CHAPTER 10

On Monday evening, after another day scouring through evidence, Hennessy walked into Ted’s Butcherblock, his favorite butcher in Charleston, and purchased a thick cut of beautifully marbled boneless ribeye.

He chatted with the butcher about the week, the weather, and the recent controversies around town. There was always something going on, and the butcher, a hub for the community, knew everyone and everything. There were disputes between business groups, politicians not delivering on promises, potential professional sports stars in high school, and always trouble with flooding.

As they chatted, a woman and her daughter entered the store. Hennessy recognized the face as an old high school friend of Wendy’s. They hadn’t seen each other for more than ten years. They greeted each other with surprise and then a hug. Hennessy told her she hadn’t aged a day, and she said he was still the charming Joe Hennessy she remembered. She introduced her teenage daughter, and Hennessy couldn’t believe how tall she was. Time goes by so fast, they agreed. He asked about her husband, work, and other children. She asked about Wendy, his daughters, and the vineyard. He told her they were well, and his daughters had flown the nest. They laughed about the passage of time again before he wished her a good night. She would call Wendy, she said, and Joe said she was welcome at the vineyard anytime.

As he stepped out of the butcher, a smile on his face, Hennessy noticed the black Range Rover SUV waiting on the opposite side of the road. He knew that car. He grunted, stood still for a moment, and then stepped toward the car. He walked up beside the driver’s side window, leaned his tall frame against the door, and looked in the window. The driver didn’t react, keeping his eyes facing out.

“Nice evening for a drive,”

Roger East stated. “Not too hot.”

East was dressed in a white shirt, without a tie, with the shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was solid, muscular, and clean-cut. His face was weathered by the sun, and a heavy scent of Old Spice surrounded him.

“Are you following me?”

“Not following.”

East turned to look at Hennessy. “But keeping an eye on you. We need to talk. Get in.”

Hennessy eyed the man and then looked around the area. He looked at the street that led to his home and groaned. He didn’t want to talk—he was looking forward to cooking his steak—but he knew men like East didn’t present many opportunities. East was connected to some of the most powerful people in the city of Charleston and sold his negotiation services to the highest bidder. If anyone wanted something done off the books, they contacted Roger East to organize it.

Hennessy walked around the SUV, opened the passenger door, and sat in the seat, squeezing his long legs into the car. He pushed the seat back and waited for East to start talking.

East began, “I heard you were representing Bernard Palin.”

When Hennessy didn’t respond, East drew a long breath.

“Let me give you a background on that man—he’s had a lifetime of corruption and good favors, but it’s all run out. Palin’s connections have either died, retired, or moved on. There’s nobody left to protect him. He’s going down, and when a man like that goes down, he goes down swinging.”

Again, Hennessy didn’t respond.

“Come on, Hennessy. I’m here to help you.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

East looked around and shifted in his seat. “While Palin’s connections to the rich and powerful have faded, he recently got into bed with another group—Stanwell Construction. I’m sure you’re aware that they’re a front for the not-so-legal activities of the Rebel Sons.”

“Money laundering.”

“Call it whatever you like,”

East stated. “Tony Stanwell, the owner, linked up with the Rebel Sons a few years ago, and they’ve been good partners ever since. It’s a reciprocal arrangement. Money is put into the business and paid to bikers who ‘work’ there, and Tony takes a nice little slice of the pie. He also gets protection for free. So I advise avoiding their activities and not digging into their books. I told David Jones the same thing, and like a good boy, he listened to me. I suggest you do the same. Stay well away from Stanwell Construction. Don’t bring them into this case.”

“What’s your involvement in this?”

“I’m protecting the interests of people concerned about disrupted business activities by this court case. That might include people who could be exposed to illegal activities if you involve them. Nobody wants that.”

Hennessy stared at him.

The cars beside them were moving at a snail’s pace. It was high tide, which meant flooding in the low-lying parts of the city. Despite efforts to pump water away, the flooding was getting worse. Too many new buildings, some said. Too little planning, others complained. Flooding was a part of life in Charleston, even on a clear, sunny day.

“You’re working for Stanwell Construction?”

“Not working for, just helping out. They said you were hounding them for a meeting, and you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“I need to talk with them.”

“No, you don’t. They’ve got nothing to do with this case. Law enforcement didn’t look at them, the prosecution isn’t looking at them, and you don’t need to look at them.”

“I need an edge. I need something that raises a reasonable doubt in the courtroom. And if you don’t want me looking into their business, you’d better tell me where to look.”

“Sounds like a fair deal. I’ve been watching the case, and I know a few things. I’ll give two names—John Tilly and Debra Fisher.”

“I know the names. They’re former employees of Palin Accounting.”

“And I’m sure you’ve figured out that they’re two of the redacted witnesses.”

When Hennessy didn’t respond, East continued. “But here’s the kicker—they’ve been having a five-year-long affair.”

“An affair?”

“And if you look into their activities, you’ll find neither has gone into further employment. They’ve both retired. And if you look even deeper, you’ll see that both have older children who have left home for college. They were the two most senior staff in Palin Accounting and encouraged everyone to quit a week before the arrest. Coincidence? I think not.”

East tapped his hand on the steering wheel. “They were planning on running away together, and a million dollars would help them start a new life.”

Hennessy nodded and reached for the door.

“Before you go,”

East held his hand out as a sign to stop. “I need to warn you that those connected to Stanwell Construction don’t mess around. You made the wrong phone call, and that’s why I’m here. And they won’t hesitate to put a defense lawyer in hospital.”

“I’ll do what I need to do to win.”

Hennessy eyed East for a long moment and then exited the SUV. He swung the door shut, took out his cell, and called his investigator.

“Barry,”

Hennessy said. “We need to talk to John Tilly and Debra Fisher.”