Phillip Margolin - Wild Justice

Wild Justice

Jaffe 01

Phillip Margolin

Wild Justice

Chapter 1

A lightning flash illuminated the Learjet that waited on the runway of the private airstrip moments before a thunderclap startled Dr. Clifford Grant. Grant scanned the darkness for signs of life, but there were no other cars in the lot and no one moving on the tarmac. When he checked his watch his hand trembled. It was 11:35. Breach's man was five minutes late. The surgeon stared at the glove compartment. A sip from his flask would steady his nerves, but he knew where that would lead. He had to be thinking clearly when they brought the money.

Large drops fell with increasing speed. Grant turned on his wipers at the same moment a huge fist rapped on his passenger door. The doctor jerked back and stared. For an instant he thought the rain was distorting his vision; but the man glaring at him through the window was really that big, a monster with a massive, shaved skull and a black knee-length leather coat.

Open the door, the giant commanded, his voice harsh and frightening.

Grant obeyed instantly. A chill wind blew a fine spray into the car.

Where is it?

In the trunk, Grant said, the words catching in his throat as he jerked his thumb backward. The man tossed an attachT case into the car and slammed the door shut. Water beaded the smooth sides of the briefcase and made the brass locks glisten. The money! Grant wondered how much the recipient was going to pay for the heart, if he and his partner were receiving a quarter of a million dollars.

Two rapid thumps brought Grant around. The giant was pounding on the trunk. He had forgotten to pop the release. As Grant reached for the latch another lightning flash lit the view through his rear window and the cars that had appeared from nowhere. Without thinking, he floored the accelerator and cranked the wheel. The giant dove away with amazing agility as the sedan careened across the asphalt, leaving the smell of burning rubber. Grant was vaguely aware of the screech of metal on metal as he blasted past one of the police cars and took out part of a chain-link fence. Shots were fired, glass shattered and the car tipped briefly on two wheels before righting itself and speeding into the night.

The next thing Clifford Grant remembered clearly was banging frantically on his partner's back door. A light came on, a curtain moved and his partner glared at him in disbelief before opening the door.

What are you doing here?

The police, Grant gasped. A raid.

At the airfield?

Let me in, for God's sake. I've got to get in.

Grant stumbled inside.

Is that the money?

Grant nodded and staggered to a seat at the kitchen table.

Let me have it.

The doctor pushed the briefcase across the table. It opened with a clatter of latches, revealing stacks of soiled and crumpled hundred-dollar bills bound by rubber bands. The lid slammed shut.

What happened?

Wait. Got to... catch my breath.

Of course. And relax. You're safe now.

Grant hunched over, his head between his knees.

I didn't make the delivery.

What!

One of Breach's men put the money on the front seat. The heart was in the trunk. He was about to open it when I saw police cars. I panicked. I ran.

And the heart is ... ?

Still in the trunk.

Are you telling me that you stiffed Martin Breach?

We'll call him, Grant said. We'll explain what happened.

A harsh laugh answered him. Clifford, you don't explain something like this to Breach. Do you understand what you've done?

You have nothing to worry about, Grant answered bitterly. Martin has no idea who you are. I' m the one who has to worry. We'll just have to return the money. We didn't do anything wrong. The police were there.

You're certain he doesn't know who I am?

I never mentioned your name.

Grant's head dropped into his hands and he began to tremble. He'll come after me. Oh, God.

You don't know that for sure, his partner answered in a soothing tone. You're just frightened. Your imagination is running wild.

The shaking grew worse. I don't know what to do.

Strong fingers kneaded the tense muscles of Grant's neck and shoulders.

The first thing you've got to do is get hold of yourself.

The hands felt so comforting. It was what Grant needed, the touch and concern of another human being.

Breach won't bother you, Clifford. Trust me, I'll take care of everything.

Grant looked up hopefully.

I know some people, the voice assured him calmly.

People who can talk to Breach?

Yes. So relax.

Grant's head fell forward from relief and fatigue. The adrenaline that had powered him through the past hour was wearing off.

You're still tense. What you need is a drink. Some ice-cold Chivas. What do you say?

The true extent of Grant's terror could be measured by the fact that he had not even thought of taking a drink since he saw the police through his rear window. Suddenly every cell in his body screamed for alcohol. The fingers lifted; a cupboard door closed; Grant heard the friendly clink of ice bouncing against glass. Then a drink was in his hand. He gulped a quarter of the contents and felt the burn. Grant closed his eyes and raised the cold glass to his feverish forehead.

There, there, his partner said as a hand slapped smartly against the base of Grant's neck. Grant jerked upright, confused by the sharp sting of the ice pick as it passed through his brain stem with textbook precision.

The doctor's head hit the tabletop with a thud. Grant's partner smiled with satisfaction. Grant had to die. Even thinking about returning a quarter of a million dollars was ridiculous. What to do with the heart, though? The surgeon sighed. The procedure to remove it had been performed flawlessly, but it was all for nothing. Now the organ would have to be cut up, pureed and disposed of as soon as Grant took its place in the trunk.

Chapter 2

The deputy district attorney had asked three questions of Darryl Powers, the arresting officer, before Amanda Jaffe realized that the first question had been improper. She leaped to her feet.

Objection, hearsay.

Judge Robard looked perplexed. How could Mr. Dart's question possibly be hearsay, Ms. Jaffe?

Not that one, Your Honor. I believe it was ... let's see. Yes. Two questions before.

Judge Robard looked as though he were in great pain.

If you thought that question was hearsay, why didn't you object to it when it was asked?

Amanda felt fires ignite in her cheeks.

I didn't realize it was hearsay until just now.

The judge shook his head sadly and cast his eyes skyward, as if asking the Lord why he had to be plagued with such incompetence.

Overruled. Proceed, Mr. Dart.

It took Amanda a moment to remember that overruled meant she had lost. She collapsed in her seat. By then, Dart had asked another killer question. Welcome to the real world, a tiny voice whispered in her head. She had earned an A in Evidence at one of the nation's top law schools and had written a note on hearsay for the law review, but she could not think fast enough to make a timely objection in court. Now the judge was certain that she was a moron, and only God knew what the jury thought of her.

Amanda felt a hand patting her forearm. Don't feel bad, girlfriend, LaTricia Sweet said. You're doin' fine.

Great, Amanda thought. I' m screwing up so badly that my client feels she has to console me.

And were you dressed as you are now, Officer Powers? Rodney Dart continued.

No, sir. I was dressed in civilian clothes, because this was an undercover operation.

Thank you, Officer. Please tell the jury what happened next.

I asked the defendant how much it would cost to have her engage in the sex acts she had suggested. The defendant said that she had her crib in the motel across the street and would feel more comfortable discussing business there. I drove to the motel lot and followed the defendant into room one-oh-seven.