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“Daisy Bright.” Quite the upbeat name for a probation officer, but Daisy wore it with pride and the woman was far from mousey. One look in her intense eyes told a person she wasn’t someone to mess with. “What has the PWCPD bringing in Barry Holden?”
“Let’s step into a conference room.” Amanda held out a hand to guide her down a hallway.
The three of them sat at a table. Amanda and Trent took turns piecing together the steps that led them to Barry. When they finished, Daisy leaned back and clasped her hands in her lap.
“Based on what I’m hearing, he’s linked to the shooting of a teenager and the abduction of a former police sergeant. Is that right?” Her face was sharp lines.
“He’s our strongest lead at the moment,” Amanda said.
“It’s impossible to ignore that he was the last person known to be in possession of plates used by one of the perps,” Trent added.
“Well, if so, he’s going back to prison. No way around that.” Cool and unsympathetic to Barry’s fate.
“As I’m sure you can appreciate, our primary concern is this morning’s events.” A poor choice of words for what had actually transpired. “A witness has come forward and is willing to testify that Barry Holden bought the plates under discussion.”
Seconds ticked off the clock on the wall.
Eventually, Daisy spoke. “I’ll tell you how it is. Barry Holden is a dangerous man. He has his hands in many things. Most can’t be supported with enough evidence to lay charges. The original arresting officer in his latest offense has been trying to flip him and turn him into a CI. So far he hasn’t been amenable. He knows the officer can’t back up all their suspicions, and Holden’s associates aren’t exactly fans of snitches.”
That scenario presented a win-win. “This could give the other investigations some leverage. It all depends how things shake out once we speak with him.” If Barry turned out to be innocent of that morning’s crime, they could offer him a pass on possession of the plates in exchange for him turning confidential informant. If he was guilty, the mood for favors would be gone.
“You said this guy’s dangerous,” Trent started. “Then you wouldn’t put it past him to take part in murder and abduction?”
“I don’t know if anything surprises me anymore. But typically Holden grants favors then draws on them down the road. He doesn’t want to know people’s business.”
“He takes their money in exchange for facilitating crimes?” Trent inserted.
“Exactly. He’s out for himself. Always. There’s no big picture unless he’s in it. Trying to pull on his humanity, even about a murdered teen, will get you nowhere. Instead, stress how his cooperation benefits him.”
Amanda nodded, unable to fully comprehend being so self-serving, even if the job brought those types across her path regularly.
Daisy continued. “He already knows that just by being questioned in relation to a crime, he faces the real possibility of winding up behind bars. Push on that. Put the fear of God in him, if you’ll pardon the expression.”
Amanda was surprised by how forthcoming Daisy was in advising them on how to handle Barry. Typically, probation officers didn’t get this involved, but Amanda was grateful for the insights. “I’m open to suggestions on how to get him to talk.”
“He has old buddies in prison who think he put them there. They would be all too happy to get payback. Remind Barry of this.”
Playing up the snitch angle could work. “I appreciate your advice.”
“Don’t mention it, Detective. Barry Holden is a liability to society, and he deserves a solid stint behind bars. I’ve seen the results of his actions. He beat a man unconscious once.”
“Which makes me question why he’s able to serve time under house arrest,” Amanda said. “It sounds like he should be living full-time in prison.”
“It’s those connections that gives cops faith they can turn him into a CI yet.”
Amanda glanced at the clock. 4:05 PM. They had less than an hour to make Barry talk before interviewing the NYC gang members.
TWENTY-FIVE
Amanda and Trent sat across from Barry Holden and his lawyer, a man by the name of Alan Gaines. He was a two-bit defense attorney who worked for his own firm and employed about five people. They had a reputation of being willing to sink as low as necessary to get their clients off. The law practice was the equivalent of the school bully who sucker-kicked to the groin if it took down their opponent.
“You pulled my client in without even stating the charges against him,” Alan said, straightening his tie as he spoke.
“Your client isn’t currently under arrest by us,” Amanda began, “but he is suspected of being involved with a murder and abduction that took place this morning. His resistance made it necessary to bring him in forcibly.”
“In cuffs, you mean,” the lawyer said.
Amanda didn’t respond to that.
