Silver Lining - A Carpelli Adventure: Sequel To The Bestselling Thriller Fatal Mistake

by Cliff Roberts

  It then occurred to me that I’d made a choice today. I chose not to work with Holston and now that he had been murdered I’d chosen to expose and destroy those responsible. Was this the choice the Oracle was referring too? Was deciding to help Doctor Anne part of the choice? I hated this riddle inside an enigma stuff. Some people thrive on it, like the main character Brody Bains of the Nate Nevwas stories, but not me.

  “Be ready to go at a moment’s notice.” I said as I start out the door. Then I remembered, “Oh yeah, one last thing, The Feds will want to you wear a wire and have you get Smith and Jones to tell you to forge the autopsy one more time. These guys aren’t dumb they will be very wary, if they have to come back and explain it to you a second time. We’ll need to come up with a really good excuse regarding why.”

  “I know what I can do. The scheduler goes home in twenty minutes. Once she has left for the day, I’ll go on to her computer and schedule Holston to be done by my colleague Doctor Stiverton. He’s notoriously slow and he’s always on the golf course, when he isn’t working. It has cost him three wives, so far.” She shared her colleague’s personal issues.

  “Now that’s someone who likes to play golf.” I quipped, trying to lighten the load.

  “Stop babbling and go protect my son. Get the Feds to meet with us a.s.a.p. and I’ll stall Smith and Jones by telling them, Stiverton will have to file a recusal form so I can be assigned the case, otherwise they’ll have to talk with him about making the proper findings to frame you.”

  “Be careful they may hurt the man,” I cautioned her.

  “Whatever they do to him is less than he deserves, for all the crap he put his three wives through.” She stated callously.

  “Even killing him?” I offered. She sighed heavily once more, then stated.

  “Fine, I’ll do what I can to mitigate the situation.”

  “Good Doctor,” I teased and walked out the door.

  CHAPTER NINE

  After collecting the files and getting a picture of Daniel, her son from her, I went in search of the local FBI office. It felt very strange, walking in through the front door. Back home, I’d only entered the building through the garage along with the other suspects. I knew a couple of agents back home fairly well and thought about dropping their names in the hope of getting better cooperation from this group. I dropped the idea though, after I realized the only way I knew them was because they had arrested me, along with two dozen high ranking Newark Police Department officers in a sting operation that went bad for them. It turned out, they had moved too quickly in arresting me and the other officers, after I had shook them down. I’d claimed to have had evidence that placed them at the top of a scheme to destroy evidence and get major criminals off, if they were arrested.

  The Feds moved in before I had presented the evidence, which left them holding the bag, because without that evidence they only had circumstantial evidence. The Federal DA decided he’d sweat it out of me by threatening to charge me with the most serious of the crimes, the shake down of the department brass. But the department brass refused to play ball with the Federal DA, since it wasn’t in their best interest. To try and protect themselves, they came up with a story about how they were conducting a department wide sting to catch officers in the act of trying to force fellow officers into criminal endeavors. They went so far as to claim I had been the target of that investigation. Everybody knew that without my evidence against them, the brass was going to walk and as long as they stuck to their story about an internal investigation. I would be the only one facing any charges.

  Now the state and local DA’s didn’t see things in quiet the same way, as the Feds did. They wanted everybody from the chief down to pay, including the Detective First Class who tried to shake down the brass, just as they had done to the people on the outside.

  In order to make a solid case though, one with real jail time and forfeited pensions, they needed the evidence I had collected. It really pissed off the Feds when the local DA made me a deal first, in conjunction with a Federal Judge to get the evidence to save the state’s case, while the Federal one disappeared and in the process making the Feds look bad. The failed case may still be a sore spot for some of the men and women involved, so I decided I’d try the concerned citizens’ approach. Hopefully, they wouldn’t look at me too closely and would judge the case on its own merits.

  Along the way, I stopped at Staples and had five copies of the files made. I then mailed a copy to myself at my P.O. Box, sent the package containing the gun and finger print copies with the originals of the autopsies to the Oracle for safe keeping and stacked the rest in the back seat of my car. I’d give one package to the Feds and the other two would be just in case files.

  I was sitting and watching the clock on the wall in a small conference room tick away the minutes and wondering why they’d kept me waiting for the last twenty minutes. I had brought them a major case. One that could make their careers and they didn’t seem to be in too big of a hurry to talk with me. It was just about five when finally, this kid in his late-twenties maybe early thirties at best, came in and sat down at the table across from me and asked.

  “So, Mr. Carnello, what can we do for you today?”

  “It’s Carpelli, John Carpelli and I need to speak with someone about a criminal conspiracy involving the forging of autopsies and death certificates, designed to hide murders and the organized crime figures behind it.”

  “Okay, I’m the person you can talk to.”

  “No offense Agent…what’s your name?” I asked this kid sitting in front of me.

  “Special Agent Merriam, James Merriam.”

  “No offense, Special Agent Merriam, but I need to talk with someone who can make this happen fast. The other person with knowledge of this situation is in danger and longer it takes to set up something, the more dangerous this becomes for them.”

  “I assure you, I am fully trained and capable of dealing with any situation that may come up.”

  “Like I said, Agent Merriam, I need someone experienced in this sort of thing. How long have you been with the bureau?”

  “A little over a year, during which I’ve been involved in eleven major cases, and I can assure you, I have some experience dealing with conspiracies. Prior to joining the FBI, I was in the Marine Corp as an MP and then with Homeland Security where I worked undercover investigating militias groups in Idaho and Montana. So stop wasting time and explain what it is you think you have and then I’ll tell you, if you’re right.” Agent Merriam explained.

  I was hesitant, but like the Oracle said, I needed take somethings on faith, so I gave in and explained the situation Doctor Anne Harris, the Knox County Medical Examiner was in. I explained about her son and his drug habit. I then went on to explain what I knew about Detectives Kelly and Washington alias Smith and Jones. While I did so, I looked for any sign that he was involved with them. A telltale sign, that he was compromised. I’m not exactly sure what that might have been but I didn’t see it, so I decided to trust him and handed him a packet of the papers.

  He took his time reading the papers over and then he had another older, obviously a more senior agent come in and read over the papers. This took time, a lot of time. When I glanced at the wall clock, I saw I was out of time. It was six thirty five already and I had a seven o’clock date.

  “Gentlemen, I’ve got to go. I’ve a date at seven.” I stood and started for the door.

  “Whoa, hold on Sport,” The older agent called out. I say older, but he’s probably my age, forty and yet he called me sport. I stopped and turned towards him and retorted,

  “Gee dude, I thought I made it clear. I’ve got to go. I’ll be in touch tomorrow. If you’re lucky we can get these scumbags on tape tomorrow afternoon. So I’ll call in at about ten. I can introduce you to the doctor, once I’m sure you’re not compromised.”

  “We don’t need your permission to go see the doctor, Mr. Carpelli. Plus, you can’t just leave. We’ve got questions. T
here’s strategy to plan,” the old agent who wasn’t introduced practically whined at me.

  “Study the papers guys and figure out how you’re going to record these guys. I’d suggest bugging the morgue myself, but then that’s just me.

  I left even though I knew they were right, because I had a date. I changed shirts in the car and used my emergency freshen up supplies to get ready and then I drove over to the vicinity of the Sapphire Club and parked. I managed to arrive right at seven and found Betty standing in front of the club waiting patiently for me to arrive. There was already a short line to get in.

  “Good Evening, Gorgeous,” I greeted Betty as I walked up. She smiled and turned towards the door. As I drew even with her, she said.

  “I told the maître to have bucket of ice water near our table in case you get over excited.”

  “That’s a good thing. ‘Cause I have been known to spontaneously burst into nearly uncontrollable lust for my dates, if the music is good and the food is good plus the lighting is just right.” I took a moment to allow her to respond verbally but she just looked at me with that sideways glance all women have and so after a moment of awkward silenced I added. “And my date is as incredibly beautiful as you are.”

  “Okay, where’s the Maitre?” she grinned. “We haven’t even gotten in line yet and you’re about to combust.”

  “I can’t help it. You are so hot and I’m just a man.” I squeezed her hand gently. “Shall we get in line?” I suggested and lead her over to the line. Her hand was soft and warm, yet firm. She was holding my hand in return and not letting me carry her hand that was as limp as a dead fish, as many women do. Our conversation lagged as we got in line so I pressed on with some mindless banter as we waited. “Now as far as my being unable to keep from becoming over wrought with excitement, when I’m around you. I’m sure you’re aware of the study in the New England Journal of Medicine that said the male of almost every species on earth is completely unable to control his emotions, when a beautiful female pays him any attention at all.”

  “Oh really,” she wasn’t buying it, so I shoveled it faster and deeper.

  “They think it has to do with the natural selection process. When God, Aliens or Darwin,” she interrupted me here.

  “Aliens? What about Big Foot?” she giggled.

  “Shh… I’m on roll here and you’ll just love how it ends.”

  “Oh, I bet I will.”

  “Anyway, depending on who you personally feel created or developed mankind and all of the other creatures on the planet. When they got to the males of every species, they realized later, long after they finalized the design, in their enthusiasm to create a master hunter, they had created a creature with less than stellar emotions. In fact, genetically, we as males, have one less gene in our DNA makeup because there was no room left for it after the installation of the oversized hunter gene. Because we have one less gene then females do.” I looked around at the other patrons waiting to be seated, as if I was trying to keep this a secret and then whispered to her. “We as males are inferior and have no choice but to overreact when we see a beautiful woman. They proved this by using college students and men over forty in a study done by MIT. They first denied the test subjects, female stimulation through artificial means, I.E. a sporting event like a major football rivalry. The male test subjects became completely oblivious the moment the television was turned on, (I won’t go into it that subject here, as it is another study by another university all together). Anyway, they became oblivious to the female of the species other than for things like beer runs and making sandwiches. But upon reintroduction of the female’s attention at halftime or after the games conclusion, the female was once again able to dominate the males entire thought process, not just the subliminal range but the high function levels of thought in those areas like eating, farting and scratching one’s self. The conclusion the of male doctors conducting this study was that they too, wanted to go with the female and try to convince them that sex was in order since they’d already taken out the trash. So the female doctors had to finish the testing for themselves and they concluded all males, regardless of the species are just pigs and it’s a brave woman who spends anytime at all with men.”

  “Well, that was quite the story, but it didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know,” she retorted.

  “Really, you knew that? Wow, that was my best shot too. Oh say, did I tell you how hot you are? How about how smart and sophisticated?” I laid it on a bit thick.

  “Down boy, down boy. It’s just the first date and even though you’ve already earned a second date, I’m still not ready to throw caution to the wind and head for the nearest Motel Six.” She smiled and pointed at the waiter, who was trying to get our attention to seat us.

  “Okay, I’m cooling off, officially cooling off and I‘ll expect you to bring on the ice water, if I start to lose control again, okay?”

  “I promise to be a wet blanket on your parade all night long.” She stated with what I hoped was a mock stern look on her face.

  “Oh hey, wait a minute, stop that face making, we’re here to enjoy each other’s company and to get to know each other. No grimaces, no frowns and absolutely no disparaging remarks. We are here to enjoy each other and hopefully prove to you, I’m not a serial killer, rapist or mentally deficient male that is more at home with the movie Deliverance than at dinner with a beautiful woman.” I stated authoritatively as we sat down.

  “I take it back. We may need that Motel Six after all. I like a man who takes charge,” She stated.

  “And I am a take charge kind of guy as long you’re okay with it.” I quipped and grinned.

  “Oh, shut up and decide what you’re going to order,” she stated while rolling her eyes and grinning. I think I was about to be a big hit, when across the room I spotted, Michael Nolan again. Four days ago, I didn’t know the guy from Adam and now I’m seeing him practically everywhere I go. I was distracted for a moment and missed something Betty said, so I sat there looking sheepish for a moment and she picked right up on it.

  “You weren’t listening were you?” She stated with that mock stern look on her face again.

  “I don’t know what happened. I was all tuned into you and you alone. Then suddenly, it was like I was a sleep. I found myself staring at a spot on the wall and I had no idea why. I’m so sorry, I will try to never let it happen again.” I groveled and she reached out and patted my hand, then said.

  “I hear that loss of mental acuity was a side effect of taking too many Viagra.” A smile, the brilliance of a super nova burst upon her face as she teased me.

  “That’s funny.” I retorted. “The packaging doesn’t warn you about what might happen when you take four or more pills at once.” I teased back. “There’s only the warning about something lasting four hours after one pill. Does that mean since I took six pills, it’ll work for twenty-four hours straight?” I grinned.

  “Six?” She asked with a pained look on her face. “You took six Viagra? How do you walk or even sit down?”

  “I do it very carefully, but I‘m ready if and when some beautiful woman I’m having dinner with takes pity upon this poor soul and makes me an offer, I can’t refuse.”

  “Well, you keep hopes up on that subject. I’m going to decide what I’m going to order.” She quickly shut down that childish subject.

  Our conversation lagged a minute or so while we looked at the menu. Once we’d ordered, we were nearly alone again, so I spoke up.

  “I have to apologize.” I stated with no pre amble.

  “What for?” Betty replied.

  “I may have miss lead you a few minutes ago when I said I’m always looking for any woman who’ll give me the time of day. That’s not true. I’m actually very picky. I’m particular about who sees me naked. I guess I, like a lot of women, am concerned about whether or not, someone would find me sexy or in good enough shape or equipped with a sufficiently large enough, umm…attribute to please my lover. I’m j
ust not into it, without there being some emotional ties.” I shared what for me was a deep insight into my character. I wasn’t sure how she had taken it until she looked at me and asked.

  “Are you rejecting me?” She sounded forlorn and upset. I quickly went into damage control mode.

  “Hell no! I was just saying, I don’t run around with just anyone. I need emotional attachment in order to become intimate. I don’t just sleep around just to have had sex. I require a connection, before I’ll be intimate.”

  “Oh, Thank God. I like you a lot so far, but I’m not ready myself. I too need the emotional attachment in order to enjoy and desire sex. For a moment there, I thought you were saying now that we’ve talked some, you just weren’t that in to me. I am so glad that’s not the case.”

  “I am really bad at this relationship stuff, but I’m willing to try. I’ve been told that sometimes I don’t really talk to people, I interrogate them. If you ever feel I’m doing that to you, don’t hesitate to call me on it, okay? I guess I do that because it’s what I do all day at work and I haven’t always had someone to talk to outside of work.”

  “Okay, I can see how that can happen,” she stated. “So how was work?” She then asked in the next breath.

  “I’m not sure if I should tell you. It was a really bad day which doesn’t appear to be improving in retrospect.” I shared.

  “It can’t have been all that bad.” She stated off handedly.

  “Oh, yes it could. So enough about me, let’s talk about you. Were you born in the Knoxville area?” I quickly changed the subject.

  “I was born and raised in Maryville,” she pronounced it, ‘Meraville’, “but that doesn’t change the fact that I want to hear how your day went. I suggest you just give in and tell me because I can be rather tenuous when I decide I want something. You don’t know what it’s like to be interrogated until you’ve had a woman in relentless pursuit of the more intimate details of your life. I’m a woman and I can do it, don’t tempt me.” She actually sounded as though she meant it, so I tried a different approach.