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“I don’t understand,” Matt said. “Is he pissed about the picture? Olivia had nothing to do with that.”
Washington ignored the reply.
“Those were the additional instructions promised. We are to report to Commissioner Mariani forthwith.”
He stood up and gestured for them to precede him out of the office.
“You’re not going to tell me what’s going on?” Matt asked.
“Obviously, you haven’t had time to read the editorial page of the Ledger, have you?”
“No. What’s on the editorial page?”
“Among many other things, your photograph.”
Commissioner Mariani was sitting behind his desk. Deputy Commissioner Coughlin and Inspector Wohl were sitting side by side on a couch, and Captain Quaire was sitting on a straight-backed wooden chair just inside the door.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” Washington said.
Matt and Olivia said nothing.
“I presume everyone has seen the Ledger?” Commissioner Mariani asked.
“No, sir,” Matt and Olivia said, in duet.
Mariani gestured impatiently to Captain Quaire to hand the newspaper to them.
Matt took it, and Olivia stepped close to him and read it over his shoulder.
“My God!” Olivia said.
“I’m sure you will understand why I have to ask this question, Detective,” Mariani said. “Did anything improper, or anything that could be construed as improper-say, by Philadelphia Phil-happen while you were in Mr. Colt’s hotel room?”
“No, sir,” Olivia replied, visibly shocked by the question.
“Were you ever alone with Mr. Colt at any time, for even a brief period?”
“No, sir. Matt… Sergeant Payne… was there all the time, and so was Detective… What’s his name, Matt?”
“Detective Hay-zus Martinez,” Matt furnished.
“I’m not surprised, but I had to ask,” Mariani said. “And what you did was only-acting on orders from Captain Quaire- explain to Mr. Colt your involvement in the Williamson murder? ”
“Yes, sir.”
“And there was absolutely nothing social about your visit to Mr. Colt?”
“He bought us dinner, sir.”
Mariani thought that over. It was obvious he hadn’t liked to hear that.
“Philadelphia Phil somehow got the mayor’s unlisted home number,” Coughlin said. “He called him, and asked him to respond to the Ledger editorial. The mayor said he hadn’t read it. Philadelphia Phil will call him at his office at eleven. The mayor’s going to have to take that call. All of Philadelphia Phil’s early-morning listeners heard him promise to take it.”
“And so far, according to Lieutenant Pearson of Northwest Detectives, Mr. Philadelphia Phil-” Mariani began.
“The bastard’s name is Donaldson,” Coughlin furnished. “Phil Donaldson.”
“Mr. Donaldson has called twice there asking to speak to Detective Lassiter,” Mariani went on, “and twice to Homicide, according to Captain Quaire, where he asked to speak to either her or Payne.”
