Counterplay

might “misconstrue,” such as the gardener’s story.

Meanwhile, Coletta made sure Kaplan’s story went no further. He’d called the gardener on the pretext of wanting to talk to him about some shit I’ve learned about what happened to Mrs. Stavros. Feigning that he was afraid he was being followed and might be overheard, Coletta had insisted that they make it appear as if they were going fishing. Out on the boat, when no one was close enough to see, Coletta had hit Kaplan with a fire extinguisher, knocking him unconscious; then the fire extinguisher and the gardener were dumped overboard. Coletta then used the boat’s radio to call his ride back to shore.

For fourteen years, Mrs. Stavros had remained buried in the backyard, and the gun used to kill her stashed in a bank deposit box. But at last the day that Kane had anticipated had come.

However, given the magnitude of what Kane wanted to do, and the chance that Stavros would panic and run to the authorities to spoil it all, he’d decided a more subtle route than just straight-up blackmail.

While still a politician running for mayor, Kane had often been in the company of Stavros, whose rise in the political machine he’d funded. Over drinks, Stavros, who thought he had a confidant of sorts in Kane, confided that his son was driving him crazy with all of his psychological problems. He wouldn’t have minded if the kid disappeared, but barring that, did Kane know anyone who might straighten the little shit out.

Kane remembered the conversation while in the Tombs and called Stavros, pretending that as a friend, he’d been giving Zachary’s situation some thought and that, as a matter of fact, he did have someone in mind. He’d suggested sending Zachary to Dr. Craig.

Of course, what Stavros didn’t know was that Dr. Craig was another of his thralls. The good psychologist had been charged with sexually assaulting his patients. But due to Kane’s magnificent defense, which included threatening the victims, he’d been acquitted.

Although reluctant, Dr. Craig had finally agreed to Kane’s plan to “plant” a memory in Zachary Stavros while the young man was hypnotized. It was meant to be a simple memory-of his father choking his mother into unconsciousness and then hearing the sound of digging in the backyard.

When Kane asked Dr. Craig where the stuff about the blue dress and hearing gunshots came from, the doctor shrugged. He has probably associated the blue dress with his mother since childhood, the doctor said. And who knows about the gunshots; maybe he really did hear them, or once the planted memory took hold, his imagination added to it. He is a pretty troubled young man.

Kane had also made the anonymous call to Guma, who he’d learned was working cold cases, and suggested that he contact Zachary Stavros. And, as planned, the whole thing had snowballed from there.

In fact, it had worked better than he hoped. While the main purpose was to put Stavros over a barrel-a barrel his good friend Kane had promised to help him get over as long as he cooperated with a few small requests-he’d also hoped the political implications would prove to be a big distraction for Karp. It was a dream come true when Karp actually joined the case.

When Stavros learned what the “small requests” entailed, he’d balked. I’d have to leave the country. I’d be ruined.

Nonsense, Kane had cajoled him when Stavros visited him in Aspen before the body was located in the backyard. We make it appear that you were blackmailed and threatened into helping me. And, my dear Emil, you become a very wealthy man. He explained how Coletta would “confess” that he’d witnessed the murder and pin it on Jeff Kaplan.

Still, Stavros had refused to cooperate. It will never work, he’d wept.

That’s when Kane lost all patience and decided to play hardball. Look, you little shit, he snarled as Stavros blanched. Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? Pause just a fucking second and ask yourself what would happen if I give the gun you used to kill your wife to the authorities?

The remaining color had drained from Stavros’s face. You kept the gun? he asked incredulously. You’ve been planning to blackmail me all of these years?

If necessary, Kane said. So you don’t really have a choice, you piece of shit. Do what I say and you stand a good chance of beating this charge and getting wealthier than you’ve ever dreamed with all your gambling debts forgiven. Refuse-or worse, go to the cops-and you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison, wondering when one of my people is going to show up and gut you like a fucking trout.

The rest is history, Kane thought. There had been some issues to take care of and some that had arisen in the course of events that followed his escape. Killing Flanagan had been part revenge, but also a necessity to prevent any chance that the former detective, if questioned, might link him to Stavros.

Kane had been surprised that Guma had been able to win an indictment based on the circumstantial evidence he had; in fact, he’d been prepared to have a “little bird” inform Guma of the grave’s location, but it hadn’t been necessary.

The bigger problem had been when Stavros took off for Canada. The plan-the one involving Samira, the Russians, and Jon Ellis-required that he not be incarcerated, but the idiot had panicked when the body was discovered and had his bail revoked.

Fortunately, you’re a genius, Kane thought. He’d simply told Coletta to “confess” a bit earlier than planned, and then informed Bryce Anderson that his life depended on his ability to get Stavros out of jail on bond again. The motivated defense attorney had done just that; just as he’d followed the plan to have the trial set for this particular week so that Stavros would remain over the proverbial barrel until the plan was a done deal.

Kane had toyed with the idea of killing Stavros after he was no longer necessary. But there was no telling if the man would find a way to leave a trail to the financial windfall Kane expected to reap. So for the time being, the plan was to let him live; perhaps his banking services could be used again…if he beat the rap.

All was going according to plan. However, his nemesis Karp and Karp’s sidekick Guma had breezed through their case. And Anderson wasn’t prepared to delay! Well, he better get it done, or I will have him shot.

“Kane! Kane!”

Hearing his name called, Kane looked away from the mirror. “What, Samira?”

“I hope you’re not going to do that when it matters,” Azzam said furiously. “I’ve been talking to you for five minutes, and you haven’t heard a word.”

Kane felt his face flush from the criticism. He hated being criticized. He laughed to cover up his embarrassment. “I heard what I needed to hear. And by the way, your services will be required again tonight if you can tear yourself away from that other bitch.”

“I’d rather not,” Samira said. “I have a lot to do to be prepared and rested.”

“Well, that’s too bad,” he replied. “I like having sex when I’m stressed. Or perhaps, you’d rather I not allow you to attend the ‘festivities.’ In fact, maybe I should call my friends with al Qaeda and tell them that I’ve decided to keep you around awhile longer. Then your precious martyrdom will be put on hold.”

Samira knew she’d been put in checkmate again. “Fuck you, Kane.”

He smiled. “Exactly what I had in mind.”

29

“Your Honor, this morning The People will be calling three impeachment witnesses to the stand, or actually, recalling two of them-Dr. Charlotte Gates and Zachary Stavros-as well as Dr. Sally Thoms. With your permission, the people now call Dr. Thoms.”

“Objection,” Anderson said, his voice monotone compared to Guma’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed delivery. He was only making a record as they’d already haggled over the state’s rebuttal witnesses earlier that morning in the judge’s chambers.

Normally, he would not have risked the judge’s ire as he had in chambers with the vehemence of his protests and silly arguments. He’d known within the first five minutes how the judge would rule; however, the important thing was that it had taken a good forty minutes off the clock, and it was now almost ten. He had no