I thanked him and concluded the call.
“Jack does the governor know about this?”
“That he does. In fact he was going to send the State Troopers to your place. I had to convince him that yours truly would be more than sufficient to deal with these cowardly miscreants.”
“Thanks Jack I owe you.”
“Are ya thinking this is Robert Worthington behind this?”
I thought it over and finally replied, “I’m not sure, but it just doesn’t feel like it. I mean, Worthington is too arrogant not to be up front and get right in your face with a threat. He hates me, and, I don’t know, he just doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would go after my wife and daughter.”
After Collins left I told Nicky that Detective Ichowitz had asked to question her about Bobby and to explain why she hadn’t had custody or any knowledge of her daughter for such a long period of time.
“What does that have to do with the guy who tried to shoot you?”
“Dunno.”
“This is out of control. I’m so worried about you, and now with the threats, I’m worried that somebody will hurt Bobby. I don’t know what to do. Maybe I should take Bobby and stay with my father. At least we would be away from here.”
“I will never let anyone hurt you or Bobby. We need to stay calm. Bob and Marti were right to have someone here while I was away. I won’t be going anywhere as long as there is threat, real or not, to you. I’ll call Ichowitz and tell him he can come here if he wants to question you and I’ll be here with you.”
“OK.”
“Honey, we’ll see this thing through. We’ll find out who’s behind this and take care of it.”
“All right but Bernie we need to talk,” she replied.
I nodded.
Later that night after Bobby was asleep I told her my story.
“It happened my senior year at Central High, it was May 1995, May 17th,” I began. “I was the catcher on the varsity baseball team. We needed one more win to make the district playoffs. It was the bottom of the ninth, bases were loaded, two outs, I was up to bat. Bartram’s pitcher was tiring and getting wild. I figured that if I crowded the plate maybe I could get a walk and bring in the winning run the easy way.”
Nicky sat silently wondering where this was headed.
“Anyway, I guess I crowded the plate too close and he beaned me with a fast ball. I was knocked unconscious. By the time the coach brought me back from the ER, my teammates were all gone. Coach told me he had to leave and asked me if I was OK to get home on my own.
After he left, I went into the locker room to change. I heard someone in the shower and went in to find out who was there. That’s when I saw them. Harry Droznik, the Head of the Athletic Department and a freshman were there. Droznik was…” I stopped and took a deep breath. “Nick, they were both naked and Droznik had the kid up against the wall. He must have heard me, he turned and we made eye contact. The freshman looked so small, so scared,” I stopped again and shook my head.
“I ran out of the shower room. I didn’t know what to do. Droznik came out a couple of minutes later. He said, ‘I don’t know what you think you saw, we were just horsing around, but if I were you I’d keep it to myself. I’ve been on the faculty here for 20 years. No one will believe you.’
I was seventeen years old. I didn’t know what to do. My father had walked out on us six months before so I couldn’t go to him for advice. My brother was away at college, and back then we weren’t particularly close. This wasn’t something I thought I could even discuss with my mother.”
“So what did you do?” Nicky asked.
“I didn’t do anything. I didn’t go to my coach or the police. I believed Droznik would deny it. He’d claim I was still suffering from the concussion or that I had it in for him. I just let it go. I let the bastard get away with it. Nick, god knows how many more kids he abused.
The rest of the semester whenever I would see Droznik he gave me a creepy smile, like I was in it with him. It made me sick to my stomach.”
I sighed and said, “That image of what I saw him do has stayed with me to this day, I was such a coward.”
Nicky moved closer to me and took my hands in hers and softly said, “You were a child yourself.”
I shook my head.
“Anyway, when I was a senior in college, right before I left for basic training I went back to Central. I waited for Droznik to leave school and followed him to his home. When he got out of his car I confronted him. He recognized me.
‘Green what the fuck do you think you’re doing?’ He said when I confronted him.
We were standing so close to each other I could feel his stale breath on my face. He laughed at me and said, ‘Are you going to report me? Don’t you think it’s a little too late now? No one will believe you anyway.’
He was right. There was nothing I could do. He was an old man-a monster. I just walked away.
I swore to myself I would never again stand by helpless when someone was in trouble. That’s why I reacted that way in the bank. It’s why I jumped out of the Humvee in Iraq. I know I can never change what happened that day and how I reacted, but it haunts me.”
“Bernie, the things you did at the bank and the way you risked your life to save Bob Gronski and the others in Iraq; you’re a hero.”
“No Nicky, I’m a coward. I let that monster get away.”
CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT
Grow a Set of Balls
“That fucking son of a bitch!” Robert Worthington said out loud as he watched the 11 O’Clock news report on the Wallander trial that inevitably led to the rehashing of the unsuccessful attempt on Green’s life. Wasn’t there anything new to fill the half hour? He wanted Green to suffer and die even though Worthington knew Green’s death would have absolutely no effect on the disaster that was about to be unleashed if either of the judges or the Adam’s kid turned on him and told the authorities the whole detention school scheme had been his idea and that the bulk of the profits had gone to him. It was true it had all been his idea and he made a ton of money, but so had they.
Green’s death would not prevent the justice department from indicting him. It would do nothing to prevent an avalanche of law suits that would surely be filed by the shyster lawyers who represent the ‘innocent victims’ who had been sentenced to White Haven. Innocent my ass, most of the ‘juveniles’ were hard case, hard core thugs and punks who deserved to spend their lives behind bars and undoubtedly would. Good luck to them and their sleazy lawyers. Even if they get judgments, they will still have to find the money to collect and Worthington was certain that would never happen.
He had set up an elaborate scheme to shield himself from the fall out in the event something like this happened. Worthington had spent a small fortune in off shore shelters with unscrupulous attorneys and government officials in the Caribbean to protect his share of the profits. He was rich beyond his imagination. He could easily disappear and live like a prince for the rest of his life.
Should he run before it was too late?
Worthington hated Bernard Green with an intensity he had not experienced in many years. Green had evolved from a minor nuisance to an obsession. He had not only avoided the honey trap Worthington had set up, he had also managed to convince Samantha Binnager to leave him alone. Worthington was more than annoyed with Binnager’s sudden unavailability. What did she think; that she could just walk away? He’d have to fix that situation as well.
He shook his head in total disgust at the thought of the failed assassination. How the fuck could the shooter miss his target from ten feet away? According to the news report the shooter was right on top of him. Green’s fucking dog, Toto, for Christ sake was Green the Wizard of OZ, becomes some kind of national hero. Someone had a video of the dog on YouTube. It went viral, whatever the hell that meant.
Worthington assessed his exposure. He was confident the hit man could not tie him to the attack. The NRA had a network of organizations that e
xtended across borders. While no ‘arrangement’ was fool proof, he didn’t believe the Philadelphia Police would devote the resources required to sift through layers of organizations to trace where the money and directive had emanated. This wasn’t a TV show, this was real, and cops were stretched too thin to embark upon an international investigation for a mugging.
The White Haven thing was a completely different matter. Dunlap Holdings was an investor of record. There was no denying the connection. While he could claim he had no knowledge of the illegal activities that had been carried out by the two judges and Adam’s son, he knew how the prosecutors would play it. Squeeze away until someone will give it up. It would be fairly obvious that none of the White Haven three were among the sharpest knives in the drawer. How could they have come up with the scam and pull it off on their own? They were greedy dogs for sure, but coming up with a criminal enterprise of these dimensions? No way.
Worthington could use his political capital to get the politicians he had helped put in office come out and attack the credibility of the White Haven Three to such an extent that no one would believe anything they said. Could that work?
He had time to think this through. He needed to concentrate on Green and how to destroy him. He needed to find Binnager. Had she betrayed him as well?
Worthington checked his emails. Robert Conrad the Attorney General had left three messages. What the fuck did that stiff want? Between the NRA and Dunlap he had already put up more than a $1 million for Conrad’s campaign for governor. Worthington was starting to think that $100 million might not be enough to get him elected.
“General, it’s Bob Worthington returning your call. Sorry to be calling so late, but you left three messages. Is everything all right?”
“I’ve heard a rumor that the Philadelphia District Attorney has someone looking into a connection between the Dunlap organization and the White Haven mess. Is there anything to this?”
“Listen General, Dunlap has investments in many different enterprises, we invested in the private prison industry in a number of states. There may be a small investment there, but it’s nothing to be concerned about,” Worthington tried to sound reassuring.
“Good, the last thing my campaign needs is to have any connection to that mess. I think I’ll call the District Attorney and tell her to back off. I mean who the hell does she think she is? This is way out of her jurisdiction.”
“Why don’t you hold up on that for a bit; I mean, why get involved with anything connected to White Haven. You can always call her if you have to.”
After ten seconds of silence Conrad said, “You’re probably right. There’s really nothing to be gained right now.”
“General, I’m glad you called. I’ve been meaning to call you about Bernard Green. He’s been a real pain in the ass. Green’s Major Miller’s son-in-law, isn’t he?”
There was another few seconds of silence before Conrad responded, “Yes he is.”
“Does Miller have any influence over Green?”
“I’m not sure. I really don’t discuss Miller’s family matters. Why are you asking me about Green?”
Worthington knew all about Conrad’s involvement with Green and Miller’s daughter and the little girl. “It’s just that I’ve heard some ridiculous rumors about you kidnapping a child, your grandchild. I’ve no doubt this is all crap that the Democrats are cranking out to discredit you.”
Again there was silence on the line.
“It just seems to me that whenever Green is involved in anything he’s a problem. There must be something good people like you can do to take care of a smartass like Green.”
“What are you suggesting?” Conrad asked.
“Oh, I’m not suggesting anything. I’m just saying it’s a damn shame people like Green can get away with spreading rumors about the Attorney General, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it. And this mugging incident; for Christ sake the media is blowing this thing all out of proportion. They’re making Green and his puppy into some kind of super heroes. I mean it was a fucking wetback junkie trying to get some money to buy some drugs, and the media is turning it in to an assassination attempt. Who the hell would want to knock Green off? I mean he’s a pissant state representative, a nothing!”
“I’m sure you’re right. Why would anyone want Green dead?” Conrad agreed.
“I’ve heard through some reliable sources that Green stepped up to become the governor’s bagman when Earl Samson fell ill. It would really hurt the governor and Green if you put a Grand Jury together to investigate these allegations.”
“I’ve already been working that angle. My staff tells me there’s not enough to make a prima facie case.”
“Who’s in charge down there, you or your staff? Besides, it doesn’t matter if there’s a case or not. Just convening the inquiry is enough to scare him shitless. And the governor will have a king sized fit. You know what a gutless bastard he is. Tell your staff to grow a set of balls!”
“OK Bob, you’re right.”
“General, I’ll tell you what. If you get that grand jury going the NRA and Dunlap will probably put up another million for your campaign when it’s crunch time.”
“That’s mighty generous of you Bob.”
“I want to see that grand jury empanelled first.”
CHAPTER FIFTY NINE
According To Dan Gross
“Mr. and Mrs. Green, thanks for seeing me.” The big Detective said. Ichowitz bent down and patted the dog that stood protectively at Nicky’s side.
“Please have a seat. Can I get you some coffee or a cold drink?” Nicky asked.
“No thank you.”
“You said you had some questions to ask Nicky, about our daughter. What has that to do with the shooting?” I asked.
“I’m not sure that there’s any connection.”
“So?”
“Well, you see, my superiors and I just don’t believe that you were a random victim of a mugging. That kind of thing just doesn’t happen in Rittenhouse Square. I mean there are mugging incidents, even in this neighborhood. But the circumstances of this; it just doesn’t feel like your run of the mill stick up.”
“OK, but what does this have to do with Nicky and our daughter?” I pressed.
“Yeah, well,” Ichowitz sighed. “You see, according to Dan Gross…”
I gave the detective a sharp look.
“I know; he’s a gossip columnist. But anyway, my superiors thought that his blog about your daughter’s sudden reunion with her mother after an 8 year absence. Well, they thought it was something worth looking into.”
I could sense the detective’s lack of enthusiasm. “You said your superiors think there might be a connection. What do you think?”
“I don’t know. Believe me; I’m not at all anxious to pry into your private lives. It’s just that the incident in the square was not a random attack. I’m looking into the Worthington-Dunlap Holding angle you told me about. This Gross blog thing, it’s probably nothing. Look, you can tell me to mind my own business and go pound sand. Maybe if I was in your situation that’s what I would do, but I’ve got a job to do and superiors to answer to.”
I held up both hands in a mock surrender. “We understand. Nicky, if you don’t mind would you tell Detective Ichowitz the story?”
For the next half hour Nicky and I told the detective the still inexplicable history of Conrad’s kidnapping of his granddaughter, and Nicky’s father’s complicity in keeping the child’s whereabouts from her mother for so many years.
“Well, that explains why the District Attorney has made it clear we are not to involve the Attorney General’s Office in our investigation. Mrs. Green, your father’s explanation is he promised Conrad to keep it from you and Conrad promised to take care of the child?”
“Yes.”
“Didn’t he see how not knowing of your daughter’s whereabouts and her welfare was affecting you?”
I took her hand in mine. “Neither of us can f
igure it out. But once again how does this have anything to do with the incident in the square? You’re not seriously suggesting that my father-in-law or the Attorney General had anything to do with that, are you?”
Ichowitz shrugged. “It would be a stretch. But then again taking your daughter and concealing her whereabouts, well…”
“You mentioned that you’re still looking into Worthington’s possible involvement. Have you been able to find Samantha Binnager?” I asked.
The detective shook his head, “No, it’s as if she disappeared from the planet. The lease on her Harrisburg apartment expired. Aside from that, there’s no record of anyone with that name that matches her description. We figure it was an alias.”
“Have you approached Worthington?”
“No, the FBI and the Justice Department are emphatic we are to steer clear of him while they are putting their case together on his involvement in the White Heaven Detention Center investigation. If you’ve ever dealt with the feds you know they move at the speed of a glacier. They will not even go before a Grand Jury until they have every angle covered. My guess is they’re trying to get one of the defendants to flip and give him up,” Ichowitz replied.
“Why don’t you think Worthington has any connection to the threatening phone calls your wife received?” Ichowitz asked me.
“I don’t know for sure. Call it a hunch. Based upon my experience with him, as limited as it is, he just doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would make anonymous threats. It’s more likely he’d call and tell you his name, you know, super macho.”
CHAPTER SIXTY
Conrad, Worthington and
Samantha Binnager
When Conrad hung up the phone he knew there was no way he would em-panel a Grand Jury to investigate Bernard Green. He knew that would backfire and that Green would release the story of his taking his granddaughter from her mother and keeping it a secret. Why couldn’t Green have left things alone? He had taken care of the little girl. Even Miller agreed it was for the best. Bobby would have grown up and never had a care in the world. She was the only thing in his life that gave him any happiness since the night his wife and their only son had been taken from him.
The Pa-la-ti-'shan Page 25
