Cassandra (Fells Point Private Investigator Series)

by Denise Irwin

  She changed into a pair of jeans and then returned to the kitchen to ask him, “How did it go?”

  “Very well, the judge affirmed all the new charges, which are stacking up. Frankel, the ADA requested a Grand Jury hearing before the open court trial, and Smyth requested the same. My guess is that as soon as I know the dates, we can set a date for our wedding. Tell me about your day?”

  “Well, John informed me that he gave notice this morning. He’s leaving by the end of the month. He and Abby are moving to Austin, Texas to open a firm.”

  “You said that was a possibility.”

  “I did. The problem is that the firm isn’t replacing his position, so he told me to start looking around for a job.”

  “Did you ask him about two weeks of vacation for our honeymoon?”

  “I did. It was fine with him, but how do I go away without a job?”

  “If they lay you off, I’m sure they’ll give you a decent severance package and if they don’t, you don’t have to worry about money.”

  “I don’t?”

  “Nope, you don’t. Let’s eat then we’ll take Bailey out for a walk to the boat, so I can check the dock lines.”

  After dinner, Leona, Sam, and Bailey walked to the Cream. As they strolled hand in hand, Leona wondered just what Sam was driving at that she didn’t need to worry about money. Without a job, hell who would pay her bills? When Sam received client payments, the amounts were hefty; however, he wasn’t always working. Leona was accustomed to a small, but steady income. His sporadic income would make her crazy.

  While Sam checked the dock lines, he asked, “Leona, did you talk to either Sue or Cassie today?”

  “Nope.”

  “I’ll give Sue’s house a call when we get home.”

  When they walked through the door, Sam unleashed Bailey who made a beeline to the kitchen. Sam watched as Leona followed the dog. She reached into a cookie jar and pulled out a dog biscuit for his mutt. Sam then watched Bailey carry his treat to his bed, where he proceeded to chomp on it.

  “Do you give him a biscuit every time you walk him?”

  “I sure do. He loves them, so before you tell me he’ll gain weight; those biscuits are good for his gums.”

  Sam had a clueless look on his face, “I wasn’t going to say anything.”

  Leona went into the living room to turn the television on while Sam called Sue. She listened to his side of the conversation.

  “Yes ma’am, I’m home. How’s it going with your house guest?”

  “Is that right?”

  “I need to wait for a phone call, and then we’ll know.”

  “Sure, Leona can do that.”

  “Yes, I would love to talk to her.”

  “So Agent Henson, I’m hearing that Sue never wants you to go home.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Have you called your family?”

  “Good. I know I don’t have to ask, but you didn’t tell them where in Maryland you are, right?”

  “Yes, very well. Based on the evidence put together on the search warrants, the feds have three new charges. They’re nailing him with Money Laundering, Making a Bomb, and Impersonating a Federal Law Enforcement Officer.”

  “No, I didn’t hear anything new about Schuman.”

  “Cassie, if he’s dirty, there’s nothing you can do.”

  “Yes, Frankel added two charges, one for Firearms and one for Impersonating a Law Enforcement Official.”

  “I talked to Smyth. He believes we can use a teleconferencing system for your testimony.”

  “Not just yet. Smyth and Frankel requested Grand Jury Hearings.”

  “As soon as I hear something, I’ll let you know. Hey, before we hang up, are you a redhead?”

  “Is that right? Well then, I can’t wait to see it.”

  “You have a good night to and yes, I’ll tell Leona hello for you.”

  When he hung the phone up, Leona asked, “She’s doing okay at Sue’s house?”

  “She just said she might stay for as long as she can. Cassie said she loves working in the kennels.”

  “What color is her hair?”

  “Sue died it red.”

  Leona giggled, “I can’t wait to see Cassie with red hair. I bet it looks great on her. Did I hear correctly that she called her family?”

  “Yes ma’am, you did. She let them know she was fine and that she couldn’t tell them where she is. She also wanted to know when we plan to get hitched.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “As soon as I hear the Grand Jury dates, we’ll reschedule the wedding.”

  Leona was in the bedroom getting dressed for work Friday morning, when she heard Sam answer his phone. She sat half-dressed on the top step to eavesdrop on his call.

  “Sam Marksman.”

  “Thanks, the trip down was uneventful. I checked on her yesterday.”

  “She’s doing great. She even told me she might not go home.”

  “Yeah, hold on a second while I scramble for a pen. Okay got it. Let me read the dates back, so I’m sure I’ve got them right. Federal Grand Jury is at 9:00 am on Monday, November 5 and the State Grand Jury is 9:00 am on Thursday, November 8. Did I get those dates right?”

  “Good, yes she will. I just need to confirm that my girl testifies by teleconference.”

  “Bradley, I was told she would not have to appear in court.”

  Leona watched the worried look on Sam’s face.

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  “No, I’ll tell her. I want the names of everyone on the list. If I approve them, then we’ll be fine. If I find anyone who makes me nervous, I’m vetoing the plan.”

  “Is that right? Get that list for me. Thanks, yeah, just send it to my e-mail address. Talk to you later.”

  When Sam hung up the phone, Leona asked, “Sam? Is everything okay?”

  “Not sure yet, but the good news is we’re getting hitched, pull out the calendar and let’s take a look.”

  Leona handed him the calendar she kept on the fridge.

  “What do you think of Saturday, October 20?”

  “You know I don’t care. I was sitting on the steps, so I heard the court dates when you repeated to the caller. What did that person say that upset you?”

  “Cassie must testify in person for both Grand Juries. I thought it was set up for her to testify through a teleconference. Apparently, she’ll be able to teleconference in for the criminal court cases, like that does us any good. Wanna take a ride with me?”

  “Sure, is there a destination to this ride, or do you just need to vent?”

  Sam chuckled, “I need to talk with Cassie, the sooner the better, and we need to check the date for the wedding with Sue.”

  “Can we go to Sue’s when I get home from work? I don’t have enough vacation leave to go on our honeymoon if I take today off.”

  “Sure babe.”

  When Sam pulled into Sue’s driveway, he said to Leona, “Let’s divide and conquer. You talk with Sue about the date and I’ll talk with Cassie about the Grand Jury dates.”

  “That’s not a problem.”

  As they entered Sue’s country kitchen, she was cutting a fresh baked apple pie. “Hey kids, I do hope you’re here to set a wedding date.”

  “We are.” Sam walked toward her, “Sam Marksman, don’t you dare grab a piece of pie until I serve it.”

  “I’m totally innocent of that. I just wanted to give you a kiss hello. Sue, while you and Leona talk through the wedding, I need to talk to Cassie.”

  “I think she’s in the living room playing Chess with Neal. I’ll go get her.”

  “Don’t worry, keep slicing that pie and I’ll go find her.”

  Cassie stood from the chair when Sam walked into the living room, “Sam, I need help. Neal’s whipping my butt!” She put her arms around his neck and hugged him.

  “I’ve never won a game of Chess against Neal, so you sure don’t need my help. I love the red hair.
It accentuates your freckles giving you that country girl look. ”

  She giggled, “Is Leona with you?”

  “She’s in the kitchen talking about a wedding date.”

  “Well then, let me go join the women. I’ll let you guys do the guy talk.”

  “Cassie, we need to talk first. Bradley called this morning.”

  Neal stood, “I’ll give the two of you some privacy.”

  Cassie sat on the sofa, “Neal stay, there isn’t any reason to leave; there’s nothing Sam is going to tell me that you won’t eventually hear about. Before we start, let me go get us all a drink. By the look on Sam’s face, I think he and I could use one.”

  Neal told Cassie, “I’ll help. Sam, we’ve got some Heineken, would that work for you?”

  “Sure.” Sam sat alone in the living room staring at the Chessboard, contemplating what he would say to Cassie about the upcoming Grand Jury hearings.

  Cassie and Neal returned with Sam’s beer. She sat on the sofa and asked him, “Okay, I’m ready to hear about what Bradley told you.”

  “Yes ma’am, I am. As I said, Bradley called this morning. The Grand Jury Hearings are scheduled. The feds go first on Monday, November 5, and the state goes off on Thursday, November 8.”

  “Sam, that’s great news! I’ll be here for the wedding.”

  “Yes, that’s the good part. The bad part is that you need to appear in person. I had hoped we could do a teleconference for your testimony, but both attorneys indicated that your presence is required, at least for the Grand Jury appearances.”

  “If you thought I’d fold because I’m being called to testify in person, you’re sadly mistaken. I’m not scared of those bastards. In fact, I’ll derive great pleasure from giving testimony that could put Grossman away for a long time, along with whoever he works for.”

  “You are such a hard headed woman, I really can’t impress on you enough that someone ordered a hit on your life. There’s no fucking way that whoever ordered the hit plans to let you testify.”

  She sarcastically told him “I’ve been here before; it’s part of the job.”

  Sam was growing anger at her nonchalant attitude. “You’re going to sit there and tell me that somewhat else ordered that you be assassinated? What Grossman did to you, has happened before? Does it also mean that someone raped you for the thrill of over powering you?”

  “Well, not to this extent. Sam, I love you dearly, but you worry too much. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack. I’m going to assume that you plan to have me stashed away somewhere under protective custody. Am I right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Knowing you the way I do, I’m also going to assume you’ve already asked for a list of the names of my babysitters, am I right?”

  “Yes.”

  “What’s gonna be hard on me, is that I can’t see or talk to you. So, are we through with this conversation? I’d like to go to the kitchen and get in on the wedding plans.”

  “By the way Red, love the hair.”

  “Me too, Sue did it, and I love it. I’m off to the kitchen.”

  “Sam, we didn’t know someone took a hit out on Cassie. That’s why she’s here isn’t it?”

  “Yes, Neal, that’s why she’s staying at your house. No one knows she’s here other than the five of us. I wouldn’t tell even the guys I trust where I brought her. You and Sue are not at risk. If you’re not comfortable with the situation, I’ll get her out of the house today.”

  “No, don’t do that. I guess I didn’t realize that someone wanted such a wonderful woman dead.”

  “She’s a cop who caught the bad guys, so now she’s a target. Let’s go get a piece of pie.”

  Sam and Neal found the three women huddled together as if they were planning the wedding of the century. “Ladies, have we selected a date?”

  Leona answered Sam, “We have. We’re getting married on Saturday, October 20. That gives us time to plan. It also means we can sail for two weeks and get you home in time for court.”

  After swallowing a mouth full of pie, he asked, “So, am I hearing we’re all set?”

  “Yes sir, that’s exactly what you’re hearing.”

  “Cassie, I think the Deputy Marshals will bring you to another safehouse before November 5 which means you’ll be gone before Leona and I return from our honeymoon.”

  “Do you want to know something? I really am a big girl. The only other choice you have is to bring me with the two of you on your honeymoon and I’m not about to do that. You said you were getting a list of my security team, so I’m fine.”

  “Okay Red, if that works for you it works for me. Leona, you ready to head home?”

  “Not just yet, we’re putting together a list of things we need to do. Sam, we’re going to tell all the guests that Cassie is Sue’s cousin from California. What do you think?”

  Sam and Neal reached for a second piece of pie, since the women weren’t through with the organization aspect of a wedding.

  As Sam ate his pie, he questioned her as if he was interrogating a bandit. “Cassie, just where do you live in California?”

  “Where else, but Frisco; I lived there for a number of years, so I’m familiar enough with the area that I can get through the wedding.”

  “Agent Henson, what brings you to Baltimore?”

  “Don’t get all goofy on me. While I’m here, I am not an agent, I’m Sue’s cousin.”

  “Ms. Henson, what do you do in California?”

  “Why Inspector, you of all people, should know I’m a dog trainer. No one will go for that, so I’m gonna just say I worked in retail and the store closed.”

  “Good cover story, not that I think it fits your personality, but it’ll do. Leona, I need to know everyone on the invitation list.”

  “Sam, it’s the same list that we planned for the first date, it’ll be the Martins, Shelly and Randy, John and Abby, and now of course, Cassie as well as the Sampson couple.”

  “The investigator in me needs to know who the minister is.”

  Neal chortled, “It’s me.”

  Sam was astounded, “You’re an ordained minister?”

  “Yes I am.”

  Sam was still reeling that Neal was an ordained minister, when he asked, “May I ask just what faith are you ordained under?”

  Cassie doubled over laughing along with Sue. Sam and Leona on the other hand had shocked looks on their faces.

  “Sam, I’m a Wicca minister.”

  “What the fuck are you saying? You’re a Warlock?”

  “Hell no, Sue and I believe that everyone should practice their own spirituality. Sue and I believe that all people should have a balanced life, and live in harmony.”

  Sam shook his head, “The things you just don’t know about people. At least I don’t have to order a background check on you.”

  “That’s a good thing.”

  Sam slyly looked at him, “Why, is there something I should know about your past?”

  “There’s a few, but hell, Sue and I grew up in the eighties.”

  “In that case Reverend, I don’t wanna know. Leona, are we all set?”

  “Yes sir, we are.”

  After a round of hugs and kisses goodbye, Sam and Leona hit the road and headed home.

  “Sam, isn’t that just bizarre that Neal is an ordained minister?”

  “Stranger things are known to happen, but I just didn’t figure Neal as the minister type.”

  As they snuggled in bed, Leona asked Sam, “Can we go sailing for the weekend?”

  “Don’t you have a lot to do?”

  “Well, most of the stuff can get done next week. If I call my mother, John, and Shelly in the morning, we can be on the water before noon. Can we bring Cassie with us?”

  “I don’t see why not. While you’re making the calls, I’ll go pick her up. What did you think of her red hair?”

  “I thought it looked great.”

  As Leona drifted off to sleep, she thought Leona Ma
rksman had a nice ring to it.

  Sam called Sue’s house while Leona made her invitation calls.

  “Sam, I’d love to sail with you and Leona.”

  “We’re planning to stay out over night.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m on my way to pick you up.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  “Before we hang up, ask Sue if she can keep Bailey. I’m on my way, so she can’t tell really me no, but asking can’t hurt.”

  “I’ll tell her those exact words. I’ll be ready when you get here.”

  “Mom, it’s me. The wedding is back on, only this time it’s going to be at Sue Sampson’s house next Saturday.”

  “Do I know her?”

  “I don’t think you’ve met her. She owns the kennel where Sam takes Bailey. The wedding guest list has grown a bit, which means we just ain’t gonna fit on the boat.”

  “What do you mean by the wedding guest list has grown a bit?”

  “Well, let me add the list, give me a second. Well, there’s you and Bill, plus Bill’s children, so that’s six, so far. Then we have Shelly and Randy, which makes eight. John and Abby are two more, if they both come, that’ll be ten. Sue and Neal make twelve. Sue’s cousin is in town, so that brings the total to thirteen.”

  “Don’t you mean fifteen?”

  Leona recounted all the bodies, “Ma, it’s thirteen, go get your calculator and add them up.”

  “Daughter, aren’t you leaving someone off the list?”

  With a curt voice, Leona told her mother, “I don’t think so. Do you want me to go through the list again? I can, if you need me to recount everyone.”

  Leona couldn’t see her mother standing in kitchen shaking her head, “Does Sam know what he’s getting himself into?”

  “Ma, I don’t understand what you’re asking me. Of course he does.”

  “Then let me ask you this. Are you and Sam going to be there?”

  “Ma, have you been drinking? Of course, Sam and I will be there.”

  “Recount you’re list. You and Sam make fifteen.”

  “Oh my God, mom, I’m starting to sound like Shelly, aren’t I? Anyway, I gotta run. Yes, it’s fifteen people.”