JORDYN AND WILLIAM SHOWED NO SIGNS OF LEAVING, so I made my apologies and left. I was afraid I might over play my hand if I lingered. If I hadn’t managed to convince them to rush to a resolution, I really would have to play this case straight, which meant interrogatories, depositions, experts, and a mountain of motions that would surely drive our judge to drink. It wasn’t my preference, and it risked my client spending a very long time in a jail cell, but I wasn’t about to agree to a trial to the court—not before Judge Moorman at any rate. On my walk back to the office, I ran into a sight for sore eyes.
“Clovis Jones, I’ll be damned. What brings you to DC?”
He frowned. “Cut the act. Nobody is following you or listening.”
“It was an act, but I am genuinely glad to see you. Where are you staying?” I asked.
“We’re at the farmhouse. We’re supposed to be working at Walter’s headquarters which is only a stone’s throw away, so it makes sense. Stella has already bonded with Rita, and they’re hard at work going through David’s box of ideas. Stella told me to give this to you.”
He handed me a cellphone, smiled, and said, “You struck a nerve when you said someone was better at her job than she is. She says no one can bug this phone but use it wisely. Your opponents may have bugged more phones than yours.”
He continued as we walked.
“I talked to Beth earlier today—she’s okay. Her instincts are to come to DC, but I convinced her that if she were here, you’d spend all your time worrying about her. I’ve talked to Royce and the family in St. Louis. She’s well protected, not to mention Thibodeaux’s specialist, whoever that is. The St. Louis family wouldn’t discuss him, but they know he’s in the city.”
“Thanks, Clovis. I appreciate your dealing with her in person. She trusts your judgment, and so do I. Thank you.”
Clovis also confirmed that I was being followed, but not so close as to constitute a threat. “They’re watching where you go, and who you’re meeting with. Get used to it.”
“Any attempts by Hans or his men to get close to the farmhouse?” I asked.
“So far, no.”
“Anything else?”
“Jordyn and Stanford have met with the judge on two occasions. He also joined them at the Jefferson as soon as you left. I expect something will come down the pipe before too long.”
“Pull off keeping track of the judge and counsel. What you just told me about their meeting comes as no surprise. I thought I wanted to know if they were colluding, but I really don’t. I regret stooping to their tactics; it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Besides, I have better things for you and your people to do.” I gave him new marching orders.
“One last thing. If Stella and Rita come up with anything, have them tell Maggie. She will understand its significance and will find a way to let me know.”
“Time to go,” he said. “People might think we’re talking about something important.”
“I sure wish you could join me for a beer,” I complained. We’d reached McPherson Square.
“There’ll be plenty of time for beer when this is over,” he said, turning toward the Metro.
Since I was in the neighborhood, I headed to one of my favorite watering holes. Tonight, I could have a great cheeseburger and crispy fries and make both Hans and Jordyn nervous at the same time. The Post Pub used to be the go-to place for reporters to meet and eat. Sadly, reporters don’t indulge in two martini lunches or write their columns at a table anymore. But it’s still a great place for a burger in the late afternoon before braving the Metro, and there are always a few reporters who haven’t given up old habits.
The Post isn’t known for its wine selection, but I ordered a decent Oregon pinot noir and got comfortable at the bar. I chatted with the bartender and caught up on the local sports news scrolling on the large TV overhead. After the first glass, I ordered another and a cheeseburger with fries. What the heck, there was no one waiting for me at home. I debated with the man seated next to me about who the next owner of the Commanders would be, and that was my excitement for the evening. What I wouldn’t give to be in Louisiana with Abby Broussard right now.
After my third glass of wine, I knew it was time to go home. I hailed a cab and didn’t notice until I’d fastened the seat belt that the driver was Hans.
“Don’t try to jump out, Jack. You’ll only get hurt, maybe run over. And don’t worry—I am taking you home, but I’ve got a message you won’t like.”
“I’ve never thought of you as a bearer of good news,” I said.
“You need to fold on your request for a jury trial, and you need to do it tomorrow. A jury trial introduces an element of uncertainty that’s unacceptable. This case goes before the judge.”
“What happened to ‘we don’t care how you pull it off?’”
“People are nervous, they’re not sure you’re on board. Your meetings with old friends have on them on edge.”
“I’m supposed to become a hermit?”
“No, but meeting with reporters, former Justice employees, and being friendly with Duke is not the behavior they expected. They smell a skunk.”
“What if I want to do it my way? I’ve never been good at taking orders.”
“Maybe not, but this time you’ll do as you are told. We have a bargain, and if you want your daughter to walk down the aisle with Jeff, you will do as you are told. You have no other options.”
I felt my temperature rising. “Let me say this one more time. We don’t have any bargain. What we have is you threating my daughter’s life.”
“Not just your daughter Jack. Don’t forget Maggie, Clovis, and Stella. You’ll do as you are told this time, or you’ll attend the funerals of your whole team, one by one, before you face the same fate. And if you become too close to anyone else before this case is over, they’ll die, too. What’s the saying, Jack? ‘Not bragging, just facts.’”
The cab pulled up to my condominium and as I stepped out, I turned to face the driver.
“I didn’t think you were bragging. I would hope not. My family and friends are important to me. You obviously know that. If they were to be murdered, you wouldn’t have to kill me; I would do it myself.” I turned and walked into my building, trying not to look back as he drove away.
I’d been careful not to agree to his demand, just as I had made it clear we had no bargain. I needed time to think. I found the phone Stella had given me in my pocket and dialed a familiar number.
“Clovis. Any way you can come to my place without being noticed?”
“I’m already there.”