18
When they reached the restaurant, Nate was greeted by the attendant.
“Mr. Reigns, it is good to see you, sir. Will you be joining your father?”
“No, Galen, not today,” Nate replied. “However, can you tell me if Mayor Palmer is still here?”
“Yes, he is,” the older distinguished gentleman replied.
Nate held up his tablet. “Is this man with him?”
Galen looked at the picture. “Yes,” he replied with a scowl. “The Mayor was not pleased by his appearance. I can tell you that.”
“Really,” Nate replied. He pulled out his wallet and gave Galen a twenty. “Will you keep my vehicle available for a quick escape?”
Galen smiled. “As always, Mr. Reigns.”
Nate patted Galen on the back. “Thank you, Galen,” he said as he walked off. “Which room is the Mayor dining in?”
“The Cherry Blossom Room,” Galen replied then called out, “Sir, your father is there also.”
Nate nodded. “Thanks for the heads up.”
The partners walked inside the building then up the winding marble staircase leading to the heavy, rich wood grained double doors. The doormen, opened the doors to allow the men entrance. Inside there were people dining at tables, and several pockets of men and women standing, socializing.
“So this is how the rich do it,” Tony said.
“This is low key compared to some gatherings,” Nate said as he spotted Mayor Palmer and his Chief of Staff, Grant Hutchinson. To his discomfort, his father, Nathaniel Reigns of Reigns, Reigns and Reigns Law Firm, was standing in the group with them.
“I feel so under dressed,” Tony frowned.
Nate looked at him and laughed. Which was exactly what he knew Tony wanted. “You are the best looking human in the room,” Nate said then walked, toward the group. He had a job to do. His father being present wasn’t about to deter him from that.
“Nate.” Grant extended his hand as he approached. “How are you?”
Nate shook his friend’s hand. “I’m well. How is the wife?”
Grant smiled. “Enjoying married life.”
“You’re still a newlywed,” Nate’s father said. “Give it another year or two.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Nate glared at his father. “Some men understand the word commitment.” He then turned to Mayor Palmer. “Mr. Mayor, how are you?”
“It’s good to see you, Detective Reigns. Detective Harper.”
“Mr. Mayor,” Tony replied.
“I’m impressed with the conviction rate coming from Major Crimes,” Mayor Palmer stated. “The Chief tells me you are a huge part of that success, Detective Reigns. Something I’m certain you are proud of, Nathanial.”
Nate’s father looked down at his drink. “Yes.” He looked back up. “If you gentlemen will excuse me,” the man said then turned and walked away.
Mayor Palmer watched, then turned back to Nate. “Was it something I said?”
“No,” Nate replied. “Mr. Mayor, I understand you had lunch with this man.” He pulled out his tablet to show the Mayor a picture of Wyatt Chambers. “Is he still here?”
Mayor LT Palmer cleared his throat. “Ah, Mr. Chambers.” He glanced at Grant, who smirked.
“We didn’t exactly have lunch,” he stated. “It was more of an interruption.”
“We were given the impression that he was a contributor to your campaign,” Tony said.
The Mayor and his Chief of Staff smirked.
“What do you know about Chambers and his PIE organization?” The Mayor asked.
“From what I was told, they are the superior race.” Nate laughed.
“Ahh, then you know there is no chance that he or any member of his organization would contribute to my next election. What is your interest in Chambers?”
“A murder investigation we are working on led us his way,” Nate said as he scanned the room. “We have a few questions. Is he still here?”
Mayor Palmer nodded his head towards a group of men near the bay of windows on the other side of the room. “Chambers is the one in the navy suit.”
“What the hell is that, the Stepford Husbands? Which one is Chambers, they all look alike.” Tony chuckled, then glanced at Nate. “You get it? They all look alike.”
“We get it, Tony,” Nate shook his head, then began walking off. “Excuse us. We need to have a word with Mr. Chambers.”
As they walked to the area by the windows, there were two men dressed in navy suits, white shirts and ties, standing on the outside of the group. They appeared to be bodyguards. Since they were not who Nate needed to see, he attempted to walk by them. One of the men put his hand up and spoke quietly.
“This is a private area. If you attempt to proceed any further, I will be forced to detain you.”
Nate glanced at Tony, then back to the man. He leaned towards the man and spoke just as quietly as he had. “I am going to ask you once, and once only, to move out of my way.”
In the next instance, the man had made a critical miscalculation. He placed his hand on Nate’s shoulder. Nate was certain the man was only trying to make room between the two of them, but since he couldn’t be sure, he grabbed the man’s hand, then began to twist it with so much force the man dropped to his knees. The man next to him reached into his jacket, but Nate already had his weapon on him. “That would not be wise.”
“I’ll take that.” Tony stepped up. “I’m sure you have a permit to carry this.”
The people in the restaurant turned towards the commotion.
“Nothing to see folks. Just a little police business.”
Nate turned, surprised to see his father assuring the patrons all was well. Once Tony secured the other man’s weapon, Nate looked down at the first man. “Here, allow me to give you a hand up.” He pulled the man up, then released his hand. As the man rubbed the area, Nate secured his weapon. “Good afternoon. Which of you is Wyatt Chambers?”
The men all dressed in navy suits and white shirts with red ties only stared at him. Not one turned, moved or made any motion at all. It was clear not one of them was going to indicate Chambers.
The man in the center placed his glass on the table then stepped forward. “I am Wyatt Chambers. May I help you with something?”
“Mr. Chambers.” Nate took the exact same stance as he, legs braced apart, arms down, hands clutched in front. “Detective Nate Reigns. I would like a word with you in private.”
“You believe a show of force in front of all these good people was necessary to request something so menial?”
“Menial is a relative word, Mr. Chambers.” Nate smiled. “In proportion to your gathering of clones, I would contend the show of superiority was not only imperative but vital to the tranquility of my mind.”
Chambers smirked. “You are one of those with the vocabulary to make others believe you are equal to me.” He looked around at his men. “We know that to be a mistake.”
“I agree, for you have not mustered enough dignity to spit shine my shoes,” Nate countered. Chambers parted his lips to say something more, but Nate put his finger to his lips. “Shh….” He held his head towards the floor. Listened, then looked back to Chambers. “A cock-roach was speaking. What he had to say was more significant to me than the words that are spilling from your mouth.” His stare hardened towards Chambers. “Shall we try again, Mr. Chambers? I would like a word with you in private. We can continue here, where your colleagues can give you the encouragement you need to stand up to a man of my stature. Or, we can step into the private room to the left to continue this pissing contest.”
Chamber’s stare could have melted Nate as if he was a cube of ice it was so fiery. Nate watched as the man surveyed the room. Chambers tilted his head. Nate took a step back to allow the man a path to walk away. The man who had attempted to stop Nate started to follow. Nate put a hand on his shoulder, moved his finger left to right indicating no. Then followed Chambers to the room.
“This is just for the big boys,” Tony said with a grin, then followed Chambers and Nate out of the room.
Nate was pleased to find the private dining room was empty. It would have been difficult to convince Chambers to go to another location after the display in the dining room.
“Please limit your inquires, Detective Reigns. I do have people waiting to speak with me.”
“I’ll make it simple Mr. Chambers,” Nate said as Tony closed the door behind them. “It has come to our attention that you approached an Officer Arthur Mosley with a deposit of five thousand dollars into the account of Trinity Scott to ensure the dispersing of a crowd at Chimborazo Park on yesterday. I’m curious to know why you made such a request?”
“The funds were a donation to a police fund for the fine job the department is doing in the city. The call for assistance for an illegal gathering is something that every citizen has the right to do. Are you attempting to impede my right to contact the police when I feel threatened?”
“Oh, no. I would never obstruct any citizen’s rights. However, I have to ask, why not make the call yourself?”
“My business is connected to incarceration. It would have looked as if I was attempting to line my pockets by causing the arrest of someone. It would have appeared inappropriate.”
Nate smiled. “You are referring to your position with Peace Reliance.”
“Yes, I am.” Chambers walked towards the door. “Now, if you will excuse me.”
“One more question, Mr. Chambers.” Nate watched as the man’s shoulders tightened, then turned towards him.
“That would be?”
“Are you associated with a Judge Paula Reid from Hanover County?” A flicker of recognition flashed in the man’s eyes.
“I cannot say that I am? Why?”
Nate smiled. “Not important. Thank you for your time, Mr. Chambers.”
Chambers eyed him for a long time, turned then walked out the door Tony held open for him.
“Well, now that we have pissed him off, where do we go from here?” Tony asked.
“Now we advise Alex Burnett that we may be dropping a shit load of problems in his lap.”