he San Diego PD?”
Again, Det. Dean nodded. “He is. Been a cop for ten years. When he showed up requesting to be part of Dixie’s interrogation, my captain gave him authorization. I was warned not to ask questions.”
Grey hair lightened Lt. Manchester’s temples, indicating he approached retirement. The officer glanced at Josh. “Think we’re all on the same page. Blanchard’s on the senator’s payroll as well as the county’s.”
So far, Blanchard’s tone sounded comforting versus incriminating. By appearance, the guy wasn’t much older than Melodie.
Through a speaker in the viewing room, Josh heard Blanchard explain the small amount of narcotics in her possession was a misdemeanor. Worst case, she’d do a year in prison.
Melodie started to cry when he mentioned the incarceration. Josh noticed Blanchard’s hand shifted toward hers, then stopped abruptly before contact.
The door to the interrogation room opened and a middle-aged man wearing a dark suit and a pinched brow entered, carrying a black leather briefcase.
“I’m assuming that’s Melodie’s attorney,” Dean stated.
The El Cajon police had stonewalled Josh and Lt. Manchester from entering the room, saying they could ask questions once Blanchard was finished. As Josh suspected, Blanchard wrapped up his talk with Melodie once her lawyer arrived.
Bullshit.
The door to the viewing room opened. An El Cajon detective leaned in. “You can talk to her now.”
Lt. Manchester unfolded his arms and headed for the door. “I’ll take the lead.”
NCIS was mainly staffed by civilians. Manchester was one of the few naval officers employed by the department. A few seconds later, the lieutenant appeared inside the interrogation room with Melodie.
As expected, every question Manchester asked was answered by her quick-tongued lawyer. She only copped to seeing Gesem at the estate and described her as a guest.
Josh momentarily concentrated on his breathing to calm his rampaging pulse. “Det. Dean, did Senator Kallis leave California?”
“No. His corporate jet is still in San Diego. His lawyers asked for a couple days while he grieves for his son before making a statement to the police.”
“Statement? As in, he will not answer questions.” Josh highly doubted Kallis senior had the ability to grieve. Some researchers believed psychopathy could be inherited. The more severe the case, the greater the possibility of passing it on.
Lt. Manchester queried Melodie as to her whereabouts the night her brother was murdered. Although her lawyer tried to intercept, Melodie answered that she’d picked up her father at the San Diego airport around six-thirty p.m. and drove to the Kallis estate. Josh was certain Melodie and her father were providing cover for each other’s asses.
When Manchester asked if anyone had a reason to murder her brother, Josh held his breath.
“Chandler had a fascination with a woman named Dixie Hammond.” Melodie shot a look at her lawyer who nodded for her to continue. “My brother had been secretly following her for years. Sending her notes. Recently, she found out who he was.” With a pregnant pause, Melodie built the anticipation. “If anyone murdered him, it was probably her.”
Manchester sat back in his seat and stared at the brunette. When she shifted uneasily in her chair, her lawyer asked, “Any more questions?”
The NCIS agent knew he wasn’t going to get the truth from Melodie, especially with her lawyer sitting there playing a game of interception and defense.
“I have an idea,” Josh said.
Det. Dean faced him. “You’re up next. Make it count. My captain is coming down on my head to charge Dixie. Kallis’s people want her indicted to take the heat off of them. I was hoping Dr. Toland found something in his examination of Chandler that proved Dixie’s innocence. So far, that hasn’t happened. The 9mm from Saxton’s apartment might be the key.”
“Did you give Dix a polygraph test?” Josh asked.
“Not yet. It’s customary, but when I approached my captain, he shot it down.”
“Can’t Dix demand a test? She’ll pass. It’s another point in her favor.”
“Yeah, well, in this case, I don’t know if that’s possible.” Dean’s brow cinched with frustration.
Josh crossed his arms. A better idea than driving his fist through a cement wall. “Chandler’s time of death and the text Dixie received to meet him, is proof enough. There’s no video evidence of Dix entering the building. You can’t put her at the scene of the crime.”
Dean nodded, staring through the glass into the interrogation room. “I know that. Eventually, a jury would say the same thing.”
No fucking way would he allow Dixie to rot in a prison waiting for a trial. This farce had to end. Josh turned his