“I don’t imagine lucky people attract the interest of men like Frank Merrick.”
“If they do, they don’t stay lucky for long. I’d like to be there when they bring him in. I’ve heard a lot about him, but I’ve never met him face-to-face.”
His beer glass had left a circle of moisture on the table. He traced patterns in it with his index finger.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“I’m thinking it’s a shame you have a client who believes she’s at risk.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like clusters. Some of Clay’s patients were being abused. Merrick’s daughter was one of his patients.”
“Hence Merrick’s daughter was being abused? It’s possible, but it doesn’t necessarily follow.”
“Then Clay disappears and so does she.”
“And the abusers are never found.”
He shrugged. “I’m just saying: having a man like Merrick asking questions about old crimes might make some people worried.”
“Like the people who committed those old crimes.”
“Exactly. Could be useful. You never know who might decide to take offense and make themselves known along the way.”
“The problem is that Merrick isn’t like a dog on a leash. He can’t be controlled. I’ve got three men looking out for my client as things stand. My priority is to keep her safe.”
O’Rourke stood. “Well, talk to her. Explain what you intend to do. Then let’s get him picked up and see what happens.”
We shook hands again, and I thanked him for his help.
“Don’t get carried away,” he said. “I’m in this because of the kids. And, hey, forgive me for being blunt, but if this thing goes up in smoke, and I find you lit the fuse, I’ll arrest you myself.”
It was time for me to drive out to Joel Harmon’s house. Along the way, I called Rebecca and shared with her most of what O’Rourke had told me of Merrick and what I was hoping to do the next day. She seemed to have calmed down a little since we last talked, although she was still intent on wrapping up our business with each other as soon as possible.
“We’ll arrange a meeting, then have him picked up by the cops,” I said. “The state’s protectionfrom-harassment law says that if you’ve been intimidated or confronted three or more times by the same person, then the cops have to act. I figure that incident with the window may also fall under terrorizing, and I spotted him watching you that day at Longfellow Square, so we have him for stalking as well. Either one of those would be enough to bring us under the cover of the law.”
“Does that mean I’ll have to go to court?” she asked.
“Make the harassment report first thing tomorrow. The report has to be made before a court complaint can be filed anyway. Then we can go to the District Court and get it to issue a temporary order for emergency protection after you’ve filed the complaint. I’ve already talked to someone about this, and everything should be in place for you by tomorrow evening.” I gave her O’Rourke’s name and number. “A date and time will be set for a hearing, and the summons and complaint will have to be served on Merrick. I can do that or, if you prefer, we can get the sheriff
’s department to do it instead. If he approaches you again once the order has been served, then that’s a Class D crime with a penalty of up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of a thousand dollars. Three convictions and he’s looking at five years.”
“It still doesn’t sound like enough,” she said. “Can’t they just put him away immediately?”
“It’s a delicate balance,” I said. “He’s overstepped the line, but not enough to justify serving time. The thing is, I believe that doing more time is the last thing he wants to risk. He’s a dangerous man, but he’s also had years to think about his daughter. He failed her, but he wants someone else to blame. I think he’s decided to start with your father, because he heard the rumors about him and wonders if something similar might have happened to his own child while she was in his care.”
“And because my father’s not around, he’s moved on to me.” She sighed. “Okay. Will I have to be there when they arrest him?”
“No. The police may want to talk to you later, though. Jackie will stay close to you, just in case.”
“Just in case it doesn’t go the way you’ve planned?”
“Just in case,” I repeated, not committing to anything. I felt that I’d let her down, but I couldn’t see what more I could have done. True, I could have banded together with Jackie Garner and the Fulcis to beat Merrick to a pulp, but that would have been to descend to his level. And now, after my conversation with O’Rourke, there was one more thing stopping me from using force against Frank Merrick.
In a strange way, I felt sorry for him.