Dying For LA

by Ian Jones

  ‘Ron, you should know. We got Pinsky’s mobile number. Judy put a trace on it and it’s live. She just called, so soon we will know where he is anyway. So what’s best? We can just leave you here and get it from him first. Because he’s got a lot more to lose, believe me. He will have no problem at all naming names, and that will change everything for you. Plus, we got your mobile from your car.’

  John pulled it from his pocket and threw it on the floor in front of him. Keane stared at it. He was desperate to get his hands on it, that was obvious.

  ‘Lot of missed calls on that thing. And several from Mr Pinsky,’ John told him slowly.

  Keane blinked rapidly, for a few seconds it looked as if he would burst into tears then he shook his head violently, and stared down at the floor again. He rubbed his face with both hands and whispered to himself, rocking gently from side to side. Then he stopped, sighed heavily and raised a hand.

  ‘Ok.’

  He looked up.

  ‘Ok,’ he said again.

  ‘In your own time, talk to us,’ John told him.

  ‘If I do this, can I get out of here?’

  ‘That depends, you know that. Once we are done I don’t know what will happen, you probably got more idea. You might have to be some place where nobody can get to you, but yeah, you won’t be in here,’ Reed replied.

  Keane drank some water from a mug on the floor.

  ‘This was never supposed to get this far. I don’t know who the main guys are.’

  ‘Bullshit,’ Reed snapped.

  ‘No, it’s true I don’t. I got approached maybe two or three months ago. There is a team, here in LA. They got a job to do, supposed to be simple but getting nowhere. I don’t know all the fucking details. But there’s some guys in the driving seat and some hired hands to do the dirty work. Yeah, they offered me money and I took it. Look, think what you like, but you don’t know. I been a cop more than thirty years and I can’t afford to retire, pension or no pension. I got debts like you wouldn’t believe, two ex-wives bleeding me dry and kids I don’t see no more. It’s all gone to shit. Back in the day there was always extra here and there but there ain’t no gravy anymore. Just my shitty paycheque.’

  ‘Start at the beginning, what did they want from you?’ John asked.

  ‘You don’t know who you are dealing with. I can’t believe you know about Pinsky; how did that happen? That’s a dangerous fact right there. You may as well wave a flag in the air. But these guys are for real. They do not stop. I’m serious, this is way, way bigger than you think. This is just one job out of hundreds they got going on. Thousands probably. You are into something that is not going to end well for you.’

  ‘We’ll take that chance. Just answer the question,’ Reed told him.

  ‘Remember Kyle spoke about the fight? Echo Park?’

  ‘Yeah, I remember that, we went to look at the address the guy gave. Something Perez was it?’ John replied.

  ‘That’s it. I got the call then. Of course, I wasn’t involved, it was all with the local guys. But they had already done their homework, somehow my name must have come up because they came to me. And I fixed it.’

  ‘You fixed it?’

  ‘Yeah. In the end it was just a fight, nobody got killed so all the brass want is as much shit off the books as they can get. So I made the call, told them that the guy worked for me, he was a CI, bullshit, bullshit and I needed it put away and that’s what happened. Everybody’s happy. Like I said, it was just a fight. And I got some cash, and they said I done good. Asked if I wanted more. And I said yes.’

  ‘Who? Who asked?’

  ‘I never met anyone. Not once. It was all on my cell. They change the number every call I reckon. I collect the money from a mailbox, I got sent the key.’

  ‘But you must have a name?’

  ‘No. Not really anyways. Sometimes I’d get a message “Call Fred on this number” or “You need to call Bill,” shit like that. But it wasn’t Leo Pinsky.’

  ‘Right. Let’s just say we believe you, what happened next?’

  ‘So, I get another call. A few days later. They need something. This major based right here in LA has something they need, they been working on him but he ain’t playing ball. It’s some kind of big deal. There was some other guy, another soldier but he’s out the picture so they need this fella.’

  ‘Major Hayter?’

  ‘Yeah.’ Keane looked morosely around.

  ‘Unbelievable. You had me fooled,’ Reed announced.

  ‘And me,’ John said. ‘What did they want you to do?’

  ‘First, get him taken in, suspect DUI, battery, anything I could but I got to keep him away from the base. And I tried, but that didn’t work, there was nothing that would stick. He got no family, no friends. Then they told me they had some lady working on it but it was no good, it was taking too long and they didn’t trust her, they wanted me to keep watch. They told me the lady was in Vegas. I told them I had no jurisdiction there, but they said they were dealing with that and she would be coming to LA.’

  ‘Deanna.’

  Keane coughed.

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘What did they want you to do? Arrest her?’

  ‘No, no. Just keep an eye on her. Thinking about it I guess Pinsky was involved now, he had a different idea. Like I said, it was all taking too fucking long. They had made contact with her friend, Madeline. Made out they were working to reconcile her with her daughter, and got them to come to LA. Meet an attorney. The first time, they got caught out because the women got all excited about it and turned up the same day. So they arranged a second time, but it got fucked up again. They thought that the major would just drive them in the car from Vegas, he was always there. But for some reason he didn’t go. Lucky they found out a couple of days before they would be getting the train.’

  ‘Ok. So they set up the Metro hit.’

  ‘Yeah. This is what they do. It’s the big leagues. They staked it out then did the hit. But it went to shit, as you know. What they were looking for wasn’t there and you were. So it was all a big loss. And yeah, I get the call, I got to get involved, they need all the information I can get now.’

  ‘What is they are looking for?’ Reed asked.

  ‘I don’t know. Really, I don’t. I heard it was some military document or something but it was real vague.’

  ‘Military document? What like missile codes or something?’

  ‘No, I don’t think so. I got the idea it was plans maybe.’

  John looked at Reed.

  ‘The thing is Ron, that there is a problem in all this. A big problem.’

  ‘Yeah, there is,’ Reed agreed.

  ‘What? I’m being helpful here.’

  ‘I’ve only met you a few days, but right from the start you’ve lied. You missed your calling, you should be in films your acting was that good. The whole time you were talking, telling them who we were and exactly what we were doing. You’ve lied and lied and lied. And you really set us up in Vegas.’

  ‘Yeah, Kyle is dead and Judy is frightened half to death you fuck,’ Reed growled.

  John looked at him again. The big man was clenching and unclenching his massive fists. John reached over and patted him on the shoulder.

  ‘Take it easy Tom.’

  ‘Look,’ Keane blustered. ‘Look, by that point there was no way out. I was in too deep. They were pushing me real hard. I had to send the photos, but I did what I could to keep them away I swear.’

  ‘Right. Of course. Apart from the tracker in the minivan and telling them what hotels we were in.’ Reed looked about ready to snap, and if he did there would be nothing that John could do about it.

  ‘No. no, it weren’t like that. Alright, there was the tracker I admit that. But I didn’t know anything about the hotels. I thought you were only there one day. Listen, they did not want you to go to Vegas. They told me to set it up with the minivan and they will deal with it. Then next day off you go and in no time at all I get the call
that they failed. This was in the morning, so something had gone wrong and quick. They were in a panic about it. They asked me where you were going to be, I told them about the precinct but I didn’t know you were staying overnight. I was calling you John, over and over but you didn’t pick up. I spoke to Kyle in the end but that was it. They must have found the rest out themselves.’

  ‘They didn’t know where we were. But you sold out Kyle.’

  ‘I had no choice. I didn’t say nothing about Judy, I told them I didn’t know where she was.’

  ‘Bullshit!’ Reed snapped, face flushing red.

  ‘When did you speak to Leonid Pinsky?’ John was starting to feel the same way as Reed, so he kept on with the questions.

  ‘I got a message, call this number. This was later in the day, after I found out they didn’t stop you going to Vegas. They never told me who, just said to do it. I called and it was Pinsky. I never spoke to him before. Or again. He asked who you were and what you were doing.’

  ‘And you told him.’

  ‘Well, yeah, but look I didn’t go into any detail! How did you know about Pinsky anyway?’

  ‘Tom asked somebody, who was more than happy to tell.’

  Reed stood up and leaned on the bars, staring down at Keane.

  ‘You know, when we realised it was you that was the problem, I couldn’t believe it.’

  ‘How did you know?’

  ‘It was the gun. Kyle was dead and Judy was close to it. I was trying and trying to work it out then I looked at the Sig. No firing pin. Useless. And that was another smart play by you down in that bar. There was no way I would have suspected you. But we’ve been back there by the way. And Billy was really keen to fill in the gaps. So I know Ron, it was all your idea.’ John told him.

  Keane shrugged, unable to meet his eye.

  ‘I don’t know Ron. I should just come in there and break you into pieces. I don’t know what’s worse, that you’re a liar, you’re corrupt, you’re responsible for all those innocent deaths in the Metro and Kyle, or that you’re a fucking coward,’ Reed said quietly, still staring through the thick steel bars.

  ‘Or all of them,’ added John, standing up.

  Reed nodded his agreement grimly.

  Keane at least looked ashamed.

  ‘I never meant for Kyle to get killed. I never wanted any of you hurt, I swear. But these guys, they are like a machine and once they get going there is no stopping them.’

  ‘Name them. Who are they?’

  ‘1-Too. Of course. You already knew that. But you caused them a lot of problems that’s why you gotta watch out. What went down in the subway caught everybody out, they want to know who the hell you are. And I can’t tell them anything. So I do too, who are you?’

  John ignored the question; this wasn’t about him and he didn’t want Keane to know anything anyway.

  ‘What can you tell us about Pinsky? Why did he suddenly get involved?’ Reed asked.

  ‘I got no idea. He came out of the blue, I never heard of him before. All I know is that what they believed was gonna be easy has all gone to shit and there is some kind of problem with them running out of time. I meant it; I got no idea of anybody’s names. I guess there is a bunch of guys pulling the strings but Pinsky? I don’t know who the hell he is working for. And before you ask I don’t know where he is neither.’

  At that point the mobile phone on the floor started to buzz. Keane strained to see who was calling but Reed swept it up and held it to the bars.

  ‘Important call right Ron?’

  Keane stared at him.

  ‘You just don’t understand what you are doing Tom. You two got no idea who you are fucking with. Let me speak to them, I can calm it down. I can buy you some time to get away. If you don’t listen to me then it’s gonna be you next.’

  Reed threw the phone over to John who stuck it in his pocket.

  ‘I think we’ll take the chance.’

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  They were back at the yard, unfortunately. Leo instructed them all to work on stripping and cleaning the guns, so that is what they were doing, pointlessly In Rico’s opinion as they were well maintained anyway.

  But they did, because Leo asked, and because they were afraid of him, and took their time. Each man intent on avoiding any even minor error that could bring another burst of fury to their door.

  Despite his brash exterior Leo was becoming increasingly anxious, it was clear. He was constantly staring at his mobile phone and seemed to be getting more and more frustrated as the hours passed. Rico guessed he was waiting for something but had no idea what it could be.

  The hours passed. Finally, he exploded, first kicking and kicking at Yann’s lifeless sheet-covered body then picking up the office chair he had been killed in and hurling it out of the window in an explosion of shattered glass. The others sat watching, waiting. Leo whirled around, itching for some reaction but the four men just looked at him. Not one of them would even speak, let alone try to restrain him.

  He stood there, breathing hard in and out, cheeks red which made the scarring look even worse. He pulled out a Makarov pistol and then started firing out the broken window. The others had no idea what he was shooting at. Leo emptied the clip, ejected it and snapped in another.

  Rico looked at Sal.

  The guns were in two large trunks, all the ammunition was in another which was open, but placed toward the centre of the room. There was no chance of getting any without Leo spotting it.

  But they had the Glock.

  Sal looked back then nodded upward, slowly.

  ‘Wait,’ mouthed Rico, while Leo’s attention was out the window.

  But as abruptly as the burst of anger started, it ended. Leo shot a couple from the new clip then stopped, raised the gun up and put it back into his jacket pocket.

  ‘That’ll be hot,’ Rico thought absentmindedly as he waited for whatever onslaught came next.

  But there was nothing.

  Instead Leo walked over and grabbed a gun, an M16 that Rolf had been cleaning. He inspected it, worked the action a couple of times and then satisfied, handed it back.

  ‘Beer,’ he said.

  ‘Er … pardon?’ asked Sal, even more confused.

  ‘Beer. We need to have a beer. Just one. Well, maybe two but no more. Sitting in this … whatever it is …. Is no good. We go. Have a beer. While I wait for phone call.’

  Rico snapped the AK-47 he had been working on back together and stood up.

  ‘Great idea.’

  The others all got to their feet. For the first time since Leo arrived they were smiling. Leo noticed this and smiled back.

  ‘Yes, beer is good idea. Is there bar here?’

  ‘In the mall but it ain’t great. There’s a hotel down the street,’ Sal told him. ‘We never went in there but they probably got a bar.’’

  ‘Then let’s go. Is not far?’

  ‘No, not far at all. Just the other side of the street where we had breakfast.’

  ‘Then we walk. We do not want to be arrested. For driving drunk no!’

  Leo laughed out loud. The others joined in, forced but it felt good, the tension draining.

  ‘Right! I follow you!’

  Leo grandly swept an open hand toward the stairs and they set off. Sal suddenly stopped.

  ‘Leo, I got some money upstairs. I’d like to buy everyone a beer. You know, new beginnings and all.’

  ‘Fine. Is kind to offer. Thank you. But be quick.’

  Sal ran off upstairs.

  Rico watched him go, admiration growing for his friend. He knew exactly what Sal would be getting from upstairs and he was very glad to see it. He was happy to have a beer, but then they would be back here again and things were getting rapidly more unpredictable as every second passed.

  ***

  Major Turner sat and listened carefully, occasionally making a note on a pad in front of him but keeping quiet, taking in every word.

  They were in the OC having e
aten lunch, and then taken a table on their own to the side.

  Turner nodded and put his pen down.

  ‘So what do we do with him? And before either of you say anything we can’t keep him shut away down there forever.’ he asked.

  ‘Turn him over to the PD. They can lock him up, and he was never here,’ Reed replied and John nodded.

  ‘Right. Look, I got to ask, before anything else happens are you both in agreement here? Is this guy telling the truth?’ Turner raised the question they were asking themselves.

  Reed shifted uncomfortably so John spoke up.

  ‘I’ll be honest here; I’ve had my fingers burnt badly with Keane and I don’t trust him. I don’t trust him at all. He’s made an arse out of me over and over. But it does all fit, everything he has told us does line up with what’s happened so far, and we were able to piece a lot of it together anyway. We know that Major Hayter loved Vegas, loved to gamble. Maybe he even had some kind of a problem with it, no idea. But he was central to all this, they want something he has. It’s important to someone, whatever it is, they have been to a lot of trouble and expense. Deanna was set up to get it, whatever it is, but either failed or just didn’t bother. Keane now says he thinks it’s plans of some kind but we don’t know.’

  Turner shook his head.

  ‘I get that, but this is where it makes no sense. Major Hayter worked in supply. He wouldn’t have any documents, secrets, plans whatever. He was just a clerk really. A goddamn office boy.’

  ‘I agree,’ Reed said, ‘but if we look at the facts he was the target. For sure. At first we wondered if it was Deanna, or Madeline and he was just some kind of unlucky accident. But him getting shot and his briefcase getting taken does kinda put the lid on it, and it sure dragged the army in.’

  ‘Yeah, I know. I can see that. That’s why you’re there Tom. I’m not saying you’re wrong I’m just trying to piece it together, if that’s possible. We know why he was at the bar; he was going to pay what he owed, presumably to get this Mays off his back, now he had some cash.’

  ‘Why did he even have a briefcase? What would have been in it?’ John asked.