Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel (25 page)

Chapter 34

October 2, 2009

Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC

Sorin watched from across the street as Collucci paced back and forth in front of the building.
Let him learn some patience; might do him some good.

"Take your time getting to him," Sorin said, finally ordering the driver to move. The driver nodded, ignoring several opportunities before entering the flow of traffic. Amused, Sorin watched the anxious Senator searching for the car.

Collucci opened the back door himself, motioning for the driver to stay in the car. "Nice of you to show up," he snarled. Tossing his briefcase onto the seat and climbing in.

"Traffic was difficult,” Sorin replied, gazing out the other window. "Did your meeting go as planned?"

"Of course it did," Collucci replied, “The Chairman will resign by month's end and the vote taken to replace him with me a day or so later. Did you have any doubt?"

Sorin ignored the question. "I received a call from Jennifer a few moments ago. They have an issue with the land problem in East Providence. She and her partner, Mr. Meadows, would like to meet with me."

"So, meet with them. Get this resolved. The sooner the better," Collucci said. "We need to move forward on this."

Sorin wasn't listening, lost in his thoughts. I need to learn more about this Mr. Meadows. Reaching for his cell phone, he dialed a number.

"Have you learned anything about the name I gave you?" Sorin asked, listening to the response. "I need you to dig deeper. I want to know everything you can find about him. Call me as soon as you learn anything."

Collucci stopped flipping through his email; eyebrows raised, he held a questioning look at Sorin. "Is there a problem?"

"I don't know. It's just a feeling I have. No matter, I will deal with it," Sorin answered.

"See that you do," Collucci said, returning to his messages.

After a circuitous route through the city, they arrived at a nondescript brown stone building. The driver came around to open the door.

"Stay nearby," Collucci ordered. "As soon as we finish here I want you ready to pick us up. Understood?"

The driver, glancing at Sorin, nodded. "I'll be right here."

Sorin and Collucci climbed the few stairs to the entrance. As they reached the top step, the door opened. Shashenka Dmitriev stood in the shadows, just inside. "Come in, my friends, come in. I have been looking forward to this meeting."

* * *

"May I offer you gentlemen a drink?" Dmitriev said, directing them to chairs next to the fireplace.

"Scotch for me. Neat. Single malt if you have it," Collucci answered, taking in the ornate surroundings. "So, what is this place?"

"It is private," Dmitriev snapped in return, turning back to face Sorin. "Anthony?"

"Vodka," Sorin answered, taking a seat near the fire.

Dmitriev nodded to the waiter. The drinks arrived within the minute. "That will be all for now," Dmitriev said, dismissing the server. "See we are not disturbed."

"Da," replied the man, backing out and closing the double pocket doors.

Dmitriev waited for the doors to close, and then turned to Sorin. "I trust you took normal precautions before coming here?"

Sorin nodded. Collucci took in the exchange, raising a questioning look at Sorin.

"Good, good," turning his attention to the Senator. "Mr. Sorin tells me there is a problem with some property in Rhode Island. I trust the issue is in hand?"

Collucci smiled, "Mr. Dmitriev--"

"Shasha, please, we are among friends here. My friends call me Shasha." Dmitriev smiled, placing the tips of his fingers together and looking over the top of them at Collucci. "For as long as they remain my friends."

"Shasha," Collucci said, “we have the property issue under control. If we cannot get them to sell, we can move in the court to take it by eminent domain."

"I do not understand these niceties of the American system. Is this not a beneficial project to the area? Will it not help a significant number of people? How is it one person can obstruct what is good for the many?"

Collucci smiled, "Shasha, my good friend. If we are going to do business here, and grow that business, you have to learn to use the system in place. Trying to run roughshod over a minor problem will always create more problems." Tipping his glass to Sorin, "Anthony and I are more than capable of resolving this and moving the project ahead."

Taking a long sip of his drink, Collucci smiled. "I am sure you are aware of how I dealt with the little issue with the local news. It is a good example of why I am valuable to your organization."

Dmitriev smiled. "Speaking of running, as you say, roughshod over a minor problem, I am well aware of your inept little demonstration of power and influence," the rage in his voice rising. "Your little delay of the merger vote costs my organization millions of dollars a day. Your approach was amateurish, motivated by self-preservation, and ill-advised."

Collucci sat back in his chair, stunned. Looking at Sorin, he saw a grin crossing his face. "Shasha I think--."

"Enough," Dmitriev said, banging his fist on the table. "I want to make something clear; having your assistance in this project is helpful, but not invaluable. I am certain it is not worth the cost you have forced my group to absorb. You will take no further action on your own without clearing it through me. And you will do this through Anthony," pointing to the now grinning Sorin. "Is any of this unclear to you?"

"Anthony?" Collucci said, leaning forward in his chair. "You expect me to clear things through my assistant? I don't think so," shaking his head. "He works for me, not the other way around. I will do what I want, when I want. I am a United States Senator, an influential one, Shasha. You do not tell me what to do," slamming his drink on the table, the contents splashing over his hands.

Dmitriev placed the tips of his finger on his nose, "Pozhaluysta, ostav'te nas."

Sorin rose, without speaking, and left the room.

Collucci watched Sorin leave, and then turned back to Dmitriev. "I am not intimidated, by you or anyone else. Do not make that mistake my friend," trying to match Dmitriev’s stare.

"Senator," Dmitriev smiled, "I am a patient man. I have worked myself into the position I occupy
by
being patient. However, along with patience, one needs the intelligence to know when and how to take action. You possess none of these qualities.”

Dmitriev leaned in, a finger pointed at Collucci. “You are a self-important, self-centered, egotistical little man. You have pretentious aspirations to which you lack the proper skill set." The words stung Collucci. "I will say this once, Senator. You will do what I say or you will find yourself, as we say in Russia,” leaning back and smiling, “prekrashchayetsya."

"What does that mean?" Collucci asked, less sure of his position.

Dmitriev smiled, "Terminated."

Collucci felt his face redden. A door opened and Anthony Sorin returned to the room.

"The Senator and I have reached an agreement, Anthony. He has shown wisdom by agreeing to follow my advice. Please see that he remembers this."

Collucci rose to his feet, trying to regain his composure. He started to speak, "Sha--"

Dmitriev raised his hand, "From now on, Senator, when you address me please feel free to call me Mr. Dmitriev." Turning his back to Collucci, he nodded at Sorin, and walked out of the room.

Collucci looked at Sorin.

"I tried to warn you," Anthony said, shaking his head. "Having him unsure of your usefulness is not helpful. Let's go."

"He just threatened me? He cannot threaten a United State Senator. I can--"

"Robert," Sorin said, staring down Collucci's attempt at bravado. "Shashenka Dmitriev does not threaten anyone. He tells people what he will do, and then he does it. If you know what is good for you, for us, you will remember that. Now let's get out of here before he reconsiders his decision."

Chapter 35

On Monday morning, Tommy Moore walked into the office on Waterman Street. As he entered through the rear door, he saw Karen, the woman he and Jen spoke with after dinner a few nights ago.

"Good morning, Karen. How are you?" Tommy said.

"Tom, right? Jen's friend?" Karen smiled, "I am well, how are you?"

"Great. “ Looks to be a beautiful day today, doesn't it?" Tommy said.

"It does, doesn't it?" Karen said. "I hope I get to enjoy some of it, not spend the whole day stuck in the office."

"So what is your business, Karen?" Tommy asked. "Jen told me you had an office here, but she didn't say what it is you do. Just curious, you're not the competition are you?"

"Not at all," Karen laughed in answer, moving to stand next to Tom. "I was just running over to the cafe next door for coffee. Care to join me? I'd be happy to tell you all about my business. Perhaps we can exchange some ideas."

Tommy glanced at his watch, "Ah, sure. I would love to. Jen and I have a meeting but it's not until later this morning. I was just going to do paperwork anyway," pointing to the door. "Lead on."

Settling into a table by the window, overlooking the Seekonk River, the two sipped their coffee.

"So, out with it., are you a spy? What are you?" Tommy asked, trying to charm the woman.

"You are an insistent one aren't you?" Karen replied. "Nothing so exciting. I run a pre-employment verification service. We do background checks, drug screenings, license and educational verifications, that sort of thing."

"How's the business doing, I mean, if you don't mind me asking?" Tommy said, the information setting off alarms in his mind.

"No, of course not. I love talking about my business. I am doing well. I just signed a long-term contract with two nationwide companies. They are in the midst of huge hiring increases," Karen said, taking a drink of coffee. "There is no such thing as too much business. But I am struggling with the decision to hire someone to help with the increased volume. So, I guess you'd say I'm doing well."

"So, how does one go about doing background checks? Is it just a Google search? Or is there more to it?" Tommy asked, leaning forward arms on the table, hands around the coffee cup.

"No, it's a lot more than that. I subscribe to some information services. Depending on the nature of the job, there are certain things we can and cannot check. It's not exciting, but I enjoy it and it pays the bills as they say."

"How'd you pick this business?" Tommy probed. "I mean, it's not something I knew even existed as a separate business. I thought companies did their own backgrounds."

"Interesting story," Karen said. "After I graduated from Fordham, I wanted to be an FBI agent." Seeing the reaction in Tommy's eyes, she laughed. "Didn't work out for me. I made it through the FBI Academy, and then got hurt in a car accident. It affected the nerves in my wrist. Couldn't fire a weapon to qualify anymore."

"You were an agent?" Tommy said, the incredulity evident in his voice.

"You never know who might be a government agent," Karen said, winking and smiling at him.

You can say that again
.
"So what happened? Was the accident while you were on the job?" Tommy asked.

"No, it happened on my way home from a brief vacation. I was an agent for two weeks," Karen said, staring out the window. "Ah well, the past as they say is in the past. I did make some connections at the academy, got a job working in Washington at one of the think tanks doing research. I always knew my way around computers. There's a lot of litigation around hiring practices, something I learned from an old boyfriend who was a lawyer, and it seemed like a good idea."

"Sounds like a brilliant idea to me," Tommy said.

"I got lucky," Karen said, finishing the last of the coffee. "With Brad's help, his name was Brad," her tone caustic, “I got introduced to some personnel managers. I made a pitch to do the backgrounds quicker, better, and more cost-effectively. The rest, as they say, is history."

"So what happened to Brad?" Tommy asked.

"Another funny story," a sad smile crossed her face, "I had just started my subscription to LexisNexis and some other background services. They let you do unlimited searches to show the power of their databases as an introduction. I ran Brad. Turns out he was married to a Naval Officer. She was on assignment overseas."

"Oops. I'm sorry," Tommy said by way of apology, "didn't mean to raise bad memories."

Karen smiled. "No worries. It all worked out in the end."   

She stood up, grabbing her cup, reaching for his. "You done?" she asked.

"Yup," Tommy said.

Karen grabbed his cup and tossed them in the trash. "Gotta head back; it was nice talking with you. If, in your property management world, you come upon a need to do a background on anyone, just ask. I'll be happy to help if I can," she smiled.

"I'll keep it in mind," Tommy said. As he stood to leave, his cell phone rang. Looking at the display he said, "Gotta take this; let's do this again sometime." As he answered the phone, he watched her leave the cafe.

"What's up LT?” Tommy asked.

"Where are you?" Josh asked.

"At the office on Waterman, just had an interesting conversation with a woman who works in the same building. Long story how I met her. I may have found Sorin's other connection in the building."

"Not the one with the crooked tits, is it?" Josh said, laughing.

"No," Tommy answered.

"Okay then, what do you want to do with that piece of info?" Josh asked.

"Let me run a few things by Jennifer," Tommy replied, "she knows her better than me. She thinks this woman had an affair with Sorin. Maybe we can use it to smoke her out and see if she is the insider."

Tommy headed back across the street, walking to the back of the building. As he approached the door, he spotted a van parked across the street. No doubt, it was a surveillance vehicle; Tommy got on his cell and called Josh.

"Hey, got a problem. There's a van parked across the street. I'd bet you it's a surveillance van. Maybe we can get our friends from the State Police to do a little intervention?"

"No problem," Josh said. "I am with Tim Donahue now. I'll have him take care of it."

Ten minutes later, two marked State Police cars pulled up to the van. Tommy watched them extract two males from inside the vehicle. The troopers spent a few minutes talking to the men, and then released them. A moment later, Tommy's phone rang.

"Tommy Meadows, Genius speaking. How can I help you?" he answered.

"Genius?" Donahue said, "I doubt it. In this case, you were right. The van is DEA. They caught wind of the MS-13 connection to the building and decided to go fishing and see what they could find. We've dissuaded them from continuing."

"You dissuaded them?" Tommy said. "And how do the state police dissuade the DEA?"

"We have our methods," Donahue answered. "They won't be back."

* * *

Tommy walked into the office; Jennifer was back at her desk.

"Did you enjoy your coffee with Karen?" she asked with slight edge to her voice.

"Is that jealousy I detect? A bit juvenile don't you think?"

Jennifer scowled, "I was just curious," turning back to her computer. "Never mind, it doesn't matter."

Tommy walked over and put his arms around her. She tried to struggle away from him, and then gave in to him.

"Calm down, crazy woman. It was just a professional conversation. We think she may work for Sorin, feeding him information. I have an idea and I need your help."

Jennifer turned to face him. "I'm sorry. I know we just kind of fell back together here,” looking into Tommy's eyes, “If we're even together at all."

"Jen, we're back together. I am glad this happened. But we’re still in the middle of this and there's a lot that can go wrong. We have to be careful. Tell me about Karen and Anthony. How did you find out they had an affair?"

Jen explained the history behind her moving her office to this building. "It was Anthony's idea to move here," she explained. "Once I had my office set up, I noticed Anthony stopping by Karen's office a couple of times. The first time I saw them together, I knew something was going on. I just knew."

"Did he know her before you met her?" Tommy asked.

"I assume so," she answered. "She was here before me. I guess that's how they met."

"No, you got it wrong," Tommy said. "I bet he put you in here so she could keep an eye on you. She seems to pay a lot of attention to you. It's no coincidence; she's here to track your activities for Sorin."

"So what do we do?" Jen asked.

"I am going to ask her to do something in confidence. See what she does with it. We'll have to add her to the people monitor."

"What are you going to ask her to do?" Jen said.

"I am going to have her do a background on Anthony Sorin. If she's working for him, she'll alert him right away," Tommy said. "It will be interesting to see what she comes up with.” Tommy took out his cell and made a call.

* * *

The next morning, Tommy came into the office with Jennifer. As they walked in, Tommy went to the window overlooking the back lot.

"Okay, here's what I need you to do," Tommy said. "When Karen pulls in, you head out the back door so you run into her. Tell her you are going to a meeting or something. Once you leave, I'll go over to her office and ask her to run the background in confidence."

"What if she refuses or makes up some excuse not to do it?" Jen asked.

"It won't matter. Either way she reaches out to Sorin if she's working for him. It will confirm our suspicions," Tommy answered, sliding the blinds back and looking out the window. "Okay, she just pulled in. Show time; go do your thing then head to the apartment. After I talk to her, I'll meet you there."

"Why the apartment?" Jen asked.

Tommy just smiled.

"Oh my, during the day?" Jen laughed, a slight blush to her face.

"Yes, Jen, during the day and night and in-between, now go," Tommy said. "I'll be there soon."

Jennifer left the office and met Karen as she came in the back door.

"You're off early, where you headed?" Karen asked.

"Got a meeting downtown," Jen answered. "Some new property came on the market and I need to take a look at it. How are you?"

"Oh fine, late start today for me. New client coming in later. Where's Tom, not going with you?" Karen asked, looking around.

"No, he has some things to do in the office, contracts to review, that sort of thing. Business is growing faster than we can handle,” Jen said. "See you later, maybe we can get together for a drink soon?"

"I'd like that, see ya."

Karen headed into her office. A short time later, there was a knock on her door. Opening it, she seemed surprised to see Tommy standing there.

"Hey Tommy, what's up?"

"Hi Karen, can I come in for a moment?" Tommy said.

"Of course, come on in. What can I do for you?"

"Karen," Tommy said, a hint of seriousness to his voice. "I have a favor to ask. I also need to know you can keep this confidential, just between us. Can you do that?"

Karen looked at Tommy for a moment, "I can keep things confidential as long as it's legal. It is legal, correct?"

Tommy glanced around, adding to the tension. "Let me explain, I had a previous partnership in this business. It did not end well. Now understand, I have no issues with Jennifer. She is all I could hope for in this industry. It's her ex-husband, Anthony Sorin. He's what I am concerned about."

Karen moved around in the chair, unable to get comfortable, folding her arms around herself. "Anthony? Why are you concerned with Anthony? From what I know of him, he has been good to Jennifer, I mean, considering the circumstances."

"Let's just say I'd like to know more about him. Is it something you can do? Something you would do? I am prepared to pay whatever your fees are for an in-depth background.” Tommy watched for her reaction.

"Well, under the circumstances I can do a bit of checking into his background. Past affiliations, employment, those sort of things. I don't think I can justify a credit background, not enough financial risk or ties for that. But I can make sure he's not an alien invader." Karen smiled, trying to lessen her tension.

"That would be great. And this stays between us, right? I don't want Jennifer to know about it. She seems to walk on eggshells whenever he's around."

"Of course I can keep this between us. It's a reasonable request. Your business relationship is quite significant so it falls under due diligence," Karen said.

"Great, what do you need, fee wise, to get started?" Tommy asked.

Karen thought for a moment. "How about you let me see what I can find with the database inquiries. I should be able to get most of what you want without incurring any costs. How's that sound?"

Tommy stood up and turned to leave, "Sounds great. If you do need any money though please let me know, okay?"