“Can we all just calm down for a minute?” he said in a low voice. He looked directly at the fat man who had recognized him initially. “I’d like you to know why I’m here. I’m here for Julian Reardon, the kid who’s accused of this rape. His mother grew up just a few blocks from here. She’s one of us and that makes Julian one of us. I’m not criticizing how anybody makes their money. I’m just saying you need to let this kid go.”
“You can go,” the fat man said, ignoring Henry’s words. “We’ve got no quarrel with you.”
Henry shook his head. “I can’t do that. Listen to me, I know about these things. You do something to this detective, all hell is going to come down on you. Whatever else you’ve got going on here is going to be over and your life will be over. Trust me on that.
“On the other hand, Sandra just nods and lets us know that Julian is innocent and that she’s going to withdraw the complaint, we’re outta here. We were never here. You may lose a little money in the short run but in the long run you’ll be a whole lot better off. It’s smart thinking.”
The fat man looked at Henry for what seemed like an eternity although his gun was still pointed at Danni’s forehead. Henry knew he was weighing his options. He hoped he was smarter than most two-bit crooks.
“You speak for her, too?” the fat man asked.
Henry looked at Danni, who was still sitting. She nodded her head ever so slightly.
“Yes,” he replied.
Again the fat man stared at Henry for what seemed like an eternity.
“Okay, the charge will be dropped,” he said finally, lowering his gun. “Hector!” One of the two men came forward. “Walk them down to their car. Make sure they get in and drive away.”
Danni stood up to leave. Henry turned toward the door.
“Henry Wilson,” the fat man said, “this doesn’t go down exactly the way you said, I will come looking for you and I won’t be alone. Understood?”
“Understood,” Henry replied.
Chapter Twenty-One
Whew!” Danni said when they were in the car and Henry was driving away from the complex under Hector’s watchful eye. “I’m sure glad I insisted that you come along, Henry.”
Henry stole a quick glance at her to see if she had gone crazy. Danni was smiling. Henry got the joke and chuckled.
“Yeah, that was real good thinking on your part. Got any other great ideas?”
“How about a drink? I sure could use one.”
“Lotta places to go around here.”
“You pick one, Henry. I trust your judgment.”
Henry picked a place over toward the beach. It had kind of a Caribbean feel to it with fake palm trees and stuffed parrots on the yellow walls along with a bunch of other junk. That was the thing with bars these days: Junk on the wall was supposed to be atmosphere. Bob Marley was playing on the jukebox, and a colorful mix of men and women of pretty much all ages were milling around, standing at the bar, or sitting at tables. It was a little after four in the afternoon. Henry and Danni settled in at the bar.
“What’ll you have?” the bartender asked Danni. She looked to be about twenty-one herself, dressed in short-shorts and a bikini top.
“Gray Goose on the rocks. Make it a double. I’m celebrating life, or at least the continuation of my life thanks to my friend here. What are you drinking, Henry? It’s on me.”
Henry ordered a Red Stripe.
“I like beer,” Danni told him. “But I don’t drink it. Women my age with beer guts are not a pretty sight.”
“I don’t think you’ve got much to worry about in that regard,” Henry told her.
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now is the case against Julian Reardon officially over?”
“As soon as I get back it is. I’ve got to talk to my boss and the state attorney, but that’s just a formality. We no longer have a witness. However, I haven’t put this all together yet, Henry. I know it’s Collins’s modus operandi to hire women to get close to athletes, and I’m sure that’s what he did with Sandra. I mean the woman is beautiful. But how do we go from there to the rape charge? I mean, I see the connection, but I haven’t followed it through step by step.”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a little longer,” Henry said, “and I think I can connect the dots. Collins hires Sandra to get close to Julian. Maybe they will start dating. Maybe Julian will think he’s in love. That’s when Sandra will introduce Julian to Collins.”
“I get that part,” Danni said.
“Stay with me now. So Sandra meets Julian, tries to get close to him, but Julian rebuffs her. She tells Collins and they come up with plan B. She accuses Julian of rape. Collins comes in to represent Julian for free. Sandra drops the rape charge. Julian is indebted to Collins and makes him his agent.”
“It sounds logical.”
“The only thing I don’t get,” Henry said, “is why a sports agent would go through so much trouble to get one client.”
“I think I can answer that,” Danni told him. She’d already finished her first drink and had ordered another. “Collins is in trouble and he has been for a long time. The guy has a very lavish lifestyle and he’s not his own man, if you know what I mean.”
“I think I do. He has silent partners.”
“Exactly! And this business is about millions and millions of dollars. Collins was probably on thin ice with his partners. He needed this score.”
“It’s amazing what people will do.”
“It is.” Danni was feeling her liquor now. “And by the way, you did great work on this, Henry. You saved my life. I’ve been a homicide detective for a lot of years and I walked into that situation like it was my first day on the job.”
“What you did probably works where you live. You can usually put pressure on people and get them to talk. Down here they’re all crazy. They’ll shoot you as soon as they look at you.”
“Well, I was lucky to have you there today, and Jack is lucky to have you.”
“We take care of each other.”
“When Jack told me you guys were close friends, that struck me as odd.”
Henry noticed that she was almost done with the second double vodka. She was obviously shaken up by what had happened earlier and rightfully so. Henry wouldn’t have taken odds against the fat man shooting her. Drug people were unpredictable and that crew was obviously running a small-scale drug operation out of that apartment.
“Why? Because he was my lawyer?”
“I guess.”
“Jack is different from most people. He didn’t just represent me. He got to know me. And after I was released from jail, he invited me to come live with him and his wife.”
“His wife?”
“Yeah. Her name was Pat. She was a great lady.”
Danni could see Henry start to tear up at the memory of this woman.
“What happened to her?”
“She died of cancer a few years ago.”
“That must have been devastating for Jack.”
“You have no idea. For a year he just drifted in and out. I thought I was going to lose him a couple of times, but he finally pulled out of his funk.”
“I wish I could do that.”
“Do what?”
“Get over things. They seem to linger with me.”
“Everybody has their own coping mechanisms. I still wake up some mornings thinking I’m back on death row. It makes me shiver.”
“I can’t even imagine what you went through. I read about it. You were awfully close. They had you strapped in and had even started the process, hadn’t they?”
“Yeah,” Henry said as he downed his beer and picked up the fresh one the bartender had already set down for him. “Jack said he almost lost me.”
“I thought you were going to lose me today, Henry.”
“So did I, Danni. So did I.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The following Monday at 9 a.m. sharp, Jac
k and Julian were at the state attorney’s office waiting to be ushered into a meeting that had been set up late Friday.
“Mr. Tobin and Mr. Reardon,” the receptionist said, “would you please follow me?”
Jack and Julian, who was dressed in a blue suit just like his attorney, followed the woman to a large conference room. She opened the door for them and ushered them inside. Danni was there along with a tall woman and a husky man. Danni came around the table and shook hands with Jack and Julian. She was all smiles as she introduced the other two people.
“Jack and Julian, this is Apache County State Attorney Jane Pelicano and Oakville Chief of Police Sam Jeffries.” Everybody shook hands and Jane Pelicano motioned them to be seated. She was now in charge of the proceedings.
After the arrest and subsequent conviction of the serial killer, Thomas Felton, Jane Pelicano, the prosecuting attorney, and Sam Jeffries, the head of the task force formed to apprehend the killer, were the two most popular people in the county. Jane used that newfound fame to successfully run for the position of Apache County state attorney. Sam became a double-dipper. He retired from the Sheriff’s Department and took the position as chief of police in Oakville. He was now Danni’s boss.
Jane opened the meeting.
“We have asked you both here today because we have made some decisions regarding your case, Julian, and we wanted to talk about those decisions before we made a public announcement. Since this case involves the university’s sports program as well as yourself, Julian, it has gotten a great deal of publicity. We want to make sure we tie up all the loose ends appropriately so that we are all on the same page, so to speak.”
Jack was not sure where this was going. If they were just going to drop the charges, what was the need for a meeting? He decided to start asking questions.
“Are you going to drop the charges?”
“Yes,” Jane Pelicano answered.
“What else is there to talk about?”
“We’d like your client to sign a release, releasing the police department, the City of Oakville, and the State of Florida from any and all claims arising out of this investigation. This is not normal procedure, but since there has been so much publicity already, some of it not favorable to your client, we thought it would be best.”
Ah, Jack thought. There’s the rub. They’re thinking about their own necks. Now that he knew the game, he decided to work for some concessions.
“That’s not a problem. However, we would like your announcement to say that you have completed your investigation and Julian Reardon has been completely exonerated. He is totally innocent.”
“I’m not sure we can go that far, Mr. Tobin,” Chief Jeffries said. “But we can work on some language with you.”
“I’m sure you can but I like my language ‘completely exonerated’ and ‘totally innocent.’ It kind of goes along with releasing the police department, the City of Oakville, and the State of Florida from ‘any and all claims arising out of the investigation,’ doesn’t it?”
“We’re not charging your client. Isn’t that enough, Mr. Tobin?” Chief Jeffries persisted.
“Let’s put it this way. You want a release since you think you may have some exposure because of the adverse publicity my client has endured. We are willing to give that to you, but we want a statement that removes the stigma caused by that adverse publicity. That’s only fair.”
Jeffries looked at Jane Pelicano and shrugged. Jack could tell they wanted to get this over with. Danni just sat there and looked pretty. This was a political decision and she was not a part of it.
“Okay,” Jane said. “We will agree with your language in exchange for the release if we can get it all done today. Time is important to all of us. We’d like to put this to bed.”
Jack chuckled to himself. He’d gotten everything he wanted, but the state needed to feel that they had the final concession.
“Done. I’ll draft the statement and you draft the release, and I’ll review it. I only need an hour or so.”
Pelicano stood up. “Fine. Detective Jansen will get in touch with you when the release is ready.”
The meeting was over. Everybody shook hands and went their separate ways.
Julian had a few questions when they were standing outside the state attorney’s office.
“I’m not sure exactly what happened in there, but I do know that you were just a little quicker than they were and they had a plan going in. How did you do that?”
“Well, Julian, when somebody wants to make a deal, you’ve got to make sure you seize the opportunity and squeeze everything you can out of it because it won’t come again. It’s just something that comes with experience. Now, they are going to make a wonderful statement clearing your name. I know because I’m going to write it. You will be reinstated on the football team and you can put this episode behind you.
“I hope that you learned something from this. As an athlete you are in a fishbowl. You can be innocent but still be perceived as guilty if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. In your world, my friend, perception is oftentimes reality. Don’t forget that.”
“I won’t, Mr. Tobin. My mother was right about you. You are the best. You know I almost went with that guy from Miami, but my mother wouldn’t let me.”
“It was the universe speaking to all of us, Julian.”
Julian just nodded as he shook Jack’s hand. He had no idea what that last statement meant.
Danni called two hours later.
“I’ve got the release.”
“I’ve got the statement. Want to meet for lunch?”
“Where?” Danni asked.
“Where else?”
“I’ll see you at The Swamp in fifteen minutes.”
Jack was already at a back table talking to Ron when Danni arrived. She sat down and handed Jack the release. “I think it’s pretty standard language.”
“I guess I’ll leave since I’m invisible anyway,” Ron said.
“Don’t go on my account,” Danni said without much conviction.
“I know it will be hard for you two without me around, but I must go. You know, I’ve got to pay for the lights and all that. Lunch is on me, by the way. And, Danni, don’t give me that city business crap.”
It was Jack who protested. “Ronnie, I haven’t paid for a meal since I’ve been here.”
“And you won’t, brother. Besides, I’m just softening you up for my big pitch down the road when I’m gonna need some real money.” Ronnie walked away toward the front door to greet customers.
“He’s something else,” Jack said to Danni as he finally took a moment to look at the release she had handed him. “It looks fine.” He pulled a piece of paper from his jacket pocket and gave it to her.
“Here’s the statement.”
Danni took a moment to read it. “It looks good to me, but as you know, I won’t be making that decision.”
“I understand. Tell the powers that be that the release seems okay with me, but I am withholding any final decision as to whether to have my client sign it until I hear back from them in writing about the statement.”
Danni smiled. “You are a hardball player.”
“Maybe so. I just know how the game is played and how people go back on their word.”
“Unfortunately, I know about that myself.”
Their meals arrived and as they ate, they watched the noontime crowd arrive. Ron was suddenly everywhere chatting with people.
“So Henry tells me you and he had an exciting time in Miami.”
Danni almost choked on her veggie wrap. “You can say that again. And I’m with you about Henry, Jack. He’s now one of my closest friends. He saved my life.”
“Welcome to the club. So let’s be optimistic and assume everything wraps up today. You and I will no longer be on opposite sides of a criminal investigation.”
“That’s true.”
“So I think we should have dinner to celebrate.”
Danni looked
at him and smiled but didn’t answer right away. For a moment Jack thought she was going to turn him down.
“I think so, too, and I’ve got the perfect place in mind.”
“You’re talking about here, right? Because I get my meals free at this establishment.”
“No, Jack Tobin. Tonight you’re going to pay. Assuming everything goes according to plan, you can pick me up at seven.”
“I don’t even know where you live.”
“You’ll find out. You’re a resourceful man. I’ve got to go. I have an important deal to close.”
Jack’s eyes followed her to the door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Danni called a little after three and said that the public statement had been approved. If they received the release in the morning, a joint press conference with the chief of police and the state attorney would be held tomorrow afternoon.
Almost as soon as he hung up, Jack received another call.
“Hello.”
“You fucked up my mark.”
“Who is this?”
“Shut the fuck up and listen. Nobody fucks me over and gets away with it. I heard about your orchestration of this whole deal. You may think you’re a big shot but you’re wrong. I don’t work alone and my partners aren’t nice guys like me.”
“Don’t even think about going near Julian.”
“It’s not about Julian anymore. It’s about you, big shot. You’re gonna get yours. It may be tomorrow, it may be the next day, but it’s gonna happen. You can take that to the bank.”
“You don’t scare me, Collins. If people like you scared me, I’d have folded my tent up a long time ago. Have a nice day.”
Jack called Henry right away and told him about the conversation.
“I’m inclined to call the police. What do you think?”
“It was probably a throw-away phone so they won’t be able to trace anything to Collins. They may question him, but that will only make him and whoever his so-called friends are a little bolder. Collins anticipates that you’re going to call the police. He’s prepared for that. Why don’t you let me look into it.”
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