Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel (10 page)

Tucker thought a moment, uncertain what was behind this surprise offer, then said, "Okay, where do I start?"

Collucci smiled, "Great, I’ll arrange a meeting with Patterson so we can plan this out. I'll let you know as soon as he is available." Coming around his desk, he shook Tucker's hand, “Thanks for taking this on. This is a high priority matter with this office and it will be a great opportunity for you."

As Tucker left the office, Collucci was back on the phone to Patterson. "Tucker bought into it. But we better move fast, before he finds out there's more to the story." After listening for the response, he said, "I'll be right there."
Now all I have to do is convince him it was his idea and hope Tucker doesn't hear about Grey until this is in the bag….

* * *

"So I guess that counts as a win," Special Assistant Attorney General Michael Webster said as he came into Tucker's office.

"Win?" Tucker replied. "What are you talking about?" opening a file folder on his desk.

"You haven't heard?" Webster asked. "The Grey case, your big claim to stardom? He's dead."

"Who's dead, Mike?" not looking up from the file.

"Darnell Grey, your Rape Homicide trial defendant, is dead. They beat him to death in the prison."

Tucker looked up, eyes narrowing, and looked at Webster. "What? When did this happen?"

"I don't know, this morning, last night?" Webster said, moving files to sit on a chair. "I was in a meeting with the AG. Collucci came in, asked us all to leave. I waited outside the office and overheard the conversation."

"Son-of-a-bitch," Tucker said. "The bastard knew it when he talked to me. Son-of-a-bitch," his face flushed, the veins in his neck pulsing with each shallow breath.

Regaining his self-control, Tucker told Webster the details of his conversation with Collucci. "I am going to resign. I can't believe this shit goes on here."

"What good will it do?" Webster argued. "Look, there's not much you can do to change this. You sure as shit can't do anything from outside the office. Resign and you gain nothing. Stay inside and maybe, just maybe, you can turn things around."

Tucker showed no reaction, spinning a pen in his fingers. "But I'm involved. I saw problems with the case. There are issues with the lineup. When Collucci put pressure on me, I just caved. He may not believe it, but I think the whole case is a big lie. Now he's trying to buy me off with this new job."

Webster put his hands on the desk, "So you saw problems with the case. Every case here has problems. Look, you didn't kill him. There may be issues, but from what I know, the guy was a brutal bastard. There was plenty of evidence against him."

Tucker looked at Webster, “I'm not so sure about it."

"You got another job you can go to? Isn’t your wife pregnant? How you going to pay bills trying to start a practice? You know if you cross Collucci he will find ways to bury you. Listen to me, keep your mouth shut and wait for the opportunity to do something that will make a difference. You can't do that now and you sure as shit can't do it if you're unemployed."

Tucker looked out his window. "You're right, I guess. I don't have much choice, do I?"

Webster went to the door, looking back at Tucker. "Listen; meet me after work, my treat. You can tell me your plans for this new unit you're running."

Tucker smiled, "Okay, deal. Thanks Mike," watching as the door close.

I hope this is the right thing to do. I really hope so…

          SILENCE OF THE LIONS

Chapter 17

September 9, 2009, 11:30AM

Office of the Presiding Justice

Rhode Island Supreme Court

Providence, RI

Judge Tucker sat in his office reviewing Writs of Certiorari petitions submitted to the court.   

His mind drifted back to 1972. He recalled sitting in his small office in the AG's office, contemplating his resignation.
A man died and I did nothing. Now, perhaps I can make amends.

Walking to a file cabinet in the office, he unlocked it and removed a file from the bottom drawer. Opening the faded manila folder, he removed two documents then returned the folder to the cabinet.

Placing them on his desk, he picked up the line to his aide. "Mrs. Atwell, would you please look up the address for the East Providence Police Department. Please prepare a large envelope addressed to Lieutenant Joshua Williams. Use my personal post office box for the return address, and bring it to me as soon as you've had time to complete it. Thank you," ending the call.

Looking over the documents, the feeling of disappointment overcame him.
All these years and it isn't until now I find the courage to do something.

There was a slight knock on the door and Mrs. Atwell entered carrying the yellow mailing envelope.

"Here it is, your Honor. Would you like me to mail it for you?" glancing at the files on the desk.

"Thank you, no, Mrs. Atwell. I will take care of it myself. I need to review a few things before I seal it." Waiting for Atwell to leave, Judge Tucker read over each piece of paper once more. He placed the two documents in the envelope, sealed it, and put it in his briefcase.

Picking up the extension again, he said, "Mrs. Atwell, would you place a call to Senator Collucci's office please? Ask the Senator if I might speak with him, thank you."

A short while later, Mrs. Atwell came into the office. "Senator Collucci is on the line for you, Judge, line 2."

"Thank you," lifting the phone and covering the mouthpiece, "That will be all for today, Mrs. Atwell. Why don't you go a little early? Get a head start on the traffic."

"Thank you, your honor."

Tucker turned his attention to the call, "Senator, how are you?"

"Bob, please. No need for formality among old friends."

"Yes, well, I was wondering if we might meet Senator, sorry, Bob, just for a few moments?"

"I was planning on dinner at the Capital Grille this evening, perhaps we can meet for a drink before?"

"Great, I can be there around six. Does that work?" Tucker answered.

"Perfect. Looking forward to it," Collucci replied and hung up.

"So, what was that all about?" the Senator's aide asked.

"Not sure," Collucci said. "But coming on the heels of the little visit by Williams and Fleming I bet it's not a coincidence."

"How do you want to handle it?" Sorin said.

"I'll see what the good Judge has to say. If it's nothing, so be it. If not… well then we will deal with it," Collucci smiled.

"Our other friends are not happy with this sudden attention to us. They prefer you to remain under the radar."

Collucci looked at Sorin for a moment. "This is ancient history. It has no effect on them or me. You calm them down. I'll deal with the Judge. We don't need any more attention on Williams, or us."

* * *

Capital Grille

6:30 PM

September 9, 2009

Providence, Rhode Island

"This is rather nice of Hawk to take us all to dinner, don't you think?" Keira Williams said as she sat at the bar with Josh, Chris, Vera, and Maggie.

"Nice has nothing to do with it," Chris said. "He just wants to show off his latest wife."

"Do I detect jealousy here?" Josh laughed. "He did offer to make you his date, since he knew you'd have to rent one otherwise."

"Keira, would you mind if I beat your husband senseless?" Chris asked, leaning past Josh to look at Keira.

"He's already at that point," Keira answered. "Ignore him."

"Nice, my own wife."

A moment later Hawk arrived with the fourth Mrs. Bennett. "Ladies, Mr. Williams, I'd like to introduce you to my wife Candace," an ebullient smile crossing his face.

After the round of greetings and congratulations, the party moved to the private dining area. As they filled in around the table, Chris excused herself to go to the ladies' room. The other women accompanied her.

"What is it with the herd mentality of women and the bathroom?" Josh asked.

"One of the insoluble mysteries of life, my boy. Enjoy the quiet time. It gives one a chance to scan for targets of opportunity," smiling at the attractive waitress as she passed by.

"Aren't you a newlywed?" Josh asked.

"I also am a realist," Hawk replied. "My relationships follow a well-established, unalterable pattern. I have accepted my fate," turning to smile at the even prettier bartender working the private bar.   

As the women rejoined the group Chris said, “Are you a believer in coincidences, Josh?"

"No, why?" he answered.

"Well, you'll never guess who's sitting at the bar."

Josh got up and walked to the door of the private dining area. Looking out towards the main bar, he didn't see anything much. Then he spotted them, Judge Tucker and Senator Collucci, talking at the bar.

"Holy shit," Josh said as he sat back down. "That's no damn coincidence."

"What is so important that it draws the center of attention of this gathering away from me?" Hawk said.

"The Presiding Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court sitting at the bar talking to Senator Robert Collucci," Chris said.

"And this is noteworthy to you because?" Hawk asked.

Josh explained the Grey case, the attempt against Keira, and their interviews with Collucci and Tucker. Hawk's countenance grew dark.

"I do not doubt the depth of evil to which that son-of-a-bitch Collucci will stoop. But I am disheartened by Judge Tucker's association with him," Hawk said. "I have always held the judge in the highest regard. This is most troubling."

Josh listened to Hawk and said. "Tucker was a Special Assistant AG when Collucci was a Deputy. We know Collucci took the Grey case away from Tucker. We just don't know why."

"I still have some old contacts with people who were in the office then. As I told you, Bill Symonds and I worked there for a time in the appellate division. However, it was long after Collucci left. I may be able to get some inside info," Hawk offered.

"We should have thought to ask you in the first place," Chris added.

"Finally," Hawk said, "after all these years, she is coming to her senses," raising his glass in a toast to Chris.

Chapter 18

September 10, 2009

SIU

East Providence Police Headquarters

East Providence, RI

Josh sat at his desk looking over the files from Zach Kennedy. Josh could not think of any cases handled by SIU, or the whole department for that matter, which would lead to someone trying to kill him. As he read the lines, nothing made sense.

"What are you reading, Lieutenant?" Detective Tommy Moore asked. Tommy was a recent transfer into SIU, aggressive, smart, and intuitive.

Josh looked up from reading, "Hey Tommy. Not much, just some stuff from the Chief."

Tommy grinned. "Oh, the super-secret-squirrel files from the Feds, eh?"

Josh glanced up and smiled. "Not too many secrets in this place, are there?"

"Nope. A couple of us were trying to recall the last time someone targeted an East Providence cop for murder. Someone other than a jealous husband or pissed off wife. We couldn't think of any. Not in the whole damn state."   

Tommy walked over to Josh's desk. "Look, LT, someone tried to get you and almost took out your wife. It doesn't sit well with most of us. We want to help get the son-of-a-bitch."

Josh picked up the files, handing them to Tommy. "Look these over. Do not let the Feds know I showed them to you. I'm going to tell Brennan I included you. If you see something I missed, let me know," watching as Tommy took the files. "Wait, what do you mean most of us?"

Tommy returned to his desk, laughing. "Believe it or not LT, there are some cops here who don't like you. Maybe not enough to wish you dead, but they wouldn't mind seeing you step on your dick."

Josh shook his head as he picked up the phone and called Brennan. "Yeah, I know, but I'd like the second set of eyes on this. They'd never let me show Hamlin. Tommy's a smart guy. What's that? Okay. Will do. Thanks Chief."

Turning to Tommy, he said, "Brennan says keep your mouth shut about this or he'll transfer you to Records as a reports review bitch."

Tommy held up his hands, "Secret is safe with me, LT."

* * *

Tommy Moore spent the next few hours reading over the file and researching things on-line. "Hey LT," he said, "I got something you may want to look at."

Josh looked up from his coffee, motioning for Moore to continue.

"I checked some of the addresses they identified from numbers called on the gang banger's phone, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Most turned out to be the usual shit hole safe houses, heroin bagging operations I would assume. There are a few topless clubs requiring a personal follow-up; I will need some advanced funds from the city. Five hundred should do it in small bills," putting his hand out, smiling at Josh.

Josh shook his head.

"No? Okay, but it might be the key piece of…"

"Just tell me what you found. You're not getting five-hundred dollars in one dollar bills, so move on."

"Okay, okay." Rolling his chair over to Josh's desk, he showed him a photo on his laptop. "This one I can't quite figure out."

"Where is that?"

"It's one of those office suite buildings. It's right at the bottom of Waterman Street in Providence, just before you get onto the Henderson Bridge. I got the picture from the tax assessor's database. Small businesses use shared administrative help and rent one or two-room offices. Doesn't make sense, MS-13 isn't the office type."

Moore now had Josh's interest. "So what else did you find?"

"Not much else. I can't see any connection to MS-13, Collucci, Russians, Klingons, Vulcans, or anyone else we know. It just stuck out as weird," shaking his head.

"How many offices are there?" Josh asked.

"About thirty."

"And the call just went to the main line?"   

Tommy sorted through the call records. "The call went to the main trunk line, which is weird because each business has its own number. When a call comes into the operator, it displays which company the call is for and they answer for that business. No one calls the main trunk line, it's not publicized."

"So the caller knew the number. Who owns the office building? Where would the main number ring?"

"Hang on a minute," Tommy said, bringing up the Excel spreadsheet on his computer. "The building is owned by Ashton Vision, LLC. They are a subsidiary of Burke, Cole, Silva, & Rego Management Consultants, LLC. The documents list Harriet Lane Enterprises as the main corporate entity. This last one is a Delaware corporation. Haven't had time to go further. We'll have to get phone records from the business to learn more."

"Chasing the corporate trail, always a great deal of fun. So there must be something to this," looking at the call records. "The call to the main number was followed by two calls to disposable phones, and then another call to the main line. Had to be relaying information."

Josh studied the screen, looking for a pattern. "You're right; we need to get the call records from the main trunk number. Maybe it will be helpful," looking at Moore.

"Already working on it. I called Kristin Volpe. She said she'd let you know when the subpoena was ready. She sounded very excited by the prospect."

Josh broke eye contact on hearing Volpe's name. "Ah, good, that's good."

"There's something I should know about?" Moore asked, eyebrows rising.

"Let's just say I'd prefer you deal with her. We had an, ah, encounter and I don't want to repeat it."

Moore smiled. "An encounter? Is that what they call it now?"

Josh picked up his briefcase, holding it upright on his lap. "If you know what's good for you, you'll let this go. Deal with Volpe, I don't need any more complications in my life," dropping the case on his desk.

Moore laughed. "I will defend your honor and protect your chaste countenance, my Liege," bowing his head.

Josh flipped him the bird and went to get more coffee
. Just what I need, what was I thinking?

* * *

Two days later, subpoena in hand, Josh and Tommy Moore met with Zach Kennedy. Josh decided Kennedy would be okay with Moore's inclusion in the investigation. His instincts about the agent were correct.   

The three went to the corporate offices of Cox Cable to serve the subpoena. Cox was the service provider for the office building. As they entered the office building, a voice called out, "Well, will you look at this? See what happens when you leave the door unlocked."

Josh turned. He spotted retired State Police Lieutenant Danny Halloran.

"Danny, I didn't know you were here."

"Josh, how are you?" shaking Josh's hand, looking at the other two.

"Danny, this is Zach Kennedy from the FBI and Detective Tommy Moore from my department."

After the round of greetings, they went into Halloran's office. "So, what brings you here to my domain boys?"

Josh showed Halloran the subpoena. As he reviewed it, Halloran brought up a screen on his computer. He punched a few keys, "So, do you want me to print out all 6,589 pages? Or will a spreadsheet via email suffice?"

Josh reached into his pocket and withdrew a USB thumb drive. "How about we use this instead? I'm surprised they found a trooper who could use email, let alone a spreadsheet," smiling at Halloran.

"You know, they were going to offer Hamlin the job, but she still uses stone tablets," Halloran retorted.

Josh laughed, "You got that right. Technically illiterate that one."

Taking the USB drive, Halloran plugged the device in, downloading the file. "So, this must be something special for the FBI to grace our presence," smiling at Kennedy. "Related to the little incident on Route 44, I assume?"

Josh nodded, "Yeah, just trying to trace the guy's activities before he came after us."

"Well, if there's anything else you need, give me a call," Halloran walked them to the door. “Always willing to help. Say hi to Chris when you see her."

As they got into Josh's car, Tommy said, “And how long do you think it will be before he calls Scituate?"

"Who's Scituate?" Kennedy asked.

"State Police Headquarters," Josh answered, "Welcome to Rhode Island."

Kennedy shook his head, "So we can expect some parallel looks at this thing, I suppose. If FBI headquarters hears about this, they'll pull me out of here."

"Not to worry. I have my own connections with Scituate; they'll let me know if someone takes an interest in this. Let's go take a look at the office building, maybe we'll see something."

"It must be the last brick building on the right, just before the bridge," Josh said, as they drove down Waterman Street.

Moore looked at his file. "Yup, that's it.”

Josh pulled around the building and parked in the lot across the street. "Should we go inside?"

"How about I do it?" Kennedy said. "No one here knows me."

Kennedy walked to the main entrance and disappeared inside. He emerged a few moments later, returning to the car.

"Well, nothing obvious. I talked to the receptionist and told her I was looking for an office suite. She didn't know who owned the building or who to contact. She called the maintenance guy who, unbelievably, was much more informed. He gave me a number to call. I'll run it through our database when we get back to the office."

Driving back past the entrance, Josh pointed out the Waterman Grille. "Maybe we should conduct a little surveillance at the bar there. Convenient for those who work in the office suites. I'm willing to bet we get a few who go in there for drinks after work."

"I'm in," Moore replied. "Never let it be said I missed an opportunity to let the city pay my bar tab."

"There's a fucking shock," Josh answered. "How about you, Mr. Kennedy, can we persuade you to join us in the important mission?"

Kennedy smiled. "I suppose I should uphold the honor of the FBI and our commitment to investigative resiliency."

"What'd he say?" Moore asked.

"He's in," Josh chuckled. "You'll have to excuse him, Zach. He was a Jarhead. You have to use small words."

"This Jarhead is going to make you regret it, Air Force, bah. Nothing but glorified flight attendants taking the men to war," Moore replied.

Two hours later, the three sat at the bar in the Waterman Grille, overlooking the water. As they suspected, the place was crawling with office workers from the local businesses.   

Josh had a deep conversation with a wish-I-still-was-a-thirty-something office manager. She proudly displayed her discount quality breast enhancements. Josh learned nothing. Moore, enraptured with a secretary as she complained about her lack of a love life, made no progress.   

Kennedy managed to speak to a business owner. She provided information about rumors to the actual ownership of the building. Glancing around the room, whispering in her most conspiratorial voice, she said, "I hear the place is mopped up." Sipping her third Martini and nodding.

"You mean mobbed up, as in organized crime?" Kennedy asked, amused by the tone of her voice.

"Shh," she answered, glancing around again. "Yeah, mobbed, mopped, whatever. You gonna buy me another drink or what?"

After two hours of plying their investigative skills, they realized their efforts were futile. That and they ran out of money. Brennan authorized a $100 limit and they exceeded it, quite a bit.

* * *

The three gathered in the office the next morning.

"Well, as much as I enjoyed our surveillance operation yesterday," Zach Kennedy said. "I am sad to conclude, we didn't learn much."

"I disagree," Josh replied. “I did get an important piece of information, two as a matter of fact."

Zach and Tommy Moore glanced at each other, and then looked back at Josh.

"I got the name of the plastic surgeon who did my friend's implants. Son-of-a-bitch should have used a level. One was higher than the other and pointed around the corner," Josh said, laughing.

"You are a sick man," Tommy said.

Josh smiled. "Okay, listen. I did have time to think a bit about this. Maybe we're approaching this all wrong."

"What do ya' mean?" Zach said.

"Well, think about it. This shit all began when we started looking at the Grey case. We've gone through all our current and past SIU cases. There is nothing there. The Grey case is the one commonality."

Zach thought for a moment. "You may be on to something there. Pull the Providence PD file out. We must have missed something."

Josh sat back in his chair, going over in his mind the reports from all those years ago. His mind tried to focus on the reports, but it drifted elsewhere.
What have I stumbled onto? Shit like this doesn't happen here. What about Keira, what do I do for her? She'd never carry a gun. How do I protect her?   

While Zach and Moore reviewed the files, Josh called Joe McDaniel. Josh considered Joe McDaniel the best cop he'd ever worked with. When McDaniel retired, he took with him an irreplaceable amount of experience. Many of the cops still sought him out for advice.