An Insignificant Case

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

“Why are you calling me?” Bridget Fournier asked.

“I might have some information that will help you prosecute your sex trafficking case,” Charlie answered.

“What could you possibly know?” Fournier asked.

“Look, I don’t want to be mysterious, but we need to meet in person. And not in your office. You’ll see why when we talk.”

“Look, Mr. Webb, I’m busy, and I don’t have any time for this spy shit.”

“I don’t know why you’re mad at me, Bridget. It’s Judge Noonan who granted bail, not me. Please, this is important. A life may be at stake. Can you meet me at the Good Cup coffee shop across from my office? The drinks are on me. I’ll even spring for a scone,” Charlie said.

There was silence on the line. Charlie waited.

“This had better be good,” Bridget said before she disconnected.

Charlie was sitting at a table in the back corner of Good Cup Coffee. When Fournier came in, he waved. Fournier sat opposite Charlie. She did not look happy. Charlie smiled and pushed a latte and scone across the table.

“As promised,” he said.

Fournier didn’t look at the scone or the latte. “Let’s cut to the chase, Mr. Webb. Why are we meeting?”

Charlie took a deep breath. “Okay, no more small talk. When Guido took the painting from Gretchen Hall’s office, he also took some items from her safe. Guido wouldn’t tell me what they were, but he seemed certain that Hall would drop the charges in exchange for them. He said he would return the painting and the items from the safe if Hall would agree to hang his painting in La Bella Roma’s dining room. Hall agreed to Guido’s terms, and we went to his farm to seal the deal. Only Guido wasn’t there, and his house and the barn where he paints had been ransacked. Then someone searched my office.

“Do you have any idea what Guido took from the safe? Because I think it’s evidence that could be used in your sex trafficking prosecution, and I think Guido is in danger as long as he has the items.”

Bridget’s features had changed from angry to thoughtful while Charlie was talking. Charlie let her think. After a minute, Bridget looked across the table.

“Your client may be in possession of a snuff film and a list of the men who had sex with the women who Hall procured.”

“I was afraid it was something like that.” Charlie paused. “You wanted to know why I didn’t want to talk about this in the district attorney’s office. I had a very good reason. I’m going to say something you might not like. It’s just a suspicion, and I hope I’m wrong. It concerns Tom Grant.”

Charlie could see he had Fournier’s full attention.

“When Guido stole the painting from La Bella Roma, it was the third time he’d pulled a stunt like that, but Grant told Monica Reyes to agree to his release on recognizance. Then Grant showed up at Guido’s arraignment. I could see that you were surprised and upset. I may be crazy, but I’m worried that some powerful people want Guido out of custody so they can find out where he’s stashed the items he took from Hall’s safe.

“I have two men watching Guido, but he won’t pose a threat if you can convince him to give you what he took from the safe. Will you come to his farm and try and convince him to give you what he took?”