it had been quite an embarrassing moment for a man not accustomed to
such. The detective, Sullivan couldn’t remember his name, had not given
Sullivan the respect he deserved and that had angered the older man. If
anything, he had earned the respect of everyone. It did not help matters
that Sullivan did not feel the least bit confident in the local police’s
abilities to find the persons responsible.
He shook his head as his thoughts returned to the mirror.
At least it had -not been disclosed to the press. That was attention
Sullivan could not tolerate. The mirror had been Christine’s idea. But
he had to admit he had gone along with it. Now as he looked back, it
seemed ludicrous. At first it had fascinated him, watching his wife with
other men. He was beyond the age where he could satisfy her himself, but
he could not reasonably deny her the physical pleasures that were beyond
him. But it had all been absurd, including the marriage. He saw that
now. Trying to recapture his youth. He should have known that nature
bowed to no one, regardless of their monetary worth. He was embarrassed
and he was angry. He finally turned to Lord.
“I’m not certain that I have confidence in the detective in charge. How
can we get the federals involved?”
Lord put his glass down, lifted a cigar from a box hidden within the
recesses of his desk and slowly unwrapped it.
“Homicide of a private citizen isn’t grounds for a federal
investigation.”
“Richmond is getting involved.”
“Fluff, if you ask me.”
Sullivan shook his massive head. “No. He seemed genuinely concerned.” t
on that concern, lin ering for too
“Maybe. Don’t coun
, 9 long. He has a thousand Cans of worms to handle.” -I want the people
responsible for this caught, Sandy.”
“I understand that, Walter. Of all people, I understand that be. Youbave
to be patient. These guys weren’t They wi -dimers. They knew what they
were doing. But nickel-and
“go to trial, mark my everybody makes mistakes. They’ words.”
“And then what? Life -imprisonment, correct?” Sullivan said
contemptibly,”It’s probably not going to be a capital murder case, so
life o chance of parole, Walis wh they’ll end up getting. But n at
1I never breathe another drop of free ter, believe me. They nn might
seem real deair. And getting a little prick in the a
, ight.”
sirable after a few years of getting bent over every n and stared at his
friend. Walter SulliSullivan’sat down us of the van wanted no part of
any trial. Where all the deta of all of crime would be revealed. He
winced at the thought it being rehashed- Strangers knowing intimate
details of his life and that of his deceased wife. He could not bear
that.
He just wanted the men caught. He would arrange the rest.
of Virginia would imLord had said the Commonwealth llivan deprison for
life the persons responsible. Walter Su cided right then and there that
he would save the st of that lengthy incarceration.
commonwealth the coON THE END OF THE COUCH, BARE FEET
RUSSELL CURLED UP
on pullover that stopped tucked under a loose-fitting Cott ked at him
slightly above her calves- Her ample cleavage Pee where the fabric
suddenly dipped. Collin had fetched himself other glass of wine from two
more beers and poured her an the bottle he had brought with him. His
head was now slightly warm, as though a small fire were burning inside.
The necktie was now loosened, the jacket and gun lay on the opposite
couch. She had fingered it as he had taken it off.
“It’s so heavy.”
“You get used to it.” She did not ask the question he was usually
confronted with. She knew he had killed someone.
“Would you really take a bullet for the President?” She looked at him
through drooping eyelids. She had to remain focused, she kept telling
herself. That had not stopped her from leading the young man to the very
threshold of her bed.
She felt a large measure of her control slipping away. With a masterful
effort she started to regain it. What the hell was she doing? At a
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