by Ali Vali
“I can’t build a case on a bottle of whiskey.”
She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s the small things, ma’am, and I won’t stop until I find the connection.”
“She’s downstairs right now. I had her picked up for questioning and she resisted, so Brent brought her in.”
That made her sit up again. “She resisted?”
“I’m looking into that because her face bears the result of not cooperating, but everyone’s telling the same story with no tape to back it up.”
Biting down on her lip must have been making Shelby’s lip hurt but she didn’t stop. “Lionel didn’t record it?”
“They were updating the equipment so it wasn’t online,” she said.
“I love them, but please tell them not to give her an opportunity to squirm out of this.”
“Go take care of your family and I’ll deal with this personally.”
Shelby combed her hair back with her hands and stood. “I appreciate it, ma’am, and I’ll be back as soon as the services are done.”
“Take more time than that,” Annabel said, moving around the desk to be closer to her.
“Unless you order me not to work this case, I want to see it through. This is the last mistake Cain’s going to make as a free person.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked Emma, but her eyes darted from the silent Lou to Katlin, who stood close behind Emma.
“No, but if you could tell Mr. Talbot all I need is five minutes of his time.” When faced with what appeared to be an impossible situation, Cain had always said to think how to turn it to your advantage. The FBI had taken Cain, and that was a different game than Juan taking her. You couldn’t exactly hit back without causing yourself a more serious problem.
“I’m Mr. Talbot’s secretary,” another woman that joined them said. “What can I do for you?”
“My name is Emma Casey. Cain Casey is my partner,” Emma said, reaching for the woman’s hand. “I believe Cain’s in danger and I need Mr. Talbot’s help.”
George Talbot was the U.S. Attorney for the fifth district in New Orleans, and he had a history with Cain that had nothing to do with trying to prosecute her. Years earlier Cain had saved his daughter from a life of drug abuse after she fell victim to some loser she’d started dating.
The young girl had been holed up in an abandoned apartment in one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. Cain had shared the story with Emma only recently when she’d wondered why George had helped in the trap the government had set for Barney Kyle. It’d been the only time Cain had told anyone about it since she’d acted as one parent helping another, no matter what George’s position was.
From what Cain had said, her people had found the girl naked and alone on a mattress surrounded by rotting trash. The guy she’d run with had hooked her on heroin and, from the look of it, had turned her out as a prostitute to feed their habit.
What Cain had done to scare the girl straight wasn’t part of her story, but even through her drug stupor it had made enough of an impression to transform the addict into becoming a successful prosecutor in the district attorney’s office and a mother of four.
But George and his daughter were the most thankful that no one would ever use her past against her since there was no police record. Only Cain knew what happened to the boy who later could’ve been a blackmail threat, and her only explanation was that he was keeping Big Gino Bracato company. That meant the only other threat had been buried so deep he wouldn’t get the chance to drag the Talbot girl down again.
“Cain didn’t exaggerate when she told me how beautiful you are,” George said from the head of the hall lined with doors. “How about you folks relax out here and Ms. Casey and I’ll have a talk,” he said to the guards and his staff.
The credenza behind the large desk was lined with photos of little boys in an array of activities with George, and some with him and an attractive brunette. “You have a beautiful family,” Emma said when he sat next to her instead of behind the desk.
“They are all a gift, as I’m sure you know. My daughter was one, but my grandsons are my joy and the reason I’m contemplating retirement.”
“Cain was arrested today,” Emma said, thinking she didn’t have any time to waste.
“Agent Hicks did send a preliminary report over to that effect,” George said, crossing his legs.
“Cain had nothing to do with Shelby Phillips’s parents, Mr. Talbot. She’s never left the state, didn’t give any orders, and knows nothing about this.”
He hiked his eyebrows and laughed. “You sure know a lot about this, young lady.”
“More like I’ve learned how your system works, sir. If something goes wrong, then without considering anyone else you come after Cain, and I’m getting tired of it.”
“If you live with someone like Cain, you have to figure it was only a matter of time before she got caught,” Annabel said after walking in with a file under her arm.
“Agent Hicks, everyone is required to knock,” George said, standing up and sounding peeved.
“I was in the neighborhood filing charges, George, not trying to insult you.” Annabel smiled, staring at Emma. “But now that I’m here I can ask you in person for no bail on this one.” She handed him the file in a way Emma could see Cain’s name.
“Why not go ahead and say she’s guilty, Mr. Talbot, and save the taxpayers money. It’s Cain, so she must be guilty,” Emma said, lifting her purse from the floor. “After all, your people,” she said looking at Annabel as she spoke, “felt free to beat her, take her in, and deny her right to counsel.”
“Your girlfriend resisted arrest, Ms. Casey, and she was being processed when Mr. Riggole arrived.” The way Annabel laughed made it sound like her cause was hopeless. “This isn’t a conspiracy against you and the supposed angel you live with.”
“Since you tape every moment of our lives, can we see what happened? Because I seriously doubt Cain lost control and attacked one of your people,” she said, turning in her chair so she could fully face Annabel. “You finally found a way in, Agent, and I bet you can’t wait to gloat. Here’s your chance.”
“She’s right, Annabel,” George said when Annabel didn’t respond. “You brought the report, so pull out the CD and I’ll pop it in,” he said, standing and walking to his computer. The CD tray slid out and he peered up at Annabel over the rim of his glasses. “Annabel?”
“The file has the reports of all the agents involved, but video wasn’t possible this time,” Annabel said, seeming to tighten her arms across her chest. “It doesn’t make the arrest any less sound.”
George fell back in his chair and looked at her. “She’s right, Ms. Casey.”
“Please, Mr. Talbot, call me Emma,” she said, opening her purse, which made Annabel drop her arms as if she suddenly presented a threat. “Even though I wouldn’t describe Agent Hicks’s employees’ behavior toward Cain as a conspiracy, it is harassment. When a group is this determined, shortcuts become the norm.” She pulled a CD out of her purse and held it up for Annabel to see. “This is your chance to change your story.”
“Please,” Annabel said, and laughed as if she’d told her a funny joke. “You expect me to fall for this? What is that?”
She stood and handed George the disc. “This, Agent Hicks, is me correcting what you said. Two cars and a van couldn’t provide a tape, but if your agents were really interested they should’ve asked the security guard at the grocery.”
Sabana had paid a thousand dollars for it since the guy who patrolled the store for shoplifters said the cameras outside actually worked. The idea to ask had occurred to Emma as they left Muriel’s house, and Sabana had come through.
Considering where they’d been pulled over, what had happened would be on the tape. It was a gamble because she hadn’t had time to watch it, so it could prove what Annabel had said—but this was about how well she knew Cain, not what Annab
el and the others speculated about her. The odds were in her favor.
“We can’t verify what’s on there,” Annabel said.
“I don’t really know what’s on there, Mr. Talbot,” she said pointing to the disc in his hand. “It could prove what the agent said, since everyone told the same story.”
“George,” Annabel said when he put it in the slot, “I could take it back and have our lab verify it.”
“Sit,” he said, prompting the computer player. The tape was date- and time-stamped, so George looked at the file and fast-forwarded to the time reported. Just enough of the street was showing so they could see two unmarked cars, the front of the surveillance van, and Cain’s car.
Emma watched as the large man slammed Cain’s head to the back of the car twice, and she gripped the edge of the desk when Cain was cuffed and lifted back up. A line of blood was visible down her face as she was shoved into the car. Emma was so angry she could hear her heartbeat in her ears, and the thought that she was right about Cain’s control brought no comfort.
“You’re right, Agent Hicks,” she said, not caring if her voice was too loud. “Cain must’ve blinked too much or offered a sarcastic comment, which proves she was resisting.”
“That doesn’t tell the whole story,” Annabel said, talking more to George than to her. “There was another altercation at intake downstairs.”
George nodded as he picked up the phone. “Stan, this is George Talbot. I want the footage from the Casey booking today from the time the cars entered the garage.” He hesitated a moment, obviously listening. “And, Stan, it wouldn’t be a good career move to tell me that the equipment was down for maintenance. That’s right, all of it,” he said after pausing again.
“I have the right to hold her for seventy-two hours,” Annabel said when he hung up. “This is more than resisting.”
“Mr. Talbot, I’m sorry I wasted your time,” Emma said, closing her purse. “You and Agent Hicks have a job to do, and I’ve got a responsibility to Cain.” She stood and smiled at George. “I’m sure what she’s referring to is the deaths of Shelby’s parents in California. That was tragic, but it has nothing to do with Cain or anyone in our family.”
“Nice speech, but how did you know about that?” Annabel asked.
“Agent Phillips is living with Muriel Casey, Cain’s cousin, and Muriel’s my partner’s attorney. I stopped at her house first when I found out about Cain’s arrest. She couldn’t help me because she was tending to Shelby.”
“We are building a case. That’s why we stopped Cain this morning. We wanted to ask her to come in for questioning.”
“And she helped you out by slamming her face into the trunk of her car twice so you could arrest her for resisting,” Emma said sarcastically. “Your job is to hide in bushes disrupting people’s lives, but I’m going to be up front with you, Agent Hicks. Cain deserves to be treated fairly, so if her attorney keeps getting denied the right to see her, I plan to take that tape and call every media outlet that wants the story.”
“That’s evidence now,” Annabel said, making George laugh at the stupidity of what she’d said, Emma guessed.
“I’m sure she made copies, Annabel,” he said, proving he was thinking along the same lines.
“Along with my copy of the tape, I’ll dredge up the story of Barney Kyle, who was working for Gino Bracato while serving as an FBI agent. Once I’m done you’ll be sorry you brought up the word ‘conspiracy.’”
“Ms. Casey,” George said before Annabel could say anything else. “Would you mind waiting outside a few minutes? You have my word it won’t take long. And this is a gift, right?” He pointed to the CD drive and she nodded.
“Well?” Lou asked when she sat next to him in the outer office.
“He said to wait,” Emma said, glancing at her watch then her cell phone. There was still no message from Sanders. “Mr. Talbot is either in there congratulating Annabel for pulling out all the stops, or he’s chewing her out.”
“Which one are you leaning toward?” Katlin asked.
“I’m never sure when it comes to dealing with these guys, so I’m not going to jinx myself.”
“Ms. Casey,” the secretary said. “Mr. Talbot said you can go back in.”
“Emma, I spoke with the detention center, and Cain’s attorney’s on his way to see her,” he said when she sat again. “I’d like your patience a bit longer while I review a few more things.”
“Can I see her?”
He nodded. “After I study all the information, I’ll make my decision about either bail or setting her free.”
“As long as Cain is alive she’ll never really be free of things like this, Mr. Talbot, no matter if they’re fair or not.”
“You may not trust me, but I’m here because I believe in the law, and I take my oath to uphold it seriously.”
“Thank you, then.”
“If you want, I’m sure Agent Hicks won’t mind walking you next door so you can see Cain.”
“I’d appreciate that.” She shook his hand and started walking, figuring Annabel was in no hurry. All she wanted was Cain and an answer to who was doing this to them.
*
“Are you here on business or pleasure?” the customs agent working the entry gate in New Orleans asked when Jerome handed over his Mexican passport. He was wearing an expensive suit that had been a gift from Gracelia and carried a briefcase full of files about silver jewelry. Just another businessman making calls on his contacts in the U.S.
“A little of both,” he said, smiling.
The guy laughed as he stamped the documents after glancing at his computer screen for what Jerome knew was an instant background check. “Welcome to the United States, sir, and enjoy your stay.”
“Thanks.” He walked through, totally ignoring Gracelia. He’d talked her into that for security reasons, he’d told her. Actually, he didn’t want any evidence of them together because some government agency would flag her before he ever got started.
He took a cab to the hotel and had a drink waiting for her when she arrived. The city felt different since he’d been gone, but that was okay as he looked out the large window. His return would change it even more, and he’d work until he owned it.
“You not going to say hello?” Gustavo said from the bedroom door. He picked up Gracelia’s drink and downed it. Juan didn’t resemble his old self in the least. Not even his mother would’ve recognized him if the change hadn’t been her idea.
“You look happy with yourself,” he said, moving to a chair. Gustavo, as usual, wasn’t alone, and Jerome didn’t see any sense in provoking him before his mother arrived.
“Unlike you, taking it easy in the sun,” Gustavo pointed to Jerome’s tan, which was fake since he hadn’t had time to sunbathe, “I been working.”
“Any more deliveries I should know about?” he asked between sips.
“What I did has changed the game, so don’t tell me shit about it.” Gustavo poured himself another drink and the three men with him turned the television to a soccer match.
“It’s a simple question, Señor Katsura. You don’t have to get pissed.” Gracelia was forty minutes late, and Jerome was starting to worry. He needed her to stay in control long enough for him to take it away from her.
“I the man with the cojones now.”
And the fact that you sound like a moronic caricature hasn’t changed either, he thought, forcing himself not to roll his eyes. “Yes, your mother can’t stop bragging, but I really want to know if you’ve checked anything else off your list.”
“I don’t have to. What I done has Rodolfo scared and your idiot friends pin it on Cain.”
He whipped his eyes up at Gustavo, only to see the smug smile. If he wanted more he’d have to beg for it. “The team picked her up?” he asked, not caring about pride.
“The guy I got watching tell me it happen this morning. They stop and beat her like a dog before they take her.” Now it was obviously more exciting for Gustav
o to tell the story than to taunt him with it. He couldn’t talk fast enough. “They drive away and drop her in a hole, the way her people are acting.”
Juan or Gustavo could take all the credit he wanted, but his useless little escapades had nothing to do with Cain getting picked up. The news tempted Jerome to try his access number to log in and get all the details. Annabel had probably left that carrot untouched as a way to track him.
“A few more days of them running around like idiots and I take the rest of them down,” Gustavo said, making him stop daydreaming.
The door opened and Gracelia’s faithful Lorenzo led the bellhop in with all the bags, followed by her. She smiled and opened her arms to Gustavo, holding his face in her hands before she kissed him. When she embraced Gustavo she smiled at Jerome over his shoulder, and the sight was like a bomb blast destroying his old life. His mother would never be able to hug him like that again because Anthony Curtis was no more.
“You look good,” Gracelia said, Juan’s face again between her hands. “And you’ve done even better.” She accepted the new drink he’d poured and sat next to him after she finished her preening over her little boy. “Did you find what I asked for?”
“We’ll have to travel outside the city, but the guys found it.”
Jerome looked from one to the other, realizing he was in the dark one more time. “Found what?”
“Retribution,” Gracelia said, patting his hand gently like she was trying to calm a puppy. “Finally.”
Chapter Fifteen
Deidi sat on the curb about a block from the address Johnny had given her and watched. That day only a tall woman left with an older woman, both wearing nice suits, but only the young tall one stayed the night. Deidi had spent days out there until her ass was numb, but she still hadn’t seen no Dallas Montgomery.
Her cell phone started ringing again and she sent it to voicemail again. Her pimp called twenty times a day trying to find her, but she was working for Johnny now. The pay-off he’d promised was enough to find her own place and maybe start working for herself. She wasn’t good in school but was smart enough to know that she didn’t need some guy sucking three-fourths of what she made.