Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor Read Free Page B

leave.
    “Just one thing more, Mr. Pantheras, you should hear this, too.” The three men turned in the doorway. “The Chief of D’s handed this to me an’ I’m handing it to you two. Visitors don’t get knifed in Boston, our city, without someone being held accountable. Am I clear?” The Captain was giving an order to his detectives, but he wanted AJ to hear it, too.
    “Clear,” Lamb replied as they left the Captain’s office.
    AJ shook hands with Coffey then followed the two detectives. Once in the detective squad room, the three men huddled around Lamb’s desk. AJ sat down hard in the nearest chair.
    “Coffee, Mr. Pantheras?” Reinhardt said, offering AJ a steaming BPD mug. The smell of the fresh coffee nearly covered the room’s musty odor.
    AJ waved the mug away saying, “I don’t have time for pleasantries. It’s been nearly a month since my father died, and today’s been quite a day.”
    “I guess it has,” chuckled Lamb. “We heard about you ripping that idiot Frisco over at the ME’s office a new one. No one here can stand him. We’ve all had our run-ins with him. He’s … well, he’s an idiot. He’s only concerned about coverin’ his ass. When Coffey called us in, we guessed what was up. What can you tell us? We’ve been ordered to have very open minds.” Lamb was smiling but reserved.
    AJ sat next to Lamb’s desk while Reinhardt sat on the desk’s edge.
    “I don’t know where to start,” AJ’ voice trailed off.
    The two detectives traded a knowing glance. They knew from long experience how family members acted. It was the same way every time.
    “Just start at the beginning,” Lamb coaxed.
    “All right. My father is or rather was lead counsel on a contract dispute between Esteban Garcia, a Miami dress designer, and Federated Clothing stores here in Boston. It appears it was a simple contract dispute, but the judgment was worth a lot.”
    “What’s a lot?” Reinhardt interjected abruptly.
    “Conservatively, between $15 and $20 million a year for ten years,” said AJ, looking over at Reinhardt.
    Reinhardt whistled then said, “Whoa! Yeah, that’s a lot. Who’s involved? Any threats? Did he meet anyone here? Why was he in the park?” Reinhardt asked in rapid fashion.
    “My father came to town to depose executives from Federated Department Stores. He flew in on July 5 and was due back in Miami the following day. I don’t know of any threats. I know he had dinner with friends that night. I don’t know why he was in the park. That’s a question I have, too,” AJ answered.
    “Did anything important come out at the depositions?” Lamb asked.
    “My father emailed his partner he’d gotten some good information. The court reporter’s notes have been transcribed, but I haven’t seen them,” AJ replied.
    “Can we get copies?” Reinhardt asked, without looking up from notes he was hurriedly scribbling.
    “You’ll have to excuse my partner, Mr. Pantheras. Usually, his manners are a little better, not much, but a little bit,” Lamb joked as Reinhardt looked up with an apologetic half grin. “Actually, neither of us likes getting these Chief Cases. That’s what we call ones assigned from the Chief of Detectives,” Lamb continued. “There’s a lot of scrutiny and pressure. Don’t like it, but it’s good for the case. Whatever we need, we’ll get. We’ll do our best to find justice for your father, Mr. Pantheras.”
    “I’m concerned about what you can do coming into this so long after the fact. It’s been more than a month, and I know the first 48 hours are critical,” AJ said, turning to Reinhardt, “I’m working on getting those notes for you. My firm is hesitant, because the case may be close to settlement.”
    “Your father stayed at the Fairmont?” Lamb asked.
    “The Fairmont Copley Plaza. He stayed there often, apparently. Here’s a copy of his itinerary,” AJ responded, taking a sheet of paper from his folio and handing it to Lamb.
    “Where