"Senator, I must apologize for my angry outburst the other day," Dmitriev said. "Please, Shasha will do."
The Senator smiled and nodded, glancing at Sorin.
Marshall came back into the passenger compartment. “Ready Mr. Dmitriev,” he said, then left for the cockpit.
Dmitriev nodded, turning the others, he said, “One of the privileges of owning the plane is I can ride up front in the cockpit. I love the view from there. Once we are airborne, I’ll come back and we can discuss things.
“Meanwhile, enjoy your drinks and the flight.” Dmitriev walked to the front, closing the passenger compartment door behind him.
Marshall was waiting.
“Follow your last flight plan to the airstrip on the island. I’ll have someone there to care for our guests.”
Dmitriev walked down the stairs as his assistant security chief came aboard. Dmitriev took the man by the arm, “See that he follows the flight plan.”
Dmitriev got into the limo, heading in one direction as the plane taxied in another.
* * *
Josh, Tommy, and the other members of the investigative team sat in the SIU office. Kennedy was on the phone with Washington. Tim Donahue was talking to the Superintendent of the State Police, updating her on the latest developments.
The door opened and Chief Brennan rushed in. "Turn on CNN, there's something you might find interesting.”
Flipping on the TV, they all shifted around so they could watch.
…Continuing our exclusive coverage of this breaking story. CNN has a crew on the way to the scene of a plane crash outside of Arlington, Virginia. The plane took off from a corporate airfield outside of Arlington and crashed moments later.
CNN confirmed that Senator Robert Collucci and his Chief of Staff, Anthony Sorin, were among the passengers aboard the aircraft.
Senator Collucci and Sorin are at the center of a huge corruption scandal arising from an investigation into money laundering, corruption, and fraud in Rhode Island. Law Enforcement sources tell CNN the plane is registered to Harriet Lane Enterprises, one of the businesses named in the corruption report. Sources close to the investigation tell CNN the business is a front organization for Russian organized crime.
The Senator had denied any involvement, blaming the problems on his political enemies.
Also reported on board the aircraft was Shashenka Dmitriev, Chairman and CEO of ZMI Media. ZMI and ANM Media were in the midst of a merger pending FCC approval. The merger would create the largest cable news company in the world.
Preliminary reports are there are no survivors. Witnesses reported the plane on fire before the crash.
FAA sources tell us the pilot did not file a flight plan and had taken aboard a full load of fuel. This type of aircraft has an operating range of 5000 nautical miles.
A CNN aviation consultant tells us this type of aircraft normally has a crew of two pilots, but can be flown by one. The control tower at the private airfield declined our request to hear the departure recordings due to the pending investigation.
CNN will continue with live coverage of this breaking story…
"Well, I guess we put that down as a win, right?" Tommy Moore said, breaking the silence.
The room broke into laughter. "I suppose you can say that, son," Chief Brennan said. "It'll be interesting to see if anyone else on the plane was involved in this. Any ideas?"
"My guess is someone decided Dmitriev became too big a liability," Kennedy said. "I bet Collucci, Sorin, and Dmitriev were onboard thinking they were on the way to do damage control. Whoever set up the meeting sabotaged the plane. These guys don't take kindly to having things taken from them."
"Who do you think did this?" Josh asked.
"Someone with good intelligence," Kennedy speculated. "I'd say whoever is behind this decided none of those onboard were worth protecting. Dmitriev was the face of ZMI, not all the power behind it. It makes sense; they had to have some inside information. If whoever did this wanted to take them all out, they would have to get to the aircraft. Take out Dmitriev's security and ground crew and you own them.
"According to the FAA, the name of the co-pilot listed on the manifest is a corporate pilot for another company. FBI located him in Belize. He's been there a week. They're trying to determine how the impostor got past security at the airport FBO. He must have been the one to sabotage the engine."
"FBO? What's that?" Tommy asked.
"Fixed Base Operations," Josh said. "It's where private planes operate from at most airports. You'd know this if you hadn't joined the Marines and slept in the mud."
Tommy laughed. "That's true."
"But why would Marshall fly without the co-pilot?" Josh asked.
Kennedy shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? It normally has a crew of two, but it's not required. Probably assumed it wasn't necessary. I bet the guy who placed the device, the fake pilot, just disappeared so they thought he was a no show and left without him. Who knows?" shrugging his shoulders.
"So now what?" Tommy asked.
"Now you have to go back to your real job," Brennan said. "Give me some time. I'll think of something useful you can do."
"Thanks, Chief. I appreciate your confidence in my abilities," Tommy said. "Hey, somebody's got to go tell Jennifer. She may not know yet."
Josh looked at Tommy, "Go. Take the rest of the day off and go."
Tommy was out the door.
"Pretty generous with the City's time aren't we, Lieutenant?" Brennan said.
Josh smiled, "He's got some things to deal with. I think we can cut him some slack."
Brennan patted Josh on the shoulder, "You're learning my boy. You're learning," he said. "Let’s spend the next few days tying up loose ends, and then we'll have a little celebration of our accomplishments. Sound good?"
They all nodded in agreement. Josh then turned to the task of trying to put this into an understandable report. One that would not read like an imaginative fiction novel.
* * *
Two weeks after the crash, NTSB released the report. There were five people on-board the aircraft on takeoff, including the pilot. They recovered and identified all five bodies. Senator Robert Collucci, Anthony Sorin, Karen Reynolds, Shashenka Dmitriev, and the pilot, William Marshall.
The NTSB reported evidence of tampering with the fuel line, causing fuel to spray inside the number two engine. As the fuel spread, a timing device triggered, igniting the fuel. Just before the aircraft reached 4000 feet, the pilot tried to shut down the number 2 engine. The aircraft went into an emergency descent attitude. The pilot attempted to return to the runway. As the plane began to turn, the fuel in the wing tank exploded.
Josh got off the phone after speaking to Zach Kennedy. The Justice department had assumed responsibility for the investigation. Josh, Tommy, and the others planned to appear in a Federal Grand Jury starting next week.
The Department of the Attorney General launched their own investigation into the matter. They focused on the involvement of several members of the Rhode Island legislature, including the Speaker of the House.
The Governor, to no one's surprise, selected the Attorney General to fill the vacant Senate seat. Solicitations of campaign funds for a run for a complete term were already in progress.
The Governor fought to salvage as much of the development program for the waterfront as he could. The President, in appreciation for his new control over the Senate, made assurances that the project would continue.
There remained just a few things to conclude this matter.
PERSISTENCE OF JUSTICE
Chapter 45
"All rise," the deputy Sheriff intoned. "Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. The Superior Court of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is now in session. All having business before this court draw near and you shall be heard. The Honorable Justice Michael Patrick Campbell, presiding."
The small group in attendance rose.
Campbell assumed the bench, shuffled some pape
rs, and then turned his attention to the court. "It is my understanding there is a petition before this court to dismiss charges against defendant, Darnell Grey. Is that correct, Ms. Williams?"
Keira rose from her seat, "It is your honor. On behalf of Mr. Grey's daughter, we submitted a petition to the court to dismiss these charges. We recognize the unusual circumstances in place, but believe the court has the jurisdiction and authority to grant this motion."
"I have reviewed your motion. While it is a bit unusual, under the circumstances the court is inclined to allow it to proceed. Would you like anything read into the record?" Campbell inquired.
"We would, your Honor," Keira answered. She then read a concise version of the circumstances leading to Grey's arrest and indictment by the Providence County Grand Jury. "In light of this information, your Honor, we respectfully move to have all charges dismissed. In addition, we request an order issued to the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General to destroy any and all related arrest records of Darnell Grey arising from this case."
"Does the Attorney General have any objection to this motion?" Judge Campbell asked.
Deputy Attorney General Michael Webster rose from his seat. "You honor, the State supports this motion," turning to look at Loren Grey. "On behalf of the many fine members of the Department of the Attorney General, I wish to extend our sincere apologies this took so long to come to light."
Judge Campbell also took a moment to look at Loren. "Ms. Grey, I know this is woefully inadequate but the court also extends its apology for the way the system was perverted against your father. I hope this small, symbolic gesture brings you some measure of comfort."
Grey nodded her head, sobbing into a tissue, as she held her father's picture tight to her heart.
"With that said," Campbell continued, "the court grants the motion. All charges against Mr. Grey are dismissed and all records in this matter concerning him are ordered destroyed," banging the gavel.
Keira turned and hugged Loren as Chris Hamlin and Maggie Fleming joined in the embrace.
* * *
Josh pulled up to the front of Kathleen Lakeland's home. He could see her looking out the window. As he got out the car, the front door opened and Kathleen came outside. "I was wondering if you would come back to see me."
"I said I would," Josh answered, "once I knew the truth."
"And do you?" she asked.
"I think I am as close as I am ever going to get," Josh said. "Can we go inside and talk?"
"Of course, I'm sorry," she said. "Come on in."
Settling into their seats, Josh said, "He wasn't the one, Kathleen. The picture the detectives showed you was not the guy who raped you. We believe the man who attacked you was the guy caught by Massachusetts State Police a month or so later. Unfortunately, he raped two more women, killing one, before they caught him."
Tears began to form in her eyes, "I knew I should have made them listen to me, I knew it." She began to sob.
"This is not your fault; none of this is your fault. The cops didn't do their job. We're supposed to look for the truth, not assume things we want to believe," Josh said, trying to comfort her.
"I wasn't supposed to be working that night you know," Kathleen said, regaining her composure. "I was covering for a friend who needed the night off. I did not usually work on Tuesdays. The rape happened right after I left the store."
"I didn't know that," Josh said. "It must have been hard on your friend, knowing it could have been her."
"She was distraught over it. I told her it wasn't her fault," clutching the tissue in her hands. "Her father had friends who helped me. They got me in to see all sorts of doctors. Took care of moving me out of my apartment and even let me stay with them for a while."
Josh listened, letting her talk.
"Gino made sure they took good care of me. My family was all gone. I had no one except for Stella and her family."
"Gino?” Josh asked. "Gino who?"
"Stella's father," Kathleen explained, "Gino Bellofatto." Seeing the reaction on Josh's face, she explained, “I know, I know he's supposed to be some big Mafia guy or something, but he helped me more than anyone else."
Josh, trying to get his mind around this, looked past the woman. Her words faded into the background in the turmoil of his thoughts.
"Lieutenant? Lieutenant?" Kathleen said, touching his arm. "Are you okay?"
"What? Oh, sorry," Josh said. "Kathleen, you may have just added a bit more to the story."
"I did?" Kathleen asked.
"I am sorry it took so long for us to find out the truth for you. I apologize for the way the detectives treated you back then," Josh said. "If there is ever anything I can do," handing her his card, "please call me. Thank you for all your help, and patience."
Josh walked out. He had one more stop to make, then he would go talk to Bellofatto.
Driving to the East side, he decided to call ahead and make sure Mary Lyons was home.
"Hello."
"Dakota? It's Lieutenant Williams from the East Providence Police."
"Oh yes, Lieutenant. How are you?" Dakota Jones answered.
"I am well. I was hoping to come speak with your mother, will she be home?" Josh asked.
There was a pause on the line, "I'm sorry Lieutenant. My mother suffered another stroke several days ago. She…she didn't survive…."
"Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. I wanted to tell her the story in person but there was so much going on," Josh said. "I wish I had tried sooner."
"Oh no, Lieutenant. My mother was grateful for what you did. She was glad you sought her out."
"I wish there was something else I could do, Dakota. I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. My mother was glad she was right all those years about the investigation. You made it all seem worthwhile to her," Dakota said.
"She was a strong woman. I'm glad I had the chance to meet her. You have my number. If there is ever anything I can do for you, please call me. Take care, Dakota."
Then there was one; off to get some more answers.
* * *
Josh drove up to the gate in front of Bellofatto's house. As the security camera examined his face and the gate opened, Josh wondered what he was going to say.
Bellofatto stood on the stairs, arms folded, waiting. No bodyguard in sight.
Josh walked over to him; Bellofatto motioned for him to follow. He led Josh to an enclosed deck overlooking the Turner Reservoir. The leaves were just starting to fade, the diffusion of colors diminishing to brown.
Bellofatto said, "Sit please, Lieutenant. I suppose you have some questions. Would you like a drink?"
Josh hesitated a moment. What the hell. How many honest cops can say they had a drink with the consigliere of the Patriarca crime family? "Sure, got any vodka?"
"Of course," Bellofatto said, grabbing the bottle out of the freezer. "Ice cold like my friends recommend."
Josh watched as Bellofatto poured the drinks. The man had changed. His movements slowed by age and lifestyle. His face now creased with lines. He was an aging, dying shell of what once had been a powerful man. Josh almost felt sympathy for him.
Handing Josh the glass, he took a seat next to him. "I love the view. I sit out here often when I need to think…" sipping from his glass.
"How is your family, Gino?" Josh asked.
"My wife is ill, she is in a wheelchair now," Bellofatto said, staring into his glass. "She spends most of her time at our daughter Carla's house in Miami. My other daughter, Stella, is in New York. She and her husband have a restaurant there."
"Grandkids?"
"Three, two girls and a boy. Stella has the girls and Carla has the boy. Joys of my life," Bellofatto smiled. "I wish I saw them more often."
"How about you, Lieutenant? Any kids?" Bellofatto asked.
"Not yet," Josh smiled, sipping the drink.
Bellofatto nodded, and then tipped his glass toward Josh. "But you didn't come here to talk about such
things. What can I do for you?"
"You knew about the rapes because it could've been your daughter instead of Kathleen Lakeland, right?" Josh asked.
Bellofatto, sipping his drink, showed no reaction. "My daughter, Stella, worked with Kathleen. They knew each other from Bay View, had several classes together. Kathleen got her the job. I didn't want her to work, I wanted her to focus on studying, but she is as stubborn as her mother is. She wanted to have a job, earn her own money. In a way, I respected that.
"The night Kathleen was attacked was the date of my wedding anniversary. Stella and Carla surprised my wife and took her out to dinner, since I was still in prison. Stella came to visit me in the prison a few days before, told me what they had planned. I tried to convince them not to do it. I thought it would be too hard on my wife," pausing to take a drink. "If that had happened…if they had listened to me…well, who knows?"
Bellofatto walked to the bar and refilled his drink, "Need more?"
"No, I'm good right now."
Bellofatto returned to his seat, continuing the story. "Later, when I found out about Kathleen, I realized it could have been Stella walking out of the business that night. If they did not stop him, it could happen to Carla also. When Grey showed up in the prison, they made sure I knew who he was. They made sure everyone knew who he was and that he attacked white women. The rumor about the trooper's daughter, they made sure we knew that as well."
"So you arranged to have him killed?" Josh asked.
"If that was your daughter, what would you do?" Bellofatto asked, staring into his drink. "The cops made a big deal about the case, about the evidence they had. It wasn't until I talked to Jimmy Calise that I found out the whole story. The other guy, the one that the State Police caught in Seekonk, he was the guy that did the rapes. Grey had nothing to do with any of it," draining his glass and refilling it once again.
"Besides, I didn't have to do anything," Bellofatto said. "There were guys in there looking to make a name for themselves. They figured if they killed the nigger, no one would care, and they might even get a little slack from the troopers when they got out. I just let them loose."
Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel Page 33
