Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel

by Joe Broadmeadow

  "I do not care what you think. I did not come here to negotiate." The Judge's out-of-character, angry tone caught Collucci and Sorin by surprise. "I am here to tell you I am going forward with this. I prepared a document detailing all, and I do mean all, of the actions we took back then. I intend to deliver it to the media. With what I have learned over the past few days, I am ashamed of the way I behaved. An innocent man died because of us."

  Collucci glanced at Sorin, who nodded. Collucci returned his attention to the Judge. "Time for a reality check here, your honor. You release anything and all you do is ruin your career. Nothing in those files ties me to anything. You were the AG assigned, your initials are on the lineup, you indicted him, and you put him in the system. If that is what you want, go for it. Someone else will sit in your seat and your cozy little relationship with the minority community will suffer. Is that what you want for your friends of color?” The venom in the words shocked Tucker.

  "Listen to me, Senator--"

  "No, Judge, you listen to me," Sorin interrupted. "There's someone else you might want to consider in this matter."

  "And who would that be?" Tucker asked.

  Sorin shot a glance at Collucci and took two quick steps to stand in front of the Judge, drawing his attention. "Your daughter and precious little grandchild."

  Tucker, surprised by the words, glared at his former son-in-law. "What do you mean? What do they have to do with this?"

  "Much, my good Jurist, more than you realize. Seems your daughter was not satisfied with the amount of money I pay her in alimony and child support. She wanted more. The business of hers, I set that up. I arranged for her to meet a business associate. You will be happy to know your daughter has a good head for business. She owns, or thinks she owns, a good deal of the land for our new project. The truth is my organization owns it through a maze of cover corporations."

  Watching the reaction on the Judge's face, he knew they had him.

  "Some of those transactions have your name on it as well. It would be a terrible thing if you or little Ms. Jennifer were caught up in trading on inside information. Remember, yours was the deciding vote on the legality of re-zoning the affected property. Where would that leave your granddaughter?"

  "My granddaughter?" Tucker shook with rage. "Kelsey's your daughter, Anthony. How could you do that to your own daughter?"

  "Oh, yes. That is something else little Jennifer forgot to tell you. Remember that law student, that 'chorn' from South Africa? The one who stayed with you for a court apprenticeship about, let me see, 9 years and 9 months ago? Well, you'll be pleased to know, your granddaughter is a half-breed herself," Sorin spat the words at Tucker. "She's not my biological daughter."

  Tucker blanched and collapsed into a chair, his mind reeling.

  "How do you like that, Judge? You have been cozying up to those welfare-sucking scumbags all your life. Now you know your granddaughter might become one. You must be thrilled," Sorin laughed and leaned back against the wall. "All that remains now is for you to decide. Is the life of some long dead black piece of shit worth it? Your career in ruins, your daughter goes to jail, and your granddaughter ends up chased by lions in some godforsaken native village in Africa,” Sorin pushed off the wall and whispered in Tucker’s ear. “Remember this, you do anything to screw this up and I will turn over evidence to the Justice Department that buries your daughter. Even if she avoided jail, Jennifer would end up losing her daughter."

  Tucker tried to speak, but the words would not come. How had he not seen Sorin for what he was? His daughter said she loved him. How could she not know this side of him?

  Sorin continued. "Here's another good incentive. My people have a great deal of money invested in this project. Do not anger them. You screw this up, and a lost daughter and ruined career will be the least of your worries."

  Tucker stared into Sorin's malevolent eyes. The sound of a door opening drew his attention. He saw Collucci come back into the room. Tucker had not seen him leave. Son-of-a-bitch. He now realized Collucci had ducked out to avoid direct involvement.

  "George, I apologize for stepping out," Collucci said, in a matter of fact tone. "I trust Anthony has resolved your concerns."

  Tucker rose without saying a word, staggering to the door. Turning back, he started to speak.

  Sorin held up his hand. "Don't say a thing, Judge. We will know what we need to do by your actions. Think long and hard about your choices," taking a couple of steps toward the Judge, backing him into the door. "Once set in motion, our decisions are irreversible."

  Chapter 25

  Josh and Joe Moreira sat in one car, watching the front entrance of the business, Tim Donahue and Tommy Moore covered the back lot. Over the past few weeks, they had monitored Sorin's activities, getting to know her habits and patterns. That's the thing about most people; they exhibit a consistent pattern of behavior. Follow someone for a week or so, and you can pretty much sum up their lives.

  Today was a Thursday. She would leave the office between 5:10 and 5:20, drive to a nail salon in East Providence, then head to dinner with friends at Andrea's on Thayer Street. After dinner, she would drive to her father's house, pick up her daughter, and head home for the night.

  True to form, they spotted her leaving the lot at 5:15. Donahue followed her onto the Henderson Bridge, off the Massasoit Avenue exit. He watched as she parked in front of the salon, and then went inside.

  When she left today, her nails would be perfect, but no one at Andrea's would see them.

  Jennifer Sorin left the salon at 6:00, made a U-turn on Waterman Avenue and headed back towards the bridge. The marked unit was waiting on Massasoit Avenue. The uniform officer stopped her and made a show of running her license and registration. He told her there was a problem with her license. She would have to come to the station to resolve it.

  Placing her in the back of the cruiser, the officer also took possession of her cell phone. When he arrived at the station, he delivered her to Josh in the SIU office.

  Josh offered her a seat. She declined. "Do you know who I am?" she said, arms folded, tapping her foot.

  Josh just smiled, that didn't take long did it?

  "Perhaps you know my father, Supreme Court Justice George Tucker?" drawing out her father's name and title.

  Josh, raising his eyebrows and holding up his index finger, made a presentation of opening the door. A parade of serious looking men entered the room.

  Sorin's eyes began to blink, her breathing growing rapid and shallow. Her heart raced.

  Each man introduced himself and the organizations represented. Jennifer's face grew more and more pale. She collapsed into the chair. When FBI Agent Zach Kennedy finished his presentation, she appeared on the edge of vomiting; then she was over the edge.

  Joe Moreira took her to the ladies room.

  "Where's, Tommy?" Josh asked.

  "Don't know. Said he needed to check on some things and would be back later," Donahue answered.

  When she returned from the ladies room, Jennifer sat in the chair, trying to regain her composure. "I don't know what you expect from me. There isn't anything I know that will help you; I just run my business."

  Donahue stood up, smiling as he walked past her, then opened the door, pointing. "Get the hell out. You want to take your chances out there, go for it. Who's gonna protect you? Your ex? Daddy? I don't fucking think so. You want your daughter visiting you in prison, or your grave, then get up and walk out. Otherwise, knock off the bullshit and listen to us. This is your one chance."

  Jennifer began sobbing. "I don't know anything about their business. I, I just manage properties."

  Josh slid his chair closer, handing her a box of tissues. "Look, Jennifer. We know you got caught up in this. We know your ex-husband is in control. We just need you to tell us everything you do know, identify the properties, and anyone you know who's involved. No one will ever know you're working with us."

  She let out a deep sigh, looking at the ceiling,
trying to control the tears. "I knew this was going to happen, sooner or later. I just knew this was too easy. I wish I never married that asshole."

  "We've all been down that road," Donahue muttered, causing some muffled laughter.

  "Jennifer," Josh said, "let's start from the beginning. Tell us how he started the business, give us everything you know and we'll get you out of here so you can go get your daughter."

  Jennifer looked at Josh for a moment. "Can I call my friends and tell them I won't make it to dinner?"

  Josh handed her cell phone to her.

  Two hours later, they had enough investigative leads to keep them busy for a while. Donahue offered to bring her back to her car. Josh called him aside.

  "I don't know, Timmy," Josh whispered. “You were kind of hard on her. She may prefer someone else to take her back."

  "Nah, a little informant re-education program was all it was," Donahue said. "Having me go will keep her off balance; keep her a little on edge. We want to make sure she stays on the right side of this don't we?"

  Josh thought a moment, "I suppose, but no hard ass stuff, okay? We don't want her breaking down in front of daddy and having him in the mix."

  "I'll be the perfect gentleman."

  "You've never been a gentleman in your entire life, perfect or otherwise. Just don't scare her any more than she already is, okay?"

  "Got it," winking at Josh. "Come on, Ms. Sorin, I’ll give you a ride back to your car."

  Jennifer's eyes grew wide at the prospect. She looked around the room, eyes pleading for someone else.

  "I don't bite," Donahue said.

  "No worries, Jennifer. He's had his distemper shots,” Moreira added. "He's somewhat housebroken as well."

  Josh noticed the door to the office had opened and Tommy standing there. "I'll take her," Tommy offered, as if on cue. "I got this, LT."

  Donahue shrugged and sat back down.

  "Where have you been?" Josh asked.

  "Had some things to deal with. No big deal, “Tommy answered. “ Come on, Jen. I'll take you back to your car."

  Josh looked at the other investigators.

  Jennifer gathered herself together, following Tommy out of the office.

  "Come on, Jen?" Donahue asked, once the door closed. "What the hell was that all about?"

  Josh shrugged. "Sometimes Tommy shows he has a heart I guess."

  * * *

  They drove without speaking for a few moments.

  "Did you tell them about me, Tommy?" Jennifer asked, breaking the silence.

  Moore shook his head, looking straight ahead. "I didn't know it was you. Lots of people named Tucker."

  "Oh, come on Tommy, you don't expect me to believe that do you?" Jennifer said, "The Lieutenant, what's his name?"

  "Josh, Josh Williams," Tommy answered.

  "Yeah, Josh. He told me you have been following me for weeks, investigating me even longer. I'm supposed to believe you didn't recognize me?"

  Tommy glanced at her, and then said, "I wasn't sure until a few days ago. It doesn't matter."

  "So they don't know, I mean, about us? You're just going to make believe it didn't happen?" Jennifer asked. "Won't they wonder--"

  Tommy cut her off. "There is no us, Jen. It was a long time ago. You made your choices. You are in some shit here. I don't think you realize how serious this is. That's what you should worry about."

  Jennifer looked out the window, biting her bottom lip. "But when they find out, won't that be a problem? For you, I mean."

  "Jen, there are things going on in this you aren't aware of. Big things. You may not be a bad person, as a matter of fact, I think you were doing what you thought was right for your daughter, but you are also not stupid. You knew something was going on and still you went along. And…," glancing over at her,” and what happened between us in the past has to stay there. It has nothing to do with this."

  Jennifer kept silent for the rest of the ride. As they pulled up behind her car, she turned to face him. "Tommy, I want to do the right thing. I never knew anything I was doing was illegal," choking back a sob. "I'll do whatever you say I have to do to help. You have to promise me you'll protect Kelsey," reaching out, taking his hand in hers. "Promise me," her eyes searching his face for answers.

  Tommy, caught off-guard by the touch, felt his heart racing. The warmth of her hand brought the memories flooding back. He forced the thoughts from his mind.

  "I, ah, of course we will. I, ah, we won't let anything happen to her," stealing a glance down at his hand, "or you."

  She squeezed his hand tighter. "I want you to promise me, Tommy. I need to know she will be okay. I want you to promise me."

  Tommy tried to avoid eye contact. He could feel his face reddening. "I won't let anything happen Jennifer, I promise. Besides, her father wouldn't let anyone hurt her," unable to avoid her eyes, seeing the reaction, "Or would he?"

  Jennifer squeezed his hand once more and let go.

  Tommy exhaled.

  Turning her gaze out the window she said, "Anthony is not her father."

  "Oh? Ah, well, I assumed…"

  "It's a long story. No one knows, not even my father. I'd like to keep it that way." Her eyes met his as she searched for his reaction. "How do I get in touch with you?"

  "Didn't Lieutenant Williams give you his number?"

  "Yes, but I would feel more comfortable if I had yours."

  Tommy took out his card, wrote his cell phone number on the back, and handed it to her. "You may want to just remember it, or hide it in your contact list, then lose the card."

  She looked at the card and handed it back. "I'll remember it." A sad smile crossed her face as she opened the door. She looked back at him, "I remember everything, Tommy."

  As he drove away, he glanced at her through his rear view mirror. I always thought you'd stay in the past….

  Tommy decided to avoid the office, and the inevitable questions. He called into dispatch and had them tell Josh he was heading home. A moment later, his cell rang. He didn't recognize the number.

  "See, I told you I remember everything," came the familiar voice, peeling away the years. "Thank you, Tommy."

  Another call beeped through, EPPD SIU flashed on the caller ID.

  He sent it to voice mail.

  * * *

  The next morning, Josh stood in the break room getting coffee. Chief Brennan came in looking for him. "Grab your coffee and come over to my office. Got something for you."

  "Be there in a minute Chief," pouring the coffee into his mug.

  In the conference room, he found Brennan, Kennedy, and Deputy US Attorney General Frank Lachance reviewing documents.

  "Good morning, a little early for you Federal types, no?" Josh joked.

  "With good reason as you'll soon see," Lachance said, motioning Josh to sit next to him.

  "What's up?" Josh said, sipping his coffee.

  "As I told you in the past, what we show you here has to stay here," Lachance said, looking at Josh. "Sorry for the melodrama, but it is important."

  "Of course, no problem," Josh answered.

  Lachance took two of the documents, putting them in front of Josh to read. When he finished, Josh sat back. "Looks like we are onto something, aren't we? This is unbelievable."

  "Well, believe it. We got confirmation of the currency transfers from a source in the Caymans. Your friends the Russians have been moving money, a lot of money, for quite some time. The new banking controls allow them to manipulate the reporting process. They will cover their tracks even better."

  "So why the need to do anything here? Why come to Rhode Island?" Josh asked.

  "That's what we've been trying to figure out and then Zach hit on the answer," Lachance replied.

  Josh looked at Kennedy, "So, are you going to share, oh wise one?"

  Kennedy laughed and said. "It's simple, if you think about it. The offshore banking process takes time and is expensive. The banks in the Caymans charge between twelve to f
ifteen percent to put the money into the legitimate banking system. Couple that with the fact the Russians can't blend in with the island crowd as well as they can here.

  "We know they've already acquired significant interest in two of the biggest casinos in the area. It all boils down to simple greed and need for control. They can do that here by controlling the accounting of the casino and lottery proceeds. If you consider their influence over Collucci it makes for an enticing scenario."

  Josh sipped his coffee, looking over the documents again. "So do you think we can derail the plan with the things we've learned from Jennifer Sorin?"

  "I think," Lachance answered, "if they find out we suspect anything it will just drive them to ground. They've done a good job of hiding the connection to Collucci. They will regroup and find some other willing Senator looking to bring money to his state. They'll find another venue." Opening his briefcase, Lachance flipped through it, withdrawing another file.

  "But, if we remove the secrecy surrounding their control of the lottery, reveal the real reason behind the casino relocation to the property they acquired, then link it all together in an understandable story, we just might create enough of a problem for them. Knowing we know may be enough to stop it, but I would prefer to lock a few up. Look at this," handing Josh the file.

  Josh looked it over, and then slid it to Brennan. As he read it, the Chief's eyes grew wide and he slid it back to Josh.

  "What about keeping this information source quiet?" Josh asked.

  "We'll be in the background. You guys take the lead. I'll get you more information like this," motioning to the file Josh held, "to make a solid case to the public. In the meantime, our ears on them will be working overtime as they try to compensate. I don't know if we can tie Collucci in with them, he has done a good job of insulating himself, but we may derail his appointment as Chairman. That, in and of itself, will kill him."