Chapter 9
Elmer lived. He’d lost lots of blood, but no major organs damaged. They were able to stitch up his gut. The DA apparently made a deal with the rat bastard and in a few days a flood of questions were answered. It was all recorded and the depositions were signed. He wouldn’t get out, but he wouldn’t fry. I guess that was all that mattered.
Sunny and I were still shaky, but we were both well on our way to okay. Neither of us would have to testify. Sunny got an offer from the branch of the Florida State University in Key West and we were headed back south as soon as the semester was over. It couldn’t come too soon.
I was on KAMALA making a list of preparations for the sail back to paradise when the cell rang.
“T.K. How do you feel about a little field trip?”
“You know me, Bill. Always up for a new adventure.”
“I’ll pick you up at ten. By the way, you are now an official consultant of the Norfolk P.D., but no need for the Kel-Tec.”
I asked, but he wouldn’t tell me where we were going. A couple of marked crown vic cruisers followed us downtown. In a few minutes we were at city hall.
“Stay close behind me,” he said as we went through the glass doors. He held his badge up like a sacred talisman and the four uniforms followed, hands at their holsters. He burst through the oiled door of the mayor’s office and gently eased the receptionist aside when she tried to block his way to the inner sanctum.
Alison Bondura was sitting comfortably at her desk. She appeared cool and relaxed, a cup of steaming coffee at her right hand. Beside her was a man in an immaculately tailored blue pinstripe. His hair was slicked back. He looked at us like he’d just arrived at an exclusive cocktail party, and we were the “great unwashed” crashers.
“Good morning, gentlemen. You may inform my client of her rights,” he snarled, “but rest assured she has no statement to make at this time.”
Bill looked into her eyes. The crystal blue had taken on a shade of gray and there were clouds. He read the words from the card. “You have the right to remain silent . . .”
“Mayor, I am arresting you on suspicion of murder, trafficking in illegal substances, extortion, and a number of other charges too numerous to specify. Due to the honor of your office, I will forego the handcuffs as long as I have your word you will not resist.”
She nodded and spoke. “Good luck officer and oh . . . it might be wise to update your resume.”
Then she shot me a glare that would have withered fresh roses. It lasted for only a moment, but I figured I’d feel that icepick in my spine for a long time.
The uniforms put her in the back of a squad car. Bill pulled in behind them and we followed discreetly.
“Elmer got a little special attention from The Boys. I’m not sure he appreciated it, but he squealed like a pig. We got enough to send Her Honor away for a long time.”
“What about Panko?” I asked. Bill was silent. I thanked him for the outing and promised to mention him to Sunny.
It was only a couple of days later. I went to the newspaper box to catch up on the latest cat fight between our esteemed members of congress. The headlines glared.
“Prominent Attorney Found.”
I read eagerly. Leonardo Panko’s body had been pulled from the cold water near the mouth of the Elizabeth River. Reading between the lines, it was obvious the crabs had feasted on the body. They finally identified him using dental records. The condition of the body defied detailed forensic analysis, but the police suspected foul play. My thought immediately turned to Bill and “His Boys”. Still, it made some sense that the mob had decided one less witness was a definite plus in their column. It was an odds-on bet that no one would ever admit to anything. It didn’t matter. The deed was done and other mouths would stay shut.
There was a lot to recommend the day we left Norfolk. We slipped the lines, motored into the Bay and headed east for the bridge. A few miles offshore, we hoisted the main and unfurled the jib. Then we turned off to starboard. The wind was southwest and we beat a smooth retreat from a city that had held innumerable horrors for us. The relief had been lingering in the background of my consciousness. Now it bolted forward like the new Spring. I set the auto-pilot and spoke softly to Sunny, but she was already in action. She handed me a cold Yeungling and brushed my cheek with her lips.
Epilogue
We followed it online. There were multiple requests for continuances while the legal team reviewed the evidence, and at least two attempts to get the case thrown out of court. A year later she finally went to trial. It lasted six months, but when the jury came back, the verdict was “Not Guilty”. In the interviews that followed, three members of the panel declared that the evidence was simply insufficient to eliminate a shadow of doubt. Her Honor walked, but the DA said there could be more charges. At last reports she was at Daddy’s estate trying to recover from the “mental anguish caused by the false and egregious accusations that had destroyed such a promising career”. She vowed that she would not be absent from the public forum and might even consider running for office in the near future. So much for Bill and “His Boys”. The lady might be right. Maybe they ought to update their resumes.
I called Bill to get his take on the proceedings. He sounded better, but not great. He filled me in.
“Actually, the lady disappeared shortly after the trial. No traces, but plenty of rumors. Some say she is in Venezuela, but I kinda doubt it unless she is one damned good swimmer.”
That was all I needed to know. The Boss Lady was gone, most likely to her last reward. I fervently hoped that was in the darkest pit of hell.
Okay. Ma was dead. Sunny and I were alive. Elmer was in prison, Panko was fish bait and Her Honor’s balls had been removed. I didn’t think it was temporary.
Sunny and I agreed that this time the good guys had won more than a few rounds.
When we got back to Key West, Buffett’s Roundtable had lost a couple of members and added a few. What the hell? The laughter was still loud, the beer was still cold, and we were home.
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