“My cell phone’s been tapped and I’ve probably got bugs in my house.”
“We using the Peabody kid’s retainer?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll get a guy out there first thing. Throw your phone in the river, now. I’ll have my guy bring a couple of burners out with him.”
“Be careful, Wilda. I’ve been hearing horrible stories about Meridian’s partners. And, before you say ‘I told you so,’ I’ve heard it all from Vinnie.”
“He’s right.” She clicked off and I was left holding the receiver. Spike indeed!
I made a beeline for the door, but not quick enough. Casanova was at my side as I pushed it open. “I’ve got protection, you know.”
“Yes, you do, me.”
“Let’s walk along the beach. I’ve gotta get rid of my phone.”
“Give it to me.”
He held out his hand and I handed it over. He threw it to the ground and crushed it
with his workboot. “Can’t be too careful. Now you can throw it in the river.”
Chapter 27
After showing Stan, the de-bugger around, I left the house with four burner phones and his promise to meet me at the office in an hour. Still no sign of Spike or Frank, but I headed into the city, arriving at the office at eight forty-five. Wilda and Mike were already in, Wilda reading a novel and Mike still battling the miss in the Inner sanctum. Since my laptop was now on my new desk in the outer office, I sat down and got to work. I called Bud, and a couple of my regular clients on one of the new cell phones to give them my number, in case they needed me. What a gigantic pain in the neck this was going to be!
My background checks on the Meridian owners turned up little. Wade Pullman, age seventy-two, had gone to Yale, then got his MBA from Harvard Business School, Oscar Winters, age sixty-eight, had gone to U. Mass on the GI bill after four years in Vietnam. I wondered how they had gotten together and what Yale, Harvard and U. Mass would think of their alums post-graduation activities. They had both been married and divorced, Winters three times. He did not appear to have a wife at present. Pullman did. He was married to the former Lesley Granger, thirty years his junior. I ran a few more checks on Lesley Granger and the other ex-wives.
Pullman and Winters had owned Meridian for over twenty years and before that several manufacturing companies with overseas factories in Mexico, China and India. Perhaps with a nudge from Javelin, it was during those years when the idea for their current despicable business took shape. So far, they had managed to operate under the radar. The only criminal activities I uncovered were a bunch of misdemeanors—petty theft, breaking and entering, etc.—for Oscar when he was a teenager. Both had a number of speeding tickets over the years. Who didn't? Winters had an incident after he got out of the service involving a firearm. He was subsequently treated for PTS but no record since. Pullman had been arrested for underage drinking and causing a public nuisance by the New Haven police during his freshman year at Yale, but otherwise he was clean.
Quick checks on the wives came back an hour later. Libby Pullman, Wade’s first wife, was an interior designer living in Providence. She had remarried, to a Thomas Waldron, a real estate developer. Lesley Granger Pullman had worked for Meridian until she married Wade. Before that she had worked for Eileen Sloan Modeling Agency and various sales jobs. Winters exes were flung far and wide. Wendy, his first wife lived in Malibu, California and was currently a theatrical agent. Joan, his second wife was an artist living in New York city. When not creating gigantic metal sculptures, she taught metal working part-time for various city colleges. Carolyn, his third wife, was the only local one. She lived in New Bedford and was a ER nurse at St. Luke's Hospital. I noted phone numbers for all of them, but thought I might pop in on Carolyn, and also Lesley when their husbands weren’t around.
I spent the rest of the day researching Meridian’s trade history and various holdings. I called Doug Roberts and suggested he get a search warrant for Brackett and Pearson. He told me to mind my own business and stay out of it then slammed down the phone.
Chapter 28
I spent the early hours of Thursday morning at home with my occasional cleaning person, Jeanie Vickers, wrestling my house into shape for “the girls.” Tidying the chaos was always a challenge, but my current cases had buried me and I needed reinforcements. Jeanie had come to me via a former flame, Jay Harp and we had stayed in touch. I cannot afford a full-time cleaning person, but when I’m desperate, I call “help” and Jeanie never says no.
Katie and Lolly were sharing my guest room and Alice had volunteered to take the pullout couch in my sunporch, which was actually quite comfortable. The sleeping arrangements for us oldsters had been decided upon after a lively email exchange. I had offered to sleep in the sunporch, but Alice insisted. She had traveled the world with her husband, Daniel, a biologist whose area of expertise was water quality, so she was used to roughing it.
Finally, it was time for me to head out. I grabbed my things and found Jeanie in the sunporch wiping an inch of dust off of most surfaces. “I’m sorry to abandon you, Jeanie, but duty calls. I left your check on the kitchen counter.”
“Thanks, Ricky. Great to see you. Another hour should do it for me.”
“Remember, don’t bother with my room. I’ll tackle that later.”
“What about a load or two of laundry?”
“Won’t say no.”
At that moment, my cell rang so I waved goodbye, mouthing another thanks, as I headed off.
“Ricky, is that you?” As I struggled to place the voice, she said, “It’s me, Jill Carlson?”
“Hi, Jill, what’s up?”
“It’s Phil. Phillip Bracken, my colleague? He’s dead, Ricky! They found him this morning in his office.”
“How?”
“Shot. They say it looks like suicide.”
Bullshit, I thought. “So, the police are there?”
“Ricky, I’m scared. What have you gotten me into?”
“Excuse me?”
“I talk to you, you talk to Phil and now he’s dead.” Her voice was shrill, near the breaking point.
“Jill, slow down. Your company has lots of clients. What does your other boss say, Pearson?”
“He’s left. Taken his entire family abroad.”
“Planned trip?”
“No, we found out by email last night.”
“Maybe he’s responsible?”
“No, no, no...his whereabouts and all that are accounted for since early yesterday.”
“Can anyone reach him?”
“No, he’s asked to be left alone.”
“Well, surely the police will want to speak with him?”
“Good luck with that. When he wants to disappear, Gary cannot be found. He’s always like that on vacation.”
“Well, this is a bit different, don’t you think?”
“It’s bizarre and scary. Robbo thought I should call you.”
“Jill, I don’t know how I can help, but if you’d like to talk, I’ll be in my office most of today.”
“Yes, yes, I would. Would two suit you?”
I told her the address and was preparing to ring off when I suddenly remembered I was using one of the burner phones. “Jill, how did you get this number?”
“I called your office and a young woman gave it to me.”
With sinking heart, I wondered how we’d ever plug up the dam. Clearly, Jill’s phone and all at Brackett and Pearson were bugged. Someone was probably listening to our every word. “Okay, change of plans. Ask the police if you can accompany them to the station and stay there. I’ll swing by around two.”
“But...?”
“Just do it, Jill. See you then.” I clicked off and grabbed the bag of burner phones. I then grabbed a hammer from the back hall closet and smashed the one I’d been talking on to bits on the edge of my front stoop, feeling foolish afterwards recognizing how long it would take to pick up all the glass shards.
I went back inside
and printed a number of copies of a list of my burner phone numbers. I gave one to Frank, then went next door and slipped a copy under Vinnie’s door. On my way into the city, I stopped at Ruth’s and gave her the numbers, then made a quick stop at the office where I found Mike hard at work under Wilda’s protective eye. I gave them both the lists then asked Mike to share with her dad and Josh. Before they could ask any questions, I ran out, promising to return after my visit to the police station.
When I arrived, Tim Cottrell waved from behind the desk. “Hey, Rick, you lookin’ for Roberts?”
I nodded.
“He’s not back yet, but there’s a woman waiting for you in the conference room.”
“Thanks, Tim,” I said, hurrying back. I opened the door, surprised to find Tina Faria, Brackett and Pearson’s receptionist waiting for me.
“Hey, Ms. Steele.”
“Tina, where’s Jill?”
“She asked me to come in her place. She’s gone home.”
“Bad idea.”
I grabbed the conference room phone and dialed Jill’s cell. It went straight to voicemail. “Dammit. Tina, do you have Mr. Carlson’s number?”
“Of course.” She rattled off Robbo’s cell number and I punched in the numbers. He answered on the first ring.
“Hello?”
“Bob, it’s Ricky.”
“Oh, call waiting showed the police.”
“That’s where I am and your wife is supposed to be with me. Do you know where she is?”
“She’s here beside me, in my office” he said, voice low. “She’s scared to death, Ricky. What have you gotten her into?”
“I haven’t gotten her into anything,” I replied, willing my voice to calmness. “Her bosses are involved with some very bad people and they appear to be cleaning house. I told Jill to meet me here, where she’d be safe.”
“I’ll drive her over now.” He hung up before I could say another word.
I turned to Tina. “It’s probably nothing, but do you have somewhere you can go besides the office or home? Maybe a family member’s house, preferably out of the city?”
“I can go to my brother’s. He lives in Assonet.”
“That’s great. I’m sure you’re okay, but I’d feel better if you took a couple of days off. That goes for anyone who works for Brackett and Pearson. Are there others who—”
“Steele, what the hell is this?” Doug Roberts stepped into the conference room. “This is not your private office. What’s going on?” He nodded to Tina, whom he had met earlier when the team was combing over every inch of the law offices.
“I was just suggesting to Tina that she take a few days off from work. Jill Carlson is on her way over. I thought she’s be safer here.”
“That’s probably true, but this is a police station, not a church. I spoke to Ms. Carlson earlier and she did not seem alarmed.”
“Well she is now. One of her bosses is dead and the other has left on a hastily arranged vacation.”
“Ms. Faria, you’re free to go,” he said, smiling at Tina. “You, in my office, now!” he added pointing at yours truly.
“Did you learn anything about Brackett’s death?” I asked, once he’d closed the office door.
“Shot at close range, back of the head. Professional hit.”
“This is Meridian’s work, Douglas.”
“Maybe, but that law firm represents a lot of sleaze bags.”
“But, it’s—“
“Hold your horses, I’m with you on this one. You’ve poked the bear and he’s pissed. Looks like they’re cleaning house.”
Tim Cottrell knocked, then poked his head in. “Sorry to disturb, Sarge, but there are some people here to see Ricky.”
Roberts threw up his hands. ‘Of course there are. Send ‘em back here and grab two folding chairs from the closet, will ya?”
“Hey, Ricky,” Bob said, nodding, as he ushered his wife in.
“This is Sergeant Roberts,” I said. “I know you’ve already met,” I said, gazing over at Jill, who looked like she’d aged thirty years. She was trembling as she held Bob’s hand in a vise grip. She appeared to be cutting off circulation to his fingertips, which had turned white.
When we were all seated, I waited for Roberts to speak, but he sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest and waved at me. “This is your show, Steele. Why did you drag these people here?”
“For safety, I told you.”
He looked over at Jill, his gaze much softer. “Ms. Carlson, is there anything else you can tell me about Mr. Brackett or the firm’s relationship with Meridian Imports?”
“I don’t know a thing,” she wailed, on the verge of tears. “I’d never heard about them until Ricky came to see me. Now, Ricky tells me my phone is tapped and they must know I’ve been talking to her!”
“Did you ask your bosses about Meridian after Ms. Steele’s visit?”
“Well, yes, I did mention that she’d been to see me.”
“And?”
“And they said Meridian was none of my business, or hers. Gary was furious as was Phillip. Said I wasn’t to talk to Ricky again.”
“Is that all?”
“Well, they called her a few names and said she was an incompetent snooper.”
“Pricks,” I muttered, receiving a glare from Roberts.
“Did you take it upon yourself to snoop into company records about Meridian?”
“Absolutely not!”
“So, you know nothing and have nothing to add to this investigation?”
“Yes, but they don’t know that!”
“That’s true. I’m thinking the offices should remain closed until we get to the bottom of this. Is there anywhere you could go, maybe to a family member’s, preferably out of town?”
“What about our kids?” Bob said. “They’re in school and— “
“I’d go pick them up, pack a bag and head right off. I’ll have two officers go with you.” Douglas said.
“But what about our work?” Bob said, his eyes darting from Roberts to me.
Jill stood up, grabbing his sleeve. “Bob, focus! Did you hear the man! Oh, God, what if we’re too late?”
“School?” Roberts said.
“Yes, they’re still at school. Oh, God, oh God!”
Douglas picked up the phone. “Cottrell, get in here.” He looked up at Jill. “I mean, what school?”
“Highland,” Bob said, rising to stand beside his wife. “They’re in fourth and fifth grades. Emily and Bobby.”
Douglas gazed up as Tim Cottrell appeared at the door. “Call over to Highland School. Tell the officer to pull Emily and Bobby Carlson and bring them to the office. You and Sunderland go with the Carlsons here to pick up the kids.”
Without a word, Jill and Bob followed Tim out. I stood, hoping to escape in their wake.
“Steele, sit.” His tone was neither welcoming or inviting.
“Now, I know what you’re gonna say, but— “
“Did I ask you to speak?”
“But, Douglas, I can explain. I wasn’t even near— “
“What did I say? Did I not specifically tell you to stay out of this.”
“Yes, and I have. I’m just quietly looking for the kids.”
“So, you call ambushing Phil Brackett at his country club, making all kinds of accusations quiet?”
“I just wanted to ask if he knew anything about the school or – “
“Stop! Just shut up! We are on this and have been for quite some time.”
“Well, you don’t seem to be getting very far!” Stupid, stupid, stupid Steele!
“Your meddling has now cost the lives of two people not to mention nearly getting killed yourself.”
“I have bodyguards.”
“I don’t give a friggin’ shit if you have a whole army. If you go near this again, you will spend time in my cells, comprende?”
“Can I ask a quick question?”
“No, now get out of here!”
“Okay, fine.”
“Where are you going?”
“Quick stop at my office, then home. I have a date.”
“Good. Why don’t you spend the whole weekend with the good doc. Keep you out of trouble.”
Not even pausing to try and figure out how he knew about Charlie, I said, “I have friends coming for the weekend. I do have a life, thank you.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” Voice softer, he looked up at me. “Take care of yourself. These guys are nasty and they know where you live and work.”
I nodded as a shiver went up my spine. Thank God for Frank. Maybe he needs reinforcements?
Chapter 29
When I got home, there was a note under my door. “Dinner at my place, 7 okay? C.”
Right away, my pulse quickened and I felt my heart race. Still standing in the doorway, I turned and waved to Frank, then stepped in. 5:30. I had two hours to primp and then dress like it was the most casual dinner in the world. Who was I kidding?
I arrived at his doorstep promptly at seven. He opened the door in striped apron, a wooden cooking spoon in one hand. “Hey, welcome. Come in.” He leaned forward and pecked my cheek.
“Welcome back. How was your trip?”
“The usual.”
As if I knew what that was in the world of international medicine? “Hey the house is coming along.”
“Yea, Vinnie and crew got a lot done.”
“It’s gonna be amazing.”
“Yup,” he said, giving me a dazzling smile. “White or red? Or would you rather have a drink drink?”
“Red would be great, thanks.” I slid onto a bar stool, putting the make shift counter between me and Mr. Gorgeous. “You know you’re way overbuilding for this neighborhood.”
“So, everyone tells me, but what the hell? It’s been a long time since I made a nest. Might as well make it a cool one.”
“Nest, huh?” I said, smiling as he handed me the wine. I took a sip. “Mmm, nice.”
“It’s one of my favorites. A Chianti I found by chance.”
“My favorite red. I mean, not this fancy one, but I do love Chianti.”
“Something we have in common,” he said, clinking his glass against mine. His blue eyes held mine, their message unmistakable.
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