Pulling up to the covered portico, Josh saw Fatso, and his bodyguard, waiting on the front steps.
Josh got out of the car.
"Sergeant Williams, how are you?" Bellofatto asked.
"It's Lieutenant now, Mr. Bellofatto," Josh answered. "I am well. And you?"
"Lieutenant, ah, a well-deserved promotion. Please, call me Gino. We are among friends here, I hope." Trying to gauge Josh's behavior and body language, Bellofatto was cautious but charming.
"Gino, I was hoping to speak with you in private for a moment," eyeing the muscle, who was staring him down.
"This is as private as it gets, Lieutenant. Speak freely."
Josh gave the bodyguard one last look, "I was hoping I could test your memory. In 1972, while you were in the ACI, they brought a guy in, a black guy, on a rape and murder beef. Two inmates beat him to death a few days later. Do you recall the incident?"
Bellofatto made a slight motion with his head and the muscle walked inside the home. "Is this of an investigative nature? That would affect my memory," Bellofatto smiled.
"This is off the record." Josh answered. “I am asking for a friend. They tried and convicted the inmates responsible. It's not about you. Just looking for background info." He saw the bodyguard watching from the front window.
"In that case, yeah I remember when they killed the mulignan. Bastard deserved it," Bellofatto replied.
"The what?"
"Mulignan, it's Italian slang for eggplant. A nicer form of nigger if you will," smiling at Josh.
"Ah. So, did you hear anything about why an inmate held for trial was in the general population, especially a rapist?"
Bellofatto paused a moment, studying Josh. "Let's just say none of the guards worried too much about following procedures," Bellofatto said, "or what would happen to the guy," folding his arms and smiling. "I heard someone in the State Police put the arm on the warden to make it happen. We all have our ways. You have yours and we have ours. You have to remember, those were different times."
Josh listened, taking in the information. "So you think it was intentional?"
"What I think doesn't matter. They put the guy out there and let nature take its course. Far as I can see, it worked. Son-of-a-bitch raped a bunch of white women and killed one," hesitating a moment, eyes narrowing. "Or he didn't and you're out to find out who did."
"Something like that."
"If you did your research, then you'd know the rapes stopped after the guy was caught. The cops made a big deal out of it. They acted as if they caught the Boston Strangler. You're sure he wasn't the one?"
"Let's just say there is some doubt. About a month after they arrested Grey, Massachusetts State Police made an arrest in Seekonk. They grabbed a guy in an attempted rape at the Ramada Inn. The guy matched the description of the suspect in the RI cases."
"Well," Bellofatto smiled, "you know them mulignans all look alike."
Josh shook his head. "Thanks, Mr. Bello…ah, Gino. I appreciate the information."
Bellofatto nodded, "Look, no one appreciates the cops looking to help an innocent guy more than me. If the mulignan," pausing a moment, "sorry, force of habit. If the guy didn't do it then I hope you can help out whoever you're doing this for."
"It's his daughter," Josh answered. "She'd like to know he wasn't a rapist and murderer."
Bellofatto nodded and motioned for the bodyguard to open the security gate, the conversation was over.
Josh went back to his car and headed out. As he pulled onto the roadway, his cell phone beeped with a text message from a blocked number. "Ask Jimmy Calise from Providence PD."
Guy is a piece of work.
Chapter 8
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
8:30AM
East Providence Police Headquarters
East Providence, Rhode Island
Chief Brennan was reviewing files when his assistant paged him. "Lieutenant Williams is here to see you, Chief."
"Send him in, Donna."
Josh walked into the Chief's office and sat on the ledge near the window. "How's your day going, El Jefe?" he asked, smiling.
"Up until a moment ago fine," Brennan answered. "Now, I am not so sure."
"Well, good news for a change."
"I’ll be the judge of that."
"Okay, I was wondering if you had a problem with me taking some unplanned time off. I know the requests are supposed to be fifteen days ahead of the date, but I found some cheap flights to Fort Myers. I figure Keira and I can use some time away."
Brennan smiled. Williams was a favorite son of his and he was happy to hear things were back on track with the young couple. "If it means you'll be out of my hair, then by all means go. Go now if you like. But please, go."
"Thanks boss, I'll miss you too."
Josh walked out of the office. One down, one to go. Now to convince Keira to take the time.
Stopping at the aide's desk on the way out Josh asked, "Hey Donna, how do I convince my wife to take time off to go with me to Fort Myers Beach?"
"Try asking," Donna replied. "I bet it would be a good place to start."
"Genius," Josh answered, "You are a true genius."
Josh called Keira on his cell as he walked back to the SIU.
"Hey, what's up?" she answered.
"Are you busy?"
"Not at all, just finished a motion I argue tomorrow. Why?"
"I want to take you to dinner," Josh said.
"Uh-oh, what did you do now?"
"Nothing, can't I just decide to take you to dinner without raising suspicions?"
"Not usually, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Where would you like to go?"
"How about the Canfield House in Newport?"
"Now I know you did something spectacular. Okay, what's up? "
"Trust me, you're gonna enjoy this."
"I can't wait. When will you be here?"
"Five okay?" Josh answered.
"Will that give you enough time to think of an excuse for whatever it is you did?"
"Hey, have some faith in me will ya."
"I know you too well Mr. Williams, too well. See you later."
* * *
Arriving at Keira's office just before 5:00 PM, Josh walked towards the front entrance. As he got to the door, his cell rang. Looking at the caller ID, he felt his face turning red. The display read, Kristin Volpe AG's Office. Uh-oh, not taking that one. He sent the call to voice mail. When he looked up, Keira was walking towards him.
"Who was that?" she asked.
"Oh, no one, the office. I sent it to voice mail. Tonight there are no interruptions."
"Oh my god, now I know you did something. Just tell me and get it over with."
"Nothing to tell, but I do have a surprise for you."
"Yeah and…"
"You're going to have to wait until dinner. Keep you in suspense a bit more," Josh said.
"Oh, I cannot wait to hear this one."
A short time later, they sat in the restaurant. Josh ordered a bottle of Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Keira kept looking at Josh.
"What?" Josh asked.
"I keep waiting for the bomb to go off," she said. "Cakebread Cellars, dinner at Canfield House, just unbelievable."
"Okay, here it is…" Josh began.
Keira leaned forward. "Shouldn't you remove any sharp objects from my reach?"
Josh shook his head, "No, okay. Just listen, I want to take you to Fort Myers for a week. Take some time off. Just you and me."
Keira looked at him for several moments. "Okay, what have you done with my husband? You are an impostor."
"Okay, okay. You made your point. I should do this more often. So, are you in? Can you take the time to go?"
Keira smiled, "I would love to go. Why Fort Myers? Not that I’m complaining, but it's not on the list for the top ten destinations."
"Ah, yes…um. Well, remember the case I had you look over…"
"I should have known," folding
her arms across her chest, leaning back in the chair. "This is a working trip. Unbelievable."
Josh put his hands up, "Just one quick stop to talk to a retired Providence detective sergeant. I don't even know if he'll talk to me. The rest of the time is just us," reaching over and taking Keira's hand. "We don't even have to stay there; we can go anywhere you like."
Keira smiled, and then laughed. "Well, you are improving there, Mr. Williams. I take this as progress. "
Josh smiled back. "Thanks, I knew you'd come around.”
Keira smiled, "Wait, what about Cassidy? She doesn't like to be left behind."
"I'll get Chris to stay at the house with her. I'll have to lock up all the liquor, but she's somewhat housebroken," Josh laughed. "The two of them can watch each other. That work?"
"Like I said, it's a good start. You'll need to start planning the next vacation, without any work related matters, so you can surprise me again on my birthday. Always remember jewelry is your best friend. David Yurman in particular; I'll make a list for you."
Chapter 9
Monday, August 24, 2009
11:45 AM
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
The Southwest Airlines flight began its approach to the Fort Myers International Airport. Josh looked up from his iPad. Keira was asleep, lying against his shoulder. Josh nudged her. She opened her eyes.
"Time to stop snoring and put your seat up," Josh said.
"I do not snore," Keira answered, stretching as she adjusted the seat.
"I bet the people in the row behind us would disagree," Josh said, smiling and taking her hand.
"Are we there yet?"
"Just about, I got an email message from Sergeant Calise. He sent me his address, wanted to know when we'd be there."
"Did he ask what it was about?" Keira asked.
"Nope, just said he'd be there all day."
"Hmm, you'd think he'd be curious."
"You would, wouldn't you?" Josh answered. "Oh, and I got a picture from Chris. She took Cassidy to Barrington beach. Look," turning his iPad for Keira to see.
"Oh my god, she's covered in seaweed and sand," Keira said, hand over her mouth. "It will never come out of her fur." Keira smiled and shook her head.
The plane landed, taxied to the gate, and the flight attendant opened the door, jumping out of the way.
Josh and Keira watched as the twenty-seven people who boarded by wheelchairs could retrieve overhead bags and walk from the plane. Known as the Miracle of the Jetway, it is the best therapy in the world.
They followed the miraculously healed from the plane, and then found the rental car counter. After getting the car, they headed to Fort Myers Beach.
* * *
Driving across the San Carlos Bridge gave them a spectacular view of the beach and island. Fort Myers Beach is a mix of hotels, motels, condos, houses, beach bars, restaurants, and businesses.
Some of it is the redneck heaven of vacation spots, some of it quiet and reserved.
Jimmy Calise lived alone in a mobile home just outside the area known as Times Square. Josh pulled into the lot and followed the directions to a small, rundown, faded white, rusting trailer.
The front of the trailer overlooked the beach; but the torn awning drooping over the windows blocked the view.
Parked next to the trailer was a 1987 Chevy with RI plates. The car was as rusted as the trailer. It hadn't been in Rhode Island in a long time.
Parking next to the Chevy, Josh started to get out of the car. "You want to come in with me?" he asked.
"Nah, I'll go walk on the beach. I saw a coffee shop just as we came over the bridge. If you finish first, come get me there. Or I'll just walk back here."
Josh walked to the door of the trailer, watching as Keira strode down to the beach.
Knocking on the door, he heard a voice from inside. "Come on in, Lieutenant."
Josh opened the door and walked in. The inside of the trailer was beautiful; handmade hardwood table and chairs, some oil paintings of the beach, spotless kitchen.
Seeing the reaction, Jimmy Calise said. "I keep the inside nice and let the outside look like shit. Keeps my tax appraisal down. I don't go out much anyway."
Josh nodded. "Smart, I guess. Nice location though, right on the beach."
"It’s a pain in season. Too many drunks on the beach and traffic sucks. Not that I drive anywhere much."
"Ah, yeah. I saw the car."
"It runs great. I just use it to go to the liquor store and for food shopping. Speaking of which, you want a drink?" pouring himself a water glass full of rum.
"No thanks, little early for me," Josh replied.
"Used to be for me, I got used to it. Suit yourself," taking a seat on one of the stools near the kitchen counter. He did not offer Josh a seat. "So what can I do for you, Lieutenant? I've been gone a long time."
"Josh, please, call me Josh. This isn't anything official. Just doing a favor for a friend."
"Must be a good friend to travel all this way," raising his glass, “So, ask away," his eyes studied Josh’s face.
"Do you remember a case, a rape murder investigation, suspect was a guy named Darnell Grey?"
Josh saw the recognition in Calise; eyes squinting, jaw clenched. He remembers and he didn’t expect this.
"Yeah, I know the case. Guy raped four women and killed one. What about it?"
"He was killed in prison, couple of weeks after he got locked up. Did you know that?"
"Everybody knew that. Hell, it was the fastest way to deal with the bastard," dropping his eyes to his glass. "Should happen more often."
"Was there anything about the case that, well, wasn't right?" Josh watched for more reaction.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Calise studied Josh for a long moment, "There were always things that weren't right. Witnesses aren't worth shit, can't talk to the suspect without his lawyer, no case was ever perfect."
"But with this one, anything you can think of might help."
"What are you looking for? Why ask about ancient history?" Calise asked, pouring more rum into the glass.
"Grey had a daughter; she wants to know if her father did this. She just wants to know the truth."
"Well, I guess I can understand that. But I don't know how I can help. I was on the job just a few years then. My role was to keep my mouth shut and learn," taking another drink. "That's what I did."
Josh looked past Calise and saw a frame with a Ranger Battalion Emblem and Ranger Tabs.
"Were you a Ranger?" Josh asked.
"101st."
"Did you know Grey was in the 1st Cavalry at Ia Drang Valley in 1965?"
Calise glanced at the picture frame, "No, I didn't…not a good place to be."
"Look, this isn't going to go anywhere except to satisfy his daughter's curiosity. Nobody's gonna get jammed up. She just wants to know the truth."
Calise took a drink and looked into the glass. "Let's just say you should check the lineup reports," looking up at Josh.
"You mean report? There was only one lineup."
A sad smile came across Calise. "That's all I got Lieutenant, all I got…"
Josh walked over and put out his hand. Calise raised his glass, but made no effort to shake Josh’s hand.
Josh went to the door, "Thanks, Sarge. I appreciate your taking the time to see me. There is one more thing."
Calise, half listening, lost in the enigma of remembering and regret, looked up.
"Why would Fatso Bellofatto tell me to come see you?"
Calise eyes narrowed as he fixed Josh in a menacing glare. "You know what used to piss us off? The Rhode Island State Police." The words were deliberate and angry, if slurred.
Josh saw the alcohol fueled rage in Calise's bloodshot eyes.
"They'd come in and arrest a bunch of seventy-five year old men. Then claim they'd taken down a multimillion dollar gambling operation. The lifeblood of organized crime my ass. Half the guys they arrested had holes in their pants. T
hen they'd leave the rest of the shit in the city for us to clean up,” waving his hand around the room, “You know, like the gangs, drugs, shootings, robberies. It was all bullshit," slamming his glass on the table, rum splashing out.
He refilled the glass, tossing the now empty bottle into the trash.
Taking another long drink, his eyes bored into Josh. "Guys like Bellofatto cared more about the streets being safe then they did. He helped us out when we needed it. Never about his business, of course, but he heard things in places we couldn't go. I got to know the guy; I knew he was in prison when Grey was killed. I talked to him about it. He told me not to worry; the mulignan got what he deserved."
Looking to defuse the tension, Josh said, "I understand. The street isn't always black and white is it? Thanks, Sarge," turning to the door.
"Wait a minute…"
Josh turned back.
Calise, his head down, appeared drained. "You got the case file?" he asked. "Our case file?"
Josh shook his head, "Not yet."
"Well, you'll find this out sooner or later…" Calise stood, walked past Josh, and went outside to the beach. Josh followed.
"This is why I live here, you know. This is my front window on the world," gesturing to the Gulf of Mexico, overlooking Sanibel Island.
Josh looked out at the water. It was a beautiful view.
"I was the one that grabbed him."
Josh turned and looked at Calise. "You were the arresting officer?"
"Yeah, working the East Side near the Pawtucket line. We got the call for a suspicious auto. As we pulled up, we saw the guy dump the body in the river and run," Calise took another drink. "I went after him and caught him."
"So you had him in view the whole time?"
Calise, his eyes red and brimming from the alcohol, looked at Josh. "That's what the report says."
"Is it what you say?" Josh asked.
"In the parlance of police work at the time, I observed the suspect run and apprehended him." A sad smile crossing Calise's face.
Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel Page 4