*****
Representative Gerald Derby’s Office - Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. (3 Days Ago)
“Detective Nash.”
Waiting in the small lobby off the representative’s office, Beck tried not to let her agitation show as Derby at last came through the door.
“I was told you wanted to speak with me.”
“Yes, Sir.” Beck nodded. “Could we talk in your office?”
Eyes dipping to her badge, Derby looked decidedly uneasy as he turned to lead Beck inside. Not knowing which department she was from, or her reason for being there, he could only imagine the worst as he gestured her to a chair and closed the door.
“What can I do for you?”
Looking to the bookshelves over Derby’s head as he took his seat, Beck studied the display of the man’s achievements. Instead of trophies and ribbons, it was made up of pictures of Derby at the shelters he helped fund, the schools he helped keep open, all the things in which the representative took the greatest pride. And, in each of the photos, he was surrounded by those who benefitted most from his efforts.
“Did you molest those women and children?”
Derby’s face going instantly red, Beck knew it wasn’t the best start to their conversation. And the only start. The best way to know something was to ask a direct question. One could tell a lot from the way someone reacted, or failed to react, to an accusation like that.
“No, I did not.” Derby’s lips set so firm, he could barely push the words through them.
“I didn’t think so,” Beck said, and it relaxed the tension in Derby’s face, if only slightly. “Do you know who any of these alleged accusers are? Have you been given a single name?”
“No.” Derby shook his head. “The reports have been kept anonymous.”
“That’s convenient,” Beck said. And the only way someone could pull something like this off. “It means all someone would need is a list of people who have benefited from your charities and a telephone. If the names aren’t released to the press, whoever made this report could be using the real names of people who can be connected to you, but those people may not even know they are your accusers.”
“Why would someone do something like that?” Derby questioned.
“To torture you.”
“But why?”
“Because he can.” It was the only answer Beck had. That anyone had. “There is no easy way to say this, but I have reason to believe your life may be in danger.”
“From whom?”
“I wish I could tell you, I really do, but I don’t know,” Beck said. “If I’m right, though, this man will kill you.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do?” Derby asked.
“I think you should leave town.” Beck had been thinking about it all day, and it was the only solution she had. “If you’re not here, you will force him off his entire game. It could be beneficial to both of us.”
“I am not leaving town,” Derby declared. “If I leave town now, it will look like I’m running. People will assume I’m guilty. I will not let someone make people believe that I did this.”
“Sir.” Beck slid forward on her chair in appeal. “People already believe it. If you leave now, you will be alive to defend yourself.”
“I’m sorry, Detective Nash.” Derby shook his head. “I understand that you’re trying to help, but I can’t do that. I have security on my staff.”
“They won’t be enough,” Beck said.
“They are very good at their jobs.”
“I’m sure they are. But this man, he is better. At the very least, you need a police detail. If you want, I’ll tell my lieutenant you’ve been threatened.”
“That isn’t true.”
“Sir, I assure you, you have been threatened,” Beck said. “I believe that you’re a good man. A noble man. There aren’t a lot of you. Please, don’t let him do this.”
“And I believe you’re a good cop,” Derby responded. “And you probably know what you’re talking about. But I won’t be scared out of my own city. And I won’t make it look like the police are defending me while everyone believes I am guilty. That makes the entire system look corrupt.”
“Sir -”
“Thank you for the warning, Detective.” Representative Derby got to his feet to let Beck know the conversation was over. “I’ll let my team know.”
“Yes, Sir,” Beck responded. It was all that she could do.