Fugitive

by Phillip Margolin

  “Uh, it’s a law thing.”

  “Humor me, Charlie. Pretend I’m a lawyer who might be intelligent enough to understand what you have to say.”

  Charlie licked his lips. “Well, in the U.S., women have a lot of freedom. I mean, look at you. You can vote and go to law school. Stuff like that. In Batanga they have all these tribal laws. Husbands sort of own their wives and once they’re married anything the wife owns becomes the husband’s property.”

  “They were Bernadette’s diamonds?”

  “He treated her like shit, Amanda. He can’t get it up, so he’d take it out on her. When we were in bed, she would cry. I saw the marks.”

  “And you took advantage of her and got her to give you these diamonds?” Amanda said, not even trying to disguise her disgust.

  “It wasn’t that way,” Charlie protested. “They belonged to Bernadette and she gave them to someone who gave them to me.”

  “Who?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Why can’t you tell me?”

  “I can’t tell you that either. Believe me, I would if I could, but I swore I wouldn’t talk about it.”

  “You don’t think I’ve earned the right to the information after Tuazama’s visit?”

  “Please, Amanda, don’t ask me anymore about the diamonds.”

  “Am I in danger, Charlie?”

  “If Tuazama thought you knew anything you wouldn’t be here. As long as he doesn’t know I gave you the diamonds, you’re safe.”

  “Would Tuazama have the nerve to kill you in the States?” Amanda asked.

  “Oh, yeah. This guy is pure evil. I’m not completely convinced he’s human.”

  “Do you think he was the sniper?”

  “He could have been. I wouldn’t put it past him to miss on purpose to put the fear of God in me. Did you know he was in the courtroom?”

  “At the bail hearing?”

  Charlie nodded.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t want you involved.”

  “Well, I am. You involved me when you gave me the diamonds.”

  Amanda thought for a moment. Then she looked directly at her client.

  “Let me give him the diamonds, Charlie, if it will make him go away. They won’t be worth anything to you if you’re dead.”

  “What if I don’t? What can we do? Can’t you report him for breaking into your apartment?”

  “The only crime Tuazama has committed is trespass. He didn’t break in to commit a crime. He just asked me to ask you to give back the diamonds. Trespassing is a misdemeanor. He’d be out on bail immediately and a lot madder than he is now. Don’t screw around with this guy, Charlie. Baptiste may have a legal claim to the gems. Give him the diamonds.”

  Charlie worried his lip. He looked at the floor. Then he shook his head.

  “I can’t do it.”

  “Why, for God’s sake? Are they worth your life?”

  “If I give back the diamonds it’s like Bernadette died for nothing. Baptiste thinks he’s invincible, that he can hurt people on a whim without any consequences.”

  Charlie stopped to take a deep breath. Then he looked directly at Amanda. “If I keep his diamonds it won’t be much, but it will be something.”

  “Charlie, there are diamond mines in Batanga and Baptiste controls them. He can get all the diamonds he wants.”

  “But he can’t have these diamonds. I know it doesn’t make sense to you, but I know Baptiste. He can’t stand the idea that someone might stand up to him or outsmart him. That’s why my diamonds mean so much to him. Not having them will drive him crazy.”

  “From what you’ve told me, he’s already crazy and he has no respect for life. If Tuazama is as dangerous as you say, there’s a good chance he’ll kill you.”

  Charlie broke eye contact with Amanda. His shoulders hunched and he wrung his hands.

  “I just can’t do it.”

  “You might have to if it will save your life. Tuazama will be calling me to learn your answer and I don’t think he’ll wait long.”

  Charlie stared at the floor.

  “There’s something else we should discuss,” Amanda said when it was clear that she’d make no more headway with this subject tonight. “I was going to talk to you about it tomorrow, but I’m here, so we might as well talk about it now. What do you want to do about Mickey Keys?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I had a talk with him in the hallway when he was leaving. He’s really upset and he seems desperate. He threatened to go to Burdett if you didn’t make things right with him. Is there something he can tell the DA that can hurt you?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Keys was in the limo with you on the ride to the Westmont. Would he know what happened to the murder weapon between the hotel and the club?”

  “I…I don’t know.”

  “Is there something you’re not telling me about the gun, Charlie?”

  “No. I don’t know what happened to it after I got out of the car. I just know I didn’t have it.”

  “Can you do anything to placate Keys so he’ll talk to Kate?”

  “You mean like give him a cut of my earnings? That’s what he wants.”

  “Keys gave me a copy of his contract with you. Contract law isn’t my specialty but we have attorneys in the firm who can look at it to see if it’s binding. If you’re going to lose in court, we might as well cut a deal with Keys and keep him happy.”

  “The bastard sold me out to the feds.”

  “From what I know about Inner Light, the feds would have found out everything he told them anyway.”

  Charlie rubbed his eyes and sighed. “I’m beat, Amanda. Let me get some sleep. I can’t think straight.”

  “All right, we’ll talk in the morning, but you’re going to have to decide what I’m going to tell Tuazama. I don’t think we can stall him.”

  CHAPTER 36

  Kate Ross shut the door to Amanda’s office before sitting next to Mickey Keys on one of Amanda’s client chair.

  “Thanks for coming to see us,” Amanda said.

  “No problem. So, is Charlie going to honor his contract?” Keys asked eagerly.

  “Mr. Keys, it will be impossible for you to continue as Charlie’s agent. You must see that.”

  “I don’t see that at all.”

  “Agents can help a client because of contacts. You haven’t been an agent for a dozen years. How many people do you still know in the publishing industry?”

  “With Charlie as a client, making contacts won’t be difficult, believe me.”

  “You’re also a potential witness against Charlie. If he’s prosecuted for his part in the Inner Light scam, there will be a conflict of interest.”

  “I don’t care about any conflicts of interest. Charlie hung me out to dry when he split. I lost everything. He’s loaded and he owes me.”

  “I’ve had an attorney in my firm look at your contract and he doesn’t think it’s enforceable.”

  “Well, he wouldn’t, would he, since he’s working for Charlie?”

  “Agents have a fiduciary duty to their clients,” Amanda said calmly. “When you told the feds that Charlie was involved in tax fraud and revealed your business dealings with him, you breached that duty and lost the right to be his agent.”

  “I had no choice.”

  “Of course you did. You could have protected your client by refusing to cooperate.”

  “Yeah, and gone to jail for ten years.”

  “In any event, we don’t think you can enforce the contract.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  “You can hire an attorney and go through lengthy litigation you’ll probably lose,” Amanda said.

  “I’ll take my chances.”

  Keys started to get to his feet.

  “Or we can resolve this problem another way,” Amanda said.

  Keys sat down. “I’m listening.”

  “Charl
ie doesn’t recognize any legal obligation under the contract but he’s not unsympathetic to your situation. He’s willing to settle your claim without going to court.”

  “How much are we talking about?” Keys asked, trying to look nonchalant and failing miserably.

  “Charlie is willing to give you a check for fifty thousand dollars if you relinquish all claims under your old contract.”

  “Fifty! That’s nothing. I read Variety. I know how much he got from the publisher.”

  “A good part of his advance will be used to fund his legal defense. And don’t forget the IRS. They’ll come after Charlie just like they came after you. So he might not end up with anything. Fifty thousand dollars is much more than fifteen percent of zero.”

  Kate and Amanda sat quietly while Keys weighed his options. His body language broadcast his anguish better than words ever could. When he finally spoke, his shoulders sagged with resignation.

  “Make it seventy-five,” Keys said.

  “Done,” Amanda said after hesitating long enough to make Keys think she was struggling with her decision. That morning, Charlie had given her authority to go as high as one hundred thousand dollars to buy off Keys.

  “I want a check today.”

  “That won’t be a problem. Are you willing to answer a few questions about Charlie’s case after I give it to you?”

  “Yeah, ask away,” Keys answered. He sounded tired.

  “I’ll draw up the check while you read this,” Amanda said as she handed Keys a document in which he agreed to give up the right to be Charlie’s agent.

  As soon as he signed, Amanda handed Keys the check. Then it was Kate’s turn to take the floor.

  “Mr. Keys, how did you and Mr. Marsh meet?”

  Keys laughed. “That’s a good story. Charlie was a hot property after the prison standoff, but no one could get to him. Technically, he was still a prisoner and the cops had him under wraps in the hospital.” Keys flashed a proud grin. “Know what I did?”

  “I can’t begin to guess,” Kate answered.

  “I slipped a nurse a few bucks for the number of his room and one of those ID tags you clip on. I switched my photo for the photo of the doc on the tag. Then I dressed up. I had this clipboard and stethoscope and the white coat.” He shrugged. “It was easy as pie. The cop on the door took a quick look at the ID tag and I was in. Charlie liked my moxie. I guess he figured if I could con my way past the cops I could con the publishing and movie people. And I already had some good ideas for merchandise.”

  Keys paused. He looked thoughtful. “Charlie made the right choice. I did great by him. I mean, we made out like bandits.” Keys paused again. “I guess I shouldn’t use that phrase, huh? What with the IRS and all.”

  “Whose idea was the Inner Light scam?”

  “I thought it up. I had the accounting background.”

  “Did Mr. Marsh ever protest?” Kate asked.

  “You want to know if I had to twist Charlie’s arm?”

  Kate nodded.

  “Don’t forget why Charlie was in prison. He’s been a con artist his whole life. He’d just never operated on this scale before.”

  Amanda asked Keys to outline the scheme. When he was finished, Kate asked Keys about the evening of the shooting.

  “Who was with you and Charlie at the country club?”

  “Let’s see, it was me, Charlie, Delmar Epps, and…there was someone else.”

  Keys thought hard for a moment. Then he rolled his eyes. “I forgot Moonbeam.”

  “Who?” Amanda interjected.

  “This groupie.” Keys shook his head. “She was an obnoxious little twit who attached herself to Charlie. I have to believe she was the greatest lay in history because I can’t think of any other reason Charlie put up with her. Anyway, she was in the car with us.”

  “What do you remember about the fancy revolver that was used to shoot Congressman Pope?” Kate asked.

  “Some broad Charlie banged in Texas gave it to him. Her husband was an oil tycoon who was ancient and he collected guns. Charlie saw it when he was at her house and took a shine to it. She gave it to Charlie when he was leaving. I bawled him out about taking it. He was on parole, for Christ’s sake. Possessing a weapon could have sent him back to prison.”

  “How did the gun get to the Westmont?”

  “Delmar Epps brought it. He loved toting that gun around, pretending he was Wyatt Earp. I remember him twirling it on his finger in the car, because the limo hit a bump and he dropped it. I almost had a heart attack. The damn thing was pointing at me when it bounced off the floor. I thought it would go off. I yelled at Delmar to put the damn thing away and I have a clear picture of him putting it on the seat next to him while we were driving.”

  “Did he have the gun when he left the car?”

  Keys’s brow furrowed. “Delmar usually had the gun stuck in the waistband of his pants, but I don’t know if he had it on him when he got out of the limo. Some guy Charlie knew opened the door to the limo instead of the chauffeur and Delmar got in his face. I was concentrating on that while I got out of the car. Then I moved back as fast as I could because I didn’t want to be in the way if a fight started.”

  “Do you know where Epps is now?” Kate asked.

  “Actually, I do. He’s dead, killed in a car accident. They had a story in the newspaper about it because of his involvement with Charlie.”

  A knock on the door interrupted Kate as she was about to ask her next question.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, Miss Jaffe,” the receptionist said, “but there’s an FBI agent in the waiting room who’d like to speak to you.”

  Amanda frowned. She had a few cases going in federal court but she couldn’t think of any reason for an agent to be contacting her.

  “You two go on,” she said before leaving the room.

  A stocky, broad-shouldered man with wavy black hair, whom Amanda didn’t recognize, was standing in the reception area. He was wearing a navy blue pinstripe suit, a crisp white shirt, and a tasteful dark blue tie with narrow red and yellow stripes.

  “I’m Amanda Jaffe,” she said as she offered him her hand.

  “Agent Daniel Cordova from the FBI office in Seattle,” he said with an easy smile. “I’m pleased to meet you. They say good things about you in the Portland office.”

  “Uh-oh. That means I’m probably not doing my job very well,” Amanda answered with her own smile.

  “From what I hear, you do it too well.”

  “What can I do for you, Agent Cordova?”

  “Is there someplace private we can talk?”

  Kate was still interviewing Mickey Keys, and the Pope file still covered the table in the conference room. Frank was in court, so Amanda led the FBI agent to her father’s office.

  “You’re representing Charles Marsh on a state murder charge,” Cordova said when they were seated.

  “Yes,” Amanda answered cautiously.

  “In the course of your representation, have you come across the name Gary Hass?”

  “He was a criminal associate of Werner Rollins, one of the witnesses against Sally Pope, wasn’t he?”

  “That’s right. And Mr. Hass is still a criminal, someone we are very anxious to arrest. A few days ago, a Russian drug dealer named Ivan Mikhailov was tortured to death in Seattle. Mikhailov was trying to take over territory serviced by Julio Dominguez, another dealer with ties to a South American cartel. An informant told us that Hass murdered Mikhailov on orders from Dominguez.”

  “What does this have to do with Charlie?”

  “Hopefully, nothing. But we searched Hass’s hotel room. He’d collected several articles about Mr. Marsh and his return to Oregon to stand trial. Do you know if Hass and Mr. Marsh had a falling-out before Marsh fled the country?”

  “I can’t reveal attorney-client confidences, but why do you want to know?”

  “Hass is a peculiar person. He’s very smart, very violent, and he’s known to harbor grudges for years. It
’s possible that he’s in Oregon seeking to even an old score.”

  “Have you heard that a sniper tried to kill Charlie after his bail hearing?” Amanda asked.

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  “You think Hass was the sniper?”

  “We have no evidence to support that but I’d like to talk to your client to see if he knows anything that will help us catch Hass. If Hass is trying to kill your client he’ll benefit by cooperating.”

  “Why don’t you wait here and I’ll call Charlie.”

  Amanda closed the door and started down the hall to the conference room when her cell phone rang.

  “Have you spoken with your client, Miss Jaffe?” Nathan Tuazama asked. Amanda’s pulse began to race. She hated to admit it, but the Batangan frightened her.

  “He’s thinking about your request.”

  “I will be calling you this afternoon. If you don’t have a positive response for me I will go to plan B.”

  Tuazama disconnected. Amanda swore and hurried into the conference room. She dialed Charlie’s hotel room from the phone on the credenza. Marsh picked up on the second ring.

  “I called you for two reasons, Charlie. Both serious. There’s an FBI agent named Cordova in the office. He wants to talk to you about Gary Hass.”

  Amanda heard an intake of breath on the line. “Charlie?”

  “What about Gary?”

  “They think he was in Seattle recently. He’s a suspect in a murder up there. When they searched his hotel room the FBI found articles about you. Would there be a reason he would try to kill you?”

  “The FBI thinks he’s the sniper?”

  “I don’t think they have anything concrete, but Cordova wants to talk to you about Gary to see if there’s a reason he might be in Oregon looking for you. What do you want me to tell him?”

  “Oh, man. This is all I need, Tuazama and Hass after me.”

  “That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. Nathan Tuazama just called. He wants an answer by this afternoon.”

  “If I talk to the FBI, will they protect me?”

  “I don’t know, Charlie. I don’t think they can do anything while you’re facing a murder charge unless you have some amazing evidence about some huge case the feds need help with. I get the impression Cordova just wants to find out if there’s a reason Hass might be in Oregon. Do you want to talk to him? I’ll make sure he doesn’t ask you anything that will hurt your case. If the FBI arrests Hass, that’s one less thing you have to worry about.”