Vendetta (18 page)

    
Mark nodded in agreement.

    
“Honestly… the way I see it is, there’s nothing I can do at this point, but to accept the truth, whatever it may be and allow justice to take it’s natural course. Anything I do at this point could be detrimental to the case… and that would definitely delay any progress that we’ve made so far,” Mark said simply.

    
Mark looked steadily at Captain Haddock. “One careless stride in the wrong direction, could wipe out the entire case. I’m not willing to jeopardize it,” Mark said with conviction.

    
Williams leaned back in his chair and watched Mark now; with his eyes half squinting… he didn’t believe what he was hearing. But then he quickly looked away, not wanting to give away his real thoughts on the matter.

    
Captain Haddock was awestruck. He seemed to think that Marks suddenly calm disposition was out of exhaustion. “This poor man has been drained, he’s got no “fight” left in him,” he thought.

    
Mark sat in the musty office watching Captain Haddock and Detective Williams talk back and forth, not listening to a word spoken. Williams glanced at Mark periodically for approval on the plans that Mark had absolutely no interest in. Mark would nod, pretending to comply.

    
His calm composure and relaxed nature never wavered for a second.

    
“Have you heard anything about Leo’s board hearing?” Mark asked unexpectedly.

    
Haddock looked at Williams who stiffened up in his chair and shot him a look that all but said, “Don’t say a word.”

    
Haddock shrugged it away and said “It’s alright Williams. I think he can handle it.”

    
Mark saw this exchange and said, “I’m assuming that means he was paroled. Was he released already?” Mark asked bluntly.

    
“The hearing was about an hour and forty five minutes ago, and you‘re correct in assuming. It was granted based on his impeccable prison record and the positive work towards his rehabilitation. The board was quite impressed with his positive attitude,” Haddock answered.

    
Williams grimaced.

    
“I find it hard to believe that such a cold blooded killer has been rehabilitated the way he has on paper, and received such honorable merit over the last thirteen years. But, according to these transcripts they sent over, he’s the model prisoner.”

    
Williams picked up a file and threw it back down, un-enthused by its contents.

    
Haddock continued to explain.

    
“We notified the warden and voiced our concerns. There wasn’t much we could say or do to sway their opinions without evidence linking him to anything. Without a confession from Lucy, or more information from Nick, it’s all circumstantial at this point. Our hands are tied.”

    
Haddock sat back in his Captains chair and crossed his arms.

    
“I’m fairly confident that he won’t be a problem. He has no money or means for transportation, let alone access to a plane ticket, they’ll be watching him like a hawk. He had to check in immediately after his release anyway, with his parole officer. He’s checked into the halfway house and everything. So it’s got to be Dom that Lucy spoke of,” Haddock speculated.

    
“Please tell me, that you’re not denying Leo’s connection, Captain. They’ll all be meeting up soon, who knows, they more than likely have a plan to get him over here,” Williams added.

    
“I’m not denying anything Detective, nor am I fabricating conclusions. I’m simply explaining the process in which this investigation will be handled,” Haddock seemed disgruntled by William’s attitude.

    
“You will, still be tailing Dom and Lucy, right?” Mark asked.

    
“Yes! Except… we may have already lost Dom,” Haddock looked disappointed.

    
“What?” Williams leaned forward and put his hands on his knees.

    
Mark’s heart skipped a beat as he focused on Haddock, waiting for an answer, maintaining his composure.

    
“I was going to tell you after our conversation with Mark, but since his temper has diminished, I can probably tell you both. Dom’s car was followed to the foothills and was lost by our officers that were tailing him,” Haddock’s brow furrowed. “It’s only a momentary set back and we’ll find him soon enough.”

    
“Okay, was Lucy with him? Do they know who all was in the vehicle?” Williams was beside himself.

    
“As far as they know, it was just Dom and his driver. Lucy is still in their home. He wasn’t there but a few minutes before he was seen leaving again. The reality of this situation with Dom is we have nothing on him. We couldn’t even bring him in for questioning. He‘d be out quicker than Lucy,” Haddock looked at Mark, who was looking at him patiently.

    
“I’m sorry, Mark. Right now we need to focus on Lucy and Nick, and not so much on Leo and Dom. Nick is being held in the hospital in a psychiatric ward for a seventy two hour hold. He’s under a twenty four hour surveillance camera. It‘s a mandatory hold for suicidal patients. Then he‘ll be transferred to county and be placed in solitary confinement. Until then, we just have to wait and see what transpires,” Haddock was trying to be optimistic.

    
“At least we got her killer. The rest will follow suit, eventually. Don’t worry, we’ll keep a close watch on Julie’s hotel room and notify you of any developments,” Haddock seemed very pleased with himself.

    
“Believe you me… I understand the politics of an investigation and know how hairy things can get, don’t worry about it. Thank you for all your hard work,” Mark said sincerely.

    
Knowing that Julie was safe and that they didn’t have a clue which hotel she was actually in, let alone which room, made him feel more confident. Mark had also moved her car that morning to another location… he just wanted to be extra cautious.

    
Haddock looked down at his desk.

    
“I also understand that your daughter’s autopsy is being performed sometime this week, possibly today. I’m sorry. I’m sure that this isn’t an easy day for you in the least. Just one more thing for you to think about, but, at least you‘ll have a scientific and medical cause of death. I hope that in the long run, it gives you some peace, and perhaps a little closure.”

    
Mark held his body still and kept his movements fluid, as he fought to stay calm. It mentally derailed and disturbed him, thinking of her body as being dissected for an official, medically accepted cause of death. He thought of something else to dissuade his morbid thoughts.

    
“Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your kind words. You know, I just thought of something… you might try to find Dom at the hospital. He told me that he’s going to talk to the doctor today about Allies autopsy and take care of everything as far as the arrangements go. He’ll be there signing all the necessary papers, I‘m sure of it,” Mark said calmly.

    
Haddock sprang into action. He immediately called in the two officers he had posted outside his door and told them to head to the hospital. Williams watched Mark skeptically.

    
“Let’s go get some lunch; you look like you haven’t eaten in days,” Williams stood and gestured toward the door.

    
Mark grinned and said, “Sounds like a plan to me. Let’s let these officers get back to work, shall we?”

                                     CHAPTER 15

                     
           GOD SPEED

     “So are you going to tell me what your plan is, or do I have to figure it out?” Williams said frankly.

    
Mark sat comfortably in the passenger seat of William’s car looking out the window at the passing trees.

    
“What do you mean? I don’t have a PLAN… I’m just sitting back now and letting the police handle it from here on out,” Mark said believably.

    
Unfortunately, Detective Williams didn’t believe that for a second. He was getting pretty annoyed at Marks casual attitude

    
“Bullshit, Mark, you totally just sent them on a wild goose chase to the damn hospital… I could see that clear as day!” Williams was losing his patience.

    
“What … is Dom performing the damn autopsy himself? NO, handling paperwork? NOT likely! He has people that do errands and things like that for him. He’s not going to be there doing paperwork or making any phone calls. You and I both know he’s not there doing anything. Just because he might be paying for it all doesn‘t mean jack! He’s probably busy getting Vanzetti here, as-we-speak!”

    
Williams took a deep breath and focused on the noon traffic.

    
“Whoa! I’m impressed, Williams! I didn’t realize you could be so passionate!” Mark laughed.

    
“Mark!” Williams snapped his fingers. “Earth to Mark… I’m serious. When are you going to start trusting me? You and I both know that Lucy can’t do all this on her own… and Dom is the only one that’s capable of putting something like this in motion. He has the means to get Vanzetti here if he wanted too. We need to collaborate and figure out where and when they’re meeting up. They’re not stupid.”

    
Williams couldn’t have been more serious.

    
Mark spoke very nonchalantly.

    
“I don’t know. I doubt that anything’s going to go down today. I mean, after Nick’s mental breakdown, he was spewing confessions… and Lucy being brought in for questioning… you know that they’re laying low. Like you said, they’re not stupid. There’s too much heat on them right now. The cops and all those detectives on this case got this one… it’s just a matter of time, that’s all. Some things you just can‘t rush,” Mark was chewing on his lip, looking out the window.

    
Williams looked at Mark like he had just said the alphabet backwards and in another language.

    
“WHAT? No... You know what? I took a leap of faith, trusted you and believed in you when I had every reason NOT to!” Williams glared in Marks direction.

    
“There was something about your story that told me that I needed to help you find out what really happened to your daughter. It sounded so insane, that it had to be true. And I thought all you really needed was someone to listen to your version. You had no one to trust… and there I was. And here I AM, still! So please, let me help you finish this. If I’m anything to you at all, I’m your friend, Mark!”

    
William’s looked straight forward with his hands on the wheel and abruptly parked the car in a diner parking lot.

    
“Then you also remember the part about “walking away” when it turned dangerous. It’s about that time, Detective,” Mark said seriously.

    
“Think of your own daughter… and the career you’ve built for yourself. Is it worth it to you, to lose it all over my personal problems?” Mark unbuckled his seat belt and rested his hand on the door handle. “I have nothing. No family, no career, zero, to live for. I‘m not going to let anyone else die for me,” Mark spoke calmly.

    
Detective Williams listened to Mark, alarmed by what he was saying.

    
“What I need to do now doesn’t have anything to do with you. So I don’t require your services any longer as a hired investigator, but as a friend, I would humbly ask for your silence. Please, go back to the precinct and tell Haddock you talked me into going home to rest after lunch, and you’ll notify me of any changes that take place regarding the case,” Mark took out an envelope from the inside pocket of his leather jacket, handing it over to Williams.

    
“This should more than cover your fee, for helping me,” Mark was trying to be professional. He needed this to be a business transaction, and nothing more.

    
“I don’t want your money, Mark, you’re not thinking straight. You’re going to get yourself killed and then what good would that do, huh? What about Julie... I know you care about each other. It’s obvious. Don’t do anything you might regret,” Williams pleaded.

    
“Julie is safe… I’ve made sure of that,” Mark replied calmly.

    
Williams leaned back into the driver’s seat, realizing the gravity of the situation.

    
“Yeah, I know. I had a feeling you were going to switch hotels when you insisted on taking her. You must have paid the desk clerk at the old hotel really well… because she told the reporting officers this morning that Julie not only arrived, but is still in her room!” Williams smiled, impressed by Marks cleverness.