“That’s our case!” Steffi cried excitedly. “You’ve just nailed it, Hammond. Bobby threatened her with exposure if she didn’t go along with his scheme. In order to get rid of him, she agreed to collect the blackmail money. Something went awry inside that hotel suite, and she had no choice but to kill Pettijohn.”
Too late, Hammond realized how ill-chosen his words had been. Steffi was right. He had just made his case. “It might work,” he mumbled.
“What other explanation is there for her being in that hotel suite with Lute Pettijohn? She certainly hasn’t offered one.”
That was the rub. Hammond could waltz around it all he wanted, but his fancy footwork always brought him back to that. If Alex was totally and completely innocent of any wrongdoing, why had she gone to see Pettijohn that afternoon?
Smilow headed for the doo
r. “I’ll tell Perkins that the grand jury is hearing our case next Thursday.”
“Why don’t you just arrest her?” Steffi asked.
The thought of Alex spending any time in jail sickened Hammond, but he thought it wise not to voice any more protests.
Thank God Smilow did it for him. “Because Perkins would cry foul and force us to charge her before incarcerating her. He’d have her out on bail within hours anyway.”
“He’s right, Steffi,” Hammond said, feeling as though he had been granted a reprieve. “When she’s charged, I’d rather have a grand jury indictment behind it.”
Smilow left, giving his office over to them.
Steffi looked at Hammond sympathetically. “Are you sure you’re up to preparing the case? Whether you admit it or not, this mugging took a toll. You’ll probably feel even worse over the next several days when the real soreness sets in. I’ll be glad to take over this responsibility for you.”
On the surface it sounded as though a concerned colleague was offering to do another a favor, but Hammond wondered if the gesture was entirely unselfish. She had wanted the case and probably resented his getting it.
Beyond that, her offer could also be a carefully laid trap. After her innuendo about his being unable to take his eyes off Alex, he was wary. If Steffi was entertaining even the hint of a notion that he was attracted to Alex, she would be watching him like a hawk. Everything he said and did would be filtered through her suspicion. If she discovered that his attraction went much further than even she suspected, it would be disastrous for both him and Alex. He couldn’t be obvious about favoring their suspect.
On the other hand, Steffi’s offer could be wholly unselfish, her concern genuine. She had every right to be angry and upset with him because of the breakup, but she hadn’t let that compromise their professional interaction. He was the one with the hidden motives.
Chagrined, he thanked her for the courteous offer. “I appreciate it, but I’ve got a week to recuperate. I’m sure by next Thursday, I’ll be back to normal and raring to go.”
“If you change your mind…”
Chapter 30
“There’s press outside?” Frank Perkins asked with angry incredulity.
“That’s what I was told,” Smilow replied blandly. “I thought you ought to be warned.”
“Who leaked it?”
“I don’t know.”
The solicitor snorted. “Sure you don’t.” He turned away and, taking Alex Ladd’s arm, escorted her toward the elevator.
Steffi sidled up to Smilow, remarking, “I can’t wait for Thursday.”
“It won’t be easy.”
She looked at the detective, surprised by his discouraged tone. “Don’t tell me Hammond’s pessimism is catching? I thought you’d be treating your detectives to cigars.”
“Hammond’s points have merit,” he said thoughtfully. “First, he’s got to convince the grand jury that Alex Ladd is indictable. If they do hand down an indictment, he’s got to prove to a jury that she’s guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Our evidence is circumstantial, Steffi. Trimble’s testimony is tainted by Trimble himself. Not much for a prosecutor to work with.”
“More evidence will turn up before the trial begins.”
“If there is more.”
“There’s bound to be more.”