Bishop as Pawn Page 0,113

But he had better plans for Father—plans that included shame, disgrace, conviction, incarceration.” Koesler shook his head in sorrow. “Not, all in all, a very nice person.”

Koznicki and Tully had listened with rapt attention. Each realized how truly helpful this priest had been in this case, as well as in past cases when a crime carried an essentially Catholic character.

“Now that Father Carleson is no longer behind bars and Kleimer has been charged with the murder of Herbert Demers, how goes the case against Julio Ramirez?” Koesler asked.

“Better than I had any reason to expect,” Tully replied. “Ramirez and the two Sanchez girls are out of the hospital but in custody. Julio’s memory is improving. And the details he can’t recall, Estella Sanchez is supplying.

“According to their three individual statements, they knew—as did lots of others—about the bishop’s stash. It was Julio’s idea to take it. His plan was to just go right up to the rectory when they knew the bishop was in his office. They staked out the rectory Sunday afternoon. They spotted the bishop and Carleson when they got back around 5:00. They waited till the lights went on in the bishop’s office. Then they just walked up to the door, rang the bell, and waited while the bishop deactivated the alarm system. He let them in. They gave him a sad song-and-dance about Julio’s mother being in great need. None of them had eaten in days, so they told him.

“It hadn’t occurred to Julio they’d have to kill the bishop to keep him from identifying them. Vicki Sanchez had brought along a piece of lead pipe. When the bishop was sitting in his chair, she passed the pipe to Julio and whispered what he must do.

“So he clobbered Diego in the back of the head. One blow did it. They got the money. They ditched the pipe a few blocks away. Then they bought enough crack to keep a pretty big gang senseless for a long while.

“They even brought us to the pipe. So now we have the murder weapon, complete with prints. We even got it down to this: Doc Moellmann estimated—based on the height of the bishop, the fact that he was sitting down, the angle of the blow—that the perp was about five-six or -seven. Julio is five-seven.”

“One thing, Lieutenant,” Koesler said, “I don’t understand why the kids are being so cooperative.…”

Tully smiled. “Mr. Anthony Wayne. Whatever we could do to them is absolutely nothing compared with what Mr. Wayne’s organization would do to them if they didn’t cooperate with us and tell us the truth.”

“So,” Koznicki said, “it is as Lieutenant Tully thought in the beginning: robbery and murder for drugs. It happens so often. If we had not been sidetracked from the beginning with that preoccupation with Father Carleson, much of this might not have happened.”

Koznicki did not mention Quirt, who was responsible, as far as the police were concerned, for the Carleson preoccupation. It was not in the inspector’s nature to needlessly place blame.

“Kleimer,” Koznicki continued, “might have ended up prosecuting the guilty parties. He might not even have learned what happened to his former wife and her reconciliation with the Church. He definitely would not now be accused of murder. Fate is strange.

“By the way …” Koznicki turned to Tully. “… have you heard who will be defending Kleimer?”

Tully chuckled. “Yeah. Avery Cone. He’s got some free time now that he’s no longer retained by the Church to work on Carleson’s case.”

“And Father Carleson,” Koznicki asked Koesler, “what will he be doing?”

“He hasn’t decided. So much publicity! But I think he’s going to continue his incardination procedure with the Detroit archdiocese. He is, naturally, quite impressed with Cardinal Boyle. And I’m particularly pleased: He has become a dear friend.”

Tully picked up the coffeepot from the hot plate and tipped it over his cup. Nothing emerged.

Koesler reached for the pot. “It’s empty. Here, let me just go fix another pot—”

“No!” Tully responded, somewhat more forcefully than necessary. He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to get back to work. But thanks anyway.”

Koesler looked invitingly at Inspector Koznicki.

“No, no … none for me either. We must be back at headquarters. There is always so much to do.”

Once again, Koesler had to wonder. Oh, well; at least his newfound friend Father Carleson liked his coffee.

The two officers were getting into their overcoats. Tully, head tilted toward Koesler, said, “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you …” His tone indicated a