The file landed back on the desk with a thump. Finn jumped from the chair, pacing across the office floor. “Shit. This is not good news.” He paced. Larry watched. The man was like a caged panther, stalking across the room. Frustration, anger, they rolled off him in ways. “I thought the incident with Forrester was random. Like, maybe he’d pissed the wrong inmate off and had to be taught a lesson in respect. But this? This is a whole different ball game. It puts a completely different spin on things now. That beatdown was probably as much a warning as all of that.” He gestured at the manilla folder lying on the desk.
“That’s pretty much what I’ve been thinking. The car parked outside the house worries me. It tells me they’ve got constant eyes on Tahlia O’Connor. And that makes me all kinds of nervous.”
“You know what this means, though, right?” A look crossed Finn’s face, like he’d smelled something bad. “It means one of us is dirty. The question is who? And how the hell do we shake ‘em down?”
A heavy sigh escaped Larry as he nodded at Finn’s words. “Yep, it sure looks like one of us is dirty. We’ll have to set a trap to smoke them out. First, though, we need to go pay Forrester another visit.”
While Finn continued to pace around his office, Larry made his second call.
“Wilder.”
“Hey Jim. How’s it going?”
“Hey Larry. Doing good here, man. How’s it going your side?”
“Got a bit of a situation, but nothing I can’t handle. Otherwise good, thanks. Listen, bud. The reason I’m calling, would it be possible to pay another visit to Marcus Forrester?”
“Yeah sure. He’s off the danger list and quite lucid, so why not? When did you have in mind?”
“The sooner, the better. I have a feeling he’s the key to solving this puzzle of mine.”
“Let me see what I can organize with the hospital wing, and I’ll call you back.”
“Thanks, Jim. Appreciate it.”
Larry set the handset back on its cradle and watched Finn continuing to wear a hole in his carpet. Neither man said a word for long moments as they pondered the mess they now faced. It made Larry sick to his stomach to think there was a leak somewhere in their department. The trick was going to be flushing them out.
Finally, Finn stopped in front of his desk.
“Boss man, what we have is a clusterfuck of note. What I can’t figure out here is, where is the leak coming from? I’ve worked with the men in this department at one point or another, and for the life of me, I can’t see one of ‘em being dirty.” He blew out a frustrated sigh. “How are we gonna get ‘em to blow their cover?”
“That is the question, isn’t it?” Larry couldn’t blame the man. He’d been battling with the same problem. They’d have to be careful how they approached the situation. They didn’t want to show their hand and risk sending the mole deeper underground.
Rock meet hard place.
“Pull up a chair, son. Let’s see what we can figure out,” Larry said as he reached for his desk phone again. “Mary-Beth, can we get a couple coffees in here, please?” Again, he hung up. “Where do you suggest we start?”
Yeah, they were going to need all the coffee they could get. It had already been a long day, and it was about to get a whole lot longer.
Everything hurt.
There wasn’t a spot on his body that didn’t ache like a mother. He couldn’t remember a time he’d been in such god-awful pain.
He needed to find a way out of this hellhole. He wouldn’t survive another beating like this one. That fucker, Keon, got me into this mess sniffing around here. He better get me out of it.
He had requested a meeting with the warden, but the man had yet to show. He needed to set up a meeting with Larry. Maybe if he was willing to be a state witness, they’d put him in witness protection. He had a lot of knowledge he knew they wanted. He just had to be smart about how he went about things.
Just when he was giving up hope of the warden ever making an appearance, the man walked into his room. The look the man gave him always pushed Marcus’s blood pressure up. Like he was barely above pond scum. Superior prick. Who does he think he is anyway? Nothing more than a worker drone.
“Mr. Forrester,” Jim Walker said as he stopped next to Marcus’s bed. “How are you today?”
“Like you care,” Marcus sneered. As the words came out of his mouth, he grimaced internally. Not smart, Marcus. You want this man to help you. He won’t if you keep antagonizing him. Much as he hated to, he apologized. “Sorry, Warden. I’m a bit irritable due to the pain.”
“Yeah, that was quite a beating you took there. Any idea who?”
“No, I have no idea. I didn’t see who it was.”
Jim nodded. “Fair enough. And I take it you’ve got no idea what prompted the attack?”
“No. I keep to myself and don’t get involved with any of the drama around here.”
“Yeah. Did the doctor say how long you’ll still be in here?”
“He informs me I’ll be here for another two weeks, at least.” Marcus replied. He wondered where this conversation was going. The warden wasn’t interested in his health, he’d stake money on it. There had to be an ulterior motive for his visit. He was doomed to be disappointed if he thought the man was going to share his reasons for visiting though.
“Well, I’m glad to see you’re doing better. I’ll see you around.”
Marcus clenched his fists, biting back the scathing words that popped into his head. “See you around, warden.” As he lay watching the man walk away, he realized he hadn’t asked him about contacting Larry Keon. “Warden,” he called out. “I wanted to ask. Mr. Keon was here just before the attack. He was after some information, and I now have what he needs. Would it be possible to contact him to let him know?”
The man turned back. “Sure thing. I’ll see what I can do for you.” He smiled that smirk that rankled to no end. Then pivoted and left the room.
Marcus clenched his hands, fighting the urge to throw something at the door.
For the first time in his life, he was learning what depression was. Stuck in this hellhole, he’d had years to slowly go out of his mind. He raged at how much he’d lost, powerlessness another first.
Out in the world, he’d been somebody. He’s spoken and people had listened. In here, he was nobody. And he blamed Tahlia and her bitch sister for every last thing that had gone wrong for him in the last few years. After all, if it hadn’t been for them, he wouldn’t be trapped in this unending nightmare.
He had no idea how long he’d been lying there where a nurse bustled in.
“Doctor has requested follow-up X-rays to see how the ribs are healing up. So let’s get you to radiology, shall we?”
Her cheerful, good-naturedness grated on already seriously aggravated nerves, but Marcus held his silence. He was trying his damnedest to be a model prisoner in the hopes of garnering favor for parole. But there were days he was sorely tempted to lash out. To dish out a lesson, just like the ones he used give his ex-wife.
She pushed his bed down the hall and wheeled him into the waiting room at radiology.
“I’ll be back to collect you in a little while,” she told him.
Left to his own devices once again, he lay listening to the noises of the hospital wing.
Time passed slowly as he waited to be attended to. Stuck in a hospital bed staring at nothing was not his idea of a good time. It irked him to no end that he was confined to this hellhole while his ex-sister-in-law got on with living her life outside. At least there was some consolation in the fact that his bitch ex-wife was dead.
When he was eventually returned to his room, he had a visitor. Seemed it was his lucky day.
9
Larry watched from his position at the window as they wheeled Marcus’s bed back into the room. He’d been surprised when Jim had called him to say that the slimeball was requesting to see him. It was most definitely the last thing he’d expected from the man.
He waited for the orderly to situate the bed to his satisfaction and watched as he left. All the while not saying a word. As was his habit, Finn stood off to the side, quietly watching. The man missed absolutely nothing. And he relied on those keen observation skills.
Silence reigned for long moments as Larry waited for Marcus to speak. Clearly the man had an agenda; otherwise, they wouldn’t be here. He was curious as to what it was but wanted Marcus to be the one to bring it up. Larry watched as Marcus squirmed under Finn’s silent, focused gaze.
Finally, Marcus cleared his throat, the nervous sound the first that had been made since the orderly had left the room.
“I see the warden contacted you. I didn’t expect you to come so soon.”
“I was in the area, so I figured I’d stop by,” Larry lied.
Marcus nodded. “Yes, well ...” He cleared his throat again. “I wanted to speak to you.”
“Yeah, I guessed as much since you asked to see me.” He had no intention of making things easy on the other man. It amused him to see Marcus so uncomfortable. Clearly, he wanted something from Larry and was having a hard time coming out and saying it. But Larry had time.
Marcus cast a look Finn’s way, then back at Larry. Neither man moved nor said a word. Merely waited.
“I need your protection,” Marcus finally blurted, the words coming in a rush.
“Yeah? From what, exactly?” Larry asked.
“The people who did this to me.”
“You’re going to be here a long time still. Why exactly do you think I’d be willing to protect you from anyone here on the inside?”
“This happened to me because of you. They beat me because you visited me. The fact that I didn’t tell you anything meant nothing to them.”
That got Larry’s attention. He straightened from where he’d been leaning against the windowsill. “How did my visit buy you a beating? What has one got to do with the other?”
“Apparently, they have eyes on me in here. Shit, if they find out you’re here now, they’ll probably send someone to finish the job. That’s why I need your protection.”
“Listen up, Marcus. I owe you nothing. Unless you’ve got something for me pertaining to that visit, we’re done here.” He noticed Marcus was sweating. Something had the man scared. He was intrigued. Turning to Finn, he nodded. “We’re out of here.”
“Wait. Wait!” Marcus took a deep breath. “When you came, you were asking questions about the papers you had.”
“Yeah, and you told me to go screw myself. You had no intention of helping me. Why now?” Larry interrupted.
“Yes, I know. But it’s become quite clear that whether I talk to you or not, I’m in danger. I thought by keeping quiet, I was safe. Apparently, that assumption was incorrect. This beating was their way of telling me they’re watching me. I’ll never be safe.”
“So what do you want from me?”
Marcus hesitated for so long Larry thought the man was going to chicken out. But then he spoke again.
“I’ll tell you what you want to know if you promise to get me out of here. You put me in witness protection, and I’ll turn state witness against these people. But I want immunity. I give you the goods, but you don’t prosecute for past transgressions.”
“I can’t promise you that. That’s not my call to make.”
“That’s my offer. I won’t give you anything without an assurance I’ll be safe from prosecution and those crazy bastards.”
Outwardly, Larry was calm. He showed no reaction. Inside, it was a completely different ball game. He wondered how much Marcus knew about who the top players were, and if he would be willing to name them if he did. If so, this had the potential to be huge.
“You want me to help you, you’re gonna have to give me something to take to the District Attorney. They won’t entertain anything without something to go on.”
“All I’m willing to say further is, I can give you names, dates, and other important information relating to a certain ring you’ve been trying to take down for the longest time. I know your case has stalled. I can give it a hefty jump start, but not without an offer on the table.”
Excitement coursed through Larry’s body. If Marcus was being honest with them, it could very well be just what they needed to crack this whole thing open and take down the bastards trafficking women. The only thing that galled him was having to offer this man help or protection of any kind, but if it meant solving the case that had haunted him for longer than he was willing to admit, he’d have to suck it up. He started for the door, stopping beside the bed for a moment.
“I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be in touch when I have something to report back.”
With that, he and Finn left. They were silent until they were inside their vehicle. Then they were silent for a while longer as they continued to digest the enormity of what the ex-senator had just offered them.
As Larry drove away from the prison, Finn spoke for the first time since Marcus had been wheeled back into his room. “What do you think, sir? Think he’s being genuine with us? Or trying to buy his way outta that godforsaken place?”
“I wondered the same thing too. At first, I thought he might be trying his luck. But the more I think about it, the more I think he’s telling the truth. He has something he knows we want. For me, I think, the question is rather how much does he know? Enough for us to achieve our objective? Or is he trying to make more out of what he knows in the hopes of buying his freedom? That’s what we need to figure out.”
“You gonna take this to the District Attorney, boss man? We don’t have a whole hell of a lot to offer him right now. I can’t see him going for it.”
“Depends on how you sell it, son. If this thing pans out the way we’re both praying right now, his re-election will be a shoo-in. The DA will be known as the man who took the Velasco Syndicate down. His career will be made.”
“Yeah, but the potential is there for this to blow up in his face too. That would make him very unhappy.”
“True enough, son. True enough.”
The two men lapsed back into silence as they drove back to the office.
Larry was equal parts excited and skeptical about Marcus’s sudden willingness to offer up information regarding the accounting records. But the underlying emotion was fear. As he’d listened to her ex-husband talk about giving up his associates, Larry had realized that while it would be the key to solving his case, it would also be putting Tahlia in danger.
They had already threatened her. And these people were not the kind who made empty threats. They carried them out in the goriest way possible. A warning to anyone else stupid enough to speak out.
His thoughts racing, he decided that maybe a visit to Tahlia would be in order. He’d convince her to go into protective custody. That way he’d know she was safe.
“I’ve got an appointment this afternoon. I’m going to drop you off and head on over so I’m not late.”
“Sure thing, sir.”
When he’d dropped Finn off not too long after, Larry had driven like a man possessed on his way to Tahlia. It was only as he circled the block she lived on, keeping a look out for any eyes on her, that he considered she might not be home.
With a mental shrug, he walked across the road for the second time, figuring he was already there. The same lady answered the door, and she gave him a radiant smile as she welcomed him in like a long-lost friend.
“Well hello, dear. It’s so lovely to see you again. Your young lady is upstairs. You know the way.”
“Thank you, ma’am. It’s nice to see you too.” A little uncomfortable, he hastened up the stairs.
He knocked on the door. Waited. At first, he didn’t hear anything. He was just beginning to think that Mrs. Wilson had maybe missed Tahlia going out when he heard movement from inside.
“Who is it?”
He was glad to see she’d listened to him about not simply opening the door in blind faith that she was safe.
“It’s La
rry.”
It took a moment for Tahlia to unlock the door before it swung open and she greeted him with that beautiful smile he loved.
“Laurence, hi. What a lovely surprise. Come in.”
“Hi yourself.” He stepped past her into the living room.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“A cup of coffee would be great, thanks.”
“Certainly. Have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
Taking a seat on the sofa, Larry checked his phone while he waited for Tahlia to return. There was a missed call from Finn’s number and a text message asking him to call back urgently. With a frown, he dialed his agent’s number. What the hell could be so urgent? The phone was answered before it even had a chance to ring on his side.
“Boss man, I think I might have a lead on our leaky situation. One of my ‘cousins’ thinks he’s got something for me, so I’m heading out for a meet up. Do you want the down low in person onsite, or shall I give you a call this evening?”
“Nah, no point in going back into the office. Besides, might be best to get the down low offsite for now, you know?”
“Yeah, I hear you. I’m flying solo on this one, so if I haven’t checked in by nineteen hundred, I might need a little assistance.”
“Affirmative. Nothing by nineteen hundred, I’ll come looking.”
By the time his call was done, Tahlia had put his cup on the coffee table in front of him.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today, Laurence?”
“I need to talk to you. And I prefer doing it in person.”
Tahlia’s expression turned wary. “That sounds rather ominous.”
“It isn’t an easy conversation I need to have with you. But I’m not going to sugarcoat it. You know that’s not my style. I’ve always played it straight with you.”
“Yes, you have. It’s not always been what I wanted to hear, but you were always open and honest with me. So, what is it you need to talk to me about?”
Trusting Laurence Page 8