On exiting the conference room, they found Carmine Donofrio in a heated discussion with Jack, or to be more accurate, Jack was listening while the U.S. Attorney talked. Donofrio’s assistant, another U.S. Attorney, was hovering close by, as were Todd Milner and Dan Pappas.
“Kale, the grand jury meets in less than thirty-four hours and you’re no closer to catching the Sandman than you were three days ago.”
Jack said nothing.
“You can see I was right for wanting to put her in federal custody. After that fiasco in New York, there’s no way I’m allowing her to attend a funeral.”
“Seriously? You’re not going to let a wife attend her husband’s funeral? I don’t think you can stop her, Donofrio.”
“I can ask the judge to modify his order.”
“Get real.”
“The marshals will back me on this.”
“And I’ll overrule them. We’re not having this discussion.”
“It’s irresponsible. You told me yourself security arrangements would be difficult.”
“I told you they’d be a nightmare and they will. This is a matter of basic human decency. I understand your case is important, but not at the expense of Rachel’s soul. We’ll make sure she’s safe.”
“You’ve lost your fucking mind.”
“Watch your language, there’s a woman in the room.”
Donofrio finally noticed Beth and Milner standing there. “I apologize. I’m telling all of you now, if we lose this witness, I’ll do everything in my power to prosecute each of you.”
Milner leaned closer and whispered in Beth’s ear. “I’m terrified. Hold me.”
Donofrio continued to rant. Jack continued to listen. Ultimately, the attorney turned to Beth and asked if she agreed with Jack’s decision.
“I do. Rachel’s being a witness doesn’t mean she has to put her life on hold.”
“That’s exactly what it means until I decide to release her. She’s an important link to Borov.”
“Todd Milner and I picked up one of the drone operators a little while ago,” Beth said. “Maybe you should hear what he has to say about a man named Rick, who’s making a movie here in Atlanta.”
“What are you talking about?”
She began a capsule summary of what Lenny had told her. The U.S. Attorney folded his arms and leaned back against the edge of a desk to listen.
Pappas said, “So he plans to make a run at the feds’ safehouse?”
“Looks that way,” Beth said. “He’ll use the park across from the reservoir.”
Jack inquired where the drone was.
“It was delivered to Stan Kaufman on the way in.”
He nodded his approval. Kaufman was the Atlanta bomb squad’s chief technician.
Donofrio said, “I want to interview this man. Where is he?”
“Conference room three. Down the hall on the right,” Beth said.
The two attorneys left.
“Fun and games, kids,” Milner said. “I’d love to stay and listen, but I have to get back on surveillance. Borov’s set to meet with a recruiter for ISIS.”
“Who is he?” Pappas asked.
“He is a woman.”
The detective shook his head. “There are times I feel like I’m working in a nut house.”
“Good work on finding Lenny, Todd,” Jack said.
“Actually, Ms. Sturgis and I finished in a dead heat at the witness’s door.” Milner flashed a smile at Beth and left the room.
“Congratulations to you too, Detective. Let’s join Mr. Donofrio.”
*
Beth didn’t think it was possible for anyone to look more beaten down than Leonard Walpole. He was leaning back in his seat trying to put some distance between himself and Donofrio. The attorney bore in, firing off question after question. Lenny remained adamant about never having met or even hearing Sergei Borov’s name. Either Donofrio didn’t believe him or he thought he could browbeat him into changing his story. It was plain the little man was terrified, not so much at what he’d gotten himself into, but because he’d come to realize he was now the target of someone who intended to kill him once he had no further use for him. When threats and cajoling didn’t work, Donofrio changed tactics.
“Mr. Walpole, we may be able to help each other. I understand your reluctance to testify. A minute ago, you admitted to accepting money from Thomas Courtney because you want to get into a methadone clinic. That’s an admirable goal. It’s also an expensive one, as I’m sure you know. What about if we were to help?”
“Who’s we?”
“Your government. My office has access to certain funds for people who cooperate with us.”
“What good will that do me if I’m dead?”
“Have you ever heard of witness protection?”
“Uh-huh.”
“We can set you up with a new identity and place to live, a nice place. We might even furnish enough for you to go into that rehab program you’re talking about.”
“How much?”
Donofrio shrugged. “I’d have to look into the costs, but—”
“It’s nine thousand dollars,” Lenny said.
Donofrio turned to Pappas and asked, “How much can your department kick in?”
“I don’t know. We have a budget, but the final decision’s up to the bosses.”
“Sure.”
“Now this is what I want to do,” Donofrio said, returning to Lenny. “I want to call in a court reporter and have your statement taken down.”
“Can I speak to a lawyer first?” Lenny asked.
“What for? You told us you have nothing to hide.”
“I don’t. I just think it’s . . . it’s a . . . a good idea,” Lenny stammered.
Beth and Jack remained off to one side listening to the exchange. What little resistance Lenny had was crumbling quicker than the Iraqi army. The second attorney followed his boss’s lead and moved in close. Donofrio continued the press. They reminded Beth of two grade school bullies trying to steal someone’s lunch money.
“Mr. Walpole, maybe you don’t understand the situation you’re in. Regardless of what anyone has told you or promised you, I make the decision whether to prosecute. No one else. Right now, I could put you away for a very long time. You’ve already admitted to being an accessory to a felony. How long do you think someone like you will last in a maximum security prison? You’ll be locked down twenty-four hours a day in an underground facility. The only visits you’ll ever receive will be over a closed circuit television. They won’t even give you a book to read for the first year. As far as seeing the sun again, forget about it. Some people are strong enough to survive that experience. I’m told others go insane.”
Tears started to fill Lenny Walpole’s eyes. Beth was disgusted at what she was hearing. Donofrio leaned over him; his aide followed suit.
“Listen to me you little maggot, this is a one-time offer. Either you take it—”
“That’s enough,” Beth said.
“Stay out of this,” Donofrio snapped.
She responded by interposing herself between Lenny and the U.S. Attorney. “I said that’s enough. First of all, this man came here voluntarily. That means I’m responsible for him. If he says he wants to speak to a lawyer, he’s goddamn well going to get one. Both of you back away right now.”
The attorney opened his mouth to reply. Beth cut him off.
“I mean it, Donofrio. Back off.”
The second attorney reached for Beth’s shoulder, only to find his hand suddenly twisted back toward himself and turned outward by Jack.
“Hi there,” Jack said to him.
The man’s face went red as he tried to break free. Jack responded by increasing the pressure, which sent the aide down to one knee.
“Let him go this instant,” Donofrio said. “You’re assaulting an officer of the court.”
Jack shrugged and released his grip. The aide went over sideways.
“In the hall,” Donofrio said and left the room.
Jack and the others followed.
“What the hell’s the matter with you people? That man was about to cave.”
“That’s not the way to do it,” Beth said.
Donofrio took a breath and let it out as his assistant joined him, rubbing his wrist.
“All right, maybe I came on too strong, but we’re nearly out of time. So far, the best you’ve been able to manage is keeping half the witnesses you were assigned to protect alive. I don’t call that a raving success. We need to bring this to a head.”
“How?” Beth asked.
“I have an idea.”