Feared

by Lisa Scottoline

  Mary handed Detective Krakoff the corporate registration for Home Hacks, ending her argument. “So that’s it, in a nutshell. We think you need to investigate Machiavelli for this murder.”

  Bennie straightened her chair. “So Detectives, what do you say?”

  “Thanks for coming in, ladies.” Detective Krakoff closed his pad, sliding the pen in the spiral on one end.

  Mary didn’t hide her impatience. “What does that mean? Are you going to investigate Machiavelli?”

  “Mary, we’ve been through this. I’m not about to divulge police business to you.”

  Bennie interjected, “Detective, we would keep this absolutely confidential.”

  Detective Krakoff frowned, eyeing Bennie. “Excuse me, but you weren’t here the more recent time that your partner Mary came in. You were here only the first time, when she had those dreadful labor pains. I’m not going to ask you if you took her to the doctor—”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Bennie shot back. “This isn’t about us, it’s about John Foxman.”

  “Mary was in here the other day, telling me that Mike Shanahan was a likely suspect in the murder and that we should investigate him.” Detective Krakoff turned to Mary. “Mary, I don’t know what game you’re playing.”

  “I can explain,” Mary said, defensive. “I told you about Shanahan because I thought that he was a real possibility. But now I have new information—”

  “Or you were promoting any suspect you could to deflect attention away from your client Judy Carrier.”

  “That’s not what’s going on,” Mary shot back. “Machiavelli is the one you need to be looking at. And of course Judy isn’t guilty, not in the least. Somewhere in your heart, you have to know that. It’s absurd to suspect her.”

  Bennie threw up her hands. “Detective, you know that in any investigation, new facts arise. We came to you as soon as we got this information. We didn’t want to waste any time. We assume you don’t either. So are you going to investigate Machiavelli?”

  Detective Krakoff pocketed his steno pad. “As I said, you’re not immediate family, so you’re not entitled to that information.”

  Mary got an idea. “You know, John’s brother is in town, and so are his next of kin, his aunt and uncle. They’re going through hell right now, so I would like very much not to bring them in. But if I got a letter from them, or some kind of phone authorization, would you talk to us then?”

  Bennie nodded, eagerly. “Yes, we could get a letter from them authorizing us as their attorneys. We could speak with you as counsel.”

  Detective Krakoff hesitated. “Is William in town?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Where is he?” A concerned frown crossed Detective Krakoff’s face.

  “He’s at the hotel with the Hodges, his aunt and uncle. They’re elderly, she has a broken ankle, and William’s in a wheelchair. Obviously, it would be so difficult and upsetting to bring them in. Couldn’t you just play ball with us?”

  “When is William going back to Glenn Meade?”

  “I don’t know, I haven’t had a chance to check. Probably later today.” Mary hadn’t discussed it with Judy and she still didn’t want to admit to Detective Krakoff that Judy had been John’s girlfriend.

  Detective Krakoff paused, pursing his lips.

  Mary asked, “What is it? Why do you ask?”

  “I will share limited information with you. But it must remain confidential.”

  “Yes, totally,” Mary said quickly.

  “Of course, please do.” Bennie nodded.

  Detective Krakoff said, “Shanahan has disappeared.”

  “What?” Mary asked, shocked.

  Bennie blinked. “How do you know?”

  “We followed up on your lead, Mary. We went to Glenn Meade this morning to talk to Shanahan. He didn’t come to work. They called his cell, and there was no answer. We went to his apartment. His car’s gone, so are his clothes. He said nothing to the landlord or neighbors about where he was going.”

  “But why would he go?” Mary’s thoughts raced. “I swear to you, it was Machiavelli that killed John, not Shanahan. I’m sure of it.”

  Bennie forward. “We still think it’s Machiavelli, and the fact that Shanahan has gone missing doesn’t change that. Even if he didn’t do it, he could have been worried he’d be accused, given the Complaint. Or he simply could have felt the situation was too hot to stick around, given his past.”

  Mary nodded, glad of the support. “So Detective, what happens now? Will you follow up with Machiavelli?”

  “We’re looking for Shanahan. The timing of his disappearance isn’t coincidental, to us.” Detective Krakoff frowned. “I divulged the information for a reason. It would be best for William if he didn’t return to Glenn Meade until we locate Shanahan, out of an abundance of caution. I have concern for William’s safety there, should Shanahan seek to contact him. Glenn Meade has no security measures to speak of.”

  “I agree, I don’t want to take any chances with William’s safety.”

  “So you see, I’m a nice guy after all.” Detective Krakoff smiled, but Mary felt so frustrated that her case against Machiavelli was slipping away, when they’d come so far.

  “Detective, I do appreciate your concern for William, but I truly don’t think Shanahan did it. Machiavelli did. We’re talking about millions and millions of dollars in one company, if not the two companies.” Mary gestured at the corporate papers on the typing table. “And they’re sure producers in the future because he monopolized the market. Machiavelli would kill to keep those businesses and hurt our firm in the bargain. It’s more than enough for motive.”

  Detective Krakoff cocked his head skeptically. “You’re telling me that this Machiavelli is a successful lawyer in town?”

  “Yes.”

  “With his own law firm and major investments? Major businesses? Data integration and what not?”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t tell you anything. He doesn’t have to look like a murderer to be one. He can look like an upstanding citizen.”

  “But you admit you have a history with him.”

  “Yes, but it certainly doesn’t affect my motives in coming to you with this.”

  “I’m not saying it does. I’m saying if you have bad blood, you might not be as objective as you think.”

  “No, I see this clearly, I really do.” Mary could tell she wasn’t getting anywhere.

  “She does,” Bennie interjected. “We all do. We’re all on the same page. Machiavelli is the one you need to be following up on. Or do both. Knock yourself out. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”

  “Okay. I’ve heard you. Thanks.” Detective Krakoff’s tone turned final. “We do have to go, now. We have to get back to work.”

  Bennie rose. “Fair enough. Thank you.”

  “Yes, thanks,” Mary said, getting up. She hadn’t come this far to quit now.

  They would have to find another way.

  * * *

  “Now what do we do?” Mary said under her breath, as they hurried from the Roundhouse, ignoring the press. Reporters shouted questions at them and filmed them leaving, but they knew the drill and kept their heads down, plowing ahead. Amanda Sussman wasn’t among them, so Mary mentally confirmed her small victory, a bright spot in an otherwise terrible morning.

  “We do what we planned.” Bennie charged through the parking lot toward the curb, and Mary struggled to keep up, breaking a sweat in the sun.

  “But they’re not going to follow up with Machiavelli.”

  “We can’t deal with that now. We have to do the next step.” Bennie checked her phone on the fly. “We’re right on time. Judy and Anne will meet us there.”

  “But this is a setback.”

  “So what else is new?” Bennie powered ahead.

  “We have to figure out a way to go after Machiavelli without the cops.”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  Mary put her hand on her
belly, instinctively, as she chugged along. The baby hadn’t kicked during the meeting with the police, which was probably a good thing, considering that her fake labor pains had come back to haunt her.

  “DiNunzio, can you walk faster?”

  “No, can you walk slower?”

  “I have to get us a cab.”

  “Oh, okay. I have to make a human being.”

  “You had to go there?” Bennie rolled her eyes, but she slowed down, and Mary reached the curb a step behind her, on a street congested with noonday traffic to the Expressway.

  “It’s Machiavelli, I’m telling you, I know it in my bones. We have to bring him down this time, once and for all.”

  “We will. For John.”

  “Right. For John.”

  Bennie flagged down a cab. “I have good cab karma with you. I hope you’re pregnant forever.”

  “Thanks,” Mary said, burping.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Bennie, Mary, Judy, and Anne filed into the glass-walled conference room at London Technologies, where Sanjay and Jim looked up, startled. “Good morning, gentlemen,” Bennie said, closing the glass door behind them, as a young receptionist stuck her head inside.

  “I’m so sorry, Sanjay,” she said. “They saw you from the door. I couldn’t stop them.”

  “It’s okay, Linda.” Sanjay waved her off, and the receptionist disappeared, leaving the four women to face Sanjay and Jim.

  Bennie took the lead. “Sanjay, Jim, I hate to barge in, but this is an emergency.”

  Mary added, “If you give us a chance, we can explain everything.”

  Judy chimed in, “It’s not just about your case against Home Hacks and EXMS anymore.”

  Bennie nodded, standing tall. “And it isn’t just about us working for you either. If you decide you still want to fire us at the end of this argument, then so be it. But hear us out, please.”

  Sanjay pursed his lips, glancing at Jim, who nodded. Then Sanjay said, “Okay, fine. Say whatever you have to say.”

  “Thank you.” Bennie remained standing as Mary, Judy, and Anne sat down, since she always said she thought better on her feet, then she launched into a full explanation of everything they had learned, namely that Home Hacks was owned by Machiavelli, that they suspected that he also owned EXMS through shell companies, and that he had filed the reverse-discrimination lawsuit and ultimately killed John in order to cause London Technologies to abandon its meritorious suit against his companies.

  Mary footnoted Bennie’s argument by showing them the corporate registrations, and Anne reminded Sanjay and Jim how integral John had been in the litigation. Sanjay and Jim confirmed that they had thought of John as the expert early on, but asked why the women hadn’t gone to the police, and Judy explained about William, Shanahan, and the fact that they had all agreed that Machiavelli was responsible for John’s murder. By the end of the argument, Bennie had seated herself, the other women had fallen quiet, and Jim and Sanjay looked stricken.

  “My God,” Sanjay said, in hushed tones. “It’s so awful to think that somehow John’s murder was connected to our case.”

  Jim had gone white in the face. “It sickens me. John was a terrific lawyer, and I never thought his murder was related to us in any way.”

  “We didn’t either,” Bennie shot back.

  “But now you know, right?” Mary asked, pointedly.

  “Because we’re sure of it,” Judy chimed in.

  Anne nodded. “And we need your help.”

  “Well…” Jim and Sanjay exchanged glances, then Sanjay said, “Ladies, I’m not going to lie. You’re springing this on us, and it sounds so out of left field. Some sounds like speculation, but some of it doesn’t, I admit.” Sanjay gestured to the corporate papers cluttering the black conference table. “But I don’t know what you expect us to do. We would never go against the police.”

  Jim shook his head. “Right, we’re not experts, they are. If they think this Shanahan guy killed John, we’re inclined to go with their judgment. We don’t know how we can help you.”

  Bennie leaned forward, urgently. “You don’t have to do anything. You don’t have to even believe us over the police. All you have to do is not fire us for a few days.”

  Mary added, “That’s all we’re asking. We need the time to investigate Machiavelli on our own. We need to use your case as a cover and we don’t want Machiavelli to know we’re onto him, in any way. We even took the step of offering to hire the plaintiffs in the reverse-discrimination suit, so he wouldn’t think we suspected anything. The minute you fire us, or go looking for another lawyer, our cover is blown and we lose our basis for proceeding.”

  Anne said, urgently, “Sanjay, Jim, please give us three more days, that’s all we ask. You have depositions coming up tomorrow and the day after, and I’m prepared to take them both. You won’t have to cancel or postpone them. You haven’t found a replacement counsel yet, have you?”

  “No,” Sanjay said, frowning.

  “We were just discussing our next move when you came in.” Jim’s face fell. “We were crunching the numbers, too. We were probably going to have to abandon the litigation and withdraw our Complaint.”

  “So then you have nothing to lose,” Mary blurted out. “Please, let us just go forward.”

  Anne nodded. “Guys, you won’t be sorry. I’ve worked this case from day one, and we got through the time when you didn’t see me as the one who could represent you. I am, and you know that now, and please let me finish what we started. I swear, in the end this will bring Machiavelli down and benefit London Technologies. We have the facts and the law on our side. This case is a sure winner. If we just keep the pressure on, he has to settle and he knows it.”

  Judy cleared her throat noisily, and Mary looked over, surprised to see tears glistening in her best friend’s eyes, though Judy’s attention was riveted on Sanjay and Jim. “I know that you’re entrepreneurs, but I know that you’re about more than money. You came up with a genuine innovation that opened your market up to newcomers, just like you. You saw that it was unjust and you put your company on the line, trusting in us, filing that lawsuit, and trying to break up a monopoly.”

  Sanjay listened, and so did Jim, and Mary could see that Judy was reaching them, with the power of her words and the authenticity of her emotions.

  “So I guess I’m saying to you that this is not about law, but it’s about justice.” Judy’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she held them back. “We all knew John, some of us better than others. We can’t let Machiavelli get away with murdering him with impunity. We have a chance to do the right thing. You know how hard he fought for your company, how loyal he was to you. So please show the loyalty to him, even in death, that he did for you, in life.” Judy swallowed hard. “I’m asking you, I’m begging you, to give us three more days. Will you do that, for us and for him?”

  “Of course,” Sanjay answered immediately, his eyes nearly wet. “Judy, when you put it that way. Mary, Bennie, Anne, we can do that, we have to, don’t we?” Sanjay looked at Jim. “Right, we can’t say no.”

  “We can’t say no, not after that!” Jim burst into nervous laughter, wiping his eyes. “Hey, you guys don’t pull any punches, do you?”

  “Why start now?” Bennie laughed.

  “Thank you so much!” Mary jumped out of her chair, unable to contain herself, and went around the table and gave them both very pregnant hugs. “We really appreciate it!”

  “It’s okay, it’s all right.” Sanjay let her go, with a sweet smile. “We have your back. We wish you luck.”

  “We sure do.” Jim grinned. “Just be careful. Fighting crime doesn’t go very well with being pregnant, does it?”

  “So far, so good.” Mary patted her belly, again instinctively, but the baby was still asleep. It struck her as unusual, but she didn’t know if it was anything to be worried about. Probably not.

  Meanwhile, Bennie was beaming, Anne was hugging Sanjay, Judy was hugging Jim, and Mary could f
eel the palpable warmth of the relationship returning, all of them newly bound by John’s death and a common cause. Suddenly she caught sight of a young tall, redheaded man in jeans and a black T-shirt looking into the conference room, then continuing on his way down the hall.

  “Who was that, Sanjay?” Mary asked, since something about him seemed familiar.

  “That’s our intern, Paul Patrioca. He does coding for us.”

  “I know that family!” Mary said, feeling a happy bolt of recognition. “The Patriocas live in my parish in South Philly. I went to high school at Maria Goretti with his sister. Paul’s the baby of the family, there were seven of them. I knew him when he was little.”

  “You recognize him?”

  “He hasn’t changed that much. He’s a Patrioca. They have that nose and bright red hair that sticks up. You don’t see it that often.” Mary thought back to Paul and his family, feeling her smile fade. “You know, come to think of it, that’s funny.”

  “What is?”

  “It’s a funny coincidence that he works here.” Mary started to wonder, putting it together.

  “How so? He’s new. Newish.”

  “When did he start? About six months ago? About the time that you filed the complaint against Home Hacks and EXMS?”

  “Yes, exactly. How did you know?” Sanjay nodded, with a puzzled frown. “We hired him because we were getting too busy with the litigation, the meetings and all. We needed somebody to take up the slack.”

  “And he’s in college? He goes to Drexel?” Mary looked down the empty hallway, but Paul had vanished. “Somebody go get him.”

  Bennie looked over. “DiNunzio, what’s up?”

  “The Patriocas live next door to the Machiavellis.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Mary opened the door to the conference room, while Sanjay approached with Paul Patrioca. “Hi, I’m Mary DiNunzio,” she said, shaking Paul’s hand, when he crossed the threshold, looking plainly nervous. Up close, Paul had a long, narrow face, with prominent cheekbones and the hawk-like Patrioca nose, which he had grown into over the years. He came off as good-looking, but ill at ease, and his frame was thin and his arms geek-soft.