As I’m walking to Kara’s office, my heart sinks. Coming out of the elevators are Bateman and Miller, and they’re accompanied by four uniformed police officers. I have no doubt in my mind they’re coming for me.
Chapter 38
Rebecca
Robert, Detective Miller and four uniformed officers approach as Jonathan is walking into Kara’s office. They stop him and tell him they’re here to ask him a few questions in the presence of his lawyer. How would they even know he was here?
Kara must have heard the commotion and comes out of her office.
“Jonathan, get into my office. Don’t say a word.” She turns to the detectives. “May I help you?”
Detective Miller speaks up. “We have a few questions for Mr. Sloan here.”
“May I ask what your questions are about?”
“Ma’am, it’s about the murder of Doreen Rushton.”
“Miller, you know you’ve worked with me before. You should know better than to show up here with questions that have not been vetted in advance, particularly because I’m guessing you don’t have a warrant. Am I correct in my assumption?”
“That’s right, ma’am,” he answers. “Still, we would like your client’s cooperation. We only have a few questions.”
“Great, and I would like a million-dollar pink diamond tiara, but we don’t all get what we like, do we, Miller? I’m sure you understand I will be advising my client not to answer any questions. Now go and do the proper groundwork. Don’t come back here unless you have a warrant, and have sent the questions ahead of your visit, preferably by appointment.”
“Miss Henry, you must understand we wouldn’t be here unless we had good reason to.”
“Miller, you’re wasting my time. I’ve got meetings. Come back when you’re prepared.” She turns to me, like the officers are no longer there. “Wait for me in your office, Rebecca. I need to finish that chat with Jonathan.”
The officers and Detective Miller turn to leave, but Robert comes over to me and tries to pull me aside.
“Rebecca, can we have a word?” he asks.
“I can’t speak right now.”
“Please,” he insists. “I just need a minute.”
I turn to Kara, and she nods her okay. My guess is he can tell me why they’re here and what their questions are, off the record. I lead him into my office and close the door behind him.
“Why did you let these guys come down here? You know what Kara is like. She won’t give an inch of leeway when it comes to her clients.”
“We received another anonymous tip,” he informs me. “That Jonathan Sloan was at the condo building the night Doreen Rushton was killed.”
“You mean you’re not even here about hard evidence you found on the girl?”
“Unfortunately, no. Doreen Rushton may have gotten away from her attacker before she died, but her killer left no evidence on her. There’s no hair, no fibers, no DNA, nothing. The only connection we may be able to draw to the killer from her body is the knife wounds on her arms. We’ve already tried to get a warrant based on the circumstantial evidence that Doreen was seen with Solomon Sloan earlier that night.”
“Well, of course the judge won’t grant a warrant based on that alone. What is this, amateur hour at the NYPD? Whoever it was in the DA’s office that tried to get that warrant signed, they have to be grasping at straws.”
“Are you surprised? Were still talking about Rushton’s niece, aren’t we? That’s why we’re here. Kara should know that, and she should be ready to give us something, you know?”
“Come on, Rob. That’s the reason she’s taking a hard line. She knows everyone in the NYPD and the DA’s office are desperate to pin this on someone fast. They just want to get the chief, the Mayor, and the senator off their backs. We know how this works. The faster you close your case, the faster things go back to normal. This may be inconvenient. but were not going to have our clients get strung up in this major media circus just to make your lives easy and convenient. The sooner you and Miller realize this, the sooner you can find the real killer or killers.”
“Wait. You said killer or killers. This is supposed to be a two-way street, Rebecca. Do you know something about the murders?”
“You know I don’t have any more information than you do, except you seem to be flip-flopping between Jonathan and Solomon Sloan. Now, is there anything more? I have things to do today, Rob.”
“No. That’s it,” he answers, and turns to leave.
I let him, but I do take the time to thank him for the information. After our last conversation, I wasn’t sure he would be forthcoming at all.
I head to Kara’s office to let her know what I found out. I knock, and she tells me to come in. Jonathan is still in her office. I sense from the look on his face they were having a serious conversation. She tells me to make it quick, because she needs to finish her private conversation with Jonathan. I’m a little concerned about this secrecy. I thought I was in the loop on all the details, but the two of them look like they’re hiding something.
I give them the update, and she appears relieved. She tells me to take her limo and get over to Solomon Sloan’s office, or track him down however I can. The four of us need to discuss a strategy right away. She does not want to wait until tomorrow morning. Jonathan gives me the two addresses where his father may be at meetings. Both are in the immediate area, so I grab my purse and hurry out.
I should have left on foot. There’s so much street traffic that taking the limo ends up adding to the travel time. By the time I get to the first address, Mr. Sloan has already left. I phone him up, and I’m surprised when he answers.
“Solomon Sloan,” he says.
“Hello Mr. Sloan. This is Rebecca Clark, from Henry, Miles and Rothman.”
“Hello Miss Clark. How can I help you?”
“Kara asked me to let you know she’d like you to come down to the office now. It’s urgent.”
“Well, Miss Clark, as usual, Kara’s timing is not convenient. Still, I know when she says it’s urgent, I need to get down there. Let her know I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“Thank you Mr. Sloan. See you then.”
I hang up and take the limo back to the office, and I arrive at the elevator bays at the same time as Mr. Sloan. He remembers me from Long Island.
“Good to see you, Miss Clark.” He greets me with a handshake and the famous charming Sloan’s smile I’ve started to enjoy to seeing on Jonathan’s face. Their resemblance is striking. Solomon Sloan could pass for Jonathan’s older brother. When you combine their dashing looks with their classy style of dressing and flirtatious yet polite interaction with women, it’s no surprise at all that the Sloan men get this kind of reverent attention from the opposite sex.
“Nice to see you to, Mr. Sloan,” I answer, keeping my professional tone, especially because of the familiarity that I feel. After all, I’m sleeping with this man’s son, and there’s still a possibility I’ll be travelling to the Bahamas with Jonathan tonight.
“Do you know what this meeting is about?”
“I think it’s best we speak when we get to Kara’s office,” I tell him, fully aware of the people standing nearby, and the sensitivity of the topic.
He nods. I can tell he understands why we should wait. Discretion is crucial at a time like this. This is when people get sloppy, and it only takes a few words for the wrong messages to get out to the public. We get up to the law office floor and head right to Kara’s office. By now, she and Jonathan would have had time to finish their private chat, which I’m still wondering about.
What I’m most curious about is what Jonathan meant by what he said in my office before the police arrived. What is he expecting me to find out that is so different from what I’ve already begun to learn about him? Does it even relate to this case? How much worse can it be than what I’ve already seen in his file, like that second degree charge? I hope he lets me in on what that was about. Soon.
Chapter 39
Jonathan
There has to be more going on with this Rushton case than I’m aware of. I’m positive someone is pulling a lot of strings, and I must be the designated puppet. It doesn’t help that this smug asshole Bateman is the one who shows up to cause me grief. I’m cheering on the inside when Kara tells him to go to hell. When Rebecca leaves to speak with Bateman, I’m pissed, but I understand she needs to leverage that history they have so we can keep ahead of the NYPD and the district attorney’s office.
Kara takes the opportunity to let me in on a few things while Rebecca is busy with Bateman.
“I hope you know not to say a word to these guys if they ever approach you and you’re alone,” she tells me.
“I do. I won’t.”
“Good. They’re still fishing. Their overzealous and the clock is ticking, so be ready.”
“I’m just curious how they seem to know where to find me.”
“Don’t be naïve, Jonathan. They probably have someone tailing you at all times. All the more reason to watch your back, and stay close to Rebecca.”
“Will do. Do you think we can still take that trip for the weekend?”
“Considering they don’t have a warrant, I would say go ahead.”
“Okay, we will,” I answer. I don’t know if Kara knows about the trunk, but before I can have a subconscious debate about whether to tell her, she brings it up.
“Did you pick up the package at Grand Central?” She asks. Clearly she knows a lot.
“You know about the trunk?”
“Of course I do,” she answers. “Where is it?”
“I don’t know,” I tell her. “The locker was empty.”
“What?” she says, and it’s less of a question and more of a demand.
“Dad told me about it this morning. I met with Mandy and begged her to let me have it. She gave me the locker key and I went to directly over to Grand Central. It wasn’t there, Kara. The locker was empty.”
“There has to be some mistake,” she says. “Did Mandy tell you how long ago she put it in the locker?”
“It’s been there for a few days, from what she said.”
“We have to find it. Tonight.”
“I can go check again. I’ll search the ones around it and see if there’s some kind of mistake with the key number.”
“Good. Before you leave, let’s get Rebecca to find your dad and bring him down here.”
“Okay,” I answer.
“That also gives us some time to talk privately.”
“Was there something more?”
Before Kara answers, someone knocks on the door. It’s Rebecca. She comes in and fills us in on what Bateman knows. Kara tells her she needs to speak with me, and sends her to get my Dad. I can see the curious look on her face as she leaves, but I have other things on my mind. I can’t believe the NYPD is using so many resources and they have nothing on me. They’re down here because of another anonymous tip? Here I was thinking it had to do with evidence from the Rushton girl’s body.
Thank goodness, there is nothing on her. My dad may be sick and disturbed, but he must be way more careful than I thought. With all the blood and gore I saw that night with the three girls I had to clean up, I have no idea how the woman’s body had no hair, fibers or any other evidence on it. I start to wonder whether he might have someone on the crime scene investigation team who’s also covering for him.
Not that I’m complaining. The less there is to connect that girl to my dad and me, the better my chances are to get away from this case unscathed. I just pray to God my dad never does anything like this again. Everyone’s luck runs out eventually. On the subject of luck, we need to find that trunk. I almost can’t wait until my dad and Rebecca get here, so we can wrap up the chitchat and I can get back to Grand Central to figure out where this thing is.
Rebecca leaves to go get Dad, so Kara and I continue.
“Jonathan, we’re going to have a candid conversation, and after were done, I want you to understand that the conversation never happened. Can you do that?”
“Yes,” I answer. It’s time we all cut the bullshit and come up with a plan based on facts, not on legalities and process. “Are you sure it’s safe to talk in here?”
“Positive. My security team does a sweep in this office twice a day, every day.” She clears her throat and looks me right in the eye. “Did you have anything to do with the Rushton girl’s death?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“So it was Solomon.” She does not wait for me to answer. “Do you know what’s in the trunk?”
“No. I didn’t know about it until this week.”
“How far in the past does your father’s… tastes… go back?”
“Years.”
“As far back as Nevada?”
“Yes.”
“What has your role been over the years?”
“Cleanup.” This conversation feels surreal. I have never admitted any of these things to anyone. Now the circle has grown by one. Deep down, I desperately hope Kara’s knowledge will be enough to get my dad to stop for good. If anyone can make this man see the light and listen, it’s Kara.
“Wait…but you… you were just a kid,” she says.
I see a shift in Kara’s facial expression. What started as a matter of fact conversation has turned emotional for her. She drops her head into her hands and takes a while to look up at me again.
“How many has there been?”
“Thirty-seven,” I tell her. “No, thirty-eight. I forgot to include the Rushton girl.” It’s a number my brain will never stop tracking.
Kara’s is putting some serious effort into keeping her composure. She reaches a hand over the table and places it on mine. “I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this, Jonathan. Your dad had no right to include you…ever. I know about what he made you promise to do for him, and I understand your loyalty, but he was wrong. As far as I’m concerned, you’re also one of his victims. I know this firm represents both of you, but I’m going to do everything I can to protect you, and I will see to it that he never does this again.”
Her statement just about does me in. Her eyes have a mix of dread and compassion in them. This is the first time someone has stopped to consider me. I’ve been doing this for my father for so long, even I stopped thinking about how his behavior has hurt so many people and families, including me. I’m so close to breaking down here in Kara’s office, but I draw on every ounce of strength I have to keep it together.
Kara picks up the phone and tells her assistant to bring us two coffees. She brings it in a few minutes later, and we have our drinks in silence. I’ve never seen Kara sit still for this long. From my read of her, she’s completely shaken. We don’t say another word until Rebecca and my dad walk into her office.
Chapter 40
Rebecca
“What’s this about, Kara?” Mr. Sloan wastes no time when we walk into her office.
“Have a seat, Solomon,” she answers. “You too, Rebecca.”
She waits for us to settle in, and that’s when I notice a difference in Jonathan. His facial expression is more serious and tense. It almost looks like he’s been crying, which is odd. I look over at him and our eyes lock for a brief moment. He nods and turns back to Kara.
“Gentlemen,” she says to them, “this is more of a courtesy meeting than anything else. Solomon, the police have been here. They had the nerve to show up without a warrant. Of course, I sent them packing, but if they have anything at all, we’ll be ready the next time. From what Rebecca has learned off the record from Bateman, we don’t have much to worry about. Still, I want the two of you to be on the alert.”
“We’ll be on the lookout,” Solomon answers.
“This is the second anonymous tip that mentions you, Jonathan. For that reason alone, police will keep a close eye on you for a while. Solomon, so far, your name has only come up when they interviewed Virocci and told him you were seen at dinner with Doreen that night.
That was not even worth a mention, so I’m not worried. The problem I have is this. The fact that they are focused on you means there may not be looking broadly enough, and this is why you both need to watch your backs.”
“What does watching our backs involve, Kara?” Mr. Sloan asks.
“It means be careful. It means don’t go anywhere alone, and certainly don’t go anywhere with anyone you don’t trust. Don’t speak to anyone about this, don’t give your opinion, ignore the news, and stay out of the press, even for unrelated matters. Solomon, I know this Warrior deal is crucial for you. I want you to find someone else to deal with the media.”
“Why?” Mr. Sloan asks. “I’m the face of Sloan…and this merger.”
“Well,” Kara says, and my guess is her patience is already wearing thin. She’s not used to anyone challenging her as much as he is. “You’re going to have to take a back seat for this fun merger ride, Solomon. You need to stay off the radar right now. If there’s any news about Warrior that ends up getting entangled with the Rushton case, that deal is going to be over before we can try to control the damage. The long term impacts will be devastating for Sloan Sports and Entertainment, and probably for Fairchild Industries too.”
“Are you sure we’re not blowing this out of proportion?”
Kara just looks at him. She doesn’t answer. She turns to Jonathan. “I assume you know to stay off the radar as well, Jonathan. Two anonymous tips to the police could turn into two anonymous tips to the media. I don’t think I need to say more on this.”
“Got it,” Jonathan answers.
“Great, and keep Rebecca close.”
“Will do. Even while we’re in the Bahamas.”
Before Kara continues, Mr. Sloan says, “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea anymore, son…”
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