(c) "It's a lot easier than to have it happen to you, buster."
He stood. His back was to her. He looked out the window at the darkened lawn.
"I don't know," he said. "I don't know if it is any easier. What I do know is you're making it harder. You like grinding it into me."
"Maybe. And maybe you liked looking at me when you came in, bound and gagged and naked. Maybe you liked that," she said. "Maybe it turned you on."
Newman half turned away from the window and hit the bedroom door with his right fist. The door didn't break but his hand hurt badly.
CHAPTER 4.
Lieutenant Vincent stood with his hips resting against his desk and his arms folded across his chest. Croft sat on one straight chair and Newman on the other.
Croft shrugged. "So that's it, Lieutenant. He says he can't make the ID in court. Says he was mistaken."
"Has anyone threatened you, Mr. Newman?"
Newman shook his head.
"No one has said or done anything to change your mind?"
Newman shook his head again. Vincent looked at Croft. They were silent.
Newman said, "I'm sorry, but…" Without looking at him Vincent said, "Shut up." Croft said to Vincent, "Who knew?" Vincent said, "You tell me, Bobby. Who knew we had a witness and what his name was?"
"You, me, people in the squad room People in Smithfield. Valences from Essex County DA's office." He spread his hands. "Too many, Murray. Got no way to know who they talked to."
"We better try, Bobby. They knew before Newman left this fucking office. You hear what I'm saying?"
Croft nodded.
Newman said, "Wait a minute. Nobody…"
Vincent turned toward him. He unfolded his arms and placed his hands palm down on the edge of the desk behind him. "You close it up, scum bag. I got no use for you. You tucked your fucking tail between your fucking legs and hauled ass at the first sign of trouble."