Chapter 13
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, Thursday at 3:30 pm
"Well well if it isn't my old buddy Mike "The Strangler" Capicotto," Sheriff Bosch smirked as he entered the ex-con's hospital room. Officer Chambliss, Agent Booth, and Dr. Brennan followed him in.
"Oh Sheriff, you're just in time, I was busy telling my client over the phone, not to say a word," from behind them, a man in a suit stood in the doorway.
"I should have known Jackson. Wherever one of Scarpini's boys are in trouble, you're never far behind," Bosch obviously knew who he was and Brennan made the logical deduction that he must be the attorney of the wounded man.
"My client and I would like some time to talk, in private," Jackson told them. The Sheriff gave him a look but didn't have much choice. They filed back out of the room and into the hallway. The door to the room was closed behind them.
"Looks like our investigation just hit a dead-end," Chambliss shook his head.
"I'm still arresting him on the attempted murder of David Masiello and the murders of Charles Reed, Donald Mandrini, and Reggie Sanderson. You can arrest him for the attempted murder of Officer Daniels," Booth said.
"True but I don't think he'll even roll on Scarpini enough to confirm he's the one that ordered the hit on Billy Bob," Bosch told him.
"Seems to me that with the evidence found by my team, you could indict both Scarpini and Capicotto," Brennan spoke up.
"There in lies the problem. We arrest both and Scarpini tells us it was all Capicotto's doing. Capicotto will agree, saying he did it and that his boss didn't know and we're right back to where we started," Chambliss explained.
"He's right. There has to be a way to nail Scarpini," Bosch said.
"The fact that he's missing should be a big help. I can issue a federal warrant for his arrest. I can send his photo to Interpol. Who is to say he didn't already leave the country," Booth's brain was in overdrive. Brennan loved to see that classic smile cross his face.
"I like your thinking," the Sheriff smiled. Booth grabbed his phone from his jacket pocket and quickly made a call to Agent Blachura.
"Once we arrest Capicotto and the international alerts go out for Scarpini, I don't see what you and Agent Booth will do here," Chambliss turned to the forensic anthropologist.
"With your forensic accountant on Charles and Reggie's tax records and with the putty and carpenter's knives still missing, I'm afraid not. Although I am still waiting to hear from CSI Mendoza about Champ," she replied.
"So you are going to adopt him," the officer smiled.
"I am provided nothing comes up," she smiled back. Booth then returned to the group with a smile on his face but Brennan knew that it was his fake smile. Something was going on and she hoped they would discuss it.
"Interpol has been alerted and the national news has also been alerted. I'd say it's only a matter of time before Scarpini falls into somebody's lap," the G-man said.
"Excellent," Bosch nodded, "Now if you'll excuse me," the Sheriff walked into the patient's room and informed both Capicotto and Jackson that they could continue their conversation at the prison infirmary. The arrest was made and everyone went their separate ways.
Once inside their rented SUV, Booth heaved a sigh. Brennan could tell he was upset and she figured it would be best to let him speak before asking any questions.
"That background check of the Sheriff came through," was all he said.
"I'm guessing by your tone, you don't like it," the forensic anthropologist looked at him as he fired up the vehicle.
"Seems Sheriff Bosch was in debt to someone. He had an influx of cash and then monthly big chunks of money were being deducted through ATM withdrawals," he explained.
"And you're thinking it was Scarpini who he owed the money to," she said. His only response was to nod.
To Be Continued…