“That’s interesting,” Dupree said. “We never mentioned Cassano. Where did you hear his name?”
A look came over Gallo’s face that Dupree had seen many times before. It was what she called an “oh-shit-moment.”
“Well, Mr. Gallo,” Dupree said. “I really hate to ruin your day, but I have more bad news for you.”
Gallo’s eyes were wide open.
“You see, along with the testimony and sworn statements from your stepson and Oscar Cassano, Margaret Hansen sang like a whippoorwill. She spilled her guts and told us everything. You knew that once Dr. Crawford was out of the way, you could manipulate Dr. Mason and convince him to partner with Adelman and then rehire Hansen, and the four of you would be on your merry way to Emerald City.
“Using your tremendous influence with the FDA, you were going to cut through all the red tape and push Dr. Crawford’s treatment for cancer through the approval process. And then the floodgates would open and all of you would get filthy rich. Your stepson was nothing more than a pawn.”
T.J. pushed a legal pad and pen across the table, in front of Gallo. “We want your confession in writing.”
“I want to speak to my attorney.”
“Suit yourself,” T.J. said. He stood and reached for his handcuffs. “Please stand and turn around.”
“Is that really necessary?” Gallo said. “At least let me preserve some dignity. What do you think I’m going to do, outrun the two of you?”
“You compromised your dignity when you conspired to commit murder,” T.J. said. “Now please stand and turn around.”
Gallo complied and T.J. cuffed him and escorted him to a jail cell.
“Good luck with Adelman,” Dupree said.
“No worries,” T.J. said. “I’ll have a written confession in thirty minutes or less.”
Dupree and Parisi entered interview room 2 and found Dr. Mason pacing the floor.
“Would you mind telling me what the hell is going on?” Mason yelled. “Why are you detaining my associates and me? Do you have any idea how humiliated I am?”
She gestured. “Have a seat and we’ll talk about it,” Dupree said.
Mason dragged the chair away from the table and sat down.
“I’m afraid we’ve got some bad news for you,” Dupree said. “Your joint venture with Hyland is never going to happen.”
“What?”
“Adelman, Gallo, and Hansen will be spending the next two decades behind bars.”
“Forgive me,” Mason said, “but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Dupree explained to Mason the details of the conspiracy to murder Dr. Crawford. She watched the color drain from his face.
“Look, Detective, Michael Adelman and Dominic Gallo may be driven by success and financial reward, and Maggie Hansen might be an opportunist, but there is no way that any of them are capable of murder. I know these people well and they would never commit such a crime. Your accusations are preposterous.”
“With all due respect, Doctor, quite to the contrary, we’ve got rock-solid evidence. Hansen gave us a full confession and by the time Detective Brown gets done with Adelman, we’ll have his confession as well.” Dupree fixed her eyes on Mason’s. “The big question here, Dr. Mason, is whether or not you’ll be joining them in prison.”
“Are you accusing me of taking part in this horrific crime?”
“Should we be?” Dupree said.
“First of all, Detective, I respected Dr. Crawford in the highest regard. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like her. We had our little tiffs—mostly trivial disagreements, but the thought of harming her is incomprehensible to me. What would be my motive?”
“Money can corrupt even the most moral and ethical people. If and when Dr. Crawford’s theories and treatments proved credible and were approved by the FDA, Horizon Cancer Research Center would have made millions and I’m certain you would have benefited handsomely.”
“Well, Detective, before you make such a statement, perhaps you’d like to review my employment contract with Horizon.”
“What do you mean by that?” Dupree asked.
“My salary as Executive Director is one dollar a year.”
“A dollar a year?”
“Not exactly the golden goose,” Mason said.
“Why did you agree to such a deal?” Dupree asked.
“A couple reasons. First and foremost, I’m a retired oncologist. I’ve been treating cancer patients for over thirty years and I can tell you first hand, it’s a dirty business. I’ve seen my share of vibrant, seemingly healthy people reduced to skin and bones. And I’ve been forced to prescribe the most toxic meds in the world for people in so much pain they begged me to euthanize them. There are few things in life that would please me more than an effective treatment for cancer and the prospect of finding a cure.
“Furthermore, I don’t need the money. My house is paid for and I have enough invested to last me three lifetimes, even if I live frivolously, which by the way, is a far cry from my frugal lifestyle.
“Granted, there would be a payoff once the research is completed, everything approved by the FDA, and we begin production and distribution of the drugs. I’d get 5% of the bottom line. So, knowing that Lauren was the most qualified person in the world to finish the research and get the treatments approved, why, pray tell, would I want her out of the way?”
Dupree didn’t have an answer. She looked at Parisi, who was little more than an ornament. “Would you mind providing a copy of your employment contract for us to see?”
“Signed and notarized,” Mason said.
Dupree and Mason were engaged in a stare down. “One more question,” Dupree said. “It is my understanding that Dr. Crawford didn’t want to gouge anyone with outrageous prices for the drugs and was adamant about making the treatments available to anyone who needed them, regardless of their financial situation. If you had proceeded and established a partnership with Hyland, wouldn’t Adelman insist that you price the drugs consistent with demand? Let’s be honest. Wouldn’t a dying cancer patient, riddled with pain, pay anything for a treatment that would extend their life, improve their quality of life, and possibly cure them? Wouldn’t they sell all their worldly belongings, and beg, borrow and steal every penny to pay for the treatments?”
“Absolutely. Adelman would have liked to charge an exorbitant price for the treatments. He’s a businessman. However, in Lauren’s infinite wisdom, she set up a provision in Horizon’s operating charter that limited the price on any drug or treatment directly resulting from her research. Consequently, there is a cap on pricing.”
Mason shook his head, staring past Dupree. “I’m having a hard time accepting this mind-boggling story. You think you’re a good judge of character and then find out…”
“You’re free to go, Dr. Mason. Just remember to get me a copy of your employment agreement. And I’d also like to see Horizon’s Operating Charter.”
Dupree looked at Parisi. “Would you be kind enough to escort Dr. Mason to the exit.” Dupree squeezed Parisi’s arm. “Thanks for all your help. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Well,” T.J. said, “this has been quite a morning.” Dupree and he were sitting in Captain Jensen’s office, waiting for him to return from a meeting with the police commissioner. Adelman and Gallo were on their way to the county jail where they’d be held until arraignment in the morning. Hansen was still in the precinct lockup awaiting a transfer to a women’s facility.