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Chapter 24
An hour intomy research on Congressman Marty Bryant, Bobby Patel called me. He filled me in on Emily’s autopsy. Her cause of death was strangulation. They figured she’d been in the water more than seventy-two hours. I didn’t ask questions or engage him at all. I just couldn’t.
I threw myself into researching Congressman Bryant, then decided to take my chances and try to see him at his office on the Capitol campus.
I went through the public entrance to the Longworth House Office Building. I showed my ID to a Capitol Police officer next to the metal detector. We chatted for a few minutes about how police work is similar wherever you go. The young man, freshly out of the army and built like an Olympic swimmer, personally led me to the congressman’s office. The helpful officer even introduced me to the congressman’s assistant.
I don’t know if the assistant was confused by my escort, but I got immediate attention. She hustled into the inner office, then motioned me to come in. I’ll admit to being momentarily stunned when I stepped through the doorway.
The office of this second-term congressman was as plush and well decorated as any CEO’s office at a major corporation. Dark walnut furniture, bookshelves that lined each wall, two seventy-plus-inch flat-screen TVs built into the wall. I noticed one was playing Fox News and the other was playing CNN.
As I regained my composure, I focused on the six-foot-tall congressman. He strode from behind his desk and had a broad smile on his face. I noticed his World Wildlife Fund tie. I knew exactly what the panda meant. A coalition of my younger kids bought me a different World Wildlife Fund tie each Christmas.
I shook the congressman’s hand as he said, “What can I do for one of NYPD’s finest? I was in the army, and I know how tough your job can be. Got an idea for a crime bill?”
“No, sir. It’s more of a personal matter.”
The congressman gave me a closer look and studied my face. “Have we met?”
I shook my head. “I’m looking into Emily Parker’s death.”
That froze the congressman in place. It also shut down his manufactured friendly facade.
I didn’t mind the awkward silence. Sometimes that works in a cop’s favor. Make someone uncomfortable and they might blurt out something incriminating. He looked at me with his intelligent brown eyes. He was about my age, but it seemed like the job might be putting unnecessary wear and tear on him.
Congressman Bryant looked over to his assistant, who was still standing in the doorway. The middle-aged woman didn’t say a word.
The congressman managed to say, “I-I don’t understand. Why is an NYPD detective involved in a case in Washington, DC? Why would you want to talk to me?” Now his voice sounded more like a little kid’s.
I waited a moment before I replied. Then I said, “It’s a joint investigation. And I heard you were close with Emily.”
Panickedwasn’t quite the right word to describe the congressman. I think stricken was a better descriptor. He had no idea what to do next. Congressman Bryant gave his assistant another look. She calmly took a step back and closed the double doors to the inner office.
The congressman staggered back and plopped into an overstuffed leather chair that looked like it had come from the White House.
I took an identical chair directly across from him. He still didn’t say much. He looked up at me for a moment but couldn’t meet my eyes. I was starting to wonder if his relationship with Emily had been serious. Serious enough for him to have done something drastic if it wasn’t going his way.
Finally, the congressman took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry. You caught me a little off guard. I was very upset to hear they found Emily’s body. But I really can’t add anything to the investigation. We were just friends.”
“Nothing more?”
“Friends. That’s it. She listened. I liked her.”
I noticed the perspiration building around his eyes and forehead. He still fidgeted in the seat. But now he could at least look me in the face. I said, “I’d think a member of Congress could find a lot of women to listen.” That gave me the awkward, uncomfortable silence I was shooting for. I wanted to keep this guy off-balance. At least until I could figure out where he fit into this investigation.
Now the congressman looked at me and leveled his brown eyes. “Am I a suspect?”
“Should you be?”
That frustrated the congressman. He said, “I don’t think I like your tone.”
I gave him my own version of a friendly politician smile. Then I switched directions and said, “I don’t really give a damn. You’re not my congressman. And I’m trying to figure out who murdered my friend. You’re lucky I’m not screaming at you right now. Or maybe, if I used a nicer tone on TV, people might listen to me.” That had the effect I wanted.
The congressman rubbed his hands together. He took a long time to gather his thoughts. Finally, he said, “Is this interview confidential?”
“Absolutely.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“I was in the Boy Scouts for almost four months when I was twelve.”
The congressman just stared at me. He didn’t find me as amusing as I found myself.
I cleared my throat and used my best solemn voice. “I have never broken my word in twenty years with the New York City Police Department. Never. I’m not about to start now.”
He looked convinced. Then he said something I didn’t expect. “The first thing you should know is that I’m gay.”
