"Senator, what say I do this? I will call the local station manager. See if he is willing to defer the story, pending this new information. I am making no promises here. We pride ourselves on the independence of our affiliate stations. I am sure the manager will appreciate your--" catching himself, "or rather, our concerns. I am certain he will take the opportunity to check these other sources. Would that address your concerns?" Bartoletti asked.
Collucci smiled, nodding at Sorin. "Maurio, don't misunderstand me. I am not in the least worried about this so-called expose`. It is baseless and unsubstantiated political slander. I have dealt with bad press before; this is nothing new. I am trying to give you an opportunity to avoid jeopardizing the process. I will call the Chairman back and see if I can clear up the issue before the FCC."
"I will make some calls, Senator. I am sure I can handle this to your satisfaction."
"Thank you, Maurio. It is always a pleasure to talk to you my friend.” Collucci hung up. "Well?" he asked, rubbing his hands together.
Sorin nodded. "He got the message. I'll know soon enough if they kill the story."
"Okay," Collucci said, rising from his chair. "I am off to a meeting with the Banking subcommittee, time to push the Chairman out, and put me in. I take it you had things delivered to the appropriate people?"
"Done," Sorin said. "I will make the arrangements for us to meet with our friends later this evening. Call me when you finish."
Returning to his own office, Sorin took out one of the disposable phones. Dialing a number from memory, he waited for the call to go through.
"Da?" a voice answered.
"It's me. Have him call back, this number," Sorin hung up.
A moment later, the disposable phone rang.
"We need to arrange a meeting. Tonight," Sorin said.
"Come to the club on Wisconsin Avenue near the Embassy, 9:00 o'clock. Take the usual precautions.” The call ended.
A moment later, Sorin received another call on the disposable. "Yes?" he answered.
"Can we rely on this solution?" the accented voice said.
"I am not sure, Shashenka. I believe they will kill the story. I will know soon. Whether it is permanent or not remains a mystery," Sorin replied.
"The Senator is coming with you tonight, is he not?"
"Yes, he wanted to meet you."
"Excellent, I will impress upon him the urgency of this matter. Perhaps, educate him about our level of determination. He needs to realize our success in paramount, not his. His usefulness to us depends on it. I look forward to our meeting."
Sorin stood up, dropped the phone on the floor, and crushed it. Taking the pieces, he disposed of them in a variety of trash containers on the way to his car.
Chapter 31
Monday, September 28, 2009
Alpha Babes Investigations
Providence, RI
Vera, Maggie, and Loren gathered around the television in the conference room. Promotions about an important investigative report ran every few minutes or so along the bottom of the screen. They were planning to air it on this evening's nightly news.
Chris and Keira arrived, carrying several boxes of Chinese food and some drinks. As they set the food down on the conference, the phone rang.
Vera answered the phone, "Alpha Babes Investigations."
"Hey Vera, Josh. Is Chris there with you?"
"Yup. Hang on a minute," motioning for Chris to take the phone. "It's Josh."
"Hey, Josh. What's up?" Chris said.
"I'm not on speaker, right? No one can hear this but you?" Josh asked.
Chris could not stop herself and glanced around the room. Maggie caught the look and raised her eyebrows at Vera.
"Nope,” Chris said. "What's going on?"
"The State Police are sending a protective detail to your office," Josh said. "Somebody at the TV station tipped Sorin to the subject of the impending story. He made some calls to certain cell numbers of suspected MS-13 gang members. Nothing specific, just arranging a meeting. We just want to be cautious. They're sending one to the TV station as well, for Candace."
"I see," Chris said, nodding her head, trying to control her reaction. "Okay, thanks. I'll take care of it."
"Good, the troopers will stay out of sight for the most part," added Josh. "The bad guys may assume we're listening. We don't want to confirm it for them though. The troopers are just a precaution. Now I gotta call Hawk and hope he doesn't decide to go to war over this."
"Well, good luck with that. I will handle it here. Thanks," ending the call.
The three other women looked at Chris, waiting for an explanation. "What are you looking at?" Chris said.
"Chris, we are ace investigators here, remember?" Maggie said. "I know the look on your face, so out with it. What's going on?"
"Nothing, it's nothing. Josh wanted to know if I was going to be here. That's all," Chris lied. "He said he was sending some troopers over to talk to me about an old case of mine."
Vera stood up, walked over, smiled at Chris, and then slapped her on the back of the head.
"Ooww, hey, what the--" Chris said, rubbing her head.
"Girl, you know you can't lie to me. When you gonna get it through that thick skull of yours?"
Maggie and Loren were chuckling.
"Okay, okay. Go sit down and I'll tell you. Jeesh, that hurt," massaging her head. "Josh called to tell me the State Police are sending some troopers here." Chris held up her hands as Vera began to rise from her seat. "Listen, he's sending troopers here as a precaution. There have not been any direct threats, but Josh found out the bad guys know about Candace's investigative report."
"See, I knew something like this would happen," Loren said. "I wish Josh would let this go. I’m happy with what you found out for me. I don't want anyone hurt over this."
Chris sat next to Loren, taking her hand. "Listen, I don't know everything Josh is working on in this case but I do know it's much bigger than you think. Even if they wanted to, they could not stop this. Once the whole story comes out, you'll understand. Until then, one of us will be with you all the time," Chris said, looking at Vera and Maggie nodding in agreement. "No one's going to get anywhere near you."
The TV screen showed the opening news segment, the teaser for the investigative report no longer running.
Good evening and welcome to the 6 o'clock News you can trust…
They watched the first few opening stories and then the broadcast turned to sports.
No story.
"Why'd they pull the story?" Maggie asked.
"Don't know," Chris answered. "We'll have to wait to talk to Josh."
There was a loud knock on the door, startling the group. Chris looked at the others. She motioned for Maggie to get the door. As Maggie opened the door, Chris slid her hand into her top desk drawer.
Standing in the doorway, were two of the biggest men they had ever seen.
"Let me guess, State Police?" Chris said, closing the drawer.
"Yes ma'am, I am Detective Dussault and this is Detective Cunningham. I take it you were expecting us?"
"Yup," Chris answered. "Come on in, I'll put on some coffee. Make yourselves comfortable," although Chris doubted they would even fit in the chairs.
* * *
After the call to Chris, Josh looked through his contact list for Harrison 'Hawk' Bennett.
Bennett, one of the premier defense lawyers in New England, was not one to trifle with. A former Green Beret, he served three tours of duty in Viet Nam and had a slew of medals for bravery in combat to show for it. He kept himself in amazing physical condition.
His appearance and demeanor could be deceiving, as Josh learned the hard way several times. To tell Bennett there may be a credible threat against his wife, and convince him to take no action, was not going to be easy.
Josh took a deep breath, hesitated over the call contact button, and then put the phone back in his pocket. He decided this was a message best delivered in person.
>
"Hey Zach," Josh called to Kennedy, "feel like taking a ride? Meet a living Rhode Island legend?"
"Sure," Kennedy answered, the confusion evident on his face. "I didn't realize you knew any legends."
"Wait 'til you meet this guy," Josh said, "then you'll understand."
Josh and Zach left the station, heading to downtown Providence. Finding a rare open parking spot on South Main Street, Josh grabbed it. "Hope you don't mind walking a bit. We'll never find parking near his office."
Kennedy shook his head, "No problem for me. I like walking."
The pair headed toward the financial district of the city. Providence being on the small side as cities go, calling it a district was a bit of a stretch. A block maybe, or perhaps a square, but district was a clear exaggeration.
They walked towards the building housing Bennett's office. Kennedy pointed at the large head protruding from the front of the structure. "What the hell is that?"
"That, my friend, is the Turk's Head on what is the Turk's Head building for obvious reasons," Josh said. Kennedy paused to study the large, turban-wearing, mustachioed figure. "Makes for a perfect landmark reference, you can't miss it."
"I should say not," Kennedy agreed.
Taking the elevator to the seventh floor, Kennedy followed Josh down the narrow hall. This ended at a door bearing a hawk etched in the glass and no other identifying information.
"Rather subtle, don't you think?" Josh said, turning the handle.
Kennedy just smiled and nodded.
Entering the office, they encountered the latest in Hawk's rotating stock of administrative assistants. Josh was somewhat disappointed this one did not resemble any of the others. No breast augmentations, or other cosmetic improvements, in evidence.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen. How can I help you?" the woman said, with remarkable poise and professionalism.
"Good afternoon, ah, Samantha," Josh said, glancing at the nameplate, "Is Mr. Bennett available?"
"And you gentlemen are?" she asked.
"Lieutenant Josh Williams, East Providence Police and FBI Special Agent Zach Kennedy," Josh answered.
"Please have a seat and I will be right back."
Josh sat in one of the two available chairs looking around the office, surprised by the change. The organized bookcase, neat files, the office tidy; the transformation was remarkable.
"Mr. Bennett will see you now, gentlemen. Right this way," Samantha gestured to the back office.
Josh smiled as he passed Samantha, watching as she returned to her desk.
"Josh, what a pleasant surprise," Harrison 'Hawk' Bennett said, shaking Josh's hand. "And this must be Special Agent Kennedy," turning to face Zach. "The FBI in my office is not usually a welcome occurrence, but I trust the Lieutenant's judgment." Reaching out, he shook the agent’s hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bennett," Kennedy said. As they shook hands, the strength of the grip surprised Kennedy. Bennett, slight of build, wore a rumpled sweater over a shirt and tie. He resembled a professor of philosophy, not a former Green Beret.
"Hawk, please. All my friends call me Hawk."
"You'll have to explain how you got the nickname," Kennedy said.
"I was hoping to explain it to you myself," Josh interjected. "But the new receptionist didn't fit the normal mold. What is up with that, Hawk? I was looking forward to the reaction of agent Kennedy. Imagine my disappointment. Your receptionist is literate and competent, with no signs of plastic surgery or body enhancements. What gives?"
"Yes, well… you see, it is Candace's doing," Hawk grumbled, folding his arms and sitting on the corner of his desk. "Damn woman has taken over my office staff, she's managing my practice. The woman controls everything."
"Perhaps she was a bit more aware of your behavior pattern before she married you. She won't let you replace her, will she?" Josh chuckled. "I think you may have met your match in her; no wife number five for you, in this lifetime anyway."
Hawk smiled, gesturing for them to sit. "Aside from poking fun at my domestication, what brings the East Providence Police, along with the FBI, to my office?"
"Well, as a matter of fact it does concern your wife. Some issues with a story we fed her," Josh said.
"She's told me about it; getting a little payback on our friend Collucci, I see. Good for you," Hawk said, "couldn't happen to a better guy."
"That is a bonus to the whole thing, but it's not why we're here," Josh replied. "I can't tell you how, but I can tell you we have good information your wife may be at risk for doing this story."
Josh watched Hawk's expression change, the muscles in his face tightened. His eyes narrowed. He faced Josh. "Go on," Hawk said.
"There's a security detail of troopers at the station now. They will stay with her until this is over. I wanted to tell you myself so you knew how serious we're taking the threats," Josh said, glancing at Kennedy.
Hawk rose from his desk and began pacing the room, arms locked behind him. "When I was on my second tour in Nam, they sent us to a small village in the highlands. They wanted us to protect a village chief from the Viet Cong. We stayed with the man for a month. Then, new orders came down from Saigon, and they pulled us out.” Hawk stopped pacing, studying the Viet Cong flag displayed on the wall with bullet holes evident in the cloth.
"Do you know what happened?" Hawk asked, “I mean, to the man, after we left."
Josh shook his head.
"The VC came two days after we were gone. Killed the man and his entire family. Do you know why?"
"War, things happen?" Kennedy asked.
"True, but this had to do with the incredible patience of the Viet Cong. They knew we'd lose interest. Eventually, we would leave. So what happens when you leave, Josh? What happens then?" Hawk asked.
"We're gonna close them all down, lock 'em up. That's what will happen," Josh said.
"Josh," Hawk said, turning to face him. "Candace told me about the story, the whole story. She showed me the documents you gave her. These are serious people. You will not get them all. You will not get most of them. You'll get a few and then what?" Hawk, arms folded, rocking back and forth on his heels, looked for their reaction.
Josh looked at Kennedy, then back at Hawk. "I don't know. I suppose you're right."
"Look," Hawk said, "Once I found out about the people behind the story, I took my own security measures. I appreciate the troopers being there, but they have different rules of engagement. Under my rules, we do not worry about grand juries, prosecutors or, with all due respect to Mr. Kennedy here, the FBI. I will protect Candace. Use those troopers somewhere else for someone also at risk, like Keira."
Josh shook his head, "I knew you'd never let us do this. I got Keira covered. Believe it or not, she agreed to carry a gun."
"Not a smart move my boy. Never, ever arm your wife," Hawk laughed. "You let me worry about Candace. Get the story out there and burn that son-of-a-bitch Collucci. Speaking of which, shouldn't the first part be on soon? Tonight, I believe.” As the words came out, his cell phone rang.
"We were just talking about you, Candace. Oh, with Josh Williams and my new friend Zach Kennedy from the FBI. What's that? What do you mean pulled it? Hold on a minute, let me put this on speaker phone so they can hear this."
Hawk hit the speaker button and put the phone on his desk. "Go ahead, we're all listening," Hawk said.
"Hi Josh," Candace's voice filled the room, "the station pulled the story. They said on advice of counsel. They want us to get more information. This is bullshit, the station manager is hiding, and I can't get a direct answer from the producers."
"Do you think they're just nervous because it's Collucci or is there more to it?" Josh asked.
"I don't know. We had a ton of discussions about this. We knew there would be political pressure, but no one ever said we wouldn't run with it. We already had the station lawyers sign off on it. I don't know what to think," Candace said.
"Alright, see what else you can find
out. If you can't find the station manager, we will. I'll call you later," Josh looked as Hawk reached for the phone. "Hang on; your husband has some more words of wisdom." Hawk took the phone off speaker.
"Hey, listen. This is just a delay. If they don't run it, I will find someone who will. When you find your wimp of a station manager, tell him what I said." Hawk listened for a moment. "I know, I know. Let them stay with you for now. It'll make them feel better," Hawk laughed. "Okay, but don't let them touch it, bye."
Josh looked at him, his brow furrowed. "Don't let who touch what?" he asked.
"Your friends, the state police. When they got there and explained their purpose, Candace told them she didn't need them. She showed them the Glock 30-S .45 caliber she carries and the Saiga shotgun in her car. It's Russian made, semi-automatic. I got her a customized thirty round drum magazine for it. I rigged a mount for it behind the passenger seat. Concealed of course, with a thumbprint encoded lock release."
"I thought you said it was a bad idea to arm your wife?"
"No, I said it was a bad idea to arm your wife, mine is sane."
"Good point," Josh said.
"Where do you get a thirty round mag for a Saiga shotgun, in this country? Legally, I mean," Kennedy asked.
Hawk shook his head, glancing at Josh. "See, the Feds just can't help being anal. Well, Agent Kennedy, my wife and I both have Federal Firearm Licenses." Hawk's stare did not betray affection for the question. "If you'd like to make an issue about it, feel free."
Kennedy turned up his hands, "Oh, hell no. I have no problem with it. I meant I wanted to know so I could get one for my Saiga."
Hawk laughed. "A Fed with a personality and sense of humor. Will wonders never cease?" Hawk reached into his desk drawer, withdrew something, and flipped it to Kennedy. "Compliments of a friend in Special Forces. All perfectly legit."
'Ah, thanks," Kennedy said, turning to Josh. "You were right about this guy, definite legend material."
Josh rose from the seat, shook Hawk's hand, and shepherded Kennedy towards to door. "Let's get out of here before he shows us the Claymore mines he's planning on deploying around his house."
Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel Page 22
