The Investigators (Badge of Honor 7)

“I’m Special Agent Jernigan of the FBI, and this is Special Agent Leibowitz.” He showed Matt his identification, then went on: “We’d like to talk to you. May we come in?”

“Talk to me about what?”

“May we come in?”

“Talk to me about what?” Matt repeated.

“If you don’t mind, Mr. Payne, we’ll ask the questions,” Special Agent Jernigan said.

“W

hat is this, some sort of a joke?” Matt asked, aware that his temper was simmering just below the surface.

“I assure you, this is not a joke.”

“Ask your questions,” Matt said.

“Is Miss Susan Reynolds in your apartment?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business, but no, she’s not.”

“We’ll decide what’s our business, if you don’t mind.”

“And I will decide whether or not I’ll answer your questions, if you don’t mind.”

“You understand, of course, Mr. Payne, that interfering with a federal investigation is a crime?”

“I heard that somewhere. But I also heard that declining to answer questions is not considered interfering with an investigation. I think they call that the Fifth Amendment.”

“We understand, Mr. Payne,” Agent Leibowitz said, “that you were with Miss Reynolds last night?”

Matt understood when Leibowitz spoke that Leibowitz was the senior agent of the two, and that Leibowitz had opened his mouth only because he understood that Agent Jernigan and the interviewee had developed a personality conflict that would interfere with the interview.

“Yes, I was,” Matt said.

“Would you mind telling us where you went with her when you left the Nesbitt residence together?”

“I did not leave the Nesbitt residence with anyone,” Matt said.

Christ, have these guys been talking to Daffy? What the hell is this all about?

“We believe you did,” Agent Leibowitz said.

“Frankly, I don’t care if you believe in the Easter Bunny,” Matt said. “I’m telling you I left the Nesbitt residence alone, and that’s absolutely the last thing I’m going to tell you until you tell me what this is all about.”

“I don’t understand your hostility, frankly, Mr. Payne,” Leibowitz said. “You have something against the FBI?”

“Some of my best friends are FBI agents, but I don’t think I would want my sister to marry one,” Matt said.

Matt saw that Agent Jernigan’s face had grown red. And that pleased him.

“Where are you employed, Mr. Payne?” Jernigan asked, somewhat menacingly.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to be asking any more questions, are you? Didn’t Agent Leibowitz take over the interview?”

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Payne,” Agent Leibowitz said, and walked toward the elevator.

“’Bye, now,” Matt said. “Have a nice night!”