Did you know that Vasquez was one of the leading suspects in Cardoni's disappearance? He was obsessed with Cardoni. The theory is that he went vigilante when the court set him free.
Amanda tried to picture Vasquez as Cardoni's killer.
It makes no sense for Vasquez to tell me that Cardoni killed the people at the farm if he knows that Cardoni is dead. Why would he follow me to the farmhouse? Why would he offer to work on the case?
I don't know and I don't care, Frank snapped.
You have every right to be angry about what Vasquez did in Cardoni's case. But you shouldn't let that stop you from thinking about what he can do in this one.
He's dishonest, Amanda. He's a drunk.
He says that he's not drinking anymore, and he looked sober. I think you should remember why Vasquez lied under oath. He did it because he thought it was the only way to put a very bad person in prison.
That doesn't excuse what he did.
I' m not saying it does. I just think you should look at this with an open mind. Vasquez knows everything the police knew about Cardoni, and he's already uncovered some useful information.
Such as?
Amanda told Frank about Vasquez's investigation into the ownership of the farm.
That's nothing Herb or the cops wouldn't have discovered, Frank said dismissively. I don't know why Vasquez wants to work this case, but I' m not going to associate with a perjurer and a drunk.
Amanda gathered herself. Then she looked directly at her father.
Either I' m lead counsel or I' m not. If I am, then I choose my team.
Frank wasn't used to being told what to do, and Amanda could see that he didn't like it.
I' m not sure about Vasquez myself, Amanda added quickly while she had the edge, but I want the right to decide if he's in or out.
Frank let out the breath he' d been holding.
Let's talk about this later.
I want it decided now. Do you think I' m competent to run this defense?
Frank hesitated.
Do you, Dad? We've worked together for five years. You've had a lifetime to evaluate my abilities. If you don't think I can hack it, I'll resign from the firm today.
Frank put his head back and roared with laughter.
You make me long for the good old days when little girls were courteous to their fathers and studied home economics.
Screw you, Amanda said, fighting hard but failing to suppress a triumphant grin.
Where did you learn such language?
From you, you old bastard. Now let's get back to Justine's case.
I' d better before you try to get a raise, too.
Amanda lifted an eyebrow. Not a bad idea.
Quit while you're ahead, you ingrate.
Amanda laughed. Then she grew serious. Were there other suspects in Cardoni's disappearance?
Frank nodded. Martin Breach's enforcer, Art Prochaska, the guy you thought you saw driving away from the cabin.
Of course.
Breach had a reputation for dismembering people he didn't like, and he had a contract out on Cardoni because he thought Vincent had double-crossed him in a deal involving the black-market sale of organs. The rest of Cardoni may have been in the trunk of Prochaska's car when he passed you.
That's a pleasant thought.
You asked.
Do you know Prochaska well enough so he would talk to you?
Why?
I' d like to know what he was doing at the cabin on the night I found the hand. If he didn't kill Cardoni, he might tell us.
Prochaska claimed that he wasn't at the cabin. He had an alibi.
He's lying, Dad. I couldn't swear in court that it was Prochaska I saw, but he was in that car.
Frank thought for a moment. Martin always trusted me. I' m certain he told Art to be a witness for Cardoni. Let me see what I can do. I'll let you know what Martin says as soon as I talk to him.
Frank left to work his way through the mail that had piled up while he was away. Amanda wandered out to the front desk, picked up a thick stack of phone messages and returned to her office. Frank hadn't lied about the calls from Geraldo and company, but the message that made her pause wasn't from New York or LA. Amanda tapped the slip against her palm, uncertain whether to call the number or not. She swiveled her chair and stared out the window. The name on the slip aroused mixed emotions. Suddenly Amanda said, Why not? and dialed St. Francis Medical Center. She told the operator her caller's name and was put on hold. After a moment the voice of Tony Fiori came on the line.
Amanda? he asked hesitantly.
Long time, Tony, Amanda said evenly. I didn't know you were in town.
Yeah. I' m back at St. Francis.
How was New York?
Good. Actually, I was so busy most of the time that I didn't take as much advantage of being there as I should have.
So, what's up? Amanda asked, dying to know why he had called but unwilling to ask.
I was in New Orleans since last Friday and didn't see a paper until this morning. I read about Justine being charged with those killings.
Amanda flashed on a vision of Justine and Tony standing side by side in Fiori's doorway four years ago.
So that's why you called, because of Justine? she asked, fighting to mask her disappointment.
Your name was in the paper, too, Amanda. He paused. Look, I've got to be in surgery in three minutes, so I don't have much time. I' d like to see you. Could we have dinner?
Amanda's pulse gave an unexpected flutter.
I don't know.
If you don't want to, I'll understand.
No, it's not that. She did want to see Tony. I'll be up to my neck in Justine's case for the next few days.
How about this weekend?
Okay.
I'll make a dinner reservation at the Fish Hatchery for Friday night. Is that okay?
Sure.
See you then.
Amanda hung up the phone. Tony Fiori. Wow! Now here was a blast from the past. Amanda laughed. She' d really acted like a schoolgirl when she found out he' d been sleeping with Justine, but that was years ago and she was a lot tougher now. And she had enjoyed the time they' d spent together. Amanda stared out the window for a moment. Then she smiled. It would be interesting to see how well Tony had aged in four years.
Chapter 43
The view from Carleton Swindell's office had not changed, but Dr. Swindell's blond hair was thinning, and Sean McCarthy suspected that a facelift had been performed on the hospital administrator of St. Francis Medical Center during the past four years.
Detective, Swindell said as he rose from behind his desk to extend a hand. The administrator's grip was still strong, and the detective noticed several new rowing plaques and medals had been added to the trophies that graced Swindell's credenza. I assume you're here about Justine Castle.
McCarthy nodded as he handed Swindell a subpoena for the doctor's records. Swindell examined it briefly. He looked as though he hadn't been sleeping well.
After that business with Vincent Cardoni I thought I' d seen everything. But this ... He shook his head in dismay. Frankly, Detective, I find it hard to believe that Justine could do the things I read about in the paper.
She was arrested at the scene of the murders, and we have other evidence connecting her to them.
Even so. Swindell hesitated. Then he leaned forward. I followed Cardoni's case. Of course, I only had access to the media accounts, but these new murders, aren't they similar to the murders Cardoni was supposed to have committed? The newspaper even commented on it.
I' m afraid I can't discuss the evidence.
Oh, of course. I didn't mean to pry. It's just that, well, when Cardoni was arrested, no one was shocked. But Justine ... We've never had any reason to suspect that she would be capable of anything like this. Her record is spotless.
Swindell shifted uncomfortably. I know this isn't my area of expertise, but with such bizarre circumstances, wouldn't you suspect that the person who committed one set of murders also committed the others?