Gibson & Clarke (Failed Justice Series Book 2) (3 page)

CHAPTER 4

“Rough night? It looks like you didn’t get much sleep.”

Marta turned to Billy Jo while she was having her second cup of coffee. They were in the hotel coffee shop.

If you only knew, Billy, if you only knew.

“Been doing a lot of thinking. Did not get a great deal of sleep last night. A second secretary makes good sense. We can elevate Miranda to senior assistant. As to a private investigator, I think I have the right person. He’s a deputy in the sheriff’s office and does most of the high-level snooping. His name’s Rik Scott.”

“You know him better than I do. Check him out, and if he fits the bill, hire him.

Yes, I do. Yes, I did. And yes, he more than fits the opening.

“Will do. I have a meeting with the ADA handling the Fung case, so let’s skip a big breakfast and review the complaint. I have it right here.”

Marta pulled out a brand new ultra-thin file.

***

Three hours later, Marta was having an iced tea at her noon meeting. She could take no more coffee without floating away. She tried to concentrate on Ronny but was having a difficult time. She was also sore. She was thinking about last night, or had it been early this morning? She’d thrown him out at six thirty so the neighbors wouldn’t see him and she could get thirty minutes of shuteye before taking a long, hot shower.

Her body had demanded it. It had been too long. Far too long.

“I can probably reduce this to a Class B felony. He would be looking at three to five with a recommendation…assuming he gives up his supplier. Best I can do.”

Marta wasn’t sure whether to laugh in his face or be insulted. Instead, she signaled for the waiter.

“Is something wrong, Miss?”

“No, the service is great; it’s the company that just made me sick. I need some fresh air.”

“Marta, be reasonable. I’m sure we can work something out. Please.”

Marta reached over and whispered in Ronny’s ear.

“I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last dick on earth. When I get finished with you, your sorry dick will be in your mouth, where it belongs. You are a piece of shit excuse for an ADA. You know that, don’t you? Saltmeyer assigned the case to you because no one else would take it. It’s a loser. You’re a born loser, Ronny. Accept it. And have a nice day.”

With that, Marta was gone. She had no Plan B.

Ronny sat there in shock. Not what he expected.

Am I really a loser? I graduated near the top of my class. I was Law Review. Saltmeyer would never assign a loser to me, would he?

Ronny lost his appetite. He left a twenty on the table before lunch had even been served and walked slowly back to his office. He had to review the file and the arresting officer’s report one more time. He knew he had missed something. He just wasn’t sure what.

“Miranda, please come into my office. We need to have a little talk.”

“Did I do something wrong? All the discovery papers are on your desk. I verified Mr. Fung was released two hours ago. I called him on his cell and set up an appointment for you at two tomorrow afternoon. The schedule shows you have no appointments or hearings. I can’t think of anything I’ve left out.”

“Miranda, you’re doing a great job. A super job. I just wanted to let you know we’re looking for an assistant for you, to relieve you to do more important work. If you know anyone, set up an appointment to have me interview them. Oh, and we decided to hire our own investigator. What do you think of Rik Scott from the sheriff’s office?”

“He’s a hunk. My god, all the girls stared at his ass when he came by our offices. I’m told he’s very bright and knows how to get things done.”

You can bet your sweet white ass on that.

“He’ll be starting just as soon as he gives his two-week notice. If he needs anything, give it to him.

Except yourself.

“That will be all, Miranda.”

Marta felt drained. She was exhausted. She needed to go home to rest. Alone.

***

“Mr. Scott?”

“Yes.”

“This is Billy Jo Gibson; I believe you know my partner, Marta Clarke. I wonder if we can talk for a few minutes.”

Rik immediately became defensive. He had no idea what or how much Billy Jo knew. His last instructions had been to be discreet.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Gibson?

His tone was respectful. Billy Jo would soon be his employer, but by the same token, he had a confidence to honor.

Billy picked this up immediately. He had spent the better part of the past twenty years trying to determine if a witness was being forthright or trying to conceal something. It had become a fifth sense.

“I’ll be back in Newark early next week. I understand you are still an employee of the State. I don’t want to create a conflict of interests or breach of a fiduciary relationship, but it might be helpful if we could talk. I am also interested in exactly what your job description is and what you can do for us.”

“No problem, Mr. Gibson. Call me when you’re back in town, and I’ll make myself available to you. Have a great day, sir.”

Before Billy could comment, the line went dead.

He had a good idea he knew why.

***

Rik called Marta. She didn’t answer—she was sound asleep. Rik was uncomfortable leaving a message. He hung up.

CHAPTER 5

ADA Ronald Rosenthal studied the reports till his eyes burned. Marta had to be bluffing. She was playing mind games with him, and it was working.

“Good afternoon, sir. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice. I wanted to discuss the Fung case with you. I had a brief meeting with Ms. Clarke, who now represents the defendant.”

The DA, Big Russ Baylor, had a big grin on his face.

“How is Marta? I hope you gave her my best. She was my number one assistant for the past ten years. You better watch yourself, young man, or she’ll hand you your lunch—in your own basket. She’s that good. Now, what can I do for you?”

“Is there something I should know, sir?”

“There’s a lot of things you should know. The first thing is not to get sucked in by what Marta will or will not tell you. Once she gets in your head, you’re toast. Now go do your job, and let me know if there are any major problems. Have a good day, Richard.”

“Ronald, sir. Ronald Rosenthal.”

“Of course, my mistake. Good luck, Ronald.”

Now both of them had gotten into his head. Poor Ronnie didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.

***

Tao was standing in front of Mr. Yeung, waiting to be invited to sit down. It would have been totally disrespectful to sit without being given permission. If nothing else, respect, custom, and learning what your role in life was were the keystones to Xiang’s success. That and the fact the man was cold-hearted and ruthless. He would smile at you one minute and order your hand cut off the next.

Begging, pleading, did no good. It only added insult to the behavior. At times it resulted in both hands being cut off. The lesson was not for the poor victim; it was for the others. They would learn by seeing what weakness cost them.

Either you are strong or you die the death of a worthless swine.

It well could have been Yeung’s creed.

“Please, have a seat, my good friend. Tell me, what are your first impressions of Ms. Marta Clarke?”

Tao knew his boss had already met with her. He did not know his feelings and needed to act gingerly.

“Be honest with me, Tao. It is the only way. I will not bite you or cut off your hand. I must know if she can be trusted for far bigger matters. Your case will fall by the wayside—that I can promise you. I need only to know how much I can trust the Black Widow.”

Tao had never heard the expression before and did not know how to react. Xiang sensed this and gave him the explanation he deserved.

“For many years, while Ms. Clarke was an assistant district attorney, she acquired the name, the Black Widow. My sources tell me it was well earned.”

Tao relaxed, but just a bit.

“She cannot be intimidated. I tried—it did no good. She knows who she is and what she wants. She obviously trusts Mr. Billy Jo Gibson, her partner. She does not trust her ex-boss, District Attorney Russell Baylor, or the judge of the court, Steven Saltmeyer. As to trust, I cannot say. I suggest some type of test to see where her loyalties lie.”

Here Fung paused, wondering if he should go further. He decided he had no choice.

“I know she now has a new boyfriend, a deputy sheriff by the name of Rik Scott. He arrived at her apartment last night at exactly 10:49 and left this morning at 6:33. He parked a late model black Corvette six doors from her apartment building. I do not believe her partner, Mr. Gibson, is aware of the relationship.”

“Thank you, Tao. Now, I suggest you go back to work and be far more careful than the last time. Another mistake and we may have to end our fine relationship.”

The old man would just as soon kill me than look at me. It is no longer safe for me to be here. Not if I want to breathe without a large slit in my throat.

“Yes, sir.”

Tao knew his trial was a long ways off. He knew Mr. Yeung had put up the bail money through one of his many dummy corporations. He also knew at the date of trial he would be a long ways away—or dead.

***

“Good afternoon, Ms. Clarke. If you are available, I would very much like to have a private lunch with you tomorrow. It would just be the two of us. If there is something special I can prepare for you in the way of a culinary treat, I am sure my staff can accommodate you.”

Marta did not have to ask twice who it was. His accent could cut a finger off. She also knew that no one says no to Mr. Yeung. Not if they enjoy living. Marta was learning the game and learning it fast.

“It would be my pleasure, Mr. Yeung. What time and where should I meet you?”

“Please, call me Xiang. My driver will pick you up at your office at noon sharp. You should be back no later than three p.m. Is that convenient for you?”

I guess it will have to be. Now what outfit do I have that goes well with a bullet proof vest?

“Absolutely. And thank you for this most honored invitation.”

Marta wondered how smart it would be to have Rik follow her—or for her to wear a wire. She nixed both ideas. At least for the present.

***

“What are you wearing? Is it the Chinese New Year, or are you going to a costume party?”

“Neither. A wealthy client has invited me to lunch, and I just happened to have this red kimono in my closet. It’s a few years old but, thank God, still fits me. It pays to work out three days a week. As to my hair, I thought it would look appropriate in a bun with a bamboo stick through it.”

“And what’s with the black mesh stockings?”

“It goes with the outfit. Now stop ragging on me and find something to type.”

Miranda took her cue and went back to the front office.

Marta was trying her best not to act nervous. She decided to call Billy. She wasn’t sure why.

“If he tells you something confidential, don’t act surprised, and don’t act on it. It may be a test to see how you react. Don’t commit yourself to do anything, one way or another. Our new client didn’t get to be where he is by following the rules and being a nice guy. Call me the minute you’re free. I’m coming up Monday. Among other things, I think it would be a good idea to find a furnished apartment, sort of like Executive Suites. It will avoid hotel rooms and make me feel more comfortable.”

“Thanks, Billy. I’ll call you when I can. Bye.”

***

The black Mercedes 600 arrived at 11:55. It sat outside her office. At one minute to noon the uniformed driver got out and opened the right rear door. He was not expecting a tall, elegant black lady wearing a red silk kimono. He said nothing. His face was totally blank. He would have been a hell of a poker player.

“How delightful. You look wonderful and honor me with your presence. My family, such as it is, would be pleased at your choice of wearing apparel. If I am not mistaken, that is a Mae Wong original. My compliments on your good taste.”

“Thank you, Mr. Yeung, but I am sure it is just a knockoff. On my previous salary, I could not afford an original of anyone’s.”

“Again, I must insist you call me Xiang. Please allow me to escort you to my garden where we will be dining.”