Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel (6 page)

"Sounds good to me," Josh answered. As they walked back, his thoughts turned to what Calise told him.
This is going to make some people unhappy
.

Returning to the rental, Josh opened the car door for Keira. A muffled, but distinct, noise caused them both to turn.

"What was that?" Keira asked.

"Fireworks," Josh answered. "You can buy them everywhere down here. I may get some and put one in Chris's coffee next time."

Chapter 10

Monday, August 31, 2009

East Providence Police Headquarters

East Providence, Rhode Island

Josh walked into the office, tanned and relaxed after his trip with Keira. As he sat at his desk, there was a knock on the door. Josh opened it.

Chief Brennan stood there, smiling.

Uh-oh
.

"Good morning, Lieutenant. How are you this fine day? All tanned, I see."

"Good, Chief. Ah, how are you?"

"Well, funny you should ask, Lieutenant. I was just fine up to about ten minutes ago. Then my phone rang. Do you know who it was?"

Josh shook his head.

"It was my friend the Chief of Police in Providence. He was curious about something," Chief Brennan sat on Josh's desk, motioning for him to sit. "My friend the Chief wanted to know why one of my lieutenants was in Fort Myers Beach talking to a retired Providence sergeant? I had no idea. You know what, Lieutenant; I do not like having no idea."

"I can explain, boss."

"But wait," holding up his hand, "there's more," Brennan said. "What had the Chief pissed off is this retired sergeant, right after speaking to you, called his old department. He talked to some of his former colleagues, one of whom was my friend the Chief. Then do you know what he did?"

Josh shook his head.

"No? Well, let me enlighten you," Brennan said. "He shot himself in the head. Neighbors called the cops a few days later because of the smell."

Josh blanched, not wanting to believe what he just heard.

"I see I've got your attention," Brennan said. "Now, I'm ready to hear the details of your vacation exploits."

Josh closed his eyes.
Better go with the whole story and get it over with.

After explaining the request from Vera and Chris, Josh waited for the reaction.

Brennan stood, shaking his head. "I should have known Hamlin would be mixed up in this," grabbing Josh's cell phone off the desk.

Hamlin answered on the first ring. "Hey, Josh. What's up?"

"Well, well, retired Lieutenant Hamlin, Chief Brennan here. I knew you might try to duck my calls, but never one from your favorite protégé. Please find your way to my office in the next 30 minutes. I need you and the cold case archaeologist here to explain what the hell you are doing, and why I should let it continue," staring at Josh as he spoke. "What? Fifteen minutes? Even better," putting the phone down, he walked to the door. "Fifteen minutes, my office. Think long and hard about this."

* * *

Josh met Hamlin as she came in the front door. "Calise shot himself after I spoke to him."

"What?" Chris said, "I thought you said he didn't have much?"

"He didn't. Just about the lineup. I was waiting for the Providence PD files, which we won't get now, before I did anything else."

Chris shook her head. "Brennan's pissed, huh?"

"A bit, he doesn't like surprises."

"Ah well, at least I already have my pension. You might have a problem, got any investments?" smiling at Josh.   

The two walked into the reception area outside the Chief’s office.   

"Hi Donna, how are you?" Chris said.

"I am well, Chris. Nice to see you."

Chris saw the door to Brennan’s private office was open; she couldn't resist. "So is the crotchety old bastard available, or is he napping again?"

The aide shook her head.

Brennan's voice boomed from inside the office. "Get your asses in here. I am not amused."

"His hearing is good, for an old guy," Chris smiled and walked into the office. Donna tried to stifle a laugh while Josh just shook his head, walking as if he was going to his execution.

"Please close the door, Lieutenant," Brennan said.

"Yes sir," Josh replied.

"Won't help, Williams, too late for that. Now sit, both of you, and tell me the whole story, and I mean the whole story."

"Don't we get coffee first?" Chris asked.

Brennan glared.

"Okay, coffee can wait," she smiled, dropping into a chair. "I'll sit and let Josh explain away."

Josh filled Brennan in on the history of the investigation. Starting with the reason for the trip to Fort Myers and the conversation with Calise. Brennan sat listening, showing no reaction.

When Josh finished, he looked to Chris to see if she had anything to add.

"I think that covers it, Chief," Chris said. "What's the problem?"

Brennan stared at her. "Where do I even begin?" he said. "First, there's the issue of an old case reopened on a request from an individual no longer active with the department. There's the fact I wasn't told of this by a Lieutenant in whom I thought I could place my full trust. There's the fact that this same Lieutenant misled me about the reason behind a request for an unscheduled vacation. There's the fact that I have the Command staff of the Providence PD blaming us for one of their retired sergeants shooting himself. Give me time and I'll come up with some more."

"Chief," Chris said. "You always told me to follow the trail. No matter where it leads. And that is what I instilled in Josh," trying to gauge Brennan's reaction. "If there is something to this, and with Calise shooting himself I am willing to bet there is, we need to find out who and why. It's the least we can do."

Brennan turned to look at Josh.   

"Look, Chief. The case was never closed by arrest or conviction, so I didn't have to reopen it…" Josh explained.

"Don't play semantics with me, Lieutenant. You know what I mean here. How did you find out about Calise?" Brennan said.

"I spoke to a few people about it and followed some leads.” As soon as he said it, he knew he'd made a mistake.

"Who else did you speak with about this?" Brennan asked.

Josh looked at Chris, then back at Brennan. "Fatso Bellofatto."

Chris rolled her eyes.

Brennan stared at Josh for a long moment. "Lieutenant, please don't tell me a made member of organized crime knew we were looking into this matter before I did." Looking over at Chris, "Did I hear that wrong?"

"Turn up your hearing aid. That might help."

Brennan scowled, "I'll remember that when your license renewal is waiting on my signature."

Chris shrugged her shoulders.

"I told him it wasn't anything official. I said it was a personal..."

Brennan held up his hand. "Not what I want to hear, Lieutenant. Not what I want to hear." Standing up, Brennan walked to the window and looked out for several moments. "Look, I know I give you a lot of latitude in SIU. Some of this may be my fault. But this is not the way I want to find out."

"I am glad you accept some of the blame," Chris interjected, standing next to Josh.

Brennan glared at her.

She raised her hands and sat back down.

"It's clear you've stepped on somebody's toes. If there is nothing you've left out," Brennan sent questioning looks at Chris and Josh. "We might as well see where this goes."

"Look Chief," Josh added. "Nobody can read through the fog of police reports better than Keira. She has a knack for sensing problems. This one has big ones."

Brennan looked at Josh and Chris. "I remember the case as well, you know. I was around then."

Josh looked at Chris then back at Brennan. "You worked this?"

"I was working the night of the first rape. We spent a lot of time trying to find the guy. He seemed to vanish."

Brennan sat back in his chair. "You have to remember they were different times. Hell, we had one black guy on the job, Martin Soares.

"When Providence made the arrest, it took the heat off us. When the guy was killed in prison, we figured it was a good end to a bad situation."

Josh spoke up, "So, what do you think? Do we follow this or let it go?"

Brennan was quiet for a few moments. Looking at Josh, he said, "Follow it, but keep me in the loop. If you're going to piss off more people I want to know before the shit storm hits."

Josh smiled, "Thanks, Boss."

Brennan shook his head, "I may regret this next question, but will you be talking to anyone else I might be hearing from?"

"George Tucker and some retired troopers," Chris answered.

"Of course, why not a Supreme Court Justice and our friends from Scituate?" Brennan said.

"And we'd love to get a look at the Providence PD file," she added.

Brennan closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead.   

"How about I let the Chief in Providence calm down for a few days; let them bury one of their own without my bothering them. Once that's over, I think I can get him to give me the file. He's a good guy and I think he'd like to know what happened to this one."

"Great," Chris said. "Now, how about you take me out for coffee?"

"If that will get you to shut up, fine. Let's go." Brennan replied.

Chapter 11

Thursday, September 3, 2009

1:00 PM

Office of the Chief Justice

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

Three days after the meeting with Brennan, Chris met Josh on South Main Street in Providence.

"How do you want to play this?" Josh asked.

"I think we just lay it out. I worked with him a few times when he was a prosecutor. He's a straight shooter, almost to a fault. If he knows anything, he'll tell us. Although it will surprise me if he does. This is the shit he's been fighting his whole career. Can't imagine he'd involve himself in anything like this."

"I'll be happy with him recognizing the initials from the lineup. Then all we have to hope for is the guy is still alive," Josh said.

Walking into the main entrance, Chris went through the security screener. Josh flashed his credentials and the young Capitol police officer waved him through.

"Check her good. She looks rather unsavory," Josh said, as he waited for Chris to emerge from the metal detector.

The Capitol police officer smiled, "We've seen her here enough. She's okay," not realizing the link between them.

I must be getting old. They don't even remember Chris from the job. The times they are a ‘changing.

The two walked over to the bank of elevators, Chris pushed the call button. Watching the clocklike display show the car descending from the fifth floor, they stepped back as the door opened.

Harrison 'Hawk' Bennett, Attorney-at-Law, stepped from the elevator.

"Of all the people in the world, it had to be you," Chris said.

"Will you look at this? Nice to see you, Lieutenant Williams. Not so much with you, Miss Hamlin. It is still Miss? Is that the proper term for a spinster like you?"

Bennett served as Josh's defense counsel in Federal Court on a Civil Rights violation. Chris connected Josh with Bennett. The trial ended in Josh's acquittal.

"Are you surrendering her to the court for some atrocious act? Perhaps with a chipmunk or fowl?" Bennett asked.

"Something like that," Josh answered. "How are you Hawk?"

"I am well, my boy. I hate to admit this but I believe I still owe you, and your compatriot here, dinner at the Capitol Grille. Let's do that soon, okay?"

Josh nodded, "How about next Wednesday? Keira and I go out to dinner on that night. Is she invited?"

"I see you've kept the relationship. Good for you. Not my preferred style, but if you're happy, I am happy." Hawk answered. "Of course she's invited."

Turning to look at Chris, Bennett said, "I don't suppose you have anyone to bring, so you can be my date."

"I'd rather starve," Chris answered. "But, since I am now in a business which your practice could generate cases, I'll bring my two associates."

"This is growing rather expensive for me. Time to take my leave. 6:30 PM, Capitol Grille next Wednesday, reservations for six."

"Six?" Chris said. "I count five."

"Of course you do, I am surprised you can count at all. The new Mrs. Bennett will be there as well. You remember Candace, of course. She did the expose` on Collucci after the trial, albeit all for naught. The blind cattle that are the electorate of this state sent him to Washington anyway. See you then."

"Unbelievable," Chris said, as they watched Bennett head out the door.

* * *

Stepping into the elevator, Josh pushed the button for the eight floor. This floor hosted the courtroom and chambers for the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

The doors opened and they walked towards the office of the Presiding Justice. Entering the reception area, Judge Tucker's administrative aide greeted them

"Ms. Hamlin," the aide said, drawing out the name, "the Judge has a full schedule today. It would be more efficient if you explained the matter to me, so I can aid Judge Tucker in responding to your request."

"Yes, well that will not be possible, Ms. Atwell. Please inform the Judge of our arrival, we would appreciate it."

The aide waited a few moments, rose from her seat, walked to the inner office door, knocked lightly, and entered.

"Think she's trying to persuade the judge to let her handle this?" Josh asked.

"No doubt," Chris answered. "But Tucker wants to know what this is about. He'll see us, I am sure I piqued his curiosity."

Several more minutes passed before Ms. Atwell emerged from the office.

"Judge Tucker will see you now. Please be brief, we have a busy schedule to keep," Atwell said, standing guard at the door.

Chris smiled and walked into the office, Josh right behind, nodding at Ms. Atwell as he passed her.

Judge George Tucker was a physically diminutive character, but an intellectual giant. He had argued more cases before the United State Supreme Court than any other Rhode Island lawyer.

His true prominence came from his Civil Rights cases. He was the only Rhode Island Judge to receive Thurgood Marshall Award for Judicial Excellence.

This man took the words, 'All men are created equal, ' to heart.

Rising from his desk, he came around, extended his hand, "Chris, so nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you also, your honor," shaking the Judge's hand. "This is Lieutenant Josh Williams. He and I have worked together for many years."

Moving to face Josh, he took his hand. "Nice to meet you, Lieutenant."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, your honor. We'll try not to take up too much of your time."

"I see Ms. Atwell has impressed the demands of my schedule on you. In reality, I had planned to read over briefs this afternoon, as I have been doing all day. This is a welcome break," the judge smiled. "Now, sit please," pointing to the conference table. "What can I do for you?"   

Chris looked at Josh. "Why don't you explain things, Josh."

Josh gave the Judge the background of the case and the reason for their meeting. He left out the part about the retired Providence sergeant and Fatso Bellofatto.

The judge studied the two for a moment. "Sad to say, I am familiar with this case. I was the original special assistant AG assigned."

This caused Josh and Chris to exchange glances.

"Your friend Robert Collucci," nodding at Josh, "took the case over before the defendant died in prison. I was unable to pursue the matter at the time. There is not much more I can tell you."

Josh pulled the lineup report from the file and handed it to the Judge.

"Do you recognize those initials next to the space for the supervising prosecutor?"

Tucker looked at the document, the rage at his impotence flooding back. He put the document on the desk. "They appear to be my initials," folding his hands, "but they are a poor attempt to forge them."

* * *

"Well,” Chris said as they left the courthouse, "that proved rather interesting, didn't it?"

"Forged initials aren't all that startling," Josh replied. "Most AG's I know have fixed documents. Somebody must have noticed them missing and added them in. I doubt the document would even get a second look in discovery."

Josh stopped a moment, looking back at the court. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"             

"Unless he knows who forged them."

"Why wouldn't he tell us?" Chris asked.

"You heard what he said. He couldn't pursue the matter at the time," Josh said. "Maybe, he's hoping we will," looking at Chris. "It just seemed odd he'd remember the case so well from so long ago."

"Jeez, talk about conspiracy theory. I have known the judge for a long time. There’s no reason to lie to us. I think he remembered the case because he couldn't do anything about it. Looks like we've got some traction on this one."

Josh headed to his car; Chris wanted to walk back to her office. On the drive back, he mulled things over.

Dead defendant, forged lineup reports, the cop who arrested Grey eating his gun, and Robert Collucci.

Josh needed no motivation for seeing this through, nothing more persuasive than Collucci's involvement.   

Collucci's indictment and trial of Josh three years ago on the Civil Rights violations had not endeared him to Josh. He never thought he'd get an opportunity to return the favor.   

Now he had one. A good one.

* * *

"You want to interview who?" Chief Brennan asked, wide-eyed, incredulous.

"Collucci," Josh answered. "He was Deputy AG of the Criminal Division."

"Hamlin is right, I must need hearing aids. You can't mean United States Senator Robert Collucci," Brennan said. "Tell me the name is a coincidence."

"Nope, one in the same," Josh replied with a smile.

Brennan closed his eyes, massaged his forehead, opened them to look at Josh, and then continued rubbing. "Is this necessary?"

"Yup."

Brennan sat back in his chair. "Refresh my memory. This is to ease a daughter's memory of her dead father, correct?"

"Well," Josh answered, "it started out like that. But with what I've learned, we have to see this through. I'm not convinced Grey isn't the bad guy. But there is serious doubt."

Josh moved to the window, watching the passing traffic. "Look, Collucci is not on my favorites list. But this isn’t about revenge," turning back to face Brennan. "I'm not gonna lie to you. I may enjoy the look in his eyes, assuming he meets with me, but I am just following the trail."

Brennan walked over to stand next to Josh. "Go talk to the son-of-a-bitch. I'd go with you if I could, but it would be too obvious."

"Obvious?" Josh asked.

Brennan smiled. "Obvious we were both taking pleasure jamming a hot poker up his ass."

Walking back to his desk, he reached into a file drawer. "I got something for you," throwing a large file on the desk.

Josh walked over, picked up the file, and looked inside. “How did you get this?"

"I told you, the Chief in Providence is a friend. We've known each other for years. Most of those guys over there are good cops trying to bury the past," Brennan said. "That's not to say they're thrilled with your activities at the moment. But they won't stand in our way."

Josh picked up the file and headed towards the door.

"How are you gonna handle Collucci?" Brennan asked.

Josh turned and smiled.

"Never mind," waving his hand at the door, "Never mind. Go."