Free Bargain Hunting by Rhonda Pollero Page B

sounded, then the door opened and Wells, with Metcalf on his heels, came out into the lobby.
    Metcalf’s eyes narrowed on Liam. “McGarrity,” he said, almost as if it was a vile curse.
    “How ya been, Harry?” Liam asked, as if they were the best of friends.
    But I knew that wasn’t possible. Metcalf looked like the top of his bald head was about to blow off.
    The detective looked past Liam, right at me. “Miss Tanner.”
    “I’m Tony Caprelli,” Tony said as he extended his hand. “I represent Mr. McGarrity, and Miss Tanner is my paralegal. We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the death of Mr. Lopez.”
    “Deputy Sheriff Lopez,” Metcalf corrected curtly. “Let’s go into interrogation two.”
    The three of us followed through the door, down a small hallway to an even smaller interrogation room. There was a table in the center of the room, a two-way mirror on one wall, and only four metal chairs. Wells excused himself to get another chair and I tried not to notice the metal loops used to handcuff people to the table. I had some bad handcuff memories that I didn’t care to revisit.
    Wells returned and offered me the seat he placed at the end of the table. Liam and Tony sat opposite the two-way glasswhile Wells and Metcalf sat across from them. I retrieved my pad and paper as well as a small voice recorder.
    “We’ll be taping this interview,” Tony explained after giving me a “good job” nod.
    “So will we,” Metcalf said. He loosened his tie and depressed a button on the antiquated machine in the center of the table. He said the date, the time, and named everyone in the room. Then from rote he said, “You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Do you understand?”
    “Yes.”
    “Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand?”
    “Yes.”
    “You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. Do you understand?”
    “I think I’ve got that one covered.”
    “If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. Do you understand?”
    “Ditto,” Liam answered as he absently rubbed his side. I guessed the wound was not healing as fast as he pretended.
    “If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. Do you understand?”
    “That’s a dumb-ass question.”
    “Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions?”
    “I’m here, right?”
    Wells reached into a drawer in the table and passed Liam a card, telling him, “Initial each and every right as they were just read to you and sign at the bottom.”
    Liam did as requested and shoved the five-by-seven card back at the detective.
    “I’d like it noted that my client came in of his own volition.”
    “So noted,” Metcalf said.
    “Where were you Sunday evening between five and eleven P.M. ?” Wells asked.
    “I was home until about nine thirty.”
    Metcalf leaned back in his chair. “Can anyone verify that?”
    “My dog, but he doesn’t usually talk to strangers.”
    “Cut the bullshit, McGarrity,” Metcalf warned.
    “No,” Tony responded. “My client was home alone until approximately nine thirty.”
    “Then you went to Deputy Lopez’s home?”
    “He called me and asked me to come over,” Liam’s voice dropped slightly and he seemed more somber.
    “Was that a common occurrence?” Wells asked.
    Liam shook his head. “I hadn’t spoken to José for nearly five years. He called from out of the blue and told me he had something important he wanted to tell me.”
    “And what was that?” Metcalf asked.
    “I have no idea. I got to his house around ten thirty and when I arrived I found José in a chair with a bullet in his head.”
    “Are