Gibson & Clarke (Failed Justice Series Book 2) (9 page)

CHAPTER 18

Rik sat outside her office and waited. He was not about to walk in until Marta arrived. As it happened, she was only two minutes behind him.

“I have an assignment for you. It is priority number one. Put everything else on hold, as of right this minute. I need for you to find someone, and I don’t have a clue where to begin.”

Marta then went on to explain the who and why. It didn’t take long for Rik to catch on.

“I’m on it already.”

He grabbed his notes and was gone. Marta sat by herself and began to think. She knew she had to call Billy Jo, but for now, she needed some alone time.

Her first thoughts were of her old boss, really her only boss, Russ Baylor. Through cunning and skill and more than a spoonful of deception, he had remained district attorney of Essex County for more than twenty-eight years, practically a lifetime. The man traded favors like kids traded comic books thirty years ago. It was wrong—it was illegal—but it worked. That seemed to be the only criterion that counted. Forget the rule of law—forget the oath of office—if it works, it must be all right.

For Russell Baylor, it worked.

Marta may not have been a starry-eyed romantic when she graduated law school and accepted her first real job, but to her, DA Baylor could do no wrong. If he told her to do something, she did it—without question. Not only was he her boss, he was her idol and her mentor. She trusted her mentor. That was the reason why she had chosen him.

Or he had chosen her.

She was young, optimistic, and enthusiastic and could be molded into anything he wanted. And she was very bright. What more could he ask for?

Now stark reality set in. It was all one big rotten game. “One God damn big game.” She felt like screaming. It was not as if she had just received the news from the burning bush or there was a flash of lightning and rumble of thunder and
he
spoke to her. She had known it all along. It was only now that she was willing to admit it to herself.

The hell with the clients, the judges, the prosecutors, the naysayers. It is about time I admit it to myself. What I am doing is morally and ethically wrong. They never talked to us about that in law school. But does the end really justify the means?

That was the only question unanswered.

Marta sat there very quiet. She had no idea what the right answer was.

She could not get herself to pick up the phone and call Billy. She needed to think this through. This was her life she was trying to make sense out of. And she was not doing a very good job, she felt.

She thought she was going to be sick.

This was not what I signed up for. Not even close.

***

Billy Jo had a long conversation with Black Jack. He understood far more than he was letting on. They were already in too deep. Now was not the time to back out or have second thoughts. To him, there was no such thing as guilt by association. If Marta wanted out, and Billy could read the signs, then so be it. He and Black Jack and a couple of former assistant US attorneys could run the store. In truth, he would prefer Marta come around to his way of thinking, but this was too big an opportunity to pass up.

He wanted Marta to call him. He would not make the first call; he would not push. It had to be her call.

As for the elusive Mei Ling, there was nothing left to do but sit back and wait. There was no question to which the giant computers kept by the government would not spit out a match.

No one was invisible.

If you are here, we will find you.

***

The last time he met with his financial people, his net worth, including accounts in Belize, the Caymans, China, and Switzerland, came to just over eight hundred and thirty-three million dollars, US. By adding the recent profits and expanded distribution, and what Sonny owed him, he was very close to being a billionaire.

The thought then came to him.

I do have a living relative. I have a sister, and she is probably nearby. Together, I can make all her dreams come true.

Xiang had no idea where she was, how she made a living, if she were married and had children, and what her dreams were. It also occurred to him he could have nephews and nieces. The thought that upon his demise, natural or otherwise, without a will—and he had resisted drawing one—everything would go to Mei Ling. She would then be a billionaire or close to it.

As soon as I find her, I’m going to retire. I don’t care what the business is worth. I’ll never have time to spend it all. I can’t wait to tell Mei Ling. She will be so proud of me. It is unfortunate our parents will never know what a wonderful future we will have together.

Xiang was feeling better. All he could do now was sit and wait. And pray. He ordered more tea and let everyone know he was not to be disturbed. The only exceptions were his lawyers, who were working on something big.

Very big.

It was still early afternoon, but Xiang felt very tired. He closed his eyes for just a minute. The next thing he knew, it was time for dinner. He was hungry, very hungry. His housekeeper filled his plate, twice. For a small man, he now had one hell of an appetite.

He just knew good things were about to happen.

Well, maybe not all good.

CHAPTER 19

Black Jack was the first to come through. His contacts with government computers ran deep into the bowels of a dozen complexes near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Favors requested, favors paid for. He was told there were now trillions of bits of information stored on iCloud or somewhere in cyberspace. He really didn’t know or care what the latest technology was, just as long as he got it.

On 3 May 1983, US Army Staff Sergeant Clive Holster married a Mei Ling Yeung, Chinese National, in a civil ceremony on a military base in Shanghai, granting her automatic American citizenship. Four years and eleven months later, they were divorced in New York City. Mei Ling no longer uses her married name and is now a non-practicing lawyer in Manhattan and director of a program for abused Asian woman. She lives in the SoHo district. More information is unavailable at this time.

Jack decided he would wait for what he had paid for. He would hold off telling Mr. Yeung until he had all the facts verified. Twice. Instead, he called Billy Jo, who in turn called Marta. He needed to talk to her to find out her mental state. He had the feeling she was a mess and overwhelmed by all that was going on.

***

“I think we found her. She married an American G.I, moved to New York City, and divorced. Your typical Asian American love story. Only here’s where it gets interesting. She obtained scholarships to CCNY and NYU Law School. She passed the bar but never practiced. Now she’s the director of some abused women’s group and lives in the city. You need to send Rik to dig up as much dirt as possible in the next twenty-four hours.”

Billy rested to let it all sink in.

“Wow, that was fast. Who did we have to bribe? And how much?”

“Don’t even ask. It’s done, and that’s all that matters. At least for now.”

When Marta did not respond, Billy asked the next logical question. “How are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know damn well what I mean. You’re doing too much thinking, not a good sign. If you have one percent doubt about our partnership and who we’re representing, I need to know, right now.”

Marta dreaded this moment. She had done nothing but think about it the last few days, the last few hours, the last few minutes. Now it was time to put up or shut up. She paused to relax herself. She honestly did not know what to say. She could stall no longer.

“I’m in, damn it. I’m in. As Black Jack so eloquently said the other night, ‘
fuck the Feds
.’”

Billy also took a deep breath.

“Thank you. You will not regret this decision. I promise you.”

I think I regret it already.

“I appreciate your patience with me, Billy Jo. I appreciate everything you have done for me from the time you bought me dinner and asked we form a new law firm. It’s going to work. You can bet your sweet ass on that one.”

“Let’s kick some butt, girl.”

***

The report was sitting on Marta’s desk by noon the following day. Rik had to have worked eighteen hours straight to get all the facts in order. Mei Ling leased a large studio apartment in SoHo. She was, in fact, the director of an organization for Asian women. She had never remarried, and according to neighbors, was not dating. Her sole focus was on her work. She was described as shy but dedicated and determined.

Most determined.

Rik was hoping to have some candid photos in the next twelve to twenty-four hours. Now he needed six hours’ sleep and he would be back in the Big Apple. He had hired two private eyes he had worked with before to camp out at her loft apartment and her office. He personally would be within shouting distance of Mei Ling to verify all.

Marta was more than pleased. She could not wait to tell Billy Jo.

“Let me get Jack on the speakerphone. No sense having to repeat it, and we can then decide how to handle it.”

Billy was trying to be diplomatic. Marta understood.

Black Jack sat and listened. He waited until Marta had read the full report before he began asking questions. In the end, they decided to wait until Rik had actual photos and double checked every single fact. Then and only then would they meet with Mr. Yeung. There could be no screw-ups. None.

“We all agree. I should have the photos by noon tomorrow. Then we can set up an appointment with our client.”

***

“Mr. Yeung, we have some good news for you. We have located your sister, Mei Ling. When would you like us to meet with you?”

Xiang was thrilled. He was ecstatic. He was beyond words.

“As soon as you can come to my home. I will have my driver there in thirty minutes. Now, I must have a cup of tea and try to relax.”

“I will be there alone, but my two partners did most of the work. Here are their phone numbers. I would like you to arrange to Skype them while I’m there so they may explain everything. Bye.”

Xiang realized he was soaked with sweat. His blood pressure had to be off the wall. He ordered his bath be drawn and a pot of tea be made. He needed to prepare himself as best he could.

I will finally learn about Mei Ling, my baby sister. This will be the happiest day of my life.

Marta had consulted her two partners as to the best way to present the news. They all agreed, first the photos then the narrative.

***

The two of them sat in the garden like old friends discussing the weather or planning the next cocktail party. Xiang made it clear; he was to be disturbed by no one—under any circumstances. The staff totally understood. After tea had been poured and they each took a sip, Marta opened her briefcase and removed a dozen candid photos, all taken in the past twenty-four hours. They were all black and white ten-by-twelve blowups of the same woman in various locations. All in New York City. She said nothing as she spread them out on the table.

Xiang could hardly hold them up his hands were shaking so much.

“She’s so beautiful. Like a porcelain doll.” He hesitated for a minute. “And she is so old.”

“We are all older, Mr. Yeung. Remember, you were fourteen the last time you saw her. You are now considerably older.”

“Where were these pictures taken and when?”

“All within the past twenty-four hours. Mostly yesterday. All in New York City. In front of her loft apartment and the clinic where she is the director. By the way, she married a G.I., divorced a few years later, and went on to graduate NYU Law School. She is an attorney but does not practice. Here are all the reports I was able to produce in such a short time. What you do with them is obviously your business, but I strongly suggest you move very slowly. You are not her favorite type of person. She may not want to see or speak to you. I would be pleased to serve as a conduit if you would like.”

It took Xiang a few seconds to comprehend the meaning of what Marta was delicately attempting to convey.

He was a drug dealer. He was, in fact, the New York/New Jersey distributor for cocaine, and she was running a clinic for those who were hooked and whose lives were all but wasted. Not a great combination.

“I think I need to be alone. I owe you a great deal, Ms. Clarke. More than you can ever imagine, but for now, I must meditate. Please accept my apologies for lunch. Another time I promise. My driver will take you home. Please extend my thanks to Mr. Gibson and Mr. Renaldo.”

Xiang snapped his fingers, and his driver mysteriously appeared.

“Take your time, Mr. Yeung. After all these years, there should be no rush. My cell phone is on twenty-four seven. Do not hesitate to call at any hour. Good luck to you, sir.”

Xiang did not hear her. He was lost in his memories. He suddenly felt like an old man. A very humble and tired old man.