Page 16 of Unhallowed Murder
Ramirez rubbed his wrists, remembering the cuffs. “He made the call. We were worried she’d recognize my voice.” He looked down again. “I never shoulda told ’em I had a cousin who worked for the post office.”
“Is there anything else you know that will help me find her murderer?”
He shook his head. “If it wasn’t Calacas, I don’t think it was us.”
Truth.Damn. But, there was a boyfriend, so at least she had another string to pull.
Ronnie stepped into the viewing room and looked at Perry. “Find out where Calacas’ girlfriend lives and works. Have someone pick her up in the morning, so she’s waiting for me to talk to when I get here. Don’t tell her anything except she’s needed for questioning.” She looked at Graham. “We conveniently have people here who can probably tell us who Mickey in the passport office is.”
Graham nodded, and she looked at Detective Henderson. “I’ll catch Mickey at work tomorrow after I talk to Flores’ girlfriend, and I’d like to know everything about both of them before I talk to them.”
Ronnie walked into the last interrogation room, but didn’t sit. She’d put Flores in the smallest one, with the whompersided table and the staticky speakers.
His face was a mess. Both eyes were dark already, and the swelling was intense.
“Oh, that looks painful. I’m told you turned down medical attention and wouldn’t even accept ice to put on it?”
“I’m fine,cunt. Ask me your questions so I can leave.”
Asshole wasn’t going anywhere, but telling him that would be counterproductive. She needed him to talk, and her gut told her the friendly approach was her best bet. “I think I like smurf better, but I guess I’d be Smurfette, yes?”
He glared at her, and she leaned against a wall, looking down at him, her arms crossed. Friendly face with cop body language. “The FBI is working hard to take you away from me. Bribing a federal employee with regards to their employment is a federal crime. However, murder trumps bribery, but if you can’t give me anything on the murder, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to hold them off.”
“I didn’t kill her, and that’s the truth.”
“I believe you, but youdidrape her, yes? I don’t have results back from the lab yet, but I have a feeling your DNA is going to be all over her bedroom.”
“I don’t even know where the bitch lives.”
“That, I don’t believe. You think you used a condom so there won’t be DNA, but there were some pubic hairs on the bed and floor, and who knows what she has under her nails.”
“Check all you want. I wasn’t there.”
“Here’s the deal, and listen closely because it won’t be open long. You cop to the rape and I won’t try you for the bribery charge. The feds can move youanywhereonce they have you, but if we can keep it local, you’ll either be in the county jail or Pikeville — close to home where your girlfriend and family can visit.” She finally stepped forward and sat in the chair. “The Feds want you. I need something substantial on the books to hold them at bay. Rape trumps bribery. Give mesomethingso I have a chance of keeping you.”
She pulled a legal pad and a pen from her bag and put them on the table. “Say the word and I’ll take the cuffs off so you can write your confession.”
“I need a better deal.”
“I don’t have one for you. Give me a written confession for the rape and I won’t add the bribery charges on. I might even be able to make the weapons charge go away.”
Because he didn’t have a carry license, and he’d pulled a weapon in the bar. If she hadn’t moved so fast, it’s possible someone would’ve shot him, and she’dneededto talk to him.
Corey’s voice came into her earpiece. “His dad spent time in Leavenworth, LT.”
“You want to do your time in downtown Chattanooga, or someplace like Leavenworth or Lompoc.”
He sighed and she smelled resignation. She had him.
“Take the cuffs off.” He stared at the table, his eyes unfocused.
“You need coffee?” she asked while she released his wrists. Her men were probably bitching about her giving him this much freedom, but she might not get the confession if she only gave him more chain. He was on the fence and she didn’t want to blow it. Besides, she’d handle him if he got violent.
“How about a Mountain Dew?” he asked.
Ronnie nodded to the camera without taking her eyes off the man in front of her. She’d probably destroyed his ego with that head-slam, and the cat coiled inside her was wary of him, which meant she should be, too. Freeing his wrists was the right thing to do to get his written confession, but she wasn’t going to let her guard down.
She sat without moving while he wrote his account — as still as a tiger waiting for prey. When he finished, Ronnie read through it, asked a few questions, and left him uncuffed while she stepped out to talk to her people. He wasn’t going anywhere, and they could see into the room. If he was preparing to ambush her when she returned, they’d know.
