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Conrad Sweeney drummed a theme from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade on his desktop. He was anxious and he knew it. This increasing discontent was new to him and he was not entirely sure how to deal with it. He didn’t recall ever feeling like this before. Even when he had been poor—and that was a long time ago—he did not recall feeling the same unease. Something was eating away at him, something he hadn’t quite isolated, hadn’t identified. But it was real, just the same. And he needed to get it under control. He had too much at risk to suffer any distractions.
Normally being his office, the expansive penthouse suite, filled him with an inner calm, a sense of his accomplishment. But not anymore. Now he had this stupid trial to deal with. He was being played by Pike and that cut him like a sharp knife with a serrated blade. He refused to be anyone’s pawn—
Did he actually almost slam his fist down on the desk?
He needed to do something. Some kind of distraction.
He picked up his smartphone and texted Prudence. STATUS.
The reply was immediate. DEPO DONE
AND?
SHE’S PARKING
BRING HER UP ASAP
UNDERSTOOD
Dealing with this damnable lawsuit was only likely to elevate his blood pressure. But at least it would give him something to occupy his mind. Later he would have to deal with his business assoiciates in El Salvador. They were not pleased. The loss of the ship, the capture of their men, gave them cause for concern. They didn’t much like the way he handled the execution of The Captain, either. They were threatening to suspend operations, or to take their business to a safer port.
He could not afford for that to happen. Literally. One more economic setback and he was finished.
He had fought too hard to become what he was. He was not going to sit on his butt while it all crumbled at his feet.
While he waited, he dialed his lawyers. Drake answered. “How was the deposition?”
“Nothing to worry about. And no reason for you to be there.”
Not that there was a chance he would give Pike that pleasure. “Did Ellison toe the line?”
“Said what we expected. Held up his end.”
“Told Pike he watched his father execute another officer?”
“Pretty much so.”
“Any discussion of cartels or smuggling:”
“None at all.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way. Anything else?”
“I’m telling you, it went without a hitch. No problems. Perfect.”
This man might be an ace in the courtroom, but he was an idiot in life. He had no sense of what was going on here. Sweeney wanted the best firm in the city backing him, but he was beginning to wonder if the man’s cluelessness made him an asset or a liability. “There is no such thing.”
“Um, excuse me?”
“No such thing as perfect. Or a perfect deposition, for that matter.”
“Well...Ellison did mention that he saw Officer Pike pull the trigger—in his outside car mirror. I thought he’d seen it directly, with his own eyes. But it doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t be an idiot. Of course it matters.”
“What matters is that he saw Pike pull the trigger. And an instant later, Fisher went down.”
Hmm. That could be improved. “What do you think they’ll do next?”
“Oh, take a lot more pointless depositions. Run up the tab.”
“There is no tab to run up, you imbecile. Do you think the firm is going to send their partner a bill? These people don’t even bill their usual clients.”
Drake’s voice wavered. “I know they want a lot of depos. And documents.”
“But they want to be in court as soon as possible.”
“True.”
“So drag your heels. Any way possible. Buy me time.”
“I hear what you’re saying, Dr. Sweeney, but you know, there are ethical—”
“Don’t give me that crap. Delay. Working at a snail’s pace should come naturally to an imbecilic lickspittle like you.”
“Well, I’ll see—”
Sweeney disconnected the line. That call was a mistake. Now he was more agitated than before.
He heard the private elevator arrive outside. Heard some murmuring. Probably his guest rubbernecking the paintings. Prudence wouldn’t allow much of that. She knew he was anxious.
A few moment later Prudence led in their guest, who gawked and gazed as if she were on a tour of the Sistine Chapel. Actually, he much preferred this office to the Chapel. No crowds, and Michelangelo was a better sculptor than painter.
He did not rise. “Please take a seat.”
Meredith McKnight lowered herself into the indicated chair.
“I understand the first deposition is complete.”
McKnight nodded. She seemed nervous, a bit hyper. “Yes. What a creepshow that was. I never heard so much arguing at a deposition.”
“I’m not surprised. Did the witness hold up?”
“Absolutely Stood his ground. He saw that guy’s dad fire the gun.”
“How did Mr. Pike react to the news?”
“Pretty cool, on the whole. He made a little noise, but not that much. If I’d heard someone accuse my daddy of murder, I’d have been a lot louder.”
“He’s heard it before. Many times before. Grew up with it. Made him the fighter he is today.” Sweeney paused, staring at his hands on the desktop. “And the lady lawyer?”
“Maria? Supercool. I like her.”
His chin lowered. “And when you say you like her...?”
“I’m just saying she’s a pro. Even though I know she didn’t like what she heard, she didn’t let it faze her. Kept her client in check too, which had to take some doing.”
“And they bought your cover story?”
“Oh yeah. No problems there.”
Prudence cut in. “No one asked how you financed the journey? No one asked how a newbie court reporter managed to be working for Friedman & Collins?”
“Nope. No suspicions.”
“The fact that no one asked does not mean there were no suspicions.” Sweeney said. “You’re not wearing a ring.”
“True.”
“You claimed to be married. But you’re not wearing a ring.”
“I don’t think anyone noticed.”
“Pike noticed.”
“How can you—”
“I know.” He and Prudence exchanged a frown.
“Some women are resisting the ring these days,” Prudence said. “They say it’s like wearing a dog collar. A badge of ownership.”
“Fine. That’s your story,” Sweeney said. “If someone asks. You resisted the ring because—” He chuckled out loud. “Because you’re a fiercely independent feminist.”
“I can do that.” Marilyn paused. “If I can ask, do you remember what you promised?”
“About the rest of your family? Your sister? Your parents?”
“Yeah. I really want to get them out of Brooklyn. I don’t think they’re safe. And I miss them.”
“When our business is completed—to my satisfaction—I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it.”
“But I will expect much more from you in return.”
She appeared confused. “I—I thought I was already reporting and—”
“Apparently Mr. Ellison made some foolhardy comments about witnessing the murder through a car mirror, rather than seeing it directly.”
“True. But he still—”
“I would like those remarks to disappear from the transcript.”
A sudden silence descended upon the room. “Sir, I can’t—”
“Or course you can. Are you saying you won’t?”
“I—I—The lawyers. They’ll remember.”
“But they won’t be able to prove anything.”
“Ellison will remember.”
“No, he’ll only remember what I want him to remember.”
“They’ll know it was me.”
“Maybe. But they won’t be able to do anything about it. And your family will be safe. Isn’t that what matters?”
“If word got out, no one would hire me to—”
“Friedman & Collins will offer you a ten-year employment contract. Payment guaranteed. After a brief sabbatical starting whenever the depositions are completed. Any other objections?”
She swallowed hard. “I guess not.”
“Good.” He steepled his fingers before his face. He was feeling better already.
“Dr. Sweeney,” Prudence said, “I think it might be good if I sat in on the remaining depositions. As your personal representative.”
“Thank you for volunteering. That’s an excellent idea. As always, I am indebted to you for your service.”
“Always, sir. Is there anything else I could do for you?”
“Yes. I think we should initiate some investigations of our own. Maybe use Ellison. Maybe not, if you think he’s too close.”
“What do you want to know?”
“More about this pack of losers who call themselves the Last Chance Lawyers. We’ve investigated Pike, but what about this Maria our friend here is so fond of? What about the researcher? The gay man? I’ll willing to bet they all have secrets.”
“Everyone does. If you dig deep enough.”
“And what about the mysterious Mr. K, the deep pocket who finances this operation?”
“I thought you already knew—”
“I want to know everything.”
Prudence nodded. “Specifically?”
“I want to know how to shut down the money pipeline. If we could persuade him to stop bankrolling this insane excuse for a law firm, all our others problems might evaporate like raindrops on a sunny day.”
“I will get right on it, sir.”
“Spare no expense. And spare no feelings. We’re playing for keeps. No holds barred.” His eyes narrowed. He wanted to make sure she understood what he was saying,. Every word of it. “We’ve toyed and parried with Daniel Pike long enough. We have the means to finish him. So let’s make sure we do it. Let’s drive a stake into his heart and twist it hard. Except this time, he will not rise from the grave.”