Personal Justice Read online

  Thursday, 12:51 p.m.

  WHEN ANNIE ARRIVED home, Jake was lounging in the living room. She sat down and filled him in on her interview with Sharon Stipple. There wasn’t much to tell, and soon the conversation turned to Jake’s encounter with Stanley Asher. She was concerned Jake might be injured, perhaps a cracked rib, or worse.

  “It’s honestly just a bruise,” Jake told her, sitting up to prove his point. “Shaft is the one who got the good beating. They took him to Richmond General, bandaged him up, and released him. He’s got a cracked rib, and he’ll be sore for a while.”

  “It’s a good thing you were there,” Annie said. “He might’ve been killed.”

  “Perhaps,” Jake said. “But if I didn’t rile Shaft up, he might never have left the warehouse, and might never have been beaten.”

  Annie shook her head. “You can’t blame yourself. Asher was out to get Shaft and he would’ve waited as long as he needed. Shaft should be thanking you.”

  “He did,” Jake said. “And he sounded sincere.”

  “His life might still be in danger.”

  “From whom?”

  “I don’t know. If he’s not the killer we’re looking for, then he could be next.”

  “And if he is the killer?”

  “Then we have to prove it,” Annie said. “One thing I know for sure, he’s involved in all this.”

  “I’d still love to find out where the money is,” Jake said. “That’s the key to it all.”

  “We’ll find it. Somebody knows, and they’re not going to leave it alone forever.”

  Jake shrugged. “I haven’t ruled out Maria Shaft. If her husband knew where the money is, he might’ve told her. It might even be hidden in their house somewhere.”

  “The same goes for Tammy Norton,” Annie said. “Although Norton claimed on the phone his wife knew nothing about it.”

  Jake glanced at his watch. “Let’s see what’s on the news.”

  Annie reached for the remote control and turned on the television. Channel 7 Action News was coming on and Lisa Krunk’s face took up most of the screen.

  “I’ve just received some breaking news,” Lisa was saying. “Rocky Shaft, the chief suspect in the slaying of Werner Shaft and Michael Norton, was attacked this morning by an unknown assailant. I’ve been unable to obtain the name of his attacker, but Shaft received some injuries before the attack subsided.”

  “How did she hear about that so fast?” Jake asked.

  “She has eyes and ears everywhere,” Annie said.

  A picture of Rocky Shaft appeared on the screen and Lisa continued, “Rocky Shaft was questioned by police earlier and released. Apparently, they didn’t have enough evidence to hold him, but I’m told the case against Shaft is mounting, and it’s just a matter of time until he’s arrested and charged.”

  “Where did she get that?” Jake asked. “That’s not even true.”

  Annie turned off the TV and laid the remote control on the stand beside her. “If Lisa can’t dig up any sensational news, she makes it up.” She stood. “I’ll be in the office if you need me.”

  She sat at her desk, turned on her computer, and spread out her notes. She scrutinized every detail in an attempt to make some sense of what they knew. Finally, she replayed the phone conversation with Michael Norton.

  No matter how she connected the dots, it all pointed to Rocky Shaft. But something didn’t sit right with her. Something disturbed her about the obvious conclusion and she couldn’t put a finger on it.

  If she had a way of knowing where Michael Norton was when he called her, it might give her a lead.

  She had an idea. She knew someone who might be able to help.

  Better known by his friends as Geekly, Jeremiah Everest was a long-time friend of the Lincolns, and helped them on occasion when they needed his expertise. When it came to anything technical or computer related, Geekly was the absolute best.

  She duplicated the folder of recent phone recordings onto a flash drive, and wrote a note asking Geekly to analyze the recording labeled, “Michael Norton”, for any background sounds or other information that might shed some light on the location of the caller.

  She dropped the drive and the note into a padded envelope, addressed it to Jeremiah Everest, and called a local courier. She asked for same day delivery and twenty minutes later the package was on its way.

  ~~*~~

  HANK TURNED as Captain Diego poked his head from his office and motioned him over. “And bring King with you,” he called.

  Hank found his partner in the break room. “Diego wants to see us.”

  King tossed a half-eaten sandwich into a paper bag, balled it up, and made an expert shot into the wastebasket. He stood without a word and followed Hank to Diego’s office.

  Hank sat and leaned back while King took his usual spot, holding up the filing cabinet, his arms crossed.

  “Fill me in on the Shaft case,” Diego said, looking at Hank and smoothing down his black mustache.

  “I’m afraid we haven’t made a lot of headway,” Hank said. “But we’ve confirmed the drug money heist was perpetrated by three gunmen. We’re no closer to finding the killer or killers, but we’re pretty sure it wasn’t a revenge killing by the drug lords.”

  King added, “And the best motive we can find is the money from the heist.”

  “And that points to Rocky Shaft, does it not?” Diego asked.

  “I’d say yes,” Hank said. “But we don’t have enough for a search warrant or an arrest warrant.”

  Diego steepled his fingers under his chin. “What about that character who beat up Shaft?”

  Hank shook his head. “Stanley Asher. He’s just a fool looking for revenge. I don’t think he’s involved in any other way. And he has solid alibis for both killings.”

  “But he also confirmed Norton was in on the robbery,” King said.

  Diego took his cap off, ran his fingers through his dark hair, and replaced his hat, adjusting it in place. “Any luck in finding the money?”

  “No luck,” Hank said.

  “It seems to me,” King said. “If Rocky Shaft killed his brother as well as Norton, he would make sure he knew where the money was hidden first. So whether or not he knew before that, you can bet he knows now.”

  “I agree,” Hank said. “But with all this heat around him, I doubt if he’ll go near it.”

  “He would if he thought it was in danger,” Diego said.

  “That’s what Jake tried to do,” Hank said. “Jake told Shaft he knew where the money was. Jake told me he was pretty sure Shaft was headed to check on it when he got waylaid by Asher.”

  “We’ve got a tail on him,” King said. “Ever since he was released from the hospital, he’s been watched. If he goes near the money, we’ll get him.”

  Diego leaned forward. “That’s all well and good, but I’m more interested in getting him for murder.”

  “So are we, Captain,” Hank said. “But we have to find something on him before we can get a warrant to search his rooms. Everything we have is circumstantial.”

  Diego sat back, dropped his arms on the armrests, and blew out a long breath. “All right, guys. Get out there and find something. And keep me informed.”

  “We’ll get him,” King said, as he straightened his back. “It’s just a matter of time.”

  Diego waved them out and went back to his paperwork.

  Hank returned to his desk, dropped into his chair and sighed wearily. He wanted to get this case cleaned up before somebody else turned up dead.

  Chapter 41

  Thursday, 3:15 p.m.

  LISA KRUNK HAD already convicted Rocky Shaft. As well as being, in her humble opinion, the best reporter this town had ever seen, she considered herself a first class investigative journalist, yet to be nationally recognized, but unsurpassed in her chosen field.

  She had everything it took—expertise, tireless perseverance, and a dogged determination. And with Don at her side, ready to capture
tell-tale video and sound bites, she was always raring to go.

  Recently, she had cracked a lot of cases wide open, and was confused she hadn’t received the recognition she so richly deserved. Unfortunately, others always stepped in at the last moment to claim the accolades belonging to her.

  But this time, things would be different, and she resolved to get to the heart of the killings she knew Rocky Shaft was responsible for.

  Her sources had confirmed Shaft was released from the hospital and returned home to nurse his wounds. One way or another, she had to speak to him.

  Lisa leaned forward in the passenger seat of the Channel 7 Action News van as she directed Don on the route to the Shaft residence.

  She pointed. “Pull over there.”

  The van pulled to the curb, Lisa observed the house a moment, and then jumped from the van. Don got out, slid open the back door, and removed his camera.

  She passed the red Ford pickup parked in the driveway and trod the brick pathway to the front door. Don dutifully followed, always ready to shoot at her pleasure.

  She rang the doorbell and waited. There was no answer, so she persisted, ringing again and again.

  “Go away. I don’t want to talk to you.” It was a muffled voice Lisa recognized as Rocky Shaft’s.

  Lisa rapped on the door and raised her voice. “I want to tell your side of the story,” she lied.

  There were a few moments of breathless silence as Lisa’s heart beat in anticipation. Then she donned her best smile as the security chain rattled.

  “Get ready, Don,” she said through her smile.

  Don was poised and so was she. The door swung open a few inches, revealed a frowning face, and Lisa was ready. “Mr. Shaft, I’m sorry you were attacked. It was a senseless and cowardly thing to do, and I was deeply disturbed to hear about it.”

  The frown on Shaft’s face lessened at her words. He held a hand over his side and bowed slightly forward as if to lessen the discomfort. Lisa could see the bulky bandage under his thin shirt.

  “May I talk with you for a few moments?” Lisa asked, her fake smile spread wide.

  Another hesitation, then the door opened all the way and Shaft stepped onto the front porch. He turned to face Lisa. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”

  The camera was recording, the mike was on, and Lisa spoke. “I hope you’re not in a lot of pain, Mr. Shaft?”

  “It’s not so bad, but I find it hard to move around much.”

  “Did you know your attacker?”

  “He said he was Michael Norton’s cousin.”

  “Is he blaming you for Norton’s murder?” Lisa asked.

  Shaft glared at Lisa, an accusing look on his face. “He saw your newscast.”

  “I’m sorry he misconstrued my story. I assure you, I didn’t intend this to happen.”

  A brief look of doubt crossed Shaft’s face, then, “My brother and one of his acquaintances was murdered. You should be looking elsewhere for the killer.”

  Lisa wanted to be careful, not yet ready to make her accusations. She cocked her head, tried to look puzzled, and said, “There’s a lot of evidence pointing toward you, Mr. Shaft. How do you respond to that?”

  Shaft frowned again, a hint of anger. “What evidence?”

  “There’s probably nothing to it,” Lisa said soothingly. “But your threat to kill Michael Norton might be seen by some as evidence of your involvement.”

  “I was angry,” Shaft said. “He killed my brother.”

  “You have a record of assault. How do you answer that?”

  Shaft sighed. “That was a long time ago and had nothing to do with my brother’s murder.”

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Lisa said, smiling again.

  “Of course I’m right.”

  It was time to ramp it up. Time for the big question. “Mr. Shaft, my sources have reported a rumor of a robbery you were involved in with your brother and Michael Norton. Can you confirm that story?”

  Shaft’s body stiffened at the question. “As far as I know, no such robbery took place.” His face reddened. “My brother was an honorable man and I resent any accusations he was involved in anything criminal.”

  “He was in prison.”

  Shaft leaned in. “A long time ago.”

  Lisa tilted her head. “Do people change, Mr. Shaft?”

  He leaned in closer, his nostrils flared, and he raised a fist. “People can change. People do change, and I resent your accusations.”

  Lisa moved back half a step. Don moved to one side and trained the camera on Rocky Shaft.

  She spoke again, the smile long gone, replaced by a look of disdain. “Did you shoot your brother, frame Michael Norton, and then kill him as well?”

  Shaft’s eyes bulged, his face turned crimson, and his raised fist came over and knocked the microphone from Lisa’s hand. It landed on the brick sidewalk with a clunk and rolled to the driveway.

  Lisa stepped back against the brick wall of the house. Don leaped onto the front lawn, careful to keep the camera trained on the action.

  Shaft moved in closer, his face inches from hers. From ten feet away, the microphone picked up his raised voice. “I want you off my property. Now.”

  Lisa didn’t budge. She pushed her nose into the air and glared into his eyes. “Stand back, Mr. Shaft.”

  The pain in Shaft’s ribs seemed to be forgotten and he reached up and wrapped both hands around her throat. He squeezed, not too tight, but Lisa found it hard to breathe.

  “Get your hands off me,” she managed to say.

  He dropped his hands from her neck and grabbed her by the upper arm. “Get out of here,” he said, pointing toward the street with his other hand.

  She continued to glare, unmoving.

  He tugged at her arm, swung her away from the wall, and pushed her sideways with both hands. She lost her balance, tottered a moment, then tumbled off the edge of the porch and landed in a heap on the grass at Don’s feet.

  The cameraman stepped back and kept the camera trained on Shaft as the angry man leaped off the porch and approached him. Don took another step back, then another, moving steadily toward the street while the red light glowed.

  Shaft stopped and stood still, his fists clenched at his side.

  Lisa scrambled to her feet and moved safely out of the way as Shaft strode back to the house, stepped inside, and slammed the door behind him.

  She knew there was a constant threat of danger in being an investigative journalist, especially a world-class one like herself, and she wasn’t averse to receiving the occasional bruise for the sake of the story.

  She was relatively unhurt, feeling triumphant as she walked to the van. Things went much better than she could ever have hoped for.

  Don shut down the camera, tucked it safely into the back of the vehicle, and helped Lisa climb into the front seat.

  He went around to the driver side, hopped in, started the vehicle, and pulled away from the curb as Lisa picked up her cell phone and called the police.

  She had to report an assault.

  Chapter 42

  Thursday, 3:56 p.m.

  HANK WAS TAKING a breather in the break room, trying in vain to enjoy a cup of some of the worst coffee ever made, when King poked his head through the doorway.

  “Forensic report on Norton is in. You might want to see this. Some interesting stuff.”

  Hank jumped up, dumped the last half of the foul liquid in the sink, and went to his desk to join King.

  He sat down, pulled up his chair, slid his copy of the report toward him, and flipped it open. “What’s so interesting?”

  “Second page,” King said, as he leaned back and stretched out his legs. “Near the bottom.”

  Hank flipped to page two and scanned the bottom half of the sheet. He sat forward. “They found yellow, nylon rope fibers on both sleeves of Norton’s shirt as well as minor bruising on his wrists, suggesting he might’ve been tied.”

  “Which means Nancy was probably
right,” King added. “Norton was sitting, maybe tied to a chair, when he was shot.”

  Hank looked at King and slapped the desk. “That’s it.”

  King looked up from the report. “That’s what?”

  “The rope. I saw a yellow, nylon rope in the back of Rocky Shaft’s truck when I went to his house to interview him last night.”

  “You searched his truck?”

  “Nope. It was in plain sight. I didn’t touch a thing.”

  King sat forward and looked intently at Hank. “That might be enough for a warrant,” he said.

  “Should be. See what you can do. Get a warrant to seize Shaft’s truck as well as for a search of the house. Make sure you include his lack of an alibi for the time of his brother’s murder as well as for the time of Norton’s murder. And mention the bank withdrawal. I don’t want this to fail for want of evidence.”

  King stood and hurried to his desk. Hank knew King would have to fill out some paperwork, but the search warrant should be a cinch and not take long to process.

  Hank studied the rest of the report. Nothing else was revealed he didn’t already know or presume.

  He looked up when King approached his desk. “Got the paperwork done, but I just got some more interesting news.” King grinned. “Shaft is cooling in a holding cell. He’s been arrested for assaulting Lisa Krunk.”

  “Lisa Krunk?” Hank said. “Is she all right?”

  “She’s fine. No damage done. He probably hurt her pride more than anything else.”

  Hank laughed. “Lisa and Shaft are two people you don’t want in a room together. That is, unless you want sparks to fly.”

  “You can bet Lisa egged him on,” King said.

  “I have no doubt about that.”

  King shrugged. “She might drop the charges. Knowing Lisa, she’ll make a deal with him. She has it all on video, and I doubt if he’ll be able to worm out of this one.” He turned. “I’d better go,” he said, and strode toward the door.

  Hank had a choice to make. Now that Shaft was in custody, he was free to question him as much as he wanted—that is, unless Shaft asked for a lawyer. Or he could wait until the search of Shaft’s truck was complete. Then he might have the heavy guns he needed to get a confession.