CHAPTER 44

Once Judge Narita adjourned the proceedings for the day, I gathered my files, and Jake and I made our way up the aisle, looking straight ahead all the way. Eyes from both sides of the aisle bore into us like lasers. We met Scott and Flan outside the courthouse, and the four of us pushed through the tide of reporters and walked silently back toward the office together.

We didn’t make it a block before my cell phone started vibrating in my pocket.

“Mr. Corvelli, it’s Jason Yi. The governor needs to see you right away. It’s urgent.”

I feigned surprise. “I just finished making my opening statement in an important trial. My partner and I are heading back to the office to prepare for the state’s first witness.”

“The governor knows about the trial. That’s why he needs to speak to you. He’ll be at your office in twenty minutes.”

Yi didn’t allow for a response. During my protest I realized I was speaking into dead air.

*   *   *

“They’re waiting for you in the conference room,” Hoshi said.

I glanced at my watch. The governor must have been parked outside my building when Yi called because only six minutes had passed since Yi hung up on me.

“Want some backup?” Jake said.

“No, I’ll handle this.”

I opened the conference room door and found the governor flanked on either side by his wife, Pamela, and Jason Yi.

Omphrey dispensed with the greetings. “What the fuck are you doing to me, Corvelli?”

I took a seat across from the trio. “Care to elaborate?”

Omphrey’s hands clenched into fists on the table. “Alleging widespread police corruption in Honolulu twenty-eight days before the election? My opponent has already issued a statement condemning my leadership. You’re sabotaging me.”

“So you are aware of the corruption, Governor? Is that what you’re telling me?”

“I’m aware of no such thing.”

“Then issue a statement through your press secretary, or better yet, schedule a press conference and explain to the people of Hawaii that you are launching a full investigation into the allegations set forth during the Turi Ahina trial.”

The governor slammed his right fist against the table. “This isn’t some fucking game,” he shouted. “Crime is my issue. You’ve seen my ads. Crime and no new taxes, that’s all I have. That son of a bitch John Biel is beating me up on education, on the environment, on the economy. If the Honolulu Police Department is smeared, I’ll lose this goddamn election, and if I lose this goddamn election, Corvelli, I’ll—”

“You’ll what, Governor?” I said calmly.

His jowls were shaking, his doughy cheeks had turned red. Pamela and Yi had each placed a hand on his shoulders. “This”—he pointed a finger at me—“is a conflict of interest. I’ll have you disbarred.”

“There’s no conflict, Governor. I represent you in an open murder investigation. It’s not my job to see that you’re reelected, only to make certain you don’t go to prison for Oksana Sutin’s death. My investigators and I have laid our lives on the line the past few months attempting to discover who was behind her murder. If you don’t like the job we’ve done, then fire me and get the hell out of my office.”

The conference room fell silent.

After a full minute, Pamela Omphrey finally said, “What has your investigation revealed?”

I looked at the governor. “I’m not at liberty to discuss the investigation in front of anyone but your husband, Mrs. Omphrey. Unless he says it’s okay and waives privilege.”

Pamela stared at her husband.

Omphrey said, “Wait outside, dear.” To Yi, he said, “Jason, escort the first lady to the reception area.”

Once the door had closed behind them, he turned to me. “Go.”

“We know where Lok Sun is. We also know the location of Gavin Dengler, who was Oksana Sutin’s employer during the time you were together.”

“Her employer?”

“Her pimp.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Cor—”

“We believe she was acting as a spy, Governor.”

Omphrey froze, his Adam’s apple traveling up and down his throat like a broken glass elevator.

“A spy?”

I leaned forward. “You said you never asked her about her life or her work while you were with her, right, Governor? That’s common enough for someone with your bloated ego. But I’ll bet she asked about your life, about your work. That’s why the affair lasted months and meant more to you than just sex, isn’t that right, Governor? You like talking about yourself and Oksana Sutin was the perfect sounding board—long legs, large breasts, and as mute as a carp.”

Omphrey gaped, his mind no doubt working more than it had at any given time in the past four years.

“So what did you discuss with her, Governor?”

His eyes moved back and forth across the table as though he were watching a tennis match. “Everything,” he mumbled. “Everything.”