Rick was obviously feeling guilty about Gina’s murder and the attack on Jessie. Without Gina’s death, no one would’ve been any wiser, and the Harvest Club would still be an unknown.
Sitting in the chair across from Jessie with Gary asleep in the other room, Matt watched her face. He could see she was having a troubled sleep. He continued to read Rick’s journal. A plan formulated in his head. She would have to be strong and ready. He knew she was capable of it and much more. Even though at this moment, she was physically and emotionally weary. He wanted to enlist her because he believed it would flush the head guy out once and for all. He also wanted to get her certified to use a gun. She needed to be able to protect herself.
He closed his eyes but jumped any time she murmured or whimpered in her sleep. When he opened them again, she was sitting there watching him. Dressed in a floral skirt and a yellow blouse, she looked great. He was intrigued by how quickly she seemed to recover herself.
“How did you sleep?” He stretched trying to relax his stiff muscles.
“All right. The question is did you get any sleep? You look weary.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder in what he thought was a feminine gesture, pushing a few strands out of her face. “You look like you have something on your mind. What is it?”
“I have a couple of ideas that I’ve been thinking about all night. I would like to give you a few days to recover, and then I want to teach you how to use a gun and get you certified.” He watched her shake her head no. “Yes. I also want to work on a plan to flush these guys out. Are you game?” He stood up and stretched and walked toward the other room before she could answer.
She heard the shower, and when Matt came back his hair was wet, he had changed his clothes, and he looked a little more awake.
“Why do I need to use a gun? I’m a writer, not policewoman.”
“You need to be able to protect yourself if you work on more cases with me. If nothing else, it will give me peace of mind.”
“I don’t know if I can get over my fear of the stupid things.”
“Sure you can.” He nodded. “I’ve got it set up with the chief, and he thinks it’s a good idea. I’ll work with you until you qualify. You won’t be afraid of using a gun when I’m done with you, and you’ll handle it safely. You have my personal guarantee, okay?”
“Okay.” She looked skeptical.
“What was your self-defense class like?” He changed the subject.
“You know, the basic stuff to do to keep safe— awareness of your surroundings, pepper spray, something to make noise, doing everything possible not to be taken in a car against your will, and the big one, never run toward an open field or away from people, but toward them.”
“You might need to relearn that last one.” He chuckled.
“Ha-ha. What else are you thinking about doing?”
“I think you need the rest of the week and weekend to get back on your feet. On Monday, you have to go back to work. The church will be dealing with a lot, and I know you’ll be needed there.” He paused. “I thought you could write an article for the town paper about organ trafficking. I also thought you and I could pay a visit to the mayor of Blue Cove, the not so honorable Jason Cummings, and drop the hint that you have learned about the Harvest Club. I’ll set up an appointment.”
“Okay.” She studied his face as she asked her question. “I want to help in any way I can. Is it possible for Dylan, Gary, or you to take me to the church today and maybe to see John? I need to tell him what his son told me.”
“Are you up to it?”
She nodded. “I need to do it. Is it okay if I let him read Rick’s card to me?”
Matt nodded. “Gary is monitoring the incoming calls, and Dylan is watching Brad. We’re not sure how he will take the news of Rick’s death. I’d be happy to take you. I just don’t want to put you in harm’s way until you’re a little stronger.”
“Java Joe’s?”
He nodded on the way out and they stopped for coffee. Matt wanted a breakfast burrito.
“Hi, Jessie.” Molly eyed her crutches. “Everyone is talking about what happened to you. And now, Pastor Rick’s suicide. What’s happening to our town?” She winced as she asked it.
“I know it’s crazy.” Jessie frowned. “I hope people don’t associate all this trouble with my coming to town.”
“No, it started with Gina. You just walked into it.” She looked at Matt. “I didn’t mean to ignore you. What can I get you both?”
“I would like a coffee and a breakfast burrito, the number three.” He nudged Jessie. “How about you?”
“I’ll have a decaf coffee with a ham, cheese, and egg croissant.”
“Decaf? What’s the use of drinking coffee at all?”
“I like the taste without the shakes.” She smiled.
Molly handed Matt their coffees while Jessie sat down.
“I suppose you want cream and sugar, too?” His voice was tinged with sarcasm.
“Cream, no sugar.” He sat down beside her and they talked until Molly brought their order. They ate while Molly served a couple of other customers.
She walked back to their table. “Did Kenny ask you to be in our wedding?”
“He sure did. I’d be honored to stand up with him.” He smiled at her. “He also asked about coming to work at the station and what it would take.”
“Jessie and Katie are also going to be in it, too.” She lowered her voice so only they could hear. “It doesn’t seem right to be so happy when so many folks are hurting right now.”
“Of course, you should be happy. This is a special time for the both of you. Enjoy it guilt free. Hard times come and go in everyone’s life. I say enjoy the special moments extra.” Jessie’s smile lit up her face.
They finished and filled their cups one more time to take with them. Molly was serving other customers, and so Jessie waved goodbye and headed for door, where she stopped.
“Wait a minute, you two.” Molly picked up a bag and hurried after them. “Here’s something for later. It’s one of Jessie’s favorites, fresh lemon blueberry scones.” She smiled at Jessie. “Have a good day.”
“Thanks, Molly.” Matt took the bag, opened the door for Jessie, and closed it behind them.
****
Matt pulled the car into the church parking lot, which was already filled with cars. Jessie and Matt made their way slowly up the stairs at the front of the church. The minute Reba saw Jessie, she opened the doors.
“My dear girl, it’s all too much for you and for everyone. Please tell me you didn’t come here to quit today.” Reba looked at her, eyes glistening with moisture.
“I’m not quitting. I came to see if you’re all doing okay. I also want to talk to John. Rick talked to me before it all happened. I think John needs to know what his son had to say.” Jessie sat down in the nearest chair.
“You shouldn’t be out yet. You’re still recovering, yourself.” Reba watched Jessie with a concerned look on her face.
“I’m doing okay. I needed to know all of you are, too.”
“We all sort of migrated here today. It was spontaneous, and we needed to be together. Since Gina’s murder, there have been too many sad things.” She sat next to Jessie patting her hand. “I know we were going to let Rick go tomorrow, but we never could have imagined this. Why? Was it because of his job?”
Silence fell as Pastor John walked into the church with James. His eyes lighted upon Jessie, and he sat down in the chair beside her.
“How are you doing, young lady?” His eyes searched her face.
“I’m improving every day.” She noticed he looked tired and frail.
“I’m so sorry my son drew you into this mess, and then to kill himself at your house on top of it all.” Tears filled his eyes. “He was never any trouble until a few years ago.”
“Your son had come by to apologize to me. He was so remorseful. I think he felt there was no other way out for him.” She handed him the card to read.
“Thank you for letting me read this, Jessie. I felt he had made a decision before he left for India. He was nicer to me than he had been for a while. It was as if he had settled something, and he wasn’t as stressed. He told me we needed to talk when he got back. We never had the conversation. When he arrived on Tuesday, yesterday, it seems so long ago. I told him what had happened to you, and he became agitated and said he needed to make sure you were okay.” His voice quivered. “That’s the last time we talked. Although, he told me when he walked out the door, ‘love you, Dad’. I hadn’t heard it from him in years.”
“I’ll be to work on Monday, and I’d be happy to help you any way that I can.” She leaned forward in her chair.
“The service is on Wednesday, July 3rd, so that family can get here and take a few days going home with the long weekend. It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around this.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
They continued to talk for a few more minutes. A couple from the church wanted to talk to John and stood by his chair. Jessie said her goodbyes and got ready to leave. It was still a major and time-consuming ordeal for her to move anywhere.
Standing, she grabbed her crutches and leaned on them. “John, feel free to call me any time you need to talk. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you.”
Jessie looked up to see Matt talking on the phone. His facial expression told her something was up. She made her way toward him talking to people along the way. Her phone signaled an incoming message. It was from Pam Bradley asking her to call as soon as possible.
Her purse kept slipping off her shoulder as she hobbled over to join Matt, banging against her crutches. Every few steps she had to stop and push the strap back up, only to have it slide down again, a few feet later.
He walked toward her. “Here, let me take this stupid contraption before you hurt yourself.”
“It’s called a purse, Matt, and aren’t you just a little worried it’ll hurt your manhood carrying it and being seen as semi-chivalrous?” Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Nope, I haven’t got all day to watch you trying to get here. All our suspects are on the move and seem to be headed somewhere for a rendezvous. Dylan and those watching in this area are waiting to see if their guys go.” He took her purse and motioned her toward the doors. “How’s John doing?”
“As good as anyone can under the circumstances. He’s getting a lot of support from people here.” She walked by Beth and said hello.
“Your meal will be there at 6:30, and you need to go home and put that ankle up,” she scolded. “Your toes are a little purple. Matt, you help her get that foot elevated. You hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am, consider it done.” He picked Jessie up in front of everyone, handed the crutches to Melinda, and carried her through the doors. She smacked him on the shoulder, which he ignored, and those around them laughed. After getting her situated, he put the crutches in the backseat on the floor next to her and thanked Melinda.
“Take care, Blondie. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Okay, Red.”
As soon as the door closed, Matt began a new lecture. “Damn it, Jessie, you’ve got to tell me when you’re tired or hurting. I won’t know it by just looking at you. I’m going to take you home and let Gary watch over you. You need to keep your foot elevated all day.”
“Yes, Dad,” she said sarcastically.
No more vinegar, she reminded herself, try using a little honey. She smiled. “That isn’t necessary. Some of the purple is from when I hit my foot on the tree root. I actually feel fairly good, not nearly as sore as yesterday.” She looked at him in the mirror. “I forgot to tell you the funeral is on Wednesday, which gives the family time to get here and the holiday gives them a little more time going home. I was thinking we need to wait to drop our hint until after the funeral and have the benign article show up after the Fourth celebration. I have a feeling that, as egotistical as some of these guys are, they will come to the funeral.”
“Good idea, I think you’re right about that, but I’m still going to take you home. Katie has been trying to get hold of you, and I’m sure you have better things to do than sit in the back seat. You are not putting that foot down or hobbling on those crutches unless it’s to take care of business. Besides you need to get busy writing that article.”
Jessie called Pam back, and they’d loved the first draft of Gina’s story. They didn’t see the need to change a thing. When the call was finished, Jessie felt a certain pride in the praise Pam had given her about Gina’s Story.
She looked at Matt. “I think we should do Gina’s story first, followed by the black market organs story.” She was excited to have others read it.
“Okay. I already talked to Max at the local paper, and he said he would print anything we send him. I’ll write his email down so you can send him Gina’s story. You send it to Neil too, so we can get exposure in other areas as well. Now, let’s get you home.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Hey, Gary, I’m bringing Jessie to the house. You’ll need to keep an eye on her, and I’m going to send Kip to act as backup. Make sure she stays down with her foot elevated. Don’t let her get up unless it’s necessary. Her foot is swollen. I can tell you right now she’ll probably fight you, but you hang tough. We’re almost there. Would you open the door?” He could see her giving him the look in his mirror.
Once there, Matt parked and carried her into the house, put her down on the couch, went back out and got her crutches, then set them where they were easy for her to reach. “Stay where you’re put.” He grinned at her and walked into the room with Gary.
About fifteen minutes later, Kip was coming in the door, and Matt was running out the door. “They’re on the move. I’ll let you know about it later.”
****
Matt headed out of Blue Cove, following Dylan’s directions. The command post was on a hill across from the site where the Harvest Club was gathering. At the fork in the road, he was to bear to the right. The club members would continue straight.
This was the perfect spot, nestled in the trees and underbrush, where they could watch undetected. Joe had a camera with a telephoto lens. He was getting close up shots of each of them as they arrived. Matt crouched low with his binoculars and watched.
“Who is that guy? I don’t remember seeing him before.” He tapped Joe. “Be sure you get a close up of him.”
“I don’t remember him, either.” Dylan squinted. “There’s Jason Cummings and Ed. We’ll have to see if we can get a hit on the other guy’s photo, through the system. I doubt if he’ll be in there. I’m sure he has no record, if he’s like the rest of them.”
“Wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall and hear what’s going on in that room? I’m sure they’re worried about what Rick put in that suicide note. I’ve always said they made a big mistake when they killed Gina. They overplayed their hand, and we’re going to get them.” Matt stood up and leaned on against the open door of his car.
The Harvest Club’s meeting lasted a couple of hours. One by one, they emerged giving Joe a perfect full-face photo shot. The officers left only after the club members had all left, and they waited ten minutes beyond that.
Joe hurried back to the station and loaded all the photos into the computer. By the time Matt got there, he was able to see the entire series of close-up shots of the men in attendance. One of the other detectives from the county recognized the new man.
“I know that guy. He’s Gordon Stockton, the mayor of Rocky Pointe.”
Matt took a closer look at the picture of the mayor. “Let’s find out what we can about this guy.” He pointed at a tall man that stood in the background. There was no frontal shot of him.
“The Harvest Club has a recruiting site and a bank account. From the looks of it, there are some pretty high rollers backing the actual cost of the organization. Gordon Stockton seems to be paid by the club itself.” Dylan showed them a printed spreadsheet with figures on it.
>
“It looks like Stockton is paid pretty well for whatever it is he does. Look at those deposits.” Matt reached for his calculator and added them. “Well over a million in deposits in the past six months.” Matt pointed out the number totals to them.
Joe let out a low whistle. “A nice tidy little sum. I think I could live pretty well on that, thank you very much.”
“The question is, is he the head of the club? Does he have the muscle to make these other guys dance to his tune? Joe and Dylan, find me everything you can on this guy.”
Matt worked in his office for the next hour putting together his thoughts and observations. To him, Gordon Stockton was just the sort of nondescript person who could be the head of the club. He could use Buddy as one of his muscle men, and there probably was a hit man somewhere, too.
He contacted the Philly police and LA to see if they had any knowledge of Harvest Club operations in their area. If the club had been operating there, it was under the radar, and so began an exchange of information.
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone. “Hi, this is Matt.”
“Matt, Jeremy here. Jessie told me I should call you with this information.”
“What’s up, Jeremy?”
“It took me a while, but I found the name of one of the key players. His name is Gordon Stockton. He’s being paid pretty damn well, a whole lot more than the rest. He’s the mayor of Rocky Pointe, but that’s not the interesting thing. He has the smarts to run the operations. He walked out of a specialized medical program he’d gone into after medical school. Do you want to know what his specialty was?”
“Let me guess,” Matt said. “A surgeon.”
“Not just any old surgeon, but one specializing in kidney transplants. His transcript said he was a brilliant and skilled surgeon but couldn’t handle the stress of waiting for donors. He saw too many people die while waiting for their donor organs. He gave it up. Not too long before he would have been the lead doctor on a team, he simply walked away.”
The Harvest Club Page 18
