Chapter 25
Hudson
“Attorney General. Could I have a moment of your time?”
I could tell by the odd look on his face he knew while I posed the words as a question, I intended on spending a few quality minutes with the man.
Still, he acted annoyed, losing his practiced, polished smile for one of the television stations just as they pulled their camera away. He adjusted his shirt sleeves and even fixed the perfect knot in his tie.
Thankfully, he wasn’t so popular that people were hanging around, instead already going about their business.
“I assume you’re here about the Jones case, Judge Armstrong.”
“In a manner of speaking.” I inched a few steps closer.
“In truth, I was here checking for little gremlins, you know the type I mean. Those repulsive creatures from the movie Ghost. Do you remember that movie? The guy sold his soul causing the death of an innocent and the devil sent his evil creatures to retrieve and drag him into the fire of hell.”
As expected, he glared at me as if I’d lost my mind. “You sound as if the case really got to you, Hudson. Maybe you need to take some quality time off.”
Fascinating. Now we were on first names. If we were, he wouldn’t mind if I made myself comfortable. I took another step closer. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Gabriel leaning against one of the courthouse columns, lighting up a cigarette. He’d once told me he used them as props.
Interesting idea.
At least he kept a lighter with him.
“I’m doing perfectly fine, Jimmy. As a matter of fact. I couldn’t be better. It’s you I’m worried about. You’re about to derail your career.”
“How so?” The man was itching to walk away, seemingly clueless as to what I was getting at.
“Well, from what I’ve heard, you’re so far into bed with Luis Delgado that the two of you are thinking about purchasing a vacation villa together. Maybe the Swiss Alps. I heard the market is hot over there. Too bad they have extradition so maybe a third world country would be more appropriate.”
“Making accusations is beneath you, Judge. Besides, I would think you need to worry about your career instead of mine.”
“What’s wrong, Jimmy boy? Are you afraid I might have something on you?
Like evidence? The kind of evidence amassed from the way you tainted the Jones case?
Tampering. Really. That’s beneath you as well.
Are you afraid of what I can do with the evidence I have?
Including the fact the mole you nurtured…
Let’s see. What’s his name? Ah, yes. Steven Sloan.
Well, he was caught red-handed taking a bribe from you.
Or was that from Delgado? Nice little racket you have going on using Steven to discover any pending cases against Delgado or any of his men.
Plus releasing the names of the jurors on the Jones case. ”
The button had been pushed, but he was doing a much better job of keeping his cool. Now he got in my face so close I could almost taste the peppermint candy he’d munched on during the press conference.
“How dare you try and incriminate me on such ridiculous charges. Who the hell do you think you are?”
“Someone who weeded through your bullshit and lies.”
“Are you threatening me, Judge Armstrong? I could have you removed from the bench with a snap of my fingers.” He snapped them for effect.
Oh, I was running scared. Laughing, I pulled out the group of papers. “Then you might want to take a look at this.”
He snorted as if I was nothing but a waste of his time. However, he did what I asked and within five seconds the man paled. “What the fuck is this shit?”
“This is called evidence. Evidence that I will be sending to the appropriate people who are already investigating your alliance with Delgado. I will be certain to include your interference in the prosecution and dismissal of charges against a known criminal and murderer in Jacob Jones.” I removed the papers from his fingers, smiling as I did.
Thankfully, he snapped more severely than I thought he would.
He snatched a handful of my shirt, using force to slam me against the building.
“How fucking dare you threaten me. I am the attorney general and trust me. I will bury you. You’re fucking with the wrong man, Hudson.
But you’re right. I do have connections and I assure you they won’t mind handling business by getting rid of slime like you.
So self-righteous. You couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
Wake the fuck up. Justice is dead. Which is exactly what you’ll be by this time tomorrow.
And that little bitch you’re protecting.
She’ll soon learn you’re nothing but a wad of gum on the bottom of my shoe.
This is nothing. Nothing. This shit won’t stick.
You have no idea how many friends I have. ”
“How much is Delgado paying you to sell your soul, James? Huh? A million? Two? I mean he did fund your last AG election campaign. That’s in the papers I have as well.
And yes, I do have copies. A little low for you to be ordering the juror and the witness in the Jones case to be terminated.
That did come from you. Right? I mean how clever with the way Ms. Sciascia was threatened. Very clever indeed.”
“You fucking son of a bitch. You’re lying. What you have is shit. You won’t be able to prove a goddamn thing. I’m too smart for that. I’m going to give you a piece of advice. Walk away from this and from that woman. She’s nothing but a glorified cocktail waitress.”
Not a fucking chance in hell.
When he slammed me against the wall again, I had about as much faking playing the innocent victim as I could stomach.
It took everything I had not to beat the fucking shit out of the man, but that would defeat the purpose. However, I wasn’t the kind of man to just walk away.
I shoved him away, breaking the connection and when he dared come at me again, I cracked the bones in my neck and rammed him into the same spot where he’d tossed me. Only I was stronger, lifting him off his feet.
“You just buried your career, Jimmy boy. And as far as that woman. That woman could run rings around you with her eyes closed and her arms tied behind her back. That woman is intelligent, articulate, incredibly kind, and extremely brave. As opposed to you, a man who decided to toss aside his morals for a chance at fame and glory. If you want to come at me with your bullshit and lies, that’s fine, but stay away from Valentina Sciascia.
She’s far too damn good for a worthless son of a bitch like you. I’ll see you in court.”
“Whoa,” Gabriel snarled, interfering at the perfect moment. “What the fuck is going on here, gentlemen?”
A few people had noticed, crowding closer.
As my buddy moved beside us, I smiled and let go of the piece of garbage. “Not much. Just having a little disagreement.” I wasn’t pissed that he’d threatened me. That’s what I’d wanted. However, the fact he knew all about Valentina meant the danger was much higher than even I’d realized.
He shoved me off, stepping aside and was ready to issue another threat when he realized we suddenly had an audience. Half laughing, he flashed his signature smile. “Just a disagreement. I assure you it’s nothing more.”
As I walked away, I stood where I was. When Gabriel opened his mouth to say something, I pressed my finger across my lips. His brows lifted, but I waited until James was out of sight before pulling out my phone.
Gabriel glanced down at what I was doing, waiting until the red light was off. “You slick willy, you. You chided him and recorded the whole thing. And what you said to him was perfect. You could see the steam coming from his ears.” He laughed, dropping and shaking his head.
“Why is it everyone seems to underestimate me?”
Before the screen went black, I realized I had a message.
“Never again, my man, the judge.” He laughed until he noticed my face. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Valentina.” My instincts told me something was very wrong. Immediately, I scanned the area. My gut was never wrong.
The voicemail was clipped, her voice riddled with terror. “Hudson. They’re dead. All of them are… They’re dead. I’m trying to get away.”
What the fuck?
Gabriel leaned in.
I could hear Bella in the background. I couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying. There was no doubt they were in a vehicle.
“I think I lost them. I’m on my way to you at the press conference. I don’t know where else to go.”
Her call ended abruptly. The call came in almost exactly when I hit record. That meant she was still ten minutes or so out.
“What is going on?” Gabriel demanded.
“The officers are dead. Valentina is on her way here.” I spun around in a circle, paying attention to the comings and goings of the crowd.
“What in the hell?”
“Contact the others. She’s got a tail on her and she’s coming here. I need backup, buddy.”
“You got it.”
As I dialed her number, I jogged closer to the parking area. Given the press conference was over, there was a lot of traffic exiting the area and the news crews had yet to leave. With the amount of commotion, I doubted anyone would dare try to take out a witness here.
That didn’t mean they wouldn’t get to her before she made it.
“Hudson,” she breathed.
As soon as I heard her voice, another round of rage broke through the surface. “Are you okay?”
“Uh-huh. I think so.” She was rattled but doing a damn good job of keeping it together.
“Where are you?”
“Um. Nearing the Eighth Street exit.”
“How many men were at the house?”
“Three. I think. I wasn’t sure. They cut the power.”
Hissing, I fisted my hand, studying the surrounding area. Given the location of the courthouse, there were very few green spaces and lots of traffic. James had already disappeared into the crowd, but I’d bet that he’d already contacted Delgado. “Was the Undertaker with them?”
“No. Everything was a huge blur, but… Hudson. I’m scared.” A massive horn blast was heard through the phone and she moaned.