Elrick took a deep breath. “Witness or suspect?”
“Neither. The guy came in and gave himself up.”
Elrick’s eyes bulged and an elated smile formed on his lips.
“You mean he came in here and said he killed Renzelli?”
“That’s what I mean,” the other cop said.
“Then it’s okay!” Elrick yelled. “Everything’s okay!”
“What’s okay?” the other cop said dully. “Listen, I cracked this case. I did it alone. Nobody helped. I went out and put the pieces together and I nabbed the murderer. Even if he did get away, it stands to reason that I found him out. So he came back. He gave himself up. Reeve can’t take credit for that. And he won’t, no matter how hard he tries. Don’t you think I’m gonna let myself get pushed around!”
“Elrick, I’m thinking that you must have bumped your head some place and it’s affected you,” the other cop said, eyes and voice still dull. “Maybe you better go in there and find out a few things.”
Elrick grabbed at the door handle. He dashed into the small room. He saw a few detectives. He saw a few cops. He saw Reeve. And then he was looking at someone who was sitting in a chair beneath a droplight.
It was Herbie.