55

 

 

I headed to my apartment shortly after nine. At the corner of my street, I slowed down and scanned for any news vans, but the coast was clear. Just to be safe, I parked half a block away and walked to my door. I half expected a camera man and Kiley Patterson to leap from the bushes in an ambush interview, but nothing like that happened. Instead, I put my key into the door and walked into my apartment.

A long shower and more coffee didn’t do much to dispel the dark cloud that hung over me. I sat at my own kitchen table, but it didn’t seem to have the same magical properties as Clell’s. Over a second cup of my own coffee, I brooded over the turn of events. I’d been lucky enough to maintain a low profile in the thirteen years since Amy Dugger’s death. Even my incarceration after the Kris Sinderling case flew under the radar somehow. But now all my sins were being trotted out for Mr. and Mrs. River City to pass judgment on.

My phone buzzed. I picked it up without checking, which was probably a mistake. If someone in the media got hold of my number, they’d be calling. Thankfully, it was Harrity’s voice on the other end of the line.

“How are you?” he asked in his unique tone that was equal parts personal concern and business-like distance.

“I’m on the five o’clock news,” I told him.

“I know. I saw.”

“Well, then you know.”

“I was referring to your interview with the police. I was with Mrs. Brassart and was unable to attend to you. I called an associate but he was also unavailable.”

“It doesn’t matter. I was fine.”

“Who conducted the interview?”

“Detective Strodtz. I didn’t know him.”

“He’s very professional, in my experience,” Harrity said. “Were there any issues in the interview?”

“No, it was very straightforward. He didn’t play any games, just asked me what he needed to.”

“And you told the truth?”

“I did what my lawyer advised,” I said. “As always.”

“I will take that as an affirmative reply,” Harrity said.

“That’s probably a safe move.”

“I need to give you the contact information for my associate.”

“Why?”

“You’re a witness in my client’s case, but until we know for certain that you aren’t going to be charged, you should have independent representation.”

“I don’t need it.”

“I believe you do.”

“Even if that’s true, I can’t afford it, either.”

“My associate will provide his services pro bono.”

I sighed. “All right. Give me the info.”

Harrity gave me a name and a phone number. I didn’t bother to write it down. I trusted Harrity, and I knew he was the professional who knew what was best, but that didn’t mean I had to go along with it.

“Something else,” Harrity said after he finished reciting the telephone number. “I won’t be able to continue to contract with you until the Brassart case is settled. Both of them, actually.”

“Why?”

“As I stated, you’re a witness to the Garrison death, and your prior work makes you a witness in the homicide case. If I continued to contract with you, it would likely create a conflict of interest.”

I sighed again. It wasn’t like I relied on work from Harrity for my income, but what he said still gave me a vague feeling of abandonment.

“I apologize for the necessity,” Harrity continued. “This is merely a practical matter, not a reflection of your work. In fact, you performed much as I had hoped you would. You’ve helped me considerably, and I thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, but the flatness of my tone rang in my own ears.

“I will be in touch,” Harrity said, and hung up.

I held the phone in my hand for a few moments, staring down at the small display. Then I tossed it onto the coffee table.

It figured. First Clell leaves town, then Adam asks for some distance. Everyone else was bailing, why not Harrity?

Why not everyone?

Even before I finished having the thought, I shook my head at it. I sounded like a whiner. With some effort, I rose from the chair and flexed my knee. It hurt a little, but not too much. It would hold up if I took a walk, and that was what I needed.

Before I headed out the door, I grabbed my phone again. I punched in Anna’s number. The phone rang several times, and her voice mail came on. After the beep, I said “Hey. You’re probably sleeping. I just wanted to say hello. Things are crazy. You probably heard. I’m going for a walk, maybe over to Coeur d’Alene Park, to thinks things through. If you want to get coffee or something, I’d like that.” I thought for a second. Then I added, “I’d really like that.”

I ended the connection and headed out the door.