Three Shirt Deal (2008) by Stephen - Scully 07 Cannell Page A

formalities."
    He was very easy to like. With our huge Hispanic population in Los Angeles, I could see why he could go far in Southern California politics.
    "Thank you, Tito." Secada widened her smile. When she turned the wattage up, I heard him exhale slightly. The hook was set.
    "Anyway," she continued, "during Tru's interrogation, he says he got confused and signed a confession that Lieutenant Devine wrote for him."
    "I see." Morales opened the Hickman file in his hands and frowned down at it. "Just hit the high points then," he said. "I assume you're here because you feel there's a due-process problem."
    "Yes, sir, we do," Scout said.
    We ran Tito through the basics. Once we were finished he continued to frown.
    "This sounds horrible," he finally said.
    "Yes sir," Secada said. "That's why it seems wrong that the case was closed by Captain Sasso just as we started to get into it."
    Morales stood and walked to his window and looked out. "This is exactly the kind of thing that really gets me," he said softly. "I have to take the investigator's statements and reports at face value. Same with a confession. I have to assume a suspect was informed correctly of his rights and wasn't lied to about his polygraph results or case facts in order to secure a confession. If this murder was inadequately investigated, or if the suspect was lied to, then it should be reopened. For the primary investigator to fail to follow through on that footprint, or fully interview this Mike Church person, is absolutely untenable. What the hell was Van Nuys Robbery-Homicide thinking?"
    "Exactly," Secada said.
    "And despite this, Captain Sasso closed the case?"
    "Worse than that, she filed a PSB charge of insubordination against us for working it after we were told not to," she said.
    He turned back from the window. "Sounds like you've got a little bit of a reckless streak, Detective Llevar." Then he smiled, showing beautiful teeth. "Don't get me wrong, I like reckless when it comes to upholding the tenets of the law. It shows a commitment to principle."
    All of this directed exclusively to Secada. If I wanted this guy's attention, I was going to have to drop trou and expose myself.
    "If the department ever knew we were over here, we'd both get in major trouble, so we're counting on your discretion," Scout said.
    "I'm glad you came." He turned his heroic gaze out the window again. "I was part of that plea bargain. If what you're telling me checks out, then we've made a terrible mistake."
    "And you're willing to admit it?" Secada asked. She leaned forward, showing him a nice swell of breasts.
    "As you undoubtedly know, I'm running for mayor in a fe w m onths." More great Latino porcelain came on display. "There are those in my campaign who would say that to admit such an error would cause me problems politically, but I see it differently. A man has to have a code, a standard he lives up to. My job is to stand up for what's right. If I make a mistake, then I'm honor bound to admit it. If I sent this boy away on bad facts, then I damn sure should be the one to fix it." Somewhere up in heaven angels were singing.
    "Thank you, sir," Secada said, smiling. Then she glanced at me and raised an impatient eyebrow, prompting me to say something.
    "Thanks," I muttered.
    He crossed to his desk and handed us each his card.
    "My private line is on here. I suggest maybe you two should drop your investigation now and let me run with it. If you stay involved, you're gonna have more trouble with Jane. I'll try and help out there, but there's only so much I can do. She can be difficult sometimes."
    We thanked him again and prepared to leave.
    "So how do I reach you?" Tito said, addressing Secada again.
    We both gave him our cards. Mine was going into some bottom desk drawer. Hers would undoubtedly end up in the glassine section of his wallet.
    "I hope you can reopen this so Shane and I don't cook in the gravy," Scout said.
    "I'll think of something. How 'bout if I tell PSB