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***
Jonas Rollins was not at all cooperative. He was a sleek, white-haired man in his sixties, and he reminded Kendra of every blustery politician she had run across since she had registered to vote. He started by keeping them waiting for thirty minutes, and then when they were permitted into his office, he lectured them on why the FBI should not have tried to interfere with the workday of private citizens.
Kendra interrupted him in mid-sentence. “We won’t keep you long, Mr. Rollins. Just a few questions, please. I’m sure Special Agent Griffin told you that we’re just tying up loose ends on this investigation.”
“This entire investigation is a waste of my valuable time,” he said coldly. “Our prisoner Barrett is deceased, and we’ve had nothing but media knocking on our doors trying to stir up trouble since that unfortunate incident.”
Kendra had had enough. “‘Unfortunate incident,’” she repeated. “You and Griffin must think very much alike. Only he referred to it as a ‘mess.’ Neither description describes a tragedy of that magnitude. I’d hate to quote you to any of the media you’re talking about.” She heard Lynch smother a chuckle but ignored him. “Now, I’ve been told to get the total information available to complete an in-depth report on the conditions this prisoner dealt with while incarcerated. So why don’t you just answer my questions, and we’ll get out of here.”
“I’m listening,” Rollins growled.
“Has Barrett had any visitors since he’s been here?”
“Lawyers, a few representatives from the Death Penalty Litigation committee, a pastor.”
“Family?”
“No, never, though they funded his pricey defense team.”
“Friends?”
“No one who visited him.” Rollins was becoming impatient. “What difference does it make now?”
“Letters? Did he have a phone?
“No phone was permitted, of course.”
“We know that prisoners and greedy guards often have a way around that.”
“I assure you, he had no access to a cell phone. And all letters were confiscated and examined and photographed before they were given to him. Anything else?”
“If there is, we’ll be sure to come back and ask it. Now I believe we’re ready to be taken to his security cell to examine it.”
“I don’t have the time for this.”
“That’s perfectly fine, I’m sure that officer at the front desk will be happy to take us to the cell.”
“I tell you it’s a complete waste of time.”
“But we won’t know that until we examine the cell.” She met his eyes. “Perhaps the conditions were so bad here that they contributed to him committing suicide and taking all those other agents with him. We should know if that was the case, don’t you think?”
Rollins’ face was flushed. “His cell and other conditions were perfectly in line with the standards of any facility in the state. You’ll find nothing wrong.”
“But I won’t be able to make my report to that effect until I see it,” Kendra said. “So please authorize that officer to take us to his cell so that I can file my report.”
“It’s nonsense,” Rollings grumbled. Then he went to the door and shouted. “Officer Kopt! Take these people down to Barrett’s security cell and stay with them while they take a look around. Then escort them out of the building to the parking lot.” He turned back to Kendra. “Take your look around,” he said curtly. “But I want a copy of your report sent to me.”
“Of course.” She sailed past him to the officer waiting in the outer office. “Officer Kopt? Sorry to trouble you like this. We’ll try not to bother you for long.”
“No problem,” Kopt said as he headed for the elevators.
Lynch fell into step with Kendra as she followed the officer. “Griffin wanted a report?” he murmured. “You didn’t mention it.”
“I’m sure someone at the FBI will want a report sometime or other. I was just doing a little advance work.”
They stepped into the elevator. “Because he wasn’t being cooperative?”
“That might have had something to do with it.” She paused and then said in a low voice, “I didn’t really expect to learn anything from Rollins. But the cell might be different. Sometimes people tend to keep items that can tell interesting stories.”
