Gun Games - Faye Kellerman [120]
Marge said, “Did you find any connection between Myra Gelb and the B and W Mafia?”
“She hasn’t come up yet, but we’ve just started.”
“So what do you think Gregory Hesse’s ‘big story’ was—if anything?”
“No idea.” Decker heard his name and turned around. Wynona Pratt gave them a wave. She wore a thin green sweater under a green glen plaid jacket, brown trousers, and boots. She looked as if she were about to go hunting, and in a way, that’s exactly what she was doing. “Darla Holbein is with her parents in your office. They’d like to see you right away.”
“They asked for me by name?”
“They’re in your office and figured out you’re the big cheese. What would you like me to say to them? Do I tell them about Gabriel or . . .”
“I’ll come in, introduce myself, and explain the situation. Then if they still want to talk to me, it’s their choice.”
“How about like right now?” Wynona said. “The Holbeins are deeply religious. They keep telling their daughter that she needs to tell the truth, that it’s the moral and Christian thing to do.”
“And they haven’t asked for a lawyer?”
“Loo, they have a lawyer with them—a man from their church. He has talked to Darla and apparently feels comfortable enough for Darla to talk to us. Her parents keep saying that this is Darla’s last chance to come clean before God. The lawyer keeps saying that Darla is lucky because she’s still a minor. I think everyone’s hoping the D.A. will go easy on her.”
“At her age, she probably won’t catch much of a break. It all depends what she has to say. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Oliver broke into the huddle. “I just got off the phone with Dylan’s stepfather—Roy Lashay. He and his wife are on their way to see Dylan with a lawyer in tow.”
“Where is Lashay?” Marge asked.
“He was transferred to Van Nuys about an hour ago,” Oliver said. “I’ve called the district attorney’s office to give them a heads-up. But one of us is going to have to be there before he’s arraigned.”
“So many charges, so little time,” Decker said.
“When will that be?” Marge asked.
Oliver said, “A couple of hours at the earliest.”
“What about the warrants?” Decker asked.
“I’m off to see the judge,” Oliver said.
Marge said, “After you’ve gotten them, wanna go to Bell and Wakefield to search some lockers?”
“Yeah, I can do that.” Oliver regarded Decker. “A word of warning, Rabbi. Roy Lashay is fuming. He’s claiming that Dylan was attacked by the girl and Gabe—who he kept calling Chris.”
Marge looked at Decker. “I told you that the robbery was the agreed-upon story when we arrested them.”
Decker said, “Seems that not everyone is sticking to the script.”
Oliver said, “Lashay was very aggressive. He said his lawyer was going to get everything thrown out because you and everyone else who works for you are obviously biased. He also called up Dylan’s biological father, who’s apparently this kingshit civil lawyer. Lashay also promised that we’re going to get sued civilly as well as criminally and by the time he’s done, none of us will own a cent.”
Decker raised an eyebrow. “It’s an obvious plan of attack and one that’s not totally without merit. I am vulnerable.”
Marge said, “Who is Dylan’s criminal defense attorney?”
Oliver blew out air. “Sanford Book.”
“Well, he’s pretty top-notch,” Decker said.
“And who’s Lashay’s kingshit lawyer/biological father?” Marge asked.
Oliver paged through his notes. “Maurice Garden. I don’t know anything about him, but I don’t know too many civil lawyers.”
“So why do I think I know him?” Marge said.
Decker said, “Google him. And while you’re at it, maybe we can find out why Dylan took his stepfather’s last name. There has to be a story there.”
“Maurice Garden . . .” Marge googled his name on her cell phone. “Oh my goodness gracious!” She grabbed Oliver’s shoulder. “Scott! The doctor we saw. Olivia Garden!”
Oliver hit his forehead. He turned to Decker. “The gun that Gregory Hesse used to shoot himself was stolen from Olivia Garden’s office about six years ago.”
Decker felt his heartbeat quicken. “Are she and Maurice related?”
Marge continued