Page 16 of The Perfect Revenge
Susannah glanced over at Jessie to see if she wanted to start first.She nodded that she did.
“It’s related to your mother’s will,” she said, keeping things cryptic for now.
“What about it?”Flanagan scoffed.“It’s not like there’s anything in there for me to worry about.”
"That's what we wanted to talk to you about," Jessie said."We heard this voicemail, and we were hoping you could clarify it for us."
She hit ‘play’ and watched Flanagan closely as the audio started.His eyes widened as he heard his own voice: Vonnie, you know this isn’t fair.You could literally buy and sell me but you won’t give me even a little of mom’s money?You don’t need it, that’s for sure.I’m not asking for all of it.Not even half.I’d be happy with a third.Do you know how much that would help me out?I’m already two months behind on my rent.I got laid off last week.I’m not asking for a jackpot here, just a lifeline.Please, Vonnie, just because mom was a total bitch doesn’t mean you have to follow in her footsteps.Call me back.
The message had started out pleading, but by the end, it was outright hostile.Mickey Flanagan couldn't even keep his cool for the length of a thirty second voicemail.It made Jessie wonder what he might do in person.
“Are you serious?”he demanded.“Is she really siccing the cops on me for this?It’s not like it’s a criminal matter.It’s just a family dispute.”
“You have to admit that you sounded pretty upset by the end there,” Jessie said.
"Wouldn't you be?I'm sure Vonnie told you her version of it.But here's mine: our mother left me out of the will and said that my sister is prohibited from sharing the money, or she loses it all.But Vonnie's rolling in dough.What does she care?I get that she feels trapped between a rock and a hard place, but this doesn't seem like a police matter."
Jessie studied the guy.He was either being honest or he was a really good liar.Everything he said gave the impression that he thought his sister was still alive.Of course, Mickey Flanagan was a drug addict and a thief who’d had multiple brushes with the law.He surely knew how manipulate people to his advantage.In order to get him out of his scheming comfort zone, she’d have to push a little harder.
“But you can understand how the hostility in that message might give someone pause?”
“Hostility?”he repeated, now sounding much like he had in the voicemail.“That’s rich.So a guy can’t express his views without having cops bang on his door?This has to be harassment.Maybe I should sue the LAPD and get my money that way.”
Beside her, Jessie felt Susannah stiffen.The detective wasn’t one to just let idle threats roll off her.When she opened her mouth, Jessie was sure that her partner was going to come back hard at Flanagan.
“You’re certainly entitled to file a complaint with the department if you like,” Susannah said with impressive restraint.“In the meantime, how about you tell us where you were last night between 8 P.M.and midnight.”
“Why?Is Vonnie accusing me of trying to steal her wads of cash now?”
He stood up, agitated.Jessie saw Susannah's hand go to her gun holster, and before things escalated, she spoke up again.
“Vonnie didn’t accuse you of anything,” Jessie said quickly.“And neither are we.But you could make your life a lot easier if you just answered our questions.Where were you last night, Mickey?”
He seemed to calm slightly at the sound of his name.“I don’t see why it matters but I was here.”
"What were you doing?Watching a movie?Playing video games?"
“I just ordered a pizza and scrolled on my phone right there,” he said, nodding at the loveseat.“I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until you banged on my door.”
“Can anyone verify that?”Susannah pressed.
"Do I need someone to?What's really going on here?This isn't about some will.I may be a junkie, but I'm not an idiot.You're asking me for an alibi.So what am I accused of?"
Jessie glanced over at Susannah.There would be no better time to reveal the truth and get the man’s reaction to it.She nodded that the detective should come clean, then returned her focus to Flanagan, alert for any response that might be inadvertently revealing.
“Mr.Flanagan,” Susannah said, dispensing with any preamble.“Veronica Sterling was found dead in her home last night.We believe she was murdered.”
Flanagan stared back at her blankly, as if she was speaking a foreign language.
“Wait, what?”
“Your sister was killed last night, Mr.Flanagan,” Susannah repeated, this time with less of an edge.
He looked at her, then glanced over at Jessie, who nodded sympathetically.She could see a growing sense in him that what Susannah had said was not some kind of sick joke.He reached out for the arm of the loveseat and eased himself back down into it.
“Are you sure?”he asked quietly.
“We are,” Susannah assured him.
