page15 (1/2)

That being JT was dead under suspicious circumstances and the cops wanted to talk to me further

Robert called Doug, and Doug called me

We spoke for fifteen minutes and he advised ation but were proactive in setting up thewith the detectives as they requested And so this is where I ae conference roo a few episodes of Law & Order The roo in sunshine The opposite interior wall is solid, clear glass with vertical blinds that are open so we can see the hallway that's lined with individual offices with detectives' names on brass plates beside each door The room almost has a boardroom feel to it, as the conference table is oval shaped and done in cherry ith eight chairs around it covered in burgundy leather

Doug and I hadwith Sela, who's back there waiting for us He's an interesting-looking fellow, not one I would i-time criminal defense attorney He's probably about sixty with curly hair worn short and corayed He can't be any taller than five five and wears a nondescript navy suit with a smart yello tie Horn-rims complete the look, which is more retired professor than courtroom shark

Even though Robert recouy had so cases under his belt and was known for representing high-profile celebrities who got into trouble He assuredthat could be construed as incri, but that anted to be as open as we could so they would be assured we had nothing to hide

I struggled not to laugh when he said that I guess poor Doug looks at all potential clients as innocent

The conference roo a cardboard tray with three large lidded cups She kicks the door closed behind her and gives a quick nod toas she rounds the opposite side of the table fro the tray toward us, she says, "Coffee if you want some"

Doug grabs a cup but I don't It ht be paranoid, but I'm not about to leave evidence behind "Thanks but no," I say politely "I've already had my one allotted cup for the day"

"Would you like some water?" she asks

"I'ood"

"All right then," she says leaning back in her chair, also ignoring the coffee "My partner is handling soation so it's just us today And this is just sort of an inforet more infora debt"

I nod with an understanding sether my ass I didn't ht that popped on as soon as Detective Denning sat down at the table She doesn't have a notepad or computer with her, and I' so I'll open up

"I' a thumb over her shoulder at it

Yup Noticed that

"We're recording this, and for the record, can you state your name?"

"Beckett North," I reply

"And you're represented by attorney Doug Shriver, who is in attendance with us today, correct?"

"Correct"

"Mr North, I'd like to knowdebt you say that Mr Townsend owed to soet the distinct impression she really doesn't care about it

So I tell her everything I know, leaving out, of course, the way in which I orchestrated VanZant to take the fall I tell her about JT calling me to pick him up at the hospital, and how he told as bookie That he'd lost two ht, e know as a ot his ass handed to hied me for the ree to give it to hi this, but I knew I had to

"Did there coreed to bail him out?" she asks

I nod "I told hiive him the money plus an extra million, and he wouldn't have to repay n over ownership of our business"

She doesn't seem surprised by this at all, and that makes me nervous

"Why did you want ownership of The Sugar Bowl?" she prods

"Because he was clearly e She doesn't press me further

"And did he agree to those terms?"

I shrug "I have no clue I was expecting him to call me and let me know his answer the day he died He only had three days to deliver the et some funds liquidated"

"If they gave hi him before the deadline?" she asks as she leans back in her chair

"No idea," I tell her "Why did they beat him up so soon after he lost the bet?"

"That is the million-dollar question, isn't it?" she rin "Or the five-million-dollar question as it may be"

I don't laugh or smile back

Detective Denning now leans forward in her chair, placing her forear her hands Gone is the casual cop, and now I' one who has determination in her eyes