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“Okay, stop right there.” Bruno held up a finger. “Point number one. I didn’t steal it, so don’t go around saying stuff like that unless you want me to sue your ass.”
“But you do know who stole it,” Gary countered. “And you used it to your advantage.”
Bruno said nothing. He stared at the tabletop, his arms refolded.
“Don’t you think it’s time for the truth to come out?” Dan suggested.
Finally Bruno raised his chin and heaved a heavy sigh. “Yes, I do think it’s time. Maybe that’s the real reason I chose to accept yourkindinvitation to an interview. That and the fact I was curious to discover how much you knew.”
“The real reason we invited you was because we knew we didn’t have all the answers.” Gary gave him a frank stare. “Okay, we don’t have alotof the answers. And we need your help.”
Bruno met his stare. “You know, I thought I was dealing with a stupid detective, but you’re not, are you? In fact you’re pretty astute.”
Gary smiled. “I’ve learned never to jump to conclusions.”
Bruno leaned back. “What do you want to know?”
“Let’s start with the Rembrandt.” Gary leaned forward. “Who stole it?”
“Before I get to that part, there’s something I have to say.” Bruno gestured to Mr. Martin. “I’ve asked Luke along today for two reasons. Only an idiot talks to the police without a lawyer present. And….” He hesitated.
Gary’s scalp prickled, and he had no clue why.
Mr. Martin laid his hand on Bruno’s arm. “I’ll handle this part.” He met Gary’s gaze. “My client is willing to answer your questions, and of course, whatever he tells you will need to be verified. But in doing so, my client will be placing himself in danger. As such, he will require protection until such time as… you have apprehended the perpetrator.”
Gary blinked. “Witness protection?”
Bruno’s eyes widened. “Hey, if I’m going to give up all this information, then I have to know you’re going to take care of me. I think theleastyou can do is offer me witness protection.”
Goose bumps broke out on Gary’s arms. “What you have to tell us is that explosive?”
Bruno took a deep breath. “I’d be willing to bet you knownothingof what I’m going to tell you. We’re talking about more than Cheryl’s death, okay?”
Gary folded his arms. “I can’t see Senator Cain coming after you, threatening you.” He didn’t think the senator had that in him.
Bruno arched his eyebrows. “Who says I’m talking about the senator?”
That stopped Gary in his tracks.
“Well?” Bruno locked gazes with him. “Do we have a deal?”
“I’d need to check with the DA, but if your information is as damning as you claim, then I can’t see any reason why he couldn’t offer you witness protection.”
“Not good enough.” Bruno leaned forward. “I’m not leaving this precinct until Iknowyou’re going to protect me. That means when we’re done, you take me someplace where there’s a cop within a few feet of my door.”
Gary got out his phone and called Travers. He recounted the conversation so far and Bruno’s demands. “Can we protect him?”
“I’ll go see the chief right now, and he’ll get onto the DA. Tell Bruno we’ll do it.” There was a pause. “This sounds way bigger than a skeleton in a tunnel.”
Gary had a feeling he was correct.
“Thanks.” He hung up, replaced his phone in his pocket, then clasped his hands on the table. “We have a deal.”
Bruno glanced at Mr. Martin, who nodded. “You asked who stole the Rembrandt.” Bruno took a deep breath. “That would be my son, Gianni.”
Dan blinked. “How old was he in 1990? He had to have been in his twenties.”
“Twenty-five years old, and yet he masterminded the theft of millions of dollars of art.” Bruno pursed his lips. “Not that this was my first indication of what he was capable of. But yeah, Gianni stole it—and all the rest of the stuff from the museum—and I saw an opportunity. William Cain had political aspirations. No shocker there. It runs in the blood, I guess. But I knew I could get him into the senate, even at his age, and use him for good. And once I read up on his family and learned about that collection of his?” He smiled. “That’s when I knew the Rembrandt was my lever.”
