Page 101 of Dead Man's List

“Joel’s going to be busy,” Kit said. “I hope Laura Letterman doesn’t find out exactly how much we want to know.”

“Joel’s going to offer reduced prison time in exchange for her full cooperation,” Marshall said. “So Veronica’s attorney won’t know the details until he starts asking questions.”

“Letterman’s pretty good.” It hurt to admit, but it was the truth. “If I were Veronica’s attorney, I wouldn’t agree to full cooperation. I’d make everything à la carte.”

Navarro walked up to them, coffee in one hand and a cupcake in the other. “Then I’m glad you’re not Veronica’s attorney. Solve this case fast, if you don’t mind. The bakery cupcakes are okay, but I want something your mother baked.”

Kit laughed. “Fine.” But she sobered when she stopped tostudy Navarro’s face. He was frowning. Not his normal “everything sucks” frown, but the one he got when something in particular was bothering him. “What’s going on, boss?”

Navarro sighed. “Come with me.” He left them, crossing the bullpen to his office.

“What did you do?” Marshall whispered.

“I don’t know,” Kit whispered back, racking her brain for what might be the problem.

“Close the door,” Navarro said as he sat behind his desk. “And have a seat.”

Warily, Kit obeyed. She set her cupcake on the corner of Navarro’s desk, her appetite gone. “What did I do?”

His smile was rueful. “Nothing. It’s what youmightdo, and I need you to stop and think before you act.”

“Okay.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Let’s have it.”

“Christopher Drummond contacted the DA’s office this morning.”

Kit had to breathe through a sudden rise of rage. “What did he say?” she asked, proud that her voice held steady.

“He says he has information about Brooks Munro,” Navarro said. “He’s willing to share if the DA drops all charges.”

Kit was out of her chair before she knew she was even moving. Her fists clenched and her whole body was taut as a wire.“No.”

Absolutely not. That man killed Rita’s mother. He raped Rita.

Over my dead body will that piece of shit walk free.

Navarro waved a hand, indicating she should retake her seat. “Sit down, Kit. No one wants to give that man air to breathe, much less a get-out-of-jail-free card.”

Shaking from pure fury, Kit sat, but her fists remained clenched. “Are Joel and his boss considering that fucker’s offer?”

Navarro shrugged. “Depending on what he has to offer, theymight be interested, but Drummond’s up on a murder one charge. He only made bail because he’s rich and has powerful friends, but still I think he’d have to have some pretty compelling testimony to get any concessions. Personal opinion? The best Drummond could even hope for would be life with parole.”

“Hecouldget twenty-five years with parole,” Kit said, using every ounce of control she possessed not to fly out of Navarro’s office and strangle Christopher Drummond herself. “That’s the minimum mandatory.”

“I know,” Navarro said quietly. “And he might get that. This is his first offense and they have nothing more on him. He can claim he killed her in a fit of rage and he could even get his charges taken down to manslaughter. All of that could happen.”

Kit closed her eyes.Stay in control.She couldn’t have Navarro thinking that she was a loose cannon.

Breathe.She did so, then breathed again when she realized the voice in her mind was Sam’s.Breathe, Kit. That’s the way.

When she was calm, she opened her eyes to find Navarro watching her carefully. He nodded once. “You okay now?”

“Yes, sir.” She unclenched her fists and gently shook her hands. “I suppose the best way not to give in to Drummond’s demands is to figure out what he wants to tell us some other way.”

“Exactly what I was thinking.”

One more deep breath. “Will the brass want us to give Drummond a deal?”

“Not if we don’t have to, but I’m getting pressure to solve this case.”

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