A few seconds later, Medina said, “Todd Levine recorded this conversation for mutually assured destruction. Then he put it in a safe place. Levine wasn’t going down on his own. He wanted to make sure that Finley came with him.”
There was something from Todd’s letter that rose to the surface. The bit about clearing his conscience not being enough. That there would be repercussions. Was Todd referring to more than legal ramifications? Was he in fear of retribution from Dale Kramer? “Is Kramer down at HQ?” That was where holding cells were and where interviews were held with suspects.
Medina’s brow pinched. He was seemingly thrown by the change of direction. “Yeah, waiting on his lawyer, last I heard.”
“Okay.” But Eric was distracted by one word repeating in his head.Repercussions.Come on, Todd, what are you talking about?
“You’re making that face again.”
His thoughts might be spiraling like a new detective, going down a rabbit hole without reason, but he couldn’t ignore his instinct either. “I think Todd might be in danger.” Eric sat up straighter with the epiphany there was one other person who could pose a threat to Todd. “In his letter he hinted he was going to set the record straight, but there would be repercussions. Then this recording, what you said about not wanting to go down alone… What if he wasn’t willing to just toss Finley under the bus? What if he wanted to give him an ultimatum—confess or he will? When I showed up to talk to Finley, it didn’t go over well. That was just asking some questions.”And I might have showed him his signature on the destruction request for Crawford’s vehicle…
“So if Levine went over there, threatening to expose everything… Then you just might be right. Levine could be in danger.”
“Yeah. I’ve gotta go.” Eric stood, grabbing the bag and the recorder.
“I’ll have a unit sent to Finley’s house just in case we’re right about any of this.”
“Thanks.” Eric stormed from Medina’s office. This was one time he prayed he was wrong.
FORTY-SIX
1:15 PM
Sandra’s day was in far contrast from yesterday with its high stress and high stakes. After sleeping in her own bed at home, she didn’t get up until after the sun rose, and then she enjoyed a morning run through Georgetown Waterfront Park. There was just something so peaceful about her running shoes slapping the pavement with the Potomac at her side. After a shower, it was off to Davenport Manor for tea with Margo and a few rounds of Go Fish. For most of the time, Margo even remembered who Sandra was.
They enjoyed a salad with crisp greens, mango, avocado, and chunks of lobster drizzled with a light, citrusy vinaigrette. When Margo lay down for a nap, Sandra headed for the library. Not that she was a huge reader, but she appreciated literary fiction, subjects that made her think and stuck with her long after she turned the last page. But she couldn’t settle on what to read and dropped into a chair next to the window with April’s letter.
Dear Sandra,
Hopefully, you will remember me. I shared the Bonneville foster home with you and your brother, Sam, for a while.It wasn’t a good time for any of us, not because of the Bonnevilles, but we were all dealing with grief in our own ways. You and Sam losing your parents the way you had… one right after the other. For me, first to have an absent father, only to be removed from my mother’s care. Alcoholism is an actual disease, which I understand as I’ve grown up. That didn’t stop me from spending years being angry at her.
I hope this letter finds you well. I admit with some shame that I heard about Sam. I’m sorry that I didn’t reach out to you before now, but I didn’t know what to say or do. I was so messed up back then, and I was still a kid myself and finding my way in the world. But for what it’s worth my heart broke for you.
Sandra pinched her St. Michael pendant. Meeting up with April could be a huge mistake. Would seeing her bring it all back? Make it sink in with fresh clarity those she had loved most deeply in this world were gone?
Anyway, I know a lot of time has passed and maybe you don’t want to look back. I didn’t for the longest time, but I’ve been working with a therapist. Going through perimenopause and dealing with the chaos on that front… Why do women get to have all the fun? But I tell you as I’m getting older I’m realizing I have less time ahead than behind. Do you feel the same? I know that I want to recall the good times in my life and relive them. And even though my time in foster care held some of my darkest moments, they contained pockets of light… Like with you and Sam.
I’d love to catch up in person. It’s been so long. We can talk about the good times.
April signed off with her phone number.
Sandra sat back and looked out over the yard. It wasn’t hard to conjure happy memories of April. There were a lot to choose from, even if they were shadowed by grief. Sandra remembered April as a quiet and gentle girl. Meeting up with her might not be a horrible idea unless it was… Blame her job with the Bureau for making her cynical. Also growing up as part of a wealthy family made it hard to trust people’s motives. Did April have a sinister reason to want a reunion? She had reached out to Sandra at Davenport Manor, not her home. So presumably she knew where she’d ended up, that she had money. But whatever decision Sandra made, it didn’t just affect her. If she made the wrong call, it could jeopardize her family and those she loved now.
She took out her phone and googled April Clark. She worked for the DC Child and Family Services Agency. Had she illegally used her job to look at Sandra’s adoption history? Though she mentioned hearing about Sam. Not surprising since what had happened to him hit the news, and his obituary was in theWashington Post.
She set aside the letter for now, undecided, and realizing there was no need to rush.None at all…The day stretched out ahead of her. Nothing but time.
It was crazy to think that she might actually be missing work. She’d already forfeited one vacation day to negotiate a crisis incident. But it wasn’t like it had left her thoughts completely. Eric and how he was making out following leads had been in the back of her mind most of the day. She could call him to touch base, but she didn’t want to risk interrupting his flow.
Her phone rang, and Eric’s name flashed on the screen. She answered immediately. “Your ears must have been burning. I was just thinking about you.”
“Sandra, there’s a situation.”
The back of her neck tightened. “What is it? Are you okay?”
“I am, but Todd Levine isn’t. He’s at Dean Finley’s house. I think he went there to tell him he was going to confess to what they did, give Finley a chance to come forward with him.”
“Eric, what are you saying?”
