Brooklyn's Song (14 page)

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Chapter 51

Sitting on a bench in Central Park, Song handed Mattice the envelope containing the governor’s polygraph results.

“I’ve already read it. Check it out,” Song said.

Mattice read over the paper and whistled. “Whoa, this is pretty incriminating. Why was a polygraph administered in the first place?”

“According to a report I read, the late Mrs. Peirce told a friend that the marriage was ‘in trouble.’ The friend, Elizabeth Anderson, came forward and insisted that Mrs. Peirce would never take her own life. After being questioned by police; the governor volunteered to take a polygraph test.”

“So the only evidence the police had against him was the results of the test which isn’t immiscible, so he was never charged,” Mattice said.

Song looked off in the distance. “His answer, according to the polygraph, was deceptive when he was asked if he was involved in any way with his wife’s death, but the governor also had an airtight alibi.”

Mattice looked at the pin inside the plastic evidence bag. “You said Brooklyn has an identical flag pin, just like this one?”

Song looked over at Mattice. “Yes, she does.”

Yeah, but there could be a million of those pins out there just like it,” Mattice said.

“It’s too much of a coincidence,” Song said, “Let’s just get the prints off it.”

Whose prints do think will be on it?” Song asked.

“The governor’s,” Mattice said, “Let’s pay him a visit. We’ll just tell him we’re tying up some lose ends or something.”

Song called the Governor’s office and was told he wasn’t available He then called a few political reporters that he knew and found out that at 4:00 PM the governor would be in attendance at a groundbreaking ceremony in Harlem.

“I have the most brilliant idea and the cameras will be rolling. There’s no way the governor is going to turn this request down. Let’s go pick up Private Jones,” Mattice said.

Private Jones wolfed down his third hamburger. “What do I gotta do again?” he asked.

Mattice wearing latex gloves handed Private Jones an ink pen. “Just get the governor to sign your magazine cover and have him use this pen. My buddy from the New York Times is waiting in front of the coffee shop across the street. He’s wearing a checkered shirt and a press pass. His name is Jordan. He’s going to get you to the front of the line. Once the governor signs the book, delicately and with the least contact possible, put the pen in your pocket and come directly back to the car.”

Private Jones exited the car. Mattice texted his friend Jordan Ryan and told him that Private Jones should be arriving in front of the coffee shop in less than ten minutes. Mattice gave Jordan a complete description of Jones.

“You think this is going to work?” Song asked.

“Yes, the governor is a politician; there’s no way he’s going to pass up an opportunity to get photographed with a veteran.“

“Private Jones seems to be doing well. I’m happy to know that he’s still working in the soup kitchen and living at the halfway house,” Song said.

“Yeah, Gail said that he’s been going to AA meetings too.”

Jordan Ryan, the New York Times reporter, stood with Private Jones. They watched the governor scoop up a shovel full of dirt on the site where the new library will be built. Bystanders and dignitaries applauded. The governor gave a short speech and was on his way towards his waiting limo when Jordan shouted, “Governor, this veteran would like to get a photo with you; is that okay?”

The governor surrounded by security turned, smiled and said, “Of course, Jordan.”

Governor Pierce shook Private Jones’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jordan took a series of pictures. Private Jones said, “It would be an honor sir, if you would sign my magazine”

He handed the governor the pen. The governor was pictured on the cover of the magazine. “I remember this; my poll numbers were at their highest,” the governor joked, smiling directly at the cameras.  The governor signed it and handed it back to Private Jones along with the pen. He slapped Private Jones on the back. “And thank you for your service to our country,” he said, trying to cram in every last word before the cameras stopped rolling, “Take care.”

Jordan walked Private Jones around the corner to where Song’s Taurus was parked.

Mattice jumped out and shook Jordan’s hand. “Thanks for your help.”

“Mattice, I don’t know what you’re working on, but I want first dibs on the story; that’s all the thanks I need.”

“You got it,” Mattice said.

Song and Mattice took Private Jones grocery shopping before dropping him off at the halfway house.

“I don’t know how a dude who eats four boxes of Twinkies can stay that slim,” Mattice said.

Song looked straight ahead as he drove and remained silent.

Mattice tapped him on the shoulder. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

“No, I was thinking about-“

“Brooklyn,” Mattice said, interrupting. “Song, listen, no matter how this thing goes, she’s not going to be happy with the outcome. How do you tell the woman you love that her father may have murdered her mother and tried to have his future wife killed? I don’t think there’s a Hallmark card that says, I love you so, but your murdering dad has to go.’

Song managed a smile. “Let’s get this evidence to the lab.”

Chapter 52

The NYPD crime lab was located in Queens. They asked the head forensics lab technician, Carla Roberts; if she could make running the prints a “top priority.” Carla assured them that the process would take around two hours.

Not happy with the two hour wait, Mattice responded; “On the TV show CSI, they have results in a matter of minutes.”

Carla rolled her eyes. “When I was a little girl I fell out of a tree and broke my leg, I cried for three days because the doctors wouldn’t give me a bionic leg just like the Bionic Woman. My mother explained to me that TV is ‘make believe.’”

Mattice, embarrassed, thanked Carla for “clearing that up.”

Mattice and Song went to Annette’s to have a bite while they waited for the results.

Mattice bit into his second slice of pizza. “Did I tell you that Gina wants to put me on a cleansing diet? You know, eat stuff like kale and other bunny rabbit food.”

Song laughed. “She just wants you to be healthy.” He looked at his watch. “I have to go make a call.”

“Tell Brooklyn I said hello.

Song smiled. “I will.”

****

Brooklyn had just finished wrapping up her last parent-teacher conference of the day when there was a knock on her door.

“Come in,” she called.

Harold walked in carrying a small potted plant. Brooklyn sat behind her desk; her glasses were on top of her head.

“Hey Harold, what’s up?”

“I thought you might like this faux African violet. I planted some live plants in my garden yesterday and picked this silk one up for you.”

“Thank you. This will be my very first plant; I don’t have any plants in my apartment.”

Harold fidgeted with his tie. “It’s maintenance-free silk; really easy to care for.”

Before Brooklyn responded, her cell phone rang; she glanced at the caller ID, saw that it was Song.

“Thanks again, It’s beautiful! Ummm…I’m sorry, do you mind? I really have to take this call.”

“Oh, no…Sure I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“See you later.”

After Harold left the room, Brooklyn answered the call.

“Hi Song.”

“How is your day going?”

“It’s going pretty good. We had a half day for parent-teacher conferences and my co-worker Harold gave me a lovely potted plant.”

“Harold? Should I be jealous?” Song asked.

Brooklyn laughed, “You have no reason to be jealous. Harold’s a very sweet man and we just work together. Besides, he’s not my type.”

“Miss Peirce, what exactly is your type?”

“Hmm …let’s see; tall, dark hair, broad shoulders, a red cape and red boots.”

Song laughed. “I have the dark hair and the broad shoulders; I’ll see what I can do about getting the boots and cape.” Song’s phoned beeped, letting him know he had another call coming in.

“I’m sorry, I have to go. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to you then.”

Brooklyn packed up her nightly reading material, grabbed the plant and left the school. It felt good being able to walk to the subway. Since the shooter was no longer at large, she had her father ditch the security detail and now she could go back to her normal routine. The thought of Song in a red cape and boots made her smile as she stood on the crowed platform waiting for her train to arrive.

Chapter 53

“Hello Carla,” Song said answering the call. “What do you have for me?”

“Detective Kai, we ran the fingerprints on the flag pin and also on the ink pen; we are 100 percent sure that the prints are from two different people.”

“What!” Song shouted, “Are you sure?”

“Yes. As I’ve said. I’m 100 percent sure.”

Sounding defeated and disappointed, Song asked, “What can you tell me about the fingerprints found on the flag pin?”

“The fingerprints found on the flag pin had a very fine epidermal ridge detail,” Carla said.

Confused Song asked, “What does that mean?”

Carla sighed. “Men have very coarse ridge detail, while women have a very fine ridge detail.”

“So, we’re looking for a woman?” Song asked.

“Yes, you are, but she isn’t in the system; I already checked. You’re looking for someone who doesn’t have a record. I have to get back to work. Please let me know if you need further assistance.”

“Thanks so much Carla.”

Song walked back inside the restaurant and sat down in the booth across from Mattice.

“What the hell happened,” Mattice said, looking at the expression on Song’s face.

“Whoever killed Jerry was female, not male.”

“What the fuck!” Mattice said.

Song relayed the information that Carla had given him about the fingerprints.

“Damn! How the hell are we supposed to find out who owns that pin?” Mattice said.

Song slid out of the booth, “Let’s stop by the lab and pick the pin up and then we can decide what our next move should be.”

“Well I’ll be….It’s a damn woman!” Mattice muttered.

Chapter 54

After arriving home Brooklyn quickly changed into her running clothes. Marta was dropping Bella, the family dog, off for the weekend. Usually when the governor was away, Bella would stay with Marta. Since Marta was going to visit her sister in Kansas, Brooklyn agreed to dog sit for a week. When Brooklyn opened the door, Marta stood holding two pie boxes while Bella sat obediently by Marta’s feet.

“Marta, it’s nice to see you,” Brooklyn said.

‘Marta kissed Brooklyn on the cheek. ”I stopped by the bakery on my way here.”

“Jon” (Come), Brooklyn said to Bella. She trotted in and immediately ran to her water bowl.

“Brook, your place looks great!” Marta laughed. “It’s hard to believe that the same girl who used to keep her bedroom messy can now have such a well organized and neat apartment.”

“Marta, you must have gotten me confused with Jules; she’s the one who never cleaned her room and would try to bribe me to do it for her.”

Marta placed her pointer finger against her temple. “Brook, I maybe a little grayer and a little slower, but my mind is-“

“Sharp as a tack,” Brooklyn said, with a laugh.

Marta pointed to the pies. “I thought you and your boyfriend would enjoy some fresh Hungarian pies. One is apple and the other is a nice milk pie.”

Brooklyn tightened the scrunchie in her hair. “My boyfriend?” she said, sounding surprised.             

Brook, you haven’t been over for dinner in a few weeks…And I saw your neck. I think it’s safe to say you’re seeing someone. Besides that,” she said, fanning her hands in the air, “You have a glow about you.”

“Maybe it’s my new moisturizer.”

Marta smiled and patted Brooklyn’s cheek. “It’s nice to see you happy. I have some packing to do, so I’ll leave you two alone. Bella, take care of our girl.”

Brooklyn gave Marta a hug. ”Have a safe trip, I’ll take care of Bella too.”

’’Maybe when I get back in town, you can bring your boyfirend to the house for dinner. I’ll make a big feast.”

‘I’d like that,” Brooklyn said.

Chapter 55

After stopping by the lab and picking up the evidence bag containing the flag pin, Song and Mattice went to Gabby’s jewelers to get the pin appraised. They said the pin was custom made and was from the finest cut diamonds, rubies and sapphires. The value was well over ten thousand dollars. Sitting outside the jewelry store in the Taurus, Mattice scanned through photos of the governor on his phone while Song looked on.

Since this pin is custom made and worth at least ten grand, it’s doubtful the governor would give it to a campaign worker,” Song said.

“Maybe, he would if they did a hell of a job,” Mattice said.

“Go back, go back!” Song demanded.

Mattice ran his finger over the screen and went back to the previous picture.

“Give me a close up of that picture!” Song said. He felt his adrenaline pumping.

Mattice enlarged the picture on screen and said, “Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

The picture was one of the governor, Lydia, Brooklyn, Jules and Terry. They all wore identical flag pins.

“We know that the prints on the pin are not the governors; both Brooklyn and Jules were accounted for, and Lydia was wounded in the shooting…Holy fuck…Terry!?” Song shouted.

Mattice did a double take because fuck is not a word he heard Song use often. “This could be it,” Mattice said.

“Mattice, do you still have the list of names from both fundraisers and the customer list that Stephanie gave us?”

“Yes,” he said, digging around inside his messenger bag, “I have them somewhere in here.”

He handed Song the three pages. Song read them over.

“I don’t see Terry’s name on any of the lists.”

“It has to be there; check again,” Mattice eagerly said.

Song read all three lists again. “Nope, it’s not here…Damn it!” he shouted.

Mattice wiped the sweat off his brow with a hanky. “My grandmamma calls me Matty, and she’s the only one that calls me that. Maybe Terry is a nickname.”

Mattice went to the governor’s official website and looked up Terry’s biography. “Okay, it says here her first name is Theresa; see if there’s a Theresa on the lists.”

Song carefully examined the lists once again. “Mattice, Mattice! I love your grandmamma. There’s a Theresa on all three lists, but the last name doesn’t match. I’ll bet it’s her maiden name.

Mattice typed in the name Theresa Renderos and Terry’s picture, along with her current occupation appeared on his screen.

Mattice brushed his lapel off and put his sunglasses on and said, “Ice queen, we are coming for you.”