Josh waited a moment. "Who wrote the report?"
Calise, unsteady on his feet, tried to refocus his eyes on Josh. "It was a team effort. The arrest got me bumped to detectives," turning away. "Now that is all I got, Lieutenant. Take care," heading back to the trailer.
Josh watched him stagger away.
"Lieutenant," Calise said, over his shoulder, "don't bother trying to come back another time. When I said that's all I got, that is all I got. I'm done with this," disappearing inside, slamming the door behind him.
Josh turned to the beach and saw Keira walking towards him.
"So, how'd it go?"
"Not too bad, didn't give me much. Said we should check the lineup report. He made it sound like there was more than one report. And…"
Keira raised her eyebrows, "I thought there was only one lineup?"
"So did I."
"What else did he tell you?" Keira continued.
"He was the arresting officer. Said his report was a team effort. Someone coached him to make the arrest more solid. It got him transferred to detectives, a reward of sorts. They massaged the report to make it better."
"There's a shock," she answered.
"Let's take a walk," Josh said.
"Why, you are just full of surprises, aren't you Mr. Williams?"
Taking Keira's hand, they walked along the water's edge. After a mile or so, they came to a small bench near a beach access point. Josh pointed at the sign on the bench. "So who do you think Harry Gottlieb is?"
Keira smiled, "Says he's the Fort Myers Beach Director of Sunsets. Sounds like a great job."
They sat down, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Josh put his arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Josh remained quiet for some time, staring at the water. Keira looked up and said. "What's wrong? I can tell there's something bothering you."
Josh smiled, pulled her closer, his arm tightening around her. "It's nothing, just thinking."
Keira sat up, turning to face him, "You? Thinking? Now I know something is up," she laughed. "Okay, out with it. Or we spend the next five days sitting here until you talk."
Josh started to speak, paused a moment, looking back out to the ocean. "It's nothing. Just bothered by the way things were back then. I wonder if it has changed all that much."
"Of course it has changed," Keira said, taking both his hands in hers. "Your reopening this case shows it is different now. It's not perfect. They'll always be cops with attitudes, the sole arbiters of justice as they see it, willing to ignore the truth. But not you and not most of the people on the department."
She pulled Josh to his feet, "Come on, let's walk some more," wrapping her arm around his. "Listen to me. I know I am always ranting and raving about the injustices I see; but I know they are the exceptions to the rule. Doesn't make them any less evil, or me any less determined to bring them to light, but I realize they are not representative of most cops. Cops like you.
"Your willingness to search for the truth gives me hope. Things have changed. As long as there are people like you, Chris, Chief Brennan, and others it will continue to get better. I know it will."
"And you," Josh said, pulling her to him, kissing her, holding the embrace. "I may not always like what you do, but I always respect your courage and determination. I hate to admit this, but we need more people like you holding our feet to the fire."
Keira smiled, "Why, Mr. Williams I do believe you are trying to seduce me."
"Is it working?" Josh said, returning the look.
"Indeed it is, Mr. Williams. Indeed it is."
"So, now what? Where would you like to go? I'll take you wherever you want," Josh said, kissing the top of her head.
"Why don't we just find a place to stay, lay on the beach, go out to dinner, and just forget about the rest of the world for a few days?"
"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 gro
wing 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.
Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel Page 5