Kathy said, Did you see her?
Yeah, but that's all.
What's she look like?
Attractive, blond, thirties, putting on weight. Scared to death of alligators, according to the judge. So afraid one might come back, she left. His gaze moved to Falco. But there's no reason to think it was meant for the wife. Not when you have a highly qualified potential victim like Judge Gibbs.
So much for the wife. Kathy said, You know where she went? Gary was looking at her again. You said she left.
I have no idea.
You could ask him.
Now he shook his head. Not a chance.
She wanted to talk some more about the wife, a woman who believed she was a twelve-year-old black girl. Bring it up for whatever it was worth But now Gary was saying, The judge tells McKenna it came out of the canal. He doesn't want to hear any more about it. McKenna says fine. But then he pulls my squad off cold homicides and tells me to look into it. Only, he says, don't make a big deal out of it.
You tell him, Falco said, about papering the walls?
We're starting out with the most recent ones that seem likely. Offenders the judge sent away who got their release in the past couple of months. Gary's hand touched a file folder on the neat desk, everything in place. DOC sent us a list this morning we're checking out. The reason Ms. Baker's here, she has a probation violator who threatened the judge. When was it? The day before yesterday.
Kathy said, What are you talking about?
Gary was looking at her until Falco got up from his chair, ready to leave, saying, You want my opinion, Gary? You're way ahead of yourself. McKenna says don't make a big deal out of it? That should tell you he doesn't see it as a hit. But he has to put somebody on it to cover his ass, just in case. So you go through the motions, take McKenna at his word and don't strain yourself.
Gary was shaking his head. McKenna said that because the judge didn't want any publicity. But you saw the Post this morning? Gibbs's picture on the front page?
And I saw how they played it, Falco said, called him gator bait, right? How'd they put it?
Has Judge Become Gator Bait ?' Kathy said.
Gary was looking at her again. You read it? She nodded and he said, A reporter, guy I've known all my life, calls me, wants to know what happened. I told him we have no idea how the alligator got there, if it was delivered or came on its own. They put in the paper, Investigators speculate whether sentence has been passed on Judge Gibbs.' I didn't even say well, it's a possibility. But they want to believe it was an attempt on his life.
They're having fun with it, that's all, Falco said, cause the guy's an asshole. Think about it. You want to do somebody, there better ways'n with an alligator. I'll see you.
Gary told her his friend at the Post asked if he could get a picture of the alligator, wanting to know what happened to it. Kathy had the feeling he would keep talking about the alligator if she let him. But then listening to him she thought of a question and asked, Who killed it?
I did.
You shot it?
He nodded, didn't say another word about the alligator and now she asked him, Where did you hear Dale Crowe threatened Gibbs?
I was told by a deputy who got it from Gibbs's bailiff. Crowe said, You'll see me again.' Or, You'll get yours.' Something like that.
You haven't seen a transcript?
They're getting me one.
Dale said, If you think you're through with me you're full of shit.' Is that a threat?
It could be.
How many shots did it take, to kill the alligator?
One.
Kathy stared at him and he stared back at her. What did you use?
He leaned to one side to touch his hip. This.
She paused before saying, Dale was mad. He got state time and doesn't deserve it.
Battery on a police officer, that's a third-degree five-year felony, any way you look at it.
You like sending people away?
It's what I do.
Yeah, but do you like it?
He took his time, maybe thinking about it. He didn't look like a guy who shot alligators or collared offenders. He looked like a nice guy. He said, If I didn't like it I wouldn't be here. And asked her, You know where Dale was the night before last?
With his uncle. They got home about nine.
It seemed to surprise him. You sure?
I was there. You know his uncle, Elvin Crowe?
She watched Gary stare at her as though the name was familiar, one he'd seen or heard recently. He had nice eyes. She liked blue eyes after seeing brown ones most of her life. His were a deep blue. She didn't care too much for those pale, light-blue ones, killer eyes, the kind Keith had. Gary had a file folder open now, reading a Department of Corrections printout that listed the names of offenders who'd recently gotten their release. The one he had mentioned. The list went all the way down the page, names coming out of the forty prisons and correctional facilities in the state of Florida.
The other night at Dale's house Elvin offered her a beer. If she wanted something else he'd send Dale to the store for it. Elvin polite, talking Southern to her in that syrupy way, Dale not saying a word. She told Elvin no thanks. No socializing with probationers. She told Dale she'd see him tomorrow and got out of there. Stopped by yesterday, he wasn't home and hadn't called the office. She had spent most of today looking for him, asking around.
Elvin Crowe, Gary said. I remember Elvin, shot a guy out on the Turnpike. He's one of yours?
One of seventy-three or seventy-four.
If Gibbs sent him up
He did, Kathy said.
Then he fits the profile. Both of them. Dale and Elvin.
Everybody fits your profile, Kathy said.
He smiled and it surprised her. She had him down as an achiever, a guy who took his work very seriously. He was so neat. Look at his desk. But the smile was real.
He said, I try to keep an open mind. Everyone's dirty till they prove they aren't.
No smile now, playing with her. He was quite a nice-looking guy. She liked his eyes, she liked his mouth too, his hair She said, You'll love Elvin. Wait till you meet him.
I like them both. You know where they went that night?
They said they took a ride.
Out to the Glades by any chance?
Palm Beach.
No alligators in Palm Beach. Or not the kind I have in mind. I still like your two guys. When do you see them again?
I have to check on Dale every day. Four to go.
He's behaving himself?
Kathy hesitated. I haven't seen him since the other night.
That puts him in violation, doesn't it?
He's already facing five years.
Gary raised both hands. He's yours. You don't want to violate him, don't.
I leave here, I'll stop by their house.
Elvin lives there too? Gary looked down at his sheet. I have a Belle Glade address for him. If he's from out there, I imagine he knows something about alligators.
I have to go, Kathy said, and got up.
I wouldn't mind tagging along, but I have to be somewhere at five.
She didn't want him along anyway, not if she got a chance to sit down with Dale, find out what he was thinking. Still, she said, That's too bad. You might've had a chance to meet Elvin.
He smiled, just a little. You want to see if I can handle him, don't you?
Kathy shrugged, trying to look innocent. Why would it be a problem?
He got up from the desk saying he'd walk her out.
He did have a gun and had shot an alligator. She saw the Beretta as he slipped on the jacket of his navy-blue suit, his shield pinned to his belt. Now the gun was hidden and he could be a young slim-cut executive. He put on sunglasses. She said, Pretty cool, and meant it, head to toe.
Walking along wide yellow hallways he became a tour guide talking in a quiet tone about forensics, serology, the use of lasers in latent-print detection, not his area
s but he knew things and was probably a very good cop. She mentioned her brothers, Tony and Ray, into Miami street life and dope busts. Freeze, motherfuckers. Do you ever say that? He said, I think I have. What was she trying to do, talking like that? They passed a workout room and he asked if she was into aerobics, any of that. She said no, but my ex-husband ran five miles every other day while I cleaned the bathroom. He smiled but didn't ask any questions or say if he was married or not. Or if he worked out. In the lobby a uniformed captain, crew cut, white body-shirt stretched over his belly, said, Sergeant? almost past them and they stopped. I believe you could use a haircut there.
Gary said, Yes sir, I'm getting one today. You know I always try to meet your expectations.
Was he serious?
Kathy wasn't sure. Maybe the captain wasn't either the way he stared at Gary, not saying a word. Then gave them a nod, walked on, and they went through the entrance, Gary holding the door for her. They stopped on the walk leading to the parking area and he said, Well, facing the sun behind Kathy and squinting a little.
She said, Were you putting him on?
Who, the captain?
You always want to live up to his expectations.
He believed me.
Sure, what's he going to say? Listen, you want a haircut, I'll give you one.
You know how?
I used to cut my brothers' hair all the time. I could do yours easy.
Yeah, when?
Call me at the Omar Road office, make an appointment.
He was smiling again. I'm glad we got a chance to meet.
You don't remember the other time?
Look at his face. He had no idea what she meant.
Last August in Riviera Beach, by the projects. You were driving that unmarked Dodge everybody knows is a cop car. I'm walking along
He was smiling now.
You pull over and stop me, want to know if I'm looking for crack or already bought some. You ask to see my ID
Now he was nodding. Your hair was different.
It was long then. You couldn't believe I'd go in that neighborhood alone, to check on one of my guys.
He said, That's where it was. I've been racking my brain.
I could see that, Kathy said, beginning to realize it was hard to tell with this guy when he was sincere and when he was laying a line on you. Maybe not so different from her brothers. Well, it's been nice.
No ring. Which didn't mean anything. Maybe divorced and took his kids to the beach on weekends. There were all kinds of those around. Walking away she turned back and said to him, still in the same place watching her, You didn't tell me, do you work out?
Once in a while. He raised his hand and said, I'll see you.
Yeah, but when?
Chapter 10
Leanne had said to Bob Gibbs, When you get home from court today I'll be gone. I'll call one of my dear friends meaning some nitwit from one of her psychic workshops to drive me to the bus station.
That was the extent of her intelligence, to leave here you took a bus. He told her, trying hard to sound dejected, to take the car if she wanted. Long as he had his pickup.
She said, Don't ask if I'm going to the Spring or back to my roots, Luna Pier, Ohio, because I won't tell you. She said, I may not ever speak to you again, Big, for what you did. I hope someday I will have it in my heart to forgive you, but I can't promise.
Bob Gibbs said wait now, curious, forgive him for what?
She said, Having that alligator brought to our house.
He worked himself up protesting. How could she accuse him of something like that? What would be his reason?
Leanne said, I don't believe it was to see me dead, you pass that sentence in court and keep your hands clean. But I know now you want to see me leave, so I will.
He couldn't argue with that. Still, he told her she should try opening her heart. Get in touch with her spirit guide and seek her guidance in looking at this situation.
Leanne said, Wanda Grace is the one told me you had the alligator brought.
There was no way he was going to argue through Leanne with a twelve-year-old colored girl dead 135 years and hope to come out ahead. He helped Leanne with her suitcases full of rocks and books, and put them in her car.
That was forty-eight hours ago and he hadn't heard a word from her since. So Bob Gibbs was feeling new life this afternoon in court. He had two sentencing hearings, one of them Dicky Campau up for alligator poaching but no probation violations, damn it, no chance of the little girl making an appearance. Marialena Reyes was prosecuting. He asked her if she happened to see Kathy Baker in the courthouse. Marialena said no, not today. Bob Gibbs left the bench, everyone rising, stepped into his chambers and told his JA to call the Probation Office and ask for Katherine Baker, he wanted to see her about a matter. Then had a fit when she wasn't there. Well, where is she? His judicial assistant, another Bob, who'd been with him ever since coming to the bench, said, If they don't know, Judge, how'm I suppose to know? Bob Gibbs returned to the courtroom. This time as everyone rose his mood was taking a downward turn.
The first hearing didn't help any.
It started out looking simple enough. The defendant, a repeat offender, had previously been given ninety days on a burglary of a conveyance, but before going to jail had been allowed thirty days on the street. During this time he was arrested again, twice, on a grand theft auto and a petty theft, stealing a pack of cigarettes. Marialena Reyes said they were dropping the grand theft auto, since they didn't have much of a case, and would recommend enhancing the defendant's sentence from ninety days to nine months in the county jail. But the defendant wanted state prison time so he could get his glasses and his teeth fixed, which the police broke when they arrested him on the grand theft auto, now dropped. Marialena Reyes said okay, then she was recommending twenty-seven months DOC time. The defendant said that wasn't fair, twenty-seven months for stealing a pack of cigarettes? Marialena explained to him he would only do nine of the twenty-seven months; it would be the same as county jail time except he would have a chance to get his teeth and his glasses fixed. The defendant said no, originally he was going to do six months in the Stockade on the burglary of a conveyance and it was reduced to ninety days. So how about giving him eighteen months DOC time and he'd do six? How did that sound?
Up on the bench Bob Gibbs pictured Kathy Baker out at his place, strolling about in a white dress and a straw sunhat as he showed her his flowers, his orchids blooming in trees, watched her expression as she realized what a sensitive man he was, in close touch with nature. He could daydream and still follow Marialena and the defendant okay, but that was enough. Time to end it. Bob Gibbs banged his fist down hard. He said, What is going on here? And to the defendant, Keep arguing, you'll do the entire twenty-seven months. The defendant said, Judge, that wasn't fair. And Bob Gibbs said, Fair? What's fair got to do with it?
They showed utter contempt of the law but expected the system to be fair, which to them meant lenient.
There was Dicky Campau and his wife, Inez, a big ugly woman, in the first row behind the defense table, Dicky expecting his hearing to turn out fair. Get off for doing a favor. Except he hadn't done the favor the way he was supposed to.
Leaving the bench Bob Gibbs told his clerk he'd be right back. In his chambers he said to his JA, Call the probation office and get her home address and phone number for me, Katherine Baker.
I'm way ahead of you, his JA said, and handed him a sheet of note paper. She lives in Delray.
Bob Gibbs, not caring for anyone to be way ahead of him, said, Call them back. What I want is for her to phone me, at home if not before I leave here.
Give them your unlisted number?
Be fair with the hired help too, show patience.
Bob Gibbs said, Think about it. How would she call me otherwise?
The allegation against Dicky Campau was that he had taken a young alligator from the Palm Beach Canal, approximately fifty yards south of Summit Boulevard, ki
lled it and was skinning the tail when apprehended by a sheriff's deputy. Someone in the neighborhood had called 911 upon hearing gunshots about fifteen minutes earlier.
Dicky Campau had told at his arraignment, he was on his way to Charley's Crab with a load of fresh frog legs when he saw the gator on the spoil bank, not in the canal, and it was already dead when he stopped and checked. He said he would plead guilty to skinning the tail for meat before it turned as anybody would do that saw it laying there, but he had not killed the gator, a young male just under six feet. That was Dicky Campau's story. As long as no one had seen him pull the gator out of the water with his snatch hook and hit it over the head with a tire iron, he was sticking to it.
What messed up Dicky Campau's story, the deputy at the arraignment had testified there was a .22 rifle in Dicky's pickup and because gunshots were reported he assumed this was the weapon used. Dicky swore that even those couple of times before when he'd been arrested for poaching, he never used a rifle. He testified the deputy had smelled the .22 and knew it hadn't been fired. It must've been somebody else saw the gator before he did and shot it for sport. The deputy had said he was not a ballistics expert and Dicky had said, He's got a nose, don't he?
It was too late now to check the rifle, determine if it had been fired this had happened over two months ago. They didn't even know for sure what had killed the gator. But the prosecutor, a Latin woman, kept bringing up the .22 saying we know shots were fired and the defendant was found with a dead alligator and a rifle. What other conclusion can be drawn.
That was the case against him. Like saying the only way to kill a gator was to shoot it. That deputy hadn't even looked at his tire iron.
Now Dicky Campau waited for Judge Gibbs to come through. Maybe say something about it being unfair to convict a man when all we know he did was cut some tail meat. The judge was looking right at him now.
In that the defendant understands and appreciates the findings of these proceedings and is capable of entering into a plea admitting he was in the process of skinning the alligator when apprehended, I have to agree with the state, at least in substance. But, I'm gonna go easy on you, Mr. Campau.