by Nick James
“Tell me his name again.”
“Dalton, Bishop Dalton. I sense there is something there that would lead to future problems. I can’t say what it is, exactly, just a feeling I have.”
“Trust your feeling.”
“I do.”
Luis nodded in a way that suggested there would be further discussion. Not too long after that, Camila said something to Luis in Spanish, and ten minutes after that Luis made a quick phone call. Two minutes later there was a knock on the door and Miguel opened the door to let Carlos in. The two exchanged stiff pleasantries, and then Luis, Camila and Valentina left. Bobby went with them down to the parking area, holding the door for Camila as she gingerly slid into the rear seat.
“You’re working tomorrow?” Luis asked.
“Yes, it’s the best time to get as many files copied as possible. Only one or two people will be in the office and they’ll be busy working so they can leave as soon as possible.”
“We’ll talk later this week. We need to think about an office.”
“And security,” Bobby said. “Have you heard any more about the woman who was shot?”
“Only that she has been buried. The police continue to pursue the idea that it was drug related. That thought will keep them occupied. Thank you again for a wonderful evening.”
“Thank you for the surprise,” Bobby said, indicating Camila and Valentina. “And thank you for honoring us with your presence.”
“The honor my friend, was all mine.” Luis said, then patted Bobby on the arm and climbed into the car. Carlos jumped into the front passenger seat and they drove quickly out of the ramp.
As they entered the penthouse, they could hear the women talking excitedly in the kitchen. Miguel sort of looked at Bobby, rolled his eyes and headed toward the noise. Bobby followed.
The conversation stopped immediately as they entered the kitchen and the two women just stared at Bobby.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“You never told me. You are el Salvador”
“El Salvador?”
“The Savior,” Miguel translated.
“What?”
“Camila and the child, Valentina. Forgive me, I didn’t know it was you who saved them.”
“Maria, relax, it was…”
“No, I’m honored, to have you as, as a friend.”
“Okay, then as a friend, how about another glass of wine?”
That brought a smile to everyone’s face as Maria filled the glasses all round.
Chapter Thirty-One
Miguel dropped Bobby at the office just a little after ten on Sunday morning. A quick walk through the area convinced Bobby he was the only one there, at least for the moment. However, he still locked himself in the file room and kept any noise to an absolute minimum. He began copying files and replacing the originals with the copies. He worked through the noon hour and into the mid-afternoon. At one point he heard a voice in the outer office sounding like a phone conversation, but he didn’t bother to check. About an hour later he stopped just long enough to rifle through a few of the paralegal cubicles and steal a couple of candy bars.
He worked until four, then phoned Miguel and brought the boxes full of original files down to the lobby of the building. As Miguel pulled up he rolled the dolly out to the curb and signaled him to open the trunk. Then he brought the dolly back up to the office and double checked the file room to make sure everything was in order before he left.
He was in early Monday morning, sitting in his office waiting for Dorsey to show up. He didn’t want to miss Bennett’s arrival after his weekend with Emily, although he guessed Bennett wouldn’t show until his usual 10:00 arrival. Dorsey walked past Bobby’s office, headed toward the file room a little after eight. Bobby waited two minutes, then followed.
“Hey, you’re in early,” Dorsey said as Bobby came in the door, then quickly pulled his lunch bag out of a briefcase and placed it in a desk drawer.
“How was the wedding weekend?”
“You know, it was a lot of fun, but it was nice to have a down day yesterday. It’s also kind of nice to get back in the routine, here. Let me open those file drawers for you so you can get to work.”
“Yeah, thanks, the fun never ends,” Bobby said. He placed a legal pad and a pen on the reading desk. “Say, Mike, aren’t you scheduled to take the bar exam pretty soon?”
Dorsey sort of smirked, “Theoretically, I graduate this fall, the bar exam is next July. So when I’m not working here, I’ll be studying for the bar, probably sleep while driving to and from work.”
“You thinking of landing here once you pass the bar?”
“Tell you the truth, just between you and me, I got a problem with the partners. I know you sort of lucked out with Mr. Denton’s passing and that’s great, I’m happy for you. But the others, Sawyer and Allen really crack the whip and you’ll never get so much as a smile from them. Hinz is nice enough as long as he needs something, but other than that, there’s really no long-term future for me here. I doubt any of them even know my name. HInz works about sixty minutes a day, although I don’t think he has to from what I hear. Besides, I’m really interested in immigration law and this firm couldn’t be less interested. No hard feelings, it’s just the way things worked out.”
“I wish you all the best,” Bobby said.
“Yeah, thanks. It’ll happen, I just have to keep at it.”
Bobby settled into the chair at the reading desk and began working through the stack of files. His cellphone rang a half-hour later, the number displayed as unknown.
“Bobby Custer.”
“Mr. Custer, my name is Martin Roark. I occasionally do some work for Mr. Luis Morales. He asked me to give you a call. Are you free to talk now?” The voice was deep, steady and in just a few words, seemed to convey the impression of someone always in control.
Bobby spoke as he got out of his chair, gave Dorsey a bit of a nod, and headed out of the file room. “I will be free in just a moment. I’m heading into my office now. What is this in regard to?”
“Señor Morales asked me to pass on some very general information regarding an individual I believe you were considering for a position. A gentleman by the name of Bishop Dalton.”
Bobby smiled at two paralegals talking in the hall as he passed. They seemed to give him a strange sort of look, but he was more focused on the phone conversation and kept moving. As he stepped into his office and closed the door, he did make note of the fact that Bennett Hinz wasn’t in yet.
“Oh yeah, did you send me reports a couple of days ago, one on Dalton and the other on someone named Tyler VanCamp?”
“Actually, I sent them to Señor Morales, but yes, I did that work. He would have been the one to forward them to you.”
“Well, excellent reports, both of them. You said you had additional information?”
“Yes, if you’ll recall Mr. Dalton had appeared in front of the state bar regarding a question of ethical practices.”
“Yeah, on three separate occasions if I recall, and vindicated on each occasion.”
“He has another appearance scheduled in nine days, just a little more than a week from tomorrow. My sources tell me it’s not going to go his way this time.”
“What’s the charge?”
“Fairly typical for his line of practice, misappropriation of funds. Unfortunately, this instance involved an elderly individual who, because of Dalton’s actions, was forced to move to a different care facility and she died in transit, heart attack.”
“Did he drain her bank account?”
“Not exactly. It was profit from the sale of three commercial properties. It would appear Mr. Dalton misappropriated the funds to place a bet on a sure thing and, like so many sure things, he ended up losing. The funds were never deposited in the woman’s account. Dalton blamed family members. There are charges pending, the ethics appearance will just be the initial salvo. My guess is he’ll be disbarred, probably looking at a seven-year sentence, he�
��ll maybe do five and walk.”
The seven-year sentence and doing five struck a deep chord with Bobby, but he didn’t mention it. Chances were Roark already knew anyway, not that it made a difference. “Well, thank you. When I initially contacted Dalton, he shut the conversation down in just a sentence or two. Then he phoned later and suggested he may have been just a little brusque. Anyway, I appreciate the call. I’ve already decided he wouldn’t be a very good fit. Good to know my instincts were correct.”
“If I might pass on one more bit of information. Mr. Dalton has the deserved reputation of being a bit of a loose cannon. Be prepared for some sort of antics.”
“Antics?”
“Possibly a threat, more likely something designed to prove to you his one-of-a-kind value to your organization. In a word, narcissistic. I’d get as much distance as you can.”
“Thank you for the update. I appreciate the information.”
“Glad to be of service,” he said and disconnected.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Bobby thought for no more than a minute or two before he placed his phone call. “Bishop Dalton, please,” he said to the woman who answered.
She seemed to pause for a moment then said, “May I ask what this is in regard to?”
“He’s looking into a matter for me. I met with him the other day,” Bobby said, thinking that was a strange way to answer the phone.
“And your name, sir.”
“Custer, Bobby Custer.”
“One moment, please and I’ll connect you.”
It was more than a moment, a lot more. After four or five minutes a male voice came on the line. “This is Arthur Kingsley. How may I help you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I was holding for Bishop Dalton.”
“I’m very sorry, Mr. Dalton is,” there was a slight pause, “indisposed at the moment. Perhaps I might be of some assistance.”
“Actually, I met with him last week concerning a matter. When do you expect him back?”
“And it’s Mr. Custer, correct?”
“Yes, is he there?”
“I’m afraid Mr. Dalton has left our firm to pursue other interests.”
“When did this happen? I just spoke with him the other day.”
“I’m really not at liberty to say. Whatever it was you discussed, I’m sure we would still provide exactly the sort of representation you desire. How can we help?”
“Actually it was more of a private matter. Do you know how I might reach him?”
“No, I’m sorry I wouldn’t have that information. If you do wish representation, we would love to help.”
“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Please do, Arthur Kingsley is my name, sir. Just ask for me when you call and we’ll get you taken care of.”
“Thanks,” Bobby said and disconnected. Dalton’s misappropriation of funds must have become a bit more public. He opened his briefcase and paged through Roark's report on Dalton that Luis had forwarded. An address and three phone numbers were at the bottom of the third page. One of the numbers was Dalton’s office, the number he had just called. He dialed the second number and a recording came across after the third ring. “Hey, it’s your lucky day. You’ve reached the Bishop. Leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you just as soon as I can. Thanks and have a great day.” Bobby hung up when the generic voice began, “At the sound of the tone…”
He dialed the third number and waited, counting the rings. Dalton answered on the sixth ring, “Bishop,” he said almost sounding like he was asking a question.
“Hello, Bishop, this is Bobby Custer.”
“Oh yeah, yeah. Great to hear from you, I was going to give you call. I’ve come up with some ideas that I think will give us a nice little shortcut to…”
“Actually,” Bobby interrupted. “I’ve thought about it over the weekend and I think your skills, as good as they are, just aren’t going to be the best fit with what we’ve got planned. I wish you the very best and hope you’ll…”
“You’re kidding. Do you have any idea what I can do for you? Do you have any idea what the ramifications of the mistake you are about to make will be? Think about it, Custer, you’re about to do something you’re going to regret for the rest of your life.”
“Thanks, Bishop, but I think you’re going to be rather focused on your upcoming hearing in front of the ethics committee and the lawsuit that’s going to follow on its heels. Not the sort of publicity we need just starting out.”
“The situation you’re referring to is nothing more than a misunderstanding between the relatives of a former client and myself. Unfortunately, as you know, the law can be an unforgiving and jealous mistress.”
“Bishop, you’re facing the Minnesota Bar’s ethics committee and…”
“And this will make the fourth time I’ll be vindicated.”
“…Criminal charges after that. I humbly suggest you direct your efforts toward that defense rather than attempting to convince me regarding something I’ve already made my decision on. Good luck,” he said and hung up.
Bishop Dalton called two more times that morning and once again after the noon hour. Bobby let all three calls drop into his message center. After the third call, he turned his phone off.
The phone rang in the file room a little after three. Dorsey was out at the moment so Bobby just let the phone ring. It finally stopped after a number of rings, then started right back up again.
“Oh, Christ,” he growled then sighed, pushed his chair back and walked over to Dorsey’s desk. “File room,” he answered hoping he sounded suitably upset.
“Oh, Mr. Custer, thank God. Sorry to bother you. I have a gentleman here to see you.” Marci lowered her voice to almost a whisper, “He seems rather upset.”
“What’s his name?”
“Bishop Dalton.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Bobby was standing outside his office door as Bishop Dalton strode purposely toward him. Dalton’s eyes bored into him as he approached and Bobby was thinking even if he called now, Miguel would never be able to get here in time. He reached behind his back, felt the pistol tucked into his belt and took absolutely no comfort from the fact.
“Please come in, Mr. Dalton,” he said, then stepped into his office when Dalton was still five feet away. By the time Dalton made it into the office, Bobby was heading around his desk. “Close the door, will you?”
The request seemed to take some of the wind out of Dalton’s sails and he pulled the office door closed.
“Have a seat,” Bobby directed, and extended his hand. As he sat down in his desk chair, he slipped the pistol out of his belt and held it just below the surface of the desk.
Dalton sat down in one of the client chairs opposite Bobby and gave him a hard stare for a long moment.
“Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear on the phone earlier this morning,” Bobby said. I think under the circumstances your employ would not be in your or my, best interest.”
“Look, Custer, I, I was a little upset, I admit it. But only because I didn’t want to see you make the sort of mistake you’re going to regret for the rest of your life. You’re looking a gift horse in the mouth here. No one knows Morris Montcreff better than I do. No one. I down played it the other day at lunch, but only because I wanted you to hear it from the source, Montcreff. I figured you’d talk to him and once you saw how delighted he was that I’d be heading things up, well, I mean, come on. What do you say? Let’s just put this unfortunate mistake behind us and get to work.”
“Your firm fired you.”
“Is that what they said? God, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. They were more than a little miffed when I told them I was moving on. I’ll be honest, they made me an offer, a damn nice one. But, I thought we had an agreement, you and I, when we left our luncheon. Under the circumstances, I felt obligated to honor that agreement.”
“An agreement? I believe what we said was something along the lines of giving
you some time to think about it and I’d do the same. I took some time, thought about, and I’ve made up my mind. You are not going to be involved in any way, shape or form.”
“Can you see what you’re doing? Morris doesn’t trust anyone more than me. He…”
“You call him Morris? You know him that well? Because everyone I’ve ever met, including myself, refers to the man as Mr. Montcreff. Now I…”
“I just spoke with him this morning if you really have to know.”
“You spoke with him?”
“He calls with a question occasionally. Call it serendipity, the fact that he phoned this morning of all mornings. That’s why I don’t want you to make this mistake.”
“He called you? This morning?”
“Yeah, look, don’t get upset. He does it every once in a while, a simple question. It’s not like I’m going to send him a bill or anything. I never do, it’s just sort of a gentleman’s agreement we have.”
“A gentleman’s agreement?”
“Yup.”
“And he called you?”
“He did, not the first time and I can guarantee it won’t be the last. Can’t you see? I’m on the inside track here. I’m the side gate into the playground. I’m the one guy who can get this wrapped up all nice and pretty for you.”
“You know, tell you what.” A smile slowly began to spread across Bobby’s face. “You get on so well with Montcreff, why don’t you give him a call right now. Tell him we’re meeting. If what you say is true, I’m sure he’d be happy to hear that.”
“Call him, now?”
“Yeah, go ahead, give him a call. You got your cell?”
“Well, yeah, but I was in the office. His call came through on the firm’s line. I actually don’t have the number on my cell. Afraid if I ever lost it, the cell, and someone got hold of the number, well there’s no telling what…”
“I can get you that number,” Bobby said, then half turned and began clicking on his keyboard.