Final Exit by Laurie Breton

Author:Laurie Breton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

9

“That’s preposterous,” Carolyn said. “Completely and totally asinine!” She looked to Rafferty for confirmation, absently registering the stricken look on his face. “It’s not possible,” she continued. “The man’s a priest, for God’s sake. He’s no killer!”

Rafferty didn’t look at her. His gaze still locked with Lorna’s, he said hoarsely, “Does he fit the profile?”

“No,” Carolyn said without hesitation. “Of course not. It’s ridiculous to even suggest such a thing!”

He finally looked at her, and she saw in his eyes the same stunned disbelief she was feeling. “Goddamn it, Monahan,” he said quietly, “does he or does he not fit the fucking profile?”

She went through her profile mentally, point by point. White male. Early thirties. Highly personable, with the gift of gab. Works in a profession where he meets a number of people on a daily basis. Average-looking, nothing about his appearance to make him stand out. Drives a late-model sedan, possibly blue. Lives by himself, has no significant relationship with a member of the opposite sex.

Oh, God.

But those were superficial similarities. A thousand men could match that description. There were others that were more important. Frantic now, her heart beating a mile a minute, she continued her mental inventory. Father absent from the home. Parental discipline inconsistent. Mother who exhibited sexually inappropriate behavior: a string of live-in boyfriends, Saturday-night pickups, perhaps even prostitution—

“Shit,” she whispered. “Oh, shit.”

She never saw a single muscle move, but somehow Rafferty’s face hardened. “Go pick him up,” he said tersely to Lorna. “Bring him in for questioning.”

Lorna nodded briskly and left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. Caro sank onto a chair. “You can’t seriously believe—” She wet her lips. “You can’t—Oh, Jesus. This is not happening.”

He stood and began pacing. “I never even considered him. Not for a fucking minute did I ever consider him. What kind of fool does that make me?”

She sat there in the chair, trembling, trying to take in all the implications. They were staggering. “Conor,” she said.

He paused, wheeled around. “What?”

“You have to remove yourself from the case. You can’t do this.”

“Why? What can’t I do? You don’t think I’m capable of being unbiased? You don’t think I’m capable of running this investigation anymore?”

“The man is a friend of yours. You’re dangerously close to a breach of professional ethics.”

“Let me tell you something,” he said. “I’m a goddamn cop. It’s not just what I do, it’s who I am. It’s inside me, in here.” He jammed his thumb into his breastbone. “I don’t give a damn if he’s my friend. I don’t give a damn if he’s a priest, or if he’s the fucking Pope, or if he’s Jesus Christ Almighty.” He narrowed his eyes. “If he did this, then, by God, I am going to take him down.”

“Are you crazy? Do you think they’ll let you keep the case? They’ll yank you faster than you can say Jack Shit. Christ, Conor, they could take your badge over something like this.”

She saw the defiance in his eyes fade as the truth of her words sank in.

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