Bronx Requiem(98)

Beck held up the Post-it note. “And their proof I shot Watkins are these bullshit witnesses?”

“Apparently.”

“And they’re saying they were in that apartment at the time?”

“Yes.”

Demarco said, “Doesn’t matter if they were there or not, James didn’t shoot Derrick Watkins.”

Walter said, “Then I guess all four are lying. Which begs the question, who did shoot him?”

Demarco interrupted. “Which begs the better question, where did they get those fake witnesses?”

Manny spoke up, “I’d say from the boss, Eric Jackson. How else they gonna come up with witnesses so fast in a neighborhood where everybody learns to keep their mouths shut? I’m betting all those stooges are part of his set.”

Ciro emerged from the stairwell and headed for the table. “Wouldn’t be the first time cops and crooks conspired.”

Ciro took a seat, and Walter asked, “Why? What does Jackson get out of it?”

Manny answered, “Jackson gave them witnesses. They probably gave Jackson information on us.”

Beck interrupted, “And their proof Derrick Watkins shot Packy are these same witnesses?”

“One of them. I think the one named Morris. Says he saw Derrick Watkins shoot Packy. Two others are hearsay witnesses. But also important, James, according to the ballistics report the bullet removed from Packy matches one of the guns the police found at the Mount Hope Place apartment. They’re saying it belonged to Derrick Watkins. Has his prints on it.”

Beck nodded. He’d already read that in the report.

“As for Manny and Demarco, they claim to have one eyewitness at the scene, a woman who gave a description that fits Manny and Demarco as the shooters on Hoe Avenue. Plus, they have an image from a security camera about a half block away. I took a picture of it. It’s in that pile.”

Beck shifted his gaze from the ballistics report to the blurry image of Manny and Demarco. He held it up. “They actually think this is evidence?”

“Well, it’s my picture of the photo in the report. But it’s not much different from what I saw. Plus, of course, their witness at the scene.”

Beck frowned and sat back. He folded his arms, retreating into himself.

Walter didn’t add any more information or interrupt Beck’s thoughts.

After a moment, Beck said, “And the case against Ciro is Detective Palmer claiming he can identify a man from a block away shooting at him with a twelve-gauge shotgun.”

Walter answered, “That’s what his affidavit says. There’s a note in there about them still canvassing for more witnesses in all the locations.

“James, minimum they can violate Ciro, Manny, and Demarco for multiple parole violations. Levitt wants me to contact Ciro’s parole supervisor on Staten Island. And they’re going to arrest you for murder. They may never convict any of you, but they have grounds. I don’t see any of you avoiding jail until it gets sorted out.”

Beck leaned forward and said to Walter, “I know you’ve been put in the middle of this, Walter. You’ve got your obligations to the NYPD and Department of Correction, and your loyalties to us, and to the truth. But I don’t want you to worry. This information you’ve given us will make it possible for us to get to the truth and defend ourselves against what I’m sure you realize are false charges. It’s much appreciated.”

Beck stood and reached his hand out to Walter. Walter stood and shook hands with Beck.

“Walter, thank you. For everything. You’ve had a long day, especially after yesterday.”

“I’m fine. You look like you had a terrible time after I left you. What happened?”

Beck waved it off. “There were some very unpleasant people up there. Don’t worry about it.” Beck motioned toward the papers on the table. “Between what I found out upstate and all this, there’s a lot going on here, Walter. It’s going to take awhile to sort it out. I want you to get some rest.”

Walter grimaced. “I should have gone up to the Bronx the minute I heard Packy had pulled that stunt hitchhiking in.”

Beck said, “Walter, what’s done is done. I promise you, we’re going to take care of this. Just get some rest. We’re going to need you.”

“Yes. Yes, of course.”

As he walked out of Beck’s loft, the men thanked Walter. Nobody spoke until they heard the door downstairs close. Demarco broke the silence with an uncharacteristic curse.

“Shit! Minimum they’re gonna try to send us back to prison and nail you for a murder, James.”

“None of us is going anywhere. How’s the girl? Is she all right?”

Manny spoke, “She’s in one piece. Keeping to herself.”

Beck said, “We’re not the only ones jammed up here. If we get rid of the murder charges against us, that leaves the girl open for the murders.”

Demarco said, “You’re right. If they stop looking at us for it, at some point they might figure out it was her.”

Ciro said, “Fucking hell, we got a piece of shit who’s running a crime empire on the backs of women, the same f*ck behind Packy gettin’ popped, and now he’s jamming us up supplying witnesses to the cops.”

Demarco said, “And looking to kill Packy’s kid.”