The Consequences of Finding Daniel Morgan by Peter J Robinson

Author:Peter J Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-11-07T16:00:00+00:00

Babs showed her daughter up to the two annex guest rooms whilst the men went to fetch their bags from the car, Royle seizing the moment.

“Charlie thinks you and I should take a beer out onto the porch, Judge. There’s something you need to know, before Gus Winnings arrives.”

A broad smile lit up the older man’s face. “You made the court connection, then.”

A little later, out on the rear porch, Royle outlined to Judge Vernon Lacey the main features of their murder investigation, emphasising how and why he believed Gus Winnings might be involved, though he acknowledged there were obvious weaknesses in their case thus far.

The judge listened to what he said, realising, as he of all people should, that as things stood any court might be forgiven for believing that Gus’s involvement in Dan Morgan’s death was more imaginary than real. However, he also knew what his daughter had told him and his wife about the abilities of her new federal partner. He also recalled the impact Royle’s past involvement in the Daggart case had had on the court, and of course on himself as the presiding judge.

“All we can do this evening,” the judge suggested once Royle had finished, “is be aware of any potential risk to your investigation.” But then he decided to do some exploring, knowing they had time to spare before the guests arrived. “Charlie says you have a doctorate – Harvard, I believe?”

Royle realised she had been discussing him in some detail.

“Plus an interest in comparing American enforcement methods with those in Europe – particularly the UK?”

He hesitated, unsure where this conversation might be heading. “That’s certainly one of my interests.”

“You must have much the same enforcement systems in the UK, surely?”

Royle realised the judge already knew the answer to his own question. “I guess the difference is in the level of public exposure American agencies get. Which in turn has a lot to do with firearms.”

“Word is you’re not bad with a gun yourself.”

Yet more evidence of her confiding in her parents. “It’s a long story—”

“And Charlie warned you might say that.”

To Royle’s mind there was an air of déjà vu about this conversation, his mind going back to his and Charlie’s late-night discussion out at the ranch.

“The armed forces taught me how to handle weapons, and to not hold back if the situation demands it.”

“Your being wounded on that mission with Morgan, did that bring you two closer?”

“It’s not something I think about,” he lied, but then the judge surprised him.

“And it wasn’t any old medal they gave you, it was the Navy Cross. For ‘An Act of Extraordinary Heroism in Combat’.”

This was getting worse. “It’s just a piece of metal,” Royle suggested lamely.

“A former Marine lieutenant with the Navy Cross and a former federal agent, plus subsequent contracts with twelve world governments. Not to mention a PhD from Harvard and a master’s from Cornell. Can’t look too bad on your CV.”

But then the judge paused. “Presumably you don’t know that Doug Whitland and I did law together, here in Tallahassee, a long time ago now.

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