“No. I’ve been reading death penalty trial manuals and articles on trial mechanics. I think I know what you want.”
Robin smiled as she handed the sample questionnaires to her associate. She wasn’t surprised that Loretta was two steps ahead of her.
“You can take off. Check with me if you have any questions.”
“Will do,” Loretta said.
Robin suspected that Loretta would be burning the midnight oil tonight.
“Jeff, bring us up to date on what you’ve got for the sentencing phase,” she said.
For the next twenty minutes, Jeff gave a summary of the testimony they could expect from the relatives, friends, and acquaintances he had interviewed.
“I want to talk about the illegal fight, which I see as the key to winning this case,” Robin said when Jeff was through. “Any ideas on how we can find out who was behind it or the people who ran it?”
“I’ve got a lead on the giant Joe described. I think he’s Andre Rostov. He’s been arrested twice for assault, but there are no convictions. Witnesses failed to show or simply disappeared. I’m trying to find him.”
“Okay, that’s good. Amanda, any ideas?”
“Actually, I do have one.”
“What is it?” Robin asked.
“I have this, uh, acquaintance who might be able to help.”
Robin frowned. “Who is it?”
“I’d rather not say until I’ve talked to him.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
In one of those weird coincidences that happen every once in a while, Tony Carasco was fantasizing about Stacey Hayes when she called him.
“I want to see you, Tony.”
“We have to wait, baby. Betsy’s mother knows about us. She’s going to go to court to try to keep me from inheriting, and she’ll try to use our relationship against me, so we have to wait a while before we can see each other.”
“I miss playing with you,” Stacey said, pitching her voice to sound like a little girl’s.
Carasco felt himself stiffen. “I miss you too.”
“I need you tonight,” Stacey pouted.
“Once the dust settles, we can be together all the time. You have to be patient.”
“I’m too horny to be patient. I’m wet now just talking to you.”
“Be reasonable.”
“If you don’t come here, I’ll have to come to your house, and reporters might see me. You can get away after dark. Please.”
Carasco imagined Stacey naked, and his mouth went dry. “Okay. I’ll come over around ten.”
“I can’t wait.”
Carasco hadn’t made love to Stacey in a while, and he could barely think by the time he parked near her apartment. Stacey opened the door as soon as he rang her bell. Carasco had imagined that she would be naked or wearing sexy lingerie, but she was dressed in jeans and a man-tailored shirt.
“Come in, Tony. I have someone I want you to meet.”
Carasco was confused. “We’re not alone?”
Stacey walked into the living room without answering. Carasco followed her and saw a man sitting in an armchair in a corner of the room. He was wearing a tight black turtleneck that stretched over a bodybuilder’s physique. The man smiled.
“Pleased to meet you, Judge. Stacey has told me so much about you, I feel like I’ve known you for a long time.”
“Who is this?” Carasco asked Stacey.
The man stood up and halted inches from the judge. He was only slightly taller than Carasco but twice as wide. Thick black hairs covered his large, apelike hands, and his forearms strained the fabric that covered them.
“I’m Stacey’s manager, and I have a bone to pick with you. Stacey is a valuable property, and you’ve stolen her from me without compensation.”
“Stacey isn’t property,” Carasco stammered.
Carasco never saw the punch coming, but he felt the impact. One minute, he could breathe. The next moment, all the air left his body and he was flopping on the carpet like a fish that had been slapped on the deck of a boat.
Carasco looked at Stacey while he gulped in air. She was observing him without emotion, which hurt more than the punch.
“You’re a lawyer,” the man said while Carasco fought for air. “Lawyers love to argue. Me, I never learned the fine points of debate. I believe in a more direct approach.”
“What do you want?” the judge managed when he could breathe again.
“Compensation.”
Carasco got on his hands and knees, then struggled to his feet.
“What kind of compensation?”
“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
“I don’t…” Carasco started to protest. The man kicked him in the shin. Carasco doubled over from the pain and collapsed on the floor again.
“You seem to forget that I don’t debate. You also forget that Stacey knows how much money you can get your hands on. That’s one of the dangers of pillow talk, Tony. Oh yeah, you’re also forgetting that Stacey can tell the district attorney that you took care of her warrants, which is illegal, and tricked poor Ian into being your alibi when your wife was killed. And in case you’re thinking that it would be her word against yours, I’m pretty handy with surveillance equipment, and you are the star of several videos and audiotapes. Now, stand up and look at me.”
The man waited while Carasco used the arm of a chair to help him stand. There were tears in his eyes from the pain.
“Do you want to argue about the money?” the man asked.
Carasco shook his head while whispering, “No.”
“Good. Tomorrow night, you’re going to bring my money to a location to be announced. Will you have the money by tomorrow night?”
Carasco nodded.
“I didn’t hear anything, Tony. You got to say yes or no, and you need to know that no has consequences.”
“I’ll get it.”
“Great! Now run along and wait for my call.”
Carasco wanted to run, but his leg hurt too much. He limped out slowly in an attempt to salvage some dignity.
As soon as the door closed, Karl Tepper burst out laughing.
