REACHING Tony and Gabby by phone, I learn they’re stalled in traffic near the Plett crime scene in the Bronx. Leaving my unmarked vehicle in the underground, I decide to make the short walk on foot to The Plaza Hotel for my rendezvous with Stella Walker. We all three agree it’s too late in the day for a meet-up.
Tony and Gabby have me on speaker, allowing me to update both simultaneously on my day. The positive ID of Livingstone by Denieca Brown; Livingstone’s connection to New York-Presbyterian Hospital and, potentially, to Lattimer, Manischewitz, and Mancinelli; my request for patient transcripts; my request for a voice comparison analysis; my request for toll, traffic cam, and surveillance video.
“Marcus Livingstone’s parents died when he was young. He was raised in foster care. By who and where? Was he beaten or molested as a child? Did he get-off on tearing the legs from small animals? Any extended blood relatives? The diplomas on his wall tell us he attended Cornell University for both undergrad and graduate studies. Let’s contact faculty, track down ex-girlfriends. Did the doctor have an erotic asphyxiation fetish? Let’s talk to neighbors and friends, past and present. We need to check and re-check his alibi for Sunday. I’m still not satisfied. Did we receive the bank records, real estate holdings, phone records, online activity that we asked for? We need to rip Marcus Livingstone’s life wide open.”
Because after God, no one on earth has more power to send your life into the shit-house than an NYPD Gold Shield.
“And Kelly Plett?” Gabby says.
“It’s Livingstone we’re after, Gabby. Nail him, Kelly Plett will fall into place.”
Disconnecting with Gabby and Tony, I reach Melissa on her mobile. A brief synopsis of my own day and I ask what she’s learned. Mel admits to having discovered little more than we already know.
“According to staff, the photo of Livingston could be any one of a hundred guys who hang around the bar on a Saturday night. To them, they all look the same. Do you want me to keep banging on doors?”
“Call it a day.” To encourage her, I add, “Good work on the AA lead, Mel. See you in the office early.”