Murder in the River City(51)
Davis said, “Shauna tells me you asked her to design the renovations. There’s no one more capable.”
“I agree,” Jason said. “She hasn’t agreed yet.”
“We still have to discuss all our options,” Davis said.
John frowned. What game was Davis playing?
Amelia Shepherd said, “You two were engaged when Jason went to prison, weren’t you?”
“That’s old news,” Shauna said.
“But juicy. What happened?”
“It’s really none of your business,” Shauna said.
John could definitely picture Shauna’s irritation. He glanced around, looking for Sam. He was surprised he hadn’t arrived yet.
Melanie whispered, “Why is she being belligerent?”
Hooper said, “I told her to be herself. I think she is.” He motioned to John. “Where’s Garcia? He’s not showing himself, is he?”
“He’s a professional,” John said.
“Love can make even the smartest men act stupid.”
Jason whispered something the mic didn’t catch, and then Austin said, “Jason, as you know, putting together the financing for a project this important and substantive takes a lot of time and expertise. And I’m sure with your parole, you’re having a hard time putting together the funds. I’m right, aren’t I?”
“I’m getting it done,” Jason said. “I still have my own resources.”
“Dominick and Kurt here have the resources and contacts to make this happen, provided that Coresco & Hunt manages all legal work. We’re in this together, share in the risk and the reward.”
“I have the financing,” Jason reiterated.
“Are you sure?” Davis said.
“It’ll be here Monday morning,” Jason said.
“Then why did you seek out my counsel?”
“I need legal tax shelters and an airtight deal with the hotel. I was hoping your firm could help broker the deal. But I don’t need financing.”
“Well, I’ll need to think about it,” Davis said. “I don’t work on many projects that I don’t have a financial stake in. Too much work, too little time.”
“Austin,” Shauna said, “Jason’s a friend. I think you should just help him.”
Silence descended around the table, and John wasn’t sure what had just happened. The feds in the hotel room were waiting for someone to talk.
“Here’s what I can do,” Davis said, “because Shauna obviously still considers you a friend.” There was something odd about Davis’s tone, John thought, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
“I’ll do some research tomorrow,” Davis continued, “and come up with a plan that’s mutually beneficial. If you can put the financing together, I’ll set up the legal agreement. If you can’t, I want part of it.”
“Thank you, Austin. I appreciate it,” Jason said.
“Something strange just happened,” Abbott said.
Hooper glanced at John. “I agree. But what? She didn’t say anything she shouldn’t have right?”
“Maybe it wasn’t what she said, but something else happened.”
Hooper said, “I couldn’t get a wiretap—too great a potential to gather confidential information. Was the pause long enough for a cell transmission? A text?”
Abbott was scrolling through his computer. “I can’t pinpoint specific cell activity.”
John glanced at a message on his phone. “Gleason just clocked in. He’s working the bar in the event. And one of our guys saw Pete Coresco drive into the parking garage. He didn’t enter the main floor. We think he has a room.”
“There’s no room in his name—the law firm has one of the penthouse suites reserved,” Abbott said.
“When do you want me to take Gleason into custody?” John said.
“As soon as Shauna and Jason are in the hotel, we take Gleason,” Hooper said. “Melanie, find out if Coresco is in the penthouse suite. Get someone from our team in the bar to keep tabs on him, but from a distance. I don’t want him knowing we’re watching.”
Abbott said, “Okay, they’re leaving the restaurant.”
Sam was calling John. He answered. “Where are you?”
“I’m tailing the limo. I have a funny feeling.”
“Dammit, Garcia! They know you.”
“I’m good.”
“You promised you’d stay out of it.”
“I told you. They aren’t going to see me. I’m tracking Shauna’s phone.”
Hooper grabbed the phone from John. “Garcia, if you blow this, I’ll have your badge.”