Tony sat across from the irritated man. The agent had deliberately gone over every single question from the initial interview, slowly, to agitate the subject. Finally Allerton looked ready to explode, completely at odds with his declarations of grief and willingness to help the investigators. The interviewer relaxed and smiled, ready to begin the serious questioning.
Lee... you don't mind if I call you Lee, right? Lee, why on earth are you working as a car salesman? I see that you have a degree in accounting. Plenty of higher paying jobs in that field.
How do you... You investigating me? Allerton's aggravation began to take on tinges of anger.
Well, you know, that's the thing. Everybody we've talked to in connection with your girlfriend has lied to us. We figured we'd give you a chance to come clean, too. So, you want to tell me about Lynn's and Emily's finances and your part in their operation? Or shall we play this game a while longer?
Emily's finances? I don't do Emily's finances. Have you ever met Emily? That bitch is the definition of controlling. She wouldn't let anyone touch her books.
Tony nodded thoughtfully. So, how well do you know the Duvall brothers?
Gotta do better than that. That wasn't even close to convincing. He smiled and shook his head.
Look Agent... Whatever, I said I'd help. But Lynn's death was an accident, and you're starting to treat me like I'm guilty of something and I don't like it. Allerton's voice rose, laced with fury.
Tony folded his hands behind his head and reclined in his seat, assuming a position of total relaxation. He grinned at the incensed man and said, Okay, just in case you need a refresher course, I'll play along. Lynn wasn't so innocent. Navy Intelligence was interested in her for her artwork. But then, you knew she was an expert forger, didn't you? Yeah.
Allerton's eyes shifted minutely to one side, and Tony knew he was on the right track. And Emily? A fine, upstanding chemist specializing in the creation of high grade crystal meth. And the ladies were double dippin' on their boyfriends with their business associates, Scott and Jeremy Duvall. The mention of the last two names set Allerton to fidgeting. Tony leaned forward to meet the man's gaze, dropped his conversational tone, and went for the kill.
So tell me, who set that cleverly modified fire escape to shaking after chasing Lynn out the window? Cause the video we have says she sure didn't go out for a breath of fresh air and have a little accident.
Allerton's clenched fists were white-knuckled by the time there was silence in the room. Gathering his breath, he spat out one word.
No, that's my boss. So what's the problem? You don't believe me, or you're pissed we caught on? Look, we're pretty sure Emily did Lynn in over the transfer to Intelligence. Just tell me what you know about how the operation worked, who knew what. Tony sat back and waited, but the silence held.
He shrugged his shouldders at Allerton's fixed stare. Fine. Play it your way. Jeremy Duvall's in custody. So is Larry Martin... ah, another name you don't' recognize, I see. We also have Emily Pederson. Unfortunately, Scott's a charcoal briquette after blowing up the meth lab in a fit of rage this weekend; but some days that's just how it goes, isn't it. Tony closed the file in front of him, as if the interview was over. He waited until Allerton's eyes met his before adding, Oh, and we can't forget Lynn. Lying in that alley like a rag doll. Broken neck, broken back. You know I wonder -- did she know it was coming? Was she sure she was going to die when she took off out that window? Or was that terror reserved for the very moment when someone she trusted finally broke her grip on that ladder and she felt the air rushing by her? Tony tossed all the words out matter-of-factly, as if he were dealing cards, watching each one land like a blow. The reactions now showed clearly on the other man's face, overlaid with disbelief.
How dare you, you sick son of a bitch! My God! I loved her, and you sit here talking about how she died like it was some kind of game!
You loved her? Funny way you have of showing it. If someone killed the woman I loved, I sure as hell wouldn't protect the killer, I'd be doing every goddamned thing I could to help find him. Or her. He stood and turned toward the mirror briefly before concentrating on the reflection of the dejected man at the table.
Allerton lifted his head and his interrogator turned to face him. You don't know Emily.
I know we have her. I also know we can't keep her without enough evidence. Everything we can get on her is another nail in the coffin. Otherwise she's free to do as she damn well pleases. Tony's voice was quiet but earnest this time, trying to impress upon this man just how important his words were.
Nodding slowly, he said, All right, I'll tell you what I know, but most of it is worthless as far as the murder goes. I was a bystander for the most part; I know more about names and contacts than anything else.
Tony smiled as he sat. You know what, we've had so little to work with, I'll take what I can get. And the agent began taking notes as the car salesman/accountant detailed what he knew about Emily and her sordid world.
Gibbs and Kate watched the interview progress from the darkened observation room. Tony played Allerton like an expert fisherman, every inflection and expression designed to unsettle the man's emotions. The observers were silent and still, intent on capturing a word or gesture that could aid them in their hunt for the truth. Gibbs was so intently focused on Allerton's disintegration that his awareness of the woman at his side faded.
Kate's assessment gave her little hope for a breakthrough. Tony had the interrogation well in hand, but Allerton's behavior made Kate doubt he had the kind of inside information they needed. Tony made his last push; they'd discussed it quickly before he'd gone in so she wouldn't be caught off guard. However, hearing his harsh words describing Lieutenant Holder's last minutes brought back some of the fear she'd had. She found herself drawing in a shaky breath.
The unexpected sound snagged Gibbs' attention.
I'm fine. Really, she assured him. Taking one more slow breath, she regained her composure. Lieutenant Lynn Holder's ghost could no longer haunt her; Kate put the dead woman to rest and concentrated on burying Lynn's partner with the evidence they hoped to uncover. She watched as Tony and Allerton negotiated the surrender of information before turning to face her boss.
Do you think he's going to give us anything we can use? She tipped her head toward the window.
Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Seeing that the situation in the adjoining room was well under control, she said, I'm going to go get more coffee. Want some?
Do you seriously think I'm gonna drink the nuclear waste they put in the coffee pots here?
Right. What was I thinking? She turned and left, the door closing with a soft snick behind her.
