Free A Specter of Justice by Mark de Castrique Page A

bilked millions out of intimidated taxpayers.”
    â€œShould I listen to the message?” Hewitt asked. “Maybe I’ll recognize the son of a bitch.”
    â€œThat’s not a bad idea,” Newly agreed. “Meanwhile I’ll see if the phone company can break the spoof layer and reveal the actual number.”
    â€œGood. If there are any charges I can press, then, by God, I will. Sam, how long are you planning to be in the office?”
    â€œI’ll stay till you get here.”
    â€œI’ll see you in an hour.” Hewitt hung up.
    Newly and I resettled in the middle room, he on the sofa and I in an opposite chair.
    â€œSo, what do you think about the call?” I asked. “Someone making trouble for me or for Hewitt?”
    Newly rubbed a palm across his grizzled chin. “Hard to say. We know Donaldson’s pissed off a lot of people. And you’re no saint, especially in the eyes of the Atwoods. That call was a good way to spite both of you. And pretty chicken shit since it came when there was no way you’d be in the office.”
    â€œThe phone number spoof seems sophisticated for a backwoods preacher.”
    Newly looked at me with disapproval. “Don’t underestimate Horace Brooks, Mister Hotshot Detective. He plays that backwoods preacher role all the way to the bank.”
    â€œWhat’s the benefit for him getting involved in Molly Staton’s murder?” I asked.
    â€œHe’s God’s warrior going up against satanic forces. This whole ghost thing was an easy target. He’s championing the Atwoods and fighting evil. He couldn’t have scripted it any better.”
    â€œBut Molly’s the victim here?”
    â€œYes, and he’ll skate over that. Probably claim he was only trying to warn people about the dangers of fooling with dark spirits. It was a tragedy brought on by Molly’s own actions and not through anything he said.”
    â€œYou going to check him out?”
    Newly nodded. “Once I get a clean copy of the voice and a reliable trace on the call.” He cocked his head, eyeing me carefully. “Why did Hewitt call you at eleven?”
    â€œHe was checking on us. He invited Nakayla and me to join him for a drink. He knew we’d been through an ordeal and thought we might want to unwind. Going to a bar was the last thing Nakayla and I wanted to do. We went straight back to my place.”
    â€œAnd apparently Hewitt found other company.” Newly stood. “I’ve got to get back to the station. I’ll send our tech over.”
    I got to my feet and escorted Newly to the door.
    He stepped into the hall and then turned around. “Did you see Hewitt at all last night?”
    â€œYes. When we were picking up our radios from Nathan Armitage. They were more reliable than using our cell phones.”
    â€œDo you remember what he was wearing?”
    Alarm bells rang in my head. Newly asked the question casually, but it wasn’t a casual question. “A tan jacket and one of those Hawaiian shirts he likes. Why?”
    â€œNo particular reason. Just a little due diligence since his number popped up on that message.”
    I didn’t believe him and I irrationally spoke out in defense of my friend. “Are you doing due diligence on your partner?”
    Newly’s face hardened. “What’s Tuck have to do with it?”
    â€œI understand he and Molly were an item until a few months ago. If that becomes well known and a former boyfriend isn’t fully investigated, people might think due diligence was being selectively applied.”
    He reddened. “I would have expected more from you, Sam. I don’t take shortcuts and I don’t give passes.”
    I realized I’d overstepped and called his integrity into question. Newly deserved better from me. I threw up my hands. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I guess I’m just upset and I know Hewitt