you’ll also notice bruising and swelling around the knuckles.”
“Well, he certainly didn’t go as easy as the others,” said Robert. “I bet he caught our Russian friend off guard, but never had a chance.” Marilyn agreed and stepped over to the gun cabinet. “He picked the lock and came in through the back door. We believe things started upstairs.”
“What about the alarm?” asked Robert, a smirk on his face. He knew the system the judge installed to be grossly inferior. He’d inspected it himself only a few weeks earlier and suggested an upgrade.
“He beat it without a hitch,” said Marilyn, smiling as though she could read his mind. “No wonder. I think he bought it at Toys R Us.” Robert returned the smile then examined the gun cabinet. Impressive.
He counted fifteen guns. Several immediately caught his eye, including a very rare Model 1803 U.S. Flintlock rifle dating back to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an almost extinct Israeli Mauser, and a Colt Z 40 semi- automatic, highly prized by collectors and nearly impossible to find.
Robert shook his head in sad disgust.
“Yeah, I know,” said Marilyn. “All this firepower didn’t do the poor bastard a bit of good.”
“Anything missing?”
“No, nothing was taken,” said Marilyn. “We found the gun inventory in his desk. Every weapon is accounted for.” Robert smiled. He liked Agent London. Beautiful and smart, she appeared to be tough. None of which hurt if a woman wanted to succeed in a man’s world.
“Looks like Mrs. Weiss walked in on them, dropped her packages and ran upstairs,” she continued. “Obviously the Bear wasn’t expecting her.” Robert examined the packages. Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada, spread randomly in front of the study’s door. “Well, let’s have a look at the Mrs.,” he said, standing.
Robert stole another look at Agent London’s firm hips and sultry walk as they climbed the soft-carpeted stairs. Thorne shook her head.
Her eyes saying keep it zipped up big boy. His partner wasn’t the jealous type, but somehow Agent London had landed on Thorne’s bad side. A barren place where one stayed for an eternity.
The master bedroom took up most of the second floor. A large marble fireplace dominated, and two inviting, soft leather recliners faced it. Impressive artwork adorned the walls, and the oversized custom bed, the largest he’d ever seen, made Robert wonder just how much a federal judge earned.
Sprawled across the flowered peach comforter, face down, naked, lay Mrs. Weiss. Her neck, unceremoniously twisted, looked more like coiled rope than a human appendage. Her left eye bulged. Her right, swollen shut. Horror plastered her face, and blood trickled down each side of her mouth.
Robert moved closer.
A red puddle soaked the bedding below her rectum. Her left arm a pretzel, it dangled off one side of the bed. A dazzling marquis diamond ring sparkled on her finger.
“He chased her upstairs and kicked in the door,” said Marilyn, pointing to the bare hinges. “No flesh under her nails or bruises on her torso. Except for the eyes there’re no other marks on her face.”
“She gave in to him,” said Robert, in a whisper.
“We believe so,” said Marilyn. “She tried to cooperate to save her life, but the bastard killed her anyway.”
“No witnesses,” said Robert. “It’s a Russian Mafia rule. Men, women, children and the family dog, it doesn’t matter. If they’re at the scene when a hit takes place, they die.”
Robert examined the body carefully and gave the bedroom one last look. Thorne recorded as many details as possible. After writing down a few notes of his own, he removed his gloves and returned them to his pocket. “You mentioned he left a little gift,” said Robert. “Let’s have a look at it.”
Marilyn asked all of the other agents and forensic team to leave.
When the room cleared she walked over to Robert, arms across her chest.
“You know, most of the agents aren’t too keen on having you and your partner butt in,” she said.
“No shit Sherlock. We went over all this downstairs,” said Robert, more than a little impatient. “And who cares anyway. Like I said before, they didn’t hire us, the head brass did.”
“I know, I know,” said Marilyn. “You have full access. It’s just that some question your effectiveness. After all, the entire local and Federal law enforcement system is on the case.”
“Yet Judge Weiss and his wife are dead,” said Thorne. “I’m sure they appreciate the government’s effort.”
Marilyn looked her up and down. Then, what started out as a look of contempt, morphed into an insincere, sly smile. She pulled a small plastic bag from her pocket and handed it to Robert, her gaze never leaving Thorne’s.
Robert ignored the two and moved to the window for light. America: You have spent years causing pain and suffering all over the world, for no other reason than your own personal gain and greed. I watched your hypocrisy in the Middle East during what you called Iraqi Freedom, and I’ve burned with hatred as you’ve used and abused my brothers and sisters in Russia, pretending to offer support and a helping hand while all the time spying and plotting behind our backs. Men, women, and children continue to die because of your treachery and dishonesty. Your system of justice is a prime example of your bad faith and pretense of piety and virtue. Now you will know pain and suffering, and I will continue to deliver blows to your system of justice, unto death.
The Bear
“We’ll need a copy of this as soon as possible,” said Robert, handing back the letter.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said. “I can’t make any promises.”
“Exactly what’s the problem?” Thorne demanded.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m just the messenger,” Marilyn snapped.
Thorne walked forward, Marilyn didn’t back down. Robert jockeyed between them and turned toward his partner. “Thorne, wait for me outside.”
Thorne hesitated, then moved back. “We don’t need this Robert, and I won’t take it. Not off her, or any of these other sorry ass stuffed shirts.”
“I know,” he said. “I know. Wait for me outside. I’ll handle it.” Thorne pierced Marilyn with her eyes, and left the room.
Agent London seemed amused. “Next time,” she mouthed in Thorne’s direction.
“That was out of line, Agent London,” said Robert.
“She had it coming, and feel free to call me Marilyn. We’re going to be working together so let’s kill the formalities. At least when it’s just the two of us.”
She walked over to Robert and stood chest to chest, a playful, inquisitive look on her face. “Exactly who at the Justice Department is backing you?”
“That’s classified,” said Robert. “Let’s just say you’ll probably never reach that high.”
“Oh you’d be surprised,” said Marilyn. “You’re not the only one who likes this pretty blonde ass of mine.” Robert walked toward the door.
“Mr. Veil,” Marilyn called. “If you can stop this guy, fine. If not, then you’re wasting time and money.”
Robert turned. “You can call me Robert, and we’ve never missed yet.
Furthermore, this is the sixth judge the Bear’s killed and you haven’t got a clue. So I think you can use all the help you can get.” Robert started out of the bedroom, then stopped. “And next time you fuck with Thorne, I won’t stop her. Trust me, it’ll be the last person you fuck with for a long, long time.”
“Stop, you’re making me all weepy and nervous.” Robert smiled and left the room. Lady, you have no idea.
Outside, Thorne leaned against her SUV, smiling. “I wasn’t going to kill the cow, just rough her up a bit.”
“Yeah right,” said Robert. “Remember, I’ve seen you get rough.” Thorne laughed.
Robert surveyed the grounds once, making sure they didn’t miss anything. “So what’d you think?”
“He had it staked out ahead of time just like the others. Knew exactly when to strike and expected the judge to be alone. His wife bought it by accident.”
“That means he’s definitely not choosing them at random,” said Robert. “He has a plan and we don’t have a clue. Let’s get an updated list of judges and note any who’ve turned down protection. We better review your tape. Maybe there’s something we’ve missed.” Robert’s cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID but didn’t recognize the number and ignored it. A few seconds later, it rang again, same number. This time he answered.
