The Harvest Club (28 page)

“You may think you’re calling the shots, but without me there isn’t any way you could have controlled these guys, and you know it. I refuse to go down because of your petty revenge. I have a plan, and I’m doing it my way. You’ll hear back when you need to know. For right now you sit tight and keep your damn mouth shut. I hear they’ve heard about you in Philly and LA, too, and they know you by the name Gordon or should I call you Mr. Mayor? I can sing and put you all behind bars.” He chuckled.

****

It had been a couple of days since they had questioned Brad and Ed. They had already been released. At this time it was about letting them know they were aware of the group’s activities, psyching them out, and hoping they would turn on each other. The evidence was mounting against them, especially from the international side, where more than a few people were willing to sell the Americans out.

Jessie arrived early to work. Kip was in the parking lot to watch her when she left the building. This was the day that John was back on the job as the pastor and a new associate pastor was also moving into the office. He was a year older than Jessie and unmarried. Already the women in the church were planning to set Jessie up with him, unbeknown to her.

Kevin Delaney was an energetic young man full of innovative ideas, primed and ready to try them out on a hurting congregation. John was the more seasoned, tenderhearted one, willing to carry them along for as long as it took.

Several of the ladies were there to welcome them and make sure the offices, which had been completely done over after the vandalism, were clean. Coffee was made, and some homemade baked goods were arranged nicely in the small kitchen area. Jessie was happy to be well, in one piece, and back full time at work.

Pastor John walked in the door, and Jessie stood up to greet him. “Good morning, Pastor, it is so nice to see you, and I’m so happy you’re my new boss.”

“Thank you, Jessie, I’m glad you are no worse for the wear and you have chosen to remain with us after all that has happened to you. I want you to meet the new pastor.” He turned around to look for Kevin. “I thought he was right behind me. The ladies all had to talk to him, a single man you know. Here he comes now.” He motioned to Kevin. “This lovely young lady is our secretary, Jessie Reynolds. Jessie, this is Kevin Delaney.”

“Jessie.” The brown haired young man strolled through the door, his green eyes bright above a wide smile. “I heard about all that you’ve endured to be the secretary in the church; I for one and I know Pastor John as well, are glad that you are here.

“Thank you. I enjoy my job and the congregation.” She smiled at him.

Kevin was just a head taller than she, with a nice face, not drop dead handsome, but there was a kindness in his expression. Every time he walked through her office to get something he smiled, his eyes lit up, and two dimples appeared in his cheeks, putting a double emphasis on his great smile.

He was talkative and attentive to anyone who stopped him to chat, which was so different than Rick. Her mind instantly seized on the idea that Katie would take to him right away and would probably become an active church member. Katie could do worse, because Kevin was a really nice man. Jessie was more impressed with him as the day went on.

Placing books on the shelves, Jessie helped John in his office, answered the phone when it rang, and stopped to talk to all the ladies coming and going in the office. The morning flew by.

She was growing accustomed to the ever-changing landscape of her life. She had no idea what her life in Blue Cove might end up looking like. Who knew what would happen next?

She carried a gun, and she didn’t even like guns. Her rib cage was still a little sore, her ankle and toe were healed, but she couldn’t run outside alone anymore, she had to have a constant shadow. She worked as a secretary and was aiding in a major sting operation with investigative research. The blissful, peaceful life that had enticed her here in the first place had never materialized, not since the moment Gina had entered it.

Her cell phone’s vibration startled her. “Hi, this is Jessie.”

“Jessie, Zach Johnson called, and he wants to talk with us at lunch. Do you have time to go today?” Matt asked.

“Let me check.” She turned to Pastor John. “Is it okay if I take some time for lunch today, or do you need me to stay around?”

“Of course you can go, Jessie. You got here early and have been working all morning. Go take a break.” He smiled and waved her on with his hand.

“I can. Where and what time?”

“Noon at Patterson’s, and by the way, I checked up on our friend Zach and he is legit. According to the FBI he is working under cover for them.”

“Even if it’s not him, I still believe there is a dirty cop in the equation. All my research shows someone had to have looked the other way and was getting paid to do it.”

“Jessie, between you and me, we will be starting to make some arrests beginning in the next few days. I would like you to think about the next aspects of the story, Gina’s, the Harvest Club’s, and all the evil these guys have done in the name of good. I’ve been reading some of the stories coming out of India’s poor villages where they did some of their greatest business. I’ll give you a copy. Their stories need to be told.”

“Okay.” As soon as the words were out of Jessie’s mouth, the cold chills went down her spine. She looked out into the hall and saw Gina standing there staring at here her. Gina’s eyes never wavered from Jessie’s face, her lips curled into a slight smile, and then she was gone. “Actually, I’ve written quite a bit and was waiting for the names of those arrested to be filled in.”

At noon she crossed the street to Patterson’s under the watchful eye of Kip. He went to get something for lunch at Java Joe’s and took it back to his car to eat. Matt and Zach were seated at a table already. They watched as Patterson grabbed her hands and talked with her. He was smiling, and she threw back her head and laughed at something he had said.

“People really seem to like her.” Zach vocalized his observation.

“She’s terrific that way and one hell of a writer. She’s the reason we found out about the Harvest Club. Someday you’ll have to ask her how it all came about. It’s quite a story.” Matt was scowling.

“Hi, Mr. Parker. What has you looking so surly? Maybe I should go back to work early.”

“I’m not angry. That’s my impressed look.” He grinned at her.

She faked a shudder. “Remind me never to make you angry then.”

After they ordered, Zach got down to business. “I don’t have much time, and I don’t want to be seen in public with you two for long. The club members are getting nervous as the noose is tightening around them. I’m a little concerned the big boys are going to go underground and leave the others to take the fall. I know you’re close to making all the arrests.

“I want to add one more crime to a lengthy rap sheet for these guys. I believe Gordon Stockton killed his wife. I base that on a few things he has said to me over the past several weeks. Her body may need to exhumed. There was no love lost when she died. His position made people believe him when he said it was a heart attack. No one questioned her death at all.”

“What do you want me to do? That’s out of my jurisdiction, but I know the police chief at Rocky Pointe. I could put a bug in Carter’s ear.” Matt leaned back in his chair placing his folded arms behind his head.

Zach turned his smoldering gray eyes on Jessie. “Gordon is blaming you for everything. He wants you gone. I think his thirst for revenge is what got you shot at to begin with. He has been talking to me again about it, but I talked him out of it, I think. You’re never sure with Gordon. He’s unstable. I’m going underground for a while. I think the big guys are getting ready to do something, and I want to know what it is. I’ll watch out for you.”

Matt was frowning and didn’t say much for the rest of the meal. She and Matt walked out together.

“Keep your guard up, Jessie. I’m not going to be around much in the next several days. Kip will keep an eye on you and call for back up if he’s concerned.”

“It’s been pretty quiet.” She brushed her blowing hair out of her face with her hand.

“Quiet always bothers me. It doesn’t mean things aren’t taking place just because you can’t hear or see them. It may be nothing, but I’m bothered by Zach.”

“Me, too. I wonder why he would risk his cover to be seen in public with us.” She looked sideways at him and touched his hand. “I’ll be careful and Matt, you do the same.” She hurried up the steps and into the church.

****

There was no way in hell he would let Gordon screw this gravy train up. He had a plan that would take care of the weak link and get rid of Gordon at the same time.

He might have been late to the party, but he was going to get his share and be done. He was already on his way to being a very wealthy man and could go underground if need be and resurface later, but there was no way in hell he would let Gordon do the same.

He called Buddy and told him to get back because Gordon wanted him. He knew he would be arrested, but it was one less person he would have to worry about. He would keep the cops so busy the next several days they wouldn’t have time to think about anyone else.

He after all was an upstanding citizen. No one knew he was even near the Harvest Club. He had made sure of that, and Zach was becoming the convenient target. Zach was no choir boy, and he had gotten his hands dirty in the club, which the records would show. Matt was halfway to suspecting him already. He would keep them real busy, and they would never know he was in.

“Dylan, I was checking in for any updates you have.” Matt called Dylan from his office.

“I was just getting ready to call you. I haven’t seen Brad stir. His house is still closed up, shades drawn, car hasn’t been moved, and that’s unusual for him. Do you think I should check on him?’

“When was your last visual?”

“Yesterday. It was about six when he returned from work.”

“It won’t break any cover. They know we’ve been watching them off and on. Go check. If he doesn’t answer, let me know.”

Matt drummed his fingers on the desk and waited for the phone to ring. It didn’t take long. “No reply. What’s next?” Dylan asked.

“Canvas a few of the neighbors, and ask if anyone has seen him since the last visual. Check his job, and see if he was expected in and didn’t show. If you establish that no one has seen him, go in.”

“I’ll let you know what I find out.” Dylan hung up, and Matt studied Rick’s computer, looking for something which would feed his building suspicion.

Rick kept referring to someone as the Grimm Reaper.

Twenty minutes later the phone rang again. “Matt, we’re going in. Brad didn’t show up for work, and someone thought they heard arguing at the house last night.”

“I’m on my way. You know the protocol. I’m sending back-up.”

Matt arrived at Brad’s with the kits, the bags, and the gloves. Dylan kicked open the door open, gun drawn. Brad was tied to a chair, his house had been ransacked, and a good portion of his face and head were missing.

“Geez, what a mess.” Dylan snapped his rubber gloves on.

Crime tape went up, the coroner was called, photos, and sketches made of the victim and how he was found. Samples were taken for the lab. It was a long afternoon.

Matt now had two murders on his hands and an attempted murder. He was also trying to figure out why Zach would risk breaking his cover to be seen with them at Patterson’s. Matt’s suspicion was growing. This crime scene was too messy. Not the normal HC MO.

Matt unplugged the computer in Brad’s office, rifled through his desk and personal papers. He saw a tablet where Brad had written the word
Gina
over and over again. He put both of them in bags and tagged them into evidence. He collected some sleeping pills, a gun, and few other personal items.

Matt sent out a couple of officers to canvas the neighbors and talked to the coroner about the time of death so he could establish a time line.

“Did you learn anything?” Matt asked the officers on their return.

“A little of this and a little of that; mostly we were told Brad hadn’t been the same since his wife died. The guy right next door heard arguing about 1:30 a.m. He was sure of the time because he looked at the clock. He also thought he heard a gunshot or fireworks about ten or fifteen minutes later.”

“Put it in your report, make sure you have his name, address, and phone numbers where he can be reached. His time fits in the approximate time of death established by the coroner.”

This job was messy, and unlike Gina’s murder site, there was plenty for forensics. Gina’s corpse had been clean, no semen, fingerprints, shoe prints, or even tire tracks. No DNA under her nails, no sign of a struggle. This was a sloppy job, and who knew what they would find on the tape across Brad’s mouth and the ropes holding his body to the chair? Matt thought maybe someone was being set up. He’d know more if he got a hit on the prints.

Matt went outside to make a call. “Carter, this is Matt Parker. I need someone to go over to Don and Pam Bradley and let them know Brad Martin has been murdered. See if they know any of his next of kin. They will know best what to tell the children.”

“Consider it done. What’s going on in our county? Hardly a murder in years, mostly petty crime. Seems we have graduated to the big league now. Anything else we can take care of?”

“I’ll get back to you on that, but I’ll need any information on next of kin.”

“Okay.”

Matt would let them finish processing the scene. He asked for a rush on the fingerprints. DNA would take longer.

Kip was watching over Jessie. She was in safe hands. He went back to the office to make sure all the arrest warrants were in order. They had enough admissible evidence from Rick’s computer and now maybe Brad’s, all done by the book. He knew he was missing an important detail. It was driving him nuts. He pored over files and notes.

Matt had the results and a hit on the prints in a few hours. It was Gordon Stockton. It didn’t make sense to him. Gordon was too careful to be so dumb. He hadn’t kept the club off the radar by being dumb. Matt explained to Anderson what he was thinking, and he was told to go ahead with his plan. He picked up his office phone and pressed the numbers.