Chapter 7
The Crazy Ones
/Next Day - LVPD - Interrogation Room A/
Jim and Catherine walked into the room; he glanced at the one-way mirror and nodded. Khandi and Sam were watching them from the other side. Catherine took a seat across from the mayor, while Jim stood behind her leaning against the wall.
"You're not a very smart man, Mr. Mayor," Catherine stated.
"Uh, Catherine?" Jim said. "I think you can drop the formalities. He doesn't deserve that title anymore."
"The hell I don't!" Mark Parashar yelled. "I'm still the goddamned mayor of this city."
"Not for long, you're not." Jim said.
"Look, Mark, we know you hired Eric Mills to kill your wife, Stephanie, last year. We also know you hired him to kill Nikolai Konstantine." Catherine added.
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about."
"Sure you do, Mark," Jim, said. "We've got evidence that places you at the crime scene when Konstantine was murdered."
"What kind of evidence?" Mark asked.
"Blood evidence," Catherine answered.
"That's pretty damning if you ask me," Jim said.
"Okay, look. This whole thing wasn't my idea."
"Well, then who's idea was it?" Jim asked.
"It was my girlfriend's."
"Your girlfriend's? You're coming off better and better," Jim replied, sarcastically.
"Does your girlfriend have a name?" Catherine asked.
"Amber Mason. She's the one who introduced me to Mills. Said he could take care of our problem."
"Meaning your wife and Konstantine."
"Yeah, that's right."
"Where does she work?" Jim asked
"At the Crazy Horse."
"She's an exotic dancer?" Catherine asked
"Yeah."
"Of course she is," Jim stated.
Jim told the uniform officer to take Mark down to booking. He and Catherine left the room and met Khandi and Sam in the hallway. Just then they saw Cosmo coming toward them, limping.
"Hey, Cosmo. What are you doing here?" Jim asked.
"I was going insane sitting in that hospital." Cosmo replied.
"Okay, I'm gonna go check out the girlfriend," Khandi said.
"Mind if I tag along?" Cosmo asked.
"Sure you're feeling up to it?"
"Yeah, definately. It's better than sitting on my ass all day."
"Alright, let's go."
As Khandi started to walk down the hall she stopped by Jim and gave him a kiss. "Last night was amazing," she whispered in his ear.
"Yeah, it was. But it would have been a lot better if Vartan hadn't of shown up." Jim replied and smiled at her.
"Okay, I love you, Jimmy."
"I love you, too."
"Okay, hey Cosmo?" Khandi "Get your wounded butt in gear. We got a case to solve."
Cosmo followed Khandi down the hall and left Jim, Sam and Catherine laughing at him because he looked like a lost puppy running after his master.
/Crazy Horse/
Khandi pulled her car into the parking lot and parked by the front door. She and Cosmo got out and he looked over at her.
"You didn't tell me we were coming to a strip club," Cosmo said.
"You didn't ask."
They walked into the club and up to the bartender. "You know where we can find Amber Mason?" Khandi asked, flashing her badge.
"The dressing rooms. Through that door," the bartender replied, pointing to a door just right of the stage.
Khandi and Cosmo went in the direction the bartender pointed. Khandi opened the door and walked through, with Cosmo following behind. They walked down the hall until they came to a door that said: AMBER MASON. Khandi knocked.
"Who is it?" Amber called out.
"Who does she think it is?" Cosmo asked shaking his head at Khandi.
"Las Vegas Police. We need to ask you a few questions." Khandi replied.
Amber came to the door wearing only a thong. "Come in while I put a shirt on." Amber said.
"Yeah, don't worry about the pants," Khandi replied, sarcastically.
"Or the shirt," Cosmo stated.
Khandi looked over at Cosmo and whispered to him, "Cosmo? Pick your jaw up off the floor before you trip over it."
"Hey! Just because you don't like looking at naked women, doesn't mean I don't like it either."
Amber put on a shirt and pair of shorts and once again gave Khandi and Cosmo her attention. "So who exactly are you two?"
"I'm Captain Khandi Brass. Las Vegas Police. This is Deputy Cosmo Renfro with the U.S. Marshals' office."
"Okay. What do you want?"
"We want ask you about Eric Mills and Mark Parashar." Khandi said.
"Mark Parashar? Isn't he the mayor?"
"Yes, he is. He's also your boyfriend."
"My boyfriend? I think you're mistaken. Why would the mayor date me?"
"Because he wanted to get rid of his wife and knew you'd have access to some shady characters, that could get the job done."
"Look, lady, you're crazy. I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure you do. You hooked up with Mayor Parashar last year; just about the same time he found out his wife was having an affair with Nikolai Konstantine. You suggested to him that he get rid of her once and for all."
"You're nuts!" Amber exclaimed.
"Please, don't interrupt me!" Khandi yelled. "Then you told him about Eric Mills. Convicted felon. Wouldn't think twice about committing murder. You got the two of them together and well the rest we all know. Do you think that about covers it, Cosmo?" Khandi asked, turning to him.
"Yeah, I say so."
"Amber Mason you're under arrest for solicitation of murder. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?" Khandi asked.
"You'll never make this stick," Amber replied.
"Do you understand your rights?" Khandi repeated.
"Yeah."
Khandi and Cosmo escorted Amber out of the Crazy Horse and waited in the parking lot for a squad car. When the uniforms arrived, they loaded Amber in the back and drove away.
"Why are the good looking ones always crazy?" Cosmo asked.
"I wouldn't know, Cosmo. Let's get back to the station. I want to put this case to bed and start celebrating."
"Sounds like a great plan. I could definitely use a drink right about now," Cosmo replied, putting on his sunglasses.
TBC...
