Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel (14 page)

Josh nodded. "Okay, I'll try to be brief."

Mary motioned for them to sit, pulled her chair over to face Josh, and held her pad and pen, ready to respond.

"Mary, were you ever shown a lineup or pictures to look at during the investigation?"

The woman looked down at the pad, wrote a few lines, and handed the pad to Josh.

A detective showed me a picture and asked if it was the man who attacked me. I told him I could not be sure, but I did not think it was.

"Did you tell them anything else in way of identifying the man, anything you remembered?"

I gave them a written statement. I told them all I remembered.

Josh read the page and handed it to Tommy. He then returned it to the woman.

"The statement wasn't in the file, perhaps it got misplaced over the years. Do you recall anything about what you said which was specific to the man who attacked you?"

Again, she took to the pad with fury. This took a little longer.

I told them he spoke with a strange accent; I thought it was another language at first. Many years after it happened, my late husband and I went on a cruise. I heard the accent in the islands we visited, Caribbean Islands. I didn't know what it was until then.

Josh read it over, handing it again to Tommy.

"Mary, would you mind writing out a statement about the things we just discussed?" Josh asked. "I would appreciate it."

Mary smiled and took to her pen and pad. A short time later, she handed Josh a two-page statement in meticulous cursive style writing.

Josh read it over, "Thank you very much, Mary. You've been most helpful," rising from the seat.

Mary reached over, taking the pad from Tommy.

Do you know who did this? Was he ever caught?
Turning the pad for Josh to read.

Josh looked at the daughter, then back at Mary. "No, I'm sorry. We believe the man they arrested was not the one who did it. They didn't do their job. I am sorry for that."

As they headed towards the door, Mary wheeled over and handed Josh the pad.

I am glad you came to talk to me. It's nice to know someone cares enough to try.

Josh smiled and shook Mary's hand. "Thank you, Mary. If I do find out anything I will let you know."

Standing in the door to the apartment, Dakota said. "So you think they arrested an innocent man?"

"We're not sure. But it looks like that's what may have happened," Josh replied.

Dakota shook her head. "If you do find out, my mother would like to know. She is a remarkable woman, accomplished much in her life. She deserves to know the truth."

Josh nodded. "Dakota, when we find out the whole story I will come back. Thanks for letting us talk to her."

On the way to the car, Josh said, "Might as well take a swing by the office building on Waterman Street. We're right around the corner. Never know what you may find."

As they pulled out of the lot, a familiar SUV pulled in. Tommy said, "Crazy bitch must have waited for a spot, instead of walking. I guess the exercise ensemble was just for show." Putting his window down, he waved his handcuffs at the woman. "Just yell if you need these," he shouted.

"That is not helpful," Josh said, putting the window up, almost decapitating Moore.

Ducking back in the car, Tommy laughed. "When you get to the building, drive around to the back. Sometimes they mark parking spots for the business owners."

Josh drove down Waterman, pulling into the driveway and around to the back of the building. They came to an area boxed in by two sides of the L shaped building. Along the wall were several reserved parking signs for the various businesses.

Parked in the spot for JTS Management was a new Mercedes with RI plates JTS 1.

"You are nowhere near as stupid as you look, Detective Moore."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Just to boost the paranoia level a bit, let's run the plate when we get back, rather than over the air," Tommy said.

"You know, I have to tell Brennan about this. He thinks you're just a Neanderthal. I'd say you're more likely the missing link between them and humans."

Tommy smiled, wrote down the plate, and pointed out of the lot. "Our job is done here. Drive me home, my good man."

* * *

Josh, Zach Kennedy, and Tommy Moore sat in the office reviewing the information gathered so far. The phone rang and Tommy answered. "SIU, Detective Moore. Who's this?" smiling and putting the phone on speaker. "Chris Hamlin, a Lieutenant, you say, retired? Nope, don't remember you. Wait now, I know, the old broad. Swiss Cheeks, how are you?"

"You're gonna remember me real fast next time I see you," Chris Hamlin said, an edge to her voice.

"I’m so sorry," Tommy replied, winking at Kennedy and Josh. "From now on it will be Lieutenant Cheeks. That good enough for you, Grandma?" chuckling.

"Oh, real comedians aren’t we? You're lucky I am not there, smart-ass. You'd be feeling the pain of this Grandma."

"Hey Chris," Josh said. "You got something for us or are you just in a testy mood from the age-related hormonal changes?"

"I am not finished dealing with your snot-nosed errand boy yet, smart ass. But you're next," Chris said.

"Why don't you get your caregiver to drive you here, wheel you in, and we'll see what happens. Don't forget your teeth and to put on your diaper," Tommy added.

"That's it. You wait right there. I am on the way."

The line went dead.

"Oh great," Josh said, "Now we gotta deal with her. Nice going, I hope you enjoy pain. She's going to kick your ass."

"What about you?" Tommy said.

"I'll lock myself in the safe so she can't get to me," Josh answered.

"You guys have a weird way of dealing with each other. Isn't she the one who started this thing? She is a retired lieutenant, right?" Kennedy asked.

"Oh yeah," Josh answered. "But she deserves it. She was the biggest ball buster in the world when she worked here. Still is."

Twenty-minutes later, the receptionist called to let them know Hamlin was here.   

"You go get her," Tommy said.

"No, Detective Moore, you started the war. You go get her," Josh ordered.

"Okay, but I am putting my vest on," laughing on the way out the door.

A few moments passed and there was a knock on the door. Josh opened it cautiously. Chris stood there smiling. Tommy was nowhere around.

"What did you do with my Detective?" Josh asked.

Chris pushed past, walked over to Josh's desk, and sat down. "How are you, Zach?"

Kennedy, amused by this, replied. "I am well. Is Detective Moore still alive?" he asked.

A moment later, there was a scream from the hallway. Josh walked out and saw the Chief's assistant standing outside the door of the ladies room. Chief Brennan and Captain Charland joined the group.

"Hey Donna, what's wrong?" Josh asked.

Donna pointed, “Would you get him out of there, please."

Josh opened the door. A handcuffed Tommy Moore, pants pulled down to his knees, attached to the coat hook on the wall, looked out from the bathroom.

"What the--" Brennan said.

"Chris came by," Josh explained, “Tommy here issued a challenge."

"Would you get me down from here," Tommy pleaded. "I didn't want to hurt her, that's the only reason I'm here."

"Of course you didn't son," Brennan said. "Before you release him, have BCI come up and take some pictures. Post them in the roll call and locker rooms. They may prove useful in reminding Detective Moore, and others, to tread lightly with our retired sister in blue."

"Oh no, come on Chief, no pictures."

A few moments later the flash of BCI cameras, and several cell phones, were illuminating the scene.

When Josh returned to the office with Tommy, Hamlin smiled. "Now that we have re-established the proper balance and hierarchy, would you get me a coffee Detective Moore?"

"How about I…" then he laughed. “ You have to show me that trick someday. I never saw it coming."

"Now, there's a good boy. Willing to concede to his superiors. Never mind the coffee, when you have time we can arrange some private lessons for you. I wouldn't want you to get beaten up by girls every day." Leaning forward in the chair, she looked at Josh. "So what do we know now?"

Josh brought her up to speed on the records trace, phone numbers, and the interview with the two victims.

Kennedy interjected. "Josh, I think under the circumstances it is appropriate we bring her up to speed on the Fleming link."

This caught Josh off-guard a bit. Kennedy caught the glance at Chris.

Kennedy laughed. "She already knows, doesn't she?" shaking his head. "I should have known better."

"Look, Zach. I'm sorry it's just--."

Kennedy held up his hands. "No need, Josh. I have had a few partners in my career I trust with my life. I understand." Looking at Chris, "With that said, I'd like to hear what you think about it."

"I'll tell you what I think. There is no fucking way she is involved. I know people, I can read bad guys. She's not one. There is an explanation and all we have to do is ask," Chris answered without hesitation.

Kennedy looked between Josh and Chris. "Okay, your call Josh. How do you want to do this?"

"Let's call her and get her over here," Josh answered.

Before he had finished speaking, Chris was on her cell. "Maggie, you busy? No? Good. Come on over to EPPD. Call when you get in the lot and I'll send out Detective Moore the doorman to escort you in," smiling as Tommy flipped her the bird.

While they waited for Fleming, Josh ran the license plate from the office building. "Holy shit," he said.

The other three looked at him.

"Anybody wanna take a guess who the plate comes back to?" Josh asked.

"Who?" Chris asked.

"RI registration JTS1 comes back to, wait for it, Jennifer Tucker Sorin."

"Holy shit indeed," Kennedy added.

"And Sorin, that name again. Where did I hear that name from?" Josh said. "I know it from somewhere."

Twenty minutes later, Chris's cell rang. "Okay, be right there," smiling at Tommy.

Tommy went to get Maggie Fleming. After introducing her to Kennedy, they brought her up to speed on things. "Now, my friend, here comes the dicey part. Do you recognize this number?" showing her the call records.   

"Not off the top of my head, let me look at my contact list," taking out her phone and searching. "Wait, I called that number. It's the one Collucci's Chief of Staff gave me to reach him when I was trying to arrange the meeting with the Senator. And you guys…," looking around. "Holy shit, you guys must have thought.... Holy shit."

"Yeah, we got a lot of holy shits going on here," Josh said. "Who did you say gave you the number?"

"Collucci's assistant, Anthony Sorin."

There was a chorus of holy shits.

"You ain't gonna believe this one then," Josh added. He explained the connection to Tucker's daughter.

"So, let me get this straight. Senator Collucci's Chief of Staff, Anthony Sorin, married Jennifer Tucker, Supreme Court Chief Justice George Tucker's daughter. The bad guys called the same number I did, linking them, and me, to the office building where Tucker's daughter runs her business. And,” pausing to think a moment, “Collucci and Tucker were involved in the Grey case from the beginning. Is that right?"

"Sums it up well," Josh replied.

"I am surprised you guys even talked to me about this. Apologies to Mr. Kennedy here, but I know the way the Feds think. It goes against their grain," Fleming said.

"No apology necessary. Having spent some time here now, I've learned a few things about cooperation that may not have occurred to me before. Their special investigative techniques are unmatched," Kennedy winked.

"They took you drinking, didn't they?" Chris asked.

"No. It was a well-orchestrated undercover intelligence gathering operation."

"Fed-speak for they went drinking," Fleming interjected.

Kennedy laughed. "Now the question is where do we go from here? This link to the Senator grows stronger and more ominous with each new piece of evidence. My bosses in DC are going to grow more interested in, and will want to assert more control over, this case."

"Not if we figure it out first," Josh said. "Maggie, when did Sorin give you the number?"

"When I was trying to arrange the meeting with Collucci, I called the main number for the Senator," Fleming answered. "It took me peeling through several layers of bureaucracy to finally get to his Chief of Staff. When I pointed this out to Sorin, he gave me this number to use. He said it would get right to him. I used that number to arrange the meeting."

"He either screwed up giving you the main line number or didn't realize it could be traced to the office complex. Then again, he had no reason to suspect you would," Josh said. "The issue is what is going on at this business and how involved is Collucci."