Final Verdict

by William Bernhardt

  “I’m not worried about them. But the cartel—that’s different. They’ll plug me the second they see me. No questions. No remorse. They’re coldblooded killers.”

  This part, at least, Dan knew to be true.

  “How do you disappear?” Maria asked. “In this day and age. When everything is stored on computers and credit cards and cell phones and you can’t walk down the street without leaving a record six different ways.”

  “It ain’t easy, that’s for damn sure.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Fortunately, I knew some people. Good forger. Good computer geek. They helped.”

  “You created a false identity.”

  “Actually, I created a false corporate identity.”

  Maria tilted her head. “You’re a corporation now?”

  “If you’re going to survive in today’s world, you have to be able to transact business. You need credit cards. You can’t do everything in cash. And once your bankroll runs out, you can’t even get cash without a bank account. So I created an LLC.”

  “A limited liability corporation?”

  “My people said that was the way to go. Way further under the radar. The feds look for fake IDs, identities that don’t seem to have a past. But people create new companies all the time.”

  “I suppose that’s true.”

  “We created the corporation in Wyoming. I didn’t have to reveal any personal info. They don’t require corporations to identify their owner. Then we opened a bank account in the corporate name, stashed some cash, and got a credit card. I could hole up for a long time.”

  “The cartel isn’t stupid,” Dan warned. “They’ll figure it out.”

  “I use burner phones and change numbers constantly. Only a few people, like Jamison, know how to contact me. I don’t use my phone for directions. All the geolocation functions are shut off. I don’t go anyplace I used to go in the past. I use a fake name when I’m forced to interact with someone.”

  “Your name isn’t really Ray Carvel?”

  “See? I knew you could keep up.”

  “Do you go on the internet?”

  “No choice there. But I use a VPN to shield my location. I drive the world’s most boring car, nothing that would attract attention. The LLC’s company car. My name is not on the title. I even bought a decoy house.”

  “That seems extreme.”

  “To register the car, I needed a street address, so the corporation bought a tiny home. Complete piece of crap.”

  “You have to go out sometimes. Groceries, gas. What if someone recognizes you?”

  “I wear a disguise. Nothing fancy. Just a big floppy fishing cap and sunglasses. I work remotely from home. I encrypt all my data. I’ve hired private investigators to try to find me. They couldn’t. I think I’m safe.”

  Dan shook his head. “I don’t want to throw cold water on your enthusiasm. But the cartel is extremely resourceful. And persistent.”

  “And yet, here I am. Alive.”

  “For now.” He drew the conversation back to the Sweeney case. “The prosecutors are claiming there was a meeting between Sweeney and Andrus. Shortly before he was killed.”

  “Right. At Beachcombers. I was there.”

  “What can you tell me about it?”

  “Not much. I kept my distance. I was suspicious that the cartel might be watching. Kit asked me to come, though I still don’t know why—and it’s too late to ask. I think he didn’t trust Sweeney, which is understandable. He wanted friendly faces around just in case Sweeney had something planned.”

  “The cops say there was some kind of fight.”

  “I never saw any fighting. They talked for about twenty minutes. Had a drink. Then everyone left.”

  “What was the point of the meeting?”

  “I assume Sweeney needed to sell some of that artwork fast, on the QT. Andrus would be able to handle that without attracting any press.”

  “Do you think Sweeney killed him?”

  “Why would he? He needed Andrus. I’m telling you, there was no fight, no threat, no disagreement. The three of them just had a pleasant drink together.”

  Dan felt a tingling inside his skull. “The three of them?” He pondered. “Was Prudence Hancock there?”

  “She was at Beachcombers, watching from a distance like me. I meant the three people at the table. Sweeney, Andrus, and the woman.”

  Dan leaned forward. Jamison had also mentioned a woman. “Who was she?”

  “Don’t know her name. She’s the one you want to track down. Except good luck with that. From what I hear, she’s gone completely off the grid.”

  Dan glanced at Maria. This was going to be the difficult part, but he had to ask. “I was hoping you would testify.”

  The little man’s eyes bugged. “Have you listened to a single thing I’ve been saying? The cartel wants to kill me. No way in hell I’m testifying.”

  “I could subpoena you.”

  “How? You don’t know where I live. You don’t even know my name.”

  The man had a point. “I have a terrific researcher on my team. If anyone can find you, he can.”

  “He can’t. And don’t try.”

  “If you won’t help, why did you agree to talk to us?”

  “Excuse me, but I already helped you. Do you think I like my current situation? I hope to God you can shut down this cartel. Then maybe I can poke my head out of the shell someday. I’m desperate to get back to Seattle. I got family there. But I’m not going to commit suicide.”

  “We can offer you the best protection—”

  “Do you not understand how dangerous this is? Be smart. Don’t stick your hand in the fire. Leave it alone.”

  “I have a client on trial for murder.”

  “Who the hell cares? It’s Conrad Sweeney. Let him fry.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Then you’re even stupider than I thought.” The little man rose off the bed and scurried toward the door. “I’m getting out of here. Before you get us all killed.”

  Dan grabbed his arm. “Please wait.”

  “Let go of me.”

  “I—need you—”

  The man tried to shrug his hand off, but he wasn’t strong enough. So he punched Dan in the side.

  “Ow!” Dan pushed him against the wall. “Son of a bitch.”

  The man started to leave again, but Dan grabbed him by the collar.

  “Let go of me.”

  Maria tugged on Dan’s sleeve. “Let him go.”

  “We need him.”

  “What are you going to do? Hold him against his will until trial? Throw him in the basement and lock him up? And what would his testimony sound like then?”

  She was right, of course. He let go and watched as he disappeared down the hallway.

  “Right back where we started,” Dan said. “No witness. No case.”

  “Not true,” Maria said, wrapping her arms around him. “That loser would be a horrible witness anyway. We need someone better.”

  “Any suggestions?”

  She hugged him tightly. “Cherchez la femme, Dan. Find the woman.”

  Chapter 18

  Dan entered the courtroom with more than the usual amount of trepidation. He still didn’t have any useful information to build a defense, so he was reduced to poking holes in the prosecution case which, judging from the evidence shared so far, was getting stronger every day. They still didn’t have enough to charge Sweeney with the Fuentes murder, but he suspected they weren’t too worried about that, since they were certain they would get a conviction for the murder—and dismemberment—of Andrus. That should be enough to assure Sweeney either got the death penalty or spent the rest of his life in prison.

  Jazlyn was still cold-shouldering him. Maria declined to come because she couldn’t bear to sit at the same table with Sweeney. And his client—well, the less said the better. He could rationalize taking this case, but a tiny voice at the center of his soul still didn’t believe he was doing this. Once ag
ain, he was putting himself in the line of fire—and for what exactly?

  He took a deep breath and made his way through the courtroom.

  He spotted Jake Kakazu sitting behind the prosecution table beside another man he didn’t know. They were both dressed in street clothes, but he suspected Jake’s friend was a police officer.

  They greeted one another cordially. “This is Sergeant Mark Pemberton,” Jake explained. “He’s been working with me for some time now.”

  Pemberton shook Dan’s hand. Baby-faced. Skinny. Missed a belt loop.

  “Good to meet you, Mr. Pike. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “At the police station? I don’t wanna know.”

  “Everyone is highly respectful of your legal ability,” Pemberton said.

  Dan tilted his head. “But...?”

  Pemberton just smiled.

  Didn’t matter. Dan knew the end of the sentence. We respect your talent, but wish you weren’t always aiding the forces of darkness.

  Jake pulled him aside. “Dan, I understand why you’re doing this. But I wanted you to know...we didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t break the rules.”

  “My argument is that you exceeded the scope of your invitation.”

  “No one was more surprised than me when I opened that freezer unit. I expected ice cream. Not body parts.”

  “That part I absolutely believe.”

  Jazlyn saw them talking. “Dan, you’re not trying to taint my witness are you?”

  “Jake is not taintable.”

  “Too bad we can’t say the same about you.”

  Ouch. “Jazlyn, I’m just doing my job.”

  “For a man I not too long ago heard you refer to as an acid-spitting toad.”

  Damn her and her steel-trap memory. “Everyone is entitled to a defense. Some say that representing unpopular defendants is a lawyer’s highest and best calling.”

  “I would agree with that. But I still draw the line here. You know better than anyone how many lives Sweeney has ruined. He’s a sham and a liar and a bully and—”

  Dan raised a hand. “This is probably not a conversation we should be having in the courtroom. How’s Esperanza?”

  Jazlyn’s adopted daughter. “Very well. Thanks for asking.”

  “Still setting the curve in the fourth grade?”

  “She’s as smart as they come.”

  “Still into Hello Kitty?”

  “Oh, Dan, come on. She’s ten. She’s moved on.”

  For some reason, that saddened him. “No more big-eyed cat toys?”

  “No. Now she collects Gudetama. Another import character. Which, as near as I can tell, is an animated egg.”

  “And people say my hobbies are weird.”

  Typically, defendants did not appear at motion hearings, since only legal issues were resolved—but Sweeney had insisted and the judge permitted it. To be fair, the issue of what permission Sweeney gave, and whether Kakazu exceeded it, was central to this motion. No facts were in dispute, but it was still possible something might arise which required Jake or Sweeney to be called to the witness stand.

  Sweeney had changed into one of his trademark white suits. He was shaved and groomed, but Dan could see he’d lost some of his usual color. His eyes looked tired.

  Prudence sat in the first row beyond the rail, making some kind of signals with her hands. Technically, no one was supposed to communicate with Sweeney but his lawyer and the judge.

  Dan sat in the chair beside his client but found it hard to make eye contact. “How’s prison life?”

  “I’m still alive. How about you? I hear you’ve been haunting funerals.”

  Dan’s brow furrowed. How the hell did he know about that? Sweeney’s apparent knowledge about his every move was even spookier than Mr. K’s.

  “I did get some information about a meeting you allegedly had with the victim shortly before he died. Funny you didn’t mention that.”

  Sweeney turned his head slowly. “If you’ll recall, when last we spoke, we had no idea who the victim was.”

  “Certainly I didn’t.”

  Sweeney drew in his breath. “I had no reason to mention that banal and unproductive meeting with Andrus.”

  “The prosecution will ram that meeting down your throat. They say there was some big fight. Shouting. Threats. Or to put it differently—motive.”

  “Poppycock.”

  “We need someone to take the stand and say that. I hear there was someone else sitting with you.”

  Sweeney allowed himself a small smile. “You’ve been talking to Carvel. Why?”

  “Because I’m doing my job.”

  “You’ll never get him to testify.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because he’s a coward. Always has been.”

  “He says the cartel wants to kill him.”

  “Join the club.” Sweeney let out a sad chuckle. “If you’ll recall, that old bastard Hernandez sent Fuentes to my office to kill me. And almost succeeded. But I didn’t go into hiding.”

  No, Dan thought, you went into the slammer. “I did my best to shame Carvel into testifying, but it didn’t work. But he saisdAndrus brought a woman.”

  “Tulip Krakowski. She worked with Andrus. Probably the smartest card in that dirty deck.”

  She couldn’t be too smart, if she hung with this pack. “Is she an art dealer, too?”

  “I think she was his intern or something like that. Probably banging her on the side.”

  “Andrus was married.”

  “You are so naïve.”

  “And gay.”

  That slowed Sweeney slightly. “You need to find her.”

  “I’ll do my best. Can you tell me what the point of the meeting was?”

  “It’s irrelevant. There was no fight. No threats. We were business partners. I had no reason to kill Andrus. In fact, killing him was distinctly against my best interests. I would never do that.”

  “Are you saying you would never kill someone? Or that you wouldn’t do it if it were against your interests?”

  Sweeney looked him square in the eyes. “I’m telling you that if I did it, the cops would never have found the body. Or any part of it. Especially not in my freezer.”

  Chapter 19

  Judge Smulders entered the courtroom. He appeared calm and reasonably chipper. He chanted through the preliminaries, then took up the matter at hand.

  “Mr. Pike, this is your motion?”

  Dan rose. “Yes, your honor.”

  “Very well. Let’s—” Smulders stopped short. “Counsel...are you getting enough sleep?”

  That was unexpected. “I’m...uh...fine.”

  “You look tired.”

  He cleared his throat. “The boat rocked a lot last night. High winds...”

  “I’m sure it’s stressful, handling a high-profile, high-stakes case like this. Do you meditate?”

  “Uh...no. One of my partners—”

  “You might consider it. It isn’t hard. You can download apps that lead you through the process. It’s done wonders for me. Believe it or not, I used to be somewhat nervous and insecure.”

  Do tell.

  “But meditation and mindfulness training helped me pull myself together. And gratitude thinking will increase your positivity, which in turn increases your productivity.” He paused. “Maybe you should take some time off. Get away for a while. Learn a foreign language.”

  Dan drew in his breath. He wasn’t accustomed to having a judge as his spiritual counselor. “I’ll give that some thought, your honor. After this case.”

  “I hope you will.” Smulders glanced down at his papers. “I thought we agreed to table the suppression motion until the pretrial.”

  “I thought this might be close enough, your honor. The pretrial is just around the corner.”

  “On the expedited schedule you requested.”

  “That’s correct. So far as I know, discovery is complete.”

  The judge shifted his
gaze to the other side of the courtroom. “Is that correct, Madame Prosecutor?”

  “It is.” Jazlyn stood. “Though we continue to investigate.”

  “As do I,” Dan echoed. “And I assume that if the prosecution finds anything of interest, they will share it.”

  “Indeed,” Jazlyn said. “May I assume that you will do the same?”

  “We have no obligation to produce anything and you know it.”

  Jazlyn pursed her lips. “But I always hold out hope for a fair and balanced proceeding.” She turned to the judge. “I know Mr. Pike talks a lot about justice. I wondered if he might be willing to actually put that principle into practice.”

  The judge intervened before Dan had a chance to make a snappy comeback. “Let’s talk about the motion. Perhaps if we get this out of the way now, it will help you streamline your cases and improve the quality of your pretrial submissions. I don’t want any endless exhibit lists, counsel. That tells me you haven’t done the prep work. Ditto for every-name-in-your-contacts-file witness lists. If you send me that—I might send it back.”

  Dan raised an eyebrow. Smulders was running a tight ship and letting them know he wouldn’t tolerate any half-assed lawyering.

  “Please tell me about your motion, Mr. Pike. You want to suppress all evidence pertaining to the dismembered corpse?”

  “Partial corpse, your honor. Found in my client’s freezer. Which the police had no right to search.”

  “The defendant was the one who invited them in,” Jazlyn said. “The facts are not in dispute. Lieutenant Kakazu and Sergeant Pemberton requested a meeting, which the defendant granted. Kakazu discovered the secret room behind the main office, and the defendant invited them to look around. Access could only be granted by a keypad that responded to the defendant’s right index finger. Once inside, the defendant told them to make themselves at home.”

  “That’s hardly the same as permitting them to conduct a search,” Dan said. “They needed a warrant if they wanted to do that.”

  “The defendant watched the two police officers at all times,” Jazlyn explained. “He told Kakazu why he had a large freezer in his little mancave.”

  “But he did not invite him to open the door and take a look inside.”

  “Was the defendant surprised when he did? He certainly did not forbid the police from looking. He expressed no objection whatsoever.”