Chapter 58
“You’ve got to do something!”
“Shouting isn’t going to help. Do you want the guards to come over?”
Mark lowered his voice, but panic was still there. Similar conversations occurred in the visitor’s area of the jail as family and friends talked to their imprisoned loved ones.
“I’m in a tight spot, man. They found DNA on the body.”
“Careful what you say,” answered Leon as he looked at Mark through the clear partition. “This isn’t a private line. Sit tight while I pull together some help.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“I hired you a good lawyer. He says the case is weaker than it looks. Be patient and keep your mouth shut.”
“Will I make bail?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll do everything we can.”
“If I go down, it won’t be alone.”
Leon looked coldly at his cousin.
“I read you loud and clear. Don’t say that again.”
At this point, Mark was beyond caring. He hung up the phone and walked back to the guards.
The FBI agents brought up the same issue in their next meeting.
“We’ve got your DNA, Mark. You know the score. The only question is, are you going to take this ride alone?”
“I saw the OJ trial, man. Everyone knows how you guys plant evidence.”
“Too bad you weren’t any good at sports in your youth. Maybe you could afford higher priced fancy lawyers and their bag of tricks. But we should tell you: the same tactics rarely work twice.”
“I’ll take my chances before I tell you guys anything.”
“For now. We’re ready when you have something to say.”
***
A third meeting discussed the popular topic of the day.
“Hello, Simon,” said Leon.
“Why am I here? Our business dealings are completed.”
“You know why.”
“I understand your situation, but there’s nothing the organization can do to help at this time.”
“Do you? What happens if Mark decides to sing?”
“Our dealings were with you, not your unfortunate cousin. There is very little he can relate about us.”
“He can sure point them in the right direction.”
“Which leads through you. It seems you have a more pressing need for silence than we do.”
“You expect me to take out my own blood?”
“Survival of the fittest. If your cousin talks, the consequences are inevitably bad for you. You’ve shown the ability to make difficult decisions in the past. This is another challenge for you. If you make the correct decision, the organization might consider taking you back in.”
“I don’t believe that. Your people could just as easily throw me to the wolves once Mark is gone.”
“You’ll have to take that chance. What other choice do you have?”