EXCERPTS

Chapter 5 - The Arrest of Jimmy Greyeyes

Holden and Johnston picked up Jimmy Greyeyes at 4 p.m. He was escorted to the station for questioning, he wasn't told what the crime was. It didn't matter that he wasn't a suspect.

"Your cooperation will help us clear up a very nasty incident, Jimmy," Holden said. "Did you meet Roger Mitchell yesterday afternoon?"

"Yeah… I met him at the Four Seasons, in the restaurant,'' Jimmy replied, he wondered what he meant by nasty incident.

"Did you have an argument with Mr. Mitchell?'' Holden used a calm monotone voice; this was his approach.

"I wouldn't call it an argument, more like a misunderstanding.'' Jimmy began to feel uncomfortable with the lieutenant's line of questioning.

"Did he have reason to yell at you Jimmy?"

"He wasn't yelling,'' Jimmy said defensively. "He was raising his voice, you know trying to convince me that I should accept his offer." He paused. "Mitchell was one of the men who raped my sister."

The detectives exchanged glances. "Very tragic. I'm truly sorry for what happened to your sister. The outcome of the trial, those animals walk away with a warning and a fine. I can understand you hating this man," Holden said, he shook his head in disgust. "So why did you, Jimmy? Why did you meet this bastard?"

"The meeting was arranged by his wife, Lisa.'' Jimmy slowly realized that Mitchell was in trouble. "She wanted me to listen to his proposal, and since she promised a financial settlement for my family I agreed to meet Mitchell."

"So what happened at your meeting?"

"He wanted to give my family $50,000 and I told him I couldn't accept the money. I explained to him that I would tell my family about his proposal and they would make that decision.''

"That's the Indian way of doing things, am I right?"

"Yes. A family meeting is held and everyone must agree.''

"That sounds reasonable to me,'' Holden said, he sounded like a professor of anthropology.

"Did Mitchell show you a statue of the Virgin Mary?"

"He did, he wanted me to give it to my mother."

"Let me guess, you gave him the same answer. No can-do."

"That's right."

"What did you really tell him, Jimmy? That 50K wasn't enough?" Johnson's turn now, his voice wasn't as calm as his partner's.

"I told him the family would decide,'' Jimmy said, he looked up at Johnson, he registered the hostility but remained cool. "He seemed to be under the impression that I could accept the money on the spot. He wanted me to take the money, shake his hand and say thank-you."

"Is that right,'' Johnson said; his condescending tone hinted he didn't buy it.

''Mitchell couldn't wait to give away all that money."

"I can't tell you what his reasons are, but money won't change what happened."

"Are you telling me your sister couldn't use that money?"

"My sister, Sergeant, committed suicide two years ago."