Page 62 of The Accomplice
‘We’re getting closer. Daniel Miller knew the layout of the Nielsen house. We need to find the link between him and the Nielsens.’
‘We need to move faster. We have to find her—’
‘Don’t you think I know that ? I don’t know what I’d do if—’
‘Stop it. That’s not going to happen. We won’t let it happen. Did the feds get anything from the landlord of the loft apartment ?’
‘No records. Short-term lease, paid in advance.’
‘That doesn’t sound right. No one leases out a property in this city without getting information on the tenant so they can go after them if it all turns sour.’
‘The feds said there was nothing.’
‘The landlord is lying, and I think I know why. There’s someone you can go talk to. A lawyer for slumlords named Archie Bunsen. He’s not going to want to give you anything, so you might have to lean on him. Just so you know, Bunsen has protection. His personal bodyguard is a former wrestler called Moonman. He’s six-five, maybe five hundred pounds. A steroid freak. Super strong and mean as hell. Be careful—’
‘What ? You think I can’t handle him ?’
‘No, I meant be careful you don’t hurt him too bad.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
EDDIE
Bloch and I talked for a half hour.
After I finished the call, I dialed the office and Denise picked up.
‘I need you to take three hundred dollars out of petty cash and buy two hundred bucks’ worth of lunch vouchers. Then I want you to hire a limo and a driver for the afternoon,’ I said.
‘Wait, what’s the hundred for ?’
‘I’ll tell you later. One more thing. I’m going to text you a number. Call it. Tell them exactly this. Do you have a pen ?’
‘Go.’
‘We have a mutual friend, and we’d like to give him a special treat for the lunch he has arranged. He’s a little shy, but he likes wigs. Neon blonde, the more artificial the better. We’ll pay an extra grand right now. Also, he’s Covid secure so she’ll need a mask.’
‘Is that it ?’
‘That’s it. Put the money on the office credit card. Have you got that ?’
‘What the hell are you doing ?’ asked Denise.
‘I’m practicing law. Trust me. Once you’re done with that, grab a clipboard and your notebook and come meet me outside Center Street at the lunch break.’
If Denise said she would do it, you can take that to the bank.
I walked back into court. As I took my seat alongside Harry, Doctor Farley Climpton was on his feet with a laser pointer in his hand. It was aimed at a six-by-five foot blown-up picture of Stacy Nielsen as she lay dead beside her husband.
‘The wounds on Stacy Nielsen’s chest, like the other victims, were made with an incredibly strong, and incredibly sharp object. Again, this was probably a leaf-bladed knife of unknown origin, more than likely an exotic weapon, possibly handmade. The blade was strong enough to pierce her chest plate. Again, no metal shards were found in the wound after the sand filling the wound cavity had been sieved, and the fissure searched by x-ray.’
I leaned over to Harry, whispered, ‘Any surprises ?’
He threw a glance at the jury.
Ethel Gorman was wringing a handkerchief so tightly her hands were shaking. If I listened carefully enough, I thought I might even hear her teeth grinding together. The rest of the jury looked the same as most others who have to deal with a case like this. Half of them looked at the floor, only glancing up when they absolutely had to, and then back down again. The others covered their mouths, shook their heads, and grimaced as the images were displayed.
‘That good, huh ?’
