Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel

by Joe Broadmeadow

  "Not if I get to the motherfucker first," Josh said, not meaning for anyone to hear.

  Lachance looked at him. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

  Josh smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I meant figuratively."

  Brennan spoke up, "There must be something more we can do to Collucci. Ways to jam it up his ass, and I mean literally."

  Lachance couldn't help but laugh at the Chief's remarks. "I'll leave it in your hands, Chief. I am sure you'll find some way to achieve your goal," closing his briefcase and putting on his jacket.

  "Here," Josh said, handing him the file, "you don't want this leave this laying around."

  Lachance, smiling, ignored the gesture. "I'll be in touch. Do whatever you see fit."

  Josh and Kennedy headed back to the SIU; Tommy and the troopers were waiting.

  "So?" Tommy asked. "What new national secrets are you privy to?"

  Kennedy looked to Josh. "Have at it Ace, I am sure Lachance expects us to include these guys in the loop."

  Josh filled the group in on the latest intelligence on the Russians. He explained Kennedy's analysis of the move to a local operation in Rhode Island. "And then there is this," holding up the file Lachance left behind.

  "And that is?" Tommy asked.

  "Banking transactions, money transfers, bearer bond purchases by Harriet Lane Enterprises, a list of payments to various local, state, and federal politicians, and…" pausing for the effect, "surveillance photos of Anthony Sorin meeting with the guy who tried to kill Keira."

  "No shit?" Donahue said. "When do we go get the bastard?"

  "Lachance left it to us," Josh answered. "Gave us the file to do what we like. Since we cannot use it in court, I'm not sure what we do. I am open to suggestions on where we go from here."

  "Simple," Tommy said. "The pen is mightier than the sword, right?"

  "What the hell are you talking about, Tommy?" Josh asked.

  "Let's go back to the beginning, to what started this in the first place, Darnell Grey. We started looking and it made them nervous. Not because they give a shit about what happened. They care because any attention to them, even from a decades old case, is bad. So we use our friends in the Fourth Estate," Moore said.

  “Who?" Donahue asked, "What estate?"

  Tommy turned to smile at the troopers. "I should have known, since it involved reading, it would confuse my friends here from the State Police."

  Donahue flipped him the bird.

  "The press is the Fourth Estate," he explained. "We feed the story of the miscarriage of justice to certain friends in the media. We show them the surveillance information and banking transactions. The investigative guys love this stuff. Give them a Senator or two they can fry and it will put them in a feeding frenzy. They do not have to play by the same rules we do and they have absolute protection of their sources. We let them interview Grey's daughter and the trio from Alpha Babes Investigations. The Feds can scream and yell about unauthorized disclosures of intelligence information. Play it up for the media as they do so well. Won't matter. Media shit storm to follow."

  Donahue stood up, causing Tommy's eyes to widen a bit. "Calm down there boy. I can handle your juvenile sense of humor, and I've seen the picture of you handcuffed in the ladies room. I have to admit, though, it is a brilliant idea. What was the name of the journalist who did the story on the Department of Transportation guys sleeping in their trucks?"

  "Candace Ferguson," Josh replied.

  "Yeah, that's her," Donahue nodded.

  "Her name is Candace Bennett now. She married Hawk Bennett, the lawyer who represented me in the Civil Rights trial. She still uses Ferguson in her reporting job, though. She will eat this up. She wrote a scorching expose' of Collucci's tenure as the US Attorney, almost cost him the election. I'll have Chris call her and set it up," Josh said, dialing the phone.

  The troopers, and Tommy, stood to leave the office.

  Josh put his hand over the phone. "Hang on a minute, Tommy. I need to talk to you."

  Donahue raised his eyebrows at Moreira.

  Tommy hesitated, started to speak, and then resigned to the inevitability of the coming conversation. He slumped into the chair at his desk.

  * * *

  "So?" Josh said, hanging up the phone and leaning back in his seat. "Something you want to share?"

  "What?" Tommy said, fumbling with a pen.

  "You want to explain yesterday? You disappear once we get Sorin in here and are MIA while we interview her. Then, you ride in like a knight in shining armor and take her away," Josh said.

  "I just thought it best if one of us wasn't involved in the interview. Sort of stay neutral," Tommy offered.

  "Neutral? Are you kidding me?" Josh said, moving around to lean on the desk, staring at Tommy. "You gotta do better than that. Right after you take her out of here, you go on radio silence, won't answer your phone. Come on, Tommy. What the hell is going on?"

  Tommy looked back at Josh, then down at his desk. "It's nothing, LT. I thought it'd be best not to be in the interview with her."

  Josh went back to his desk, "You and Jennifer Tucker attending Providence College at the same time has nothing to do with this?"

  Moore's eyes gave him away. "You knew?"

  "Tommy, I read her file. The one you helped put together. I saw she graduated from PC. So did you. You’re about the same age as her. I am a goddamn Lieutenant, you know. I do have some investigative skills," slamming his hands on his desk. "You should have said something to me. I was hoping you would. Now…."

  Tommy looked up, "Now? What do you mean, now?"

  Josh looked back at him, "Now I don't know. We need someone to go undercover with her. I wanted to use you. The feds won't let Zach do it and the troopers aren't right for it. But now, I don't know if I can rely on you."

  "Look, LT," Tommy said. "I knew her in college. We went out for a while. She broke it off when she met Sorin. I didn't know who it was at the time, just an older guy with money, but that was it. I moved on, she moved on." Moore put his head in his hands, massaging his forehead. "I know I should have said something, but I don't want my personal life to be part of this job, so I didn't. I'm sorry."

  "Listen," Josh said. "I try to keep my personal life personal too, but it didn't happen in this case did it? This job affects your personal life, no matter how hard you try to stop it. I need you to be upfront with me. Always. Can't be any secrets here, okay?"

  "Okay," Tommy said, "sorry I fucked up."

  "Alright, it's done. Go ahead and do whatever it is you were heading out to do. I've got some calls to make."

  "Well, in the interest of my new policy of full disclosure, I wasn't going to do anything. I was trying to avoid the conversation we just had for as long as I could," Tommy smiled and opened his laptop.

  Chapter 26

  At 9:00 AM, Candace Ferguson arrived at the offices of Alpha Babes Investigations.

  Vera Johnson brought her and the camera operator into the conference room and made the introductions.

  Josh stood at the back of the room, out of camera view.

  Candace began by having Loren Grey tell the story of her father. Loren held a picture of her father in his Army uniform just before he went to Vietnam. The camera went between Loren's face and the image of the father as she told the story.

  Next up, was Chris Hamlin. She explained their investigation into the Grey case and discovering the forged lineup report. She named Collucci as the AG assigned to the case. She talked about the discussion with Major Church and his recollection of the conditions in the prison at the time. She also managed to get in that one of the victims was the daughter of a Rhode Island State trooper.

  Josh thought, the State Police and Providence may not be too happy with opening this old wound but we can’t do anything about it.

  Ferguson ended the interview. The camera operator took a few shots of the Alpha Babes Investigations logo and Chris, Maggie, and Vera sitting with Loren at the conference tab
le.

  "I want to thank you for bringing this to me. We'll be doing some more digging to add corroboration then run with the story in a few days, a week at most."

  "You can thank Josh. It was his idea," Chris replied, pointing to Josh.

  Candace came over to Josh. "Is there some official involvement in this investigation?"

  Josh nodded. "Let's just say given as the matter was never resolved, it is still an open case. We are looking into some things that remain under investigation. That's all I can say at the moment."

  "Is Senator Collucci a target of this investigation?" Ferguson asked, the camera operator now recording the unplanned interview.

  "We would like to interview anyone involved in the matter. Senator Collucci was the AG assigned to the case. At some point, yes, we will try to interview him."

  "Have you contacted his office? Is he cooperating?" Ferguson persisted.

  "We have been in contact and the Senator has been cooperative so far." Josh moved to get behind the camera operator, preventing him from taking any more video.

  Ferguson smiled, "Come on, Josh. Here's a chance to take a few shots at Collucci."

  "No thanks, I'll let you do that. I am just here for background. No more questions," walking towards Chris's office, he motioned for Candace to follow him. As they got inside the office, he blocked the camera operator from entering. "This is not something for the camera to see," he said, closing the door.

  * * *

  Candace watched while Josh opened his briefcase. "The microphone is off, right?" Josh asked.

  "Yes, of course. Why the sudden secrecy, Josh? I thought the point was to air this for the world?" she asked.

  "There's more to it. You'll have to do some digging before you run this part of the story. This isn't going to be a single report on the news. Once you read this," handing her a file, "you'll understand."

  Candace leaned against the desk and flipped through the file. Her eyes grew wider with each turn of the page. Glancing at Josh, then back at the file, she asked, "Where did you get this?"

  Josh smiled.

  "I know, I know, stupid question. I hoped you would elaborate. I am not sure how we can corroborate this. I mean, wow. There is some serious stuff here."

  "The trips to the various islands should be easy," Josh said. "The dumb bastard made a show out of doing research for his new banking legislation. He went to the Caymans and to the Isle of Man, another favorite of money launderers. That should be in the record. About the other stuff, you’ll find a way I am sure."

  "What if we can't? Is there a contact you have to get more information? Someone else we can talk to?" she asked.

  "Tell you what, you start looking into this. If you need something, call me. I'll see if I can get more, okay?"

  "Okay, that would be helpful," she replied.

  "And Candace," Josh said, his eyes betraying concern, "these are serious people. The fewer who know about you looking into this, the better. If what we have uncovered so far is correct, you are talking billions of dollars. They won't take kindly to the interruption."

  Candace smiled, "Thanks for the warning; I can take care of myself. This won't be the first corrupt bastard we've gone after."

  Josh shook his head, "Don't underestimate them, Candace. This is on a completely different level. I have one more story for you. You have to assure me you will keep this to yourself, for now at least. This is not for publication; it’s so you know how serious this is. Okay?"

  Candace nodded.

  Josh knew he had her attention now. He told her about the incident with Keira and the motorcycle. She listened, trying to control her reaction, but Josh could see the effect on her.

  "Just be careful, okay?" he said.

  "I will," Candace answered. "Thanks for the information."

  She left the office, gathered up her camera operator and equipment, and headed out.

  Returning to the conference room, Josh sat next to Loren. "Okay, here's what's going to happen now. Keira will file the motion to dismiss the charges in court and have the results of our investigation read into the record. It's symbolic, I know, but it will also add fuel to the fire. We can get things into the record which might otherwise not be there," watching the reaction from the group. "Then, we wait until Candace's story breaks. She'll let me know a day or so ahead of the broadcast date."

  "And in the meantime," Maggie spoke up, "What do we do?"

  Josh smiled. "Our ace researcher," pointing at the former librarian turned Sherlock Holmes, “uncovered a fortuitous piece of her family history. Vera, through the generosity of her father, is the unwitting owner of a strategic piece of property, right in the middle of their development plans, overlooked by our adversaries."

  "And you, oh former assistant US Attorney, are going to represent her in negotiations. So polish up your property law skills."

  Chapter 27

  Josh and Maggie sat outside the office of East Providence City Manager Paul Wilson. As they waited for their scheduled meeting, the city's finance director, Jean Teixeira, came in.

  "Lieutenant Williams, how are you?"

  "Fine, Jean, and you?"

  "I'm good. To what do we owe the pleasure of this meeting?"

  "Jean, this is Margaret Fleming. She's the one for whom I arranged the meeting."

  "Nice to meet you, Ms. Fleming," extending her hand.

  "Maggie, please," Fleming replied, shaking her hand.

  "Well, then call me Jean and we can all be friends," Teixeira smiled, "I'll go in and see if Paul is ready for us."

  Josh waited for the door to close. "Okay, here's what's going to happen. Paul is a good guy, trying to do the right thing for the city. He's going to be pissed if he thinks our little maneuver here will disrupt the development on the waterfront."

  "We're going to do that, no?" Maggie asked.

  "We're going to put a wrench into the plan, not disrupt it. Once the Russians find out what we've done, they'll try to find a way to fix it. It will force them to do something. I suspect they'll use Jennifer Sorin," Josh folded his arms. "When they make their move, we'll be able to see who's behind this. And use it to unravel the whole thing."

  Maggie, looking at her notes, said, "So it will derail the project. If I know politicians, they'll try everything to prevent us from doing that."

  "All we need is for them to believe we can do this, by the time they figure out a way to prevent it, we'll have what we need."

  Maggie shook her head and laughed, "You missed your calling, Josh. You are Machiavellian in that brain of yours. You should run for office. You'd fit right in." Smiling, "Well, except for the conscience, that's a big liability." She looked over as the door to the City Manager's office opened.

  "Lieutenant, how are you?" City Manager Paul Wilson asked, as he came striding out the door. "What is this important business we so urgently have to discuss?"

  "Good morning, Paul. This is Margaret Fleming, Attorney at Law. She was once an Assistant United States Attorney," Josh replied by way of introduction.

  "Ms. Fleming, Paul Wilson," Wilson extended his hand.

  "Maggie, please,"

  '"Well then, Paul for me as well. Unless there is a reason I have to adopt a more adversarial attitude," arching his eyebrows. "Why don't we join Jean in my office and see what havoc Lieutenant Williams is trying to create."

  * * *

  "Are you freaking serious?" The veins in Wilson's neck throbbed and bulged. "I manage to get some serious waterfront development started and you're here to tell me it is dead in the water," slamming his hands on his desk. "You give me one good reason I should let this happen, one good goddamn reason."

  "We're not saying it is dead in the water. It's a matter of an opportunity. One that was available to anyone who took the time to research it. My client wants to follow the provisions of the City charter and protect her interest," Fleming answered.

  Wilson glared at Fleming, and then looked at Josh, "And what does this have to do with the Po
lice Department, Lieutenant. Why is the City paying you to be here? Is Brennan aware of this, this, this extortion?" folding his arms and leaning back in the chair. "That's what this is, extortion. Well, boys and girls it is not going to work. Jean, go find the city solicitor. Find a way. We'll end this nonsense now."

  Texeira rose from her seat, an uncomfortable look on her face, and fled the office.

  When the door closed, Wilson smiled. "This had better be worth it, Josh," leaning forward and putting his arms on the desk, eyes wide. "If it does screw up this project, I'll find a way to have a lieutenant at the sewer treatment plant on the midnight to eight shift. Understand?"

  Maggie looked back and forth between the two men, "You planned this little escapade? The whole thing was a setup?"

  Josh laughed, "Not a setup, more a disinformation campaign. Your new friend, Jean Texeira, is the sister-in-law of the head of the City Council. They have ambitions to replace Paul. She'll run around to all the politicians spreading the news of our little play here."

  Wilson laughed, "I bet she's already buying new curtains to redecorate this office. Now, onto the gory details, tell me what this sudden discovery involves and what we're going to do about it."

  Fleming laid out the information discovered by Vera Johnson.

  Almost forty years ago, Vera Johnson's grandfather deeded a right of way to a small parcel of land for the city to use. East Providence used the deeded right of way to build the city's animal control shelter.

  City records show the property as a Water street address on the right of way deeded by the old gentleman. This was not accurate. Prior title searches missed it because of the incorrect address.

  At the time, Johnson's grandfather ran a boat service on the waterfront and used the property for extra storage. His wife, a longtime supporter of the animal shelter, wanted the city to build a new one. She convinced her husband to deed the right of way and grant the city access to the little used property.

  In the early 80's, the city built a new Police Station and moved the animal control shelter to city property on Commercial Way. They abandoned the deeded property.