Death of a Bankster (20 page)

“They could hire an expert in break-ins,” Sue said, “a locksmith maybe who could get into the M.E.’s office.”

“All this is possible, Detective Martin,” the lieutenant said, “but not likely.”

“There’s another piece, sir,” Maddie said, “one last piece that might play into it.”

“I assume this last piece will add another unlikely, nutty component.”

“Yes sir, it is all of that.”

“My ginger ale’s empty, Sergeant, so let’s wrap it up.”

“Paige Crawford’s mother is a former planner for CIA black-bag operations back in the sixties maybe into the seventies. It’s represented that she gave up that line of work well over twenty years ago.”

Lieutenant Harrison crossed his legs, took a deep breath, and looked at Detective Martin before setting his gaze on Maddie. “If momma dearest put all this together for her daughter, the CIA lost a hell of a mastermind. If Paige Crawford killed her husband, as Detective Martin has asserted, we have the widow and her mother pulling in a neighbor, a locksmith or burglar, who might have doubled as the phony medical examiner. The mother’s background admittedly makes the planning of this more plausible, but not more likely. If this twist is valid, they all did all this to eliminate a husband she could have simply divorced in our no-fault state. Then again, from a different angle, with his death the wife would get the entire estate, while in divorce she would end up with only half. Do you have a feel, Sergeant, for the size of their holdings?”

“Paige Crawford did tell me that even without the claimed lost quarter million, she would still be okay financially. We do have information on their brokerage investments that total a few million. Paige Crawford also told me that they had a decreasing term life insurance policy that would pay off their home. So, yeah, I’d say, aside from greed, that half would provide for a very comfortable life.”

“Sergeant, it seems to me, that if these people were thugs they might have turned to murder, but they aren’t. Divorce would have been their choice. These are all solid citizens. All this assumes skills not in evidence. Except for maybe momma who might be able to mastermind it, but I don’t see her cracking county security and carrying her son-in-law in over her shoulder. Momma could have taken the shot, even the uncle who we’ve barely mentioned. He could have carried the body into the morgue, but you say both momma and uncle have an ironclad alibi for the time of the shooting.”

“That’s correct, Lieutenant. The only way we can put this together is to take some of the thinking that goes with a murder by the wife, and some pieces that go with money laundering. Our problem is that we can’t find a way that both of these scenarios could both be true. And, even if we could, the play would require too many people to be plausible.”

“So, where are we, Sergeant?”

“We got a lot more work to do, Lieutenant.”

“You know, we don’t solve ‘em all. Damn it. Some just never come together. This may end up being one of those.”

“I’m not ready to cash in my chips on this one, Lieutenant. Not yet.”

Chapter 21

Maddie’s cell rang as Lieutenant Harrison left her office. She glanced at the caller ID, and then waved Sue out motioning for her to shut the door.

“Hello, Ryan. Did you call to arrange our having that talk?”

“We’ll do that, Maddie. Not today, but soon. Two things are more urgent. I want to go to your place a little later today and get with Brad to work on his throwing a slider. Is today okay? I’m guessing Rita will be there. I’d prefer to do it when you’re there, but since you’ll be working late tonight, and because this afternoon works well for me I was hoping you’d have no objection.”

“And what makes you think I’ll be working late tonight?” Maddie sat back, the toe of her left foot again finding the corner of her desk drawer.

“That’s the second urgent thing, but I’d like to wrap up this first one before we get into number two. Sliders are important, Maddie, at least to Brad, but it’s your call. If you want me to wait, that’s fine.”

“Sure. Go on by. Rita will be there. I know Bradley will be glad to see you. He’s been asking everyday when you’re coming by.”

“I’ll get there a little after he gets home from school.”

“Now that that’s taken care of, what’s your number two and why does it mean I’ll be working late?”

“Bennie Gibbons. You ready to take down an address?” Maddie grunted in the affirmative. Ryan gave it. “Now hear this, Maddie. Make no mistake, Benjamin Gibbons is a stone-cold killer with lots of skill and no compunction. He’s done it all and survived. I recommend you take a SWAT team, at the minimum several backup officers, experienced ones who’ve been tested under fire. Bennie will be gone all day. He’ll be at that address, sometime between dark and ten tonight. He has a Harley in a parking space numbered to match the apartment number in his address. Give him no slack. He is supremely confident that he can shoot his way out of hell. Why? Because he’s done it. Your key is to not give him the option to try.”

“We know how to do our job, Mr. Testler.”

“Yes, you do. You’re good at it with local thugs. That’s not meant as a criticism. It’s simply most of what all local cops deal with. Gibbons is a cousin-counting country boy. He learned to shoot sitting on his uncle’s knee. He’s a trained killer, a seasoned assassin. He can be disarmingly charming when he wants to be. In today’s processing of applicants for Special Forces, the military would discover this kind of sociopath before he got in and got trained, but not so when Gibbons went in. He looks like the neighborhood paperboy with a smile that melts ladies’ hearts. Don’t be fooled. If you knock on his door and announce yourself, you won’t be able to avoid a shootout. He’ll choose escape or die, nothing in between. He won’t buy whatever you’d try to sell to get him to open his door. People will die. Surprise must be used.”

“What made you say he’d be home by no later than ten?”

“He’s expecting a hooker at ten so he’ll be home by then. Maybe hours earlier, I can’t say. You’ll need to keep the hooker away from his door unless they happen to meet up in the parking lot or something. She’ll be a blonde with long hair, big … large breasts and no taller than about five-eight.”

“You know an awful lot about this hooker, Mr. Testler.”

“Bennie likes ‘em that way. Maybe you’ve got a savvy lady cop who fits that description. She’s expected and he doesn’t know her. That could get the door open without him being unduly alarmed.”

“We could do that. I have someone in mind. We might need to augment the, ah, what did you call them, breasts, a bit. Just so you know, Mr. Testler, I’ve heard the word tits before.”

“Well, shut my mouth, Missy Richards.” They laughed.

“Anything else?”

“He has a duffle full of weapons and ammo in his place. Including a rifle I figure he used for the shot that killed Sam Crawford.”

“If he took the shot, that is.”

“I got nothing on who hired him, but Bennie’s your shooter. He admitted that to me.”

“Thanks, Ryan. How did you get onto Gibbons?”

“Not important. We’ll talk later.”

Ryan Testler hung up.

* * *

Ryan was afraid for Maddie. It was doubtful she had ever gone after a killer the caliber of Benjamin Gibbons. Still, taking Gibbons was her job and he respected her right to do that job. But he could be there, without her knowing it. At a distance, but first he had to do something he had been looking forward to for days.

“Hi, Rita. Is Brad around? I spoke with Maddie and she approved my coming by to help the boy with his slider.”

Rita pushed open the screen door.

“Rita, does all this baseball talk about sliders make any sense to you?”

“My husband loved baseball. He hated coming to Phoenix from the east because there was no major league ball out west. When the Diamondbacks got started, he went to their first home game and remained a fan the rest of his life. He got me hooked. I still watch the games, only now I do it with Bradley. Now you come on in here, and don’t you be doing that formal routine ‘round here.”

“Now is okay?”

“He saw you coming down the street and headed in for his glove and ball. He’s in the bathroom. Be out in a minute. Here he is.”

“Hello, Mr. Testler. I’ve been hoping you’d come every day. I’m glad you’re here.”

“So am I Brad. You ready to get started?”

They headed out to the backyard.

* * *

Maddie needed an arrest warrant for Benjamin Gibbons and a search warrant for his apartment. She would base her request on an anonymous tip that had come in on her cell phone from an undercover federal officer working another case. This was a guess about Ryan Testler, but not a big guess. She headed down the hall to see Lieutenant Harrison. On the way, her cell rang again. Maddie looked down to see if it might be Ryan, maybe with an update on Gibbons. The caller was her mother. Maddie quickly walked back down the hall and into her own office.

“Hi, Madeline Jane. Just wanted to let you know Ryan Testler is here. He and Bradley are out in the backyard. Our boy likes this man. So do I Madeline Jane. Ryan is not one of your polished yuppie types. This guy’s a real man. You won’t catch him wearing no tuxedo.”

“Mother, I know daddy hated ‘em, but a man looks good in a tuxedo. For the right occasion, of course.”

“Like a wedding?”

“That’s absurd, Mother. I barely know the man.”

“He’s out back playing catch with your son. You’ve brought him home to meet your mother. Absurd? I don’t think so.”

“Mother. I’m in the middle of something here. Crime, you know? It’s my beat.”

* * *

After Ryan again showed Brad the proper grip for the slider, he told him to be sure he threw it just like his fastball. Brad threw about 20 or so before heading down the street to show his friends. Before running out the side gate, he hugged Ryan. After the boy left, Ryan shared an iced tea with Rita. They spoke about cooking with virgin olive oil. Rita had a new bottle sitting on the kitchen counter. Then Ryan excused himself. He didn’t want to be late getting into position for when Brad’s mother would attempt to take Benny Gibbons into custody.

* * *

After Maddie hung up from talking with her mother and listening to her absurd ideas about Ryan Testler becoming a member of the family, she walked back into Lieutenant Harrison’s office.

“Benjamin Gibbons, the military guy I told you about the other day,” the lieutenant had a look that suggested his mind was on some other case. Maddie offered more. “The former boyfriend of Carla Roth, the RN who lives next door to the Crawford.” The lieutenant’s expression eased, he nodded. “I just got off the phone with an undercover federal agent who confirms that Gibbons is a trained sniper, a stone cold killer. The agent said Gibbons told him he pulled the trigger on Sam Crawford. The agent, who must stay in his deep cover, told me where Gibbons lives and when he’ll be there. I’ll face up to get his door open. I’ll need several tried and true ready to storm the barricade as soon as it clears the latch. Also a few spare officers to keep any civilians from walking into the middle of it. We need a search warrant for weapons, computer files, paperwork, et cetera, related to his being hired. Can you get that arranged?”

Lieutenant Harrison nodded. “I want to hear how you’re going to get the door opened?”

“How else? I get to play a hooker again, sir. All I need to do is figure out how to start getting paid first, before the squad moves in.”

Adam Harrison smiled. “You think you’re the only officer who can play this role or you got a fetish for this kind of thing?”

“It’s my thing, Lieutenant. I got a reputation involved here, pride in my work, all that sort of crap. This could be my backup profession. In case I get tired of you chauvinist dicks, I can trade you all in for dicks that pay.”

* * *

“Hey, Sergeant Richards, you look hot,” Sue Martin said when Maddie came out of her office as a blond hooker wearing an outfit that had stayed at the station after the last time she played a similar gig several months back when she applied for work at an escort service. The yellow wraparound dress featuring her cleavage still fit, as did the black, patent-leather platform heels which now twinkled in the department’s fluorescent lighting. Sue had shaken a limp hand while looking at Maddie.

“Do you wear platforms, Sue? Man, these things are rough on your feet. Make me think I’m about to tip forward.”

“I do some. You gotta stand tall. They take some getting used to. I usually wear them around the house for twenty, thirty minutes before I head out the door. Wearing them makes me eager to get on my back. Naturally, you understand, that’s just to get off them infernal shoes.”

“But then you’re eager to get on your back anyway, girl.”

Sue laughed. “Let’s keep that to ourselves. I don’t want the boys to think they don’t need to buy dinner and flowers. Now we going flaunting or are we out to catch us a bad guy?”

“We’re taking down Bennie Gibbons. You ready?”

Sue Martin smiled. “All in a night’s work, Sergeant.”

By the time Maddie and Sue got to Harrison’s office, the lieutenant was huddled with the SWAT team leader, Tony Rodriguez, known in police circles as Rocky.

The lieutenant looked up. “Rocky has selected six of his own to accompany you and Detective Martin, and me. I’m going along too, Sergeant. Given the resume on this Ben Gibbons, this could get ugly. If it goes that way, I need to be there in case we have to quickly cut through any red tape. You okay with this, Sergeant?”

“Glad to have you, Lieutenant.”

“Okay, let’s you and me palaver with Rocky to determine approach and set up. We’ll want to arrive ready to do this fast. Reduce the chance the target will learn or maybe even feel we’re coming for him.”

The SWAT team had one woman and five men. Maddie had seen them all around the station and, over the years, had worked with them on a few takedowns. But she didn’t have a close relationship with any of them so there were no wise cracks coming at her, other than those said by their eyes as they looked her over before glancing at each other.

After discussing some alternatives, they all agreed on the route they would take to get there, where they could park to be close, but not overly conspicuous, and where they would set up on the property itself. Then they left. They kept it to two vehicles. Lieutenant Harrison rode with the SWAT team while Maddie and Sue went in the unmarked police car they drove regularly on duty. The plan would get them to the property at 9:40 p.m. with Maddie at Gibbon’s door by 9:50.

* * *

“Excuse me, miss,” Lieutenant Harrison said as he stepped from the shadows near the parking structure and approached a lovely blonde with generous cleavage. The blonde stopped as the lieutenant reached her, a questioning look on her face.

“I’m Bennie, the lieutenant said, as he moved close. You’re heading up to my apartment right? Number seventeen.”

Her face showed she likely felt uncomfortable being met in the parking lot. She nodded, and then said, “So?”

“I’ve got something to show you.” Harrison took out his wallet and showed his badge. “You’re in no trouble. You will not be arrested tonight as long as you cooperate. Understood?” Again, she nodded. “What you won’t be is paid, other than our not arresting you. Will you cooperate?”

“Wha’d’ya’ want from me?”

“That’s the easy part. Just follow the officer standing at the corner of the building,” Harrison pointed and the lady turned to see him. “He will walk with you back to your car and watch you as you drive away. Speak to no one for an hour. Understood?” She again nodded.

“Give me your cell phone.”

“What? I’m not giving you my phone. That’s my property. No way. You got no right.”

“I agree. I have no right. I also have no more time to spend on this. You are under arrest for suspicion of prostitution. I’ll motion that officer over to handcuff you and take you to the station for booking.”

“I thought you said I wouldn’t be arrested? You cops are all alike. You lie. What’re you after, a freebie?”

“I said you would not be arrested if you cooperated. I need your cell phone and the only two ways I can get it are you give it to me willingly, or I arrest you and take possession of it.”

“Well, fuck me. Then again, that ain’t gonna happen. Here’s my damn cell, okay? Now can I go?”

“Thank you for your cooperation,” Harrison said as he took the cell. “Now, let me see inside your purse to be sure you don’t have another cell.” She opened her purse. Harrison extended a small flashlight down inside her purse before turning it on. “Okay. There is some heavy shit going down here tonight. If you make contact with anyone in the next hour and mention this event in any manner I will find out and you will arrested for obstruction of justice and interference with a police officer in the performance of his duty. And that is heavy shit compared to a prostitution charge. Do you understand me?”

The woman nodded, and then said, “Yes sir, I do.”

“Is there a code word or signal of any kind that you were to use at the John’s door?” The woman started to say something, but Harrison held up his hand to stop her. “If there is and you don’t tell me, people will likely die here tonight. In that event, I will see that you are arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. Now, is there a code of any kind?”