Daylight (Atlee Pine #3)(83)

“You’re saying he wanted us in the stockade . . . for our protection?” said Cassidy.

She nodded.

“That’s bullshit,” barked Cassidy.

“Really? Let me ask you something. You two were caught dead to rights on drug dealing. I talked to the JAG. Ironclad case. No-brainer, slam dunk. CO’s on your ass. You’re both being court-martialed and sent to Leavenworth. Then, out of nowhere, you get an Article 15. The JAG said he’d never heard of such a thing. What do you think about that?”

Danforth eyed Cassidy. “Phil, you said it was ’cause we got friends in high places.”

“Shut the hell up, Billy,” barked Cassidy.

He looked at Pine, who said, “Or maybe you got the ‘get out of jail free card’ because you have enemies in high places.”

“Are Jeff and Shelia really dead?”

“Then you do know them?”

“I asked you a question.”

Pine took out her phone and scrolled through it. “Here’s an email I got from NYPD on Jeff Sands.” She showed it to him. “And here’s another on Sheila. They’re both dead. I saw their bodies.”

Cassidy read the emails and sat back looking worried.

Danforth said, “What’s this all about, Phil? What’s she trying to say with all this crap?”

Pine turned to him. “What I’m trying to say is someone is cleaning house and you two are on the to-do list. That’s the only reason you got the Article 15 and a suspended sentence on your detention. So instead of being in the stockade surrounded by John Puller’s handpicked guards, you’re out here as sitting ducks.”

“You’re saying we got sprung so they could pop us?” This came from Cassidy, who had forehead sweat bubbles of his own now.

“You know Vincenzo’s old man, Teddy?”

“No, but Tony told us about him. He’s squirreled away at Fort Dix Pen on a long ride.”

“He was. Puller and I went to talk to him. All official and everything. Just as he was about to tell us something, they came and got him. No explanation, no nothing. Then before we knew it, he ended up dead in his cell. They say it was an overdose, though the guy wasn’t a user. I’m thinking that they decided three prisoner deaths at the Fort Dix facility might arouse suspicion. So, you two got set free, and you’ll come to the end of your lives on the other side of the bars. You see it any other way?”

Cassidy hunched forward and spoke in a low voice. “Let’s assume all you say is true. What can you do about it?”

“I’m FBI. I can protect you. But this is a quid pro quo situation. I need something in return. Otherwise, you’re on your own.”

“Shit,” muttered Cassidy as he looked around the place. “Let’s take this outside.”

Pine rose. “After you.”





CHAPTER





53





THEY ENDED UP SITTING IN PINE’S CAR.

She said, “First things first. Where’s Tony Vincenzo?”

Cassidy, who was sitting in the passenger seat, spread his hands. “Ain’t seen him since we got arrested. Figured the locals would grab him when the CID arrested us, but that didn’t happen, least that I heard.”

“He was at his dad’s house when I saw him last. Where he had the pill operation, right?”

Cassidy shrugged. “If you say so.”

“The place used to be owned by Ito Vincenzo, Tony’s grandfather. He ever mention him?”

“Once when we were over there and I was looking at some of the old photos in the basement. When I asked him, Tony said the guy just disappeared one day when he was just a kid. Said he didn’t really remember him. Tony said his old man told him Ito was running from something.”

“Why would he say that?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask. I didn’t care. But that’s just what he said.”

“If Tony isn’t at his old man’s house, where else would he be?”

Cassidy and Danforth looked at each other.

“You guys know about the penthouse in New York?”

She didn’t expect them to answer; Pine just wanted to see their expressions.

Danforth grinned stupidly and said, “Awesome place.”

“Shut up, Billy,” snapped his buddy. “You’re gonna get us killed for sure.”

“Then you have been there. What’s the deal? Axilrod said it was a perk, at least that’s what Tony told her, although I don’t believe anything she says.”

“Maybe.”

“Your answers are not adding up to a quid pro quo, gents. Maybe I should end this now and let you get killed before the sun sets. I don’t like my time wasted with bullshit. So, you can get out of my car. But run fast because they’ll be coming for you.”

“Wait a minute,” exclaimed Cassidy. “Just hold on. I’m trying to process all this and it ain’t easy. Just . . . just let me breathe, willya? I mean, Jesus.”

“Okay, take all the time you need, keeping in mind that patience is not my virtue.”

Cassidy chewed on a nail while Danforth slumped in the rear seat looking like he might start crying.