Chapter 49

James Plank stood as Yaritza Esteban approached his table at the Hamada Grill on Flamingo Road. He had been hesitant about the meeting, given that their last one had been tense at the end. However, her reasons for the meeting intrigued him. He smiled cordially as she sat down, fresh from finding a new therapist. She felt wary about starting fresh, yet excited for fresh input. She got what she paid for, so if she actually paid for advice, it might be worth something this time.

  Plank greeted her. “Hello, Detective.”

“Hello,” she replied. Yaritza looked thirsty.

“Can I get you a drink?”

“Just water.”

“On duty?”

“No, just not a drinking occasion.”

  A beverage server came around, and Plank said briskly, “Water, please.”

 “Lemon?” the server asked.

 “Please,” Yaritza replied.

  As the server walked away, Plank sipped at his vodka and tonic slowly, savoring the taste. “So, what are we discussing today?”

  Yaritza glanced at the menu a bit. She had never been to the Hamada and was anxious to try it. “First, I owe you an apology.”

 “For?”

 “For our last meeting.”

  Plank nodded. “Actually, I owe an apology as well. You must understand that with my ex-wife’s scandalous nature, my promotion was tightrope-thin. I had to do some fancy walking and talking to get it. Reminders of the past get me annoyed, to say the least.”

 “I chased a lot of wrong people to solve the Robertson case.”

 “That surprised me, Detective. You have a reputation for finding the right people fast.”

  Yaritza shook her head. “That’s just it. I think somebody knew I’d be on the case and neutralized me, so to speak.”

 “Why?”

 “That’s what I keep asking myself. The case has been solved, by the way, just not officially.”

   Plank stopped mid-sip and put his drink down. “There was no mention of it in the paper.”

  “There was a small blurb that didn’t even make it to page five. A local nobody got killed away from town, it didn’t warrant a full column.”

 “Who was it?”

 “The killer?”

 “Yes, of course.”

 “A professional assassin.”

   Plank nodded slowly, comprehending the response, but not much else. The server came back with the water and took their order. Plank ordered steak and shrimp, Yaritza ordered chicken and shrimp. After the order was taken, Plank asked, “Do you know why?”

“No idea. We’re looking into that.”

“The department?”

“No, outside help. The department considers it a closed case.”

  Plank shrugged. “Maybe it should stay that way.”

 “I’d agree if it weren’t for one thing. A name keeps coming up in connection to everything. Actually, two names. That’s why I wanted to see you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Jefferson-Brown was named by the assassin’s assassin.”

“Named for what?”

“Ordering the kill.”

  Plank’s face turned dark red. “That’s a fucking lie!”

 “It’s all hearsay, that’s why I asked to see you. I need your help.”

 “Detective, I know nothing of your case! My law firm does good work for families, we do not hire assassins! Whoever told you we did is lying.”

  Yaritza sat back. “Yes, I agree I’ve been lied to way too many times on this case. So when I hear lie number 87, I’m inclined to believe it for a change.”

“I tell you, we are a good firm!”

“Your managing director seems to do things on the side.”

  Plank’s eyes widened in anger for a moment, then narrowed a bit, still angry but also confused. “What?”

“Your managing director.”

   Plank almost smiled through his anger. “Who are you talking about?”

             “Ted Clayton.”

   Plank couldn’t help it, he laughed. The redness of anger turned into the redness of uncontrolled amusement. “Ted Clayton?!”

   Yaritza was now confused. “Yes. What’s so funny?”

   Plank shook his head, trying to control himself. “I’m sorry, I’m just picturing Clayton doing anything.”

  “Well, he may seem idle to you, but I think he’s been up to some tricks.”

  “Unlikely, Detective.”

 “Why?”

 “Ted Clayton has been dead for two years.”

 Yaritza’s mouth dropped. It wasn’t so much of a surprise as it should have been, but the time factor puzzled her. “Two years?”

“That’s right.”

            “But he’s still listed as the managing partner!”
             Plank put his hands up as a ‘take it easy’ gesture. “Simply an honorary title. The          old man Brown assumed that role as well when Clayton died. He hates when others control the firm. He founded it, it’s his baby.”

  “Then something strange is going on there.”

  “Why?”

  “Someone is doing a lot to cover up a crime in the name of Ted Clayton, and it’s been made clear it’s the Ted Clayton from your firm.”

   Plank shook his head. “I tell you, we’re a good firm.”

  “I believe you, but there’s still something missing. You’ve just been promoted. Have your colleagues let you in on everything yet?”

  “Well, no, but-“

   Yaritza nodded. “Can you start looking? Don’t be obvious, and don’t go looking through client files at all. It’s an employee, I think.”

   Plank sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “One other thing: my friend and I are aware of your firm’s interest in the Belgian.”

   Plank shrugged. “It’s not illegal.”

  “I know. We’re just curious as to who Hughes Limited is. They’re listed as another partner.”

  “I never heard of them. The casino is an investment. We could sell our shares easily if it got to be a burden.”

   Yaritza shook her head. “That’s funny. An employee there said there was a deduction from each check that is donated for charity, and that it’s required for employment to agree to the deduction.”

  “We don’t do that and it is illegal.”

  “Well, we contribute to our retirement each check.”

   Plank nodded. “If that casino deduction were for such a fund, it would be legal. It sounds like a scam to me.”

  “The employee claims that your firm authorizes the deduction.”

   James Plank’s face did not get red this time. Instead, he rose from the table. “If you don’t mind, Detective, I have suddenly lost my appetite.”

  “I understand. I’ll pay for my lunch.”

   He shook his head. “No, it is on my tab, I come here often. Besides, from what you just told me, I think maybe there is something wrong at the firm. There has been some whispering going on.”

  “About?”

  “It’s just hearsay, but Brown has a new watchdog on us, he’s created tension.”

  “Have a name I can look up?”

  “No, nothing yet. But if you’re right about any of this, I owe you more than lunch.” Plank started toward the lobby, then turned back. “I made a comment to you once about Nikea Robertson and you that was not nice. I apologize.” He then walked out of the restaurant.