The Jury Master by Robert Dugoni Read Free Book Online

DOJ investigation into Joe Branick’s death. Because Branick was a member of the White House staff and a federal employee, and because his body was found in a national park, the federal government in general, and the United States Department of Justice in particular, had jurisdiction over any investigation. It was Jones’s job to advise the park police of this fact. They were to stand down.
    “I spoke to them first thing this morning, after you and I hung up,” Jones assured him.
    “And they agreed to transfer their files?” Madsen asked.
    “They agreed, but they don’t have jurisdiction, General.”
    Madsen pressed down a cowlick with the palm of his hand. The military had cropped the stubborn tuft of hair, but it had returned when his publicist recommended that he grow his hair longer as his political career took shape. “What do you mean, they don’t have jurisdiction?”
    “It seems that a Charles Town police officer was first on the scene, and one of their detectives took jurisdiction. Apparently he was rather stubborn about it.” Jones pulled a small pad from his coat pocket and considered his notes. “A Detective Tom Molia. He had the body delivered to the county coroner.” He looked up from his notes. “Technically, he’s correct.”
    Madsen did not try to hide his displeasure with the unforeseen turn of events. “Contact the county coroner and tell him he is to relinquish the body without inquiry.”
    “Without inquiry?”
    “An autopsy will be done at the Justice Department.”
    Jones gave him an inquisitive look. “Sir?”
    Madsen eyed Jones’s notepad and pen until Jones closed the pad, clicked his pen, and placed both in the inside pocket of his jacket. “I am not one to sully a dead man’s reputation, Rivers”—Madsen walked around the corner of his desk and opened the drawer—“but as I said, I want there to be full disclosure between us.” He handed Jones a packet and spoke while Jones opened the envelope and pulled out the contents. “I assumed you would subpoena Mr. Branick’s telephone records as part of your investigation, and took the liberty of obtaining them. You will find a telephone call to the White House at 9:13 p.m. Joe Branick called the president night before last. The president related to me that Mr. Branick did not sound well, that he had been drinking. There were rumors of excess, but the president does not want unsubstantiated rumors repeated in the newspapers. Understandably concerned about his friend’s well-being, the president offered to meet with him in private. Joe Branick arrived at the White House at ten-twelve p.m. You will find records of his arrival and departure.”
    Madsen waited while Jones shuffled through the papers. “Statements taken from the two uniformed security officers at the West Gate confirm Mr. Branick’s agitated appearance. The president met with him in the first family’s private quarters, alone. He has since related to me that Joe Branick did not look well. He was foul-tempered.”
    “Did he say what he was upset about?”
    Madsen paced in the slatted light from the French windows and the motes of dust it illuminated, giving him the appearance of an old black-and-white movie. “The White House operates on late-night dinners and handshakes at cocktail receptions; you know that, Rivers. It’s not the way I choose to do business, but when in Rome you do as the Romans do.” He shrugged. “If my Olivia had lived, I’m not sure she would have understood, either.”
    “Understood, sir?”
    Madsen stopped pacing and faced the assistant U.S. attorney. “Joe Branick’s wife despised these affairs, Rivers. She rarely attended. She chose to live in the country. According to the president, their marriage was strained as a result, and Mr. Branick, unhappy. Depressed.” Madsen walked to his desk, picked up a single piece of paper, and handed it to Jones. “Four weeks ago Joe Branick completed an application for a permit to carry a