“Damn it, Reynolds, tell me what the fuck is going on with the Robertson case, and tell me now.” Chief Matthews bellowed at Detective Reynolds, a twenty-year veteran who still had a thirst for justice, despite his years on the force.
“I had officers canvass the area. It seems that there were three strange cars that were seen at Ms. Robertson’s house the day she was murdered.” Detective Reynolds was in his late forties, but he was still in good shape. He prided himself on the fact that he had his full head of thick brown hair and that his eyesight was still as keen as ever. He glanced at his notes before continuing. “As we know, one of them was Amato.” Detective Reynolds paused, looking momentarily uncomfortable.
“Who are the other two, Reynolds?” Chief Matthews asked, his dark eyes boring into Detective Reynolds’ blue ones. Detective Reynolds remained silent for a minute longer before reluctantly answering.
“Michael Erickson and Jonah Bronson.” A murmur swelled among the other cops present; the chief was friends with both of the men.
“State Prosecutor Erickson and Senator Bronson?” Chief Matthews asked, emphasizing the titles unconsciously.
“Yes.” Detective Reynolds folded his arms across his chest and rocked back and forth on his heels. He looked as if he wished he could be anywhere but where he was. “The next door neighbors had a habit of keeping track of Ms. Robertson’s companions. They knew who she was, of course.” Of course. Any fool with access to the internet knew who Amy Robertson was, and in these days of celebrity-gawking, of course the neighbors would have an unhealthy interest in the comings and goings of the daughter of an august senator such as Senator Robertson. “They recognized both Senator Bronson and State Prosecutor Erickson on sight.” The former was there in the afternoon for roughly an hour whereas the latter was there in the evening, but no one is sure for how long.”
“Reynolds,” Chief Matthews began, his eyes glowering. Before he could say anything else, his phone rang. “Matthews!” The expression on Chief Matthews face turned from exasperation to…something else. No one in the room had ever seen the chief look like that before. He didn’t say anything other than, “Yes.” “I see.” “All right.” After he hung up the phone, he said to the room, “Everyone but Reynolds get out.” The cops all began to protest in unison. They had been on the case from the beginning, and they felt they had the right to know what was going on. “Out.” Chief Matthews didn’t need to raise his voice to get his point across. Though the muttering continued, everyone but Reynolds filed out the door; Chief Matthews closed it after the last straggler had left.