Chapter 4
They had the subpoena just before lunch and immediately headed out to Attorney Cogborns office. and the reception desk in the sumptuously appointed lobby
" I need to speak with Mr. Cogborn."
The receptionists cool and rather disinterested gaze gave testimony to the ease with which she was accustomed to handling unwelcome clients.
"Mr. Cogborn is not in the office."
"When is he expected to return."
"Not for several days."
Steve gathered himself. Rafferty was watching cautiously, waiting for him to explode.
"Is it possible to contact him. We could email or fax, perhaps even a text?"
"Mr. Cogborn doesn't use email or text."
Rafferty saw the muscles in Steve's back and shoulders tighten, then, unexpectedly relax as he laid the subpoena on the reception desk.
"This is a subpoena. If it isn't answered in 24 hours I will have every cop in this city looking for Mr. Cogborn with orders to arrest him immediately. If I find out that subpoena gets conveniently lost, I will be back to haul your pretty little ass to jail for hindering a murder investigation.
The receptionists eyes got big and she nodded.
As they left he looked back as the door closed and saw her already dialing the telephone.
"I wager he will have that in his hand in 15 minutes. I wish I could see his face."
They spent the rest of the afternoon running down leads that had come into the office since the murder. Most of them were bad, people seeking a little publicity, the usual run of nuts who wanted to take credit for every murder that happened and some that might have real possibilities. Just before they were going to head home, they got a call. His wife's car had been located.
They pulled into the parking lot of the seedy bar on the edge of town. Two patrol cars and the forensics guys were there. He walked up and looked over their shoulders.
"Anything."
"Not much. No prints that we can find so far. Looks like it has been wiped pretty well. Nothing inside to speak of except the usual assortment of junk, trash and fast food sacks."
He nodded.
"How long has it been here."
"Talk to the uniforms. They took the report from the bar owner."
"I think I will go talk to him myself."
He turned and nearly stepped on Rafferty.
"Come on."
He headed for the bar and pushed into the dark, smoky interior. It was lit by the usual assortment of pool table lights, neon beer signs and the bar back lights. He looked around and walked to the bar.
"You the manager"
"Nope. The owner is in the office. Down that hall. Last door on the left."
He turned and walked toward the hallway. He found the door, shut and he knocked. He heard a voice from inside.
"Talk to the bartender. He can give you the order."
"I ain't taking orders. Police. I need to talk to you."
The door opened and he came face to face with a short balding man with a huge cigar in the corner of his mouth.
"Come in. Bring your friend too."
"This is sergeant Rafferty, my partner."
The man looked her up and down appreciatively and then whistled."
"Honey, you can arrest me anytime. I hope you strip search me too."
She smiled and looked at him.
"I bet you would, until I put a tazer on your balls and pulled the trigger."
He looked at her in amazement and then back at him.
"You wasn't kidding huh?"
Steve just shrugged.
"What do you know about the car we are about to tow out of your parking lot?"
"Not much. It has been here a couple of days. We try to give people a chance to come back and get them if they leave 'em instead of driving home.
"What about the owner."
"I have no idea."
Steve opened his book and pulled a picture and laid it on the desk.
"Ever seen her."
"Oh yeah. She has been in and out of her a couple of times. Nice ass and big tits. She is a bit of mouth tho'."
"When was the last time you saw her."
"Just a couple of nights ago."
"Tell me what you remember about that night."
