Eye for Eye

by J K Franko

“What do you mean?”

  “Well, after getting your note, I talked to Frank Stern. Informally—he was in Austin, by the way. Solid alibi. He knew Harlan was going to Miami. Joe was completely up front with him about the contact from Cruise Capital. So, I asked him who knew Joe was going to Miami—who he had told. Stern didn’t tell anyone. But then he took out his phone, and on his Facebook page he showed me a post by Harlan the Monday before the trip. It said something like ‘Big meetings in Miami this week’ with some hashtag things after it. Stern claims Harlan had over a thousand Facebook followers. And that doesn’t include reposts of people who saw ‘likes’ and such.”

  “Shit,” Eddie said.

  “So, if some unknown killer targeted him, there’s a list of a thousand people we could start with that all knew he was going to Miami,” Travers concluded. “We’re all out of leads. And we’re up to our asses in alibis. The Wises have strong motives. McCall a weak motive. Cruise and Kim—weird facts and no motive.”

  “Okay. So, I think we’ve done all we can in terms of forensics and canvassing. We’ve got what we’ve got. I think it’s time we interview the rest of them and see if anything shakes loose,” Eddie offered.

  There was a long pause, and then Travers sighed. “Alright. Let’s do it.”

  CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

  Roy’s office intercom squawked with Eve’s voice. “An Eddie Garza on line two. He says you’ll know what it’s about?”

  “Sure. I’ll take it.” Roy put his earpiece in and then pushed a button on his phone to connect the call. “Detective Garza, how are you?”

  “I’m well, Mr. Cruise. It’s been a while.”

  “That it has. How can I help you?”

  “Well, I’m sure you spoke with your buddy, David. You had to know you were on our list of favorite people.”

  “Is this about Joe Harlan, then?”

  “The one and only.”

  “And what can I do for you?”

  “Well, I’d like to sit down for a chat. How’s this afternoon?”

  “Well, Detective, as you know, we have a protocol here.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I know. Talk to your lawyer and call me back with a couple of dates. Sooner rather than later.”

  “I’ll pass your request on to my lawyer and let you guys sort out all the details, how’s that?”

  “I guess that’ll be fine.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Detective.”

  “No, Thank you.”

  If Roy detected the sarcasm in the detective’s tone, he didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, he hung up and dialed his lawyer.

  * * *

  Tom Wise sat at his kitchen counter. He was sipping on a beer—a Pilsner Urquell. Tom favored light tasting beers—lagers, pilsners—he couldn’t stand the hoppy ales that all the craft breweries were cranking out. Ales are easier to brew because ale yeast feeds at the top of the wort—the lazy man’s beer. Pilsners and lagers are made with bottom-feeding yeast that requires more care, greater complexity.

  Deb was drinking red wine while she made dinner—a large roasted chicken, steamed green beans, and quinoa. She wasn’t happy. Tom had just told her that Art Travers had contacted him about doing an informal interview with each of them—Tom, Deb, and Kristy. Tom had already spoken to Harold Riviera, their attorney, about the request.

  “Travers just said it was about Harlan,” Tom said. “I’m guessing the DNA results are in and they know it’s his. And they want to interview us because we have a motive.”

  “So, what did you tell him?”

  “I told him that I needed to talk to my lawyer, and that I’d let him know.”

  Deb took a healthy swig from her glass, opened the fridge, and poured herself a refill. She liked her wine cold.

  “What do you think we should do?”

  “Well, I think that cooperation—agreeing to the interview—is the best way to put them off the scent. Not without a lawyer, of course, but I think that if we refuse it looks like we’ve got something to hide.”

  Deb took the lid off the pot where she was steaming the green beans, fished one out while being careful not to burn herself, and bit it to check for doneness. Satisfied, she turned the burner off and put the lid to the side to keep the green beans from overcooking in residual heat.

  “What did Harold have to say?”

  “He’s a bit on the fence. He says that if we cooperate and give an interview, it will work to clear us and hopefully shut down any future inquiries. And we have nothing to hide. But he says that the only way he would recommend doing it is if he’s there to push back on them and make sure we don’t answer any questions that we shouldn’t.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me? At five hundred dollars an hour, of course he wants to be there. I’m not saying he’s wrong. It just pisses me off to pay that kind of money.

  “So, Tom, here’s what’s going to happen. Kristy has been through hell, and I’ll be goddamned if I’m going to let another douchebag moron ask her questions about this fucking mess. So, you can tell Travers that if he wants to question her, he can come and fucking arrest her. And the same for me.

  “If you want to appear on behalf of the family, that’s up to you. If you think it’ll somehow satisfy them, by all means. Maybe if they hear from you, they’ll be happy and leave us alone. All our alibis are rock-solid. They’ve already verified them, for God’s sake. Half the girls I play tennis with have gotten calls to confirm I was at the club. This sounds like a last ditch attempt to try and scare us into saying something stupid, and that just ain’t gonna happen.

  “If you decide to do it—and just in case I haven’t made it clear, I don’t think it’s a good idea—but if you do, for God’s sake, be careful.”

  * * *

  Travers answered his mobile phone and recognized the husky voice as Meg, Harlan’s assistant. “Hello, Art. Are you free to speak with the senator?”

  “Sure, Meg.”

  “Okay. I’m putting him through.”

  There was an almost imperceptible clok sound on the line.

  “Detective Travers.”

  “Hello, Mr. Senator. Thank you for returning my call. I just wanted to give you an update—we’re still chasing down some leads and are in the process of setting up interviews with a number of witnesses.”

  “Who are you going to interview?”

  “That’s what I was calling about, Senator. As of right now, we are looking at interviewing all of the Wises, David Kim, and Roy Cruise. Obviously, Cruise and Kim’s interviews will need to be done in Florida. And all of this depends on everyone agreeing to be interviewed, of course.”

  “Well, why wouldn’t they agree? If they’ve got nothing to hide, they shouldn’t be concerned.”

  “That’s true, Senator. In fact, along those lines is the reason I called—you know we are working this case jointly with Homicide in Miami. So, it’s always a balancing act. They have jurisdiction; we have jurisdiction. It can get complicated sometimes.”

  “Get to the point, Art. You’re dilly-dallying.”

  “Yes, sir. Detective Garza is going to be coming from Florida for the interviews here. And...” Art paused, “he would like to sit down with you to formally take your statement.” Travers closed his eyes and cringed, waiting for the backlash.

  There was an agonizingly long pause.

  “Art, we’ve known each other a long time. You know me, and my family. You know everything we’ve been through.” Harlan’s voice was increasing steadily in volume. “Are you saying that this man Garza suspects me of somehow being involved in Joe’s death?”

  “Not at all, Senator,” Travers said, lightly. “He just wants to talk to you himself. Clarify some points. That’s all.”

  “You know what, Art...” the senator growled and Travers braced himself, but then the words trailed off and there was silence on
the line once more.

  When the senator spoke again, his tone was calm. He chuckled, “Well, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Of course, I’ll meet with Detective Garza, Art. I’m happy to cooperate. The most important thing here is getting to the bottom of this and finding out who...” the words dried in the senator’s throat. Then he cleared his throat and continued, “who killed Joe.”

  When Travers hung up, he noticed that his hand was shaking slightly. He sent Garza a text message: Harlan OK for interview.

  In any normal situation, Travers would have handled the interview. But pushing a Texas state senator’s buttons to see if he had anything to do with his only son’s murder could have a deleterious impact on Travers’ career. So, they had agreed to let Garza take the heat.

  Harlan wasn’t stupid. He’d seen through it. But, at least this way any personal animus wouldn’t be directed against Travers.

  Interview of The Honorable Joseph Alan Harlan Sr.

  06.15.18

  Present:

  Art Travers

  Edward Garza

  Joseph Alan Harlan Sr.

  Attorney Alan Fletcher

  (On the record. 7:00 a.m.)

  Garza:Good morning, Mr. Senator. My name is Detective Eddie Garza. I work Homicide in Miami,Florida. I know we’ve been introduced, but could you state your name for the record?

  Harlan:Joseph Alan Harlan Sr.

  Garza:Thank you. We’re here to briefly review the incidents leading up to your son’sdeath. Let me begin by saying you have my sincerecondolences.

  Harlan:Thank you.

  Garza:Mr. Senator, when did you last see your son, Joe Harlan Jr.?

  Harlan:May 1st of this year. The nightbefore he flew to Miami.

  Garza:Did you know why he was going to Miami?

  Harlan:To meet with a Mr. David Kim at Cruise Capital.

  Garza:Do you know Mr. Kim or Mr. Cruise?

  Harlan:No.

  Garza:Do you know of any reason why they would wish your son ill or harm?

  Harlan:No.

  Garza:Do you know if they had anything to gain from your son’s disappearance?

  Harlan:No.

  Garza:Do you know of anyone who would?

  Harlan:Have something to gain? Not really. Joe was... I don’t know of anyone that stood to gain.

  Garza:Now, your son had some issues... legal issues... in the past. Correct?

  Harlan:He did.

  Garza:Could you tell me if those issues were in any way embarrassing to you, being a politician and all?

  Harlan:Yes.

  Garza:Were you concerned about a possible repeat of these issues? You know, say in the future? That he might cause you further embarrassment?

  Harlan:Look, Detective. Let’s cut to the chase. I’ve spoken at length to my lawyer about this. And...

  Fletcher:Please do not divulge anything wehave discussed, Mr. Senator. All of thos discussions are attorney-client privileged.

  Harlan:Thanks, Alan. I won’t. Detective, I understand that you have to cover all your bases. I understand that you are also going to look to everyone as a possible suspect. You’re going to look for motives wherever you can find them. And... hell, anyone that watches CSI knows that you guys always look at those closest to the victim as suspects.

  Yeah – Joe’s problems in the past gave me a lot of headaches, but I love my son.

  Loved.

  But, yeah... he wasn’t perfect. He got himself into trouble recently, as you know. With the Wise girl. Yes, it was problematic for me, as a politician. Did I wish it hadn’t happened – you bet I did.

  But that doesn’t change the fact that he was my son. I loved him. I still do. I would never wish him any harm. He was my boy, and... and...

  Fletcher:Do you need a minute, Senator?

  Garza:Should we take a short break?

  Harlan:No. No. I’m fine. It’s just all still raw. As I was saying. I know you need to cover bases. So, I will tell you for your record. I loved my son. And I will do anything, I mean anything I can to help you find who killed him so that those sons of bitches can be brought to justice. All you need to know isthat it wasn’t me. I was in Austin that entire time. Working. And withmy female companion, Meg Watts. I believe you have already spoken to her.

  (A discussion was had off the record.)

  Garza:Senator, can you tell me if you’ve made any significant cash withdrawalsrecently?

  Harlan:None.

  Garza:Would you have any problem sharing your bank records with us in that regard?

  Fletcher:I’m afraid...

  Harlan:No. No, Alan. Please. No. I have no issue with that, Detective. Just tell me what you want to see.

  Garza:Have you traveled to Florida recently?

  Harlan:No.

  Garza:Art? Anything else?

  Travers:No. I think we’re finished.

  (Off the record at 7:17 a.m.)

  Interview of Thomas Wise

  06.15.18

  Present:

  Art Travers

  Edward Garza

  Thomas Wise

  Attorney Harold Riviera

  (On the record. 10:08 a.m.)

  Travers:Please state your full name.

  Wise:Thomas Kincaid Wise.

  Travers:Mr. Wise, can I call you Tom?

  Wise:Sure.

  Travers:Thanks, and feel free to call me Art. I know this feels a bit formal, with the stenographer and all, but I really just need to clarify some points.

  Wise:Okay.

  Travers:You are represented today by your attorney, Harold Riviera, correct?

  Riviera:That is correct, Detective.

  Wise:Yes.

  Travers:It’s kind of warm in here. At least I am. Are you okay, Tom?

  Wise:I’m fine.

  Travers:Summer’s definitely arrived. I think it’s going to be a hot one. Can I get you some water?

  Wise:I’m fine, Art.

  Travers:By the way, how is Mrs. Wise, and Kristy?

  Wise:Fine.

  Travers:Kristy is what, a senior now?

  Wise:She’s...

  Riviera:Detective. It’s my understanding that we’re here because you have some questions for Mr. Wise regarding Joe Harlan Jr. If that’s the case, then let’s please get to them. The good cop chat thing is a waste of your time and ours. So, please, just get to the heart of the matter.

  Travers:I’m sorry. I apologize. I just wanted to be polite. I just want to clarify a few points. This doesn’t need to be confrontational.

  Riviera:Art, Mr. Wise is here to clear the air as to his alibi. That’s it. Let’s just deal with that and move on.

  Travers:I’m sorry. Do you feel that way, too, Tom?

  Wise:Art, I want to be accommodating, and I’m happy to help however I can, but I do need to get back to work, so...

  Travers:And your wife. I understand she didn’t want to meet with me...

  Riviera:Hold on. Please. I represent Mrs. Wise as well as Mr. Wise. And Kristy Wise. I already told you that neither she nor Kristy agree to be interviewed. Now, on the record, I’m telling you again. Neither Deb Wise nor Kristy Wise agree to meet with you for an informal interview. We are not going to discuss why they made that choice.

  Get on with it, Art. These folks have been through enough. Tom’s agreed to talk to you just so you’ll move on and leave them alone. Please try and respect that.

  Travers:Alright. Thank you. So, Tom, we’re here to talk a bit about Joe Harlan Jr. I know you know who that is. You guys have a long history.

  Wise:Yes.

  Travers:Since the altercation at Whole Foods, apart from the trial, have you seen Joe?

  Wise:No.

 
; Travers:What about his father, Senator Harlan?

  Wise:I don’t believe so. Possibly on TV. But, in person, no.

  Travers:As you probably know, Joe disappeared last month. He was on a trip to Miami. At least that’s where he was last seen. You are aware of that?

  Wise:I was not aware of that. I knew about a penis being found on his father’s door.

  Travers:You are not aware of Joe’s travel or disappearance?

  Wise:No. First I’m hearing.

  Travers:How did you hear about the penis?

  Wise:In the news, I believe. I think in the Austin Herald.

  Travers:Did you discuss that news with anyone?

  Riviera:Tom, don’t share any discussions you had with me, Deb, or Kristy. Anything else is fine.

  Travers:Why is that, Counselor?

  Riviera:I want to be sure not to waive any possible privilege, spousal, etcetera.

  Travers:But, with Kristy? What privilege would there be?

  Riviera:He’s not going to answer, Art. He’s not on trial here. This is an accommodation. We’ll choose the questions we answer and those we don’t.

  Travers:Okay. Tom, other than Deb or Kristy, did you discuss either the finding of Joe’s penis or his disappearance with anyone?

  Wise:Only you. When you came by my office and asked me about my recent travel.

  Travers:Tom, when I came to see you, I’m pretty sure I didn’t say anything about Joe.

  Wise:No. You didn’t. But I assume now that that’s what you were asking for. What you were asking about. That’s why you were interested.

  Travers:When I came by your office, did you already know that Joe was missing, from some other source?

  Wise:No.

  Travers:Are you sure?

  Wise:I’m sure.

  Travers:Then why do you consider our meeting back then a discussion about his disappearance, if I didn’t even mention it?

  Wise:I recall thinking that it might have something to do with him in general. But I had no idea what. It could have been about vandalism. Or something else.

  Travers:So, you were aware of vandalism involving Joe Harlan? What kind of vandalism? A penis nailed on a door,maybe?

  Wise:Art, you’re twisting my words. I’m speculating. I mean, I was speculating. When you came to see me, I assumed it had something to do with him. Or his dad. The only thing that connects us... you and me... We met... because of the whole situation with Harlan. I’ve never had any brush with the law other than that. When you showed up asking me... basically looking for my alibi, I assumed someone had done something to Harlan or his dad, and you were checking to see if it could have been me. I didn’t think murder or anything extreme. Vandalism came to mind.