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Chapter 103
Roberta Herring finishedher testimony at the Senate early. She met me at Special Investigations’ off-site office. The squad was busy working with the MPD homicide team to complete the search of Bobby’s apartment before the media swarmed.
I was sitting behind a desk no one was using when Roberta walked up to me. She had sort of a silly grin on her face. “Why do you look so down? I knew you’d figure it out. I’m embarrassed to admit I never had a clue. Patel was such a diligent agent. It never occurred to me that he’d do something like this.”
I said, “Isn’t that what every neighbor says on the local news after a serial killer has been arrested?”
Roberta laughed. “Yeah, just about.” She turned serious. She sat down on the desk, then looked around to make sure no one was close enough to hear us talk. “The whole story of how you found the phone in Bobby’s apartment could be tricky if it ever goes to court.”
“I don’t know how to fix that.”
Roberta shrugged. “We’ll see what happens. I doubt anyone wants to expose the dirty secrets you discovered. Someone will offer Bobby a good deal. He’ll take it. No one in DC will give you a second thought. Even if you did commit an outright burglary.” Roberta looked around the room again, then turned back to me. “C’mon, Mike, what else is bothering you?”
It’s hard to keep something from a friend, especially if that friend is an experienced investigator. I said, “I missed my train. I won’t make it to Manhattan for Trent’s ceremony with the mayor.”
Roberta smiled. “Not being in the same room with the New York mayor is usually a good thing. He’s so full of hot air it’s a wonder Gracie Mansion doesn’t float away.”
I gave her a weak smile. She probably didn’t realize what seeing the ceremony meant to me. I still didn’t have the guts to call Mary Catherine and tell her I wouldn’t be back until after nine.
Roberta smiled.
I had to say, “What?”
“I have an idea.”
Thirty minutes later, Roberta dropped me off at a small fixed-base operation on the perimeter of Reagan National Airport. This was where the Department of Justice kept most of its air assets. Roberta had used her influence to delay a flight to New York on a government Gulfstream jet. She somehow got me on the passenger list. I was on board with two witnesses for a mob trial and three US marshals.
We stood in front of the small field-operations office at the airport to say our good-byes. I gave her a huge hug and a kiss good-bye. She’d done so much for me I couldn’t even put it in words.
I waited with the small group of passengers to board the plane. The TV behind the courtesy counter was broadcasting the local news. The only story anyone was talking about was the arrest of Rhea Wellmy-Steinberg. I was surprised there hadn’t even been any accusation of the charges being politically motivated. It seemed that a lot of people in DC knew about the Steinbergs’ personal habits. I watched to the end, but there was no mention of Emily. I wondered if anyone might link Bobby’s arrest with Baltimore’s arrest of Rhea.
I sat next to a tall female deputy US marshal. She turned to me and asked, “You work for DOJ?”
“NYPD.” That was enough to earn an entire trip without another word. I didn’t really care.
I was going home.
