Horse of a Different Color by John Lansdale

Author:John Lansdale [Lansdale, John L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Crime
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2013-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 40

A group of reporters were camped outside the district attorney's office yelling questions at anyone that went in or out of the office. When they saw Mecana they converged on him like bees on honey.

The bosomy young TV reporter that tried to provoke him earlier was there again.

"What's happening, Mecana?" she asked. "You still think they got the wrong guy?"

"The district attorney will have a statement shortly," Mecana responded.

"That wasn't what I asked you. Answer my question."

"No comment," Mecana said.

"Is it true you're going to resign, Mecana?" she asked.

"No comment," Mecana said.

"What about you lady? You got a comment?" she said, and thrust the microphone toward Darcie.

"Miss, you best move away and let us through."

The TV reporter stared at Darcie for a moment and backed off.

A little bald-headed man, holding his recorder in front of Mecana spoke up. "Have they arraigned Mr. Baker yet, Mecana?"

"Not that I know of. The district attorney and FBI will have a statement for you. I got nothing else to say."

Mecana and Darcie walked past a recently installed podium in front of the district attorney's office and went in. The office was filled with lawyers and police, including Chief Orr.

The district attorney was talking to FBI agent Bill Sullivan. "We don't have a strong case here, Bill," he said. "You better come up with some more evidence or we can't get an indictment."

"Don't worry, Mr. Seville, we will," Sullivan said.

Randall Seville had been the district attorney for almost ten years. He was a neat, well-dressed, average-size forty-something man with short gray hair The latest gossip was he was going to run for the U.S. Senate next year. That might not be possible if the Baker case blew up. His star was hitched to a shaky wagon.

Chief Orr saw Mecana and walked over to him. "Looks like I don't have to worry about paying any more bills, Mecana."

"I don't think you worry about anything anyway, Orr, except when your next meal is. Freeloaders like you get on my nerves."

"That was a shitty thing to say, Mecana. Fuck you," Orr said, and walked away.

"Not in the best of moods, are we?" Darcie said to Mecana.

"He wouldn't make a pimple on a policeman's ass," Mecana said.

Chief Verves spotted Mecana and Darcie. "Good to see you decided to wear a suit, Mecana, and join the rest of us. Darcie, you always look good."

"Thanks, Chief," she said.

"I expect you two to be on your best behavior. I know you don't agree with this but we have to let it play out."

"Chief, you know there's a rush to judgment here to convict somebody because it's a high-profile case," Mecana said, "It's easier when the suspect is a poor black man."

"Don't try to put me on a guilt trip, Mecana. I don't see you coming up with anything. I stuck my neck out a mile long to protect you and you're not giving me anything. I can't do it anymore."

"Can we go now?" Mecana said.

"Yeah, get the hell out and keep your mouth shut!" Verves said.

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