Checkmate (Caitlin Calloway Mystery Book 2) (51 page)

“Don’t. In fact, stay out of the room.” CC carefully instructed.   “Ricky will have a better shot. Fisher feels entitled. Everyone is beneath him, especially women, with the exception of his mother. If he suspects that you’re gay, he’ll shut down. Ricky won’t have an easy time, because he’s Hispanic, but he’ll fare better than you will. What you need is an old white guy who reminds him of Daddy.”

“Didn’t you get to him by flaunting your sexuality?” Val questioned.

“No, I irked him because he thought I was trying to steal his girlfriend. At times, his anger towards me was more of a hindrance than an edge. At his hearings, it’s an edge. Simply showing up and flaunting my relationship freaks him out. The board gets an up close and personal view of just how big of a whack-a-doodle he is. The way I got him was to catch him at a moment when his guard was down. For the first time that we know of, his intended victim escaped. He wasn’t thinking clearly, and I used it to confuse him even further.”

“Dr. Richards agrees. Still, I’d like a chance to rattle his cage.”

“You could always flash him the mermaid on your ass. Might turn him on.”

“My what?”

“Hey, I wish I didn’t know about it, but I do. That’s what you get for sleeping with my sister.”

“Get over it. She did.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” CC quickly backed off. “Let’s just focus on Fisher. You can deal with your love life later. Just be careful. Fisher’s biggest asset is that he’s smart. Fortunately, it’s also his biggest downfall.”

“Thanks for the advice. We’ll let you know how it goes.” Val groaned and disconnected the call.

“After reviewing everything,” Ricky said, “including Fisher’s history of bed-wetting that continued past puberty, possibly arson, the college professor’s belief that it was Fisher who set fire to his office, and let us not forget the neighbor’s pets turning up dead and mutilated, what surprises me the most is that this guy didn’t start killing sooner. It’s like he took a course on how to grow up to be a serial killer.”

“There has to be something we can use to get the little freak to crack,” Val said. “The only things I can think of would be considered illegal not to mention inhumane. Did you dig up anything useful on his fellow inmates? Somebody had to help him find a gun.”

“Nothing. I’ll keep looking. I’d really like to know how some dill weed in a maximum security booby hatch pulled this off. How do you want to play this? Calloway told you to stand down.”

“I know. He’s smart and narcissistic. I can’t believe I get to spend the day with a self-centered know-it-all. Then again, that could work.” A sly smile emerged on Val’s face. “Since he’s so much smarter than us, let him prove it. There’s nothing a know-it-all likes better than explaining things to the rest of us idiots. I think we play it as unconcerned cop and inept cop.”

“Can I be…”

“No, you’re inept. Break out those dweeby glasses. You know the ones. Dorky black frames and coke-bottle lenses.”

“I hate you.”

“You love me. Come on, let’s make this weasel sing. My vacation is on the line.”

“You only have yourself to blame. If you had just dropped off that perp in Connecticut and come home, you’d be all rested and relaxed by now. But, no, you just had to jump jurisdiction.”

“Couldn’t help myself.”

*   *  *

“Are you certain you don’t want to link with Calloway? I can wear my earpiece and stream her in via video. Fisher would never know.”

“Ricky, no.” They made their way through security. “We can handle this guy. You forget she only bagged him the first time because she got lucky.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it luck. Sounds more like persistence.”

“Looks like every other federal lockup,” Val said once they made it through security.

“What did you expect?” The guard who was with them asked. “I’m Lt. Ronan. I’ll be your escort.”

“Thank you for your assistance, Lt. Ronan,” Ricky said graciously. “What can you tell us about Simon Fisher?”

“He’s a bucket of fuck. He landed himself in Candy Land in record time.”

“Candy Land?” Val already sensed the answer.

“That’s the nickname for the lockdown unit. He’s locked up by himself in a five by nine cell. He’s allowed to go to therapy and gets one hour in the cage. That’s the four by twelve fenced-in area he gets his recreation time in. Unless he gets a visit from his lawyer or Mommy, the douche bag is restricted to his cell.”

“Sounds like you don’t like him very much, or do you just dislike all your charges?” Val pressed.

“I treat everyone with respect if they respect me. Fisher tops my list of pissants who think the world owes them a favor.”

“How’s his diet?” Val smirked as the lieutenant escorted them to a conference room where they would be allowed to interview Fisher.

“Same as the others. Burgers, pasta, chili-mac, and water. All meals are served on Styrofoam trays, and his only utensil is a thin version of a spork.”

“No soft drinks, bottled water, or coffee?”

“Not in the budget.”

“Sounds like fine dining,” Val said as a jest.

“It’s what he’s earned.” Ronan glared down at the paper cup Val held. “Best finish that coffee. Waving it around is like poking a bear.”

“We’d like to videotape our interview,” Ricky said as they entered the sterile room.

“No problem.” He nodded. ”Seriously Deputy finish your coffee. You do not want to get the little freak to get his panties in a twist.”

“You don’t say,” Val casually answered.

“Wait here. I’ll have Fisher brought up as soon as possible,” Lt. Ronan said with a knowing look in his eyes.

“Thank you.”

Val flipped the lid off the cup of gourmet coffee she had fought tooth and nail to bring in.

“Smells great.” Ricky looked through the files he had stacked on the table. “That all part of your master plan?”

“Fisher’s multiple infractions include causing a ruckus over not being able to get a decent cup of coffee. Smelling this ought to get a rise out of him.”

“Taunting an inmate with coffee when he’s only allowed tap water?”

“You know me, Ricky. I will use whatever I need to get the job done. If I had to, I’d bring in a half-naked hooker waving a fresh- baked apple pie. Lucky for us, Fisher is accustomed to the finer things in life. Like a good cup of Joe.”

The door opened, and Ricky quickly donned the thick, clumsy eyeglasses. While Val slumped down in her chair and plastered a bored look on her face, Ricky frantically flipped through his files, appearing to be helpless.

“I’m not saying a word without my lawyer,” Simon said once Lt. Ronan shackled him to the table.

“Fair enough,” Val said and yawned. “Come on, Dick, the man wants his lawyer.”

“Deputy, need I remind you that this is my case,” Ricky sputtered in a squeaky voice. “Just drink your coffee if you’re not going to help.”

“I need to let it cool off.” Val stretched her arms above her head. “Can’t rush a good cup of coffee. Isn’t that right, Doc?”

“The lady is correct,” Fisher said. “Hawaiian?”

“Jamaican blue mountain.”

“Excellent choice.” Fisher licked his lips.

“Would you like a sip?” Val casually offered.

“Deputy! You can’t offer him any beverages. Good heavens, woman, don’t they teach you people anything?” Ricky screeched.

“My mother taught me not to raise my voice when it wasn’t necessary. Why don’t you be a good boy and call the doctor’s lawyer? And be quick about it. I have dinner reservations.”

“Don’t waste your time, Agent,” Fisher said. “My attorney is out of town.”

“Seems like we’ve wasted your time, Dr. Fisher.” Val smiled and nudged her coffee closer. Fisher reached for it, only to fail when Ricky snatched it away. “Now, that was rude,” Val said. “It’s only coffee. What did you think he was going to do, caffeinate us to death?”

“A hot, scalding beverage! Your lack of common sense is appalling.”

“You know what I find appalling? The FBI wasting my time with this malarkey you call a case.” Val emphasized her point by making quotation marks when she stressed the word
case
. “I can’t believe that our government wastes money on crap like this. Oh, by the way, Dr. Fisher, this session is being recorded.”

“That’s quite all right. As I stated before, I won’t be answering any questions without my lawyer. Since she’s out of town, I guess you can save the taxpayers’ money and be on your way.”

“You heard the man.” Val popped out of her chair. “I told you from the get-go, this was a waste. Thank you, Dr. Fisher. Sorry for intruding on your day.”

“No worries. It isn’t like I have anywhere to be.”

“Good point. Sad to say, the only way to extend this little visit is if you waive your right to legal counsel.” Val nudged her coffee just a little closer. She was delighted when Fisher appeared to be salivating. She felt her stomach churn when he leaned back.

“I don’t think so.” He had a smug expression. “Nice try.”

“That means we can go. Come on, Agent Dick, I need to get ready for my dinner date at Stromboli’s.”

“Stromboli’s?” Fisher gulped and his beady eyes glazed over. “Nice place.”

“Yes it is.” Val couldn’t resist smirking. In reality, she’d be lucky if she and Ricky had a chance to stop at Burger King. “I already have my meal planned. I’m starting with oysters on the half shell. For my main course, I’m going for lobster ravioli in a white cream sauce. If I survive, the triple chocolate expresso truffles are to die for.”

“I know.” Simon sighed, and his confident posture slipped.

“The food here must leave a lot to be desired.” She prodded him.

“It is pure unadulterated swill, and that’s just the coffee. The rest is a mess of overcooked starches. Not fit for a pigsty.”

“This is what happens when you murder innocent women.” Ricky wagged his finger.

“If I had committed such horrible acts, I would deserve this vile treatment. I happen to be innocent.”

Val sat down and reclined in the uncomfortable chair. She watched Fisher out of the corner of her eye when she slid her coffee closer to herself and took a sip.

“Mr. Fisher,” Ricky said, “on March twenty-seventh in two thousand three you were busted for having a laptop in your cell.”

“I don’t see my lawyer.” Simon easily dismissed Ricky. “And it is
Dr.
Fisher. Don’t you have anything to add?” he asked Val who was yawning.

“No. Your innocence or guilt isn’t my concern. If you’re guilty, then you are where you belong. If you were wrongly convicted, you have a lawyer, one I’m certain you’re paying a very high price for.”

“You have no idea. Then why are you here?”

“Bureaucratic horse manure. I’m supposed to be on vacation. But thanks to this yo-yo here.” She jerked her thumb at Ricky. “I’m stuck following his sorry ass around.”

“Dr. Fisher,” Ricky said. “You seem to have accumulated quite a few infractions during your internment.”

“Big deal,” Val said. “The guy is locked up. He has to do something with his time. I’m certain the officials here are more than capable of handling it. If I had to guess, I’d be willing to bet you spent your time at Quantico watching reruns of the X-Files. I don’t care what that bitch back in Boston said, the good doctor can’t even get a decent cup of Joe, never mind hatch some convoluted scheme to make her look bad.”

“I have to agree with the lady, Agent Dick. This does seem like a waste of time, not to mention the taxpayers’ dollars.”

“Dr. Fisher, if you are that eager to get back to your cell…” Ricky tersely began to say.

“Not at all.” Fisher laughed, once again reclining his posture and beaming.

Val took one look at Fisher’s smug expression, and it was clear that he would love to spend the day yanking Ricky’s chain. Thankfully, Ricky had decided not only to allow the facility to record the session, but a small camera had been added on the lapel of his blazer. Pleased with the way things were going, Val took another sip of coffee, fully aware that Fisher was watching her every move.

“So, Agent Dick,” Fisher said in a snarky tone, “is this why you came to see me? To tell me the government is wasting time and money listening to the ramblings of a crooked cop? Just what is she trying to frame me for this time?”

“These are very serious allegations,” Ricky began to say.

“Oh please,” Val said. “A mugging gone bad, some pervert cross-dresser, and a dirty cop. You know, I think she was in cahoots with her drug-dealing partner.”

“You should listen to the lady, Dicky.” Fisher had a confident smirk. “My neighbor was attacked by a gang of vicious thugs. As for my former professor, I always said there was something wrong with that man. Don’t even get me started on how corrupt the police are in Boston.”

Val didn’t react; she just stretched and took another lazy sip of her coffee. Ricky ignored the statement and perused his files. Fisher was watching their every move. When they failed to react to his knowledge, his confident smirk only grew. Everything she had learned about Fisher was true. He not only thought he was the smartest guy in the room, he needed to prove it. On the surface, it appeared that her plan just might work.

“Hey, Dicky boy, you’ve got a question for the doctor? Tick tock. Stromboli’s won’t hold my reservation.”

“Hold your water.” Ricky managed to look lost. “On February eleventh, two thousand three, you were cited for having a cell phone in your possession. Care to tell me how you got it?”

“Really?” Fisher laughed. “I’m in prison. Well, not your ordinary prison. Some of my neighbors here are really off the charts. Still they are criminals, and some do possess certain skills.” Fisher looked from Ricky to Val, his contempt clearly evident. “He doesn’t seem very organized.”

“No kidding.” Val gave a grunt. “How’s the appeal going?”

“My lawyer is working night and day. Once I’m out of here, I’m suing the lot of them, the keepers in here and that dyke cop who framed me.”

“Framed you?” Ricky said.

“Did you see my mug shot? I was beaten to within an inch of my life.”