11:30 AM KARI’S OFFICE AT THE
Kari’s
cell phone rings. “Holmes.”
“Kari, it’s Lang. Can you talk?”
“Hold on.” She walks over to shut the door. “OK.”
“I made some inquiries about Crystal Clear
Water, like you asked me to. We got a tip that a shipment of diamonds will arrive at the warehouse
in
“Thanks, Lang. This could be the break we’ve been looking for.”
“Wait. The tip isn’t being taken too seriously
over here - the source isn’t the best and we have no confirmation. On top
of which there is serious chatter on the internet about terrorist activity
here in
“By the time someone takes action, the diamonds could be gone.”
“You don’t even know they’ll be there. I’m just passing this on because you asked me for anything on Crystal Clear.”
“I appreciate it. Look, I’ve got to run.” Kari hangs up the phone, her frustrated look turning to one of concentration. As she reaches for the phone book, her phone rings again. “Holmes.”
“Kari.
Can you talk?”
“Thank God you called. I just got a tip that
there will be a shipment of diamonds inside the Crystal Clear Warehouse in
On the other end of the phone, Kimble’s eyes grow wide. “Kari, look at the DRK.com website. There’s a message there from Charnquist.”
Kari brings up the website and looks at he message board. She reads, ‘Our anniversary minus 3. Same city, same time. CCW Warehouse. I’ll tell you everything.’ Why are you so sure its Charnquist? It could be a crank. What does it mean? What anniversary?”
“Remember when I told you that I had Charnquist
trapped in
“Yes, and it could be a setup. But we have to check it out.”
“Not we. The last time I checked out a
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m an FBI Agent. I can get a search warrant. You can’t! I can also call for plenty of backup. But not if you’re with me.”
“I have to go. It’s me Charnquist is expecting. If I don’t show, he may not either. I can’t take the chance. What if he really is ready to tell the truth?”
“All right.” Kari sighs, knowing its useless to argue. “I’ll make the arrangements for back-up, but I won’t call them unless I have to, and you have a chance to get away.
There’s an obscure hotel in the French Quarter, the Majestic. I’ll meet you there.”
“OK, I’ll be there tonight if I can.”
“Is there any way I can talk you out of this Richard?”
“Not a chance.”
“All right, I’ll see you tonight. I’ll call Jason and tell him I’ll be checking this out on November 1, just in case the shipment is late. I don’t want him coming down to watch my back and find you. Use the name of Wells and ask for me at the front desk”
“I’ll see you then.”
12 NOON EVE HILLIARD’S OFFICE
Kari walks in and closes the door. Eve looks at Kari and sees a look of foreboding on her face. “Holmes, is anything wrong?”
“Yes and no. I’ve gotten a tip that there
is a shipment of diamonds due in the Crystal Clear Warehouse in
“Maybe I should go with you.”
Kari shakes her head emphatically. “No,
you’re needed here, Hilliard. You need to pursue leads at Ross Industries
in case this is a false lead. Just keep Gerard out of the loop. His face
is the last face I want to see in
Eve’s eyes narrow in thought and Kari fears she’s said too much, but Eve suddenly smiles. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep Gerard at bay and if he does catch wind of anything, I’ll call you.” Seeing Kari’s worried frown, she adds “Holmes, you can take this to the bank. If you go down, we all go down and I have no intention of going down!”
Kari nods and says, “Thanks, Hilliard. If this works out, we just may have to do lunch some time!”
Eve smiles and says, “I look forward to it, Holmes!”
Kari stands up and starts to leave as Gerard walks in. Both women look at Gerard like they would an obnoxious fly that won’t go away.
“Unhappy to see me?”
Kari says, “I’m sorry Captain but I really don’t have time to converse. I’ve got a plane to catch.”
Gerard blocks the way to the door. “Find
the time, Agent Holmes! I just got the email from AD Merriman telling me
that you’re needed in
Eve stands up, hoping to defuse the situation. “Philip, Holmes has a plane to catch. You can talk to me about this.”
Kari looks at Eve and they nod at each other. Kari walks out. Gerard turns on Eve as soon as she is gone. “OK, Eve, do you want to tell me what’s going on around here?”
Eve sits down and feigns apology. “Sorry, Captain. I can’t. Need to know.”
Gerard
pushes aside a chair and leans over the desk, furious. “Excuse me? Eve, there
was top FBI Brass in here earlier and he came to see you. The grapevine is
saying that Holmes came in later and you two then left the building together.
Now Holmes is getting on a plane to
“I’m sorry, Philip, but you’re Chicago PD. Holmes and I are working on an FBI investigation and I’m afraid you’re out of your jurisdiction.”
“This has something to do with Kimble, doesn’t it?”
“It always comes back to that, doesn’t it? What if it does?”
“THIS IS MY CASE, EVE!”
“No, Philip, not anymore. If you want to continue with your obsession to capture Kimble and ignore everything else, more power to you. I’m afraid the FBI has more important things to do at the moment. Now if you’ll please send in Eddie and Vic, I have to brief them.”
“Why Eddie and Vic?”
“Because they are FBI and have no personal interest in how this eventually turns out and you…well, you’re you.”
Gerard’s eyes get narrow as he stands up and says, “You and Holmes have been planning this all along. Right from the beginning when I got this job you resented me and when Holmes came along you got an ally.”
“As I recall Philip, I tried to warn you not to get Holmes involved, but no, you thought in your own twisted mind that somehow Holmes would trip up and she’d lead you to Kimble. Well, I hate to disappoint you, but this has gone beyond you, me, Holmes and Kimble! Now please leave and send in Eddie and Vic!”
Gerard turns without a word and walks out, fuming.
1 PM ROSS INDUSTRIES
Becca walks up to her father’s secretary, who looks in disdain at Bowers, who is standing behind her. “Is my father in?” Becca demands.
“Yes, Ms Ross, but you cannot go in now. He’s preparing…” Becca turns before she can finish the sentence and walks into her father’s office, unannounced. The helpless secretary rushes in ahead of Jim to face Ross’ angry look. “I’m sorry, sir. I told them you were busy.”
Ross
turns a look of contempt on Bowers. “Leave us,” he barks at the secretary.
He glares at Jim. “You’re Kimble’s lawyer, aren’t you? Get out!”
Bowers looks at Becca. “I think I better leave.”
Becca steps in his way. “No!” She turns to her father. “I asked him to come. We have to talk.”
“I have nothing to say to him or you about Kimble.”
“This isn’t about Richard. Its about Ross Industries!” Seeing she has his attention, Becca continues. “The FBI has asked for our cooperation in investigating Crystal Clear Water company in connection with diamond smuggling.”
Ross pauses momentarily, but covers his alarm behind belligerence. “There is no connection. Where’s their search warrant?” he demands. “How dare you bring him here to discuss this?!” He looks pointedly at Bowers.
“I’ll be outside,” Jim says, discretely slipping out the door.
Becca turns to her father. “Daddy, please. I know about Alcini and Haventown.”
Ross is shocked into silence. Becca presses her advantage.
“Its time you knew the truth about the night Helen died. It wasn’t her they were after, it was me. Someone wanted to kidnap me. I think it was because I was blocking the deal with Crystal Clear. Someone wanted me out of the picture. Someone like Palazollo. Unfortunately, Ben Charnquist didn’t realize that it was me in particular that he wanted. He thought Palazollo just wanted a Ross daughter. And Palazollo got what he wanted in the end, didn’t he? At the expense of Helen!”
“You’re wrong, Becca. It was just a business deal.”
“Prove it! Open up the books to the FBI. If you don’t I’ll know you have something to hide and I will never speak to you again.”
Ross shouts at her, “Don’t threaten me, Becca!”
“It’s not a threat.” She turns and walks resolutely toward the door.
Ross looks stricken. “Wait! I didn’t know. You have to believe me. I didn’t know.” He reaches for her, but Becca pulls away. “Prove it!”