Toni Donovan Mysteries- Books 1-3

by Helen Gray

  “Trust account?”

  “A bank account with the word Trust in it doesn’t mean there really is a trust contract or even a trustee or attorney involved in the account. Names like this are just used to instill confidence, the name implying that the account falls under the supervision of an authorized trustee. Once funds are transferred to such accounts, they’re quickly withdrawn by the crooks and invested into their personal affairs. Evan says it’s not a bank’s responsibility to verify that an account containing the word Trust actually has trust papers with it. The bank’s only chartered responsibility is to ensure the safekeeping of the funds in the account.”

  “Don’t they monitor accounts that look suspicious?”

  “Evan says they try, but defining suspicious activity can be difficult, and not many bank officers are trained in accounting forensics.”

  “You said HVS Trust. That could represent Hudson, Vickers and Sullins,” Toni theorized. “Goldman, like the doctor, was just a highly paid staff member.”

  “Those are the names on the account.”

  “Is it a large account?”

  He shook his head. “Not a fortune, but it looks like large amounts are being funneled through it from a lot of sources, including numerous cash deposits and withdrawals.”

  “Then the baby brokering is just one of their operations.”

  Buck nodded, his mouth a grim line. “Evan did some investigating before he called me. He said he learned that there are at least two real estate companies owned and operated by Hudson and Vickers that have fraudulent looking transactions flowing through those accounts.”

  Toni blew silent air through her pursed mouth. “They’re major entrepreneurs. No wonder the preacher had plenty of money.”

  “It gets better,” Buck said with a lopsided grin. “Dale’s check of moving companies got us nothing. No one had any record of orders for moving Goldman’s stuff, or anything related to that address or that date. So he started checking with truck rental companies. This morning he found a company in Cape that has a record of renting a truck that week. They have a receipt for a cash payment from Damien Hudson.”

  “I would have expected him to use a phony name if he went to the trouble of paying in cash,” Toni commented, grinning in satisfaction.

  “He must have felt secure that far from here,” Buck said. “People make odd mistakes when their guard is down.”

  “What about the maternity home?”

  “I think I have enough to ask the judge for a search warrant. I’d like to get inside there and see the setup for myself. But that’s for later. Right now we need to talk to Mr. Hudson again. Care to go with me?”

  Toni really wanted to go with him, even though she cringed inwardly at the way the situation seemed to be spreading and growing. “I’ll need to do something with my boys. They’re outside in the park.”

  “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “Let’s wait and go in the morning. I’ll talk to the judge right now and see if I can get a search warrant.”

  “What time in the morning?”

  “How about nine o’clock?”

  “It’s a date.”

  The boys were playing baseball with friends who had gathered in the park, and were reluctant to leave. But Toni was too tired to hang around. “Why don’t we pick up that new video you wanted to see and spend an evening at home?” she suggested, anxious for a chance to relax and do nothing. She was not going to Cape again, since her dad was doing so well and getting ready to come home.

  Liking the idea, Gabe and Garrett bid their friends good-bye and headed for the van. Toni drove to the video store. When they got inside, they found John and Jenny at the counter.

  “What movie did you get?” Gabe asked, marching over to join them. He looked over at the DVD lying on the counter before them and grinned. “Hey, that’s the one we came to get.”

  “That’ll be two twelve,” the clerk said. She was probably around twenty, and had long dark hair with fashionable blonde streaking. She wore wide legged black pants that ended a couple inches below her knees and a sleeveless neon green blouse with an orange tank top under it. Long earrings with neon green feathers dangled from her lobes.

  John pulled out his wallet, extracted two ones, and handed them to her.

  Jenny opened her purse and began digging through it. She produced a nickel and laid it on the counter. Then she dug some more and found another nickel.

  “We’ve been saving up for this,” John told the girl dryly as Jenny dived back in, searching for two pennies.

  The young clerk burst out laughing. “Let’s let the penny pot finish it,” she said, reaching into what looked like an ashtray that held several pennies, and taking two of them.

  “Thank you,” Jenny said, her face reddening.

  Toni chuckled. “Since you’ve spent your savings, I’ll provide sandwiches for supper, and then popcorn and drinks later if you’ll bring your movie over and share it with us.”

  They exchanged glances. “Sure,” Jenny said as John nodded.

  Toni looked at the clerk. “I guess we won’t be renting a movie tonight. Sorry.”

  “That’s okay,” the girl laughed. “There’s always next time.”

  It was the relaxing evening Toni had needed. Since they had eaten so much at noon, the tuna sandwiches she made were as much as anyone wanted.

  “Are the boys going to summer school?” Jenny asked as they cleared the table.

  “Not this year.” Toni gave the table a swipe with a dishcloth. “We’ve had an unusually eventful and tiring year, and they didn’t seem interested when we talked about it. So we’re going to try something different. After they spend a couple of weeks with Kyle’s parents, they’re going to take an online course.”

  “What are you going to do during the two weeks they’re with their grandparents in Springfield?”

  Toni grinned. “Kyle and I are going to take a vacation. We haven’t decided exactly where we’re going yet. It doesn’t seem to matter. We just want to get away and spend some time together. He has two weeks scheduled to be off after next week.”

  They had just settled down to watch the movie when Kyle’s truck pulled into the driveway.

  “There’s leftover potato casserole in the fridge,” Toni told him when he entered the house and greeted everyone. “It’s from yesterday’s potluck lunch at school. We had tuna sandwiches tonight, and there’s some of that left.”

  “Sounds good,” he said, glancing around and spotting the big bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. “What were you planning to do this evening?”

  “We were getting ready to watch a movie,” Gabe announced.

  “Then I’ll have my sandwich and casserole during the movie. And you’d better not eat up all the popcorn before I get some.

  Chapter 23

  Toni woke Friday morning feeling refreshed. She hadn’t expected Kyle home until tonight, so his early return had been a pleasant surprise. There had been a flight cancellation, and he had declined a replacement one that would have taken most of his weekend and messed up his vacation schedule. His boss had understood and agreed with the decision.

  Kyle chuckled next to her. “Don’t you feel decadent sleeping this late?”

  “You better believe it,” she returned lazily, stretching her arms over her head. “What are you and the boys going to do this morning while I’m gone?”

  “I’m not sure. We’ll think of something,” he assured her. “I’m just glad you’re not going off by yourself.”

  She leaned over and gave him a light kiss. “I’ll be fine with Buck, and I’m anxious to hear Damien’s explanation.”

  She got out of bed and dug a navy suit from her closet, muttering, “Might as well dress professional to see a lawyer.”

  Buck was emerging from the police station when she pulled into the parking lot. “You’re prompt,” he said as she stepped from her van.

  He ushered her to his patrol car. “The judge is out of town, so I don’t have a sear
ch warrant yet,” he said as he started the engine.

  “Does Mr. Hudson know we’re coming?”

  He looked over his shoulder, backed the car out, and pulled into the street. “I started to call and ask whether he’s in, but then I decided that the element of surprise might be advantageous.”

  Hudson’s office was a large former residence that had been transformed into an ostentatious professional office. An ornate plaque beside the door said DAMIEN HUDSON, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Inside, the floors were polished hardwood, and a gold and glass chandelier hung in the foyer. The interior felt like the air conditioning was set on forty. Toni hugged her arms around her.

  An older woman wearing large tortoise shell glasses sat at a secretarial desk. She looked up at their entrance. “May I help you?”

  “I’m Buck Freeman,” the chief said.

  “I know who both of you are,” the woman returned crisply before he could finish the introductions.

  “We’d like to speak to Mr. Hudson. It’s police business, and we don’t have an appointment. It’s urgent,” he added.

  The woman frowned. “He’s with a client, but if you’ll have a seat, I’ll buzz and let him know you’re here.” She waved at the fancy padded chairs next to a wall.

  After a twenty minute wait, they were ushered into a spacious, expensively furnished office. The lush drapes, quality workmanship, and furnishings revealed how the man spent at least some of his money.

  Damien Hudson sat in a plush leather chair behind a huge mahogany desk. The secretary motioned to the large overstuffed chairs facing him, turned, and left.

  Hudson frowned as they entered and took the seats. Suddenly he leaned forward and pointed an accusing finger at Toni, making her wonder what he would do if she hopped up and bit it. “What’s she doing here?” he snapped.

  “I invited her,” Buck snapped back. “She’s part of the investigation I’m working on.”

  Hudson eased back in his chair, but it was obvious he was not pleased. “I’m very busy,” he said, pomposity oozing from him. “So make this brief, whatever it is.”

  “It’s about a bank account in Farmington that has the words Trust Account on it, but it really isn’t a trust account,” Buck began.

  “So?” The big man shrugged, almost cordial, but with an underlying snarl.

  “It seems to have huge amounts of money flowing through it, and lots of large cash transactions.”

  The attorney stared at them, not saying a word.

  “Then there’s a receipt to you from a truck rental company for the removal of Reverend Goldman’s household goods a few days after his disappearance,” Buck continued. “Why were you paying for that?”

  A flash of hostility crossed Hudson’s face, but he quickly regained control. His ruddy complexion remained a shade darker than normal. “Reverend Goldman was a friend, and I did his accounting for him,” he stated in a patronizing tone. “Telling you any more than that would violate client privilege.”

  “But your client’s dead,” Toni blurted, blowing her intention of remaining silent. “Why did you move your client’s furniture if you thought he had run off with the town’s money?”

  “I didn’t,” the man said, his voice hardening. “I just paid his bills, apparently paying that one along with everything else. I assumed he had moved and would be in touch later about his accounting records.” His explanation was spoken with the glibness of practiced evasion. “Not that it’s any of your business,” he added, clearly resentful at being questioned.

  For a moment Toni wondered why she was involved in this mess. Just as quickly she realized how important it was to her to see justice done, even if it meant being the target of insults.

  “I suppose you wouldn’t happen to know anything about another client of yours disposing of the preacher’s car,” Buck said, reclaiming lead of the conversation. “I understand you’re Donnie Fisher’s attorney.”

  Hudson produced a patronizing smile. “We’re looking at client privilege again.”

  Suddenly Toni remembered something that had eluded her earlier. He had another questionable client. Some time ago there had been a story in the paper about Austin Gorman’s involvement in a robbery case, and he had been represented by Hudson. Along with that memory, she thought about the disposal of Goldman’s car and the cutting of Q’s brake line. Damien Hudson, polished professional, would never get his own hands dirty on such tasks. But he certainly would know who to call to have it done.

  Buck took her by surprise when he got to his feet. “I need to get to another appointment. Thank you for your time, Mr. Hudson. We’ll see ourselves out.”

  Once back in the patrol car, the chief sat for a moment, his expression pensive. “We weren’t going to accomplish any more in there, so I decided we should get out and find a way to nail him. He’s involved up to his eyeballs, but he’s a slick lawyer who knows every trick in the book.”

  “I think I know who called Donnie about Goldman’s car,” Toni said, unable to contain it any longer. “I just remembered a newspaper story mentioning that Hudson is Austin Gorman’s attorney. I think it was Gorman who called Donnie.”

  Buck nodded. “You may be right.”

  “The women run Charity Haven,” Toni said, unable to stop the ideas parading through her mind. “Hudson’s their lawyer. So he does their paperwork and covers up for his mistress and her aunt. But which one fired the gun that killed Goldman?”

  “That’s what I intend to find out,” Buck said, putting the car in motion. “I need to get back to the office and sift through the verifiable facts we’ve uncovered and find the thing that’ll pull everything together. I also need to see if the judge is back in town yet.”

  Toni felt a measure of peace, knowing that Buck was going to be searching Charity Haven and going head to head with the lawyer and his cronies.

  That peace would have been shattered if she had known what was going on across town.

  *

  “This is dumb. I’m not doing it,” Q protested. “I can’t breathe.” His face was flushed under his mop of red hair.

  Cindy Fuller paused in tightening the rib belt of a vest-like garment around him. Called an empathy belly, it was designed to let husbands feel the effects of pregnancy. It had a pouch of water over the stomach and smaller breast pouches above it. It was pulled over the head and secured by a Velcro fastener over the right shoulder.

  “But it was your idea,” Dack pointed out.

  “This wasn’t! My idea was for how to bug the place,” he argued. “I didn’t have anything like this in mind.”

  “We were wishing there was a way we could hear what was being said inside Charity Haven,” Dack repeated patiently. “You suggested using our cell phones to bug it.”

  Q’s agitation only increased. “But I never meant to be the one to plant it, and for sure not like this.”

  “Listen, you’re our gadget specialist, and we rely on you to solve our mechanical problems,” Dack pointed out in his forceful way. “Mrs. Donovan has already been out there and told the woman in charge that she has a pregnant student she’s thinking of sending to them. It’s a perfect way to get inside the house and plant our bug. We have to have a pregnant girl,” he finished logically.

  “So get one,” Q shot back.

  “Even if we knew a pregnant girl we could ask, we can’t involve anyone else in our business and let her take the risks we take.”

  “So you do it. Or Jer!”

  Dack adopted his most persuasive tone and expression. “It has to be you. You need to be the one to plant the phone while Jeremy is our lookout. I’m bigger than you, so it will look better if I’m the guy and you the girl. You have to do it. Please,” he ended pleadingly.

  Q ran a hand back and forth through his already rumpled hair and groaned. “Oh, all right. Let’s get it done and over.”

  Cindy smiled and finished maneuvering the garment in place. Then she placed a blonde wig over his scalp and fussed with it until she was satisfie
d it looked right.

  “Now put on this outfit,” she ordered, handing him a pair of white maternity pants and a blue smock.

  He snatched them from her, frowning fiercely, and jerked them over his legs. When he donned the tennis shoes she pulled from a box of things she had brought after Dack called her and asked for her help, she smiled and declared him a finished product.

  “Please be careful with that vest,” she cautioned. “They’re only sold to organizations for teaching purposes. I had to practically beg to convince my stepsister to loan it to me. She’s a nurse and teaches childbirth classes, and this is from her teaching module. I gave her a story about a pregnant friend and promised I’d have it back to her this afternoon.”

  “You can have it now as far as I’m concerned,” Q grumped.

  They all ignored the complaint.

  “Actually, I’m not sure but what you don’t make a cuter girl than guy,” Jeremy observed, tongue-in-cheek.

  Q doubled up his fist. “One more word and you get your face rearranged.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jeremy turned away to hide his expression.

  “Now for you,” Cindy said, eyeing Dack up and down.

  “Me?” His mouth dropped open.

  “You,” she said firmly. “From what you’ve told me about your activities of the past few weeks, we have to assume that those people know who you guys are. Your names were connected to the discovery of the bones, and don’t forget your recent scare with the sabotaged truck. We need to change your appearance, too.” She dug in her box again and produced another wig. This one was a short mop of dark brown hair.

  “Hey, it’s a new you,” Q said with a satisfied chortle as Cindy positioned it over Dack’s head and smoothed the locks. “She’s right. You needed to cover that light colored hair.”

  “Now this,” Cindy said. She held an eyebrow pencil in her hand. With deft strokes she darkened his sandy brows. Then she placed a pair of thick glasses over his eyes. “These are a pair of my dad’s old ones.”