Murder in the River City(56)

“Why was he doing any of this at all?” Shauna asked. She was finding it hard to believe the man she’d known for so long was laundering money for criminals. Maybe in the back of her mind she was hoping that, like Jason, Mack hadn’t really been a crook; unfortunately, all the evidence pointed to his culpability.

“His grandson is special needs. He was paying for his medical care and education. I suspect,” Hooper said, “that he didn’t really think about his crime. Probably considered it victimless. But his daughter confessed he’d learned how the drug money was coming in and was tying it to some violent gang activity, so he started collecting more information on the group.”

“Austin told me Mack wasn’t supposed to be killed. I don’t know if I can believe that,” Shauna said. “He would have killed me and Jason, I’m certain of it.”

Sam took her hand and squeezed. “I don’t want to think about it.”

“Neither do I,” she said. “But I want to know why. Why Mack was killed.”

“Pete Coresco has a vicious streak,” John said. “Gleason flipped on him immediately, said Coresco killed both Mack and Callie Wood. So far, the forensic evidence supports that.”

“Amelia Shepherd is making a deal for federal witness protection,” Hooper said. “You won’t see her again. But we have enough to build a case on the Corescos and every other lawyer in the firm, plus several of their clients. But that’s way above my pay grade. The U.S. Attorney’s office is working the information now, to see what they can do and who they can go after. It’ll take months, if not years, to put together this case.”

John asked, “Have you figured out exactly how they were using the charities to launder money?”

Hooper glanced his watch. “I have some ideas, but I’m meeting Jason Butler at the law office. He’s going to help my team put it all together. We suspect the donations are being paid back in services that aren’t actually performed, like shipping supplies in third world countries. Very hard to trace most of the stuff and easy to falsify. Davis was definitely the brains behind the operation, but the rest of the law firm was privy to much of it.”

He stood, shook hands with John and Sam, and took both of Shauna’s hands into his own. “You did a great job yesterday. I’m sorry I put you in danger.”

“You didn’t,” she said. “I’m glad it’s over and Mack’s killer is going to prison.”

“So am I. I hope to see you both again”—he glanced at Sam—“in much better circumstances.”

“Come by Dooley’s anytime you want,” Shauna said.

Hooper grinned. “I’d like that. My wife would love it.”

He said his good-byes and left.

John said to Sam, “For your first week, you certainly made an impression on the chief.”

“Does that mean I get time off?”

John laughed. “You have the weekend. Enjoy it. I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning.” He gave Shauna a hug. “Take care of yourself.”

Sam walked John out. Shauna lay down on the couch and closed her eyes. She was so grateful she was alive, so grateful no one else was hurt. What an emotionally and physically intense week.

Sam said good-bye to John and walked back into the dining room. He stared at Shauna, resting so peacefully, love and relief flowing through him.

She’s safe.

“You’re watching me.”

He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’ll be watching you for a long, long time.”

She opened her eyes. “How long?”

“Trying to get rid of me so soon?” He hoped after the last few days they’d gotten over all the baggage and problems they’d had in the past. Everything wrong that happened between them was because of timing. That was then, and now he could only think about Shauna.

She took his hand and pulled him down on top of her. “Not today.”

“You know, I don’t really have a place to live. I’ve been staying with an old friend from the force. I haven’t had time to look for an apartment.”

“This place is pretty big. If you don’t mind the heat in the summer and drafty winters.” Her voice was light, but her eyes were serious and apprehensive. As if he would reject her. His heart twisted. He would do anything never to hurt her again.

“I don’t mind at all.”

“The place needs a lot of work.”

“I can help with that. Earn my room and board.”

She grinned and tilted her chin up. “I can think of far more fun ways to earn your keep than renovating this old house.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head close to hers.