Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak

Joy

After getting our building permits, yesterday went by quickly. We met up with Big Man Lou and his team at a small warehouse in Bismarck. He was a capo who worked under Cristos and was in charge of handling Cristos’ team while he was away.

“We found a lead on the doctor who took care of you when you were hurt, JT,” Lou said while placing a folder in front of us. “We suspect she’s in Bali, Indonesia. From what Primo found

out last night, the money trail from one of the Cohen’s bank accounts leads to an account in

that country. The doctor reverted back to her maiden name after she and her husband were

divorced. As for the husband, we don’t know exactly where he is, but her name shows up at a local money remittance center. We think her husband might be living near her.”

“At least we know where to find her. I already hacked into St. Elizabeth’s database and found that joy’s medical files have been deleted. I doubt if there’s a printed copy at the records

section. The only reason why Theodore Cohen sends the good doctor money is because she has a copy of the files,” Cristos said. “Have you hacked into the coroner’s computer?” Lou

nodded his head.

Everything on Joan Summers is there, but the coroner’s findings have already been doctored. Joan Summers and Kimberly Smith share the same findings except for the date and time of death which are consistent for a serial murder,” Lou elaborated. “I’m guessing the coroner keeps copies of his ‘true’ findings at home.”

“I think you’re right. But just like the Cohens, his house is like a fort. Did you find a money trail?” Cristos asked. “He just bought a new Volvo for his wife.”

“No, we didn’t. We think the coroner is being paid in cash,” Lou said. “If you turn to page three, there’s something we found in one of Daniel Williams’ files. It seems to be a spreadsheet set up for sales and profits. Of what…it wasn’t listed. But whatever they’re selling has earned them a cool three million dollars last month alone. Anyway, we’re still going through the files. When we find anything important, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Well, I doubt if they smuggle in goods. I’m leaning more on the possibility of drugs. This is more of Sebastian’s arena. I’ll see he gets the data. By the way, I need info on a Noah Jensen. I found this in my car,” Cristos said, showing Lou a plastic bag of a circular listening device

chopped up in pieces.

“This is your police standard issued listening device. Did this Noah Jensen put this in your

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car?” Lou asked.

“Yep. He was seated in the back last night and I found that underneath the backseat when I got home. We also saw him snooping around Joy’s house last night,” Cristos said. “Lou, he pretends to be a nobody, but now I have my doubts.”

“This means whoever is running the town has a hold on law enforcement. As for Noah. Jensen, he isn’t a nobody. He’s someone trusted by someone up in the food chain to have stuff like this,” Lou said. “What does he do for a living?”

“He’s a contractor,” I answered.

“Contractor? He can build a laboratory without anyone knowing. I heard there’s a new residential area just outside of your town near the lake. They can make the drugs there and transport the drugs via boat to the nearby towns and cities for distribution,” Lou speculated.

“I’m beginning to think Noah deliberately withheld evidence and information when you were attacked, Joy,” Cristos murmured as he looked through the files. “And your attack was probably ordered by someone high in rank as an initiation of sorts. Why they targeted you? You must have witnessed or heard ‘something or maybe your parents did. It was their way to

shut you up.”

“I’ll have to ask my dad,” I told Cristos. “I don’t remember ever seeing or hearing something

out of the ordinary.”

“What else do you need, Primo?” Lou asked. “Say the word and I’ll do it.”

“I need you to make an anonymous tip to the good Sheriff of New Salem through a burner phone and get opera tickets for the coroner and his wife. Whatever else I need done is more Xavier’s arena. Just get that info I need on Noah and all the people under his payroll,” Cristos said. “And monitor all activity from Dan’s computer. I’ll hack into his home system so you can also monitor him from there.”

After our short meeting, Big Man Lou and his team disguised themselves as delivery men delivering antique furniture. While Cristos and I set up the pieces of furniture in a spare room, Lou and his men quickly set up my home security system. They were in and out in an

hour.

“Your security system is installed and it is time for me to head to the pub. You coming with or you’ll just meet me there?” Cristos asked.

“Coming with. I need to pick up my car at Bo’s. I’ll just have one drink with Jack and head

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home. I need to get some sleep,” I said, yawning

“I bet you twenty bucks Jack is a no-show.”

Cristos won the bet. At the pub, Jack didn’t show up, but Lisa did. She said Jack and the Sheriff were on a manhunt for the accomplice of the Summers and Smith murders. I heaved a sigh of relief, thankful the anonymous tip worked, and called it an early night..

In the morning, news spread that a fire erupted at Sheriff Combs’ house while he was out on a wild goose chase. Xavier made sure whatever he took would never be discovered.

I stayed home the whole day. I did call Pete to check on their progress and he said they were on schedule

It was almost six o’clock and I was waiting for Cristos to pick me up. I was wearing a white short sleeved midi dress with a matching long white cardigan and white strappy sandals with a low heel. My hair was up in a neat and tight bun, accessorized with my favorite bladed hair comb.

Cristos called to tell me to come out before he entered the cul-de-sac. I punched in my security code, then turned off the lights and locked the door. I glanced at Noah’s house before climbing in Cristos’ car and noticed his truck wasn’t in the driveway.

You nervous?” Cristos asked me. He was wearing a dark blue long sleeved polo shirt with haki chinos. He looked simple, casual and dashing.

“No. But I would rather go out on a date with you,” I said, giggling. He patted my knee lovingly.

“Me too, honey,” Cristos said, driving to Prairie’s Peak. “Let’s just think of Liam as a third wheel. By the way, I got the medical records of Laura Jensen, the autopsy report of Owen Jensen and some news clippings about their accident. I also pulled out the school file of Peter McDowell. Apparently, he moved here from Texas his freshman year in high school after his father died. Not much is in his file so I’m going to do some digging.”

“Do you know where he lives?” I asked.

“At Highland Oaks, the prime residential area where the coroner lives. His mom owns the local pharmacy,” Cristos answered.

“They have

business?”

money,” I said. “So why is Pete working for Noah when he can put up his own

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CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak

“That’s why I’m going to do some digging, Cristos replied. He glanced at my hair and nodded approvingly. “I know this isn’t your first rodeo, but are you ready?”

“Yes, I have liquid latex covering my fingerprints and hydrogen peroxide wipes to destroy DNA from glass and utensils,” I said.

“And when we’re there, what should you

do?”

“Drink at the same spot so it will be easier to wipe off lipstick. Hydrogen peroxide wipes should always be on hand to wipe glass and utensils if ever I have to leave them unattended. Place disposable seat cover before peeing and add soap when flushing. Make sure not to play with hair, so there will be no hair fall. If I sneeze, place tissue in my purse, not in the trash bin. I think I got it,” I said.

“Good girl. With Liam, it’s always a da mn test,” Cristos said. “Since I’ll be the designated driver, I won’t drink, just in case he drugs you. If he does, I’ll send out a 911 message to Sebastian and Xavier.”

If Liam does drug me, Xavier will kill him,” I said. Cristos chuckled.

“Seriously, if he does drug you, I’ll kill him.”

efore entering the estate, we needed to wait at the guard house for Liam’s phone call nfirming our appointment. Once he did, the guard opened the gates and waved at us to

enter.

It was a steep and lonely climb up to the top of Prairie’s Peak where we found the magnificent chateau-styled redbrick home, reminiscent of the 1920s art deco period…the time when the Cohens arrived at New Salem.

The dark wood stained-glass doors opened to reveal a smiling Liam dressed in a white long sleeved shirt under a dark gray vest with matching dark gray pants and leather shoes.

“There are usually guards out here on the grounds. I guess Liam told them to go elsewhere so they wouldn’t freak you out,” Cristos said as he parked his ear. He flicked his fingers in the air while he fixed his hair. “Well, time to get this show on the road.”

I opened the door, exited the car and felt the chill in the air. I quickly tightened my cardigan around my body, shivering from the cold breeze blowing across the hilltop.

After securing his car, Cristos offered me his arm and guided me to the front doors of the mansion where Liam stood with a drink in his hand.

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CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak

I tightened my hold on Cristos’ arm. I felt a sudden urge to inflict pain. There was no father and no army to stop me. I could tie Liam up and play pin the tail on the donkey with a knife.

As we approached, Liam mockingly bowed at us.

“Welcome to my humble abode.”

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Luna-Mom

This mayor thinks highly of himself

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