AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ll bite, Counselor. What can you do for us?”
Bloomfield sat back and crossed his legs. Close to ten p.m. but the attorney was chipper and dressed casually. Experience or just a guy going through the motions?
Montag’s demeanor remained the same. Grave, defeated, dull-eyed. Less than a day in jail but already pallid and puffy.
Milo crossed his own legs.
Bloomfield said, “Okay. Ms. Montag is ready to truth-tell. I’m aware that officially you can’t offer deals, it’s a D.A. thing. But of course we both know that a man of your rank, experience, reputation, and rapport with the D.A.’s office is in a position to exert intelligent influence.”
“Flattered,” said Milo. “Rapport? If only.”
“No false modesty, Lieutenant. Andpleaseno humble-bragging.” Bloomfield chuckled.
Bright-eyed and buoyant. Enjoying himself. Then again, he was at no risk of ending up in a cell for the rest of his life.
“What does your client have to offer?”
“Justification.”
“For murder.”
“For ridding the world of a violent, vicious murderer. We’ll be putting forward a self-defense scenario and hope you’ll allow yourself to be educated.”
Milo put his hands behind his head. “I’m listening, Mr. Bloomfield.”
Bloomfield chuckled again. “Before we begin, make sure this is being recorded.” He glanced at the one-way mirror. “If you already haven’t initiated that process.”
Milo got up, left the room, and returned. He’d already set up the equipment in the adjacent room, had just pretended to do it.
“Excellent,” said Alan Bloomfield. Shifting his weight, he producedpaper from a jean pocket. Folded paper that he unfolded and handed to Montag. Two sheets filled with typing.
She took them but placed them on the table.
Bloomfield said, “Lissy?”
She bit her lip and rubbed her eyes. When she pulled her knuckles away, the irises were pink and moist.
Bloomfield patted her hand. “It’s okay, dear, just be honest. I have a good feeling about Lieutenant Sturgis and his colleague—was that Alex?”
I nodded.
Milo said, “Dr. Alex Delaware, our consulting psychologist.”
Bloomfield stiffened. “Is he here as some sort of attempted human lie detector?”
I said, “Appreciate the compliment but not that talented.”
“What then?” Directed at Milo.
“Dr. Delaware consults on cases where psychological analysis is called for. He’s been involved in the Hoffgarden case from the outset. Is there a problem with that?”
Lisette Montag didn’t react. I wasn’t sure she’d tuned in to any of the exchange.
Alan Bloomfield said, “I need to think about this.” He closed his eyes and put his palms together. Seconds later, he snapped to and said, “Sure, no problem. It will help Lisette because any decent psychologist will be able to tell she’s not a bad person.”
Shifting to me.
I smiled.
