Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery Read online

  Number Two took a quick shower then lay on the bed in her panties and a T-shirt. It was going to be a long night. During the middle of a dream about a small cabin in the mountains, muffled sounds jarred Number Two awake. She grabbed the gun from the nightstand and tiptoed to the door, pressing her ear against it. The fan from the air conditioner made it difficult to hear clearly.

  Is that stupid girl trying to get out?

  Number Two put on her mask and eased the door open. Number Three was hovering over Jada, his hands groping her. He was sitting on her legs so she couldn’t kick, and he was about to take his mask off.

  Number Two took one small step at a time, never taking her eyes from him. She got behind him and shoved the barrel of the Beretta against the back of his head. “Take off that mask, and I’ll kill you.”

  Three choked up. “Easy, Number Two. I just wanted to show the girl a good time. She’s itching for it.”

  “If you take off your pants, I’ll blow your cock off.”

  He turned to stare at her, hands twitching. “You’re a tough bitch, huh? That’s all right, I like ’em tough. Maybe after we’re done with this job, you and me—”

  “Never, Number Three. You got that? Never.”

  He turned to the girl, a look in his eyes so obvious he might as well have licked his lips.

  Two shoved the gun harder against his head. “She’s off limits. Don’t forget it. If you think I’m tough, you ain’t seen shit. Boss will cut your cock off in pieces.”

  “Okay, okay. You made your point. I’m going to get some sleep.”

  Number Two waited until Three was gone and then removed the gag.

  “Is he gone?” Jada asked, her breathing coming in fear-choked gasps.

  Number Two patted her leg. “He’s gone. Are you okay?”

  Jada cried. “Oh God, I thought he was going to…” She cried more. “I want to go home.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen.” Number Two started to put the gag back in.

  Jada panicked. “Don’t leave me. Please? He’ll come back. God, please don’t.”

  Two paused, looking around the room. “Here’s what I’m going to do. You’re going to sleep in my room, and I’ll sleep out here.”

  “Can’t you stay in the room with me?”

  “I like to sleep alone.”

  “What if he comes in there? He might…”

  “He wouldn’t dare.” She moved Jada, secured her to the bed then took her place in the center room. Number Two put the gun under her pillow, resting her hand next to it. If Number Three tried anything tonight, he’d have a little surprise waiting.

  Chapter 26

  Money and Kids

  Alexa came in from the family room, where she’d been watching television. “I’m going to get a burger. Anybody want anything?”

  I didn’t like her going, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. I doubted the kidnappers were watching the house now. “Not for me,” I said.

  “Where are you going?” Delgado asked.

  “Probably Whataburger.”

  “I’ll take a taquito,” Delgado said. “Sausage, egg, cheese and potatoes.”

  Connors ordered the same. I pulled out a twenty. “Alexa, I changed my mind. Get me the same thing, please.”

  “Mr. Hackett, Mrs. Hackett, do you want anything to eat?”

  “No, but thanks for asking.”

  “Be back soon,” she said.

  She returned in about forty-five minutes, setting the food on the kitchen counter. As I helped her unpack it, I noticed the look in her eyes—the zombie stare Ron used to get—and the slurred speech. She’d been gone less than an hour and had gotten fixed again. I got away from her quickly, gritting my teeth while I debated whether to tell Winthrop. I didn’t want another confrontation, and this wasn’t really the time or place to bring it up, but…then I thought about Ron and how I wished someone would have told me about his drug use. Maybe I could have stopped something. Probably not, but maybe.

  Delgado must have noticed my focus; he pulled me to the side. “We’re not here to bust kids for drugs.”

  I wanted to ream him out but…he was right. We were here because a girl was kidnapped. Part of me wanted to argue that saving one girl from drugs was just as important as saving another from kidnappers, but that didn’t seem right. “Okay, you win.”

  “It’s not about winning. It’s what’s right.”

  Alexa handed a taquito to Delgado and one to Connors. “If you’re looking for Jason, he was at Whataburger. A bunch of them are hanging out there.”

  Delgado grabbed a water and tapped Connors on the shoulder. “Let’s go, rookie. We got a dude to talk to.”

  “Go get ’em, Ribs.” I grabbed a bottled water from the fridge and took my taquito out to sit on the patio. It was nice out, one of those beautiful pre-summer nights in Houston, before it got so hot you poured sweat at midnight. I tilted my head, staring at a clear sky and pondering my life. For a long time, mine had been the best life a man could want—great son, magnificent wife—then everything went to shit. Mary suffered through years of cancer, and Ron suffered because I didn’t know how to deal with it all. Trying to care for Mary and leave enough time for the job and Ron didn’t work. He turned to drugs.

  “Relaxing, Detective?”

  I turned to see Scott approaching, a drink in his hand. “Trying to.”

  He sat next to me. Both of us were silent for a few minutes. “What happens to the money if you don’t catch the kidnappers?”

  “We don’t have any money.”

  “But suppose you did have the money. And you paid the ransom.”

  I looked at him. “And we didn’t catch them, you mean?”

  He nodded.

  “Then they get away with it.”

  I watched Scott go through a process of mulling something over. “I’d be lying if I said I understand. I don’t. I can’t comprehend losing seven million dollars.”

  “It’s not the money, so much…”

  I waited.

  “See, I don’t really have the money. I arranged a loan with the bank based on the money I’d earn from my company going public.”

  “And?”

  He paused again. “Nothing is ever guaranteed in life. Even this close to an IPO, something could go wrong. If I were to lose this money then not get my stock…”

  “I understand, sir. No need to say more.”

  “Don’t say anything to the Hacketts, I…”

  “I wouldn’t do that.”

  We sat in silence again, him sipping his drink and me staring at the stars. I got the feeling he wanted to talk, but then Lonny popped his head out the door. “Mr. Winthrop, your phone is ringing. Caller ID says it’s from a Jennifer…”

  He waved. “Thanks. I’ll call her back in a minute.” I waited for him to face me again. “One thing, Detective. I can’t…I don’t know how to say this. I can’t risk the money. It’s—”

  “No need to say more, Mr. Winthrop. I don’t know anyone who would.”

  ***

  Scott stayed outside, needing time to think. He had been on a roller coaster ride, and it wasn’t over yet. Aside from everything going on at work, he had to figure out how to get his personal life in order. It used to be perfect. Now…now was different.

  No matter what happened, his life was ruined. How had it gotten so bad? Not only was he messing with clinical data, he was blackmailing Sanjay and his brother. It seemed like only yesterday he had ethics. He’d taken pride in that, thought nothing in the world could budge him. That was yesterday. What might happen tomorrow?

  Chapter 27

  A Long Night

  I was relaxing in a recliner when Delgado walked in. A quick glance at the clock confirmed it was almost one. It felt like five. I covered my mouth while I yawned. “Get anything from the boyfriend?”

  Ribs shook his head. “That boy was so messed up he could barely talk. I have Connors sitting on him in case you want us to tak
e him in.”

  “Did you get anything from him?”

  Ribs gave me one of his looks. The kind when there is mixed company, so he can’t curse. “As I said, he was so messed up we wanted to take him in. And no, I didn’t get anything from him.”

  “Bring Connors back in.” From the corner of my eye, I saw Lonny get out of his seat and move toward the door.

  “I’m gonna kill that—” He was about to break protocol with a few choice words before Lucia grabbed his arm.

  “Jason’s parents can worry over him. We got enough to fret over.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Lonny said. He looked at Delgado. “Was that boy with Jada today?”

  “Not according to Jason, Mr. Hackett.” Delgado flipped open his notepad. “He said they were supposed to go shopping for a dress, but she never showed up at school, and she didn’t meet him at the mall like they planned.”

  “So he goes and gets high? Stinking son of a bitch!”

  “Lonny!” Lucia said.

  He reached over and patted Lucia’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

  Mars spoke up. “Don’t worry, Dad. If Jason did anything to Jada, I’ll kick the shit out of him.”

  A glare from Lucia silenced Mars. Any other night, I’d have bet money on him getting an ass whooping for that slip of the tongue. I got up and sat next to Lonny. “Listen, this kid may not be your idea of a prize for a son-in-law, or even your daughter’s friend, but as far as we know, he’s done nothing wrong—at least, he had nothing to do with her kidnapping. So hate him all you want for his drug use, or his clothes, or the way he combs his hair, but don’t blame him for this.”

  Lucia nodded the whole time, switching her glare between Mars and Lonny. “Listen to the man. He’s talking sense. Like I said, we’ve got more than plenty to worry over with Jada missing.”

  Lonny nodded, but he sat on the edge of the seat, cracking big bony knuckles, which made the muscles in his forearms twitch. He looked like a man wanting to hit someone. I wouldn’t want him pissed at me; his arms were huge. Not musclebound showy arms like a weightlifter. His were pure muscle, the kind you see on a panther or a lion. I thought about talking to him but opted for letting him cool off on his own.

  Delgado slid his chair closer to mine. “Anything from Ramirez on the Marshall case?”

  “She went back to Memorial and talked to the neighbors. One of them might have remembered a van, though his wife insisted it was a plumber’s truck. No other leads.”

  “She needs to interview the Marshalls again. Maybe they’ll remember something.”

  “Call Ramirez in the morning and get her on that,” I said.

  We talked for a few more minutes, and then Connors came in.

  “Nice night out there,” he said.

  Delgado gave him a funny look. “Nice night? Did you go on a date with that kid?”

  Connors shot Ribs the finger then got a bottled water from the fridge before joining us at the table. “Anything new?”

  “Nothing, but now that you’re here, we can discuss tomorrow’s plans.”

  Connors looked at Delgado then me. “What’s tomorrow? They said two days to get the money.”

  “But they said they’d call back tomorrow.”

  “Let’s listen to the last part of that tape again,” Delgado said.

  I looked around. Winthrop was absent, and I liked it that way. Didn’t want him or the Hacketts around while we discussed strategy. Especially the Hacketts.

  Connors grabbed the tape, pressed play, and navigated to the spot. “Okay, here it is, the part at the end where the kidnapper is telling Mr. Winthrop about the ransom.”

  “Seven million dollars in non-sequential serial numbers, hundred-dollar bills, no tracers on the money, or in the money. We will know if you try to track us. Have it ready in forty-eight hours. We’ll call tomorrow with instructions on the transfer.”

  “Wait! I need to talk to my daughter.”

  “The next time we call, you can talk to her.”

  We listened to it twice. “Seven million is a lot of cash,” Delgado said. “But…if it’s in hundreds, it won’t take up that much room.”

  I thought about some of the deals we’d done in narcotics, where we had a couple hundred grand stuffed into a briefcase and still had plenty of room. “Seven million would fit in a large duffel bag, or a few backpacks. My guess is there will be more than one of them doing the pickup.”

  Delgado thought for a moment. “How do they plan on getting away unnoticed?”

  “It would have to be someplace private,” Connors said.

  “And they have got to know we’ll be tailing them.”

  Delgado shook his head. “I’ll tell you what I think. These guys believe they can outsmart us. They’re planning on losing whatever tail we put on them then driving off into the sunset.”

  “And they said they’d know if we put tracers in the money or tried to track them,” Connors said.

  I looked around. “Where are the techs?”

  “Watching TV,” Delgado said. “I’ll get them.”

  They joined us at the table. “Keep your voices down,” I said. “We don’t need the Hacketts hearing this.”

  Delgado whispered. “These guys obviously think they can spot tracers or sensors. How would they do that? What kind of equipment would they need?”

  “Can you hide a GPS on Scott’s car?” I asked. “And inside the money?”

  “We can put a tracer in his car, and in the money, but…”

  “What?”

  “If they have a device to detect them, nothing will hide it.”

  I looked at Delgado, already shaking his head. “And if they find them, we’re fucked.”

  “Once they see we have no money, we’re fucked anyway,” I said.

  “The only way this works is if we catch the guy at the drop and convince him to take us to the girl.”

  I looked around again. “And all before they kill her.”

  “Everything depends on surveillance,” Delgado said. “We need every route covered. Put a fucking net around them so tight their dicks will pop.”

  I looked at Delgado. “Their dicks will pop? Where the hell did you come up with that?”

  “Tip.”

  “Delgado, I’m going to share some advice. Don’t use Tip Denton’s sayings. They’re old. They’re not funny. And half the time, they make no sense.”

  “Still…we’re gonna need that surveillance.”

  I went in to get some water and shot a look to the other room. Lonny was still on the edge of the seat, literally, and he still looked pissed off. And worried.

  “You want anything to drink, Delgado?”

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “Connors?”

  “More water, please.”

  I handed Connors his drink but didn’t sit. “Ribs, how about you keep brainstorming? I’m going to have a chat with Lonny.”

  I sat in the chair next to Lonny. He was clenching and unclenching his fist in rapid motions. He didn’t look up.

  “What do you do for a living, Lonny?”

  He glanced at me, but didn’t answer at first then slowly let it out. “Masonry.”

  “Masonry? A bricklayer, you mean.”

  “Bricks, blocks, stone, concrete. About anything that has to do with masonry.”

  I let that sit for a minute. “I don’t envy you. That’s hard work. Especially in this heat.”

  He nodded, the kind that said “how the fuck would you know” but without actually saying it. I pegged him for a guy who might say it under different circumstances, but not with Lucia around. No way.

  “My grandfather was a stonemason in Philadelphia,” I said. “He liked working stone the best.”

  A spark came to Lonny’s eyes. “Me too. Used to be a lot of stonework. Hardly any now. Maybe a patio or the front of a house now and then.” He shook his head. “Hardly no work at all nowadays.”

  “My pop pop—that’s what we called him—he wanted
me to take up the trade. At times I wanted to, but he soured me on it with too many summers of hard work when I was young. I came home so tired I couldn’t go party, even on Saturday night.”

  Lonny smiled. “That’ll do it to you. Carrying all that stone and mortar.”

  “And dumping over wheelbarrows full of concrete, ’cause your arms are so tired you can’t hold them up straight.”

  Now he laughed outright. “Yessir, I do remember that myself.” He stopped cracking his knuckles and leaned back in the chair. He’d lost the edge.

  We continued talking about the trade and how it was dying, like so many others. From behind him, Lucia mouthed “thank you” to me and smiled. It was a tired smile, but warm and loving. She reminded me a lot of Mary.

  As Lonny and I talked, she got up, picking some trash off the table where Connors had left it. She started to pick up more but then turned to her son. “Mars, get your sorry self over here and throw this trash away. You too, Alexa. No reason for it to be sitting here with a waste can half empty.”

  I was willing to bet that was the first time anyone spoke to Princess Alexa that way in all of her long seventeen years. Lucia shot a sideways glance to Connors as she headed toward the sink. He blushed. I thought I heard him whisper, “Sorry, ma’am,” but it was so low I couldn’t be sure. I made a mental note to rinse my coffee cup.

  She grabbed the teapot and filled it with water. “I’m making tea if anyone wants some.” She walked down the hall and poked her head in the study. “Mr. Winthrop, do you want tea? Or coffee?”

  He came out a few seconds later. “I’ll have coffee, thanks. And Lucia, please, it’s Scott.”

  “You go on back in there, Mr. Winthrop. I’ll bring it to you.”

  “I’ll have coffee,” Lonny said.

  “I’m making you tea,” she said. “You don’t need any more coffee tonight.”

  I watched as she kept herself busy. A fine woman this was. She got a washcloth and brush and started in on the dishes, doing them by hand even though the dishwasher sat empty. I grabbed a towel and moved in beside her.

  She never looked up. “No need for a detective to be doing dishes. I got this little job covered.”