Chapter Twenty-Three
“Refresh my memory on these reprobates,” Sam said as they got closer to the Maryland state prison.
Freddie consulted notes on his phone. “Willy and Justice Peckham were the ringleaders of a massive gun trafficking organization. They also specialized in defrauding the federal government. If there was a way to scam money from Medicaid or other aid programs, they found it and exploited it. They got away with it for a long time, until a federal task force, led by Avery, took them down years ago.
“Justice died in prison, and Willy married a much younger woman named Amber while he was in prison. Willy was sentenced to fifteen years, served twelve and was recently paroled. From what we can tell, Amber picked up Willy when he got out, and they went straight to Avery’s home, looking for revenge.”
“Avery referred to it as the Farmington investigation. Why was it called that?”
Freddie poked around on his phone for a minute. “It was named for the person who first brought the fraud to the attention of federal officials.”
“Ah, I see. You just gotta wonder what motivates people. Willy Peckham and his family were guilty as sin, they knew that, and yet, when they were caught, it wasn’t their fault. Oh no, it was the FBI agent who led the investigation that shut down their sugar shack. It was all his fault.”
“I know, right?” Freddie said. “And when Willy is paroled after years in prison, rather than go home, humbled by the experience, he decides to go after the guy who put them there, hold his pregnant wife and his son hostage, and end up right back in jail less than forty-eight hours after he got out. We’re not talking about the sharpest tools in the shed here.”
“Avery said the whole family is the epitome of the word ‘scumbag.’ What else do we know about them?”
“Their criminal enterprise was run out of Corbin, Kentucky, a town of about eight thousand off Interstate 75, located halfway between Knoxville, Tennessee, and Lexington, Kentucky. There’s a higher-than-average crime rate in the town, and it has a history of racial unrest dating back to the early twentieth century.”
“You said they oversaw a criminal enterprise. What became of the other players in this so-called enterprise?”
“Let me check.” He did some more scrolling and reading. “Twenty other people were indicted along with the Peckhams. Most of them did at least ten years before being paroled. Willy’s first wife, Justice, died of cancer in prison. She was the mother of his children, all but one of whom also did time on this case.”
“We’re going to need a list of who they are and where they are now.”
“Should I ask Gonzo to look into that?”
“Yes, please. Last question… Who prosecuted the case?”
“Due to the Peckham family’s deep roots in the area, DOJ prosecutors requested a change of venue from the Eastern District of Kentucky. It was granted, and the trial was moved to DC. Tom Forrester was the lead prosecutor, and Avery Hill was the star witness.”
“Holy shit,” Sam said. “There’s the connection.”
“I don’t understand the timing. Their lieutenants have been on the loose for years after being paroled. Why’d they wait until now?”
“Maybe Willy wanted to seek his revenge personally.”
“Possibly,” Freddie conceded. “Nothing about this case or the last one makes sense. Bryant takes Forrester’s family hostage after learning he and Cox are secretly investigating him while pretending to be his buddies, and that’s not related to Forrester’s murder?”
“It doesn’t seem to be.”
“How can it not be?” he asked.
“Ballistics don’t lie.”
“No, they don’t, but I still feel like we’re missing something big here.”
“If we are, we’ll figure it out, like we always do. All my Spidey senses are saying Cox is up to no good.”
“I agree.”
“I’d very much like to figure that out, if for no other reason than to save my husband from a humiliating issue with his AG.”
“That’s as good a reason as any.”
“I should walk away from that part of the investigation, but how do I do that when my radar is picking up a hit?”
“You can’t. We have to see it through.”
“I worry about making another powerful enemy for myself and Nick.”
“The AG is only powerful as long as he holds that office. If there’s something dirty going on, Nick will fire him, and he’ll lose all his power.”
“That’s true.” The thought of Nick firing the AG because of her investigation certainly wasn’t ideal. But there was no way she could walk away from the feeling of something amiss and hope that didn’t blow up in her husband’s face. “Did I tell you we’re meeting with Nick’s mother on Friday at Ninth Street?”
Freddie spun around in his seat. “You’re doing what?”
“You heard me.”
“Sam… Seriously?”
“She requested the meeting to ‘make amends,’ and Nick decided he wants to hear what she has to say.”
“No way.”
“Way.”
“Did you try to stop it?”
“It’s not up to me. She’s his mother. If he wants to see her, what can I do besides go with him and get in the middle of it if she pulls the usual shit? Apparently, the lawyer that got her out of jail has convinced her she needs to make things right with her son.”
“What’s his angle?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Are you going to find out before Friday?”
“I suppose I should look into that.”
“I’ll do it. What’s his name?”
“Collins Worthy from Cleveland, and P.S., I don’t deserve you.”
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I really don’t. I’m surrounded by people who’d do anything for me, and you’re at the top of that list. I just hope you know…”
He gave her a fierce look. “I know.” After he sat back in his seat, he looked over at her. “I hope it’s okay to say I can’t believe he’s actually going to meet with her.”
“It’s okay. I can’t believe it either. She’s got this weird hold over him. It’s like he becomes a little boy again when she resurfaces, and he’s full of hope that things might be different. It never is, of course, but he can’t seem to give up the hope.”
“I hate that for him.”
“I do, too, but I’ve learned to follow his lead where she’s concerned. He was so upset that I didn’t tell him I’d asked Avery to look into her before she got arrested. I never want to be the cause of that again.”
“You weren’t the cause of that. She was.”
“But it never would’ve smacked him in the face if I hadn’t asked Avery to investigate when I was in a fit of rage over her shenanigans and then forgot to mention that to him.”
“It might’ve blown up anyway. At least this way, he had some notice that it was going down.”
“I guess, but it was unsettling to see him that upset over something I’d done. I didn’t like that. So my new policy is to follow his lead with her and let him call the shots.”
“I suppose that’s wise, but if I had a vote, I wouldn’t want him anywhere near her.”
“You and me both, pal.”
“So Collins Worthy is a well-regarded defense attorney in Cleveland with a reputation for being a shark on behalf of his clients. I’m scrolling, looking for anything negative about him, but not finding it other than the usual criticism levied at defense attorneys who work for criminals.”
“Thanks for looking him up for me.”
“What do you think the odds are that she’s decided to clean up her life?” he asked.
“Slim.”
“Yeah, probably.”
Upon arriving at Jessup, Sam, Freddie and Vernon went through the usual routine of surrendering their weapons and proceeding through security. They were shown to a room to wait for the Peckhams.
Sam felt unusually anxious for some reason, which was strange. She often interacted with hardened criminals and was never particularly unsettled around them. It was probably because of the way Avery had spoken about Willy and the trauma they’d inflicted on Shelby during the home invasion that had Sam’s nerves on edge. Sam would never forgive them for what they’d put her sweet friend through by threatening her life, Noah’s life and that of her unborn child. It was almost too much to bear.
When they came in, Willy more than lived up to his reputation.
Both wore orange jumpsuits. He had stringy hair and a haggard face, as if he’d lived a hundred lifetimes and done them all the hard way. Amber was much younger, pretty and seemed terrified. Their hands and feet were chained, and the deputy made no move to unlock them once they were in the room.
Vernon usually stood outside the door when she was in an interrogation room. This time, he came in.
“They told us the first lady was here,” Willy said in a twangy accent. “Couldn’t believe it till I saw it with my own eyes. As I live and breathe. Whatever can my humble spouse and I do for you on this fine day?”
“I’m Lieutenant Holland, and this is my partner, Detective Cruz. We’d like to record this conversation.”
“Go for it. We got nothing to hide.”
Sam rather doubted that. “We’d like to talk to you about Agent Avery Hill and U.S. Attorney Tom Forrester.”
Willy’s expression turned to stone at the mention of their names. “Those sons a bitches ruined our lives.”
“By tying you to a vast conspiracy to defraud the federal government as well as gun trafficking and drug dealing?”
He shrugged. “That’s their story.”
“Their so-called story was enough to convince twelve jurors to convict you and your associates on multiple charges.”
“Don’t mean it was true.”
“Okay, whatever. So you get out of jail and go right to Avery Hill’s home, hoping for what, exactly?”
“I wanted to have a talk with him. Met his wife. She’s a pretty little thing.” When he smiled, he revealed rotting teeth that made Sam’s stomach turn. Her heart ached imagining her sweet Shelby being threatened by the likes of him.
“Shut your mouth about his wife.”
Freddie’s hand on hers under the table reminded her not to lose her cool.
“Heard she was a friend of yours.”
Sam wished she was allowed to punch that smarmy smile off his face.
“Let me tell you how this is going to go. We’re looking at you and your associates hard for the murder of Tom Forrester and the attempted murder of Avery Hill.”
“Knock yourselves out. We had nothing to do with it.”
“Guess what? We don’t believe you. If you know who did this, and you come clean with us, it could help to reduce your sentences.”
Amber perked up for the first time. “By how much?”
“Shut your mouth, woman.”
“I want to know what they’re offering. I’ve got kids I want to see grow up.”
He gave her a murderous look that had her shrinking into herself.
Sam glanced at the deputy. “Would you mind removing Mr. Peckham from the room?”
“You’re not talking to her without me.”
“Is that what you think?” Sam asked with a laugh.
The deputy hauled Willy to his feet and marched him out of the room.
“If you know what’s good for ya, woman, you’ll keep yer fucking mouth shut!”
The door slammed shut behind him.
Sam looked to Amber, who was quivering.
“I, uh, I shouldn’t say anything. Willy will be mad.”
“You mentioned your children. How old are they?”
“Six and four. They’re from another relationship.”
“You must miss them.”
“Very much so.”
“Where are they?”
“Back home in Kentucky. I was with them every day until Willy got released. He told me to pick him up. I thought we were going right home, but that’s not what happened. I didn’t want to bother that pregnant lady or her son. Willy made me do it.”
“Do you know anything about the murder of Tom Forrester or the attempted murder of Avery Hill?”
She looked down at the table. “What would be in it for me if I knew stuff?”
“That depends on what you’re able to give us.”
“If I tell you, Willy will have me killed in jail.”
“We’d have you put into protective custody.”
“He’d find a way. He don’t do snitches.”
“Let me make a call and see what can be done.” Sam got up to leave the room to call Captain Malone. “I’m with Amber Peckham, who did the home invasion at Shelby and Avery’s with her husband, Willy. I think she has info on the shootings of Tom and Avery, but she’s afraid to talk because her husband threatened her to keep her mouth shut. She said he’d find a way to kill her even if she was in protective custody. What can we do?”
“Let me get with Faith and see what she thinks. I’ll call you right back.”
While she waited, Sam texted Shelby to see how Avery was doing.
Much better. They transferred him out of ICU. Hopefully home by the end of the week.
That’s great news. I’m so glad to hear it. How are you?
I’m fine as long as he is. Will be glad to get him home. Will probably delay our move-out, however.
Don’t worry about that. Stay as long as you need to. We like having you guys upstairs.
So thankful for you all.
Love you.
You too!
She took a call from Malone. “What’d she say?”
“She’ll have Amber transferred back to our place.”
“When?”
“Right away.”
“Should we bring her back?”
“Not sure the Secret Service would go for that.”
“True, and I don’t want to get my agents into trouble.”
“Stand by. I’ll text you with the plan.”
“Will do.”
He texted six minutes later. FBI can pick her up on your go-ahead and transport her to our house. You would wait there until they arrive. They’d come in hot, so it won’t be long.
Got it. Let me see if she’s on board. This could be our big break.
Hope so!
A deputy let Sam back into the room to update the others about the plan to transport Amber to MPD headquarters.
Amber’s gaze darted nervously around the room. “So what does this mean?”
“We’ll get you out of jail and away from Willy’s reach so you can tell us what you know. If you cooperate fully with our investigation, the Assistant U.S. Attorney may be inclined to cut you a break. But that only happens if you’re truthful with us and if you give us information that helps locate the person or people who killed Forrester and shot Hill. Do you understand?”
Amber was trembling so hard, Sam wondered how she remained seated.
“Amber? Do you have information relevant to this investigation, and are you willing to share it with us to potentially reduce your sentence?”
“I… I’m afraid of people other than Willy, and I’m worried about my kids. They… They’re with my mother.”
“We’d do everything in our power to keep you and your family safe, but you’d be required to testify in court to whatever information you provide.”
She rocked in her chair, as if she’d been plugged into an electrical outlet.
Sam wanted to scream at her to move it along, that she had a million other things to get to and couldn’t wait all day for her to decide. But she bit her tongue, hoping Amber would agree to cooperate and point them in the direction of the shooter.
With so much riding on the information she could potentially provide, Sam gave her another full minute before she spoke up again. “I’m sorry to put a time limit on this, but we’ve got a lot of ground to cover today. Are you in?”
“You’re sure they won’t be able to kill me or my kids?”
“We can never guarantee that. All we can do is tell you we’ll do everything we can to keep you safe. One thing I’ll add is that you’ve already been in with us, on your own, for forty-five minutes. At this point, Willy would assume you’re telling us everything you know.”
Her already pasty expression became more so when that detail registered with her. “I’m in. I’ll cooperate. Get me out of here.”
“I’ll order your ride.”