s that sound?”

“It sounds like I’m wasting my time.”

“Do you want to find out who killed Meldon?”

“Don’t be condescending!”

“Then work your contacts. And I’ll work mine and maybe we’ll meet in the middle. But keep in mind that you may run into a wall at some point. Or you may tick somebody off. And your career might take a hit.”

Mona stood. “I’m not listening to any more of this garbage.”

Beth continued unperturbed. “Your career might take a hit,” she repeated firmly. “But I know that in the interest of bringing Jamie’s killer to justice you wouldn’t have any compunction about professional sacrifice, right?”

“Don’t make an enemy of me over this, Beth.”

“By the way, how’s Jamie’s family doing?”

“What?”

“His wife and kids? I visited them earlier today, to express my condolences and to see if they needed anything. I’m assuming you did that too, wonderful, compassionate leader that you are.”

With what could only be termed a snarl, Mona stalked off.

Mace leaned across the table and gave her sister a kiss on the forehead. “I bow before your powers of transforming mere words into machine-gun rounds.”

“It didn’t really get me anywhere.”

“But it was so fun to watch. So what’s this about a dead DA?”

Beth filled her in on Meldon’s homicide.

“So you don’t know anything other than his body was in a Dumpster?”

“A bit more than that. Like I said, I talked to his wife. He’d been working late Sunday night. She was surprised when he wasn’t home on Monday morning, but not overly concerned since he slept at the office sometimes. When she didn’t hear from him by late morning she called the police. His body was finally found this afternoon.”

“And the CIA is involved?”

“Actually, that’s not substantiated yet. I was actually told that the pushback directive came from the White House.”

“The White House! But you didn’t tell Cruella de Vil that.”

She smiled. “No, I didn’t.”

Beth finished her second glass of wine. “Would you like another round?”

“And risk a DUI and being sent to the big house?” Mace said with mock terror.

“You can ride with me. I’ll have them load your bike in a pickup truck and bring it to the house.”

“You mind if I take a rain check on that offer?”

“Plans later?”

“Maybe.”

“Would those plans be Roy Kingman?”

“And is that a problem?”

“I already stated my opinion on that subject.”

“I know.” Mace rose from the table. “I paid the bill. I did it when I went to the ladies’ room.”

“You really didn’t have to do that, Mace.” Beth paused and added, “But it was very sweet.”

“Hey, we need to do this more often. But maybe we can aim for fast food next time. Easier on the wallet. Prices have really gone up over the last two years.”

Mace turned to leave, but Beth reached over and placed an iron grip on her sister’s arm, pulling Mace abruptly back into her seat. In a low voice that still managed to conjure images of razor wire, Beth said, “The next time you remove evidence from a crime scene, I will personally pistol-whip you before I arrest you for obstruction, are we clear on that?” There was not a trace of mirth in the woman’s eyes. This was Chief Elizabeth Perry talking now, not sweet sister Beth.

Mace just gaped at her, unable to form a response.

“My techs found minute traces of fluorescent dye on the key. I heard old Binder was running a special on his blue-light print kit this week. I think I might pay him a personal visit tomorrow and shut him down.”

“Beth-”

“You went over the line. After I told you not to. I told you to let me handle it. Maybe you don’t think I’m good enough to get this done.”

“It wasn’t that.”

Beth squeezed her sister’s arm. “You get arrested for interfering in a police investigation, you’re going back to prison for a lot longer than two years. And then there will be no way you’ll ever be a cop again. I don’t care if the president of the United States has your back. Is that what you want?”

“No, of course not. But-”

“Then quit screwing up!” Beth leaned away from her and let go of the arm. “Now get out of here.” As soon as Mace stood, Beth added, “Oh, and tell Kingman I said hello.”

Mace nearly ran out the door.