CHAPTER 8
Conversation with Daffy
Stitch got a room at a Holiday Inn out on the highway. When he got into his room he checked his BlackBerry for Daffy’s message. Hate these things, it started out. These stupid little keys drive me crazy. Stitch thought about Daffy’s huge hands and thick fingers. He laughed aloud as he imagined Daffy trying to punch out a message. It’s a wonder, Stitch thought, the phone hadn’t been thrown across the room.
We’re desperately trying to hold them off. 40 or 50 high school kids came this pm. They pitched tents in the road for the night. Gotta love these kids, eh? Young. Not afraid to stand up for what they believe. Like we used to be.
Also using all my sources to see if there is a legal loophole. Found something odd. Venam’s account suddenly showed a $4.5m deposit a few months ago. Can’t seem to find out where it came from. Very hush hush. I got it from inside the bank. Might be money ludri, oh damn these things, laundering. Have you got anything for me?
Beatrice
Stitch smiled and hit Daffy’s number on his BlackBerry.
“Stitch!” Daffy yelled. Stitch could hear exhaustion and hope in Daffy’s voice. “Cripes, I thought you were never going to call. What the hell’s up?”
“I’ve been on the go all day. Just opened your message.” Stitch paused for a moment to let Daffy calm down. “I’ve got a bit of good news. Bit of bad. Which do you want first?”
Stitch heard Daffy sigh at the other end. “After a day like this, give me the good first.”
“I found Maxwell. Talked to him. He’s agreed to return to Mapleton.”
“That’s great!” Daffy roared at the other end. “Is he willing to talk?”
“Yeah, he says he is. They really did a number on him. Set him up with a broad. Then they got pictures of them in bed.”
“Blackmail.”
“Yeah, but then they sweetened the pot. They said they’d give him $100,000 to keep quiet.”
Duffy whistled quietly. “Wow. The old carrot and stick trick, eh? But that’s great, Stitch. With his statement, I can get an interim injunction. I can show he changed his vote because of bribery. That’s a criminal offence. In court we’ll have to prove bribery. But right now all we need is his word. That will stop the bulldozers. That’s the main thing.”
“Then there’s the bad news.”
“What could be bad about this?”
“Maxwell’s not with me. He refused to return today. Said he wanted one more night with his girlfriend.”
“OK,” Daffy said. “That’s not so bad. You’ll be here tomorrow afternoon if you get an early start. I can hold them off until then. I’ll set up a press conference.”
“You’re assuming Maxwell makes it back.”
Daffy’s voice went flat. “You’re afraid he’s going to run.”
“I don’t think so. He’s pretty shaken up. I’m mainly afraid Didi Rose gets wind and calls in the mob.”
“Hit?”
“Possible. I tried to tell him Didi was in on it. Don’t think he believed me. But he said he’d be cautious.”
“Lord,” Daffy groaned. “Without him we’ve got no basis for an injunction.”
“Cripes, Duffy,” Stitch said in irritation. “It’s not all about your damned swamp. Without Maxwell, his kids have no father. His wife has no husband!”
“OK, Stitch. Take it easy. You’re right. I just get caught up in things. But this is a critical fight. We have to win this one. If we don’t, a crucial part of the entire basin ecosystem will be lost forever.”
Stitch took a deep breath. “I know you’re just focused. And I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”
“You too, eh? I spent the last 12 hours bailing people out at the courthouse. That was after I got bailed out yesterday, of course.”
“My lawyer the jailbird,” Stitch chuckled. “Listen, if worse comes to worst, would a recording help?”
“A recording?” Daffy asked. “Of what?”
“Of Bob Maxwell admitting he was bribed to change his vote. What else?”
There was silence at the other end. “You mean you have his confession on tape?”
“Yeah. Well, I have our whole conversation recorded. Not on tape. It’s one of those dinky little ballpoint pen recorders.”
“For Christ’s sake, Stitch!” Daffy yelled. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“Well, you never asked. Yeah, I record every interview I have with a client. Or a client’s ex. But I didn’t know if a recording would stand up in court.”
“It may or may not. But it should be enough to get a judge to grant an interim injunction.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Stitch said quietly.
“Amen. Listen, couldn’t you stake his place out?”
“I thought about it. But if it’s a hit, there’s nothing I can do. Two guys armed to the teeth drive in. Bang. They’re gone. If he runs, which I doubt, I’ve got no authority to pull him over. I’d just have to watch as he drove off. I’d rather trust his judgment and get a decent night’s sleep. Not make anyone nervous by hanging around. We’ve got a long drive tomorrow.”
“Right. Listen, partner. I really appreciate this.”
“Remember, I’m working for Molly Maxwell. She takes priority here. And none of this gets out until you get the go ahead. Right?”
“Got it. I understand client confidentiality.”
“So you understand that I’m on thin ice here. Could probably lose my licence.”
“OK, champ. My lips are sealed.”
Stitch pushed the red off button and slipped the Blackberry back into its holster on his belt.
Stitch had been starving when he got to the hotel. The only restaurants he had seen were a string of fast food joints lining the highway. He had stopped at the A&W and got a teen burger. The best of a bad lot, he figured. Now he opened up the bag and fished out the burger.
He took a long drink from the giant cup of root beer. He looked idly out the window. Trucks and cars whizzed by. Wonder where they’re going in such a hurry? Stitch thought. What for? We’re all ending up in the same place. What’s the rush?
He finished the burger and wiped his fingers on the napkins provided. He took another pull from the straw. Damn, they sure made good root beer. Had to give them that. Then he phoned Molly Maxwell.