Couples
Chapter 111
As Scalisi is led into interrogation, he can see Detective Beckett sitting on one side of the table. A prematurely balding man with an attaché case Steve pegs as costing $1200 is on the other. Esposito chains Scalisi in place next to the expensive accessory owner and sits with his partner in Beckett's territory. The unidentified occupant turns to Steve. "I'm Palmer Hitchcock from Leonard and Sorrento."
"So I don't rate Leonard or Sorrento?" Scalisi inquires.
Palmer half-smiles. "They handle our larger accounts, disputes involving a minimum of a hundred million dollars. This case isn't on their level. I'm afraid you're stuck with me. However, I've been fully briefed."
"The case is a high enough level to qualify as grand larceny," Kate quickly points out.
"Don't respond to that," Hitchcock counsels Scalisi before turning to Kate. "My client had nothing to do with any theft. He was merely assigned to supervise a cleaning operation."
"More like a clean-out operation," Esposito interjects.
"The fact remains, Mr. Hitchcock," Kate continues, "that your client was at the scene of a crime. He didn't notify the police or try in any way to prevent it. And we have testimony that he was in charge."
"Testimony no doubt obtained under duress," Hitchcock argues. "And as I understand it, Mr. Scalisi never touched an article in the Atterbury home."
"Which, if you're familiar with conspiracy law, you know doesn't matter," Ryan inserts.
"If he was involved in any part of the crime, he's responsible for all of it," Kate expands. "And we've done some research. A number of homes serviced by Momentous Mops under Mr. Scalisi's supervision have experienced high ticket losses. If you're good, Mr. Hitchcock, Mr. Scalisi might get away with serving a year or two for one charge, even of a class B felony."
"Unless he gets Judge Miraldi or Judge Sutter," Ryan sticks in. "Then it would be more like 15 years."
"And even if he gets a kinder jurist," Kate adds, "with all the charges the D.A. can pile on, he could be in for life, or close enough to it not to matter. Mr. Scalisi picked the wrong people to work for, Mr. Hitchcock. But the good news is, we're more interested in murder than larceny. If your client gives us what we need, we can lobby the D.A.'s office to give him a break."
Scalisi feels the heat drain from his body. "I want some time to talk to my lawyer."
"Of course," Kate agrees. "That's your right, and you'll get it. You'll get all of your rights. Still, no technicality is going to keep us from nailing you. But you can help yourself. And if Mr. Hitchcock really has your best interests in mind, he'll advise you to make the smart choice." Kate rises from her chair and moves toward the exit, followed by Ryan and Esposito. "Knock on the door when you're finished talking, Counselor. The officer outside will call me."
"How long do you think they're going to be in there, Beckett?" Ryan wonders.
Kate shrugs. "If Hitchcock is working for the Lorenzos, he'll probably try to talk Scalisi out of taking a deal. But Scalisi understands that. I could see it in his face. He knows he's screwed."
"We should send out for pizza," Esposito suggests. "Giovani's has great jalapeños."
"And their sauce has ruined three of my shirts," Ryan complains.
"Tell you what," Kate proposes, "how about Chinese, my treat?"
"I think Castle is rubbing off on you," Ryan offers, "but I'll take free food anytime."
"I'm down with that," Esposito agrees. "Just don't let Ryan grab all the spareribs."
"Mr. Douglas, do you have a response to Mr. Andrews' objection?" Markway asks.
Eli struggles against the sense of unreality he's experienced since he and Lana left the judge's chambers as husband and wife. "Oh, yes, Your Honor. I apologize. I was distracted." Markway covers his microphone, murmuring, "I can't imagine why. Mr. Andrews said that your question assumed facts not in evidence," he reminds Eli, back on the record.
Eli forces himself to concentrate. "Your honor, the facts are in evidence. They are part of exhibit 117, which I introduced with the previous witness, and the jury has already seen."
"Objection denied," Markway responds. "You may answer the question, Mr. Meeker."
"Yes. I delivered that document to Mr. Flatt and witnessed him reading the contents," the witness confirms.
"Thank you. Mr. Meeker," Eli replies. "That's all I have for this witness, Your Honor."
"Mr. Andrews, it is nearing the lunch hour. Are you anticipating a lengthy cross-examination?" Markway inquires.
"Yes, Your Honor."
"In that case, we will be recessing now," Markway announces. "I have a few matters to attend to before we return, and I expect counsel may as well. So, we'll reconvene at 2:30 p.m."
As soon as he's free of the courtroom, Eli pulls his cell out of his pocket. "Where are you?" he asks as Lana answers.
"About three blocks from your apartment. I just finished a go-see. A guy thought someone stole his dog, but it turned out his grandson came and took it for a walk. Happy ending."
"How about a happy beginning?" Eli suggests. "Markway just tacked almost an extra hour onto the recess. Can you take your lunch break and meet me for a preview of our honeymoon?"
"Cross your fingers that I don't get an emergency call, and I should see you as soon as you can get there."
"I'll hurry."
Markway settles behind his desk with a bagel with a schmear, an extra-large pickle, and a lemon tea. While the newlyweds have some time together, he can start Rick Castle's new book.
"Tine!" Lily calls from where Rick is firmly holding her hand in the doorway of the Imagination Patch kitchen.
Christine looks up from laying out lunch plates. "Lily! Did you come for a pumpkin cookie?"
"She has to eat real food, first," Rick insists. "I put in an order out there for a toddler special for her and a writer's club for me. We've got quite a crowd. I didn't want to jump the line. Is Auchincloss here?"
"He should be back any time now. He went for emergency supplies. We had Romaine lettuce, but we just heard about a recall. We had to toss it."
"You didn't serve it to anyone, did you?" Castle asks, a food-poisoning disaster looming in his minds' eye.
"No, thank God. Chef had planned on using it for the Caesar salad, but we got the alert before we started serving lunch. I'm improvising a substitute, the Imagination Patch Garden Grin."
Rick nods appreciatively. "Clever. I'm hoping you or Auchincloss can be as clever for me when the rush slows down. I had a couple of friends do a courthouse wedding this morning, and I want to throw them a little celebration. However, I have strict instructions to keep a lid on the hoopla."
"That kind of spoils the fun, doesn't it?" Christine asks.
"I'm hoping it won't. That's why I'm here," Rick explains. "I'm looking for inspiration. We're talking about a cop and a lawyer if that helps spur your thought processes."
"It might. I'll think about it and put it to Chef. I can call you later if that's all right."
"It will be perfect," Rick declares. "Now Lily and I are going to seat ourselves at the owner's table and await an always excellent meal."
"Tine cook," Lily muses as Rick leads her back to the front of the restaurant.
"Yes, she does," Rick agrees. "And I'm hoping she'll cook up something extraordinary. Lana and Eli deserve it.