Kate walked into Interrogation, file in hand. This time the sheaf of papers contained no concealed weapon. She was relying on the fact that she had broken Martin before and the addition of the accumulated intel since their last interview to keep the man talking today. She did not want to risk another physical confrontation with him; she was unsure if she could rely on her body to perform the way she would require it to with her current injuries.
She sat down across from the tall man. His cruel countenance had softened some when she had seen him last, but now the mask was back in place. Kate sighed inwardly. Good morning, Larry. We have a few things to discuss, don't you think?
Martin flicked his eyes to the woman in front of him. The same woman who had beaten him twice with a knife to the throat. He didn't want to be in this room with her, which was probably the very reason she was the one questioning him. He sighed. He'd already betrayed Emily, what more could happen?
What's today's topic? he asked, resignation heavy in his voice.
Where would you like to start? I have a handful of financial documents with your fingerprints on them. Lynn's transfer letter to Naval Intelligence, also with your prints. Or there's the jackpot question of exactly what went down in apartment 2F the night Lynn died. Take your pick. Kate watched as first surprise, then irritation crossed the man's face. At her mention of Lynn, his final expression was one of shuttered sadness. Unhappily, he drew a breath and began to speak.
Those papers are easy. After the kids came looking for more money, Em was pissed. She snatched all those papers away from them and shoved them in my hands; told me to make sure they got back to the house so she could take care of them properly. Then Scottie had a fit. Said he'd take care of it and Em told him he could f.. uh, sorry ma'am. He could do some extremely anatomically impossible acts. Scottie stormed out while Lynn was still trying to calm everyone down. That was the last I saw of Scottie. As far as the letter, when we got back to the house that night, after Lynn, uh, fell; Jeremy was there. Em told him what happened and he just kinda weirded out somehow. I saw him about half hour after he found out about Lynn, but I don't think he knew who he was talking to. I was putting the papers in the desk and he came up with Lynn's letter saying he had to hide it from Em and started trying to shove it in the back of one of the drawers. Then he turned to me and he had this freaky hollow-eyed stare. I got him upstairs and put him to bed and made one of the other guys keep watch on him. I don't know what else he did that night, but I'll guarantee you, neither does he. Martin shuddered violently with the memory of Jeremy Duvall's behavior.
Okay, Larry. I can buy that, except for two things. Emily's prints weren't on the financial documents, and yours were on Lynn's letter. Kate waited.
Em was wearing gloves because she'd been cutting and packing meth. You don't seriously think a business woman like her would risk touching the stuff, do you? And my prints are on the letter because Jeremy was so shaky and acting really whacked out that I tried to help, thinking maybe he'd settle down. He rested his head in his hands.
Kate nodded; the explanation was reasonable and it was a fine place to get Martin started. Now for the harder part. Tell me about what happened with Lynn.
Still with his head in his hands, Martin shook slightly. Lady, I don't want to do this. I didn't want to do this for Em, I didn't want anything to happen to Lynn and I don't want to go to jail for something that made me sick to be a part of.
Larry, look at me. Kate waited until the tortured eyes met hers. I don't have anything solid on Emily. If you don't tell me what happened, she goes free. She walks today, and there's nothing I can do to stop her. You stay because of your attack on me and my partner, and she walks away clean. Cooperating with me will not only put her behind bars, but it might just get you a lighter sentence. But I can't do anything for you if you don't help me. She waited while he processed her words. Slowly he nodded.
All right. The whole thing started Tuesday afternoon. I got a phone call from Em...
# # # # # # # #
Talk to me.
Larry, it's Em. I got a problem and I need some help. Think you can give me a hand, baby?
Christ, Em! Last time you called me baby I was hauling one of your dealer's asses out of two shitloads of trouble! What is it this time?
I got reason to believe Lynnie's been lyin' to me. I need to talk to her tonight, but I need to put a little scare in her so she don't think of doin' it again.
Lynn! What the hell she lyin' to you for?
See, baby, now you know why I need you! I'm picking you up in twenty minutes. I've got a drop tonight and I want to look at the outside of the apartment building before I check out the inside.
# # # # # # # # # #
I had no clue what was going on with them. Lynn and Em had been best friends since their freshman year in college. They loved breaking the rules together and not gettin' caught. They encouraged each other in their illegal pursuits. The one thing that drove Em nuts was that Lynn went NROTC. And Lynn could never explain it to her. Hell, I never understood it either. I met the girls during their junior year; by that time Lynn was already running the biggest fake ID business on campus. When I asked her about the Navy thing, she just shrugged. So when Em picked me up and started explaining the whole thing I guess I wasn't too surprised it had to do with the Navy...
# # # # # # # # #
Hey Babe, get in.
Okay, Em. Now, what's the deal with Lynn?
Her and her precious Navy, that's what. Apparently she's getting a transfer.
And this isn't good news? This is what she lied to you about?
She hid the letter, after she told Jeremy. Dave found it and showed it to Mikey, wondered what they should do with it. So they came to me. Needless to say I was very surprised when my best friend didn't tell me about the transfer she'd received to Naval Intelligence!
Whoa! Naval Intelligence! Do they know she's a forger? And what about you?
Yeah, no shit! I'd like to ask her a couple of those questions myself. Along with, When were you planning on telling me? Were you planning on staying in the game? Did you think about what happens if we all get caught...' those sorts of things. Son of a bitch! I can't believe she would have left me out in the cold like this!
So what are you going to do?
I've got a drop scheduled. I told Jeremy to bring her here and I'd talk to her. Beyond that I don't know what I'm going to do. Nobody's crossed me in a long time, Larry. They all know not to. But I don't know what the hell's gotten into Lynnie, that she would do this.
Tell ya what, Em. Let's get out and take a look around the building. Maybe we'll come up with something that can help us.
Okay, Babe. Let's do it.
# # # # # # # # # #
Kate watched as Larry dropped his head in his hands again. Clearly remembering the events of last Tuesday was taking its toll. She tried to give him another minute to pull himself together before prodding him gently. Larry? You okay?
Sighing, he looked up. Yeah. It's just that I was the one who pointed out the fire escape. If it weren't for me, Lynn might still be alive.
You don't know that. You said Emily was angry with her; something else might have happened between them. Why don't you finish telling me your story.
# # # # # # # # # #
You said you'd looked at the apartment before?
Yeah, I was here last week in the red wig. I checked it out thoroughly; it's great for the drop. One of the windows has a fire escape; down this alley, I believe.
Let's check it out.
# # # # # # #
We walked down the alley and I pulled down the ladder. We climbed up, checked out the apartment through the window and then sat on the fire escape, talking.
# # # # # # # #
Well, Em, it looks pretty good to me.
Yeah, me too. Say, Babe, do you think we could make this platform a little shakier?
I dunno, I guess so. Why?
Well, I was thinking, if I cornered Lynnie out here and kinda scared her, you know, made her think she was gonna fall... Maybe she'd realize that what we've got isn't such a bad thing, and she'd dump ol' Uncle Sam. She needs to know that I'm who she should depend on for survival.
Whaddya want me to do?
Whatever it takes, Babe. Whatever it takes. Just make sure that it's good and scary. It's about time Lynnie realizes she only has one choice left, and that's me.
# # # # # # # # # #
I didn't like the whole idea. I mean, Lynn being in the Navy was kinda funky for a forger, but she somehow made it work. And she really was a sweet girl. Yeah, I see the look in your eye, she was a big time criminal working for the US Navy. But you didn't know her. To you she's just a dead body. Man, she was my friend! She was kind and funny and a great cook. She hated to see people upset. That whole scene in the apartment was just a nightmare. If it hadn't been for those greedy kids having to ask for the money that night, maybe, maybe I coulda protected Lynn. God, but by the time Em talked to her she was so furious. And when Em gets furious she gets dangerous. Never, ever forget that.
Tell me about the fire escape -- how did that get taken care of?
Easy enough. I sent Em on down ahead of me; she had things to do for her drop. On my way down I just looked real careful at the whole thing and found an area where the bolts would be easy to cut. So I did.
Anything else besides what happened in the apartment? Kate watched as Larry shook his head. You want to tell me what happened?
He sighed and ran a hand over his face. Somehow, sitting there he felt a hundred years old. He couldn't even imagine how he'd ended up here, but here he was; ratting out his sometimes lover for the death of one of his best friends. And somehow he'd helped to kill her.
Well, Em set up her entry to the apartment, like she usually does, with the adhesive over the latch. So we were in there by about 5:30, I'd guess. Maybe a little later, I'm not real sure. We sort of play those things by ear, cause of residents and stuff. But I know it wasn't any later than six.
# # # # # # # # #
Is that your cell or mine?
It's yours, Em. Want me to answer it?
Nah, I got it. Pederson, talk... Fine... what time is it now... so you'll be here by eight... all right.
Who was that?
Jeremy. He's got Lynnie, they'll be here around eight. Let's get this finished.
What time is it?
Six. I'm going to have clients arriving any time now. By the way, did you fix the fire escape like I asked?
Sure thing, Em. Go check it out.
Yeah, and I'll leave the window open, too. Goddamn hot in here! Wow, that's got a nice wobble.
Yep. And the closer you get to the ladder, the more she shakes. You wanna put the fear of God in her, this'll do it.
It ain't the fear of God Lynnie needs. It's the fear of Emily.
# # # # # # # #
We did our business with Em's clients' yeah, I see that look. Fine, dealers. Happy? Em was just starting to clean up in the kitchen when the boys arrived. Let me tell you, she was not happy to see Scottie and the gang...
# # # # # # # #
What are you doing here?
We need to talk, Em. To you and Lynn. I know Jeremy's on his way with her, so we'll just wait.
The hell you will! Get out!
Em! What's going on? Look, we just want to... Larry? What're you doing here?
Not that it's any of your business, but Larry was giving me a hand with something tonight. You got a problem with that, Scottie?
No, Em, course not. But look, just hear me and the boys out, okay? We won't be long...
Damn straight you won't be long. I have things I need to do tonight. Next time make a goddamned appointment!
Geez! What the hell is your problem? You don't have to be so nasty...
That had better be Lynn. Let's just get this over with.
Hello, Emmy.
Lynnie. Jeremy, you can go wait in the car.
But, I...
I'm sorry, were you going to argue with me, Jeremy?
Hey, it's cool, bro. I've got it covered.
Finally, someone who can do as they're told.
Hey, Lynn, let me go first, okay?
What is this? I run things here! All right, what do you rats want from me?
Well, in a word, money. We've got some records here and we think you've been holding out on us. We're busting our asses for you, taking risks for you at the lab. Emily darlin', it's time to give the heads of security a pay raise.
You stole my financial documents? Scott, I swear by all that's holy I will have your fucking head for this! NO ONE touches my records. Ever! I want them back and I want them right now, or I'm going to gut you where you stand, is that clear?
Em, come on...
Duvall, I said now and I mean now! You have less than two seconds to produce those documents or this blade and I start filleting you for tomorrow's dinner.
Shut up, you bitch! You're in enough trouble as it is, don't make it worse.
Emmy come on. They're not asking for that much money and we can afford it. Business has been very good this year.
What? Are you telling me you're in on this with them? Did you give them my records? Tell me you haven't betrayed me twice, tell me you wouldn't do that to me!
No, I didn't take your statements! I didn't even know about it until last week. Jeremy and I...
Last week? You knew they had my missing statements last week and you didn't do anything about it? Is that because you also knew about your transfer last week and you were all covering for one another? Everything I've done for you, all of you. Have you ever needed anything? Any fucking thing at all? And now I have countless knives in my back!! Scott, give me those statements! That's right, you better get your ass out of here, Duvall! I know you keep your brain in your pants, I just didn't think you'd had it up your ass as well! As for the rest of you, you still want more money? You sure? You can't spend it in Hell! Now, GET OUT! I'll deal with you tomorrow or next week or whenever I can stand to look at you. In the meantime stay away from me! Not you, Lynnie. We still have to talk.
Want me to take those for you for now?
Yeah, Larry. Be sure they get back to the house safely. Or I'll gut you.
Emmy, please, just calm down. You are way over the top here and it's just not necessary.
I'll decide what's necessary. So when were you going to tell me you were going into the spook business?
See, this is exactly why I didn't want to tell you. I knew you'd act this way! I'm not going into the spook business. My CO saw some of my artwork, my legit artwork, and he knew that NI could use my talents. Believe it or not, the good guys need forgers as well. In addition to talented artists for other things. I'm actually pretty excited about the job.
That still doesn't answer my question. When were you going to tell me?
Two weeks. When I started. Then I thought I could show you some of what I'd be doing and you wouldn't get so upset. You know, like you are now.
Oh, upset, like I am now? Just because Dave found your letter and brought it to me and that's how I found out, I shouldn't be upset? Just because you're going into Intelligence for Christ's sake, I shouldn't be upset? What's next, Lynnie? You goin' completely legit on me? You gonna turn me in? Or you just gonna wait until your Navy job catches you doing your part-time one and lands us all in jail? Or were you thinking at all?
Oh come on, Emmy. We've been doing this for, how many years? And we've never been caught yet. We're too good for that.
Yeah, and neither one of us has been working for the government in Intelligence before either, you dope! I've said it before, I think it's way past time to hang up the Navy, Lynnie. No good can come from this.
Emmy, you know how much I hate this discussion...
Yeah. Tell you what, let's just go sit out on the fire escape, like we used to do, way back when. I don't want to be mad at you, Lynnie, I really don't.
# # # # # # # # # #
They moved toward the window, although I could tell Lynn was worried. Em was still fuming. The guys had really made her angry and she wasn't over being mad at Lynn. I watched as they climbed out onto the fire escape, Lynn first. After that, I heard, but didn't see what happened.
# # # # # # # # # #
You know, Emmy, it does seem like the old days sitting here. I'm sorry I didn't tell you when I found out about the transfer. I know you don't understand my Navy career, and I'm sorry I've never found the words to explain it to you. Forgive me, Emmy? Please?
Oh, Lynnie, honey, I want to. I do. But I think this time you've crossed a line that I just can't ignore. I meant it when I said it's time to give up the Navy.
You can't be serious! This is my life we're talking about. I have a right to make the choices I want.
Lynn, we've been partners for a long time. We're not Emmy and Lynnie any more and maybe we should stop acting like it. I'm in charge of this business and what I say goes. I'm tired of indulging you're dress-up fantasy, so I'm putting a stop to it before it lands us all in jail. Resign your commission or whatever the hell it is that you do to get out of your cute little tighty-whities. Now.
And what if I don't?
Well, we're just going to have to stay here until we resolve this to my satisfaction then.
No, we're not. Hey, whoa! Oh my God! Emmy, cut it out, you're making it worse.
Then get back up here and I'll make it stop. I mean it Lynn. It's my way or it's no way.
Emmy! Come on, I can't hang on! All right I'll come up, just stop!
Start climbing and then I'll stop.
I can't get a grip when it's shaking like this! Okay! I'm AHH.....
Lynn! Shit! Larry, we got a big problem!
# # # # # # # # #
Em stuck her head in and called for me. I could hear people starting to make noise in the alley, so I knew we didn't have that much time. We started trying to get the stuff all cleaned up in the apartment. By the time we heard the first sirens we weren't quite finished and we knew we weren't going to get out of there before someone arrived. So we started concocting a plan.
# # # # # # # #
Shit, Em! We're gonna have cops crawling up our ass any minute.
Can it, Babe. I gotta think... All right, look, I'm going to pretend this is my place and say that she just went out for some fresh air. God knows we used to do it often enough in our first apartment when we were poor. And they'll buy that, it's hotter than hell in here. You call the buyers we had set up for Lynn's stuff and reschedule. Christ, but it was damned inconsiderate of her to die.
Well it was! All right, anything else? You didn't get the kitchen clean!
Well, excuse me if in all the excitement I forgot to clean that meth up. You'd better not forget to move that merchandise to someplace less conspicuous.
Look I've got enough shit to take care of here now, you'd better get to the house and take care of those problems including that. Shit, there's the door.
# # # # # # # # # # #
And that's when you walked in and I walked out. That's the whole story. I'm sorry Lynn is dead, I really am. The big man put his head down on his arms and cried quietly for the friend he'd help to kill.
Kate looked at him and couldn't help but feel some sympathy. Like Jeremy, he'd been controlled by Emily. And both men, now freed from her spell, were suffering great torment. She rose quietly and exited the room.
------------------
Gibbs and Tony stood side by side in Observation. Knowing that Kate was unarmed, Gibbs was especially conscious of the familiar weight of his Sig Sauer on his hip. He didn't know whether Martin would prove to be as intractable as he had in previous interviews, but he was prepared to defend his teammate in case the big man should attack.
Silently the men watched as Kate began the interview. Martin was sullen, but thankfully he seemed willing to talk. She gently prodded him along as he balked at revealing what he knew about Lieutenant Holder's death. Suddenly, he seemed to deflate, knowing this was the end of the line.
By the end of Martin's lengthy narrative, Tony's stomach was turning. Lynn Holder may have been a forger, but according to her naval records she was a good officer. She certainly didn't deserve to die like that, especially at the hands of such a cold-hearted bitch as Emily Pederson.
Gibbs had focused on every word from Martin's lips. This was their last hope for getting a murder conviction; he needed to believe this man. As he watched the dark head lower to the table, he believed that Larry's testimony could indeed be the key they needed.
Kate joined them in Observation, silently gazing at the saddened man, silently. All three were struck by just how many people had been destroyed by the reprehensible woman they had in custody. Finally Tony spoke up. I need to get out of this building for a while. Let's find someplace, anyplace, to go for lunch before we come back and prep for Pederson.
Gibbs surprised both agents when he nodded quickly and said, Good idea. I think we could all use a breather right now. Let's go. He headed for the door, and Tony and Kate wasted no time following. On the way they decided to see if Ducky and Abby wanted to join them.
