Chapter Forty-Seven
One month after Karen’s meeting with Muriel Lujack, Morris Johnson was watching the marina where the Starlight was docked. At six in the evening, Ellen Kaufman boarded her, and Morris called his boss. When Karen arrived, Kaufman was sitting on the deck, drinking a beer and watching the sun set.
“Nice boat,” Karen said.
Kaufman smiled. “Hey, Karen, Morris. What are you doing down here? I don’t have any cases with you, do I?”
“No cases,” Karen said. “But we do have business to discuss.”
“What business?” Kaufman asked as the lawyer and her investigator boarded the sailboat.
“This is a terrific boat. I’m thinking of buying one. I bet it cost a fortune,” Karen said.
“It ain’t cheap.”
“What’s it going for new?”
“About two hundred, but you can get them for less if the owner wants to sell.”
“Did Walt Zegda help you buy this beauty?”
Ellen stopped smiling. “Why would you ask me that?”
“Just before he died, Morris asked Ray Castor for the name of the DA who was Walt Zegda’s mole.
He didn’t say a name, but he did say Starlight.
It took a while to figure out what that meant, but as soon as I learned the name of your boat and the fact that you’ve known Zegda since high school, I started to dig.
“When you’re as rich as I am, you can hire the best people.
That’s what I did. Before I came here, I left a report compiled by a team of forensic accountants with the US attorney.
It details your offshore bank accounts and syncs deposits with accounts controlled by Mr. Zegda.
The report makes fascinating reading. It also mentions that you are an expert with a rifle and would have had no trouble shooting Mr. Zegda so he couldn’t out you if he was arrested. ”
Kaufman looked stunned. “Why did you do that?” she asked.
“What would you do if someone framed you for a crime you didn’t commit, was responsible for getting you disbarred, and made you spend a year in prison?
Would you forgive them, or would you return the favor?
I’m a firm believer in an eye for an eye, Ellen.
I want you living in a dirty, airless cell where you’ll never be able to see the sunset and where each day will be pure hell. ”
Kaufman stood up. “You bitch.”
“Easy, Ellen,” Morris said as he moved his jacket aside so Kaufman could see his gun.
Kaufman froze.
“I am a bitch,” Karen said. “And you’re going to find out just how big a bitch I am.”
Kaufman started to perspire. “Look, Karen, I have information I can trade. I know who murdered Terrance Cogen.”
“What do you know about Cogen?”
“I know he was too stupid to think up the scams he pulled, and I know Zegda worked with the person who manipulated Cogen and knows where the money is hidden.”
“Who is it?”
“One of the few people who is smarter than Walter Zegda, and there aren’t very many people who are.”
“You’re talking about Rosemarie Cogen?”
“Maybe.”
“How do you know this?”
“I know Zegda was working Terrance Cogen’s scams with her. I’ve read the investigative reports on Cogen. He was a lightweight, and he was going to be arrested. He would have given up his wife and Zegda in a heartbeat. That’s why his wife had to kill him.
“And I didn’t try to kill Walt. She did.”
“Do you have any hard evidence that proves Rosemarie Cogen killed her husband and tried to kill Zegda?”
“If I do, I’m not turning it over without a deal.”
Kaufman stopped talking and looked at the end of the pier. Audrey Packer and Chad Remington were walking toward her accompanied by several uniformed officers.
Kaufman stared for a moment. Then she sat down and finished her beer.
“I hope that tasted great, Ellen,” Karen said, “because it’s the last beer you’re going to drink for a long time.”