Chapter 16 #2
Although the woman was one of the most hardheaded I’d ever met. Her refusal to accept her limitations both baffled and impressed me. But right now, she couldn’t go off half-cocked until I had a better handle on Jones’ and Delgado’s plans.
I’d had time to source the news before leaving that morning.
As expected, there was nothing on the local networks about the beating at the diner.
There was also nothing on the internet or any reports filed with the police.
Members of the cartel certainly didn’t go around exposing their weaknesses on purpose.
Especially when they likely weren’t certain of who’d beaten the shit out of them.
It wasn’t like my face or name was in the paper often. Even with Jacob’s release from prison, he likely didn’t consider me a worthy enemy. Especially since he hadn’t seen the side of me his men had experienced.
I chuckled as I headed to my chambers. Today the robe I was required to wear felt heavy, almost as if it didn’t belong. Chase was right in that when another incident popped up, and I knew there would be at least one, I’d need to take steps to secure my anonymity.
Just like the bad guys often did, at least those with decent training.
Anger continued to surge just below the surface, not only from the obvious but also because after two phone calls, I’d yet to be provided with paperwork detailing the exact reason Jones had been freed from prison.
I had no intention of allowing the attorney general to continue skating on the edge of corruption.
If I could prove the tampering had been done by one of his minions then it would go a long way with destroying the man’s career.
And having him arrested.
“Judge Armstrong.”
The voice caught me by surprise. Jim was one of the clerks of the court, a nice guy who had a large family. He’d worked with me for years, as trustworthy as they came. “What’s up, Jim?”
“I’m glad I caught you.” His expression held apprehension. “Wow. Did you get into a fight in court?”
My thoughts drifted to the earlier conversation. “Just an insult from a cabinet door. Is something going on?”
“Did you hear about the juror?”
As soon as he asked the question, my hackles were raised. “What juror?”
He glanced up and down the hallway, moving closer. “One of the ones who served on the Jacob Jones prosecution.”
I’d made a few calls when I’d arrived at the courthouse.
At least Dan had kept anyone outside his office from discovering the list had been leaked.
I knew a couple of people in his office very well, one of the administrators mentioning whoever had swiped the list had clearance to activate the files.
That narrowed down the list making it very clear the leak had been an inside job. There was no other explanation.
Even the attorney general shouldn’t have access to those particular files.
There were reasons there was separation.
Like corruption. I’d even made a few clandestine inquiries about James Worthington without trying to draw attention.
From what I could tell, he’d completely distanced himself from Luis Delgado.
I’d tried to find a direct connection with no success. But I would keep trying.
The nagging about the man and the thoughts driving my intuition raged on inside my head.
“What happened?”
“He was killed last night. I’ve got a buddy down at the sixth precinct who caught the case. He said it was violent. The man was… dismembered. And get this. His family was sleeping upstairs. Can you imagine the wife coming down the next morning?”
My blood instantly turned to ice. “Any suspects?”
“Of course not. No fingerprints, no DNA that they could find, but forensics is still going through everything with a fine-toothed comb. It was made to look like a robbery. I don’t mind telling you, my wife is freaking out.”
A robbery wasn’t something the Undertaker had ever bothered with. That didn’t mean he wasn’t simply throwing off the scent on purpose. That had been done several times by career criminals and mobsters trying to even their playing field.
I gritted my teeth, the same sweep of rage I’d felt the night before driving the same thoughts I’d had just before using the bat. “Do me a favor, Jim. Keep this under wraps. We don’t need a city full of terrified people.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Make certain everyone on the case received an adequate warning.”
He nodded. “Excuse my rudeness, but that man is a freak.”
“Yes, he is. Thanks for letting me know.”
“You bet.”
I waited, watching him walk down the corridor before turning and continuing toward my office.
Just before I walked inside, I pulled out my phone, sending a text to Dan.
Everyone involved needed to receive a second alert.
Was it possible the murder had been anything from a home invasion to a robbery gone bad?
Yes, but my instincts told me otherwise.
Even sending the message of ‘you could be next’ would keep everyone involved quiet as church mice.
Jones was picking off low-hanging fruit first likely in cooperation with Delgado.
I shoved the phone into my pocket and unlocked my door.
The moment I walked in, I realized I wasn’t alone.
Every chamber had a panic alert button that would bring members of the security team to my office within two minutes.
However, I had no intention of ringing the bell until I dealt with the intruder my way.
Another moment where my instinct warned me of the identity of the visitor.
Jacob Jones certainly cleaned up well. He was wearing an Italian tailored suit completely different than the slick attempts at appearing suave used by the goons the night before.
He was sitting in one my chairs, casually glancing at his phone. He appeared completely in control and devoid of concern that he was a convicted felon who’d broken into the office of a member of law enforcement.
I closed the door, not bothering to address him or act concerned by his presence. And why? Because I wasn’t. Before rounding my desk, I unbuttoned my jacket, pushing the lapels aside and allowing him to see I’d worn a shoulder holster as an accessory that day.
He chuckled even before I sat down. “You knew I was coming.”
“Men like you do enjoy bragging about their accomplishments.”
“Which ones, Judge? The fact the courts finally believed I was railroaded into prison? Which I was. I’m a law-abiding citizen.” There was such contempt in his tone, as if he’d won a battle.
“More like eliminating your enemies. That’s what you’re doing. Right. Classic narcissistic behavior done by psychopaths.”
The flash in his eyes meant he was enjoying himself.
He believed he would gain control of this meeting.
What a fool. “I have no idea what you mean, Judge. As I said. I’m a law-abiding citizen.
Isn’t that something you respect, sir? I mean you’re a good guy and all, especially since you’re a judge sworn to uphold the law. ”
“I see. You obviously don’t know me very well, Jacob, or my background.” He was goading me, which meant I’d unnerved him and his thugs with the activity from the night before. Good.
“Let’s see. What do I know about you? Ah, yes. You’re a decorated Marine serving three tours, saving the lives of six men while serving in Afghanistan. Is that the background you’re talking about?”
A smile crossed my face. “Well, I see you’ve done your homework. So have I. You rekindled your friendship with Luis Delgado, seen with the man only a few hours after you walked out from behind prison walls. You’re not one for keeping up appearances, are you?”
He laughed and sat forward. “You know I don’t care what anyone thinks of me.”
“Don’t we all wear a uniform? A mask? Take yours, for example,” I sat down in my seat, acting as if we were old friends simply chatting about our pasts.
“You were orphaned at age five, forced to go live with your aunt and uncle. But after you nearly burned down their house and killed their cat, they wanted nothing to do with you.”
He yawned as if every word bored the hell out of him.
I knew what buttons to push and what made him tick.
I also had formed my own psychoanalysis of why he’d turned into a serial killer.
Other than he’d been spawned from an evil man who’d raped and murdered six young girls.
It was tough to come back from a legacy of pure evil. But that wasn’t what had driven him.
“I understand your foster father wasn’t much better. No one deserves the abuse you received from him.”
His body language changed, becoming tense, but I’d yet to fire the grenade. A smile suddenly found his face again. “Nice try, Judge, but the past was a long time ago. I’m a different man now. Besides, we all have our crosses to bear. Don’t we? Mine is well documented. What about yours?”
Why was my instinct screaming that he was trying or perhaps hoping to use something in my past against me?
“True, but both physical and emotional scars last a lifetime. Your actions and photos prove all of yours have.”
“He got what he deserved in life. And death.”
He’d murdered his foster father and mother in cold blood, but I’d long suspected those hadn’t been his first kills. He’d only perfected them from there.
“Maybe so. However, I’m certain you enjoyed acting as judge and jury.”
He seemed amused by my words. “Don’t we all from time to time?
Take you, for example. You sit behind that bench every day.
I can only imagine what it feels like when a monster like me slips through the cracks.
” He made a hand gesture as if he was sliding easily through a maze.
It was his way of letting me know he suspected at least I’d been behind the attack the night before.
Well, good for him.