Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel (29 page)

Chapter 38

Sorin and Collucci waited in the Senator's congressional office for their driver to arrive. The news story had run its course, overtaken by the passage of several days and other news.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sorin asked. "No one cares about it anymore, let it go."

"Anthony, how long have you and I worked together?" Collucci said. "Did you think I would let a little political ambush of a news report intimidate me? Call that reporter, arrange the interview."

"Dmitriev told you everything needed to be cleared through me. Remember?"

"He isn't running my goddamn campaign. I do that," Collucci slammed his hands on the desk. "You are my Chief of Staff, not his. I need to continue in this position if I am to be useful. Is that not true? I know how to do damage control. That is my bailiwick. If you want to tell him what I doing, go right ahead. However, I am doing this with you, or without you. Makes no difference to me."

As Sorin reached for his cell phone, Collucci grabbed his arm. "Tell them the interview will be in my office tomorrow 2:00. Not open for any discussions. Are we clear?"

Sorin nodded.

"And it's just the reporter and the cameraman. No one else," Collucci added, looking over as the door to the office opened.

"Senator, the car is here. The driver said there are several reporters waiting outside also. Do you want him to go around to the private parking garage entrance?" The aide asked.

Collucci smiled, "Of course not, Yvonne. The media has a job to do. I have a responsibility to be available. Tell the driver to stay where he is. We'll be down."

After the door closed, Collucci sat back in his chair. "Make the call, Anthony. Take your time in the conversation. There's no need to rush," Collucci said, folding his hands behind his head. "I will give our friends in the media their chance at asking questions, but I will make them wait a bit for the opportunity."

While Sorin arranged for the interview, Collucci reviewed his notes. They may think they have wounded me, but it would be a mistake. Two can play at the innuendo game and I have had a lot more practice.

"All set," Sorin said, putting his phone back in his pocket. "2:00 pm our office in Providence."

Collucci nodded without looking up. "Okay, let's go," he said, closing his briefcase. "Time to show these bastards how to play the character assassination game."

Striding out the front of the building, Collucci smiled as the media surrounded him.

"Senator Collucci, how do you respond to the allegations you framed an innocent man?"

"Senator, is it true you concealed evidence in the Grey case?"

"Senator, do you take responsibility for the death of Darnell Grey?"

Collucci handed his briefcase to the driver, motioned for Sorin to get in the car, and then turned to face the cameras.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. I do not understand the basis of these questions. What I saw on television the other day was nothing more than a politically motivated attack. An attack on the integrity of the criminal justice system and my character. In my over 40 years of service to this country, I have never violated an oath of office."

Collucci turned to get in the car.

The reporters continued to shout questions.

Collucci looked back, holding up his hands. "Just so you'll all have this clear. This reporter, Candace Ferguson, breaks a story based on alleged information from a liberal civil rights attorney married to a defendant I once prosecuted for shooting an unarmed black man. This same reporter is married to the defense lawyer who represented the officer," shaking his head, "if that is not a sordid little mess, I don't know what is. Look into their motivations. Therein lies a story,” Collucci opened the car door.

“Instead of standing here shouting questions based on lies and innuendos, why don’t you act like reporters and look into
those
facts.”

Collucci climbed into the car, slammed the door, and ordered the driver to head to the airport.

* * *

Candace Ferguson knocked on the station manager's door. Collins looked up and saw her through the side panel glass. He motioned for her to come in.

"Good morning, what's up?" he asked.

"You are not going to believe the phone call I just received," Candace said.

Collins sat back in his chair, "Do I have to guess, or will you be telling me anytime soon?"

"Anthony Sorin," Candace replied.

"Who?"

"Anthony Sorin, Collucci's Chief of Staff. He called and arranged a personal interview with Collucci tomorrow afternoon, 2:00 PM in the Senator's office."

Collins leaned forward, "Are you serious? I cannot believe… no wait; we're talking about Collucci here. His ego is bigger than anyone I have ever met, and believe me I have met some major egomaniacs. Tell me the conversation."

"Well,” Candace began, "there wasn't much to it. Sorin called and asked if I was willing to hear the Senator's side of the story. He told me the Senator would meet with me at his office for an interview. I was to come alone with just the camera operator. No one else and…."

"And what?" Collins asked.

"And we could do whatever we want during and after the interview, but there was to be no publicity about it beforehand."

"Do you think he suspects there's a second story coming about him?" Collins asked.

"I don't know what to think. He may be trying to contain the damage, or fishing to see what else we may have. Either way this is great for us. He said I could ask him anything. So I'll ask, on camera," Candace said. "I should call Josh and tell him."

"No, do not call anyone about this. This is our story. We decide what we want to do with it. This is not a police matter," Collins said, looking at Candace to see her reaction.

Candace gave Collins a withering look, "Don't you think we owe him at least a heads up about this? We would not have this story without him. There may be some things he can feed me to ask Collucci," Candace argued.

"Candace, look. We don't work for them. We're not a tool for the police. We are not here to help them do something they cannot do under the law. I appreciate the fact they brought this to us, but they did it because they could not do what we can. If they could have accomplished their purpose without us, they would have," Collins said. "This stays in house, understand?"

Candace nodded and left the office. The reason you did anything, Mr. Collins, is Josh and the FBI pushed you. Okay, can't tell Josh, he didn't say I couldn't tell someone to tell Josh. She called Hawk.

* * *

The American Airlines flight from Ronald Reagan airport to Providence took just under an hour. Collucci and Sorin boarded as part of the pre-board group. They sat in the first row. While many of those boarding the plane recognized the Senator, no one said anything to him.

As the aircraft taxied to the gate, Sorin took out his cell and placed a call to the limo driver.

"Are things in place?" he asked.

"All set, Mr. Sorin. The media is here, near baggage claim. I spoke to the American airlines station manager. She was most accommodating. As soon as the door opens, she will meet us in the jetway and escort us through the security area. The airport police will be there as well to provide security. They've arranged for me to be waiting at the airport corporation secure parking area."

"Excellent, thank you." Sorin put the phone away. "The local station manager will take us out through the secure area. The media is in the baggage claim area. We'll avoid them and be gone before they even realize it."

Collucci nodded. "Should be a rather interesting few days, don't you think?"

Sorin tried to smile. "I hope this is the right thing to do. You may be setting yourself up for bigger problems."

Collucci patted him on the shoulder. "Nonsense, Anthony. I live for this stuff. This will all blow over and we'll move ahead with things. Trust me on this; I know what I am doing. You just make sure our support for the Chairmanship stays firm. Some of those Senators sway with the slightest breeze. Keep the pressure on them."

The plane came to a stop, seat belt light went off, and the door opened.

A slight woman in her mid-forties stepped aboard. "Senator? Barbara Johnson, I'm the American Airlines station manager," extending her hand. "If you'll follow me gentlemen, I'll get you out of here."

Collucci shook her hand, grabbed his briefcase, and followed her. As they left the jetway, she directed them towards an alarmed door. Two airport police officers stood to either side of the door. She swiped her card, entered a code, and opened the door.

As one of the officers held the door, she directed the Senator and Sorin out the door and down the stairs. Weaving through corridors beneath the terminal, they came to a gated area facing a secured parking lot.

Once again, she swiped the card and entered the code. The gate opened.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Johnson. You've been most helpful," Collucci said, walking through the open gate. Sorin shook her hand and followed the Senator. Their driver waited by the car, doors opened.

As the car drove off, Collucci waved at the woman and the two police officers. They returned the wave.

One of the officers looked over at his compatriot, "They all think they're so damn special, don't they? Wonder if he would feel the same if we told him this is the way they take out the garbage as well."

The others laughed.

As the car left the parking lot, Sorin placed a call to the number Dmitriev had given him.

"Yes, Mr. Sorin, I've been expecting your call. When can we meet?"

"This afternoon, name the location," Sorin replied.

Collucci raised his eyebrows as he listened to Sorin, waving his hand to get his attention he said, "I am not meeting anyone today."

Sorin ignored him.

"I will be at Waterplace Park, the benches near the mall. Please come alone.” The call ended.

"Anthony, I am not meeting--"

"Stop,” Sorin snapped. "The meeting is not of concern to you."

The tone caught Collucci by surprise. "Is this something from my ex-friend Shasha, I suppose?"

Sorin turned in the seat, facing Collucci. He pushed the button for the privacy screen between the back seat and the driver and waited for it to close.

"Mr. Dmitriev is not happy with you at the moment. You would do well to keep that in mind, Robert. Do not delude yourself with your belief in your power or position. If you are as smart as you think you are, you will resolve this problem. You need to focus. All that matters is that you take over the Chairmanship and continue to make yourself useful. If you fail …well let's just say it would be in your best interest not to."

Collucci looked at his assistant; he started to speak then thought better of it. We will see who is capable of what, my friend. We will see.

Chapter 39

Josh's cell phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was Hawk Bennett, "Hawk, what can I do for you? You haven't terminated someone with extreme prejudice, have you?"

Kennedy looked up from his laptop when he heard the name. Donahue and Moreira also showed interest.

"Not yet, but I do have some news," Hawk answered. "It would seem your two best friends in the world Misters Collucci and Sorin are coming back to Rhode Island soon."

"Hawk, come on. The whole world knows," Josh said. "Collucci's travels are well documented, particularly in light of the sudden media interest. We're watching every move. Tell me something I don't know."

"Well then, my omniscient police officer friend, do you know what Mr. Collucci will be doing tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM?"

"Resigning?" Josh asked.

The other investigators were even more attentive.

"We couldn't be so lucky," Hawk answered. "No, it's much more intriguing. He will be participating in a one-on-one interview with my wife. What say you to that?"

"When did you find out? Why didn't Candace call me?" Josh asked.

"It would seem the station manager, Mr. Collins, no longer feels any obligation to include you in the inner circle. He directed Candace not to call you," Hawk said. "He neglected to tell her not to talk to me about it nor does he have any control over what I might do with this information."

"Wow, thanks Hawk. I'd like to talk to her before the interview. Think we can arrange it?" Josh asked.

"I will see to it, expect a call soon. Take care," Hawk hung up.

Josh looked up to see three faces staring at him.

"So?" Kennedy said, "What the hell was that about. Is Collucci resigning?"

Josh laughed, "Nope, next best thing though. He's going to let Candace have a one on one interview. Tomorrow."

"No shit?" Donahue said. "He has no idea the nightmare he's about to walk into, does he?"

"So what do we do?" Kennedy asked.

"Hawk's going to arrange for me to speak to Candace. The station manager told her not to call us."

"He what?" Kennedy said, "That little fucking weasel turd slimy no balls piece of crap."

"Whoa there, Mr. FBI," Josh said. "Is that appropriate language for a federal agent?"

Donahue and Moreira laughed. Kennedy smiled as well, "I just can't believe that slimeball wouldn't even extend us the courtesy of a call. Next time, I am going to break his damn hand."

"Somebody write that down. I may need it next time some FBI agent wants to talk to me about a brutality complaint," Donahue chuckled.

Josh's cell phone rang, the caller ID blocked. "Hello," Josh answered.

"Hey Josh, it's Candace."

"Well, that was quick. Where are you?"

"In my car, using one of Hawk's special phones. He told you about Collucci right? Can you believe it?"

"Hawk did fill me in," Josh said. "I can't say I'm surprised. I assumed he would try to find a way to fight back. So, how are you going to handle him?"

"That's what I wanted to run by you," Candace said.   

"Hold on, I'm gonna put the phone on speaker so we can all discuss this," Josh said, motioning for the others to gather round the desk. "Okay, Candace. We're all listening," Josh said

"Hi, guys. Anyway, what I was saying is I will lead in with the Grey case. I'll let him air his explanations and excuses, then ask about the affiliation with the Russians. How far can I go with this? I don't want to force them to react violently in light of the threats they've already made."

"Candace, it's Zach Kennedy, as long as you don't mention the source of the information I'm comfortable with you using anything you have. We'll be keeping a close watch on things from now on. Once this breaks, they'll regroup and try to find a way to contain the problem or throw Collucci to the wolves and find another Senator. They'll protect themselves and hang him out to dry."

"How about I do this, after we discuss the Grey case I'll ask him if he thinks this will have any effect on his waterfront project. Let him take the conversation in that direction. Once he begins discussing it, I'll ask about the business fronts and the Russian links. Sound good?" Candace said.

Josh spoke up, "I think that's a smart way to approach him. I know he said to come there alone, and I doubt his friends would risk doing anything, but just out of a sense of precaution, we'll be in the area. Although, I will assume your husband will have his own arrangements."

"I am sure he will," Candace chuckled. "Okay, thanks guys. I have a bunch of things to review and preparations to make. Talk to you soon."

Josh canceled the speaker function, and then looked around. "So, what do you think? Will this be enough to bring down this whole thing?"

Zach Kennedy stood up and walked over to pour some coffee. "If the Russians see him as a liability they will not leave him out there. Now, before anyone goes ballistic on me, hear me out." Kennedy looked at the three men watching him.   

"I realize the guy is a scumbag piece of shit, but he is a sitting United States Senator. It is likely they will kill Collucci and Sorin, if for no other reason than to show others the risk in failure."

"I don' think I am going to like where this is going, am I Zach?" Josh said.

Kennedy smiled, "Probably not. The Justice Department would not be pleased if we did nothing while a foreign organized crime group assassinates a sitting US Senator, no matter how much of a son-of-a-bitch he is."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Donahue chimed in. "You want us to protect the asshole?"

"In a manner of speaking," Kennedy said. "I think we should try and turn him. Convince him to cooperate."

"I can't believe what I am hearing," Donahue said, turning to his partner. "Joe, can you believe this? Now we're gonna try to work with this asshole. Unbelievable."

Joe Moreira shook his head, "I hate to admit it, but it does make sense. He's an arrogant bastard, doesn't realize the shit he's stepped in. But, it is worth a shot. Hell, Tim, we used to warn mob guys all the time when we had info they were gonna get whacked. We turned a few guys and got some good information. I don't like it much, but I think we need to give it a shot."

Kennedy looked at Josh, "Well?"

Josh rolled a pen repeatedly in his fingers. "You know, I knew I would regret letting them talk me into working with the damn FBI," smiling at Kennedy, "but you're right. We should at least give it a shot."

Donahue rolled his chair back, put his feet on desk, and folded his arms. "I vote to let them whack the son-of-a-bitch. It will serve him right. Aren't we forgetting they tried to kill Keira? Isn't this the same case?"

"Oh, we're not forgetting that, Tim. We're not forgetting any of it," Josh said. "But I think it's s worth a shot just for the look on his face when I tell him what we have. Hell, he may shit the bed right there."

Laughter filled the room, the door opened and Chief Brennan walked in.

"Did I miss the joke?" He asked.

"Nope," Donahue said, pointing. "Tommy's still here."

Tommy flipped him off.

Brennan sat on the edge of the desk while Josh filled him in on the developments.   

"And you think this is the way to go?" Brennan asked, looking around the room.

"Well, everybody but Donahue. He thinks we should help the Russians kill him," Josh joked.

"No I don't," Donahue said, slamming his hands on the desk. "I think we should let the Russians kill him, and then we kill the Russians," as a smile crossed his face.

Brennan smiled, "I can appreciate that. So, when will this great conversation take place?"

"After the interview," Josh said. "Once Candace leaves, we'll go talk to Collucci. Meanwhile, we'll run full-time surveillance on Sorin. He showed back up in Rhode Island with the Senator; we thought they may have liquidated him."

"Liquidated?" Brennan said, "What are we cold war spies now or have you been playing Moore's video games?"

"I just like the word," Josh laughed. "I think from now on I will make it a practice of liquidating my enemies. I like how it rolls off the tongue."

"Chief," Donahue said, "this boy needs help. Serious help. How is it he managed to fool my cousin into marrying him?"

"That's a question we all struggle with I'm afraid," Brennan answered.

* * *

The surveillance team sat parked across from the Senator's office. Shortly after 3:00 pm, Sorin left the office, walking towards City Hall.

"Where do you think he's going?" Josh asked.

"Not sure," Donahue answered, "his cell phone hasn't been active. I'd bet he's using burner phones. Call Zach; tell him we need more bodies down here. Whatever he's up to, we need to stay with him."

While Josh made the call, Donahue got out of the van to follow Sorin. They walked through Kennedy Plaza, down to the Biltmore.   

Sorin went in the front door of the hotel and waited just inside, watching the street.

Donahue realized Sorin was trying to spot any surveillance.
I don't think so. Been doing this a long time.
Donahue sat on the steps of the City Hall, eating the sandwich he'd brought with him. The angle of the sun illuminated the Biltmore entrance, silhouetting Sorin in the light.   

Satisfied he was alone; Sorin came back out the door heading towards to Providence Place mall.

Donahue's cell rang, "Yup."

"Tim, Zach. Got three more agents available, where are you?"

"Heading towards the mall, we're just going through the lot near the Capital Grille. He's wearing--"

"We got it, Josh sent us a picture. I'll wait over near the GTECH building with one of the other agents. The other two will get closer to the mall. If he's meeting someone he'll want a crowd to get lost in."

Walking through the lot of the Capital Grille, Sorin took Memorial Boulevard to Waterplace Park. He followed the river, crossing over the pedestrian bridge into the park.

"He's headed into the park," Donahue said into his cell.

"I got him," Zach replied. "There's a guy sitting on the bench along the water, dark jacket, baseball hat. See him?"

"Yup,"

"He's been looking around, looks like he's waiting for someone. Sorin's heading right towards him. Hold on a minute, I am gonna conference in the other agents."

A moment later, Kennedy said, "Okay, we have a guy at Cafe Nuovo and one at the bridge crossing the river just west of them. Where's Josh?"

"Hang on," Donahue said, calling Josh and adding him into the call.

"Where are you now Josh?"

"I am parked near Jackie's Galaxy, got a perfect shot of them with the surveillance cameras."

Sorin approached the bench, shook the man's hand, and then sat down.

"You have a job for me?"

"I do," Sorin answered, reaching into his pocket and handing the man an envelope.

"When does this need to be done?"

"The addresses, notes of places frequented, all you need to be successful is there.” Sorin rose from the bench. "Do this as soon as you can."

Sorin began to walk away, stopped, and turned back to the man. "When you go after the police officer named Meadows, if there is a woman with him, kill her also."

The man studied Sorin, "It is not part of the contract," he said.

"Do it for as a favor for me," Sorin replied, walking away.

* * *

Josh shot off a series of images and video of the meeting, focusing on the faces. As Sorin left, Josh said," So now what, do we let this guy go?"

"I don't think so," Donahue said. "We have no idea who he is, where he's from, nothing. We can contain this here. I say we snatch him and squeeze him."

"Zach?" Josh asked, "What do you think?"

"I may regret this, but I think Tim is right. We need to grab this guy. Okay, we all stay with him. Soon as Sorin is away from the area, Tim and I will approach the guy. Is he moving yet?"

"Nope, just sitting there watching the river," Josh answered.

Sorin crossed back over Memorial Boulevard and disappeared behind the Capital Grille building. The team waited another minute, and then moved in.

Donahue walked along the path, staying behind the man's field of vision. Kennedy approached from the opposite direction. The man eyed Kennedy, remaining on the bench, focusing on the agent.

As Kennedy got within 10 yards, the man reached into his jacket. Donahue spotted the movement. He cleared the distance to the man, blindsiding him, grabbing him around the neck. Lifting him from the bench, he slammed him into the ground. Kennedy heard the man's wrist fracture, yet he continued to struggle.

Kennedy threw his weight on top of the guy. Josh arrived with the others and managed to get the man in handcuffs, hustling him to the van. Kennedy showed Josh the Glock handgun he pulled from the guy's shoulder holster.