All I've Ever Wanted - Adrianne Byrd [25]
“What makes you ask?”
“I don’t know. You’re wearing dark sunglasses indoors.”
“I guess you got me.” Keenan reached into his jacket. He watched the waitress’s eyes widen when he withdrew a wad of money. The look in her eyes told him that she could be bought. “You know, now that I think about it, there is something that you can get me.”
“You name it, sugar.”
“Information.”
District Attorney Judith Mason leafed through the remaining papers stacked on Underwood’s desk. She half hoped that something would jump out at her—something that would tell her what had really been going on with her colleague. Everyone knew that there was no love lost between her and her ex son-in-law.
For years she had suspected that he was dirty—involved with God knows what. Yet, Underwood was a smart man. She’d remained convinced that he’d always stayed one step ahead of her and the authorities.
She tossed the papers back onto the desk and pushed back in the chair with a sigh of disappointment. There was a chance that she’d been wrong about him.
She considered the possibility carefully before she shrugged it off. Her instincts were too strong where Underwood was concerned. She was willing to bet anything that he was as corrupt as they came. But proving it was a different story.
She glanced at her watch. The police and the FBI would be arriving any moment. She gathered the folders she needed and headed to the conference room.
Detectives Collier and Dossman arrived promptly at one o’clock and Lt. Scardino, Captain Vincent and two agents with the FBI shortly after.
“Now that we’re all here, let’s get started,” she said with a brief smile. “As requested, I’ve gathered information regarding current case files Underwood had open, and prepared a list of the cases he’d finished or had been associated with in the past ten years. If you need access to anything on that list, you can call anyone here in the office and they will help you.”
Max opened the manila folder he’d been handed and quickly scanned the contents. He shook his head. “May I ask you a few questions?” he asked, glancing up.
“Shoot.” Judith crossed her arms and gave him her full attention.
“How was Underwood’s behavior around the office in the days before his death?”
“Upon reflection, I would have to say he came across as if he was nervous about something.”
“How so?”
“I don’t know—he seemed distracted, jumpy even,” Judith answered.
Scardino leaned back in her chair and asked, “Did you ever question him about it?”
“Actually, I did. Friday, the day of his murder, I made a point to stop by his office before I headed out myself. I remember, just before I knocked on his door, that I could hear he was in a heated argument with someone on the phone.”
“Did you hear what he was saying?” Dossman said, joining in the questioning.
Judith shrugged her shoulders. “All I recall was hearing a stream of obscenities before he slammed the phone down. I knocked then, and entered when he barked for me to do so.”
“And?” Max asked.
“He was clearly agitated and none too happy to see me at his door.” She uncrossed her arms. “You see, Marion and I weren’t exactly on the best of terms. I’m sure everyone in this office will tell you that.”
“But you two have been able to work together for many years, haven’t you?” Max leaned forward, keeping his gaze level with hers.
“Well, on paper, Marion Underwood was a good lawyer for the State.”
“On paper?” he asked.
“How do I say this?” She looked away, struggling with her personal feelings toward Underwood. “It’s nothing that I can point out physically. I can’t hold up a piece of paper and say, ‘See here, the man is dirty.’ He was too smart for that. Yet, if you ever had anything to do with him—if you knew him personally—you’d know to walk away from him searching your back for knives. Does that make any sense?”
From the way people were nodding, it made perfect sense to most of them.
“So, you don’t think that we’ll find anything in these cases?” Max asked, returning his gaze to the manila folder.