Part 59 (2/2)
I nodded. It was good advice.
”Who was he, Lisa?” I asked.
”Who was who?”
”The guy you sent me who said he was your husband.”
Now a small proud smile curled her bottom lip.
”Goodbye, Mickey. Thank you for everything.”
She turned and started walking back toward her house. And I got in my Lincoln and drove away.
Fifty-four.
I was in the backseat of the Lincoln cruising through the Third Street tunnel when my phone started to buzz. The screen said it was Maggie. I told Rojas to kill the music-it was ”Judgement Day” off the latest Eric Clapton alb.u.m-and took the call. was in the backseat of the Lincoln cruising through the Third Street tunnel when my phone started to buzz. The screen said it was Maggie. I told Rojas to kill the music-it was ”Judgement Day” off the latest Eric Clapton alb.u.m-and took the call.
”Did you do it?” she asked first thing.
I looked out the window as we broke clear of the tunnel and into the bright sunlight. It fit with the way I was feeling. It had been three weeks since the verdict and the further I got away from it the better I felt. I was on the road to something else now.
”I did.”
”Wow! Congratulations.”
”I'm still the longest long shot you'll ever see. The field is full and I've got no money.”
”Doesn't matter. You're a name in this town and there's a certain integrity about you that people see and respond to. I know I did. Plus you're an outsider. Outsiders always win. So don't kid yourself, the money will come.”
I wasn't sure integrity integrity and and me me belonged in the same sentence. But I'd take the rest and, besides, it was the happiest I'd heard Maggie McFierce in a long, long time. belonged in the same sentence. But I'd take the rest and, besides, it was the happiest I'd heard Maggie McFierce in a long, long time.
”Well, we'll see,” I said. ”But as long as I have your vote, I don't care if I get another.”
”That's sweet, Haller. What's next?”
”Good question. I have to go open a bank account and a.s.semble a-”
My phone started beeping. I had another call coming in. I checked the screen and saw that it was blocked.
”Mags, hold on a second, let me just check this call.”
”Go ahead.”
I switched over.
”This is Michael Haller.”
”You did this.”
I recognized the angry voice. Lisa Trammel.
”Did what?”
”The police are here! They're digging up the garden looking for him. You sent them!”
I a.s.sumed the ”him” she referred to was her missing husband, who never quite made it to Mexico. Her voice had the familiar shrill tone it took on when she was on the edge of losing it.
”Lisa, I-”
”I need you here! I need a lawyer. They're going to arrest me!”
Meaning that she knew what the police would find in the garden.
”Lisa, I'm not your lawyer anymore. I can recommend a-”
”Nooooo! You can't abandon me! Not now!”
”Lisa, you just accused me of sending the cops. Now you want me to represent you?”
”I need you, Mickey. Please.”
She started crying, that long echoing sob I had heard too many times before.
”Get somebody else, Lisa. I'm done. With any luck I might even get to prosecute you.”
”What are you talking about?
”I just filed. I'm running for district attorney.”
”I don't understand.”
”I'm changing my life. I'm tired of being around people like you.”
There was no response at first but I could hear her breathing. When she finally spoke, her voice had a flat, emotionless tone to it.
”I should have told Herb to have them maim you. That's what you deserve.”
Now I was silent. I knew what she was talking about. The Mack brothers. Dahl had lied to me and said Opparizio had ordered the beating. But that didn't fit with the rest of the story. This did. It had been Lisa who wanted it done. She was willing to have her own attorney attacked if it would deflect suspicion and help her case. If it would help me believe in other possibilities.
I managed to find my voice and say my final words to her.
”Goodbye, Lisa. And good luck.”
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