An Intimate Murder (The Catherine O'Brien Series) by Stacy Verdick Case Page A

sausage shaped index finger, then lifted the well-folded newspaper.
    “You mean the vultures?”
    “Yes, I called them vultures. They were trying to breech the line and get to the front door. Some even jumped the fence in the alley.”
    He let out a heavy sigh. “So they were doing their normal thing and you went on the attack?”
    “I wouldn’t have but they should know better than to go after a kid.”
    Chief lifted a manila folder and flipped open the cover. He skimmed the page on top of the file.
    “This kid you’re talking about would be . . .?”
    “Chad Luther,” I said.
    “Chad Luther?” He slid the folder around to face me. “The same Chad Luther who is nineteen years old and attending the University? Is this the kid you’re speaking about?”
    Damn Louise’s clerical efficiency. I glanced at the folder. The report of the Luther’s murder, neat and complete, glared up at me.
    “Okay, so he’s not a little kid but chief imagine being nineteen-years-old, finding both your parents murdered, and then having to have to deal with those . . ..”
    “Vultures,” Louise filled in for me.
    “Yes.” I closed my eyes and prayed that the word vulture wouldn’t follow me around for the rest of my career though I knew it would. “Thank you, Louise.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    Smart-ass.
    “Imagine chief.”
    “Okay.” He sat back and held up his hands in surrender. “I understand the reasons. And they’re good reasons. But how you handled the situation, good reasons or not, was wrong.”
    “I know.” It was my turn to tuck my tail between my knees.
    “Therefore, as your penance, you will give an exclusive interview regarding the case.”
    “What?” I shot up straight in my seat. “Come on, chief. Penance is three Hail Mary’s and don’t do it again. This is punishment, cruel and unusual.”
    He ignored my pleas and folded the newspaper so it fit in the folder.
    “I suggest you avail yourself of the services of our media relations people. They can help coach you in the best way to deal with this situation.”
    “You’re not serious,” I said.
    Even Louise had moved to the edge of her seat with a “ that’s not a good idea ” look on her face.
    “I’m very serious, O’Brien.”
    “But chief,” Louise said. “We don’t want to compromise our investigation.”
    “That’s why you will run your responses by the media experts, and do a little research before you meet with her.”
    “Her?” I asked. “Her who?”
    “The reporter who wrote this story.” He held up the newspaper and squinted at the puny, black type. “Her name’s Jane Katts.”
    “Are you crazy?” I tapped my index finger on my temple.
    If I hadn’t already committed career suicide, I had just performed the coup de grace. In for a penny, in for a pound – I pushed on.
    “If I were going to give an exclusive interview about this case, it sure as hell wouldn’t be to a reporter who just tried to Titanic the entire Police Department over one off-the-cuff remark and stopped short of saying I was drunk on the job.”
    “Chief, I have to agree with Catherine on this one,” Louise said, to my great relief. “This reporter printed a story that was a complete lie.”
    “Except the vulture part,” I said.
    Louise nodded. “Except that. The rest was completely false.”
    “All the more reason to set her straight.” He stood. “Too late to argue with me, it’s been decided.”
    “How could you –”
    “I didn’t.” He came around the desk and stood in front of us. “The person I was speaking with when you came in decided for us.”
    “Who?” Louise asked.
    “The Mayor.” He folded his arms over his barrel chest. “He’s taken quite an interest in you, O’Brien. He’s especially interested in how you’ll handle this debacle next.”
    The Mayor is watching me now? That couldn’t be good news.
    “I guess, I don’t have a choice,” I said.
    “Not really. No.”
    I clasped my hands together on my