by S. K. Hardy
Swallowing hard she looked up at Hawk. “I’d like to change that water to something stronger if you don’t mind.”
Hawk saw the apprehension lingering on her face. He directed a hard glare at Jeff before nodding. “Brandy and seven up good?”
But Raven shook her head. “Just brandy. On the rock,” she added.
A brief expression of surprise crossed Hawk’s face, but he went over to the bar and fixed her a drink and made one for himself. Coming back to sit beside her, he casually placed his arm across the back of the couch before directing his attention to Mills.
“So, I was told you have something to tell us?” He asked in a cool voice. He saw no need to beat around the bush. The others took a seat and waited.
Jeffrey cleared his voice before reluctantly answering. “I received a call this morning from the District Attorney in Las Vegas.” He hesitated before continuing. “It seems he’s come across incriminating information regarding Raven.”
Hawk heard Raven take a quick intake of a breath. True, they had been spent expecting this but he knew to have it confirmed made it that much more real for her. Keeping his eyes on Mills, he squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “Go on.”
Mills glared at Hawk. It was obvious he didn’t appreciate being ordered around, but Hawk could give less than a damn. By covering up a murder for his best friend and trying to get another man convicted for it, Mills gave the Pattels the ammunition they needed to pull his strings whenever they damned well pleased. They could order him to jump at will; he had little choice but to stand there and ask how high.
Grimacing, Mills reluctantly continued in a snappy voice. “There was a voicemail waiting when he got to the office this morning. The man didn’t identify himself, but said he had some interesting information that the DA’s office would be interested in. He played a portion of a tape that Jonathon forwarded to me. Jonathon is the Vegas District Attorney,” he added.
“We know who Jonathon Kelly is,” Joseph interjected, impatiently waving his hand. “I assume you brought the recording to let us hear it?”
Jeff pulled out his cell phone to play the message. Hawk leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees as he listened carefully with a serious expression. The quality of the recording wasn’t very good, but he recognized the first voice as being Thompson’s:
“You still wanna go through with this, Rae Rae? Once it’s done ain’t no turnin’ back, baby girl.”
“I’m sure. They killed my brother. They need to pay for taking him away from us.”
Even though the voice was that of a young girl, everyone in the room could tell it was definitely Raven’s.
“You know how to use a gun? I could do it for you...”
“No! I...I have to do it. For my brother. I want to look them in the eyes, have the satisfaction of seeing their fear before I pull the trigger...”
The recording stopped after that. Silence covered the room for several long seconds before Raven jumped off the couch and went over to look out the window with arms folded. Hawk remained seated but watched her closely. Her body was so rigid she looked like a bronze statue. She was struggling to maintain her composure. Hawk could see that. He wanted to go to her, comfort her, but he knew she wouldn’t welcome it right now. Plus, he didn’t want to make her appear weak because she was anything but. They would get through this.
Hawk turned back to Mills. “What else was left on the voicemail?”
“The man wants Raven arrested. He threatened to release the full tape to the news media within forty-eight hours. Before we do anything, though, I need to verify if this is authentic or whether someone’s trying to set Raven up.” His gaze went to her. “Is this real, Raven? I know your brother was murdered in a case that’s never been solved.”
Raven spun around and drilled cool eyes at Jeff. “And we both know why that is. A young, black man in a high crime neighborhood wasn’t exactly at the top of the police department’s priorities.”
“I don’t mean to sound harsh, but your brother was on his way to becoming one of the top drug dealers in the city.”
Jeff’s statement incensed Raven even more. “And that made it okay for them to just file his murder away in a cardboard box instead of doing actual police work?”
“Of course not. But it also wasn’t right to take the law into your own hand.”
“Look who’s talking,” Raven shot back, reminding him of what he’d done.
“I know I screwed up. It’s something I’ll regret or the rest of my life, but I never committed murder. How have you lived with yourself for all these years? Didn’t it bother you that you took a life?”
Hawk quickly stood up. His eyes cut into Jeff like a freshly sharpened knife. “That’s enough. You need to back the fuck off and I mean now.”
Jeff’s eyes went to Hawk before he dropped them to the floor. “All I’m saying is that if this is true, if Raven...did it, there are some things I need to know if I’m to get the best deal for her.”
“The best deal?” Hawk scoffed. “I think you got this all wrong. Ain’t no deals bein’ made here. But what is about to happen, is you’re gettin’ ready to go back to your office, call Kelly and make sure he buries this shit and forget everything he knows about it.”
“I know you think you can just snap your fingers and everything gets magically done, but it doesn’t work that way. Jonathan is not going to risk his reputation by covering up a crime just because the suspect used to be an Assistant District Attorney. If anything, that’s going to make him go after her even harder.”
“Oh, I think he’ll do whatever we say,” Hawk said mockingly. “After all, I bet you never thought you’d be working for us, yet...”
The silence ticked by as if Jeff was silently counting from one to ten before answering. “If this person, who you choose to keep nameless, releases this tape to the media, how the hell do you think that will look if Jonathan sweeps this under the rug?”
Isaac quietly cut in with a counter statement. “The question is how the hell will it look once the media gets wind of the fact that he has a barely legal mistress who goes on trips with him on the city’s dime? That’s illegal, isn’t it?”
Jeff went still and eyed Isaac warily. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, he knows. They’ve been having an affair for what, two years now?”
“Three,” Joseph interjected.
“Aw, three years,” Isaac nodded. “That’s right. And let’s not forget the child they had a year ago. Cute little thing. I have no idea how he’s been able to keep it from his wife for all this time. ”
“If you don’t believe us, don’t take our word for it. When you call Kelly, ask him,” Hawk said. “He’ll have more to lose than his reputation. And as far as the man who sent the tape? Let us worry about that. He’ll be taken care of before the forty-eight hour deadline passes.” The quiet, but dangerous, way Hawk uttered those words told Jeff exactly how Hawk planned on handling the situation.
“Jesus,” Jeff mumbled, nervously wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Now that we have that settled, you said there were a couple of things you wanted to discuss,” Joseph said, cutting into the silence that suddenly blanketed the room. “What’s the other?”
Clearly ruffled at the unexpected direction the conversation had veered, Jeff tugged at his collar and cleared his throat again to help get his vocal chords working. “I, uh, while I was on the call with Jonathan, an old case came up that involved Hawk: your ex accountant, Michael Bernstein.” A true prosecuting attorney, Jeff let a dramatic pause settle in the air before revealing his news. “Although foul play was suspected in his disappearance, there wasn’t enough evidence to prove a crime was committed. But now, Bernstein’s body has been found. Positive identification was made through dental records.”
Isaac shot a cool stare at Hawk. “Really? You left his teeth in for identification? Very sloppy, nephew.”
“I agree,” Joseph drawled. “It’s no
t like you to make such an amateur mistake.”
Hawk nodded once in acknowledgement of their mild rebukes. “I left the disposal to Red. Don’t worry. His ass will definitely hear about it.”
As the Pattels discussed a murder as casually as if they were commenting on a meal, Jeff stared looked from one of them to the other in shock. “Excuse me but I think the fact that Bernstein’s body was found in an active investigation is what’s important here. You’re already a suspect in the man’s disappearance,” he told Hawk. “Now that there is proof that he was murdered, it won’t be long before the police are able to put together a case that will more than likely point directly to you.”
Raven went over to stand beside Hawk in an unconscious move of support. “And what proof might that be? There’s no telling how many people Bernstein owed money to. From what I remember of the case, he developed quite a nasty gambling problem. That’s probably why he started embezzling from the Pattels. There’s evidence that he owed some very unsavory characters a lot of money. Any attorney worth their weight in gold could make the argument that there are a vast number of people who wanted him dead.”
“Would you happen to be one of those attorneys? Are you working for them now?”
Raven lifted her shoulder in a light shrug. “I’m not saying anything that you or Jonathan don’t already know. At this point, the Pattels are the victims.” She ignored Jeff’s scoff of disbelief and continued. “Bernstein’s wife admitted that her husband stole over a million dollars from Hawk and his family; that’s on record. Has the Vegas PD followed up on that? Have the Bernstein’s finances been audited? Was Mrs. Bernstein questioned for that crime?” Raven shot out one question after another. “She obviously knew and profited from the embezzlement so that makes her just as guilty as him. As a matter of fact, if I were the Pattels lawyer, on principal alone I would at this point advise them to bring charges against her and sue her for everything she has.”
“Oh really? And put them even more in Jonathon’s crosshairs than they already are? Is that what you’re suggesting?”
Hawk let out a soft snort. “Don’t act like you care about us or our well-being because we know better. You could give less than a damn about what happens to my family.” He paused with eyes squinted. “Let me explain somethin’ to you, while all of ya’ll out there playin’ checkers we over here playin’ chess, constantly plannin’ and thinkin’ ahead. When are you gonna realize that we’re outta your reach? You can’t touch us.”
“What he said,” Lucas interjected, slowly entering the room and drawing everyone’s attention. “Many have tried and failed to bring us down, Mr. Mills, but no one’s ever succeeded. As Hawk told you, the Pattels are complex and strategic thinkers, but you...?” Lucas stopped in front of Jeff and wagged his finger in reproach. “Your problem is that you think we’re beneath you, that you’re smarter than us but you’re not. The sooner you realize that, the easier your life will be. You’re looking for a way out from under our control, but...” Lucas slowly shook his head. “That won’t happen until we say so. Until we have no more use for you. Are we clear?”
Jeff clenched his teeth. “Crystal.”
“Good,” Lucas said, his voice now pleasant as if nary a harsh word had passed his lips. His amused eyes went to Hawk before falling on Raven. His gaze softened as he walked over to her. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. Thank you. I appreciate what you’re doing for me.” She looked around to encompass the rest of the Pattels. “All of you.”
“Of course,” Lucas replied with a charming smile. “I have a feeling you’re going to be my sister-in-law very soon which means you’re a part of our family now.”
“And you’ll be protected as such,” Joseph added. “While Hawk is gone we’re looking forward to getting to know you a little bit better.”
“Jesus Christ,” Jeff hissed as his accusing eyes found Raven. “You’ve really done it. You’re really one of them now.” He shook his head in a gesture of disbelief and disgust before turning to leave the room. “That’s all I came to say. I’ll be in touch after I speak with Jonathon.”
Having had enough of his attitude, Hawk made a move to go after him, but Raven grabbed his arm. “Let me. Please? I won’t be long.”
Hawk pulled stormy eyes away from Jeff’s retreating back and looked down at Raven. “You sure?”
“Yes. There are some things I need to say to him. Okay?”
Hesitant to let her go after that fool, Hawk finally nodded his consent. He’d prefer she be nowhere around Mills, but if this was something she felt she had to do, then he wouldn’t stop her.
Raven felt his eyes following her as she lengthened her stride to catch up with Jeff. He was rounding the corridor when she called out to him. “Wait. I have something to say to you before you leave and you’re damn well going to listen.”
“No thanks. I think I’ve seen and heard enough,” Jeff snapped as he continued to stalk towards the door. But just as quickly he contradicted himself and spun around to face her. “What are you doing, Raven? Huh? This family is responsible for taking everything away that you worked so hard to achieve and now you’re cozying up to that brood like you’re one of them now?”
“Don’t you dare stand there and judge me! You’re the reason I lost everything! You!”
“Ohhh no. I’m not letting you put the blame on me for that shit show I just witnessed in there!” Jeff hissed, pointing behind them. “This is all you! I knew something was up with you and Pattel that day you said he saw that file in your office but I just couldn’t put my finger on it! Were you involved with him the entire time you worked at the DA’s office? Were you passing him information on the side?”
Raven’s voice grew loud with outrage. “Of course I wasn’t! How could you even think that?!”
“Seeing where you are now it’s not much of a stretch!” Jeff sneered in a nasty tone. “When you first started working with me you told me you were just as committed to putting the Pattels behind bars as I was; your determination and work ethic was one of the reasons you became my top ADA. You do know that he only came after you because he knew we were investigating him and his family, don’t you?” Jeff’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Did you tip him off about the case in Vegas.”
“No. I didn’t,” Raven uttered through tightly clenched teeth. “Unlike you, I never let my personal life get in between me and doing my job! He never heard a word from me about what we were doing. That came from Gwynn. Not me.”
“You should’ve trusted me enough to tell me you were involved with him. I would’ve found a way to protect you and keep you away from this mess.”
“There never would’ve been a mess if you hadn’t tried to cover for Judge Warner’s husband! How could you do that, Jeff? You knowingly had me in a courtroom trying to throw a man innocent of those charges in prison. And you want to stand there and lecture and berate me about work ethics?” Raven dragged scathing eyes full of fire up and down his body. “Talk about a shit show.”
“Like I said, I know I screwed up! I screwed up!” Jeff shouted. “You have no idea how many times I’ve beaten myself up for making that stupid decision, how many times I wish I’d just...” Biting off the rest of his sentence, he briefly closed his eyes before shaking off his guilt. “It doesn’t matter now because I’m paying for it. The Pattels have got me by the balls and have no intention of turning me loose. I don’t have a choice, but you have one. And this is what you choose to do? Stand with them? They’re criminals!”
“You know what, Lucas was right. You think you’re better than them, that what you did is somehow different. I have news for you. It’s not. All of us are criminals. We just committed different crimes.”
“Raven, please, just listen to me for a second.” Jeff’s voice suddenly lowered to an urgent whisper. He cast an anxious glance behind her to make sure they were still alone. “We can get out from under them if we work together. I understand why you took vengeance for your broth
er. Hell, I probably would’ve wanted to do the same thing in your position, but we can’t let our past mistakes ruin our future.”
“What are you talking about?” Raven asked suspiciously.
“Be honest with yourself, just for a second. Deep down inside, I think you want to get out of this predicament just as much as I do.” He leaned closer, his desperation almost palpable. “It looks like they’ve accepted you into their circle; that’s something they’ve never done for anyone outside the family. If we work together, we can take them down.”
Raven took a tentative step back. “Jeff, what are you saying?”
“You’re in a position to get evidence on them that will put them away once and for all. Not right away, of course. You won’t want to do anything that will arouse their suspicions, but once you eventually gather what we need we can find a way to be free.” Jeff’s eyes shone brightly at the possibility of such an outcome. Barely taking a breath, he rushed on as the words came rolling off his tongue. “I knew all about Jonathon’s girlfriend and their child. I just pretended that I didn’t in order to see how much they knew, which is a lot. But we can still work this to our advantage and find a way to put these monsters behind bars.”
CHAPTER 38
“You must be out of your mind if you think I’d lift a finger to help you. In case you need to hear me say it, I won’t. Not ever.”
Jeff blinked himself back to the present as her words cut through his daydream. When Raven was sure she had his attention she continued with a deliberate cadence attached to her words.
“I’m not with Hawk because I feel trapped or think I have no other options available to me. I’m with him because I love him. I don’t need to be ‘saved’ or ‘rescued’ or whatever else you have in your head. I’m exactly where I want to be. You’re crazy if you think I’ll stand here and allow you to do anything to bring harm to him. So please, Jeff. Stop. Right now. You’ll only end up getting hurt.”
It finally sank in to Jeff that she wouldn’t help him. “Wow. You really mean that, don’t you?”
