The 13th Hour: A Marston Thriller (The Marston Series Book 4)

by Brigitta Moon

  “What have you done!” his grandmother squealed.

  Gina made a time out sign. “Could someone please tell me what is going on.”

  “My pleasure. I’ll tell you what’s going on. Our mother killed herself!”

  Chapter 58

  “What do you mean I am already closing in? Closing in on what?” asked Romero.

  Mayor Harden repositioned himself in his chair. “When I first took this office, I was an ambitious young man. I believed the law was the law, and if you broke it you should pay the price.”

  Romero nodded his agreement.

  “Look at me now.” Mayor Harden ran his hand through his hair. “I’m grayer than I should be. I know I’m working on an ulcer. My wife, bless her trusting heart, she worries about me.”

  Romero took the opening. “She worries about Gina too. In all practicality, Gina is her daughter. She loves her as if she gave birth to her herself.”

  Mayor Harden was nodding. “This is going to kill her. She will never forgive me.”

  “Mayor, what does this man want in exchange for Gina? Maybe we can fix this before...” Romero let his words trail off. Fix this and continue the lies? He asked himself.

  “He wants the club district,” the mayor mumbled.

  “He wants what?” asked Romero.

  Mayor Harden scanned the tables closest to theirs again. “The club district.”

  “Okay, maybe my mind has fallen asleep or I’m missing something. This man wants what with the clubs.”

  “He wants to oust King so he can become the supplier.”

  Romero put his index finger on his temple. “Drugs? Is that what we are talking here?”

  “Not just drugs. We are talking millions of dollars a year.”

  “I know I’m going to regret this, but go on, tell me about this King person. I swear, his name just keeps coming up.”

  “When I took office, I ran a real tight ship. The money never seemed to be enough for my wife. She wanted a big house near the reservoir, close to the park for all of our children. Later she received the news. There would be no children. She was so broken. I wanted to give her the house anyway. King made that possible, and much more.”

  “Are you following me?”

  “I hate to say it, but yes. So, you hopped into bed with a drug dealer. He gave you a cut for protection. Is that how it went down?”

  “Not just protection, Detective, access. He wanted uninterrupted access to clubbers.”

  “How can you give them...” Romero cut his question short when he thought of Billy disappearing around the bend of the street in the club district. “Nelson and Riley. You assigned them that post.”

  Mayor Harden nodded.

  “You’re the inside man.” Romero had another thought. “Those kids, some of them died. Was your cut worth their lives?”

  “This is new. There was never a problem. I put an officer on each corner to block traffic. King’s men would show up before the officers. They had full reign for the agreed upon hours. They did their business and I received a delivery of a package of cash.”

  “How did they deliver the cash?”

  “UPS or FedEx. It’s the only way to assure I receive the cash.”

  “What about this King fellow; what do you know about him?”

  “Not much. He made contact with a delivery. The box contained all of the details plus a bundle of cash.” Mayor Harden pinned Romero with an intense stare. “You would have to be there. Those bills fit in my hand as if they were made for me. And the smell was intoxicating. The bills were new, crisp. All I had to do was block the street and the money was mine. Simple, right?”

  Romero grimaced. “Kids are dead. Do you realize you carry as much blame as King? Suddenly your affair pales in the face of this new proclamation.”

  “What can you do for me? If I give into this blackmailer, King will probably kill me. If I don’t do as he asks, he will make my affair with Gina’s mother public.”

  “Let me lay your choices on the table for you. Money or family. The choice is yours. In the interim, if King kills you, I guess you made the honorable choice.”

  “Just like that, huh?” Mayor Harden threw up his hands.”

  “Well, me being a man who believes in family, I think you should make prepaid burial arrangements. Why put you lovely wife through that?”

  Mayor Harden was taken aback. He fell back in his chair as if Romero had clocked him.

  “This King Fellow, could Dr. King be him?”

  “The man you were holding in the cell?”

  Romero nodded.

  “That pompous ass. I don’t think so. This man is all about money. The man in the cell is more about brains. In my opinion he doesn’t care about money, only research.”

  Romero’s lips turned down. “I can agree with you there. Look, Mayor,” Romero checked his watch, “we’ve been here for an hour and getting nowhere. In sixteen hours this man is going to change your life. What’s it going to be?”

  Mayor Harden studied the table.

  Romero studied the Mayor. “Let’s not forget the package that’s waiting for you.”

  “The police have probably already removed the little box of horrors.”

  “Romero stood up. “I’m going to visit the little boys room first, then I’ll call Billy and get an update on the package.”

  “Take all the time you need. I seem to be in a lose-lose situation anyway.”

  Romero palmed the mayor’s shoulder as he passed by. “It’s all about perception. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  Looking around SUDS, the mayor noticed for the first time that the men were not in uniform. They were grinning and talking. These men were in constant motion, going from table to table with beers in hand. He wondered what they had to talk about. Work was over for the day. Why were they spending time together off the clock? He heard the knock of pool balls. One man leaned over the table with his pool stick poised, primping for the shot. It finally dawned on him that not one of the men came over to sip beer with him or offer a friendly wave.

  Mayor Harden’s lips drew down as he began to wonder if tongues had been flapping at the police station and these men had labeled him as an uncooperative family member of the victim. Maybe they already knew the truth. His heart sped up. Heat waves circled his head. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. The mayor asked himself one question—Family or money?

  Chapter 59

  “Our mother?” asked Gina. She stared at DeShawn with her lips slightly parted and her eyes wide. Her stunned gaze slipped to the woman.

  The woman took a few steps back. “I’ll be right back.”

  Gina was at a loss, not a clue what to think. It was as if she had fallen down the rabbit’s hole. DeShawn was quiet, although his face was pinched so tightly his skin looked as if it would tear if he moved.

  The woman was back. In her hand was her purse. She spread it wide, dug her hand inside and came out with a wallet. She slipped a picture from a frame, handed it to Gina.

  Gina’s eyes widened, she covered her mouth with her hand.

  “You look just like her,” the woman said.

  “Who is she?” asked Gina.

  “She sure as hell didn’t inherit Mom’s intelligence.” DeShawn slapped his hands on his knees and leaned down until he was eye to eye with Gina. “Maybe you didn’t hear me. Our mother killed herself. Funny, huh, you being so white and me being black, but we’re brother and sister.”

  “Brother?” Gina said in a small whisper.

  “Yeah, I’ll bet it turns your stomach, doesn’t it?” He stomped around in a circle waving his arm wildly. “You’re not a full breed. And to top it off, all you have done is made my life miserable. I was always in line behind you where Gran was concerned.” His glare whipped toward his grandmother. “You never lit up when you saw me like you did just looking at a picture of Gina, and I was right in front of you every single day, keeping your precious secret to protect her.” He cast a finger at Gina.r />
  “I always knew something was wrong,” Gina said softly. “I could feel it, as if something was missing.” Gina smiled down at the picture and outlined the curves of the woman’s face—her mother.

  “I wanted to tell you everything when I met you at Coffee Haven.” The woman’s chin went down to her chest. “I was afraid of scaring you off.”

  Gina looked up at the woman. “I felt something special when we were talking. It was as if I had known you all my life. I went to Coffee Haven hoping to see you again.”

  “How touching,” DeShawn scoffed. “News flash, Little Gina, Moms killed herself because of your cheating ass father.” He stuck his finger in her face. “He’s going to pay. I will see to it personally!”

  “DeShawn!” the woman squealed with her mouth drawn and eyebrows lowered. “What have you done?”

  Chapter 60

  Romero was back from the men’s room. The booth was empty.

  “Dammit,” he said whacking the table with his fist, scanning the entire lounge. The mayor was nowhere to be seen. He went to the bar, flagged over the bartender. “Hey, buddy, did you by chance see where the mayor went?”

  Tossing a thumb toward the door like a hitchhiker, the bartender said, “He ran outta her like the place was on fire.”

  “Thanks, buddy.” Romero headed for the door. He checked up and down the street—no mayor in site. He refused to let anger take over. He pushed the mayor’s ridiculous ploy aside, opting to walk his frustrations off. His first stop was Becky’s desk.

  “Working late tonight, aren’t you?”

  “Becky needs the overtime to buy new makeup. A girl can’t cut corners with these things.” She fluttered her black, mascara coated lashes at Romero.

  “I see what you mean.” Romero checked out all the makeup on Becky’s face. He decided not to comment. “I don’t think I’ll ever get accustomed to you referring to yourself in third person. It’s kinda, um, I don’t know...creepy.” Romero wiped his brow with the back of his hand.

  “Don’t you worry yourself, Becky’s not offended.”

  The phone on Becky’s desk rang. She picked it up on the first ring. “Marston Police. What can Becky do for you?” She listened for a beat. “No need, Captain, he’s standing in front of Becky.” She listened, then said, “Becky’s on the job.” She hung up.

  “What job is Becky on?” Romero asked.

  “The chief wants you in his office. Pronto.” Becky chuckled. “Do you think he wants to see you about the package? Becky thinks there’s a finger in there.”

  Romero said, “Okay, I’ll take the bait. Why a finger?”

  Becky poked out her basketball boobs and said with a smug smile, “Well, the package is too small for a head, and it doesn’t weigh much.”

  “From that, you came up with a finger? Why not a toe.

  “Too messy. She needs her toes for balance. If he cuts off a finger, she still has nine more.”

  Romero scratched his head. “Why would a kidnapper care whether or not she can walk a straight line or tip over. His interest is in the trade, and I don’t know how much a trade will matter, or the condition of Gina.” He checked his watch, sighed heavily. “It’s almost eight o’clock and we have nothing. Jeeze we’re down to the wire. We have fifteen hours before the mayor will have to make funeral arrangements. The ass probably won’t care. The man has empty space where his heart should be.”

  “Funeral arrangements?”

  Becky and Romero turned toward the voice. The mayor’s wife was dressed in a nice pant suit as if she was about to attend a business meeting.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Harden, that was—”

  “No need to apologize. I know my husband is not being any help. That’s why I’m here. I refuse to stand by and let anything happen to my niece. I love her as if I had given birth to her. She is like a daughter to me.”

  Romero’s face flushed along with his heart. If she only knew the truth, he thought to himself.

  Mrs. Harden sat her purse on Becky’s desk. “If my husband doesn’t want to help, then so be it. If he wants to act as if he has something to hide, that’s on his conscious. I am here to get my child back by any means possible.”

  Becky grinned up at the mayor’s wife. “You have a plan, don’t you?”

  She ambled over to Romero, laid her hand on his arm. “I know my husband does not give you men the credit you deserve. He’s like a poacher.”

  Romero said, “It’s okay—”

  “No, it’s not okay. He has gone too far this time. He should not be working this case. He’s not a detective or a police officer. My husband is too close to this threat on our family to be of any help.” She went back to the desk and claimed her handbag. “I’ll let you get back to work, Detective, and I’ll get back to doing what should have been done right from the beginning.”

  “Care to share, ma’am?”

  “Well,” she said in a breathy voice, “I plan to make a plea to the kidnappers, to bring Gina home safely.”

  Becky said “Becky bets you already have everything set up. You remind Becky of one those strong women who can crack the whip.”

  Mrs. Harden laughed. “So, you’re the one who refers to herself in third person. I have heard a lot about you.”

  “Becky hopes it was all good stuff.” She showed all of her teeth and fluttered her lashes.

  “Very charming,” the mayor’s wife said to Romero. To Becky she said, “All glowing stuff.”

  “You have a plan?” asked Romero.

  “Not a plan like in a game of Battleship, but I will be taking action. Do you remember when my husband stood out on the front steps of this precinct and declared he would catch the serial killer as if he was doing it single handed?”

  Romero gave a reluctant nod.

  “Well, Detective, Becky, I will stand in the same spot and plead for my niece’s life.”

  Romero cupped his forehead. “You have a TV crew set up?”

  “Why yes, Mr. Pool has agreed to help me. He’s a wonderful reporter.”

  “He is. You’ve made a good choice. Mr. Pool gives a story his full attention,” Romero told Mrs. Harden. Inside he was thinking, Pool loves scooping the headlines.

  “Detective, Becky, you’re not trying to sway the mayor’s wife away from me, are you?” Pool said as he walked toward the group.

  “No way,” Romero answered.

  Becky said, “Romero was singing your praises.”

  Mrs. Harden held out her hand. “Thanks for doing this, Mr. Pool. I am forever in your debt.”

  Pool smiled. “That’s too big of a price for me to charge. Your niece’s return will be payment enough.”

  “Charming, isn’t he, Becky?”

  Before Becky could answer, Pool said, “The crew is setting up outside. Any last minute requests?”

  “I trust you have everything together, so I will meet you in a few minutes.” She turned to Romero. “Detective, they are holding a package in here somewhere, and I’d like to know what is inside.” She clasped her fingers under her chin. “Do you think I should find out before making my plea?” She dabbed at the corners of her eyes, whispered, “Suppose it’s something Gina can’t live without?”

  “It can’t be,” Becky said. “The box doesn’t weigh much.”

  “Becky,” Romero said drawing his finger across his neck.

  “It’s alright,” said Mrs. Harden. “She’s only trying to make me feel better.”

  Pool stuck his head through the doorway and called out, “We’re ready for you, Mrs. Harden.”

  The elevator dinged its arrival. Chief Randall stepped out.

  “What’s going on, Detective? Becky said she was sending you up.”

  Becky started arranging papers on her desk.

  The chief looked over at the mayor’s wife. Mrs. Harden—”

  “Now, don’t go giving these two a hard time, Chief. They were only trying to help me.” She turned away with her purse in hand and ambled down the corridor towa
rd the door where Pool was waiting.

  Chief Randall narrowed his eyes in Romero’s direction. “Why is the mayor’s wife here?”

  Romero reached inside his pocket for a toothpick. “She is about to make a plea for Gina on the news.”

  “Is the mayor going to stand with her?”

  Romero could not help but think about how the mayor’s wife was out on the steps about to plead for the return of her husband’s daughter, not his niece, and the mayor was conveniently absent. He shook his head and frowned.

  “Is there something you want to share with us?” the chief asked Romero. “You look like you swallowed a load of horse manure.”

  Romero stuck the toothpick in the side of his mouth. “I was thinking about what is in the box.”

  Chapter 61

  The question flew from DeShawn’s grandmother’s lips and embedded itself like a dagger into his chest.

  “What have I done?” asked DeShawn. “I’m handling business. That’s what I have done. That man who you have been protecting by hiding his secret has made my life a living hell. Gina is one of the haves, and we have been living in the lap of have nots.”

  “I want to hear about this secret,” Gina said. Her eyes met with DeShawn’s. “I have been living a lie. You knew the truth. You had family and—”

  “Stop right there, girl.” The grandmother rose to her full height. “I did what was best for you. I lost a daughter and a granddaughter, all in the same day.” She turned to DeShawn. “I took care of you as best I could. You had food on the table and clothes on your back. I gave you a roof over your head, while every night I mourned for my children.”

  “And I cried for my mother and my sister every day and every night. The morning I found my mother lying in bed with a bottle of pills next to her, my whole life changed.” DeShawn studied the floor, then he looked at Gina. “Your father is a selfish bastard. He only cares about himself. How old are you now, Gina?”