Cap's Place: A Jack Nolan Novel (The Cap's Place Series Book 1)

by Robert Tarrant

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Sometimes even the best intentioned plans just don’t work out. I got to the park and called PJ, using the pre-paid cell phone, but she didn’t answer her desk phone or cell phone. I left voicemail messages on both phones telling her I would try her again in a few minutes. Several attempts and nearly an hour later I finally reached her.

  PJ opened the conversation by saying, “Jack, we’re all trying to accomplish the same thing. We all want Sissy to be safe and we all want to identify the threat against her and deal with it. The problem is that we’re working independently, and sometimes at cross purposes, rather than as a team. I understand your concerns. We said we would protect Sissy and through some kind of colossal screw up she almost got killed. There is no denying that.

  “I understand your reservations about us. Maybe there is a leak somewhere. Most likely the leak is at Pinnacle but it could be in the Department. I won’t deny that is a possibility. Tim and I have gone over and over our actions Wednesday night. Our activities focused on Sissy weren’t open knowledge but they were certainly not secretive either. Any number of people in the Department knew we were taking her to the Pinnacle. They could have talked to any number of other people. We acknowledge that. In our defense, you need to remember that the Department protected Sissy for weeks leading up to, and during, the Muskof trial and she was fine.

  “My concern is that although you have nothing but the best intentions you may not have the resources to protect Sissy. Not as long as it may take to sort this mess out. These people have demonstrated the ability to locate her and they are obviously dangerous. The attack on Sissy proves that. We are working the case of Allison’s death with the Sheriff since it may be related to the threats against Sissy.”

  I interrupted, “So, you do believe that Allison’s death was a case of mistaken identity. She was killed because she was tending bar in place of Sissy that night.”

  “So far that’s the only potential motive we’ve found. We talked with her roommate, her parents, her friends. We’re going by the numbers. Looking at every aspect of her life, past and present. The whole gamut. So far nothing else has much potential, but in a situation like this, where you have a strong theory going in, you have to be cautious not to overlook something as plausible yet not as obvious.”

  I was impressed to have PJ admit the potential for them being too narrowly focused. I had certainly seen that in my days as a prosecutor. Investigators develop a theory early in an investigation and set out to prove it, thus failing to cast their net wide enough. Important facts are missed as not material to the theory because really they lend proof to an alternative theory that never gets consideration. I said, “If your theory holds it seems that anything that helps to identify Allison’s killer helps to identify the threat to Sissy.”

  “That’s true but that’s why we need to make certain that Allison’s death is really related to Sissy. Otherwise, we may not be looking hard enough in other directions.”

  “Have you leaned on the original snitch who told you it was Muskof?”

  I could hear PJ take a deep breath, “Jack, what you told me isn’t really information. It’s a theory. The theory that the threat doesn’t come from Muskof but rather from somewhere else in the world.”

  “Yes, but if the snitch is misdirecting you he likely knows who the actual threat is. Who he’s directing you away from.”

  “I understand. We understand. You need to understand that we’re not talking directly to the snitch. We’re getting our information from investigators who are working him for a number of purposes. They. . .”

  I cut her off in mid-sentence, “Purposes more important than Sissy’s life?”

  Another deep breath, “Of course not purposes more important than Sissy’s life. It’s just that I can’t go in and beat the guy with a rubber hose until he says what we want to hear. I can tell you that I’ve been told by the investigators that they’ve leaned on him about the threat of Muskof against Sissy and they’re not as confident in the information as they were earlier. They continue to squeeze him.”

  “Yeah, while pursuing their other purposes.”

  After a pregnant pause, “Jack, I really think our immediate focus should be in assuring that Sissy is in a secure location with adequate protection. If she’s safe we can focus all of our energies on removing the threat. Who is with Sissy right now?”

  It was my turn to take a deep breath. Unfortunately, even a deep breath would not re-inflate my balloon. I’m in over my head and Sissy’s life is at stake. I decided that I needed to give up my Lone Ranger approach and figure out a way to work with PJ rather than against her, “At the moment Sissy is alone. I do think that the location I have her affords her protection. I don’t think they’ll find her. Yet, I know you’re right. I do need help. You just have to understand how terrified Sissy was after the attack at the Pinnacle. Still is for that matter. I’ve probably let her fear cloud my judgement.” Maybe it was her fear that clouded my judgement. Maybe it was my desire to be the hero that clouded my judgement. The acid in my stomach came to a rolling boil.

  PJ replied, “The location you have Sissy may be fine, but you certainly need help. She should never be alone.”

  “I won’t argue that point but the last I knew you said you couldn’t get resources from the Department.”

  “Allison’s murder has changed that. My lieutenant went directly to the Chief and he has authorized whatever resources we need. Where is Sissy? Is it somewhere close?”

  I knew that the answer was to involve PJ and whatever resources she could commandeer, but I also knew that Sissy was terrified that somehow the police were involved in what happened at the Pinnacle. At least involved through incompetence if not overt actions. I couldn’t just spring a change of strategy on Sissy. I needed to have her feel that she was part of the decision. Otherwise, in her current emotional state who knows what she might do. She might lose faith in all of us and light out on her own. I said, “PJ . . . err . . . Detective, I think I really need to sell this change of course to Sissy. I agree with you totally. If you have Department resources available you can do a much better job protecting her than I can. Unfortunately, the experience at the Pinnacle has left Sissy distrusting everybody.”

  It was PJ’s turn to interrupt, “She distrusts me?”

  “I’m not saying that. She distrusts the police at this point. We need to convince her that she’ll be safe like she was when you protected her during the Muskof trial and not like her recent experience at the Pinnacle. Tonight, I’ll try to get her to agree to meet with you tomorrow morning. Just you. I’m confident that if the three of us sit down together we can convince her that you can protect her.”

  PJ replied, “That should work. Where and when do you want to meet?”

  “Let me call you in the morning. We can pick a time and place that works for all of us.”

  “Can you tell me about the location where you have her? Do you think it’s good enough that Sissy should stay there? With additional help that is.”

  “I do think it’s a good place. It isn’t in your jurisdiction though. Is that a problem?”

  “Jurisdiction shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Okay, I’ll call you in the morning. Probably around ten. We can pick a time and place to meet.”

  PJ closed our conversation, “Sounds good. Talk to you then.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Driving back toward the guest house my mind was spinning. It felt like the right decision to have PJ help protect Sissy but I kept remembering the episode at the Pinnacle. What went wrong? Maybe it was a leak in security and not the police department. What if it wasn’t in security? What if it was in the Hollywood PD? Could PJ be careful enough to keep the information from again leaking? Was it simply a case of someone talking to someone who in turn talked to the wrong person? Was it an inadvertent leak or a dirty cop? Considering how quickly the events at the Pinnacle took place it doesn’t sound like something inadvert
ent. Sounds more like someone intentionally giving information to the wrong people. Someone dirty. That is scary. Yet, all of that logic could apply to the security people at the Pinnacle. PJ said that Jeff Spencer had needed to do some housecleaning in the past. Maybe he didn’t get all the dirt. I was going around in circles.

  My mental gymnastics slowed as I neared the neighborhood of our guest house hideout. As I turned onto the street leading to the estate, my headlights swept across a black Lexus SUV parked in the drive of a small block building that probably houses one of the innumerable water pumping stations in this part of the state. I chuckled to myself that even the municipal workers drive a Lexus in this neighborhood.

  I eased down the long drive and noticed that both the main house and the guest house were dark. The exterior lights were lit but both houses were dark. I wasn’t surprised that Maria and her husband would be in bed, but didn’t expect Sissy to turn off the lights before I returned. Something didn’t feel right. I paused for a minute, after I turned the car off, just staring at the guest house. No doubt, something isn’t right. What do I do now? I don’t even have a weapon. The 9 mm is inside. Not that I had much confidence I’d prevail in an armed confrontation if it came to that. At least I’d go down fighting. A wave of cold fear like I’d never experienced in my life suddenly swept over me. I felt paralyzed. I wanted to turn around and drive away as fast as I could. Get a grip Jack. Sissy’s in there and you promised you’d protect her. For once in your life live up to your word.

  I literally leaped out of the car before I could think about it again. I decided to take a quick walk around the exterior of the house to see what I could observe from the outside. I got around the corner and froze in my tracks. What if Sissy had the lights off because she heard something outside. She might shoot me sneaking around the outside. Yet, with the lights off she surely saw my headlights as I drove up. Why didn’t she come to the door? If she could come to the door she would have. Shit Jack, get inside there now.

  I tried the front door before I even got the key out of my pocket. It was unlocked. Not right. Sissy would never have the door unlocked. I stepped through the door closing it lightly and stood with my back to the entryway wall. I listened to the silence of the house. Nothing. Not a sound. Then it hit me. An odor. What odor? The smell of a cigar. My stomach started to pitch up into my throat. My eyes had become accustomed to the darkness and details in my view began to emerge. I swallowed hard temporarily pushing the acid back into my stomach and took a couple more steps into the entrance foyer. I looked into the great room and at first couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing.

  I squinted as if that would clarify my understanding. It was a very small faint red glow suspended in the shadows on the far side of the great room. The image and the odor finally united in my brain and I realized I was looking at someone holding a lit cigar. One would think that in a situation like this thousands of alternatives would flood your mind. Thousands of alternative explanations. That was not my experience. No explanation presented itself in my brain. I was totally frozen in mind and body.

  “Hello, Jack.”

  The voice was familiar, but I couldn’t put a name with it. My mind said that to recognize the voice was good, but followed up immediately with the realization that because the voice was familiar didn’t mean it wasn’t a threat. Talking to the unknown I blurted, “Where’s Sissy?”

  “She’s sleeping. Come on in and let’s talk.” With that he reached up and turned on a table lamp and I was staring at Justin sitting in a leather chair casually puffing on a cigar. Sissy was laying on the couch. She was sound asleep.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  I was frozen in my tracks. My brain wasn’t assembling the information my eyes and ears were providing into any type of logical picture. It was Justin I was looking at. My eyes and ears confirmed that, but my mind couldn’t put him here. He didn’t know where Sissy was. No one did. How could he be here? Sissy’s sleeping? Nothing added up. I began to look closer at the picture in front of me. Justin didn’t present the disheveled deck hand look I equated to him. He wore a snug long sleeve flap pocket shirt, cargo pocket slacks, and what looked to be high-end running shoes. Everything was flat black. Even with the light on he seemed to fade into the background. While he appeared to be totally relaxed, puffing on the cigar, he leaned forward slightly in the chair and it was the balls of his feet that were touching the floor not his heels. It looked to me as if he could spring from the chair in any instant.

  “Are you going to just stand there Jack or are you going to come in and sit down so we can figure out what we need to do now?”

  I was frozen. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even speak. Finally, I found my voice, “How did you find us? How the hell did you get in here?”

  Exhaling cigar smoke toward the ceiling Justin replied, “Why don’t you get Sissy into the bedroom.” Continuing with dripping sarcasm, “I’m sure you know which one. Looks to me like only one has been used.” I turned to rouse Sissy when Justin added, “Jack, I’m on your side, but until I’m confident that you understand that fact, I’ll hold on to this.” I turned back to see him holding my 9 mm.

  I gently shook Sissy’s shoulder and she started to turn over when her eyes opened to slits and she saw me. With a sleepy slur she said, “Oh Jack, I’m so glad you’re back.”

  I eased Sissy to a standing position and half carried her to the bedroom. She was like a drunk who was aroused after not nearly enough sleep. I laid her down on the bed and covered her. A million questions were streaming through my head but I knew she was in no condition to answer them. Besides, I wanted to get back to Justin. Somehow I would feel better with him in my sight. As I was closing the bedroom door, I paused to look back in. There was Sissy laying on her side with the sheet covering her. Even in the dim light of the bedroom I could see that she was sleeping peacefully. More peacefully than at any time since this nightmare began. I gently closed the door and returned to the great room.

  Justin was on his feet as I came into the room and he said, “Let’s go into the kitchen and have a beer Jack. We have some decisions to make.”

  I sputtered, “Can I ask some questions before WE start making decisions?”

  Justin chuckled, “Of course you can. I’d expect that you have a question or two.”

  When we entered the kitchen Justin went to the sink, turned on the water, dropped the remainder of the cigar into the drain and hit the switch for the garbage disposal muttering, “Guy had piss poor taste in cigars.”

  “Huh?”

  “Oh, nothing. How about you get us a couple of beers out of the fridge and we’ll sit down here and chat.”

  Attempting, but failing, to assert myself, “How do you know we have beers in the refrigerator?”

  “Jack, I have been waiting for you for nearly two hours. This place is not that large. I had ample time to look around.”

  Nearly two hours. I’d hardly been gone two hours. What the hell had gone on? Had Sissy called Justin? That didn’t make sense. If she had called him the minute I left he wouldn’t have been here anywhere near two hours. I grabbed two beers from the refrigerator and joined Justin at the small table.

  After opening both bottles, Justin handed me one and raised his to clink the bottles together, “Cheers, my friend.”

  Justin took a short swallow of his beer and I took a not so short gulp of mine. I would have drained the entire bottle but the ice cold beer started to give me the proverbial brain freeze. As if my brain wasn’t struggling enough already. Justin spoke first. It was the low confident tone I had heard when he was in my office offering his help. “Jack, I know that you’re doing your best to protect Sissy. No one could deny that. The problem is that you’re in way over your head.”

  I cut him off. I was tired of everyone telling me I was in over my head. Even if it was true. “What do you mean? Sissy is safe here. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Without his voice changing even one octave in t
he face of my rebuke Justin continued, “If I hadn’t been here tonight, Sissy would be dead right now.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? She looks fine.”

  “She is fine. She’d not have been fine if I hadn’t dealt with the guy who came here to kill her tonight.”

  I shook my head as if that would somehow clear my mind. I found no understanding and heard myself ask weakly, “What are you talking about?”

  Justin took another short pull on his beer and looked me directly in the eyes, “A man entered the property through the front gate as you drove away. I’m confident he was the guy who attacked Sissy at the Pinnacle. He was in the process of compromising the lock on the front door when I removed him.”

  Our eyes were locked while the words hung in the air. Finally, I found the words, “What do you mean, removed him?”

  “Jack, do you really want to know? You need to consider how much you really want to know. The more you know the more you must deny. The more you must attempt to deny. You don’t strike me as a very good liar.” I wasn’t certain if I had been insulted or complimented. Before I could respond Justin continued, “I propose that you only seek the information that directly supports your role in protecting Sissy. We’re on the same team with the same goals but we approach resolution of problems from different perspectives. Your perspective is based on your life experience and my perspective is based on my life experience. We have the potential to be a very effective team, but I don’t believe you need to know everything.” Narrowing his eyes in a look of deep concentration Justin continued, “Frankly, you’re better off not knowing.” I was starting to think I was following Alice down the rabbit hole.