Dead Man Code: A Jarvis Mann Detective Novel

by R Weir

  I smiled, for I was happy she was getting what she wanted. She’d make a good lawyer, though deep down I hoped she wouldn’t stay with Bristol & Bristol. The waitress returned and we each ordered. Melissa wanted Caesar grilled chicken salad, while I ordered Ted’s Beef Filet, well done, and garlic mashed potatoes.

  “How about you?” Melissa asked. “I’d query more about this case, but it sounds like you would prefer to distance yourself from it today.”

  “No, I’m able to discuss it. At least with you no one is shooting at me.”

  “Well, at least not yet. Though we have experienced it together.”

  “Not one of our better days.”

  “No, but we lived through it. Though I still have nightmares about it.”

  “So do I.”

  It was a fatal moment in time I’d regret her having to live through. Caught in the mitts of two bad men and their crew of enforcers, all of whom ended up dying violently, along with another innocent young woman, all before Melissa’s eyes. It was a bloody, horrible scene that still played out in my head, awake or asleep.

  “Still, because you work for Bristol & Bristol, and they are involved, it is probably best I not give you any details. Prudent to protect you, so you don’t have to choose sides.”

  “It was scary seeing you acting as you were, with Don.”

  “I know and I’m sorry. But I needed answers, and sometimes emotions overtake logic. In my line of business, you have to push hard to get results.”

  Our meals were delivered and our drinks were topped off. Cutting into the filet I found it perfect, with no red, but still juicy. I savored a bite, along with the garlic potatoes. They were delicious as well. Melissa seemed happy with her salad, having two large forkfuls, eating faster than I recall her ever eating. I looked at her in surprise.

  “Sorry, I’m hungry. I didn’t have any breakfast this morning, and took a long bike ride. So I needed some calories. So what else shall we talk about?”

  “I appreciate you talking with Tony about keeping an eye on things.”

  “All I told him is make sure nothing happens to you, in relation to anything Don was doing. Tony is a good man. He knows I’d be crushed if you were killed, which sounds like was a real possibility.”

  “It was and still could be. I’ve not gotten to the bottom of things, but we are getting close. Hopefully no one else dies before I get it solved.”

  “If anyone can, you can. So have you gotten some backup? Is Rocky lending support?”

  “No, he isn’t available. Sorry to say he doesn’t have a website where I can track him down. Thugs and protection for hire dot com.”

  Melissa laughed, which was good to hear.

  “No, I have a resource thanks to an agreement with Tony. Adam King.”

  Melissa almost choked on her iced tea.

  “You’ve got to be kidding. I thought you hated him?”

  “Hate might be too strong, but certainly not one of my favorite people. Still he was all I could get on short notice. So far he has done what he said he’d do.”

  “I’m surprised Tony agreed.”

  “He was reluctant. But I convinced him and gave him a little icing on the cake.”

  “What was that?”

  “Best you not know. Just say it helped out a client of his.”

  “I’ve often told Tony he should hire you instead of King. He is a little creepy.”

  She would get no argument from me, as I finished up my meal. Melissa had slowed down and was still a couple of bites from finishing. I wiped my face and looked at her, amazed at her beauty. But heaping praise on her now wasn’t the right time.

  “Yes, Tony could benefit from my skills. But Don would never go for it. He even is putting the screws to my client right now, filing a suit against her.”

  “Really. I don’t work with Don, so I wasn’t aware. How did he find out who your client is? I doubt you told him.”

  “No, I didn’t. I think it was a couple of enforcers from the Chinese government, who are working for WANN. Don seems to represent them too. As he did the three Russians.”

  “What is he suing her for?”

  “Breach of contract. Apparently, they got her to sign something, stating they’d pay her a large sum of money to not pursue action against them for the murder of her husband.”

  “You are right. Maybe I shouldn’t be hearing this.”

  Melissa excused herself and went to the restroom. I paid the check, remembering a time when she did the same and came back panty-less for a round of pleasure at Lookout Mountain. Those were moments I’d never forget. I knew that would not be the case this time.

  She met me up front and I walked her to her car. We were silent, no words, just the sounds of the cars passing on West Alameda and the clicking of her remote locks before I opened her door. She turned to me, grabbing my hand.

  “Thank you for lunch,” she said. “I’m glad I got to see you. Things are going to start getting busy for me soon, with school, so I won’t have a lot of time going forward. But I hope we can get together once a month or so and talk, as friends.”

  I had hoped for more, but couldn’t realistically expect it.

  “I’d like that.”

  She gave me a quick sisterly hug, got in her car and drove off. It felt good to have seen her again, though it was sad I would only see her sparingly over the next year. But still she was in my life, which was a good thing. And I needed as much good as I could get.

  As I reached my car, my cell phone rang. It was Mandy and she was yelling.

  “Jarvis! Oh god, please no. I need your help now. Where are you?”

  She was in a panic. I jumped in my car and started heading her direction. Though I was probably fifteen minutes away.

  “Mandy, slow down and tell me what is wrong.”

  There was a long pause, but I could hear breathing. She was trying to gather herself.

  “Adam and I went shopping. I needed to get some food and other essentials. When we returned someone was in the house waiting for us. He had gone in first and I was outside still when I heard some shots and him yelling for me to run away. So I took off down the street and I’m still running. I don’t know if they are after me or not.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I took off south from my house. I was in a panic, so I’m not sure where I am. I think I’m almost to Hampden.”

  “Did you call the police?”

  “No. I just ran and called you when I could get my phone out of my purse.”

  “Call them now and then call me right back. And then get somewhere public and stay inside. A store, a restaurant, anything but being out on the street. I’m headed your way.”

  She hung up as I raced as fast as I could without getting in an accident. It seemed my hope for a calm day had gone out the window.

  Chapter 47

  I tried not to panic, but still I was driving aggressively when Mandy called me back with her location, though she still hadn’t called the police. I cursed and made a call to Bill at the station house. Even though it was Sunday, he was working. I gave him the details and told him to send a car and paramedics to Mandy’s house. I wasn’t sure what they’d find, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be good.

  It took me about twenty minutes before I arrived at a pawn shop at the corner of Hampden and Federal. She was standing outside, nervously pacing.

  “Why didn’t you go inside?” I asked.

  “I did. They told me I was making them nervous and to go stand outside. When I told them someone was trying to kill me, he just laughed and said ‘so what!’.”

  “Get in my car. You will be safe there. We will head back to your place. The police should be there by now.”

  “What are we going to find?”

  “I don’t know.”

  When we arrived there were marked and unmarked police cars, and a paramedics unit. I was happy to see no Coroner vehicle, at least not yet. One of the uniforms on the scene was Officer Bale, who had be
en at Aaron’s murder site. He recognized me and waved us to come past the crime scene tape. I was starting to think I needed my own personalized tape, since I seemed to be connected to many of them over the last couple of years. Branded crime scene tape, probably nothing to be proud of.

  “Jarvis,” said Bale. “I’m hearing you are involved in this. Cummings said when you arrived to let you through.”

  “I’m touched he was thinking of me.”

  “Actually, his exact words were ‘when that PI asshole shows, escort him straight to me.’”

  “Sounds more like the Cummings I’ve grown to know and bear. This is Mandy Bailey, the wife of Aaron Bailey.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am.”

  Mandy softly answered back. She appeared to be in shock. Bale led us to the front door. We walked inside and there was blood all over the carpet. On a gurney was King, as the paramedics were working on him. It didn’t look good

  “Took one to the chest,” said Cummings, who had seen us arrive. “Looks like he got off a round of his own. Not sure if he hit the intruder or not.”

  “Did he see who did it?” I asked.

  “Was out of it when we arrived and wasn’t talking. They are trying to stabilize him and will rush him to the ER here shortly.”

  “Do they think he will make it?” asked Mandy.

  “Too soon to tell. And you are?”

  “She is the person King was protecting. My client, Mandy Bailey.”

  “The widow of Aaron. The murder you are investigating.”

  I nodded.

  “More bodies dropping all around you, Mann. Are you paid by the amount of blood spilled?”

  I mouthed, “Fuck you!”

  Cummings could certainly push my buttons.

  “Did you see the culprit, ma’am?” asked Cummings.

  “No, I didn’t see them.”

  “One. More than one. A car outside waiting. Anything?”

  Mandy just shook her head. “I’m sorry, no. All I heard were what sounded like two shots and then Adam telling me to run. Nothing else.”

  “Lok was outside earlier. He was one of the Chinese men who accosted me before.”

  “Oh, the ones you let go. So are you saying it was him?”

  “Someone to check with. He doesn’t use a gun, though, so I doubt it was him. And it wouldn’t be Cong either. But they could have led someone here to do the job.”

  “What leads you to that conclusion?”

  I couldn’t tell him about them dropping off the killer of Wilmar, since they didn’t know all those facts, since I was protecting King.

  “A hunch.”

  “Sure it is. Like all your other ones. Mrs. Bailey, this will be a crime scene for a while now. And we’ll need to take your statements. Likely you’ll need to stay somewhere else tonight.”

  “Did they take anything?” asked Mandy.

  “Don’t know yet. Still piecing things together. What would they want?”

  Mandy pushed past him and ran into her office. Cummings and I followed her, Dan yelling at her to stop. When he got into the room she was clutching onto her computer and a big pile of papers.

  “I wished you hadn’t touched that. It could be evidence.”

  “I need all of this. It’s how I’m going to find who killed Aaron.”

  Cummings looked at me and I nodded.

  “Long story, but yes, it’s important for her to have her computer and the papers.”

  “Can I see them, Mandy?” Cummings asked.

  She looked at me and I told her to go ahead. He looked through them all and handed them back. Not sure if he knew what he was reading.

  “Looked Greek to me. Was it some type of code on those sheets?”

  “Best you not know all the details. What she is doing might be considered illegal.”

  Cummings didn’t like the sound of that.

  “You never can give me us a straight answer.”

  “I’m hacking into WANN to find out if they killed Aaron,” said Mandy. “It’s the only way, since the police haven’t been able to solve it. Jarvis and I need to see this through.”

  “Wonderful.” Cummings shook his head. He normally never let anything slide, but this time he showed some compassion. “I never saw anything. Take it with you. But first, statements.”

  “Thank you,” said Mandy.

  “Go in the kitchen and sit down. We will get to you shortly.”

  “Gee, Dan, it would seem there is a human being under that cheap suit after all. Thanks.”

  “Don’t you dare tell Mallard! He’d think I was going soft.”

  “My lips are sealed. Where is he anyway?”

  “Family reunion and picnic. Things were quiet until this. Of course it had to be something involving you.”

  I went and sat next to Mandy, waiting to be questioned, holding in reserve my idea of the personalized crime scene tape. My genius was often lost upon his narrow thinking. The paramedics had taken away King. I wondered if he would survive. Though I didn’t care for the man, I still didn’t wish to see him dead. Another to haunt my dreams. As I sat there my cell phone chirped. It was Lyndi.

  “Hello, Lyndi,” I said. “Probably not the best time to talk. I’m dealing with a police matter.”

  “You are such a sweet talker,” she replied. “Logan is heading to Vegas on Thursday. Staying at Caesar’s Palace. He generally gets in around noon. They let him check-in early. Should be meeting up with his guy and gal pals. Leaving Sunday afternoon.”

  “I will check into flights and a hotel room to see what is available.”

  “Let me know. As I said, I want your attention first before you go off and pester my ex.”

  “I’m all yours. I will call you back once I know when I’m getting in.”

  I put my phone down and spoke to Mandy.

  “Looks like Logan Albers will be in Vegas for a long weekend. It would be good if we had something to bargain with before I reason with him.”

  “I’m doing my best. Still have a couple of days to crack. The question is, where are we staying tonight?”

  I didn’t have an answer for her and wouldn’t for a while, as she was taken away for questioning, allowing me time to search for Vegas options and contemplate which part of Lyndi’s body I’d start on first.

  Chapter 48

  Once all was done, they let Mandy grab a duffle bag of some clothes and personal items, and we were off. I wasn’t sure where to put her up for the night. My place was not ideal, since Cong and Lok had been there before, and had no trouble getting inside. A hotel could be an option, and would at least provide me a bed to sleep in, but seemed too confining. I decided on taking a chance and called up April. Though she was still recovering, she was willing to help. When we arrived, one of her brothers, Neil, was there. It appeared his undercover case had finished and was taking some time off.

  “Jarvis,” he said, while walking over to shake my hand.

  “Thanks for helping out,” I replied. “I’m worried my place isn’t safe.”

  “We have pretty good building security here,” said April. “She will be protected by us.”

  Mandy took a seat on the sofa opening up her computer, placing the papers next to it.

  “Do you have Wi-Fi I can connect to?” she asked. “I need to get working again. I’ve lost a lot of time today.”

  April gave her the passkey.

  “Don’t worry, they won’t be able to trace me back to your home router. I have lots of mirrored sites I bounce off of.”

  “Do you know what she is talking about?” asked Neil of me.

  “Not really. I know she is trying to hack into the network of the company we suspect had her husband killed. We are trying to find a smoking gun to work with.”

  “Computer espionage,” replied Neil. “Too hi-tech for me. I’m lucky I’m able to use my smartphone properly”

  “I can use mine,” I said. “But what she is doing is way over my head. I’m more about fists and
guns.”

  “Computers ruin, damage and kill almost as many human lives, these days, as humans do with their loaded toys,” said Mandy. “Of course, there are humans driving those computers.”

  Mandy was typing away, then writing on her papers, which seemed so analog when I thought about it. April grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into the kitchen.

  “She is a looker,” said April. “Even with her hair up and those big glasses. Hard to believe she is a computer nerd.”

  “Kept it quiet all this time. Says the old boys’ network is as bad in the computer world as in most other businesses. One look at her and they can’t believe she can code.”

  “I find it hard to believe too. So where are you staying tonight?”

  “I doubt I could stand another night on the couch, since Mandy will be in your spare room. So I was hoping to go back to my place. Though I will have a gun handy.”

  “There is always room in my bed. It’s a king. Not that I can do much. We could just snuggle together.”

  I smiled and hugged her.

  “In time, little lady. But I need my sleep and next to you I doubt I’d sleep at all. But I appreciate the offer. How long can Neil stay?”

  “He is off this week. So he doesn’t have to be to work until next Monday. He was planning on helping me. But he is happy to help protect her as well.”

  “Good. I need to take a trip to Vegas. Flying out Thursday morning.”

  “What for?”

  “To check up on one of the founders of WANN. He has the taste of gambling and screwing when in Sin City. My information is he will be there Thursday noon for one of his weekend trysts.”

  “And what are you going to do?”

  “Appeal to his better judgment.”

  “You plan on knocking him around some.”

  “Maybe. He has an entourage I plan on talking to. Could tell me more about the man. Then I might knock him around some. If Mandy can come up with some additional dirt on him or WANN, I can use that as leverage.”