Everywhere That Tommy Goes (24 page)

“Look, Harold, I’ve already spoken with Parker and the New York detectives. Just because Carbone can’t identify him now doesn’t mean we won’t be able to build a case with other evidence. In the meantime, Sullivan won’t be going free. The New York City cops have more than enough to hold him on the other charges.”

“I understand, and I’ll deal with them next.”

Codster was surprised. “You’re actually going to keep the case and follow this guy to Manhattan?”

“It’s who I am, Alex, and right now my caseload is very thin. This case is just what I need. In fact, there’s quite a bit here that is piquing my interest.”

Codster laughed. “The more power to you, Harold. Good luck in the Big Apple.”

CHAPTER 69

After a two-hour drive back to New York City, Sullivan was escorted into a holding cell while arrangements were made for an arraignment on the charges in connection with Jamie Houston’s disappearance.

Levy followed close behind and found his way to the Third Precinct to talk with Detective Stone once again.

“The arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Levy. Perhaps we can come to some terms before then.”

“Oh, so now you want to be friends? I recall a different tone only a few hours ago.”

“Look, perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. My ultimate goal here is to locate Jamie Houston. We have evidence that suggests she may still be alive, and if your client has information that can help us to locate her, we may consider reducing the charges.”

“That’s mighty generous of you, Detective, but before I even go back to my client with this, I’d like to know what evidence you have regarding her status.”

“Well, Mr. Levy, if you give me some assurances, I may be able to disclose some of what I know.”

“I’m sorry, Detective, but please understand you aren’t dealing with a novice, here. You have to disclose all your evidence on my demand, anyway, so don’t play games with me. Either tell me what you’ve got or don’t waste my time.”

“Counselor, there may be a life at stake here, and it’s my job to try to save it.”

“I understand, but I have ethical responsibilities that I take very seriously, too. So work with me, and I will do what I can to try and help.”

“All right, Counselor. I want you to understand the urgency of this matter and hope that you will consider what we’re dealing with.”

“I’m all ears, Detective. Enlighten me.”

“Okay, it’s like this: When we first investigated the disappearance of Jamie Houston, we believed she was dead. We now have evidence to the contrary; and if this is the case, we need to locate her before it’s too late.”

“Go on,” Levy said.

“As you know, her throat was cut when she was abducted. Your client has already told us he witnessed the attack. You also know that we found evidence in Sullivan’s computer that ties him to Club Radical on the night in question, and that his browser history is filled with searches about the Gilgo Beach murder mystery. Based upon that we initiated a full scale search of the area. That search led us to a house nearby. What you don’t know is that we found blood spatter inside the house, and the DNA matches Jamie Houston. The spatter pattern suggests that the
blood came from a live person. If Sullivan has any information about this and can help us find Jamie Houston, that will go a long way toward making a deal, especially if she’s found alive.”

“I understand, Detective. Give me some time with my client and I will see what I can do.”

Stone led Levy to a holding cell where Sullivan was being kept. When they arrived, they found Sullivan on the floor, unconscious, and foaming at the mouth.

CHAPTER 70

I wake up handcuffed to a bed with a thing in my arm and a tube up my nose. My lawyer and that detective are standing off in the distance staring at me.

Levy comes over and sits down next to me.

“Where am I? What’s going on?”

“Take it easy, Tommy. You’re in the prison infirmary. We found you unconscious on the floor of your cell.”

“That’s messed up. After the cops took me from Port Jervis, the last thing I remember is being led to a jail cell and sitting down on the bed. Then a massive headache hit me like a sledgehammer.”

“Really. So how are you feeling now?”

“Okay, I guess, except for not knowing what just happened.”

“Has this occurred before?”

I think for a second before I decide to tell him the real truth. “Honestly, it’s been going on for a while.”

“What do you mean by ‘a while’?”

“Geez, I dunno—a couple of months.”

“Did you tell your doctor about this?”

“You mean Diamond? No way. If I did he probably would have thrown me out of the study. And those pills are the only things that help me with my headaches. Not to mention I’d lose the dough.”

Levy lightened his tone. “Tommy, has it ever crossed your mind that perhaps the pills could be responsible for your blackouts?”

“Please. They’re just headache pills. And they’ve always made me feel better.”

“How long have you been a part of this study?”

“Three months maybe.”

“I don’t know, Tommy. It seems pretty clear to me that the pills are the cause of your blackouts . . . and who knows what else. I’m going to need to talk to your doctor. But before I do, I need to ask you a few questions about the night the bartender disappeared.”

“Hey, look: I already told you what I know.”

“Yes, but is there anything you haven’t told me? Detective Stone thinks the girl may still be alive. Her blood was found in a house near Gilgo Beach. Do you know anything about that?”

I start thinking about that night again and how I heard that girl’s voice calling out Troyer’s name from the trunk. I thought I was just hearing things, but maybe I wasn’t. Maybe she was alive. I mean, that’s what Troyer said too. “Okay, I guess I better tell you this. After Troyer slit her throat, he convinced me to get my car so we could take her out of the alley. I know it was stupid, but I got my car, and when I returned, Troyer was gone. I panicked, put her in the trunk, and took her to Gilgo Beach. While I was driving there, I thought I might have heard her calling out for Troyer, but when I pulled her out of the trunk, she looked totally dead. I dragged her into the weed grass and took off.”

“What made you take her to Gilgo Beach?”

“I dunno. I guess I figured that since the cops had already searched there after that girl disappeared last year, it would be the last place anyone would look. I know all about that story. You see, I’ve been following it ever since it first came out in the news. To me it was like real life
CSI
but as close to home as it could ever get. I mean, holy shit, right here on Long Island!”

“And you know nothing about a beach house nearby, or any of the other bodies that have been found?”

“Nothing at all. I swear.”

“Very well, then, just one more thing. Your file says that the police questioned your father and served him with a warrant, which is how they obtained your computer. I would really like to speak with him as well.”

“Be my guest. He’s probably at the house drunk though, so I don’t know how much help he’ll be.”

CHAPTER 71

Levy exited the infirmary and approached Stone.

“Sorry, Detective. It’s not that he is refusing to cooperate; he simply doesn’t know anything.”

“That is most unfortunate, Mr. Levy, because without more, we have no choice but to charge him with murder.”

“Once again, let me remind you that you are not dealing with a rookie. You do not have a body, and you’ve already told me that the evidence you’ve developed indicates blood from a live person. Clearly, there is insufficient evidence for a murder charge at this time.”

“Is that how you intend to play this, Counselor?”

“I honestly want to help, but I have to represent my client ethically and zealously. So without more, this is what I have to do. Trust me: I intend to conduct my own investigation, and I would like to begin by speaking with Tommy’s doctor and with his father.

Stone took a pause. “You may have a problem with the father. The last I heard, he was in a coma and being cared for at a hospital on Long Island. It seems he was found unconscious by officers from New Jersey who were looking to question him about his son. He was diagnosed with acute alcohol poisoning.”

“What is his present condition?” Levy asked.

“I don’t know, but give me a minute and I will give you the location of the hospital and you can visit him. But where are you going with this?”

Levy didn’t try to hide his smile. “That, Detective, is privileged. And while we’re at it, I would like to see my client’s meds and I need the address of his doctor too.”

Stone became visibly uncomfortable but tried to hide it. “Sorry, Counselor, but for the time being, the meds are evidence.”

“Fine. I’ll just have to get the information I need from his doctor. In the meantime, I’ll take those addresses now.”

*   *   *

Levy made an afternoon appointment with Tommy’s doctor and headed out to the hospital first. An hour later, he arrived at North Shore University Hospital in Nassau County and made his way to Joseph Sullivan’s room.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Sullivan,” Levy said, stretching out his hand.

“Who the hell are you?” Sullivan asked, still focused on the TV screen fastened high on the wall.

Levy pulled his hand back. “My name is Harold Levy. I’m your son’s attorney . . . I was told you were in a coma.”

“Do I look like I’m in a coma, kid?”

“Uh . . . no, sir, and it’s good to see that.”

“Lawyer, huh? What the hell’s going on with Tommy, anyway? He hasn’t even been here to see me.”

“Frankly, sir, I don’t believe he knows you are here. He’s been having a bit of his own troubles, which is why I came to see you.”

“I suppose that’s got something to do with all the cops that’ve been coming by the house lately?”

“It does.”

“Well, where is he now?”

“He’s being held at the Third Precinct in Manhattan.”

“Just great. What’d he do?”

“Sir, it’s not necessarily what he did; it’s what he’s accused of doing, and I’m investigating to see what I can do to help.” Levy treaded lightly. “Are you feeling up to answering some questions for me?”

“That depends, kid. How do I know you’re really his lawyer?”

“I’m a public defender from Port Jervis.” Levy reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a card, and handed it to Sullivan. “Your son was first picked up in my jurisdiction on a kidnapping offense. He has since been extradited to Manhattan to answer charges locally. I told him I would continue to handle his case because I think I can help.”

“Well, the kid’s not too bright, but he’s no criminal, either; so what can I do to help?”

“Good—I’m glad you want to assist. Do you know much about the drugs he’s taking?”

“Drugs? He don’t do drugs!”

“I’m sorry. I meant to say medication. Are you aware he’s been involved in an experimental study and he’s taking medication for his migraine headaches?”

“I don’t know nothing about no study. I do know that he’s always had these bad headaches ever since he was a kid, but that’s it. We don’t talk much these days. I work, he
works, we don’t see much of each other. He comes and goes as he pleases. Sometimes I don’t see him for days at a time.”

“What about his friends? Would you recognize any names if I told you them?”

“Probably not. No one comes around, and like I said, we don’t do a lot of talking.”

“Let me try, anyway. Does the name Troyer Savage mean anything to you?”

Sullivan rubbed his chin with his thumb and index finger while rolling his eyes upward. “I can’t be sure.” He shook his head, still thinking. “No, I’d remember a name like that.”

“Excuse me, sir, but you hesitated for a moment.”

“It’s nothing, I was just trying to remember the names of some of his friends, but he’s not one of them.”

“Okay, then, what can you tell me about his past? You said Tommy’s had these headaches ever since he was a kid. Do you remember when they first started?”

“Ever since I can remember—even before my wife ran out on us.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to ask: When was that?”

“Ah, it’s no problem. She’s been gone for over fifteen years already. Tommy was around ten or eleven, and he’d been having the headaches for years by then. She used to take him to the doctor for that and for other stuff.”

“What you mean by other stuff?”

“Hey, we’re going way back now. Best I can remember my wife thought he was a difficult kid, always getting into trouble and not doing good in school. I said it was a phase, but she never listened to me.”

“Would I be getting too personal if I asked why she left?”

“Hell, so much time’s passed, I don’t really give a shit anymore.”

“Yes, sir, but it may help in building a defense for Tommy.”

“You think so?”

“I do, so please tell me everything. If he had a troubled childhood, I could use that.”

“Troubled ain’t the word,” Sullivan said with regret. “How ’bout dysfunctional. And it’s been eating me up inside ever since he was born. Believe me: I’ve had a lot of time to think about the mistakes we made back then.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

“I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but maybe it’s because I’m lying here in a hospital half-dead.” Sullivan reached for his stomach in obvious pain. “I mean, I’ve been drinking myself to death just trying to forget for so long.”

“That’s okay, sir. Sometimes it’s good just to let these things out.”

“Yeah, right,” Sullivan said as he reached for the TV remote and clicked it off. “Back when Tommy was born, we didn’t have much money. I mean, we were excited about having a kid and all, but we were young and not totally prepared. Anyway, toward the end of her pregnancy, we found out that my wife was having twins. We knew we could barely afford one kid, but two—there was just no way. So this doctor suggested to us that we could put up one for adoption and get paid for it. We thought about it and figured the extra money would help us with raising the other, and so we just went for it.”

“I understand.” Levy said, compassionately.