Black Diamond Read Free Page B

That was some indication that he was innocent and he knew I’d never have cause to use it.
    Mr. D. was still waiting. On the basis of little more than instinct, I said two words.
    â€œWe’re in.”
    Mr. D. nodded, and we were committed to a road we could both have lived a happy lifetime without traveling.
    â€œWhere is he now?”
    â€œI told him to wait in my office.”
    â€œGood. If he was indicted this afternoon, there’s a bench warrant out for his arrest. We’ll arrange to have him turn himself in. That’ll give us bargaining chips with the D.A.’s office. Which raises the question, how did he learn about the indictment in time to come to you before he was arrested?”
    â€œThat’ll be my first question. My second is how did this journeyman jockey put together ten thousand dollars in cash for our retainer on short notice.”
    Mr. D.’s eyebrows lifted. “The cards are not all on the table, are they, Michael?”
    â€œAre they ever?”
    He ignored this self-serving observation on his way back to a seat and a sturdy grip on the telephone. I marveled at how the challenge of a new legal set-to could start the juices flowing through a body that had been running on low fuel.
    I filled him in on what little I knew about the case. When I finished, he punched in the numbers of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office and put it on speakerphone. The receptionist recognized his courtroom baritone as soon as she heard it. I could hear the smile in her voice. I always had the feeling that she favored Mr. Devlin in his verbal jousts with her employer, District Attorney Angela Lamb.
    â€œGood morning, Susan. Let me speak to the brains of that shop of yours.”
    â€œYou want the district attorney, Mr. Devlin?”
    â€œSusan, don’t be political. I said the brains of the outfit.”
    Since apparently no one was within earshot, Susan had no needto be coy about transferring the call directly to Billy Coyne. Billy was one of the extremely rare career veterans of the office. As deputy district attorney, he was the constant rock that kept the office functioning at a professional level through the ins and outs of the political climbers who passed through the top title of district attorney. As two old war horses who had tested each other in a hundred courtroom joustings, Billy and Mr. Devlin had developed a rare mutual respect, trust, and, truth be known, affection for each other.
    â€œGood morning, Lex. And to what do I owe this profound honor?”
    â€œIt’s your lucky day, Billy. I have something you want and I’m offering it to you on a silver platter.”
    â€œAnd that crock of Irish bull feces means I have something you want, and I’m about to get the horse trading of the week. What’ve you got, Lex?”
    â€œI have your newest indictee, Hector Vasquez. He’ll turn himself in. Michael will personally walk him right into your office.”
    I could hear Billy’s low whistle of surprise.
    â€œThat little son of a gun moved fast. The ink is still wet on the indictment. And here he is on your doorstep already.”
    â€œThe same thought occurred to us, Billy. Who do you suppose tipped him off to the indictment before the arrest warrant was executed? Sounds like there’s a hole in your little boat over there.”
    â€œIt sounds to me like maybe he’s connected to people you don’t generally get into bed with, Lex.”
    That idea was nudging me too when I thought of that envelope with $10,000 on my desk. Someone wanted Hector to be well represented in this case for reasons that might go beyond Hector’s personal welfare.
    â€œNot to change the subject, Billy, but in gratitude for our putting Hector on your doorstep, I thought you might like to share a little information.”
    â€œHere it comes. Just remember, I’m as Irish as you are. What do you want, Lex?”
    â€œA modest