Fatal Exposure - By Gail Barrett Page 0,59
and her gaze steady as she crossed the room. She radiated poise and power.
“Good afternoon. I’m Gwendolyn Shaffer,” she said to Brynn. “Senator Riggs’s chief of staff.”
“Brynn Elliot.” Parker watched the exchange, noting the sharp curiosity in the woman’s eyes as they shook hands.
“This is Detective McCall,” Brynn said. “From the Baltimore Police Department.”
The chief of staff’s smile didn’t falter, nothing in her expression indicating any surprise. This woman wasn’t a novice, Parker realized, his respect for her rising a degree. He’d have a tough time shaking her composure enough to glean anything of note.
She ushered them into her office and offered drinks, which they refused. As they took their seats by the bookcase, Parker ran his gaze around the room, taking in the huge window overlooking the atrium, the plush carpet and leather chairs. No trace of her hardscrabble roots in here.
“I’m quite a fan of your work,” Shaffer told Brynn, taking a seat in an armchair across from them. The chitchat dwindled a moment later, and Shaffer sat back, an expectant look in her eyes.
Parker cleared his throat, drawing her attention to him. “I’m afraid we came here under false pretenses.” For the first time Shaffer blinked. “I need information about an event the senator hosted in July. I didn’t want to go through the usual channels because the investigation is sensitive. I don’t want word getting out just yet.”
“I see.” A cautious note crept into her voice. “How can I help you?”
He shifted in his chair. “The senator hosted a reception for the ambassador of Jaziirastan at the Willard InterContinental Hotel on July 16. I’m interested in one of the attendees, Hugh Hoffman, the chief of the Baltimore Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division.”
Shaffer pursed her lips, her expression giving nothing away. “So this is official police business? You’re investigating Colonel Hoffman?”
Smart question, one he’d expect a lawyer to ask. “No, it’s not official yet. I’m only gathering information right now.”
“Exactly what do you need to know?”
“Whether he attended the reception and what time he left. I’d also like a copy of the guest list, if that’s possible.”
Shaffer steepled her hands. He could almost see her mind spinning, weighing the repercussions for the senator, her boss. Then she rose and went to her desk.
He traded a glance with Brynn, caught the worry in her eyes over how Shaffer would react. But Shaffer picked up the telephone receiver and punched a key. “Nancy, I need you to bring me the guest list from the Jaziirastan reception on July 16 and the schedule of events. Right away. Thanks.”
She replaced the receiver in its cradle, then turned to face them again. “Colonel Hoffman was at the reception, but I don’t know what time he left. He was there for the senator’s speech, which I believe was around nine-thirty. I didn’t see him again after that.”
Parker frowned. “You’re sure he was there?”
“He stood beside me during the speech.”
“And the event took place at the Willard?”
“That’s right.”
So if Hoffman had left by ten, he’d had enough time to get to the camp in western Maryland, which was just over an hour away. And while that information didn’t necessarily convict him, neither did it rule him out.
A soft knock came from the door. “Come in,” Shaffer called.
The secretary entered the room and handed several papers to the chief of staff. “Just as I thought,” Shaffer said when the secretary left. “The senator gave his remarks at nine-thirty. He usually speaks for fifteen or twenty minutes. There was nothing scheduled after that. As I said, I don’t remember seeing Colonel Hoffman later, so I really don’t know when he left.”
She walked over and handed the other sheet to him. “This is the list of guests.”
“I appreciate it.”
Her gaze was cool. “I’m happy to cooperate. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to call and ask.”
In other words, go through the proper channels. Parker rose, recognizing a dismissal when he heard it, no matter how polite her tone of voice. “Thanks for your time.”
“Of course.” She cast a quick glance back at the phone. And suddenly Parker knew with absolute certainty that she was going to contact Hoffman the instant they left the room.
Which meant he had to get Brynn to safety at once.
Shaffer walked them to the door and turned to Brynn. “If you’d still like to speak with the senator, I’m sure we can set something up.”
Parker waited, his impatience mounting, as Brynn took her card and murmured a polite reply. Then he hurried