Chapter 54
Hey guys, thank you for the support as usual. Here's another one, i hope you like and review.
Rachel was happy her dinner was a success with their house guests. Steve had two big helpings,
Catherine asked for the recipe and Daniel looked so proud. She brought out dessert: blueberry pie.
"That looks wonderful." The Commander said, rubbing his already full stomach. "But I'll pass. I enjoyed
the main course, twice. That roast beef was so good, so tender. My first real dinner since getting out of
the hospital and it was a real treat. My highest compliments to the chef."
"Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"God bless the cook." Danny raised his glass.
All raised their glasses to Rachel. "Here, here." Steve added.
"We can save the pie for a little later."
"But the ice cream?" Grace asked with Charlie nodding in agreement.
"Yes, you two can have ice cream."
"Thank you, mommy." Both children exclaimed happily.
"Coffee everyone? Should be ready."
Catherine, Steve, and Danny nodded enthusiastically as Rachel left to retrieve the coffee.
"Is the room okay with you two? I know Dr. Charity was concerned about stairs." Danny asked.
"One staircase it's good exercise. Are you sure us staying here won't be any trouble?"
"Shut up, you big goof. I'm happy you're here."
"Me too!" Gracie added happily.
Rachel returned with the coffee. "You too, what?"
"Glad Uncle Steve and Aunt Catherine are here." The Williams' daughter beamed.
"You're still going to school tomorrow, young lady."
"Yes, I know, mommy." Gracie said, disappointed.
"Pie crust promise." Catherine whispered to Steve. Both smiled.
Rachel served their guests first. She turned to Danny as she poured his coffee. "You look knackered,
love."
"I am." He replied. "I need this coffee."
"Tough interrogation?" Steve asked before sipping his coffee.
Danny sighed heavily. "You have no idea." He looked at his children before making eye contact with his
house guest.
The commander nodded his understanding; they would talk later.
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Lou was glad the boss went home. He looked tuckered out. Now, Lou watched the Russian felon sit in
the interrogation room through the one-way glass.
Chin joined him. "Did the boss leave?"
"Yep."
"What's your plan of action?"
"I'm going to let him sit and stew awhile. Being handcuffed to the table cannot be comfortable. Let's
see if he falls asleep." Lou smiled with no mirth. "If he does, then I'll just have to wake him up."
"Don't we have to supply a meal?"
"I gave him a bottle of water. If he asks for the bathroom, then we will take him. Food will be a reward
for 'good' behavior." Lou made bunny ears with his fingers.
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George stared at the wall in front of him. With Dennis in custody, he had no mouthpiece to fancy talk
these cops. All this was Lynn's fault for trying to take some control away from him. He was just trying to
scare her when she pushed the gun away. Then that naval officer showed up, putting more stupid ideas
in her head. He should have never gotten Vasily involved. Now, it looked like his own vengeance got
the best of him.
He sighed.
No doubt that navy man was lounging in his hospital bed, with his woman by his side. He should have
gone after him himself. He knew he would have done away with him cleanly. His older brother was
always a bit too confident.
He knew they were watching him, so he did nothing. He was sure he could find a way out of this mess.
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Lynn and Adam were in the hotel coffee shop, sharing a cocktail while waiting for their dinner.
"Okay, so it's settled. We can afford to give everyone a $75 bonus, over and above their overtime."
"Sounds fair. $25 for each full day of the convention."
"Are you sure we shouldn't make it $100?"
"I'm all for sharing the wealth but let us start off modest. I think $25 a day is generous. This is our first
convention."
"I hear you, Mr. General Manager. I guess I'm trying to do too much too soon."
Adam smiled. "And I applaud your generosity, but we should keep a chunk for some little improvements
and advertising."
"Advertising?"
"I was talking to that convention director. Do you know there are catalogs, magazines that cater to
conventions, big and small?"
"I did. I just figured it was out of our league."
"Well, we just pulled off a moderate one. I say that we go for it."
Lynn considered. "Why not? We get a convention once or twice a quarter, we could make some real
money." Suddenly, she was energized. "We could update more rooms, add some more services like
massages or a sauna and spa, oh Adam, do you really think it could work?"
Their dinner was served.
"Yes. Yes, I do."
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It was ten of seven and Junior was early. He could cool his heels a few minutes as he waited for Tani.
He was parking the car so he could keep an eye on Tani's door. He no sooner put the car in park before
Tani came bouncing out of her apartment. He put the car back in gear and drove to her.
He was rewarded with a big, brilliant smile.
She waited until the car stopped before jumping in. She leaned over and kissed Junior's cheek. "Hi
Junes."
He grinned. "Hiya beautiful. What are you in the mood for?"
"Can we go to the Oasis? Eric is having a trivia night. I reserved us a table."
He drove in that direction. "Sure, I just thought you'd be sick of the place."
"I love his trivia nights but when I'm working, I can't participate. I'd like to win some of those prizes."
She smiled seductively. "Tonight's grand prize is a two-night getaway, with meals included."
"Can you win prizes, I mean, as an employee?"
"No, but as my date, you can."
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Steve and Catherine snuggled in one of the oversized leather chairs in Danny's man cave while Danny
snuggled with Rachel in the other. The children were in their chairs too, eating ice cream. All were
enjoying TV.
"I got addicted to this show in the hospital." Steve said to no one in particular. "Seemed so simple. Just
buy letters, solve the puzzle."
"It's harder than it looks." Danny agreed as he yawned. "Hey Steve, like cigars?"
"I've been known to enjoy them, on occasion."
"Great! Let's go on the patio and light up."
Steve understood. "Lead on."
"Come on Rachel, I'll help you clean up." Catherine offered as the men made their way outside.
Once outside, Danny handed Steve a cigar. Both men lit up then sat down.
"We deserve this, Federchuk is behind bars." Danny blew smoke rings.
"Yes, but is he talking?" Steve looked at the detective. "He isn't, is he?"
"Not a word worth repeating." Danny said sourly.
"I'm not surprised." Steve said, equally sour. "How about the lawyer?"
"Dennis Goodweather? He will not shut up. He has told us about their money laundering schemes even
how Federchuk raped and murdered his paralegal. He is terrified of going to prison and is trying to get
the best deal he possibly can. But nothing he tells us is cracking the Russian."
"No chance he'll find another attorney and make bail again, is there?"
"Not after jumping bail last time, no way! He has no lawyer and is refusing court appointed counsel."
Danny held his cigar in his teeth. "Want to give it a try?"
"Unfortunately, my interrogation training is not as…" The naval operator searched for the correct word.
"…refined as your technique, no doubt."
"'Refined'? Don't you mean 'legal'?"
"I doubt PFT would stand up in court. As much as I would like too, I want Gordon's murderer behind
bars for the rest of his sorry life more."
"'PFT'?"
"'Proven field tactics'." Steve clarified while gazing at the stars.
Danny laughed. "Too bad the days of rubber hoses and the third degree are gone. This guy needs and
deserves it." He blew more smoke rings. "At least yours and Lynn's testimony will put him away for a
few decades."
"Isn't that the point?"
"Yes. But I know he is guilty of more. I know it."
"Goodweather?"
"He knows bits and pieces of their operation, more than even that Noshimuri character. But of the
whole, not enough. Just overheard tidbits and unsubstantiated theories."
"Noshimuri? The Yakuza's man?"
"I think that's his family's background but he himself is not. I think he invests his own or laundered
monies into these businesses. He has no, absolutely no criminal record to be found. I even checked
with INTERPOL. Nothing."
"Surprising, but not unheard of. He might be the son selected to keep the family name clean or their
legitimate face for the public." Steve shrugged. "Lynn never spoke negatively about him. Just George."
"Yeah, 'but George'. Seems he just inherits a lot of the businesses he infiltrates. A lot of 'Lynns' have
just the worst luck: accidental drownings, suspicious falls, freak car accidents and the like. That is what I
would like to pin on him but all I have are maybes, possibilities and probabilities." Danny's frustration
was clear.
"We both know that man will offer nothing. I do not see any incentives for him; he is toast no matter if
he talks or remains silent. Even if you offered reduced sentencing, he'll still be an old man by the time
he makes parole."
"I know the District Attorney isn't inclined to be generous with him. Attorneys tend to hold a grudge if
you murder one of their own, even if they are a little shady."
"Goodweather's paralegal. What does two murders get you in New Jersey?"
"Are you implying that because my state is mob adjacent that we're incapable of convicting murderers?"
Steve blinked in confusion. "Just wondering what he's facing." Steve blew smoke at the Jersey native.
"Calm down, nothing against New Jersey, honest."
Danny looked doubtful. "Alright then. I take no crap when it comes to my home state. I love New
Jersey."
"Why?" Steve asked straight faced and monotoned.
The detective took his cigar out of his mouth and stared at the dark-haired sailor, hard. "Listen up
Popeye: are you trying to work my last nerve or are you working on your new stand-up comedy routine?
I have heard all the jokes, all the put downs. I live with a British elitist and work with an Illinois snub and
yet another lost Hawaiian yo-yo so don't you even think of starting up!" He returned to puffing on his
cigar pointedly.
Steve's face was neutral, but his eyes were bright with amusement.
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Rachel handed another plate to Catherine to dry. "Are our lads still talking out there?"
Catherine leaned to her side and looked out the side door. "Yes, they are still talking." She dried the
dish and put it away.
"What has my Daniel so out-of-sorts?"
"Because this suspect already tried to kill my Steve. Mustang says an animal is most dangerous when it
is cornered. This guy is so cornered with no way out." Catherine stopped drying the dish in her hand.
"I think they might be concerned with blowback."
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"Blowback? What the hell are you talking about?" Danny demanded.
"Danny, he is quiet because he still has a card to play." Steve said in slow realization.
"You're crazy. Everyone is under arrest."
"Are they? He knows something we do not, I am sure of it. I'm as sure as you are that he's guilty of
much more than you can prove."
Danny searched Steve's eyes. "Okay. We need George to think we know his play. But how? Steve, if
you know something, please share it."
"I don't, it just feels … logical. There is another player on this chessboard. A pawn or someone
appearing to be a pawn is more than they appear. We have to find that pawn because George is
counting on him."