Power (17 page)

It was true. She wasn’t supposed to get all hung up on the emotional issues.

Get your mind on work, girl
. The work rarely let her down. Just that once. With the Player.

The next item on her agenda was checking in with Harper to see if he had ferreted out any more leads on this Nina woman and getting an update from the search team commander. Then she needed to pay a visit to the high-and-mighty Katherine Burnett. She owed Jess an explanation. Not that she actually expected to get one, much less an apology, but she did not intend to simply let it slide.

“Now it’s my move.”

At the elevator she decided the stairs would work to her advantage. Burn off a little adrenaline and avoid being anyone’s captive audience.

Once inside the stairwell with the door closed between her and the fourth floor, she paused to catch her breath. She checked her cell for calls and set the ringtone from silent to that wonky clang she preferred—only because it was impossible to miss no matter the chaos surrounding her. She stared longingly at the steps that would take her down and out of the building. Away from any possibility of running into that trouble she wanted to avoid. The longer she was in Burnett’s presence the more likely he was to pick up on the idea that she was up to something. Yet part of her wanted to go back to his office and boot Annette Denton out of the way so she could come clean with him.

How mad could he get at his own mother? He already knew about the ME’s concerns, so there was no need to spill on Schrader. The part that she really felt guilt over not sharing was the video Andrea had shown her. That he needed to know about. Jess had called Lori on the way over and given her the update.

She really should tell Burnett but since he was otherwise occupied, she could drop by Black’s office and tell him. Would that put more pressure on Andrea? Would it have the slightest impact on Black’s final decision?

Probably not. One documented argument that was a whole year old did not a motive for murder make. Except that the woman in the video was the last person to see Chandler alive, to their knowledge. And her daughter was the one to find the body and she’d been wearing that white boa.

Black needed this information to properly assess his case.

The door burst open behind Jess, and Deputy Chief Black joined her in the stairwell.

Well, here was her chance.

“Chief Black, I was just about to come by your office.”

“That’s good, Chief Harris. Saves me the trouble of dropping by yours.”

Great.

Jess’s office was on the third floor in the only available space large enough to accommodate SPU. Black’s office, on the other hand, was just the other side of Burnett’s.

He opened the stairwell door she had just exited. “After you.”

Jess couldn’t help wondering as she passed Burnett’s office if Annette was still in there.

One would think with a degree in psychology that she could head off those foolish and immature emotions. That she would have some extra insight that explained away those feelings of uncertainty that went along with her career as well as her personal life. But that wasn’t the case.

Sometimes it just didn’t matter what you knew. The heart had a mind of its own.

Just now, she had a feeling her heart was not the part of her that was in jeopardy.

“Please, sit down, Harris. Let me get organized and we’ll get this done.”

Jess perched on the edge of one of the chairs in front of his desk. Her desk was exactly like Black’s. Big, rosewood or mahogany. She never could tell the difference between the two. Her team members had the midlevel management desks. Faux wood and metal. They also had the more generic chairs. Like Black, Jess had the high-back, leather-tufted executive chair. The one glaring difference between their offices was the file cabinets. The ones lining the wall in her office were beige metal beasts. Black’s file cabinets were an exact match to the rich wood of his desk.

But her window was bigger. She’d take that over wood file cabinets any day.

“Chief Burnett assured me that you were not the source of the leak at Channel Six.”

Startled to attention, a moment was required for Jess to formulate a response. “That’s right.” Burnett had told Black she wasn’t the leak?

“You can understand,” Black suggested as he took his seat, “how I might have arrived at that conclusion.”

Wait a minute. Her head was still spinning from his announcement about Burnett. “When did you speak to the chief?” As far as she knew, he was still in his office with Annette.

“I was in his office when the news first aired.” Black adjusted his glasses. “I admit that you were the first person to come to mind. I was certain you were responsible but the chief assured me that was not possible.”

Jess blinked, stunned just a little. “Is that why you wanted to talk?” She owed Burnett an apology or maybe he owed her one. Why had he made her feel as if he suspected her when he’d obviously defended her before they’d even discussed the situation?

More of those confusing signals.

“There’s more,” Black assured her. “Why don’t we get comfortable and do this right, Chief Harris? I think it’s time we found our common ground.”

Oh Lord. She’d heard about Black’s
let’s-get-comfortable
briefings. “I’m all ears, Chief.”

“You were not pleased about the Chandler case coming back to my division.”

Old news. “I got over it.” Did every step have to be rehashed repeatedly?

“Whether you realize it or not I have taken into consideration your thoughts on the shoes and the bruising on the victim’s leg. We’ve diligently attempted to address those issues, but there simply doesn’t appear to be any relevancy. Those two points, together or separately, do not change my final assessment of the tragedy that occurred.”

Jess wasn’t really surprised. More disappointed than anything. Oddly, Burnett hadn’t talked as if the decision was a done deal. He’d assured her that Black was still weighing the case. “I hope you’re right, but my instinct says you’re not.” It was just the two of them. Might as well say what was on her mind.

“We found no evidence of suicide or homicide. No glaring motive for the husband to want his wife out of the way.” Black turned his hands up. “I can only assume that Ms. Chandler dropped something or reached for something we could not find and fell in the process.”

Jess had considered that theory. She had gotten down on her hands and knees and inspected the wooden ledge beyond the railing. She’d searched for an earring back. A ring. Anything. She’d found nothing.

“So you’re going with accidental and calling it a day.” Now she really was disappointed.

“The coroner has already signed the death certificate. He just called a few minutes ago. I was about to pass that news along to Chief Burnett but he’s busy at the moment. Unfortunately, this false leak to the press precluded my official public announcement. We’ll get to that in the morning, I suppose.”

“Was the family notified?”

“Of course.” He shook his head. “That’s actually the part I find so troubling. This groundless leak does nothing but hurt the family.”

Jess felt confident that Burnett’s mother wasn’t the only one behind the leak to the media. Dorothy Chandler, the grandmother, had most likely spearheaded the maneuver in an effort to head off Black’s public announcement. Ballsy lady. Was the woman so determined to find the truth that she’d hoped to force the BPD’s hand?

Couldn’t blame her for that.

“So that’s it? Doesn’t matter that the husband had one affair after the other or that Darcy Chandler was having one of her own? The problems between the husband and Corrine Dresher? The white boa feathers between her fingers? None of that matters?”

Black’s gaze narrowed in suspicion. “Who said Darcy Chandler was having an affair?”

Oops
. “It may have been one of the dance moms.” That was a flat-out lie but it didn’t really matter now, it seemed. Funny how he honed in more on the affair than anything else Jess noted.

“I don’t recall reading that in your interview reports.”

“Really? I was sure I made note of the possibility of an affair on her part.”

“Let me be clear. We are closing this case, Chief Harris. There is nothing more to be gained from keeping it open. With a high-profile family like this, dragging our feet in closing the case allows for exactly what happened today. Gossip and innuendos. For the family’s sake, we’re settling this business so that they may get on with their lives. No one wants to prolong the pain of their loss.”

Evidently he was trying to tell her something, but the victim’s family was telling her something different. “Shouldn’t justice be our prevailing motive? Families like the Chandlers know the less pleasant aspects that come with their positions in society. Their every move, good, bad, or otherwise, is picked apart by the media. Why would we be swayed by that one way or the other?”

“The case is closed. We will not be pursuing the Chandler investigation further unless new evidence comes to light.”

“Burnett has given his seal of approval?” She was pushing here and she knew it, but this felt wrong. Particularly since she hadn’t gotten that impression from Burnett.

“The final decision came down from a higher office, Jess,” Black warned, using her first name for emphasis. “Let it go.”

The affair
. That had to be the motive for a speedy closure.

What trumped a Chandler? Jess had been gone from Birmingham too long. She would need Lori’s help there.

“Are we clear? Do you need me to have Chief Burnett confirm where the department stands on the matter after he and I have spoken?”

Jess focused on the man staring at her expectantly. “That won’t be necessary, Chief Black. I think we’re more than clear here.”

Black reclined in his chair and studied her a moment. “I worry that somehow we are not where we need to be, Chief Harris. I feel some amount of animosity or resentment festering between us. I don’t need to remind you that we are on the same team.”

She should let it go. She really should. Burnett had urged her to play nice so she would eventually fit in and be accepted, sooner rather than later. But she’d never been very good at holding back when it came to what she believed in.

“As long as I stay clear of your territory, is that right?” No use pretending that wasn’t the true issue.

“You believe that our differences stem from my not acknowledging and respecting your position as a deputy chief. Is that right?”

Jess smiled. If only it were that easy. “I suppose you could boil it down to terms as simple as that. You question all my decisions and rarely agree with my conclusions. And this isn’t the first time. Should I think differently?”

He did not smile. “Shall I speak frankly, Harris?”

“Absolutely.” She braced for battle.

“I find your tactics questionable more often than not. Your lack of respect for the chain of command, particularly Chief Burnett, appalling. And your absolute certainty that you can do the job better than anyone else, regardless of rank or experience, utterly unacceptable.” He turned his hands up. “Other than that, I recognize that your investigative skills are exemplary.”

Wow. Harper was wrong. It would take far longer than two years to earn this man’s respect. “I see. Well. It appears we have a ways to go before that whole team concept really sets for us.”

He clasped his hands in front of him, steepled his fingers. “I hope that doesn’t prove the case. Time is rarely an asset we have to spare in our line of work.”

Jess struggled not to let his opinion get to her, but it did. Didn’t matter that she had suspected as much. Hearing it this way wasn’t so easy to swallow. “I appreciate your candor.” She reached for her bag. “We’ll have to do this again sometime.” Like maybe in ten or so years. Or never.

“Just so you understand,” Black said, stalling her preparations for a quick exit, “my feelings are based entirely on my concerns for this department and for Dan. I’ve known him since he was just a rookie. He’s worked hard to gain the position he holds. I don’t want the actions of anyone else to detract from his achievements. He wants you here. I hope you won’t force him to regret that decision.”

Jess couldn’t breathe. Her eyes burned. Had Dan shared his misgivings about her with Black?

That clunky clang called out from her bag. She forced the painful thoughts away. “Sorry.” She reached for her cell, immensely grateful for the reprieve.

Lily calling.

Her sister.

But Black didn’t know that.

“Excuse me, Chief, I have to take this.” Jess stood and turned her back to him. Blinking to hold back the tears she refused to shed, she accepted the call. “Jess Harris.”

“I found the perfect house!” Lily squealed.

“What’s the address?” Jess went for a business tone in hopes of leading Black to believe it was Harper.

“Right across the street from me!” Another delighted squeal.

Oh God
.

“Thank you for keeping me up to speed. I’ll get right on that.”

“If you want to see it, I’ll have to call the Realtor. Do you want me to call?”

“I can handle it. Thank you.” Jess ended the call and turned back to Chief Black. “I have to get out to Druid Hills. I’m glad we had this chat, Chief.”

Her sister was probably still staring at her phone, aghast that Jess had basically hung up on her.

“Good, solid communications are always best. We—” The intercom on Black’s desk buzzed, cutting him off. He looked from Jess to the phone and back.

“Take care of that,” she suggested as she backed toward the door. “I can see myself out.”

Before he could argue, his secretary’s voice reverberated from the speaker. “Sir, I’m sorry to interrupt but Detective Roark is on the line. He’s at the Chandler home. There’s been a new development and he needs to speak with you immediately.”

Jess stalled. Her gaze locked with Black’s. What now?

Breathless, the secretary rushed to add, “Alexander Mayakovsky has just confessed to killing his wife.”

Interview room 2, 4:58 p.m.