by Dan Kelly
By the time this was accomplished it was close to midnight, so it was decided to let the two truck drivers cool their heels in a cell until morning. Forrester and his troops escort Derrick, Julie and their canine partners home and then they too call it a night.
Chapter 54
Early the next morning the prisoners are read their rights and then the questioning begins, Derrick and Jim Forrester being the interrogators.
The drivers’ names, Victor Casciano and Joseph Faustino, have been run through the local and federal data bases and it turns out they are homegrown gofers from San Francisco. They‘ve had some run-ins with the law, but nothing heavy and nothing at the federal level.
At first it was believed that the trucks were stolen, but after having a serious and threatening talk with the drivers some astonishing facts are revealed. The trucks, or what’s left of them, are owned by Acme Transport and the drivers work for the same company. The owner, Benjamin Cordell, told them to drive the trucks to Napa where they were to meet some men at a warehouse and follow their instructions.
The drivers keep saying they had no idea about what was going to happen until they were ordered to block the intersection and the shooting started. They scrambled out of their cabs and used their trucks for cover while the other men kept firing at a small line of cars stopped at the intersection. When the occupants of the other cars started to return fire, they headed for the woods, not wanting any part of the shootout. They both admitted to drawing their weapons, but insisted that they never fired them. However, when their hands were tested for gunpowder residue, the results told a different story. When confronted with this, they knew the jig was up and played it straight from then on.
The two men are at the bottom of the food chain and really don’t know very much that will help Derrick nail any of the people at the top , but they now have something concrete to give the SFPD to use to make things very uncomfortable for Benjamin Cordell. The address book which belongs to Casciano turns out to be worthless as far as their investigation is concerned. It contains contact info for friends, relatives, some off-track betting places, a vet and a union hall but nothing obviously useful to them. Fingerprints and dental info from the dead bodies may generate something useful once they’re run through data channels, but that can take weeks to get results and they might be a big goose egg, so no one is holding their breath.
The necessary paperwork is put into the system, public defenders are arranged for the drivers and the drivers are returned to their cells to pace nervously while awaiting arraignment and worrying about what lies ahead for them.
Around three that afternoon Derrick, Julie and Forrester are sitting around Derrick’s desk discussing what’s likely to happen going forward when word gets back to the brains behind the assault. Julie says, “We have good reason to believe that the boss responsible for the most recent attempt on our lives is this Arrigoni guy and he has to know by now that his plan didn’t work. It’s been all over the news. What if this miscreant doesn’t give up trying to take us out? Inspector Bianchi has told us that he is a real piranha and goes for the jugular when he doesn’t get his way.
“A six man surprise ambush didn’t work, so what else might he resort to. He might try to blow us up in our cars or at our homes, but we are now aware that they have access to sophisticated means to track us and it’s not too big a leap to assume they also have access to the expertise to pull that off if we aren’t extra careful. If this guy sees we are on the alert for such a ploy, what if he still doesn’t give up and decides to try something else. What might that something else be?”
Forrester responds with, “It’s no longer a secret that you two have protection good enough to repel a six man assassination team. I don’t think it’s likely they’ll try something similar again. However, I don’t think this individual is going to give up easily. Because of the threats that have been leveled at you, it’s apparent to me that acquiring these wineries has become very important to him, perhaps even a challenge. I think their next attempt will be something more covert, like luring you to someplace where a sniper is hiding to have a go at you or a one-on-one up close and personal assault when you’d least expect it.”
Derrick says, “Right now I’m expecting everything.”
Forrester says, “That’s the right frame of mind to be in if you want to continue to go on breathing.”
Derrick says, “It seems we’re all in agreement that there’s more mayhem waiting for us around the bend. When and in what form are the unknowns. Jim, how long are you and your men going to be able to stick around. It could be a while before Arrigoni retaliates for his embarrassing defeat. From what Inspector Bianchi has told me, he’s got a temper but he won’t go off half-cocked. He’s patient enough to wait for an opening before he makes a move. That might take a while.”
“I haven’t been given any time limit. We’ll continue to play it by ear until I hear differently. While we’re waiting for this Arrigoni to move off the dime, we can look for ways to spur the Paganellis into doing something egregious enough to put an end to their aspirations.”
“I’m surprised that hasn’t already happened with all the tickets they’ve been given. I’m thinking that if I personally get in their faces, that will be the final straw to push them over the edge to long term incarceration. That was the game plan originally, but ensuing events managed to get me sidetracked.”
“Chandler, you may or may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but you sure as hell aren’t boring.”
This gets all of them laughing and eases some of the tension.
Unbeknownst to the three crime fighters, Derrick may not have to concern himself with getting into the faces of the Paganelli twins. If Duilio has his way, Derrick and Julie will no longer have to concern themselves about anything.
Sitting in the living room of their getaway hideaway, Duilio has been venting his anger over the prickly thorns in their backsides that Derrick and Julie have become. “Riccardo, I think now is the perfect time for us to pluck these thorns and squish them for good. We can remove these nemeses from the picture and have someone else blamed for our actions.”
Riccardo asks, “How the hell are we going to pull that off?”
“By leaving evidence that points to the people who authorized and organized the assassination attempt at the intersection last night.”
“And how are we going to do that? Do you know something I don’t know like who issued the orders to kill a bunch of lawmen?”
“I don’t have names, but I’m pretty good at basic math. I can add two and two and I always come up with four. We now know there are new players in Milan who have replaced the people we were dealing with and they have decided to fly solo in their attempts to bring the targeted wineries into their fold. They must also know from Chandler’s appearance on Holly Caldwell’s newscast that the deputies have been major stumbling blocks in the acquisition path or why try to obliterate them. That fiasco at the intersection is really going to piss someone off and it’s a decent bet that whoever was behind it is going to try again. We’ll save them the trouble but at a cost to them of getting blamed for the deed.”
“How are we going to do this if we don’t know who is pulling the strings in Milan?”
“We don’t have to know who’s pulling the strings. There were bodies lying all over that intersection and one or more of them is bound to be linked in some fashion to some crime boss in Milan when fingerprints and dental records are pushed through the systems here in the States and in Italy. When the deputies’ bodies are found, it will be assumed that the same people who tried to kill them in that intersection tried again and this time were successful. There will be nothing to link us to the killings. To add fuel to the fire I’m building I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Leaving the room for a minute, Duilio returns with two long and narrow leather carrying cases and two small almost square leather cases. Opening them he describes what’s in them. Pointing to the contents of the lo
ng narrow cases he says, “These are Italian made Beretta M501 sniper rifles equipped with 1.5-6x42mm Zeiss scopes. They have a 5 round detachable box magazine holding 7.62x51mm NATO rounds and are accurate up to about 100 yards.”
Pointing to the guns in the smaller cases he continues with, “These lovelies are Beretta 92 9mm hand guns. No matter what weapon does the job it is going to be left at the scene, thus leading the bloodhounds toward Italy and not sniffing around us. The rifles are hard to find outside the Italian military and that makes them even better bait for the deception. The handguns are more easily found, but their manufacturer should still lead the authorities here astray. I happen to know about a guy who deals in the black market and can lay his hands on just about anything if the price is right. He knows me by sight and that’s it. He couldn’t care less about who the buyer is as long as he has the bread for the purchase, so there’s no path leading back to me.”
“I don’t know about this, Duilio. You’re making it sound like killing these deputies will be a piece of cake. They have a cadre of highly trained agents watching their backs to say nothing of those two very big German Shepherds.”
“If we pick the time and place, we can do this and get away with it. Then we can concentrate on dealing with our acquisition competitors.”
Riccardo is silent for a bit and then says, “I thought we agreed to first look for a professional to take care of these guys. Our doing it was supposed to be the backup plan.”
“I know, but we might be running out of time. Getting hit with all these tickets could motivate some judge to take us out of circulation for a while and we wouldn’t be able to look out for our best interests from behind bars. Besides, the recent turn of events has dropped an opportunity in our laps we can’t ignore. Another thing in our favor is the sheriff department has to be in some serious disarray since the sheriff resigned which should delay any other deputies being assigned to the case. And there’s also an outside chance that the new players in the game will continue to fail in their attempts to deal with the deputies and acquire the wineries and decide to look for greener pastures. With the deputies out of the way, the field would be wide open for us to pick up where we left off with our black mail scheme.”
Going silent again, Riccardo starts shaking his head and pacing the floor. Finally, he lets out a big frustrated sigh and says, “I think we’re already in over our heads, but we’re way past the point of no return so there’s no turning back. When and how are we going to do this? We’ve been riding around with our rifles, but no opportunity has presented itself and we now know why. They have some serious protection looking out for them.”
“We’ve got to look for a chink in their armor or create one. By that I mean we’ve got to look for a time in their daily routine when the bodyguards aren’t around or figure a way to get them away from their body guards, human and canine.”
“That’s easier said than done. These guys are pros and pros rarely make mistakes nor are they easily fooled.”
“I’ll grant you that, but no one is perfect. We all make mistakes. When they make theirs, we’ll be there to take advantage of it. It’s full court press time, Riccardo. We’ve got to become more aggressive.”
Cautiously nodding his head, Riccardo heads for their wet bar and some liquid courage.
Chapter 55
The next few days go by without any new developments and as quitting time on a sunny but cool Friday rolls around Derrick and Julie are eagerly looking for some down time. Derrick asks, “Julie, do you have any plans for the weekend?”
“Besides staying alive you mean?”
Smiling he says, “Besides that.”
“I have a martial arts workout at ten tomorrow morning and after that if it warms up a little I’ll probably lay out by the pool with a good book and soak up some rays. There’s a nice shady tree out there where Duke can lie down out of the sun and keep an eye on me. Other than that, I’ve nothing planned. Boring, huh?”
“I don’t think so. It’s a great way to recharge your batteries. Do you like jazz or blues music?”
“I sure do. I grew up on Pete Fountain and Dizzy Gillespie sounds, but I like most genres of jazz and blues. Why?”
“There’s a jazz jamboree at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center in Yountville tomorrow night and I’ve got two tickets, a gift from one of my buddies who has had a change in plans. Would you like to go?”
“I sure would.”
“Great! The curtain goes up at eight p.m. sharp. I’ll pick you up around a quarter after seven. It’s only an eight, ten mile drive, but I’d like to get there a little early so I can listen to the musicians warming up.”
“What will we do with the dogs?”
“We’ll bring them with us. They can lie at our feet. They’re on duty police officers and I shouldn’t have any trouble convincing the people in charge to let them in.”
“Okay, if you say so. Duke and I will be waiting outside at 7:15.”
Julie heads for the door with her security detail in tow and Derrick places a call to the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center to arrange admission for the dogs. He’s having second thoughts about being able to convince the people in charge at the door to comply with his request and he doesn’t want to look like a fool if he’s denied access with the dogs. The fact that he cares what Julie thinks about him has him flustered a bit, but it also brings a smile to his lips.
As things turn out, he needn’t have been concerned. Once the manager was apprised of the situation, he agreed to the dogs’ admission and said he would make arrangements to provide sufficient space for the dogs to lie comfortably.
That out of the way, he too heads for the door with his bodyguards bringing up the rear.
At seven fifteen on the dot the next evening Derrick pulls up to Julie’s front door and as promised Julie and Duke are sitting on the stoop. Getting out of his car he says, “I’m the bearer of gifts, a pretty corsage for the pretty lady and a Kydex IWB holster caressing a Glock 26 for the bad guys.”
Laughing she says, “This is a first that’s for sure. I’ve had dates bring me flowers, but never a weapon.”
“I know you don’t carry when you’re off duty, probably because you whole body is a weapon if some dipshit messes with you. However, we’re dealing with some real dangerous people and I want you to be armed at all times until this winery mess is history. You’ll find the Kydex holster comfortable to wear and the Glock 26 a reliable and accurate weapon.”
Pulling up his shirt he shows her his and says, “I’ve been carrying a set up just like it for a long time and we’ve become real good friends. Another thing I like about this gun is it’s small enough to be carried in a pocket if the situation calls for it.”
“I’m glad I wore slacks. My sweater has no pockets. It’s just a windbreaker.”
Handing the holster and gun to Julie he says, “It’s fully loaded and I have a box of 9mm ammo in the car which is yours as well.” Pinning the corsage onto her windbreaker he calls out to Duke, “Come here fella. Those sensitive ears of yours are in for a treat. I hope you’re not one of those snobs who think anything but classical music is rubbish.” Laughing he bends down and vigorously rubs and pets the dog then opens the back door of his car and says, “In you go. Champ’s going to keep you company this evening.”
Laughing Julie says, “With the dogs and this weapon, I feel like I’m going to war instead of a jazz concert.”
“If you think about it, our war has already started. I just don’t want you getting caught without being able to defend yourself. In fact, I recommend you make it a habit to carry it when you’re off duty even after this winery situation is behind us. There are a lot of crazies out there who just don’t like authority figures and they won’t think twice about offing a cop if it pleases them.”
“Well, thank you for the precaution, but the gun and holster weren’t cheap. I’ll bet they cost close to seven hundred bucks. I want to reimburse you.”
“When you ma
ke detective you can pay me back.”
“That’s a deal.”
“Okay, now strap it on.”