Twenty-One

Monday, May 2, 2016

Jack

Morning, Ceci!

I'm at Court on a sex assault case filed against a young man with severe autism. Police posing online as a 14-year-old girl, talked him into meeting "her" for sex. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

I'm actually early for Court. Decide to grab some breakfast, but I don't remember if this Courthouse has a cafeteria. I'm following the signs and as I'm walking in, it's all flooding back. Cleo and I lived down here for a month defending a kid charged in a gang killing. Grizzly case with a sad ending.

Breakfast burrito and glamorous Court cafe:

Buried Prostitutes:

Last Saturday, I finished work at the office. It seemed like a good time to try and corroborate more of Joe's story about Greg Johannsson running drugs and girls out of a liquor store. And maybe a good day to sniff around the Lonesome Pup Kennel.

I'm driving for the liquor store.

It's just East of this musical landmark.

The store is a low rent hole built into the south face of a river gulch. Greg Johannsson is not here. The place is being run by an old man. Nothing visible to indicate drugs or prostitution. I don't want to tip anyone off, so I don't ask about Johannsson.

[Photo: Liquor Store --REDACTED]

Jack

Five miles West, is Evergreen Colorado, an upscale town for the 1% who prefer to live in the mountains west of Denver.

And the home of Lonesome Pup Kennel.

Lonesome Pup Kennel (LPK) is reputed to be run by "Bunny".   According to Joe, it's a base for sex, drugs, and a scam sanctuary for parolees. The LPK website is unremarkable, with one exception: There isn't a single reference to, or picture of any person. No names, no faces, no owner, no employees, no humans, nothing.

LPK advertises as a kennel, open from 6am to 6pm, but repeatedly warns customers, "Call us and let us know when you're coming". I don't want to call ahead. I want to show up and see the place, and it's employees and customers transacting business in their natural state.

Here's the plan: MapQuest shows that there is a county animal shelter nearby. I figure I'll walk into the shelter looking for a dog. Meet the folks there, hang out, get their pamphlets and paperwork. Then, say, "Can you refer me to a Kennel to doggysit when I go on vacation? I saw Lonesome Pup down the street. Are they any good?" With that lead, I will drop in on Lonesome Pup, unannounced.

(Sorry, the bailiffs just brought my autistic client into court. They chained him up from head to toe....Back later.)

So, I drive to the dog shelter, but there is no shelter. Look all around. Can't find it. Maybe it moved, but nothing here. Figure maybe I'll just drop in on LPK as a cold call. There are a bunch of cars in the parking lot, which seems like it makes it both better and worse to walk in. It's getting late. Back at home, Justin is leaving for prom, and I'm going to be late...

I think. I hesitate. I bail. No time. No guts. I chicken out. Fuck.

For what it's worth, here's a pic of Lonesome Pup.

[Photo: Lonesome Pup Kennel --REDACTED]

[Jack back at work]

Woah! Ann just told me the Blue Steel Kings are having their 40th anniversary celebration at their "Colorado Clubhouse", on July 5th, 2016!!

Do you wanna go?

Damn!! Invite says, "not open to the public." 😢

Anne is virtual stalking the BSKs. On March 31st, they had an "open to the public, Potluck". Missed it. And I could have brought my pasta salad and a hidden microphone.

In a related post, the motorcycle gang, the Valiants, get together every Wednesday for poker, but "No Women Allowed".

It's all posted on the social calendar for the Colorado Confederation of Biker Clubs.

Telephone call with Detective Balsam (great hair):

Me: "Joe just drove by his house. He wants you to know someone tore down his barn. He doesn't know who, but he can still show you the location of the burial."

Balsam: "We've been up there but the property is snowed in. Even after the snow melts, frozen ground makes it really hard for us to do anything. But we are going back sooner than later. Tell Joe, his daughter Mary is doing fine. I saw her make an appearance in Court yesterday. We also spoke to Grace this morning. Spoke to others as well. Many of them are careful about what they say to police because everyone up there was involved in some crime."

Me: "Have you not talked to Mary, or have you talked to her and are not telling me?"

Balsam: "One of those is correct. We just want to be careful. We're not sharing yet. We may need Joe when we get on the property." [End call].

No update on Balsam's hair, but I am sure it was bold and sassy.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Jack

Joe just texted me: "Carmen is going into Blackhawk (casino town) tomorrow to 'service' clients. I don't know what to do about it. Just letting you know. –JOE"

Ceci, I just mailed you a five dollar bill to formally retain you as part of our team on this case, thus providing you with attorney client-privilege and other protections.

Ceci

I'm getting caught up on your texts.

Jack

Sweet. Something is in the wind.

Ceci

Gotcha.

Jack

Joe added that Carmen and her father never miss going to a Sunday meeting with the Blue Steel Kings. Joe's court-appointed lawyer on his other case called twice for details so he can better navigate Joe's case where the Johannson's accused him of car theft.

Once briefed, the lawyer warned me that the BSKs are dangerous, and have long been a target of the FBI.

Finally, like Melville and Tolstoy, I think we should add a few passages of historical content. Like a primer on outlaw motorcycle gangs, prostitution, body recovery, etc. Then interlace them with the text.

PS: Anne thinks we should share this for free on the internet until it goes viral, like 50 Shades of Grey.

Just talked to Detective Balsam again. Told him Carmen is back to whoring.

He said, "We will definitely be getting back with you."

Sounds imminent.

My spidey senses are tingling.

F Yeah. F YEAH! F FRICKIN YEAH!!! On Jason (the ax case): I went to the car repair shop of the victim. Inside, two cars up on lifts, greasy parts for a hundred more cars line the walls, country music, cigarette smoke, coffee.

The victim sees me. He motions to his left shoulder which was hurting the last time I visited. "Broken collar bone," he boasts. He smiles.

"Nice," I say.

Then he turns away. Grabs something.. Turns back to me and slaps some papers in my hands. His Victim Statement for sentencing.

I say, "Sweet, Thanks!!"

He smiles, "No problem."

I walk out. I pass his wife in the yard. She gives me a big smile and a thumbs up. I jump in my car. Drive around the corner, pull over on the shoulder and read his statement.

"Jason needs help - not to be thrown away - he's a great guy". "I don't feel like a victim. Jason might be a little nuts, but I know that he came to me for help that day, not to hurt anyone". "I don't even want him charged. ..I would like the protection order removed. I miss my friend. Please don't send him to prison."

So sweet! So sweet! Like a kiss from God. We take this to  probation. She puts it in her sentencing report to the Judge and DA. It's like hand-written hope, girl!!

Sentencing for Jason could be a whole new game.

[⭐Vote⭐ for catching a break!!]

Photo 1: Sled Dogs by Mr. Bonde, 2019 (Pixabay #1646185).

Photos 2-3: Taken and owned by the authors, 2016.