Chapter 16: Henry's Interview
It was like a staring competition. The only difference is, no one was looking the other in the eyes. Lassiter stood staring out at the bullpen. He could see the tension in the air. No one was sure who they could trust anymore. The death of Chief Vick started the domino effect, followed by Iris's kidnapping then to the arrest of two people everyone here trusted. The station was falling apart and Lassiter wasn't sure he could stop it. He's not even sure a miracle could.
Ever since Lassiter had dragged Mr. Spencer and O'Hara into Chief Vick's office, O'Hara had taken turns staring at the back of Lassiter then the man sitting next to her. On the trip back to the station, Lassiter had filled her in with what they found at McNab and Shawn's three apartments, plus their little, although O'Hara found the idea they were lovers not so little, secret. Then, combine all of that with what they found in the safe, things weren't looking good for Shawn, McNab or Gus. Looking over at Mr. Spencer, O'Hara wondered how much he knew.
Henry wasn't a fool. He knew whatever they found wasn't good. For Shawn. Or for him. Not that he knew anything, but Shawn was his son and that would have been enough for Henry to drag a father in for questioning over a son's activity. He just couldn't believe Gus would be involved in anything like this.
Like Lassiter, he could see the crumbling walls of trust falling and if you can't trust your fellow officers, it becomes a dangerous place to work. But he could also see the tension in the detective; how his muscles tensed, relaxing only for a second. Lassiter's breathing was deep and controlled. He was doing his best to keep the station, its people, and himself together, but it might be a losing battle.
"So, what did you find?" Henry was over the silence.
"You trained Spencer, didn't you?"
"In what way, Detective Lassiter?"
The lack of sleep showed in Lassiter's eyes. He was tired of the games.
"You taught your son how to shoot a weapon, right?"
"Yes. I also taught him how to survive in a world full of killers, but I didn't teach him to be one. I tried to teach him to be a cop. Anything else you want to know?"
"What about Guster?"
"I don't understand," Henry replied looking over at O'Hara. "What about Gus?"
"Did you teach him the same lessons?"
"No. Sure he had some of the same lessons as Shawn, but not all of them. I mean, I didn't teach him how to shoot a gun. In fact, I don't think Gus even knows how to."
"You already said that you think Spencer could do this. Do you think he did it?"
"If you had asked me that a week ago, I definitely would've said no, but to be honest, I have no idea. Not anymore, anyway. I guess, I never knew my son." Henry wiped his hand over his face as he let out a heavy sigh. "Anyway," he added looking up at Lassiter, "do you think I'm involved, too?"
"No, I needed to know what you thought. You know your son better than anyone else. At least, compared to those who are involved that is."
"Can I ask you and O'Hara a question or two?"
"Sure?"
"Do you really believe Gus is involved?"
"We found a safe behind Spencer's desk at the Psych office. Guster's finger's prints were all over it, inside and out, even though he claims not knowing anything about it. So what do you think? Is he involved?"
"Gus practices safe cracking and before you say it, no, that isn't an excuse, but maybe Shawn got hold of a safe Gus had used. I don't know. I do know Gus and know he would've freak out over something like this."
"Any other questions?" O'Hara enquired.
"What is going on between Shawn and McNab?"
"They're partners," Lassiter replied in a flat voice. "It turns out they have known each other long before either of them started here."
"Partners? As in crime or the bedroom?"
Lassiter glanced at O'Hara before he answered.
"Both."
"I thought that was going to be your answer."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Of course you do, but … do you know how and why your son would have photos of me? And I'm not talking about current photos. I'm talking about from when I was a kid and first started at the station."
"I can't tell you why. I really can't."
"Looks like they're ready for us," O'Hara interrupted.
Turning, they could see a few officers carrying in some boxes.
"Right, we're starting with McNab first," Lassiter added before all three walked out. "You can watch from the viewing room, Mr. Spencer."
Henry nodded his agreement. After watching Lassiter pick up one of the boxes and enter interview room two, Henry entered the small room, praying that all of this was a big mistake.
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