“Both Little Minx and Bounce were two of the clubs cleaned by the victims in the Kelto’s Diner shooting,” Riverton said, as though reading her mind.
“And Little Minx is also one of Lance Chaney’s clubs,” Kara said.
“Yes, Detective Shadid,” Riverton said. “However, I have further news. Clarence Jabbour’s body was found this morning in his apartment.”
Those present exchanged a surprised glance.
“Shit,” Bronte said.
“Cause of death?” Ford asked, clenching her jaw.
“It appears to be a drug overdose.”
“Fyte?” she asked.
“No. Initial reports indicate heroin. Detective Grenville says that no other drugs were found present at the scene.”
Salvi felt a tug of concern at the sound of Mitch’s name. She wondered how he was doing. She hadn’t had time to speak with him since Caine’s death as everything had happened so fast.
“We are awaiting toxicology to see if any was in the man’s blood stream,” Riverton reported. “However, Detective Grenville does not believe the overdose was accidental, as the man has fresh bruising that appears to be that of defense wounds.”
“They’re not from his fight over the parking space?” Bronte asked.
“No, Detective Bronte. It looks as though the wounds were made at the time of this death.”
“Sounds to me like he was silenced,” Salvi said looking at Bronte.
“Anything else, Riverton?” Ford asked.
“Yes,” Riverton replied. “Detectives Beggs and Hernandez spoke to Vincent Calabri about his movements on the night of Devon Barker’s murder. He has admitted to being in the area but denies any involvement in Barker’s death. Credit card activity and witnesses confirm his alibi. So far we have no other evidence to link him to the crime.”
“His DNA isn’t in the system to match with the Barker scene?” Salvi asked.
“Unfortunately no,” Riverton said. “Would you like me to obtain a warrant for this, detective?”
“No,” Ford answered for her. Salvi looked at her. “I’ve read your files,” Ford said. “We don’t have enough evidence. If you think there’s a possible connection to Francis Mellon and beyond to boss John Dorant, we need more evidence.”
Salvi nodded reluctantly.
“I have more to report, detective lieutenant,” Riverton stated.
“Go ahead.”
“I believe I have uncovered something further in the Langford case.”
“The auto accessory guy?” Salvi asked.
“Yes, detective. I previously reported to Detectives Grenville and Caine that there had been a $5M payment to an offshore account. I have traced this further and discovered that Mr. Langford had recently become a partner in a club called Hasties.”
Ford nodded. “I know the place. It’s basically a high-class strip joint.”
“That’s not the interesting fact, detective lieutenant,” Riverton said. “What is interesting is that his partner is Reeves Morgan, who owns Bounce nightclub.”
“Bounce?” Bronte said. “So that’s three links now. The Langford case, The Kelto’s Diner case and the dead DJ.”
“Yes, detective. Also Detective Grenville has not been able to make contact with Mr. Morgan for questioning. It seems that no-one has seen or heard from Mr. Morgan in several days.”
Salvi nodded. “These aren’t random killings. These were intentional. Targeted.”
“Maybe,” Ford said. “Langford’s murder feels targeted and Reeves Morgan’s disappearance is definitely suspect, but I still feel the Kelto’s Diner murders and the dumpster DJ case are probably results of people using Fyte and spinning out of control.”
“So if Kelto’s Diner and the DJ are linked to Fyte, and both those cases have links to Bounce nightclub, shouldn’t we be sending undercovers in there?” Salvi asked.
“Already on it,” Sorensen said. “I’ve got Farrugia and Burke heading in there tonight.”
“So are we thinking that these drugs started at Floor to Ceiling with Flyte,” Bronte said, “then leaked out to Bounce as Fyte?”
“Quite possibly,” Sorensen said.
“It’s sounding very much like a turf war,” Kara said.
“So how does Caine and the Chief’s daughter fit in with this?” Salvi asked.
“That’s what you need to find out,” Ford said.
“Yes, detectives,” Riverton said. “And you must not forget that we still have several cases linking to Floor to Ceiling, namely the photographer, Barker, the Kelto’s Diner deaths of Delroy and Williams who cleaned at the club – and of course Detective Caine and Clare Garrett who were last seen alive entering the club. Also, Detective Brentt, I have identified street footage that confirms that Myki Natashi and Devon Barker attended Floor To Ceiling the night he died.”
“They did?” Salvi straightened.
“Yes, detective. They left the club just after ten o’clock. Ms. Natashi appeared quite inebriated. She required Mr. Barker’s help into the autocab.”
“So they left Floor To Ceiling, went home to their apartment for a few hours before Barker was killed,” Salvi locked eyes with Ford, who turned her eyes back to Riverton.
“The cleaners killed at Kelto’s Diner are the only ones who link the two clubs,” Ford thought aloud, “because they cleaned both.”
“And I have found one more link,” Riverton said. “There was a case several weeks ago that Detectives Grenville and Caine worked on. It was a stabbing in the Sensation that appeared to be a robbery.”
“What about it?” Ford asked.
“I have not linked the victim to either club as yet, however, until two years ago, he was a doorman who worked security at several clubs across the Sensation.”
“What do you mean until two years ago?” Ford asked. “Clarify.”
“I have not been able to locate any details after that date. He seems to have disappeared from working society altogether, however he has received no government support either.”
Salvi looked at Ford. “Sounds like he was working for someone who paid cash, wanting to stay off the radar.”
“Looks like it,” she said.
“His boss could maybe be responsible for all this,” Kara said. “If his death was several weeks ago, he might’ve been our first death that links all of this. What if he was the one who caused the spread of the drugs to Bounce?”
Sorensen shrugged. “It’s sounding to me like the Bounce crew were trying to muscle in on Floor to Ceiling. We definitely can’t rule out a turf war, but we need a lot more evidence first. There’s still a lot of missing pieces of the puzzle.”
“Thank you Riverton. End request,” Ford said,
