The Master Plan (2009)

by Carol Costa

  Dana erased the message. She hadn't expected Casey to come into the office for several days, but she understood her need to stay busy and focus on something other than the unspeakable violence that had ended her marriage to Tony Hunter.

  Dana wondered if Casey had heard about Tony's brother being murdered in a similar manner. The two murders are very similar. Although she had been at both crime scenes that thought had not really registered in her brain last night. She had told the Chicago detectives about Tony's murder occurring the night before, but they didn't seem to care about a murder that happened fifty miles away in Crescent Hills. She could understand that. Chicago was gigantic compared to Crescent Hills, and the neighborhood where Hunter was murdered was probably a haven for criminals and crime.

  Dana thought back to the pandemonium at the Chicago police station. It made the Crescent Hills station seem like a haven of peace and tranquility.

  The next three messages on her cell phone dispelled all thoughts of peace and tranquility. They were from Bruno asking her to call him no matter what time she got home. The irritation in his voice came through loud and clear, and since she had not called him when she got home, he would be even more irritated today.

  Maybe Jack O'Brien was right about her relationship with Bruno. They always seemed to be at odds with each other over their respective jobs. It was a miracle that they had stayed together this long. Dana often admitted that she and Bruno were an unlikely couple. They had walked away from each other more than once, but had always found a way to work through their problems and come together again. Dana shook her head as if to avoid any more thoughts of Detective Al Bruno and the bumpy road of love they had chosen to travel.

  The last message was from Marianne, wanting to know if she had found Hunter's address okay.

  Dana dropped the cell phone into her purse and checked the messages on her home phone. Three more identical messages from Bruno that she quickly erased, and one from her mother.

  "Hi, sweetheart," her mom's voice called out. "I know you're busy. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you. Call when you can"

  Dana saved that message. Her mom's cheerful tones al ways made her feel better and she often listened to her messages several times. After seeing Bruno that morning in court, Dana would probably have to listen to her mom's message several more times.

  Dressed in a soft gray pantsuit with a plain white blouse underneath the jacket, Dana pulled on her coat. It was still across the back of the sofa with her scarf. She had been too tired to hang it up when she came in the night before.

  The drive to the office only took fifteen minutes that morning. She was a little later than usual and traffic was lighter. She parked in her designated space in the Globe lot and hurried into the building.

  Marianne and Casey were both in the reception area when Dana came through the door. Marianne was behind her desk and Casey was sitting in one of the visitor chairs.

  As usual, Marianne looked gorgeous in a kelly green sweater with matching pants. Casey on the other hand reverted back to the way she looked before the master plan. Her hair was pulled back and fastened with a rubber band. She wore no makeup and was dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.

  Dana pulled the scarf from her head and shook her curls free of the static from the scarf. She had gone to bed with her hair damp from the shower last night and had to use lots of hairspray to subdue her curls this morning.

  "We just heard about John Hunter," Marianne said.

  "I can't believe this," Casey said woodenly. "First Tony, now his brother. The murders have to be connected."

  "That's just what I was thinking this morning," Dana replied.

  "What do the police think?" Marianne asked.

  "The Chicago Police didn't seem too interested in the fact that Tony was killed within twenty-four hours of his brother. It's a big, busy precinct, but I'm going to ask Bruno to communicate with them. That is, if Bruno is speaking to me this morning"

  "Oh, he's speaking all right," Marianne said. "He's called twice already. Wants you to call him back as soon as you get in"

  "How does he sound?" Dana asked.

  "Like a lamb."

  Dana laughed. "I'm sure you're just saying that so I'll call him and he'll stop bugging you. Okay. I'll do it." She turned to Casey. "As soon as Bob comes in, we need to have a meeting. It'll be short because I want to go to the courthouse and sit in on Judy Porter's hearing"

  Dana went into her office, hung up her coat and scarf on the wooden coat tree in the corner, and went to her desk and dialed Bruno's direct line at the station.

  "Detective Bruno," he said, answering on the first ring.

  "Hi," Dana said. "Sorry I didn't get back to you last night, but it was really late when we got back from Chicago."

  "I was up," he said pointedly.

  "I was too exhausted to argue with you, Bruno"

  "Who said I wanted to argue? I just wanted to make sure you were all right."

  "Physically, I'm fine. Mentally, I'm a little stressed."

  "I talked to Jack this morning. He wasn't much help. I'd like to get your version of the facts. Can we have lunch today?"

  "If you'd like."

  "I'd like to take you off on a Caribbean cruise and forget all the murder and mayhem here, but lunch will have to do."

  "I'll be at the hearing. I'll catch up with you there"

  "I'm wearing the brown suit, the one that makes women fall at my feet. Can you take it?"

  "I'll brace myself," Dana said with a smile in her voice. "See you later."

  Dana hung up the phone as Bob and Casey came into the office.

  "How's the love of your life today?" Bob asked with an impish grin. "I heard Jack O'Brien ratted you out last night."

  "Who told you that?" Dana asked.

  "Jack O'Brien. He was in the coffee shop downstairs and couldn't wait to report that he ran into you at a murder scene and reported it to Bruno"

  "Did he tell you it was Tony's brother that was murdered?" Casey asked.

  "I read it in our morning edition." Bob looked at Casey with concern. "Why are you here this morning?"

  "I need to keep busy," she said firmly.

  "Send her to talk to the lady with the aliens in her basement," Bob told Dana. "She called me on my cell phone yesterday."

  "How did she get your cell phone number?" Dana asked.

  "She said the aliens gave it to her. She also said the aliens think I'm overweight and should go on a diet. Come to think of it, the woman's voice sounded a lot like my wife's."

  Casey smiled, probably the first time she had done so since she went grocery shopping with Tony on Saturday morning.

  "Well, I'm glad you want to stay busy, Casey," Dana said. "I've got a stack of requests here. I haven't had time to go through them but Marianne put the most urgent ones on top"

  The intercom buzzed. "Dana," Marianne said. "Floyd Flannery's attorney is on line one insisting that he speak to YOU."

  Casey and Bob were on their feet going through the stack of requests on Dana's desk. Both stopped and stared at the telephone.

  Dana shrugged and accessed line one. "Dana Sloan."

  "Good morning. I'm wondering if you are aware that my client has been arrested again"

  "No. I didn't know that"

  "His arrest is based on information given to the police by one of your employees, Cassandra Hunter."

  The use of Casey's married name threw Dana a bit, but she quickly recovered. "I know that Mr. Flannery showed up at my employee's apartment on Saturday afternoon and harassed her. That same day her husband was murdered, and given your client's volatile nature, I'm happy to hear that he's in custody again."

  "I see. Floyd swore to me that he was nowhere near Mrs. Hunter. Obviously he lied to me again."

  "When exactly was he arrested?" Dana asked.

  "Yesterday afternoon about five o'clock."

  "And he's been in custody ever since?"

  ''Yes.

&n
bsp; "In view of what happened in Chicago last night, that's fortunate for your client."

  "I read about the other murder in this morning's paper. You're right. If Floyd was in jail, they can't try and pin that one on him too."

  "Exactly."

  "Once again, I apologize for talking to you under such unpleasant circumstances. I'm wondering if you'd be free for dinner some evening."

  "I'm probably going to testify against your client in court," Dana told him. "Wouldn't that be a conflict of interest?"

  "Not if I drop Flannery's case," he answered.

  "I'm sorry, I can't," Dana said. "My circumstances won't allow it."

  "Well, if your circumstances change, please let me know. I'd drop Floyd like a hot poker."

  The phone call ended and Bob was grinning. "He asked you out, didn't he?" Bob asked.

  "Yes," Dana admitted.

  "I guess he's not acquainted with Detective Al Bruno."

  "I guess Bruno may have considered Flannery a suspect in Tony's murder," Casey said haltingly.

  "Bruno usually covers all the bases," Dana replied. She glanced at her watch. "Speaking of Detective Bruno, I want to go to Judy Porter's hearing and then I'm having lunch with Bruno. Have you two found enough to keep you busy for the next few days?"

  "Most of these cases we can work together," Bob said. "If it's okay with Casey. How about it, kid?"

  Casey smiled for the second time that morning. "I think that's a good idea. What do you think, Dana?"

  "I agree. I think working is good therapy for you, and having Bob working with you is even better therapy. Just keep me posted on your progress"

  The courthouse was a few blocks from the police station and the Globe. Dana decided to walk it because parking at the courthouse was often limited. Besides, the sun was shining and it wasn't nearly as cold as it had been the day before.

  Dana passed through security and found the courtroom where the Porter hearing was being held.

  "Hey, Dana," one of the reporters from the paper assigned to cover the courthouse called out as she sailed past her. She was new on the staff and Dana didn't remember what her name was, but she smiled and waved at her.

  There were not many people in the room, but Dana saw Sally Larson sitting by herself looking miserable. She considered going over and talking to the woman, but decided against it. Bruno would see her and think she was throwing her support to the opposing side.

  Dana still didn't believe that Judy and Teddy had killed Lucas, so technically she was not on Bruno's side. However, Dana didn't know how she could help them now. Sally's lie meant to protect her son and her friend had backfired, making the pair look all the more guilty.

  "Hello, my friend," Del said quietly as he slid onto the empty bench next to Dana.

  Dana smiled at him. "I'm glad you're here and I'm sure Judy will appreciate your support"

  Troy Kimball entered the courtroom. He was wearing a blue suit that matched his eyes and he looked very handsome.

  A few minutes later, Del touched Dana's arm. "Here comes your boyfriend. I assume he's going to present the damaging evidence"

  "Yes, I'm afraid so," Dana agreed.

  Bruno was wearing his brown suit and it looked great on his large frame. The pale beige shirt and beige and brown tie Dana had given him for Christmas went beautifully with the suit. Dana glanced around the room. The young reporter from the Globe did look like she might swoon.

  The bailiffs escorted Judy Porter and Teddy Larson into the room and seated them together at the defense table with their lawyer. Kimball leaned over and spoke to them quietly. The two kids looked scared to death and Kimball's words didn't seem to make them feel better.

  The prosecutor, a seasoned veteran named Louis Hildago, came in and snapped open his briefcase on his table and started removing papers. Hildago had a reputation for being tough but fair. He and Bruno were friends who sometimes went to ball games together. They were both White Sox fans.

  "All rise," the bailiff announced. Everyone stood as the judge entered and took his seat behind the bench.

  The proceedings began with the prosecution calling Glenn Harrison to the stand first. He told how he had taken the missing persons report from Judy Porter and noticed that she had bruises that indicated to him that Lucas Porter had abused her.

  "Tell me, Detective Harrison, does it make sense to you that Mrs. Porter would report her husband missing when she already knew he was dead?"

  Kimball objected and Hildago rephrased the question. However, the answer was the same, a missing persons report was often filed by a spouse who later turned out to be a murderer.

  The medical examiner testified that Lucas Porter had been struck in the head repeatedly with a blunt instrument. It had been determined that the instrument was a hammer found in the weeds near the bridge where the victim's body had been tossed in the river.

  Bruno took the stand and said that the murder weapon was a hammer sold in the hardware store where Teddy Larson worked.

  Kimball got Bruno to admit that there was no bill of sale to prove that Teddy had purchased that particular hammer.

  Hildago asked Bruno about the alibi Sally Larson had provided and Bruno told how he had discovered that she was lying to protect her son and Judy Porter.

  Dana was surprised when Kimball didn't cross-examine Bruno or call Teddy or Judy to testify. The hearing ended with the judge stating that there was sufficient evidence to send to the grand jury.

  Kimball then requested that there be an immediate bail hearing. The judge granted his request and bail for Judy and Teddy was set at $200,000 each, which was quite low in a murder case.

  Dana was quite impressed with the way Troy Kimball had argued on behalf of his clients, citing the fact that neither of them had ever been in trouble before and they were not a flight risk.

  "At least they won't have to stay in jail any longer," Del said. "I've already made arrangements with the bondsman"

  "That's so nice of you, Del," Dana said.

  "Judy needs to be free to work on her paintings. I have a waiting list of people who want to buy them now and she's going to need the cash to pay her attorney fees"

  Dana looked at her friend and smiled. While many people would think that Del was putting up the bond to pressure Judy into producing more paintings to line his own pockets, Dana knew better. Del was a good person, a generous person, and he was right in thinking that Judy was going to need as much income as possible to pay her attorney fees.

  Dana walked out of the courtroom and stood in the hallway to wait for Bruno, who had stopped to talk to Hildago.

  "Hello, Dana," a familiar voice said in her ear.

  She turned to see Ben Hughes standing next to her.

  "Hello," Dana replied.

  "Thanks for talking to me earlier. I appreciate the information"

  "I didn't tell you anything you didn't already know," she said.

  "You're right. It was actually just an excuse to talk to you and ask you out, but it didn't work out too well for me"

  "Are you ready for lunch, sweets?" Bruno had walked up to join them without Hughes noticing. He jumped at the sound of Bruno's voice.

  Dana tried to make an introduction, but Ben waved her off. "Detective Bruno and I have already met, several times. Nice seeing both of you again. Have a pleasant lunch."

  Hughes walked away and Bruno looked at Dana. "What was he up to?"

  "He's Floyd Flannery's attorney."

  "I know it, and he shouldn't be talking to you"

  "He knows that, but he said he'd drop Flannery like a hot poker if I agreed to go out with him."

  Bruno's dark eyes grew a shade darker. "Lucky for Flannery he's going to stick with him"

  "Yes, Bruno. And even if he doesn't, I still wouldn't date him. He's not my type"

  "What is your type?"

  "Big, broad detectives in brown suits."

  "Good answer." Bruno smiled and took her arm. "Let's go to Lou's and find a quiet booth. I have
a lot of questions for you and some of them are very personal."

  Dana sighed. The irritation Bruno had expressed the night before had seemed to vanish with the light of day. Dana wanted to accept the fact that she and Bruno had successfully sidestepped another obstacle in the road, but they still had to get through lunch. As they made their way down the courthouse steps Dana wondered for the thousandth time if the ongoing challenge of these twists and turns in their relationship was what actually kept them together.

  Big Lou's Cafe was next door to the newspaper building and was owned by a lovely lady named Lucille. Her hus band was a retired police officer and the restaurant was frequented by a lot of people who worked out of the police station and conducted business at the courthouse.

  "Hey, Bruno," Lou called out from behind the cashier's counter. "I saved you that booth in the corner."

  "Thanks, Lou. I owe you one," Bruno called back as he and Dana hurried back to a V-shaped booth nestled into a corner of the cafe between two windows.

  "How did you manage this in the middle of the lunch rush?" Dana asked as she slid into the booth and started unbuttoning her coat.

  "Bribery."

  "Who's getting bribed? You or Lou?"

  "Lou of course. I had to buy two tickets to some charity dinner at the Ventana next week. Actually, I bought three tickets. I thought you and I could take my mama along."

  The Ventana was a fairly new resort that had opened in Crescent Hills the previous summer. It was drawing a number of tourists and conventions to the city.

  "That must have been a very hefty bribe."

  "It's for the children's wing of the hospital so I thought it was worth the money."

  Lou herself came over to the table with two glasses of water and two cups of coffee. She smiled at Bruno. "You look exceptionally handsome today."

  "It's the brown suit," Dana told her. "We had to pass out smelling salts to all the women at the courthouse."