Excerpt Three

Sex and Murder.com

Introduction

Excerpts:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Two (cont)

Chapter Three

An Interview with the Author

Sex and Murder.com
From Chapter Two, Continued

By Mark Richard Zubro

Turner said, "We were told the superintendent himself called in the report. Who called him? Or was the mayor's office called first? We need the sequence of the calls and who made them. The name of the original caller is the most important."

"I don't know who called."

"Who would know?" Turner asked.

"I'm not sure."

"We're going to know that for sure before we're done," Fenwick said.

"Is that a threat?"

"I hope you take it as one," Fenwick said.

"I don't know who called."

"We'll have to ask the mayor," Fenwick said.

"He can't be involved in a murder investigation," Girote insisted.

Fenwick asked, "Why? Doesn't he have a get-out-of-jail-free card?"

"You can't run around asking him questions. You can't come to the fifth floor of city hall and accost the mayor."

"Bull pizzle," Fenwick stated.

"Fine," Turner said. "All you have to do is show up with the information on who called the mayor, and we won't bother him."

Girote looked shocked. "Are you trying to bully me?"

Turner said, "You can call it a threat, bullying, blackmail, or making a deal, the life blood of politics anywhere. We need that name. We may need more information than that. You are going to provide it for us." Turner doubted if the mayor had committed murder, but he also knew he and Fenwick would follow any clues no matter where or to whom they led. If they pointed to the mayor, the problems for the case and their careers would be more than monumental.

Girote said, "I'll have to talk to some people, including your bosses."

"I smell a deal," Fenwick said. "Either that or we're going to be tattled on."

"Again?" Turner asked, then said, "Tell us more about Werberg."

"The two of them are the toast of the town. They go to all the openings. They give a lot of money to a lot of politicians. They could buy and sell the state legislature several times over."

Fenwick said, "I hear bribing all the legislators and the Chicago City Council wouldn't take much. Aren't half of the former aldermen in prison for over-feeding at the public trough?"

"Not that many," Girote said.

"Close enough," Fenwick said.

Turner said, "Lenzati and Werberg had significant political connections. I got that part. Were they smooth operators? Did they know the ropes? Did people like them?"

"They were a trifle naïve early in their careers."

"How so?" Turner asked.

"There's a correct way to approach a legislator."

"Bribery etiquette," Fenwick said, "an area Miss Manners has yet to delve into. Perhaps the selection and use of the proper fork to skewer your opponent could be an art form."

Girote said, "They learned quickly. That they were rich helped, but people genuinely liked them. In the beginning they were the usual computer nerds, mole-eyed dweebs hunched over machines and screens. But these guys were able to change. They had decent hygiene. They would listen to advice. They learned to socialize. Their businesses were well run. The employees were well taken care of with some of the highest salaries and best benefits in the computer industry. They were extremely popular. Everyone liked them."

"Everybody but one," Fenwick said.

Turner asked, "Where were you this morning, Mr. Girote?"

"Is that another threat or a very sick joke?"

"It's an easy question," Turner responded.

"I was in the press office at City Hall by five. I'll fax you my schedule and a list of eyewitnesses."

"Fine," Turner said.

"Can I see the body now?" Girote asked.

"No," Fenwick said.

Girote pointed at Turner. "You said I could."

"He said we'd try to accommodate you somehow," Fenwick said. "We're not about to define ‘somehow' as letting you screw up a crime scene."

Girote glared at them. "That's a politician's way of weaseling out."

"Then you should be used to it," Turner said.

Girote huffed and puffed, but it was obvious that the detectives were not going to give in. "I'm going to report this to your superiors," was Girote's parting shout as he swept out the door.

Fenwick called after him, "Parting shots are for cowards."

Yerson stepped forward. The department director of news affairs, he had held back during this discussion. "Do you think you handled him correctly?" he asked.

"You want second guessing, try a Republican who hates Bill Clinton," Fenwick said. "We're not wasting our time with you. We've got real police work to do. Go away." He turned his back.

Yerson, who had been chosen more for his telegenic looks than any reportorial skills or press credentials Turner was aware of, said quietly, "Are you really sure this is a good way to deal with the mayor's and department's public relations offices?"

Fenwick didn't skip a beat as he said, "Yes."

Turner asked, "Do you know anything about Lenzati and Werberg?"

"I was told to come over here. I was working in an office full of people since very early this morning."

"I didn't suspect you," Turner said.

"I don't know anything more than Girote told you. In fact a great deal less."