The In Death Collection Books 16-20 - J. D. Robb [112]
“That is correct. At this point, neither my client nor I are clear on why he was forcibly brought in for questioning in—”
“Forcibly? Anyone use force on you, Billy? Did you sustain any injuries during your transport to this facility?”
“Took me off my job. Didn’t give me much choice.”
“Let it be on record that the subject was remanded into police custody and transported to Interview at Central, without force. He has been read the Revised Miranda. He has availed himself of counsel. You want to muddy the waters, sister, I’ll muddy them right back. Now you and I can continue to play pushy-shovey, or I can question your client and get this done.”
“My client was not given the opportunity to voluntarily—”
“Oh, zip it,” Billy snapped and rubbed the crop of cornrows covering his head. “What the hell do you want?” he demanded of Eve. “I don’t know anything about anybody getting dead. What the hell do you want?”
“We’ve swept Ernestine Macnamara’s van, Billy. Lots of prints, lots of trace evidence. We both know we’re going to find some of that trace evidence doesn’t go back to Ernestine or her faithful Sunday group.”
“I park the car for her, so my prints—”
“We’re going to find more than yours, too. And that puts you in the wringer.” She kept her focus on him. “Rachel Howard. Kenby Sulu.”
She watched his mouth tremble. “Oh my Jesus. Those college kids. Oh my God. I watched the reports on the news. Those are the dead college kids.”
“Mr. Johnson, I advise you to say nothing—”
“Shut the hell up.” His breath came fast as he stared at Eve. “Look, maybe I make a little extra on the side, but I never hurt anybody.”
“Tell me about the money on the side.”
“Just a minute.” The PA rapped a fist on the table with enough force that Eve glanced at her with some admiration. “Just a damn minute. My client will cooperate, will answer your questions only on the condition of immunity. No charges will be forthcoming against him on this or any other matter.”
“Why don’t I just give him one of our platinum get-out-of-jail-free cards?”
“He will make no statement without guarantees. Cooperation is contingent on immunity from any charges regarding the parking facility and/or the homicides.”
“I’ll just go ask Rachel Howard and Kenby Sulu how they feel about immunity from homicide,” Eve said coldly. “Oh wait, I can’t. They’re dead.”
“I don’t need immunity from any homicides. I didn’t hurt anybody.” He leaned forward, grabbed Eve’s hand. “I swear to God. I swear on my son. I got a little boy. He’s three. I swear on his life I didn’t kill anybody. I’ll tell you anything I can.”
He drew a little breath, sat back. “But, well, I could use that immunity when it comes to the parking garage. I got a little boy. I gotta think about him.”
“I’m not interested in rousting you over the sideline, Billy. As long as the sideline is shut down. And believe me, I’ll know if it starts up again.”
“It’s closed.”
“Lieutenant.” Peabody stepped in, passed Eve a file. “Lab results.”
“Thank you, Officer. Stand by.” She opened the file, did her best to smother the laugh when she spotted the pink ribbon tucked inside. At least Peabody had had the foresight to remove it.
She skimmed the data. Not only did the carpet fibers match, but the sweepers had removed hair identified as Rachel Howard’s and Kenby Sulu’s from the van.
No longer amused, Eve lifted cool, flat eyes to Billy’s face. “I want to know who took the van out on the nights of August eighth and August tenth.”
“Okay, see here’s how it works. Somebody comes by, says to me, ‘I need a ride.’ Maybe they want a nice little two-seater to drive their girl someplace, or a cushy sedan to take their grandma to a wedding,