Episode 2: Dirty Money Dirty Deeds, #2 Read online

  Dirty Money Dirty Deeds

  Episode 2

  Nico Jackson

  Iceflo Publishing

  This Complete Book is Copyright (c) 2019 by NorthStar Studios

  Dirty Money Dirty Deeds (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds) are copyright © 2019 by NorthStar Studios

  * * *

  All rights reserved. No part of this specific publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of NorthStar Studios

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction.

  All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  1

  Kendra sat with her hands in front of her on the table. She placed her fingers together and stared at the men across from her. Vasquez and Rogers stared back at her. She took shallow breaths, trying not to breathe in the stench. The room smelled like sweat, urine, and body odor. She wondered how often they cleaned it.

  Vasquez jumped up. "You need to do the right thing."

  Kendra looked him in the eye. "I'm invoking my right to silence, as is my Fifth Amendment right. I've asked for a lawyer. When will I be able to make my phone call?"

  Vasquez put his hands on the table in leaned so close to Kendra she could smell the onions he had for lunch. "You'll have your call soon enough. We won't question you, but you need to listen to me. We found dope in your house. You are in a lot of trouble. You can make it light on yourself, or we can do this the hard way."

  "I'm invoking my right to silence, as is my Fifth Amendment right. I have requested an attorney.”

  "Be smart," Vasquez said. "You're a lawyer, for God's sake. You'll do serious time."

  Kendra smiled. "I'm invoking my right to silence, as is my Fifth Amendment right. I'm requesting a lawyer."

  Vasquez folded his arms. "Give this girl her phone call. She doesn't have enough sense to save herself."

  Vasquez and Rogers left the interrogation room. Vasquez closed the door behind them.

  Rogers ran his fingers through his thinning blond hair. "She's not going to talk. You might as well give this up. The search is questionable."

  "Nothing questionable about it. It was a parole search."

  "You couldn't find anyone to sign a warrant, could you?" Rogers said. "No judge was going to give you a search warrant on weak-assed evidence."

  Vasquez didn't reply.

  "We haven't been partners for long, but you're trying to hide something. The search is going to blow up. I'm not going down with you, Uriel."

  "Avery said we had to close this. I'm doing my job. And when did you start being such a Boy Scout?"

  Rogers shook his head. "I'm glad I didn't have anything to do with this. You and the parole officer are going to land in a world of hurt."

  Vasquez walked away. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and slammed it down. Then he went to his desk and put his feet up. He watched as a patrolman took Kendra to make her phone call. She didn't look upset. This one was cool, he had to give her that. She was in the middle of a criminal conspiracy, yet she didn't bat an eye. He wondered how a woman like that got involved in criminal activity. He looked at her file again. She didn't have so much as a traffic ticket. How did she hook up with gangsters? Was she one of those girls who liked bad boys?

  Kendra called the only lawyer whose number she knew by heart. It was the last call she wanted to make, but she didn't have any choice. The phone rang twice, three times. Then there was an answer. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Mr. Hammond's office. How may I help you?"

  "Veronica, it's Kendra. I need to speak to Isaac."

  "I'm not sure that he's available.”

  Kendra bit her lip. "It's an emergency. I got arrested, and I need a criminal attorney."

  There was silence. Kendra imagined that Veronica was probably doing a happy dance. She always had the impression that Veronica didn’t like her, and their relationship had gotten worse since she and Isaac had separated. Kendra wondered if Veronica would be the next Mrs. Hammond.

  "Where are you? I'll make sure he gets the message."

  Sure you will.

  "I'm at the 12th precinct.”

  "What did they arrest you for?"

  Kendra sighed. She wasn't in the mood for Veronica's petty act. "I just need him to send a lawyer down here."

  "I'll do my best"

  "Thank you, Veronica. I appreciate it.”

  Kendra hung up the phone.

  Her escort lifted his chin. “That didn't go so good, huh," the officer said.

  Kendra remained silent.

  "I'll take you back to the interrogation room now."

  Kendra walked with him. He opened the door and gestured for her to go in. She sat in the prisoner's chair. It was made of stainless steel, cold, hard and uncomfortable. She wondered how many prisoners had tried to pick up the chair. She put her elbows on the table, placed her fingers together, and rested her head on her hands. She took deep breaths. She wanted to cry, but she wasn't going to give anyone who was watching the satisfaction. She took more deep breaths, and felt herself calming. She relaxed so much that it startled her when the door opened.

  Vasquez smirked. "The guilty ones can always sleep. Your lawyer is here."

  Ed Clinton pulled himself up and glared at Vasquez. "I'll need a few moments with my client." He sat in the chair next to her and waited until Vasquez closed the door. He hugged her.

  “Thanks for coming,” Kendra said.

  "I couldn't believe it when Isaac called me. You got picked up for possession?"

  “They say it’s ecstasy. I don't know how those pills got into my living room. I don’t even know what ecstasy looks like.”

  "Are you okay? They didn't hurt you?"

  Kendra rolled her eyes. "No, they’ve been perfect gentlemen."

  "I've always loved your sarcasm. Have you said anything to them?"

  "I invoked my right to silence and asked for an attorney."

  Ed opened his briefcase, pulled out a legal pad and a pen. "Tell me exactly what happened."

  "They came to my door. Agent Vasquez, and Bobby's parole officer."

  "How do you know Vasquez?"

  "He tried to squeeze me a few days ago. He's investigating Big Sam Bishop."

  John's eyes widened. "You’re involved with Big Sam?"

  "I've never met him.”

  Ed tapped his pen on the pad. “I don't understand. Why would he go after you?"

  "Probably because of Jaylen Sinclair. I've done some work for him. We're friends."

  "Sinclair is on their radar, then. Why are you involved with him?"

  "He's an old friend. I've known him since we were kids."

  “Did they show you a warrant?”

  "No. They said it was a parole search. I told them Bobby lives in the carriage house, but Vasquez insisted that they search anyway."

  "Does Bobby have access to the house?"

  "No. I changed the locks since he moved out, and I've never given him a key. The last time he had a key, he stole from me."

  "I remember that. Isaac hit the ceiling when he heard about it."

  "I know my brother is a liar, Ed. I've got high grade locks. There's no way he could have gotten in."

  “Does he get his mail at your house?”

  “Nope. It’s a separate address. T
here are two mailboxes.”

  “We got this. Don’t worry.” Ed stood and walked to the mirror. He tapped on it.

  Vasquez and Rogers entered the room. Rogers closed the door and sat, leaning on the table.

  “It was a bad search,” Ed said. “Where’s the search warrant?”

  Vasquez’s eyes blazed. “It was a righteous search. We were looking for dope, and we found it.”

  “You didn’t answer my question, detective. Where’s the warrant?”

  “It’s Agent Vasquez, counselor. We didn’t need a warrant. It was a parole search.”

  “Mr. Mason doesn’t live in the main house. He doesn’t have a key. My client is not on parole. She has no history of drug use or criminality. You went into her home without a warrant. No judge will admit your so-called evidence. Do yourself a favor and let her go. I’ll have you laughed out of court.”

  “We found a bag of mollies. How do you explain that?”

  “What did she tell you?”

  “Nothing. The guilty ones are always quiet.”

  “She invoked the rights granted her by the Fifth Amendment. You should read up on the Fourth, Agent.”

  The door opened. Vazquez paled when he saw the Unit Commander. Tom Avery’s face was red.

  “Vasquez, I need you for a moment.”

  Vasquez took a deep breath. “Yes, sir.”

  They stepped into the hallway and Avery closed the door. “She told you he didn’t live there? What did the parole paperwork say?”

  “I didn’t see it.”

  “If I call the parole office, what will they say?”

  “You told me to make progress on Big Sam, Cap.”

  “You didn’t have a warrant? What the hell is wrong with you? The assistant U.S. attorney is in the observation room. I thought she was gonna blow a gasket. I’ll see you in my office. Now.”

  Avery went into the interrogation room. “You are free to go, Ms. Mason. No charges.”

  Ed stood. “We’ll be filing a complaint.”

  Avery nodded. “I’m hoping that an apology will make that unnecessary.”

  Kendra fought the heat that was rising in her throat. She stood. “We’ll be going now.”

  Avery stepped aside and stalked to his office.

  * * *

  Ed turned to Kendra as they left the building. “You caught a break, but the bad news is you’re part of their investigation.”

  “I’m not a drug dealer.”

  “I know that. But they think you’re involved. Do yourself a favor and stay away from your friend. Vasquez is a nasty piece of work. If you’re in his crosshairs, you should watch your step.”

  “He wants me to flip on Big Sam Bishop. I don’t know anything, Ed. I’ve never met him. I’ve never even talked to him. ”

  “What are you doing for Sinclair?”

  “Buying property and businesses. It’s strictly legit.”

  Ed wrinkled his brow. “Make sure that it is.”

  A black Cadillac SUV pulled to the curb, and Jaylen got out.

  “Hey, you need a ride?”

  She held up a finger. “I’ll be right there.”

  Ed raised his eyebrows. “Tell me that’s not Sinclair.”

  “It is. Thanks, Ed. I appreciate what you’ve done.”

  “As your attorney—“

  “We’re done, thanks. I’ll pay your invoice as soon as I get it.”

  “Kendra-“

  “Thank you, Ed.” She turned toward Jaylen.

  Ed shook his head. “I see you’ve made your choice. I’ll let your husband know.”

  2

  Jaylen leaned against the SUV and waited. Kendra wound up her conversation and walked over to him.

  “You okay, baby? They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

  Her voice was soft. “I’ll be fine.”

  He locked eyes with her and sighed. “You’re not fine.”

  “I said I will be. How did you know I was here?”

  He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “We don’t talk in the car.”

  He opened the passenger door and waited until Kendra settled in. He put one hand on the roof. He studied her, noting her expression.

  He leaned into the car and gave her a slow, gentle kiss. He pulled away from her and looked at her for a moment. Her jaw wasn’t clenched quite as tight, but her eyes were still flat. “I wanted to make sure you had a ride home.”

  She cupped her face in her hands. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Baby, you know I wouldn’t be anyplace else.” He pressed his lips to hers, then straightened and closed the door. Jay saw Ed watching, and nodded to him. Ed turned and walked away.

  Jaylen went to the driver side and got in. “Let’s talk later.”

  Kendra looked out the window. “Where are you taking me? My house is the other way.”

  “I’m taking you home with me. Let’s talk about it when we get there.”

  “Jaylen—“

  He picked her hand up and kissed it. “Let me take care of you. You’re tired, so relax.”

  They didn’t speak until they went into his living room. Kendra took off her shoes and jacket and sat on the sofa. Jay poured scotch into two glasses and gave one to her.

  He sat next to her. “I didn’t want to talk in the car. My place is swept for bugs. We’re good here.”

  “How did you know I had been arrested?”

  Jaylen shook his head. “Not the right question. The question is why you didn’t call me.”

  “Isaac is a partner in a law firm. I knew I could get help from him.”

  “You can get help from me.”

  “I had my reasons. You still haven’t answered my question. How did you know I was at the precinct?”

  “The same way I knew you talked to a DEA agent outside your office a few days ago.”

  Kendra swirled her glass, then took a drink. She looked at him over the rim of the glass. She tried to read his face, but it was impassive.

  “You got nothing to say?” Jaylen’s voice got deeper and softer. “I expect you to be loyal. I shouldn’t have to hear the cops are questioning you from someone else. People have been killed for less.”

  Kendra felt her stomach churn. “So you’re going to kill me?”

  Jaylen gave her a long, intense look. Sweat ran down Kendra’s spine. “Those are the street rules. This is serious business. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I needed to process it. I was going to tell you today, but I got picked up. It doesn’t mean anything. He doesn’t have anything on me.”

  “He had you arrested. Drug possession?”

  “It had to be planted. I’ve never used drugs.”

  Jaylen sipped his drink. “Not even weed?”

  “No. Never.”

  “You don’t trust me.”

  Kendra rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s not that.”

  “You hesitated before you answered. We said we would be honest with each other. Do you trust me?”

  “I’m not sure.” She took another drink and grunted. “It’s not personal. I don’t think I’ve trusted anyone since my mom passed. I’ve been disappointed too many times.”

  “Well, at least you’re honest. What kind of drugs did they find?”

  “Black Magic.”

  Jaylen choked on his whisky. “What the fuck?”

  “That’s why I didn’t call you. I had no idea how Big Sam’s drugs got in my house.”

  “I wouldn’t do that to you. Who could have put it there? Your brother?”

  “I don’t think so. Bobby doesn’t have a key.”

  “I don’t understand how anyone could get their hands on Black Magic. Sam is careful.”

  “Vasquez is after me. I’ll bet he won’t let my being innocent stand in his way.”

  “You’re right. He’s as dirty as they come.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. How did you know I had been arrested?”

  “Nothing goes on without Sam knowing about it. He’s
got a hell of a payroll. Cops, judges, prosecutors, politicians. How do you think he stays out of jail? Who is Vasquez after? Me or Sam?”

  “He mentioned both of you.”

  A smile crept across his face. “Okay.”

  “Why are you smiling? A minute ago, you were putting a hit out on me.”

  “You’re talking crazy. I’m not a I know you’re telling me the truth.” He reached out and pushed back a stray lock of hair. “I know everything you said in that station. You didn’t say a damn thing.”

  “There was nothing to say. I’m not a snitch. Even if I knew something, I can cite attorney privilege.”

  “Good, I don’t have to worry.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “I wouldn’t ever hurt you. You should know that by now.”

  She let out a long breath. “I know.”

  “If you ever need anything, you tell me.

  How’s the divorce going?”

  “It’s not. We may have to go to arbitration. Isaac is still pushing for us to reconcile.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “No. We’re done. I’d never go back to him.”

  “What did he do?”

  “What makes you think he did something?”

  “You’re loyal. You proved that when you didn’t talk to the cops. You wouldn’t be through with him like this if he hadn’t fucked up. Besides, he’s the one that keeps holding up the divorce. Tell me what he did so I won’t make the same mistake.”

  “I came home early one day. He was in bed with his girlfriend.”

  Jay winced. “He ain’t loyal, and he’s dumb, too.”

  “I may have been able to get over the cheating,” she said. “Maybe. But he was in our bed with her.”

  He laughed. “Nah, baby. You ain’t the type to forgive him for stepping out. He can’t let go.”

  “He should, for his sake. I’m done with him.”

  “His loss, my gain. I’m not just passing time with you. I see you by my side, building this thing.”