“Up to Detective Kowalski.”
Courtney retook the floor. “Okay, one last thing. If my grandmother found something at the clean-up, the next step would be to contact people who were there and see if she told them about it or showed it to them. We also think she went to the grocery store in Ashland after the clean-up, probably on Monday. I would appreciate it if you asked Detective Kowalski to follow up.”
“He doesn’t need me to tell him how to do his job.”
Courtney bristled. “Chief, I came here with information that might be useful to Detective Kowalski. You say you’ll pass it on. But when I ask you to pass it on, you tell me you won’t tell him how to do his job. Which is it?”
Chief Glushenko’s eyes narrowed, just the slightest. “I’m not going to dignify that with an answer.”
“Okay, who runs the clean-ups, do you know?”
“A bunch of do-gooders.” Chief Glushenko shot back, and Julia could see that Courtney was getting angry.
“Named?”
“Shenandoah Preservation.”
Courtney started scrolling on her phone, and Chief Glushenko shifted forward, peering over the desk at her.
“What are you doing? Are you looking them up?”
“If we can’t tell Detective Kowalski how to do his job, I’ll do it for him.”
Chief Glushenko clenched his jaw. “Donotcontact Shenandoah. If Detective Kowalski thinks they should be contacted, he’ll contact them.”
“When?” Courtney looked up from her phone, her eyes flashing. “He doesn’t have the time to call me, so when’s he going to call them?”
“He can’t have you interfering.”
“I can call anybody I want to.”
“Not when it’s police business, you can’t. I’ve been in law enforcement fifty years. I’m chief for twenty-nine. This job is for professionals, not civilians. You are totally disrespectful.”
“Because I havequestions?”
“Not questions,attitude.” Chief Glushenko’s eyes hardened, andJulia had to stand up for Courtney.
“Chief, really, put yourself in her position. She just lost her grandmother and she’s not getting any answers. I understand how frustrating that can be, and you should, too. Her grandmother is just a case to you, but her grandmother will never be just a case to her. Her grandmother was someone she loved her whole life, and you should show some compassion—”
“Spare me.” Chief Glushenko rolled his eyes, dismissing her with a wave. “I don’t have to take this crap. Time for you to—”
“What?Are you serious?” Julia jumped up, outraged. She felt herself losing control. “How dare you say something like that to her! She’s the victim’s family! Can you know what that’s like? You should!You’rethe disrespectful one, nother!”
“Get out of my office!” Chief Glushenko bellowed, pointing at the door. “Go back to Philly, the both of you!”
Courtney rose, taking Julia’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Julia ignored her. “Chief Glushenko, you should be ashamed of yourself!”
Chief Glushenko kept pointing. “Out!”
Julia felt Courtney tugging her away. “Court, he can’t do this! It’s wrong!”
“Now,” Courtney said, tugging Julia from the office.
18
Jeez!” Julia tried to recover her composure outside on the sidewalk. She raked a hand through her hair and smoothed down her sweater. “Man! Court, I’m sorry I lost my temper.”
