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Seamus leaned back in his chair and patted his belly like some kind of medieval Irish chieftain who had just finished off a meal of his enemy’s entrails. At least that’s how I imagined he viewed his display. Then he leaned forward and put his elbows on the table.
Seamus said, “You mean way back in the forties and fifties? Back before science had been invented?”
Chrissy nodded her head vigorously. The older kids, Mary Catherine, and I all had to keep from laughing out loud. I was a little nervous about the answer because I’d heard a few stories about my grandfather’s youth in Ireland. I wasn’t sure they were the kind of stories I wanted my kids to hear. At least the ones still in elementary school.
“It was a different world back then. I went to a school attached to a Catholic church. I played soccer in the afternoons until someone introduced me to baseball. I remember one year I got a baseball bat for Christmas and I felt like someone had given me a ticket to a whole new life. It was nothing like today.”
Eddie looked at my grandfather and said, “That sounds exactly like today.”
Seamus laughed. “Every generation thinks they’re facing new issues. Did I get bullied as a youngster? Sure I did. I don’t even remember any specific incidents. I got into a few scrapes, and my mother used to paddle me when I got home, and tell me not to fight. One thing I learned: bullies hate to be confronted. I don’t think I won many fights against bullies, but I must’ve done all right because I don’t remember it happening too often. Bullies are cowards. The boys you described, who have to carry a gun to feel important, are the biggest cowards of all.”
I loved seeing the twinkle in my grandfather’s eye as he told these stories with incredible detail, enthralling the kids. I enjoyed seeing the kids follow every word and want to hear more. In this case, my grandfather even gave me an idea. What was Kyle Banning if not a bully? Wealthy, good-looking, and entitled. Maybe it was time I stopped nibbling around the edges and headed directly to the bully’s stronghold. Not his house but his office.
Chapter42
THE NEXT MORNING,all I could think about was surprising Kyle Banning at his office. I did a little research on Banning’s employer, Lancet Financial. It wasn’t considered one of the big players, like Fidelity or Bain. It was exactly the kind of place an ambitious young man like Kyle Banning would use as a stepping-stone before moving on to one of the big hedge funds. I wasn’t sure exactly what he did for the company. His degree in economics was from Princeton. I was not sure what that prepared you for, but it sounded impressive.
The company occupied the top three floors of a building in lower Manhattan on Canal Street. It used to be some sort of warehouse, and they’d kept the working-class facade on the outside, but the inside was quite trendy. Soft lighting and expensive prints on the walls. A terrarium covered the center of the big lobby. A small palm tree and other tropical plants filled the climate-controlled glass hut.
I walked directly into one of the elevators and hit the button for the eighth floor like I knew where I was going. No one in the lobby gave me a second look. Exactly why I’d dressed a little nicer today. I was wearing my favorite blue sport coat with some nice Pierre Cardin slacks. I thought a suit might be overdoing it.
The elevator opened to the reception area of Lancet Financial. An attractive young woman looked up from her computer and smiled as I approached the desk. I had debated whether I should identify myself or just ask to see Kyle Banning.
Just as the young woman asked if she could help me, I saw Kyle Banning walking down the hallway directly toward me. I smiled at the young woman and said, “Never mind. Here’s the man I need to talk to real quick.”
Banning looked up, and I stuck out my hand. I said, “Kyle Banning? I’m Michael Bennett. Can we talk in your office for a minute?”
I appreciated the confusion on Kyle Banning’s face. I thought he recognized me but couldn’t put his finger on why I seemed familiar. Exactly why I hadn’t brought Terri Hernandez with me on this interview. He would definitely remember her.
“Do I know you, Mr. Bennett?”
“I don’t believe we’ve ever met officially.” I turned slightly, hoping to lure him away from the receptionist. He followed my lead, then started to walk with more purpose, so I followed him. A few doors down from the reception area we turned into a small but comfortable office with a view of Lafayette Street, where I could just make out the front of 11 Howard, a boutique hotel a block away.
I reached over and pushed the door shut so we were alone in the room. The movement seemed to startle Banning. I pulled out my badge and ID. I said in my best official voice, “I’m a homicide detective with the NYPD. I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
Banning looked at me and said, “Am I under arrest?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t have to answer your questions. Is that correct?”
I didn’t answer. It didn’t sound like I needed to.
Banning said, “It’s not my policy to talk to the police while I’m at work. I’m paid by the Lancet corporation to do my job while I am in this building. I’m paid quite well and I’m very effective at my job. What I am not paid for is to chat with public employees. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
This was not turning out the way I’d expected. But I didn’t move. Somewhere in the back of my mind I heard my grandfather’s voice. Kyle Banning was a bully, and I was going to stand up to him.
Banning said, “Did you hear me? I’m asking you to leave. Right now you’re trespassing. If you don’t leave, I might even call the NYPD to escort you out of the building. I wonder how embarrassing that would be for you.”
I didn’t want to tip my hand or give him any ammunition to accuse me of harassment. I swallowed my anger and nodded but had to throw in, “Perhaps we’ll meet again soon.” I backed out of his office like I was expecting to be shot from behind if I turned.
Banning had a smug grin on his face as he said, “I doubt it,” then slammed his office door in my face.
I endured a few stares as I marched out of the office.
Chapter43
I LEFT LANCETFinancial and drove up the Henry Hudson, heading out of Manhattan. It wasn’t a trip I particularly wanted to make. I was going to meet with Suzanne Morton’s parents at their home in Yonkers.
