Silence lingered between us. Finally, Mary Catherine said, “What prompted you to call? Really?”
I told her about my conversation with the NYPD commissioner less than half an hour ago. This time I left it up to Mary Catherine to draw her own conclusions.
Mary Catherine said, “I think you should stay in DC. It doesn’t matter what the NYPD wants. You’ve given them plenty of your life. If you get fired, it won’t make one bit of difference to me. We’ll be destitute anyway once the IRS’s through with us. And with you out of a job, maybe I’ll finally see more of you.”
I chuckled and said, “I do love how you’re a glass-half-full kinda girl.”
Chapter 84
The next day I got a call from Bobby Patel. He wanted to talk in person. Right away. He swung by the hotel and met me in the lobby.
He had lost a lot of his nervousness at us meeting in public. He scanned the room only twice instead of once every thirty seconds. Though he was dressed in his usual suit, he resembled a kid bursting to tell someone big news. I guessed, in this circumstance, that was exactly what he was.
In jeans and a pullover, I felt underdressed sitting next to him at the small, round table. Our two cups of hotel coffee sat steaming in front of us.
I said, “What was so urgent? Do you have results from the DNA sample I submitted?”
“Why else would I insist we meet in person?”
“That was a really fast turnaround. I’m impressed.”
“The FBI has access to cutting-edge technology. I stressed to the forensic scientists the importance of this test, and they used a speedy new technique for ‘preliminary’ analysis. They’re working on a full profile now. But they’re confident that the DNA you submitted matches the DNA that came from the Baltimore homicide scene.”
“Good work.” Frankly, I was shocked that this long shot had actually resulted in a match.
I thought of ways to stall for time, but I didn’t have to. Bobby went on about the FBI lab. He bragged about their capability and training. I would too if I had FBI-level resources. I liked it when any cop was proud of their agency. No matter how I felt about the FBI, I had to admit they had moved things along quickly.
Bobby focused his intense eyes on me. “Okay, I came through for you. Now you’ve got to tell me who the sample came from. We can’t close out the case until we have all the information.”
Now I really had to stall. This was a tough one. I trusted Bobby. I didn’t necessarily trust the FBI. The Bureau had rarely done me any favors in the past. But I had a responsibility to the investigating detectives. I needed to tell them about the hit and let them decide how to handle it before I told Bobby.
I decided to take the quickest route. Sort of like ripping a Band-Aid off quickly instead of a little at a time. I looked at Bobby and said, “I can’t tell you who it’s from right now. I’m sure you’ll understand I have to talk to the Baltimore homicide detective first.”
Bobby simmered. This was not the answer he’d expected.
“You haven’t talked to me about that many suspects. It’s gotta be one of a handful of people. I don’t understand why you won’t confirm it.”
“I just explained it to you. I have a duty to talk to the investigating detective first. There are no hidden agendas here, Bobby. I want to wrap this up as quickly as you do.”
“What’s your plan? Just because we got a hit on a Baltimore homicide doesn’t mean the same killer attacked Emily. I don’t know of any evidence that links the two homicides.”
“That’s true. My plan is pretty simple. As soon as we make an arrest, start with a good interview. See if we can convince the killer to confess to Emily’s murder as well. Anything the killer says might point us in a new direction.”
Bobby grumbled. Then he looked at me and said, “You better stop treating me like a servant who doesn’t need to know why he has to clean the toilet.”
“C’mon, Bobby. Everyone knows why it’s important to clean the toilet.”
Chapter 85
I felt the pressure escalating. I needed to move quickly on the DNA information Bobby had given me so that I could solve the case and get back to New York in time to keep my job. And with a Supreme Court justice’s connections, the Steinbergs might be tipped off about the DNA hit before we could even do a proper interview.
That’s why I wasted no time in calling Detective Holly at the Baltimore homicide unit. After a quick hello, I told her about the matching DNA.