The Oaths We Keep

Chapter 39

The following day, McClendon came into Taylor's office with a big grin. "I've got a copy of the bachelor party video," McClendon said, producing a flash drive and handing it to Taylor. "It's from Steven Nelson. Lives about forty-five minutes from town and is a long-time friend of Greg Rutland." He handed the flash drive over to Taylor, who accepted it with excitement. 

"So, how did you get this so fast?" Taylor asked him as he placed the flash drive in the USB port.

"It turns out he has a jealous wife who would hate to see him dancing with another woman no matter how long ago it was, and from what's on that video, I can't blame him. Nothing too wild, but I doubt Mrs. Nelson would like to see that. Not to mention, I can see why Mrs. Harper wouldn't want that out and about either."

"You watched it already?"

"Had to make sure it worked."

Taylor clicked on the video file and watched as it loaded. "Yep, it works alright," he said as the video began. The video was about 15 minutes long, and from the look of it, whoever recorded the performance started well after it had begun. The video quality was not the best, but a young Erin Harper danced in the shot. She disappeared for a few seconds and reappeared but did not seem to know she was on camera. After viewing the video for a few minutes, Taylor asked McClendon, "I don't guess Rutland is in the video, is he?"

"Afraid we didn't get that lucky. Most of the guys in the video are viewed from the rear, and you don't get good looks at their faces. They weren't supposed to be the stars of the show, though. Even so, he's not in the video at all."

"But Nelson can put him there, right?"

"Yes, he told me for sure Rutland was there. He gave me a couple of bonus items. Some photographs of himself and Rutland at the party together. Unfortunately, that proves he was at the party but does not prove he was there at the same time as Erin Harper."

"True, but it does give us some leverage against him. First, we need to get him in custody, and I know how to do it. Let's have a word with Barry Sherman."

The three men were sitting in the interrogation room a few minutes later. "Barry, I've got some good news for you. Tomorrow, you'll be well enough to return to work after your nasty stomach bug today."

"You're letting me go?"

Taylor laughed out loud and then said to McClendon, "Did you hear that? Are we letting him go.? Hey, that's a good one, Barry, no. No, we are not letting you go, but we are going to send you back to work. This is what you're going to do. You're going to contact Greg Rutland."

"Mr. Rutland? Why him?"

"Really? Do I have to spell it out for you? Rutland is the guy you're keeping track of for your bosses. You'll give him a little call and tell him you know what he's up to and want a nice payoff, or you go to your handlers with information that he's cooking their books."

"But he'll know I'm lying. He'll see right through me."

"Maybe so, but his bosses won't know. If they think he's stealing their money, he's in big trouble and knows it. All you have to do is tell him your story, and when he makes his move, we'll have him."

"What about me? What do I get out of this?"

"Well, first, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing that you helped put a dangerous criminal behind bars and possibly helped bring down a major drug kingpin. Also, I'll put in a good word for you with the judge and DA; who knows, you may stay out of jail. What do you say, Barry?"

He looked as if he were about to wet himself. "Fine, okay, I'll do it. Not like I have a lot of choices here."

"Hey, that's the spirit, Barry," Taylor said enthusiastically. "Let's get you ready for your big role."