Several urgent messages were on my desk when I got back from the morgue. Good—urgent was appropriate. Austin Sylvester from CSU. Preliminary report in. Some reports: from AP, local television stations. Even the woman from the chronicle who had left her card.
I picked a grilled chicken and pear salad I had brought up as I dialed Lee back." Only good news," I joked,! As his voice came on the phone.
"In that case, I can give you a nine hundred number. For two bucks a minute they will tell you anything you want to hear."
I could hear it in the middle of his voice." You got nothing?"
Tons of partials, Moo," The CSU chief replied, meaning inconclusive prints his team had lifted from the room." the bride's, the groom's, the assistant Manager's housekeeping's"
you dusted the bodies?" I pressed the killer to pull Lizzy Harry's body up off the floor," and the box of champagne?"
"Of course. Nothing. somebody was careful,"
"what about off the floor? fibers, shoe prints,"
"Beside the pee," Lee laughed."You think I'm holding out for you? you are cute, Moo, but I get off in bagging the killer's more. Meanwhile, I have got someone running that tux under the microscope.I will let you know. Roger wilco,"
"Thanks,Austin," I muttered disappointedly.
As I flipped further through my stack of messages, Alice Barry's name came up.
Normally, I wasn't in the habit of phoning back reporters in the middle of ongoing investigation. But this one had been smart and cool making her way up to the crime scene, yet kind in backing off when she had me cornered in the bathroom.
I found her at the desk." thanks for calling me back, Inspector," she said in an appreciative tone.
"I owe you, I guess. thanks for cutting me some slack at the hotel,"
Happens to us all. But I have to ask: Do you always react so personally at a crime scene? you are a homicide detective,right?"
I didn't have the time or heart to get into a battle of wits, so I used Isaiah's line. It was a wedding. I always cry at them. what can I do for you, Ms.Barry?"
Alice... I am going to do you a favor. when I reach five, maybe you will do one for me,"
" We have a homicide, a very bad one. we are not going to play let's make a Deal. and if we meet again you will find I am not the cheeriest when I feel indebted."
"I guess what I was hoping for," she said," was to hear your spin on the bride and groom."
Doesn't James Brown cover homicide for the chronicle?" I asked.
I heard her take a breath. I won't lie to you. I normally handle local interest out if the Metro,"
Well you have got yourself a real story now. 'marriage Made in Heaven Ends Up in Hell.' you are quick out of the gate,"
"Truth is, inspector,"-- her voice grew softer--i'd never seen anything like that before. seeing Nathaniel Harry lying there... on his wedding night. I know what you must think, but it's not just about the story. I'd like help any way I can,"
I appreciate that, but since you have got all these eager people with the badges walking around here. We ought to give them a shot? Anyway, you should know that you Sneaking your way up to the thirtieth floor didn't exactly get me invited to the commissioner's office for brunch. I had tactical responsibility at the crime scene,"
"I never thought I'd actually make it through,"
"So we have established that we don't know who owes whom here. but since it's my dime...
the reporter's voice went back to a peremptory tone."I called to get your reaction to a story we are going to break today. You know the groom's father runs a buyout firm. Our business editor told Bloomberg that they backed out of a proposed agreement at the last minute with the third largest Russian automaker, kolya Novgorod. Harry was providing up to two hundred million for a significant stake. kolyas is one of the Russian conglomerates taken over by a new branch of black-market capitalists. without the cash, I'm told it is virtually bankrupt. my source tells me the mood got very fractious,"
I laughed. Fractious, Ms Barry? I might be getting a little fractious myself."
"Apparently, some of the Russian were left hanging with their uncle Vayas out.
I laughed again." conspiracy to commit murder is a federal crime," I told her. if there's something to it, you should make the call to justice.'
"I just thought I'd let you know. in the meantime, you want to throw me a comment or any other possibilities you are looking into?"
"sure. I'd feel safe in saying that they are ongoing,'".
thanks. she signed. have you narrowed in on any suspect yet?"
this is what they tell you to ask at the chronicle? you know I can't divulge that."
"off the record. no attribution. As a friend."
As I listened, I remembered when I was a police officer trying to elbow my way in. How the police world had been barred, closed off, untill someone had opened up the tiniest crack to let me crawl through." like I said, Ms.Barry," my tone starting to soften," no promises," Alice," the reporter said.'' At least call me Alice. for the next time you get cornered in the bathroom with your guard down,"
"okay, Alice.i will be sure to keep you in mind," she said as I dropped the phone," she' really smart," and I think i'm beginning this one,
I don't want to go home," and I knew I couldn't stay at the Hall any longer.
I grabbed my bag, rushed down to the underground garage, and started up my trusty-dusty Bronco without a clear sense of where I was headed. I just drove- Fourth, Third, onto the mission, past the Moscone Center--Cafes, closed-up shops All the way down toward the embarcadero