Page 26 of Fatal Strike
Leah stepped from the passenger side of Jon’s truck and walked with him to the front of the home. The same officer from the previous day checked with Rachel before letting them inside.
Rachel stood in the foyer—red eyes and no makeup. “Come in.” She led the way to the sunlit living area, where they’d spoken the previous day. She sat on a huge chair that swallowed her. Maybe it had been Judge Mendez’s. An envelope was in her hand.
“We appreciate your seeing us this morning.” Leah noted the children and grandmother were nowhere in sight.
She leaned forward and gave Leah the envelope. “The list I should have given you yesterday. There are only six criminals who vehemently threatened my husband over the past five years. These people were angry with his rulings. Four are currently incarcerated. If any of them are involved in my husband’s death, they’re working from inside a cell. Although my husband assured me he kept no secrets, I can’t verify this is complete.”
Leah scanned the list but didn’t recognize any of the names. She handed it to Jon, but he obviously didn’t have questions and returned the folded piece of paper. She tucked it into her shoulder bag. “Do you want to discuss the names?”
“There’s nothing more for me to say. Have you found evidence for an arrest?”
“No more than what you’ve already heard from the media. Were you able to sleep last night?”
Rachel shook her head. “Thanks for asking. Even when my husband was only out of town, I rarely slept. Before my daughter went to bed, I told her Daddy was with the angels in heaven. She didn’t take it well and crawled into bed with me. We comforted each other.”
“I’m sincerely sorry. Agent Colbert and I won’t take long. Please tell Ella I said hello.”
“I will. How can I help you other than to give you my list?” Rachel’s ragged voice hinted of a breakdown.
No one should experience lawless tragedy.
“You told us yesterday that your husband was acquainted with Officer Ian Greer, but it seems like they’d known each other since school days.”
“Yes. I’m sorry.” She sighed. “My mind wasn’t functioning well yesterday. Still isn’t. Ian and Nicolás had been good friends for years. His death devastated both of us.”
To Leah, this confirmed the judge, Officer Greer, and Attorney Trevelle were killed for the same reason.
At Leah’s nod, Jon switched the direction of the interview. “One of our leads is a young man who spent time in prison—Dylan Ortega. We understand he once worked for your husband as part of his community service. What can you tell us about him?”
Rachel swallowed hard. “I saw the FBI and police are looking for him. I’ve been thinking about Dylan—polite, kind. He did odd jobs, minor repair and landscaping needs around our property and at the judge’s office. I remember he was shy and mannerly. My daughter talked to him sometimes, and whatever she said always made him laugh. We had no problems with his work. I never suspected him of misleading or deceptive conduct. While my husband believed in maximum sentencing, he wanted to see lives changed. Since Dylan belonged to our church, the judge gave him another chance by reducing his sentence and assigning community service work. His mother and I attend the same Mass, but I don’t recall seeing Dylan with her often.”
“Are you and Silvia Ortega friends?”
“Acquaintances. I think her son is innocent, but where is he? Please, find Dylan. He might have information about who killed my husband.”
Compassion laced Jon’s words. “We’re doing our best, Mrs. Mendez.”
“I know investigations take time.”
“Father Gabriel spoke about his friendship with your husband, their golf outings and the community service link. Did your husband ever have reservations about Father Gabriel’s position of forgiveness and second chances?”
Rachel hesitated. “While they chose not to discuss matters affecting their friendship, the judge was often frustrated with Father Gabriel’s position regarding the various gangs and his desire to bring them to God. My husband preferred the spiritual aspect occur after the arrest.”
“Did the difference of opinion create a wedge in their friendship?”
“Neither man would back down from his convictions.”
“Judge Mendez still used St. Peter’s for community service,” Leah said.
“My husband believed in rehabilitation, and he was a man of faith. If the friendship looks complicated to you, note both men wanted the same thing. It was their methods of achieving it that caused disagreements but not at the cost of their friendship.”
Leah thanked the woman for her candid response before switching gears. “Have you decided on a day and time for the funeral service?”
“Father Gabriel and I made arrangements last evening. The viewing will be on Friday evening with a prayer service, and the funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday at 10a.m. The wake will be at the parish.”
Jon glanced at Leah. “Agent Riesel and I will be at both services.”
Leah nodded.
