Murder in the River City (14 page)

Sam leaned forward. “Do you think he started dating Shauna to see if she knew anything?”

“Very possible. I want to talk to her about him. Because three months ago, something changed, and so I brought Butler back to Sacramento. He’s buying a hotel, and Davis has already approached him. But I’m nervous about the whole project. Too many things are happening too quickly, and pile on two murders, Gleason disappearing, and Davis hanging around the pub looking for information—”

“I get it,” Sam said. “You think Davis is acting suspicious.”

“He’s naturally suspicious of everyone, which makes him so good at what he does.”

“Shauna Murphy isn’t involved,” Sam said. “I can vouch for her—we’ve been family friends for decades.”

“I know,” Hooper said. “When she got involved with Davis, we quietly looked into her business and it’s clean. But we were initially concerned, because construction is one of the businesses criminals like to use for laundering. A lot of cash, a lot of accounts, easy to pad expenses.”

“We haven’t been able to find Gleason,” Sam said, “but his landlord saw him this morning.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s dead,” Hooper said. “The reason why these people are so effective is that they don’t leave loose ends. No one has enough information to take down the law firm, or anyone inside. With Coresco’s expertise in law, we have to do it completely by the book. I just need one thing to hang over an employee—someone in the know like Amelia Shepherd—and I can get a warrant to seize everything. Murder would be good.” He cringed. “I didn’t mean it to sound like that.”

Sam said, “We have Gleason’s apartment staked out, and we think we know where he’s working now. Your brother-in-law, Riley Knight, went Dumpster diving today. We found envelopes from the Hyatt, looked like what checks might have come in. Called them up, confirmed he was an employee. But he doesn’t work today or tomorrow. He only works Fridays and weekends.”

Hooper slammed his hand on the table. “That’s it!”

“The Hyatt?”

“There’s a huge charity event going on at the Hyatt Friday night. Gleason probably works off the books for Coresco. He’d want his own people inside to guarantee that cops aren’t working the event undercover.”

“A charity event,” John said, skeptical.

“I told you—we’re not exactly sure how they are laundering the money, but every year they have a huge event that benefits one of the charities that Coresco runs. We know some of the biggest criminals in town dress in tuxedos and lay down cash for causes they don’t care about. We’re talking tens of millions of dollars in one night. The charity then disperses the money, and we
think
that eventually it gets back to the crime lords, but we don’t have the final piece of the puzzle.” Hooper was obviously frustrated. “What’s also frustrating is that there are legitimate businessmen and philanthropists who donate to these charities as well. We can’t go in and make accusations without solid proof.”

“What I don’t get,” John said, “is how Mack Duncan was involved and why he was killed.”

“He was a piece of the puzzle,” Hooper said. “You said he’s from Reno, his daughter lives there, and he might be visiting on occasion. He could be a low-level middle man. Especially if he still has a gambling problem.”

“The killer was looking for something,” Sam said. “Mack must have something that’s important to them.”

“I’m also not certain that everything checks out about the daughter, Missy Polk,” John said. “Divorced, mother of one. She works at one of the casinos in Reno.”

Hooper nodded. “I’ll dig into her as well. Our Reno division has information on most casino employees.” He then said, “You said Ms. Murphy is no longer involved with Davis. But she might have information. I want to interview her, first thing in the morning.”

“She’ll be here,” Sam said.

Chapter Fourteen

Thursday

Shauna sat at the table at Dooley’s and listened to Detective Black and the FBI Agent Dean Hooper explain that Jason wasn’t a bad guy, that he was actually a super
good
guy who sacrificed nearly three years of his life to help take down the
real
bad guys. He’d still lied to her, but not about what she’d thought.

She also learned the creepy vibe she was getting off Austin Davis was justified. And what she had actually liked about Austin—all his charity work—was really a front for some grand criminal enterprise that involved money laundering for drug dealers and sex trafficking and God knew what else.

“Are you
positive
?” she finally said as she played with the glass of ice water in front of her. Dooley’s was closed. It was nine in the morning, and her grandfather wasn’t even there. Detective Black thought it would be a good meeting place.

The head FBI Agent, Dean Hooper, nodded solemnly. “We can’t prove it, but I’m positive.”

Shauna looked around, but Sam wasn’t here. Her head was spinning. She’d loved Jason.
Loved
being the past tense of
love.
She hadn’t been fair—what if she’d stood by him? What if he’d expected her to? She felt small and manipulated and sad at everything that she’d lost three years ago when Jason went to prison.

“Did Sam know?” she asked John quietly.

“No,” he said. “He found out last night.”

She’d avoided his calls all night because of what happened in the storage room.

“Why are you telling me all this?” she asked. “I went on
three
dates with Austin. Three. He didn’t tell me anything about his business. I knew he was a lawyer who worked with charities. That’s it. I didn’t even know he knew Jason.”

“You’ve spoken to him this week,” John said.

“He won’t stop calling.” Her eyes widened. “You think he was trying to get information out of me about Mack’s murder.”

“Possibly.”

“That bastard!”

“You know a lot about the investigation,” John said. “Did you say anything to him?”

“No. Maybe Monday, but I didn’t know anything on Monday. He called yesterday, asked me out again after I turned him down.” She frowned. “He asked about Mack’s murder, saying he was concerned about me. I didn’t say anything specific, but—I really can’t remember. I didn’t know about Callie when he called—you told me right after that.”

“Good. Then they don’t know that we’ve put the cases together,” John said.

“Don’t assume they don’t have inside information,” Hooper said. “Ms. Murphy, I have something to ask, and it might be difficult for you, but it would help. Are you on good terms with Jason Butler?” Hooper asked.

This was getting better and better. Was she in the middle of
This Is Your Life
and all her mistakes were now public? The only consolation was Sam wasn’t here.

“More or less. But I feel really guilty that I believed he was a criminal.”

“He told you he’d done it,” Hooper said. “Why wouldn’t you have believed him?”

“I don’t know.” She rubbed her temples. She’d hardly slept since Mack was murdered and now her head pounded.

“I’ve been talking to Jason every day. I know he asked you to take on the job of renovating the hotel he’s buying.”

“Is that a front? Or whatever you call it? I knew it sounded too good to be true.”

“It’s absolutely legitimate, but he talked to me before he starting the buying process. We’re using his purchase to draw Austin Davis out. Tomorrow night they’re meeting before the big charity event, and I was hoping you could go as well, with Jason. It’s formal, and I can’t put an undercover FBI agent there. Coresco and his people have too many fingers around. I don’t trust that Jason’s cover won’t be blown. We came too close last time. But you have a history with Jason, it’s logical he would bring you.”

“Stop,” Shauna said. “I can’t go with Jason. Austin already asked me.” Not to mention the potential conflict with Sam.

“I’m sorry.” Hooper glanced at Black, but his demeanor changed immediately from confidential to wary. He straightened and Shauna had the distinct impression he might suspect
her
of being involved in whatever shady dealings Austin was doing.

“Okay,
look
,” she said, “he asked me on Monday when I met him for coffee. He kept calling me. I thought because he was worried about me after Mack was killed. I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea. I’m not involved with him, and I’m not doing anything illegal.” She looked at him, then at Black. “He creeps me out. He asked me again yesterday to go, and had I known I was going with Jason, I would have told him so. But I turned him down.”

“You’re right,” Hooper said. “Too risky.” He glanced at John, then said to Shauna, “Would you reconsider accepting his offer?”

“What?”

“Can you call Davis and tell him you changed your mind about the charity ball.”

“Oh no, he would be suspicious. I never change my mind. But he’ll call me today and ask again. I’ll let him talk me into going.”

“How can you be sure?” Hooper said.

She shrugged. “I just know. I got a sense that he’d be calling again.”

John said, “Shauna, maybe this is too much right now. You tried to hide it, but I could tell his calls upset you on Monday.”

“Only because he kept calling. Three dates, that was it, and he doesn’t let go.”

Hooper said, “He may think you have information about Jason Butler. Davis wants his investment list.”

Shauna frowned and tried to remember her dates with Austin. “Maybe,” she said.

“What do you remember?”

“Our first date—he talked about Jason. I kind of dismissed it, and I don’t remember what we talked about, but he was interesting in my relationship with him. I thought, at the time, it was because Jason had just gotten out of prison and had been written about in the papers. Including how I cancelled the wedding. God, I feel awful about that.”

She looked from John to Hooper. “I’ll do it. If Austin had anything to do with Mack’s murder, I want him caught. It’s a charity ball—nothing’s going to happen, right?”

“We have the event covered, and we won’t let you out of our sight,” Hooper said.

“You think he’s dangerous—to me?”

“He doesn’t want to be caught,” Hooper said. “I wouldn’t send you in if I didn’t think it was safe, but there is always a risk.”

Shauna considered she may have bitten off more than she could handle. But Jason had sacrificed years of his life and his reputation to catch these criminals, and she was only sacrificing one night. Plus, she’d practically be surrounded by cops.

“I’m in,” she said.

#

That morning, John Black had called Sam and asked him to meet at FBI headquarters. Now, Sam sat in the office of ASAC Dean Hooper and listened to the Fed explain that Shauna was now going to spy on a known criminal.

Sam stared at John Black as if he were a traitor. “You’re sending a civilian undercover?”

“Shauna is only there to keep tabs on Davis and make sure Jason’s cover isn’t blown,” John said.

“You don’t know her like I do. She’s volatile. She has a temper. And you told her that Davis may have killed Mack? You think she’s just going to let him wine and dine her?” The thought of Shauna being in the same room with that slime made Sam’s skin crawl.

Hooper said, “We have never been able to get this close to Davis. This is the best chance we have of finding out exactly how he’s laundering money. Once I know
how
, I can follow the money trail and nail him. It might take a little time. This operation is information gathering only.”

“You expect her to gather information as well?”

“No. That’s Jason Butler’s job.”

“You spent last night explaining how dangerous this guy is, now you want Shauna to go in and be his date.”

“It’s a charity ball. And we’re not leaving anything to chance. I have a suite. I have undercover agents staking out the bar and photographing everyone who comes in, and she’ll be wired.”

Sam didn’t like any of it, not only because Shauna wasn’t a cop. She now knew that Jason Butler wasn’t a crook. That not only was he innocent, but he willingly sacrificed his freedom and his reputation for what? Justice? There had to be another reason Butler was doing this.

Shauna had cared about him—loved him, at least at one time. She was engaged to him. And the only reason she wasn’t married to him now was because he’d been arrested and sent to prison. He’d already reached out to her—what if he wanted her back? When he was a criminal, Sam knew Shauna wouldn’t go back to him, but now? Not only was he
not
a bad guy, but he might be considered a hero.

Not to mention he was good-looking and rich.

John misunderstood his concern and said, “I’ve brought in the people I most trust, she’ll be safe, Sam.”

“And she already agreed,” Hooper said. “I understand there may be some extenuating circumstances—”

Sam didn’t know what John had told the fed, but he said, “Friends. We’re family friends.” He nodded. “Tell me what you want.”

Hooper said, “I want Austin Davis and everyone else at Coresco & Hunt in prison. If I get them on money laundering and tax evasion and fraud, terrific. If Detective Black gets them on murder and conspiracy, great. I honestly don’t care how they go to prison, as long as the conviction stands. I believe Jason Butler is the only way I’m going to get an in. His cover has held, and Davis will not be able to resist bringing him in.

“What Butler is doing is extremely dangerous, because people who want to walk away from this organization, don’t,” Hooper said. “I’ve lost undercover agents before; I don’t want to lose Butler. We think Duncan was involved in some way, possibly through his daughter in Reno. I’m dissecting his financial life now. He had something Coresco and his people don’t want us to get, and I have no idea what it is that would be incriminating enough that they’d kill for it. I have a Fed going to talk to his daughter in Reno in case he sent it to her, whatever
it
is.”

“So what you’re saying is, you’re sending in two civilians, one a convicted felon, to a charity event full of known criminals to gather information and report back to you, hoping to find out whatever information Mack had that got him killed.”