Nick entered holding where Lisa enjoyed the city’s hospitality. She looked at him with sullen hatred upon recognizing her gang’s killer. “Hi Lisa. I have a very good deal for you. Would you like to hear it?”
Lisa watched Nick wave a manila letter sized envelope before letting it drop on the table in between them. Nick sat down and waited.
“Well? Are you going to show me the deal or not?”
“I have to wait for you to wave the rights you’ve heard so I can proceed. I don’t want any misunderstandings.” Nick used his most endearing and interested face during the initial hook.
“My parents are lawyers. I know when I’m being screwed.” Lisa sat with arms folded, smiling at Nick in an all-knowing featured format of bluff.
I’ll play. “I’m sure you would like to know what you’re facing and why before making a decision though. I can show you those items. It’s just I assumed you were smarter than to keep playing as if you don’t know you’re in bad trouble.”
Nick started out with the crime scene glossies, starting with her presumed lover’s body, Lou Atigua, followed by proof of where the getaway van she drove was parked. Then he produced testimony from Sergeant Boniface and his partner concerning Lisa’s threat on the life of a federal officer. Nick finished with fingerprint proof her dead crew touched nearly everything in her van. Nick watched Lisa’s face melt into terrified little girl mode with every intention of crying out for her Mommy. Nick slammed a hand down on the table.
“Don’t bother with the histrionics, Ms. Monroe! We have all the physical proof we need to put you into prison for life. If you start wailing, I will put you in touch with a lawyer of your choosing, including your Mommy and Daddy. You will be charged formally in court today on a multitude of federal felonies, all of which we can prove.”
Nick took a sheet out of the envelope with a full confession on it in plainly worded descriptions of the crimes. He pointed out a line for her to sign and date it. Then he pointed out another blank section. “I want you to write in your own words that you understand you have waved the right to an attorney, and that you have of your own free will chose to cooperate fully in hopes of court consideration. Don’t leave anything out, especially since we know you were the one behind the robberies. You have until I count to three before I walk out the door, deal in hand. One… two…”
Sobbing, Lisa began writing. When she finished, Nick read it over. He nodded at Lisa. Nick stood and walked over to the interrogation room door, opening it for Floyd Samson. The detective walked over to Lisa in frowning officious form. “Lisa Monroe. You are under arrest for felony robbery, three deaths in commission of the robbery attempt, and threatening a federal US Marshal’s life in performance of his duty. Those are only the start, because we now know your little gang of thieves was also responsible for three other ‘smash and grabs’ in the surrounding area. You may very well spend the rest of your life in prison.”
“What about my deal?!” Lisa began crying in halting whoops of sadness.
Boo hoo, Nick thought.
“Marshal McCarty simply offered you the opportunity to confess to your crimes and receive consideration from the court for your candor in admitting to your crimes. We’ll let you think about something much more major you’d like to tell us in order to receive a possible reduction of sentence to a couple of years at Chowchilla. I’ll give you a little time to think it over and remember something very meaty to offer us while we speak with a couple of other interested parties.”
Nick and Floyd exited the room with Lisa still crying but in much more restrained form. “That went as well as I’d hoped. May I accompany you to tell her parents?”
“Yep. You earned that. Damn! We’re going to shut their water off,” Floyd answered with enthusiasm.
Chapter Four
The Albanian Sanction
Liz and Allen Monroe sat together in the conference room, obviously annoyed at their treatment so far. They had been unable legally to demand anything. Nick, Floyd and the more circumspect Tony entered the room. By prior agreement, Tony took lead in perfect David Caruso/Miami CSI stance, complete with sunglasses.
“Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, I’m very sorry to keep you waiting, but there were many details to be ironed out before speaking with you. I’m Detective Tony Donatello, this is my partner Detective Floyd Samson, and on the end is consulting US Marshal Nick McCarty. We are here to explain the details of your-”