After the two detectives left Holly’s house, she fretfully wandered from room to room as though looking for direction or insight into what she should do. Her car was found and returned to her, but her feelings of uselessness and fear for Crawford’s safety increased the longer he remained unaccounted for.
At noon, she switched on her television, wondering what was being reported on the news. The lead story was Pat Connor’s murder. Video shot outside his residence showed CSU personnel carrying out labeled bags.
“This is the second Prentiss law officer to be killed this week,” the reporter said solemnly. “Although the two crimes are unrelated, the grieving among—”
“Unrelated?” Her angry shout echoed through the cottage.
She hurriedly dressed for the office and drove to the courthouse, her escorts following closely in their squad car. She eschewed the slow elevator and took the atrium stairs, the officers tripping along behind her.
Mrs. Briggs was startled by her sudden entrance and even more startled by her request. “Call the TV station in Tyler. Ask to speak to the reporter who broke the story about Chuck Otterman, and when you get him, tell him that if he’d like an exclusive interview with me to be here in an hour.” She paused, then said, “And see if I can possibly speak to the governor.”
“When?”
“Now.”
She went into her private office and paced until her desk phone rang. “Governor Hutchins is on the line,” Mrs. Briggs told her.
Holly took a deep breath and pressed the lighted button. “Governor Hutchins, I know you’ve just returned from the conference. Thank you for taking my call.”
He conveyed his sadness over the terrible event that had taken place in her court and asked after her well-being. When she had assured him that she was fine, he reluctantly mentioned the “unpleasant aftermath.”
“That’s why I’m calling, governor. I’m about to grant a TV interview, which no doubt will have a ripple effect that could reach as far as your desk. I wanted you to know about it in advance.”
She talked for five minutes without interruption. When she finished, he said, “Essentially, what you’re saying is that the investigators are barking up the wrong tree.”
“Yes, sir. When this interview airs, my judgment will be brought into question. I’ve already been accused of being too personally involved with Ranger Hunt.”
“Is that the case?”
“There is a strong emotional pull, yes.” She gave him time to process that and make of it what he would. “But it hasn’t blinded me, sir. What’s become perfectly clear is that an equally powerful prejudice against Ranger Hunt is hampering the investigation. I fear this personality clash is preventing justice from being done for the murder of Chet Barker and now Officer Connor. No matter what the repercussions might be to me and my career, I’m compelled to speak up about it.”
During the ensuing silence, Holly held her breath. Finally, he said, “Be careful how you phrase it.”
The TV crew arrived within forty-five minutes of Mrs. Briggs’s call, and twenty minutes after that, the reporter had his exclusive. Ten minutes after the crew had gathered up their gear and left her chambers, Neal Lester barged into her inner office, looking ready to explode.
“I’m sorry, judge. He—”
“It’s all right, Mrs. Briggs.”
Her assistant backed out, but left the door open.
Neal said, “You could have given me fair warning. A news team arrived downstairs asking me for a follow-up sound bite to your interview.”
“That sounds only fair. Why are you upset?”
“Why’d you offer them an interview in the first place?”
“Because Greg Sanders has been suggesting that ‘in light of a chain of tragic events all relating to me,’ I should do the public a favor, withdraw my name from the ballot, and give him a free pass to the bench. I wanted people to know that I have no intention of doing that.”
“I don’t care about you and your election. What did you say about Chuck Otterman?”
“The reporter asked if I thought he had anything to do with the courtroom shooting death of Chet Barker. I told him that since it was an active investigation, I couldn’t comment, then referred him to you for statements regarding Monday’s tragedy as well as last night’s murder of Officer Connor.”
“Effectively linking the two incidents, and linking both to Otterman.” His shout rattled the chandelier.
She didn’t offer a comeback.
“Did the reporter ask you why your boyfriend skipped out before he could be questioned about Connor’s murder?”
It was a struggle, but she kept her temper under control. “He asked if Crawford Hunt was a person of interest in Connor’s murder. I said that I hadn’t heard that term applied to him. Which I haven’t.”
“Not yet. But it’s a fact that he eluded the authorities with your help. It stretches credulity that he overpowered you and stole your car.”
“That’s what happened.”
“Tell me where he is.”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence.”
“I’m beginning to doubt your intelligence, detective.”
“Where is he?”