The kingmakers redemptio.., p.27
The Kingmaker's Redemption, page 27
Jack felt a sense of pride for his friend. From the day he met Lindsay, he knew he was destined for great things. And Jack had a hand in helping him get there.
CHAPTER 48
The McKay trial was over, but Faye was already at work on the case that was to follow. She poked her head into Ted Erickson’s office to fill him in on the latest developments.
“Got a minute?” She asked.
“Sure what’ve you got?”
Looking down at her notepad, she relayed the details of the latest development.
“I called, or should I say, I tried to call Roger Obregon at the DOJ to ask for his assistance with the investigations into the conspiracy that was uncovered at the McKay trial. I was immediately transferred to David Harris, who told me Roger had decided to take some unscheduled vacation days immediately after the trial. I sensed David was annoyed at having to deal with the fallout from the trial without Roger’s assistance. Regardless, he agreed to have the DOJ supply whatever assistance they could in the ongoing investigation.”
“Anything else?”
Faye thought for a moment before answering. Picking her words carefully, she answered.
“It seems obvious, based on what we uncovered at the trial, that the task force’s investigation was compromised. There is no way Jack McKay could have been framed unless someone on the inside at the DOJ was helping them.”
“You think it was Roger Obregon?”
“Seems likely.”
“Did you share your suspicions with David?”
“No, but I think I should.” Faye was looking for permission. She got it.
“Go ahead but be careful not to make a direct accusation. David’s a smart guy. If he thinks it has credibility, he’ll pursue it. If they have a bad apple, he’ll want to get to the bottom of it.”
After finishing their discussion of the call with the DOJ, Ted and Faye went before the judge to ask for search warrants so they could begin proceedings against Randall Davies, his son, and several of their associates, including Frank Ryder. Ultimately, they would seek a wide range of charges including conspiracy, money laundering, mail fraud, extortion, bank fraud, and racketeering.
The DA’s were sure Frank Ryder knew they’d be coming after him for numerous crimes. Given what the DA had on the other likely defendants, they also expected he would immediately hire an attorney and seek a plea deal. It turned out to be a solid strategy.
What they didn’t know was that Randall Davies was holed up in his house, feeling defenseless, and brooding about what was to come next.
Wendy was at her desk, preparing for her next article by gathering together the various bits of information the members of the investigative team had compiled, when she received a text. It was from an unknown sender. It read, “Frank Ryder has important evidence stored at Granville Store-It, in unit number 146. Suggest you get there quickly.” She noticed the text was sent both to her and to Faye Villareal.
Wendy realized the text had to be from Miles Darien who was making good on his quid pro quo promise. She stopped by Hank’s office to fill him in about the text. He was reviewing the front-page articles about Lindsay Revelle’s being elected and the ongoing investigation of Randall Davies and his associates.
“Great work on the investigation story, Wendy.”
“Thanks. It appears I have a scoop for the next installment.”
After she showed him the text, he told her to immediately go out to the storage facility to get the story. Realizing that a photo of the evidence seizure would make great art for the front page, a photographer was assigned to accompany her. The two rushed out to Granville Store-It to wait for the authorities to arrive with a warrant.
Wendy and the photographer were already at the gate to the storage facility when Faye and the policemen arrived. Faye showed the warrant she had obtained to the attendant on duty who led them to the unit and unlocked it. They found, among other things, three file boxes Frank had taken from Randall’s office which he was supposedly to have been destroyed. When Faye and the officers left with the evidence, Frank’s bargaining chip for a plea deal left with them. When Wendy left, she had plenty to include in the next installment of her ongoing story, which would now also include a front-page-worthy photograph of the seizure.
The following morning, the Examiner’s entire front page was devoted to the scandal. The pictures and details surrounding the evidence seizure, accompanied by the other information the team had gathered, painted an ugly picture of political corruption and other crimes allegedly committed by officials of the Party and their minions.
The second story added the latest details of the paper’s investigation into the criminal investigation and political corruption surrounding the activities of Randall Davies and his cohorts. One of the revelations was how Wendy’s quick thinking and reporting led to the arrest of Frank Ryder. Jack read the article and knew immediately that Ryder would sing like a bird to save his skin. Randall Davies was in deep, deep trouble.
That afternoon, Elenore Davies returned from shopping and opened the garage door with the remote on her car’s visor. To her surprise, Randall’s car was in its usual spot but with the headlights and taillights on. She got out of her car and, as she tried Randall’s car door handle, she saw her husband slumped over the wheel, tightly gripping one last cigar in his lifeless right hand.
CHAPTER 49
As he let the hot water of the shower pour over him on Friday morning, Jack finally made his decision about seeking the job at CIGL. He’d share it at breakfast with Bobbie, who was packing to return to Madison.
When she came downstairs, Jack was toasting an English muffin and offered her one and a cup of coffee and some more to go.
She took out her thermos. “I’m heading back to Madison right after breakfast. I have an afternoon meeting with a client, and I need a little time to prep beforehand.”
Jack poured the coffee for her. “Got a few minutes to talk?”
“Let me guess. You’ve decided to go after the job in Milwaukee.”
He grinned. “I have. It’s a great opportunity to take what I know how to do and apply it to doing something truly altruistic. Besides, being able to be a regular dad for Maya is a huge factor. A new beginning, so to speak.”
“I fully support your decision. It’s undeniably the right one.”
“There is something else I’d like your take on,” Jack began. “I’ve been thinking about all we’ve been pulled into, you and me. I know my life has turned upside down recently, but I’ve had great people by me who have helped me pull through the biggest mess of my life. You’re at the top of the list. I care deeply about you and—”
Bobbie kissed him on the lips. She stepped back, leaving him dumbfounded.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That was for what you did to help me and my father. When we still had time.”
Jack scratched his head. “Of course. It would be silly to pursue anything, wouldn’t it? We live in different cities, eighty miles apart.”
Bobbie’s face showed her embarrassed agreement. “We could end up getting caught in one another’s drama, and who knows what we’d start feeling.”
Jack laughed. “We would have to draw up a relationship agreement.”
“I know, right?”
She stirred the milk in her coffee. He drummed his fingers on the counter.
“I should go now,” said Bobbie. “It’s going to be a long drive. And I suppose I have a lot to think about.”
“Me too,” said Jack. “About the future.”
“Yes, the future.” She headed to the door and opened it. “I’ll call you when I get there?”
“Ball’s in your court then,” he said.
“It is. Bye, for now.”
Jack smiled as he watched her walk out the door.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Harry’s passion for writing was really ignited at the University of Wisconsin where he studied journalism and wrote for the campus newspaper. After many years as a partner in a marketing firm, he formed a consultancy to focus totally on writing for business-related publications, creating marketing content and materials for both digital and print media. Coupling that passion for writing with his love of mysteries and thrillers, Harry completed his debut novel, The Kingmaker’s Redemption.
“After so many years writing content for my clients, I finally decided to write something for myself. This novel has allowed me to creatively express my point of view through storytelling. I can’t wait to get started on the next one.”
Harry and his wife Jackie live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Harry Pinkus, The Kingmaker's Redemption
