Murder Deja Vu

Minette didn’t have an extra ounce on him.
    “How can I help you, Mr. Wright?”
    “Actually, you can’t. But I can help you.”
    “Really. How?”
    “I thought I’d give you a heads up. I’m going to prove you’re complicit in murder.”
    Minette’s face turned red, then he burst out laughing. Between guffaws, he managed to say, “And you’re going to do that how, exactly?”
    “Harry Klugh.”
    Minette’s laugh came to a halting stop, until his expression turned serious. “You’d better be sure of your facts before you sashay into my office making slanderous remarks.”
    “You mean you don’t know Klugh?”
    The DA didn’t miss a beat. “Of course I know him. I’ve known him for years. He’s worked for me on occasion. In fact, he drove here from Georgia a couple of times this week to help me on a case.”
    “So I heard. And here I thought Klugh came here to murder Lurena Howe. How misdirected was I?” The flush started on Minette’s neck and blossomed to his face. Clarence saw how imposing he could be when drilling a witness.
    “Reece Daughtry murdered Lurena Howe to stop her from testifying that he and Rayanne Johnson were lovers. He killed Ms. Johnson too, the same way he killed that woman up north years ago. And I’m going to prove it.”
    “Reece Daughtry didn’t kill the woman in Cambridge. Someone else did, and that someone came down here and killed Rayanne Johnson to make it look like Daughtry’s handiwork.”
    “Why would your so-called killer do that after twenty-one years? He was home free.”
    “Because I started looking deeper into the case. My poking around scared him into thinking I’d uncover the real murderer. He couldn’t have that. Not after fifteen years of freedom denied to Daughtry.”
    “Nice story, Wright, but I don’t buy it. And I had nothing to do with Lurena Howe’s murder. Saying otherwise could get you slapped with a lawsuit. I’d win too. As far as Harry Klugh taking orders from me, you obviously don’t know Harry Klugh.”
    “Maybe he did it on his own, maybe not. But if he’s tagged for the murder, he’ll shift blame in a New York second. And if I’m right, you’re in a shitload of trouble.”
    “You’re wrong, Mr. Wright.” Minette chuckled. “Wrong, Wright. Bet you’ve heard that a few times.”
    “Like my boss says, Mr. Wright is right almost one hundred percent of the time.”
    “Well, you’re wrong this time. Rayanne Johnson and Reece Daughtry were lovers, and I have Lurena Howe’s affidavit as proof.”
    “Everyone around here knows that Reece and your ex-wife are lovers. How many men besides you would leave a woman like Dana? Certainly not Daughtry .”
    Minette was out of his chair. “I didn’t leave her. She left me after she had an affair with a dyke. How many men would have kept her? Tell me that, Mr. Always Right. I did. For years after.”
    So that’s what happened? Knowing Robert Minette, there was more to the story .
    “And when Daughtry’s caught, my ex -wife is going to jail right along with him. I’ll see to it. Now, you can take your accusations and get the hell out of my office. I should arrest you.”
    Clarence made sure he smiled. “For what?”
    Minette, clearly flustered, said, “I’ll think of something. Defamation of character.”
    “It’s only defamation if you prove I’m wrong. I’m not.”
    “Get out.”
    “I’m going, but I think I’ll leave my accusations here, where they belong. No doubt we’ll be seeing each other again. And tell Mr. Klugh I’ll be looking forward to seeing him too.”
    Clarence had done what he intended. He’d better warn Payton that he pissed off Minette big time. Nothing like stirring up a hornet’s nest. He sauntered to the door and turned. “Have a nice day.”
    “Fuck you, Wright.”
    “What language from an elected official. Shocking. Do your constituents know you have a foul mouth?” Clarence left, closing the door silently behind him. The red-faced secretary refused to look in his direction. Thin walls in the district attorney’s office. When Clarence got to his car, he called Payton. “I think you’ll be hearing from Minette.”
    “Madge told me he’s on the other line. I assume you riled him, and now he’s after my ass.”
    “I didn’t do anything to suggest you knew about my visit, but he’s pissed. I mentioned Klugh. He cleverly acknowledged him. Said Klugh’s been here twice this week on business.”
    “I guess since you started