Joey Mancuso Mysteries Box Set

by Owen Parr

  Feinstein covered his face with both hands, laboriously standing. “Oh my God.”

  Drucker reached over with his left hand and grabbed his partner’s left arm. “Have a seat, Sid. Let’s hear what else Mancuso has to say.”

  I watched as Sid sat. He was obviously shaken by my antics. As he sat, I added, “The moment Gavi was released, a chain reaction began, so that one week has cost the lives of nine, that’s nine people.”

  Drucker moved up in his chair. “Mancuso, we were not aware of anything like that. We have nothing to do with it. It has to be a coincidence. We’re not involved in any way with these murders.”

  “I’m not saying that either of you fellows are involved. But trust me, the killings are tied to whatever is going on. They aren’t a coincidence. Have either of you received any threats?”

  The partners exchanged looks. Then, Aaron Drucker replied, shaking his head, “No, we have not.”

  “Tell us about the ransom call.”

  Drucker hesitated and turned to look at Ruth. When she didn’t reply immediately, I asked again. “When did you get the ransom call?”

  Ruth replied, “Aaron got the call last Wednesday. He called me immediately, and—”

  “Ruth wanted me to call the FBI and local police, but I refused. I told her I would pay and be done with it.”

  Father Dom was taking notes on my right, and allowed me to proceed with my questions without interrupting.

  “Who called? A man or a woman?”

  “A man.”

  “Could you tell if the call was local or overseas?”

  “He called on my cell, and my ID caller showed a blocked number. So, I don’t know.”

  “What else? Did he give you instructions?”

  “Yes, of course. He gave me an account number for the transfer. He said as soon as the wire cleared, Gavi would be released unharmed, which … which is exactly what happened,” Drucker said, now obviously shaken. His voice quivered. . “Do you think Gavi is in danger?”

  “The two men that were holding Gavi were two pilots working for MarAir, and they’re both dead. So, I don’t think so.”

  “My God. What happened to the kid Gavi was dating? You said he was killed too?”

  “Carlos Alvarez. It seems he helped the pilots drug Gavi and abduct her. I don’t think he was otherwise involved.”

  Feinstein finally spoke, asking in a low voice, “But, he was murdered?”

  I looked at Sid. “Yes sir. He was thrown off a plane over the Atlantic Ocean.”

  “Why?” Sid asked exacerbated.

  “I don’t think he was part of the ransom deal, and he had seen too much. I don’t think the original plan was to ask for ransom. When the two pilots changed the plan, they didn’t need Alvarez anymore.”

  “You think they changed the original plan? What do you mean?” Ruth asked.

  “I think Mr. Drucker has more information on that,” I replied, pointing at Aaron Drucker. I asked, knowing the answer from what Feinstein inadvertently disclosed to Father Dom the first time they met. “When did you know Gavi was kidnapped?”

  Drucker swallowed hard. “I knew the moment it happened Friday night…” His voice trailed off as he looked at Ruth.

  “Why didn’t you tell us, Aaron?’ Ruth asked.

  Drucker pushed back from the table, sighed, and replied, “I thought I could handle this quietly. It never occurred to me that anything like this was going to happen.”

  “You said you knew the moment it happened. How come?”

  Sid Feinstein replied, looking down at the table. “Let me answer that. We—I—got a call the week before from someone asking us to turn over the 2016 files, tax return preparations, and anything we had on the three clients. We were getting ready to ask for an outside audit of all three.”

  “Let me guess,” I said. “MarAir, Meso Trading, and Solimark Bank, right?”

  Sid was surprised. “Yes. How did you know?”

  I ignored his question. “Why did you want to have them audited by an outside firm?”

  Drucker replied, “Many of our clients are required to have an independent audit after we complete our accounting work. It’s pretty much standard procedure.”

  “But, did these three companies ask for an outside audit?”

  Drucker replied, “No.”

  “So, why ask for an independent audit?”

  Sid replied, “I decided to do that after completing my work on them. I noticed some irregularities in their income, deposits, et cetera. We pride ourselves on proper service.”

  “Had you ever done an outside audit on them before?”

  Drucker replied, “No.”

  “Okay. So, you decided to go with an audit. Did you tell the clients you were doing it?”

  “I communicated with the client, yes,” Sid said.

  “Did you know these three companies are owned by the same offshore entity?”

  Drucker replied, “Yes, of course. Many of our clients have separate companies, which are, in turn, owned by other entities. Nothing illegal about that.”

  “I see. Who was your point of contact for these three companies?”

  Drucker and Feinstein exchanged glances. Feinstein nodded, and Drucker replied, “Ahmad Senturk.”

  “When was it that you told Senturk you were doing an independent audit?”

  “I called Mr. Senturk about three weeks ago,” Sid said.

  “Okay. So, three weeks ago you told him about the audit. A week after—two weeks ago—you got a call to turn over all their files, and then last week, Gavi was abducted. Is that timeline correct?”

  “Yes,” Drucker said.

  “Did Senturk request all the files?” I asked.

  “We don’t know, they left a message with our receptionist,” Sid said.

  “Did you call him to confirm the request?”

  “I did,” Drucker replied.

  “And?” I asked.

  Drucker hesitated. “He told me to do it, and in his own words, excuse my language, he said, ‘Don’t fuck with this request. Just do it.’”

  I knew what was coming. “And you didn’t do it, did you?”

  “Not right away. The Friday I heard Gavi was missing, I got another call from someone. They simply said, ‘Turn over the files and Gavi will be returned to you.’”

  “And when did you turn over all the files?”

  “We overnighted them to Senturk last Monday.”

  I sat back and looked at Aaron. “So, Monday when we met at your home, you knew everything that was going on, yet you didn’t tell us. Why? Why waste time and money on that?”

  “I know, and I’m sorry,” he said, looking at Ruth. “I wanted a back-up plan. And, and, Ruth assured me you wouldn’t get the police involved.”

  I shook my head. “Did you keep a copy of any of the files?”

  Drucker shook his head. “We sent everything we had. I didn’t want —”

  “Aaron, I wasn’t truthful with you about that,” Feinstein said. “My son works for the Secret Service, and I called and told him what was going on. Anyway, he told me to make a copy of everything on a computer flash drive.”

  “Shit Sid, they had my daughter!” Drucker exclaimed.

  “I know Aaron, but they don’t know that we have copies.”

  “Do you have the drive?” I asked.

  “I overnighted three of them to my son for safekeeping. One for each entity.”

  35

  Our meeting was momentarily interrupted by an assistant who knocked on the conference room door. The assistant mentioned to both partners that their next appointment was waiting in the reception area.

  Aaron Drucker looked at his Vacheron Constantin watch and said, “Let’s take a fifteen-minute break. I assume we’re not finished with this conversation. Sid and I can reschedule our next meeting. Stay here, I’ll send someone to see if you care for something to drink.”

  Drucker’s pit-bull demeanor at the start of our meeting changed considerabl
y. He genuinely looked concerned and apologetic for his actions. I expected an adversary and contentious get together, but my strategy of starting with a reality shock and horror depiction seemed to work.

  Ruth Goldstein excused herself, and Father Dom and I remained behind.

  “What do you think?” Dom asked.

  “My thought is that they don’t know they know. I mentioned that to Marcy before. They know something is awry with the accounting, and more than likely, the files tell the story. But, they don’t know what the story actually is.”

  “It’s going to take a day before we get those flash drives back, and then it’s going to require a forensic accounting expert to decipher them. We’re not even sure what we’re looking for ourselves.”

  “Let’s keep digging and see if something they say points to anyone. But brother, if we uncover something, I don’t want them to know we did. Otherwise, we’re exposing these guys. There have been enough killings. You know what I mean?”

  “I understand, but aren’t we putting ourselves in harm’s way? Shouldn’t we call in the authorities at this point?”

  It was then that I realized that I was used to the hunt. Being in harm’s way was part of the routine as a homicide investigator. Father Dom was not, and while he was a good detective with an agile mind, he was a priest, and the idea of someone murdering witnesses was not part of his daily routine. “We’re fine, Dom. If we uncover something substantial, we’ll turn it over. In the meantime, we can advance this investigation without the bureaucracy.”

  Dom pushed back in his chair and crossed his legs. “You just used doublespeak, and that’s what worries me about you.”

  I chuckled. “What are you talking about?”

  “You said the word ‘substantial.’ So, that gives you an option in determining what is and what is not. Then, you used the word ‘bureaucracy,’ which I happen to know you abhor. That’s when you take matters into your own hands, and worst, in your own way.”

  Now I laughed. He was right, of course. “It worked well for me for sixteen years with the NYPD and since we have been involved in our own investigations. Right?”

  “I’ll give you credit for that, but we have never been up against an adversary who is killing everyone who knows anything. You, yourself, think we’re involved in major black-market smuggling maneuver that could be part of an ISIS operation. ISIS, as in the terrorist group. This is not your typical murder suspect, comprende brother?”

  “I understand how you feel, and we’re not going to go after ISIS. I’m only interested in who I think is the person responsible for these murders.”

  “And you don’t think it’s ISIS themselves?”

  “No, brother. ISIS could give a shit about one importer and one laundering bank in the United States These companies are one of many around the world. These guys are just pawns for them. One small operation is stopped in New York, and they don’t give a shit. They go on elsewhere, maybe even in New York with other operators.”

  “So, who are we after?”

  “Like I said before, there’s someone who has a lot to lose if these guys expose this particular ring of smuggling. My gut tells me there’s a collector of Sumerian antiquities in New York who cannot afford to be outed. Someone’s whose life would change dramatically if exposed.”

  “You’re talking about a public figure. Maybe a politician?”

  “A public figure, yes. Not likely a politician. Someone with mucho bucks, a well-known billionaire.”

  “A billionaire that collects art?”

  I looked at Dom and opened my eyes wide. “You got it! And who better than Agnes to do that research.

  Dom sighed. “I feel better knowing you’re not intending to take down ISIS. How much more do we want to get from the partners?”

  “Let’s ask a few more questions. Maybe we can start the list now and move on. Again, I don’t want to give them any hints that could cause them more problems.”

  Two people walked in, one pushing a coffee cart with Danishes. The other carried a tray of cups, sugar, and other accoutrements. One of them asked, “Can we get you anything?”

  Dom replied, “No, thank you. We’ll help ourselves.”

  As the two walked out, Ruth and Drucker came back in. “Sid is tied up with the client,” Aaron said. “I hope you don’t mind that.”

  I smiled. “No, we’re fine. We only have a few more questions.”

  We took a few moments to serve ourselves coffee.

  “Is Sid more involved with the three clients that we’re discussing?”

  “We all work with the clients. Are you asking specifically about these tax returns, et cetera?”

  “Well, the irregularities we discussed, would you have seen them yourself?”

  “I didn’t, but Sid discussed them with me. That’s why we decided to get audits. Are you looking for something specific?”

  I exchanged glances with Dom. “I’m sure you’re not aware of this, but the FBI has been surveilling all three clients.”

  Drucker turned to look at Ruth. “Shit, why?”

  “There’s a possibility that they’re involved in some activities that are not Kosher, so to speak.”

  “I can assure you that we certainly did not know anything about that.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t. Are these three companies in business with any other clients of your firm?”

  Drucker sat back and closed his eyes. “Not that we know of.”

  Dom asked, “Tell us about the irregularities Mr. Feinstein found, please.”

  Ruth and Drucker turned to face Dominic. “He found a number of cash transfers between the three that were not accounted for. In other words, there was no corresponding paperwork to justify the transfers.”

  “You mean like an invoice or purchase order?”

  “Exactly,” Drucker replied.

  “How about cash wires going out? Many of those?” I asked.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact. Both incoming and outgoing wires. Some had explanations, others did not.”

  “Do you have any idea who these transfers were going to, or who they came from.

  “I don’t know that, but that’s something we might be able to see once we get the files back.”

  “About that,” I started, “I want Sid’s son to send those to Ruth. That’s if you don’t mind, Ruth.”

  “I don’t mind,” she said.

  “Do you want us to hire an audit firm to go over those?” Drucker asked.

  “Let be very honest. I don’t want you guys uncovering anything that can expose you and your families to any issues. You know what I mean?”

  Drucker put his coffee cup down. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  “What should I do with the flash drives when I receive them?” Ruth asked.

  I thought for a second as I took a sip of my coffee, “We don’t need a certified audit. We need an audit from someone who is going to keep the information private. Do you know anyone that can do that?”

  “We could do that ourselves, I guess,” Drucker said.

  “I want fresh eyes from someone who doesn’t know what we are looking for.”

  “Well,” Aaron paused in thought, “in that case, I have someone who just retired from our firm. Excellent auditor, keen eye for detail. He would be perfect.”

  “Great, done. Can he work out of Ruth’s office? Again, if you don’t mind Ruth.”

  “Again, I don’t mind.”

  “Any questions, brother?” I asked Dominic.

  “Yes. Mr. Drucker, do you know if any of your clients are art or antiquities collectors?”

  “Goodness, yes. Art is a passion with many wealthy individuals. Some of our clients are collectors. But, why? What does that have to do with this case?”

  “Maybe nothing,” I replied quickly, not wanting Dom to get too specific. “Would you mind putting together a list of such clients?”

  Drucker hesitated. I wondered if this violated any ethics rules.

  I added,
“Aaron, this is strictly a list we’re putting together for our own use. It will remain private, but it could be of great help.”

  “I suppose I could do that, but I still don’t understand why you’re going in that direction.”

  “Frankly, it’s probably better you don’t. It’s simply a hunch we have, and it may have nothing to do with this case.”

  After a few more seconds of thought, Drucker said, “I can have my assistant put it together. Let me have your email, and I’ll have her send it to you as soon as she can compile it.”

  Dom handed Aaron one of our business cards. We all stood up, but I had one final question. “Are you guys working with the Salinger Detective Agency in any capacity?”

  “Doesn’t sound like a client. Why do you ask?”

  Ruth broke in. “I know the agency. They’re a very large investigative group.”

  “Someone was here from the agency this morning before we came in. Do you know anything about that?” I asked.

  “No,” Aaron said, “but how would you know that?”

  “I saw their business card on the reception desk when we came in. I assumed someone was here.”

  “We’ll find out right now on your way out.”

  We walked toward the front of the office. Stopping at the reception area, Aaron Drucker asked the woman at the desk, “Margie, was someone here from a detective agency this morning?”

  “Yes, Mr. Drucker,” she replied, looking around for the card. “Here we go. This man was here and wanted to speak with you and Mr. Feinstein. Annie told him he was to make an appointment. Then he left.”

  Aaron handed me the card. “Annie is my assistant. Related to the case?”

  “I don’t know, maybe, but if he calls again, I want to be present if you decide to meet.”

  “That’s not a problem. We’ll call you. Anything else?”

  “As a matter of fact, there is,” I replied, whispering, “The money you paid for ransom.”

  “What about it?” Drucker asked, moving away from the reception desk.

  Dom looked at me before I answered Aaron’s question. “I may have a way to get some of the money back for you.”

  “What do you mean, some?”