Circle of Influence (A Zoe Chambers Mystery) by Annette Dashofy Page B

corner behind the reporters. The creases in his forehead indicated he knew he’d screwed up.
    “Metzger, get these people out of here,” Pete ordered.
    “Yes, sir, Chief. Folks, you’ll have to leave. Now.”
    “Hold on there.” McBirney held up an arm, as though stopping traffic. “I told them they could have pictures to go with the interview I just gave them. And I intend to see that they get their photo op.”
    Pete stepped closer to McBirney until their faces were mere inches apart. Zoe strained to hear Pete’s whisper. “And I’m telling you. Get the hell out of my police station before I decide to lock you in that cell with Sylvia and let her finish the job she started.”
    “You think I’m scared of an old lady?”
    “I think you ought to be.”
    McBirney glowered at him. Zoe wished she could see Pete’s face.
    Silence hung between them for several long moments. Two reporters scribbled madly on their notepads. A third raised his camera, and the flash lit the hallway.
    At that moment, Elizabeth Sunday stepped in and placed a hand on McBirney’s arm. “Jerry, I told you this was a bad idea. Let Chief Adams do his job. Mrs. Bassi is under arrest. That’s what you wanted. Leave it at that.”
    “What I want is to have the computer confiscated,” he snapped at her.
    Zoe looked at Logan who met her gaze with an expression that said I told you so .
    “Detective Baronick is with Rose over at Sylvia’s house right now picking it up,” Pete said.
      Logan stood outside Sylvia’s cell, still holding hands with his grandmother. But Allison was nowhere to be seen. Zoe looked around, but couldn’t find the dark-haired girl anywhere.  When was the last time she’d seen the girl? They’d come into the station together. They’d all slipped through the door from the storage room into the hallway together. After that, she wasn’t so sure.
    A commotion drew Seth’s attention back to the front offices.
    “The murder victim’s wife just pulled in,” came a shout.
    Three of the four reporters spun in unison and charged past Seth, flattening him against the wall.
    “I got it, Chief,” he said before Pete had a chance to bark orders again. Then he disappeared after the group.
    The one remaining reporter thrust a small digital recorder in Pete’s direction.
    “Excuse me, Chief Adams, but would you like to comment about the Bassi homicide or the skirmish at the magistrate’s office this morning?”
    Pete fixed him with a stare. The reporter’s hand started to quiver. Then he withdrew the recorder and turned to follow his colleagues toward a potentially more talkative subject.
    “Is it safe to assume,” Elizabeth Sunday said, her hand still resting on McBirney’s arm, “since Mrs. Bassi has returned that your detective is also back with the evidence?”
    “You can assume whatever you like,” Pete said. “But you’ll have to do it somewhere else.”
    McBirney’s grin turned into a broad, victorious smile. Zoe was glad she hadn’t had a chance to eat lunch.
    “Yes, of course,” McBirney said. “Ms. Sunday, let’s go see what kind of interview the widow Bassi is giving the reporters.”
    “You’re a pig,” Logan said, his voice cracking.
    Sylvia patted his hand, while Zoe put an arm around his shoulders and shushed him.
    McBirney chuckled and turned to leave. But before he and the attorney took a step, a tall, rather attractive man appeared in the hallway. Wearing a long, dark wool coat and an exuberant grin, the new arrival seemed familiar to Zoe. She’d seen him before. But where?
    “Chief, I figured you’d want to log that computer into the evidence room yourself,” the man said.
    McBirney extended a hand toward the newcomer. “You must be Chief Adams’ detective. Baronick, is it? I’m Township Supervisor Jerry McBirney.”
    The man raised an eyebrow at Pete, who gave a slight nod. “Mr. McBirney.” He took the offered hand. “Yes, I’m Detective Wayne Baronick. But I’m afraid