by Robin Mahle
“I bet Laura Young won’t talk without her lawyer.” Charlie closed the door and hobbled alongside Allison until they entered the building.
“I don’t see him.” Allison surveyed the bullpen before turning to another officer nearby. “Have you seen Sully?”
“Interrogation Room 3,” the detective replied.
“Thanks.” She and Charlie walked back. “I see him.” Allison gazed through the window. “I need to get his attention.”
“Call him,” Charlie said.
“And that’s why you’re my partner.” Allison grabbed her phone. She spotted him glance at his phone and he answered.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“Here. Outside with Charlie. Shane, I have to show you something and it’s important.”
He looked at the window, which was a two-way mirror from inside the room, and then cast his sights to Laura Young. “I’m coming.” He ended the call. “Would you like a glass of water, Ms. Young? A coffee, maybe?”
“Water, please. Thank you.”
Shane nodded. “I’ll be right back.” He left the room to find Allison and Charlie in the corridor. “What is it? What did you find?”
Allison held out the phone. “This was in Laura’s apartment. I have a feeling it’s a burner.”
“A burner.” He examined the phone. “You found this in her apartment, which means you went back after I said not to. Come on Allison, cut me some slack, would you?”
A guilty expression cloaked her face. “I’ve apologized so many times, I’m sure you don’t care to hear it again, but I went back in because I saw this on her side table when we went in the first time. I didn’t want to say anything in front of Laura, which is why we—I did what I did.”
“I’m not excusing your behavior, but I can’t argue with your results. We’ll still need her to unlock it,” he replied.
“Yeah, well, here’s the thing. I’d like to go in there with you and ask her about it.”
Shane groaned. “I can’t let you do that, Allison. You’re not a cop, you’re not a lawyer. There’s no legitimate reason for me to allow you inside.”
“Sure, I get it.” Allison scratched at the bun on top of her head. “But I know her better than you. I think I can get her to talk and especially if I show her the phone. I’m telling you Shane; she’ll sing like a bird.”
“This isn’t the 1950s Allison. We don’t say things like that anymore,” he replied.
“Sounds cool though,” Charlie said.
“Two minutes. Any ammo we can get on her will only help Montoya.”
“That’s all I need,” Allison replied before walking into the room. “Hi, Laura.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Her eyes were puffy and her forehead was lined with bands of sweat.
“I wanted to ask you about this.” She sat down and placed the phone on the table. Her attention was diverted for a moment when Shane entered.
“It’s a phone.” Laura shrugged.
“Yep. I found it in your apartment. It was on your side table in the living room.”
A hint of worry lined Laura’s eyes.
“I assume this is a spare phone. What we in the law enforcement industry call a burner. You know, a phone no one else knows you have. One that you get secret calls and texts on.” She examined the phone. “What do you think Detective Sullivan might find if he were to take a look at it?”
Shane leaned over the table and studied it. “I bet I’d find some interesting phone numbers. Maybe a voicemail or two. A couple of text messages.” He eyed Laura. “Do you think I’d find something on here from Clay Sadler? Or I don’t know, maybe Carlos Diaz? You were friends with his dead wife, right?”
“I didn’t do anything, okay?” Laura demanded. “I told Carlos that some woman calling herself Emma Stone was asking a lot of questions about Tracy.”
“They were watching you so that must have been how they found me,” Allison said.
Shane pressed on. “Were you in a relationship with Carlos Diaz?”
“No. I mean, not at that time.”
“But previously?” he added.
“Yeah. For a little while. It was nothing. Didn’t mean anything.”
“Did Tracy know you were sleeping with her husband?” Allison asked. “I was betrayed by my ex, you know. That kind of stuff starts to taint your idea of friendship and loyalty.”
Shane peered at Allison with concern but quickly returned his attention to Laura. “What about Clay Sadler? Would I find anything on here from him?”
“No.” Her tone softened.
“You sure about that? Someone must’ve known where Carlos would be this morning. That he’d be on his boat.” Shane held her gaze. “Did you tell Sadler? Did he have something on you?”
Allison felt a wave of recognition. “You told Sadler about Tracy’s affair with Harlan, didn’t you? Of course, Carlos suspected it and told Tommy. But Sadler already knew where the two lovebirds would be that night. Why would you do that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Laura replied.
“Oh, I think you do. I imagine you were introduced to the mayor through the Diaz’s, seeing as how you were long-time friends and had slept with Carlos. Maybe you and Sadler struck up a little something. Got hot and heavy for a while.”
“I didn’t know about whatever deal Carlos had going with Clay. I swear it.”
“Tracy didn’t tell you? I thought she told you everything?” Allison waited but then continued. “I think Tracy told you about the deal Carlos struck with Sadler. The bribes. She knew you’d been sleeping with him and figured it would help in the divorce case she was building. How am I doing so far?”
“Really great,” Shane answered, though the question hadn’t been directed at him.
“I have a feeling you were helping Sadler control Carlos after Tracy was killed. You went back to Carlos and tried to offer comfort in the face of his grief. He must’ve mentioned he was going to the boat to meet with Franklin Perry. And that was a surprise to Sadler. Then bye-bye, Carlos.”
Laura Young dropped her head into her hands and sobbed.
Allison stood from the table. “I’ll leave the rest to you.” She started to walk out but turned back. “It’s a real shame you betrayed Tracy that way. With friends like you…” Allison left.
28
The lieutenant who led the bust pushed through the back doors of the stationhouse with the detectives close behind. And Montoya was bestowed the honor of bringing in Victor Esposito in cuffs. Now was the time to put this investigation to bed, but there remained a missing piece; his partner whose name Victor hadn’t relinquished. The younger accomplice was still on the lam and Montoya banked on Victor giving up his location in an effort to save his own skin.
But what Montoya hadn’t banked on was Allison Hart. She emerged from the hall and stopped in her tracks at the sight of Montoya hauling in one of the Mercedes men.
She recognized him immediately and he, her. Allison gathered her wits before approaching. “Where’s your friend?”
Victor captured her gaze with the look of a man who wouldn’t hesitate to slash her throat if given the opportunity. He shrugged and broke away from her sights.
“What are you doing here, Ms. Hart?” Montoya asked.
“You should speak to Sully. He’s in Room 3 with Laura Young.”
“The friend of Tracy Diaz you spoke about?” He asked.
“Yes. She has some interesting information and a phone you should probably look at.” Allison shot a glance to Victor once again. “The FBI is going to come after you with everything. You took one of their own. And I’ll make sure you pay for killing Tommy Boyce too.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, lady,” Victor replied sharply.
Allison returned to the lobby and waited for Shane to appear, and while it took the better part of an hour, he finally returned. She stood to meet him. “Well?”
Shane returned a calculated
smile. “Well, Ms. Hart, seems this little piece of evidence is chock-full of details surrounding the murders of the Diaz’s and Harlan Goodfellow.”
“And Tommy Boyce? Did she have any information about him?”
At this, Shane cast down his gaze. “Nothing concrete. I’m not sure she knew much more than what she told you.”
“She knew Tommy was helping Tracy Diaz but that’s it?”
“That’s how it seems, yes.”
“Well, you might want to speak to Montoya. He just brought in Victor Esposito. I have a feeling he’ll talk, especially if he wants a deal.”
“He’s here?” Shane asked.
“Montoya took him to Processing. The other one is still out there.”
Shane nodded. “I’ll go see him. It’s all coming together, Allison. And Montoya will have you to thank. You and Charlie.”
“I’m not going to hold my breath for any thank yous. Montoya is still pretty pissed.”
“He’ll get over it. You know, I had my doubts and you were reckless at times. You got lucky this time, Allison. I need you to see that. It won’t always turn out this rosy.”
“I know,” Allison replied. “I won’t make the same mistakes. Trust me when I say it won’t happen again.”
Detective Alvarez rushed by them. Shane whipped around and called out. “Alvarez, what’s going on?”
The detective stopped and turned on his heel. “I just got a call about a car going down in the bay.”
Shane’s face grew pale.
“A silver Mercedes?” Allison asked, knowing Shane was about to ask that very same question.
“That’s what we think. I need to see Montoya. Officers are on their way. We have no idea if there’s anyone inside the car.”
Patrol cars with lights twirling, ambulance trucks, fire trucks; they were all there on the road parallel to the spot where the car went down. Shane’s car raced toward them. “Jesus. Look at this.” He slammed the gearshift into park and jumped out.
Allison and Charlie followed Shane to the edge of the rocky shoreline. A crane was perched near the water and had been hooked to what looked like the car’s bumper.
“I see it. They’re pulling out the car now,” Allison replied. “I can’t believe this. It had to be Sadler’s doing. He knew they were going to come for him and he was getting rid of evidence.”
“What if that kid is in there?” Charlie asked.
“I hope not.” Allison approached Shane as he spoke to one of the officers on the scene.
“You’re telling me you pulled out the driver already?” Shane asked him.
“He’s over there, under the tarp. You working this case?” the officer asked.
“No. Detectives Montoya and Alvarez are. That’s them right over there.” Shane turned to Allison. “Let’s go see if it is who we think it is.”
Allison didn’t hesitate and marched toward the blue tarp covering the body on the side of the road. “I need to do this for Tommy and Fin.”
“I know you do,” Shane replied.
Allison stood over the lump beneath the tarp. She was more afraid than she thought she would be and the same hesitation she felt when looking at Tommy’s body overcame her.
Shane squatted and pulled back the tarp to expose only the head and shoulders. “Is this the kid you both saw?”
Allison glanced at Charlie and the slight nod meant she knew the answer as well. When Allison turned again to examine the face, she began, “It’s the kid we saw at Fin’s house and the one I saw in the passenger seat chasing me.”
Shane returned the tarp and pulled upright again. “That’s all you need to do, Allison. They’ll pull DNA and compare it just to be sure, but your part is done. Both of the men who had been following you are gone now.”
“And what about Clay Sadler?” Allison asked him. “Is he finished now too? Will this be enough?”
“I hope so, Allison. I really do.”
Montoya and Alvarez were quickly approaching the three of them. Montoya, who was winded, began, “Who’s under there?”
“It’s the kid,” Allison said. “I’ve seen him enough times to know it’s him. Victor Esposito will have to confirm the kid’s name.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have left that house this morning,” Montoya said.
“What are you talking about?” Shane asked.
“The car was there at the house when we brought in Victor. The officers on the scene assured me they would stay put until Forensics arrived where it would then be hauled in for processing.”
“Then Sadler’s reach is longer than we thought,” Alvarez began. “He must’ve had someone on his payroll who made sure the car never made it to the impound lot. And the kid never made it out alive.”
“Son of a bitch.” Montoya shook his head. “We have enough to bring in Sadler and that’s what we’re going to do right now.”
“Now?” Allison said.
“You bet your ass,” Montoya added. “That phone you swiped, the verbal threats. Ms. Hart, as much as I hate to admit it, you gave us what we need to bring down the mayor.”
“It wasn’t just me. Milo Nash knew Sadler was a bad apple. He started this. He and his buddy, Franklin Perry.”
“That may be the case, but you risked your life. I can give credit where it’s due.” Montoya turned and shouted to one of the officers. “Over here. We need to get this body to the M.E. pronto!” Montoya turned his attention to Alvarez. “Let’s get Nash up to speed and get an arrest warrant issued for Clay Sadler. The sooner the better.”
“Do you think he’s still here?” Allison asked. “With everything that’s happened.”
“If there’s one thing I know about politicians, Ms. Hart,” Montoya said. “It’s that they think their shit don’t stink. Pardon my French. “What I mean to say is I can guarantee you he believes he can buy his way out of trouble. What he doesn’t know, I have to assume, is that we have Laura Young up our sleeve. She’s the key. Sadler won’t get out of this.”
“There’s one other thing,” Allison said. “We don’t have conclusive proof as to who murdered Tommy Boyce. He’s the reason I’m here and I have to give his daughter closure.”
Montoya creased his brow and traded glances with Shane. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?” she asked.
“The Medical Examiner just came back with results of the autopsy. Ms. Hart, Tommy Boyce died of a heart attack.”
“What?” She turned to Shane. “You knew this?”
“No. I’m sorry, I did see a message from you, Montoya, but I didn’t have the chance to check it.”
“A heart attack?” Allison continued, glancing to Charlie with uncertainty. “He was found at the docks floating in the water.”
“That’s right. We retrieved surveillance footage from the dock operator and found Boyce walking toward Carlos Diaz’s boat. It was late at night. No one was nearby and he collapsed. The video shows him clutching his chest. Unfortunately, he writhed around, trying to pull himself up, but he ended up in the water and struck a large tiedown on the slip. That was why there was trauma to the skull. It was all a very unfortunate accident, I’m afraid. The security guard on duty at the time had walked away to take a leak. It happened so fast that when he returned, Tommy was already in the water. He had no idea.”
“Oh my God.” Allison’s face masked in shock. “That was why he wanted me to take the pictures because he figured Carlos would be preoccupied and he could check out his boat. His phone. Tommy’s GPS put him near Goodfellow’s apartment 30 minutes before I arrived.”
“Maybe the battery died before he reached the docks,” Charlie said.
“I suppose. All this time, I thought it was Victor Esposito at the direction of Sadler. Have you told his daughter about this?” She asked.
“Milo Nash has her in hiding, which we agreed to. It was too risky with the evidence uncovered from his office. You might not have believed we were working this investigation, Ms. Hart, but I assu
re you we were. We’ll relay to Nash that it’s safe to bring her home. Alvarez and I will work with Nash to get her the details. “Look, I hate to cut this short, but we have a high-ranking public official to bring in.”
“Of course,” Allison said. “Thank you, Detective Montoya, Detective Alvarez.”
“At least you know.” Charlie laid her hand gently on Allison’s shoulder. “You got what you needed, Alli. It’s time to go home now.”
Shane took them back to the station so Allison could pick up her car.
“Thanks for bringing us back,” Allison said.
Shane peered at her. “You two did good, you know. Considering how all this started, you kept digging and you got answers. You should be proud.”
“I guess so. But if we’d just waited for the Medical Examiner’s report, we would’ve known about Tommy,” Allison said.
He nodded. “Maybe so, but then we wouldn’t have known about Laura Young.”
“We’ll see you later, Shane,” Charlie said, stepping out of his car.
Allison stepped out and gazed at the sky for a moment. “What day is it?”
Charlie looked at her. “Saturday. Why?”
“Oh no. Today is Nolan’s Triple A tryout. I promised I would be there.”
“It’s only noon. When was it due to start?” Charlie asked.
Allison reached for her phone and checked the emails. “He hasn’t called me. I’m trying to find the email. Hang on.” She continued to scroll through. “Got it. It started an hour ago.” She waved back to Shane and jumped into her car.
Charlie hopped onto the passenger seat.
“If we leave now, we might not miss all of it.” Allison keyed the ignition.
“Then step on it, lady.”
Allison pulled out of the parking lot. “I can’t believe I forgot about it.”
“You’ve had a lot on your plate,” Charlie replied.
“Yes, but I promised him I wouldn’t let anything get in the way of my being there. Damn it.”
“You haven’t missed it yet. Just calm down. We’ll be there soon.”
“Yeah.” She eyed her phone in the center console that buzzed with an incoming call. “It’s Milo. Can you answer that?”
