Chapter 39

It wouldn’t be unusual for Remmy or Griffin to see him in that place, after all. But if Carl appeared, there could be a blow up, and Tyler might be involved. In fact, I was counting on it.

Thursday morning, early, Kevin sent me an email to say that Carl had been busy on his work computer. He’d logged in late last night from home, but couldn’t tell what he was looking for. Kevin thought he was double-checking to see if there was any incriminating evidence of his activities on his PC. Smart man.

I put in a call to Detective Hal. “Dude,” he said. “What’s going on? You’re keeping me in the dark, and I’m worried.”

“Look, I have a lead.”

“Hit me.”

“Last night, I took Carl Onstad to dinner,” I admitted.

“You did what? Are you crazy?” he yelled.

I had to move the phone away from my ear. “Calm down, buddy. It’s under control. Over wine, he spilled that he had an uncle in Georgia.”

“Okay, and?” he persisted.

“Look, he’s spooked. He got real wary when I mentioned I was getting close to catching the suspects. I even told him I had an eyewitness.”

“Fuck, Felix! You’re playing a dangerous game. And…wait, whateyewitness? What aren’t you telling me?” Hal’s voice was terse.

“Chill, man. I think this guy is about to become a target. See, Carl will probably deduce that it was one of the guys who spilled the beans. When he confronts them, they’ll both deny it and start pointing fingers. They may figure out it was our witness.”

Hal was suspicious. “Why would they do that? Is the witness a part of this thing?” Crap.

“Wrong place at the wrong time, let’s say.” There, that was innocuous enough, I hoped. “They may try to do something stupid to save their hides, like, say, kidnapping him.”

“And I suppose you want me to keep an eye on this witness, follow his movements?” Hal sounded resigned.

“Yup. He’s our way to close this thing, once and for all.”

“Jesus, this is dangerous stuff, Felix. You’re playing with this guy’s life. Does he know you’re using him like this?”

“No. At least, not yet.” I still felt guilty about that, but I was so close to solving this thing, I could taste it. “Nothing will happen.”

“And if something does happen, will you forgive yourself? Will he forgive you?” Hal asked.

“I’m trying not to think about that, okay?”

He sighed. “The next time we see each other, remind me to slap the shit out of you, okay?”

“Let me give you my witness’s name, home address and the place he’s supposed to be hanging out in the evenings. If you could keep an eye on him, track his movements…”

“Yeah, yeah.” He took the information. “I don’t like this, not one bit, Felix.”

“I know. Oh, hey, let me give you the names of the other two suspects.” I gave him Griffin and Remmy’s information. “They’re both on Facebook, both friends, and Carl is linked to one of them. If this breaks wide open, you can request Facebook data. Remmy’s served time. They’ve both mouthed off about Forever Safes. I’m thinking that Carl set up meetings with Griffin using Facebook, and they meet at Krog Bar—where my witness saw the three of them together and overheard their conversation.”

“I wish you’d told me all this before, Felix. I’m not happy about this. I’ll get some plainclothes cops on your guy right away, and keep an eye on the bar and his house. I’ll also get some guys to watch the movements of all three suspects. If this pans out, I might be able to get some search warrants, too.”

“Thanks, Hal,” I said.

“Don’t thank me.” He hung up. Yeah, he was pissed. I’d have to make it up to him.

* * * *

Tyler texted me that evening around nine o’clock, letting me know he was at the bar in Old Fourth Ward. We’d agreed that he should let me know his comings and goings, time of arrival and departure from that place so I would know where he was.

I texted “okay, be safe” back to him. It had been a couple of days since I’d spoken to Uncle Ben, so I called him up.

“Ben, old man. How are you?”

His voice was wispy when he replied, “Fine, son.” Shit, he was getting worse.

I pretended good cheer to hide my dread. “Yeah, you sound fine,” I joked.

“You sassing me, boy?” Ben retorted, though without his customary rancor, and my heart was near to breaking.

“No, sir. I’d never dream of back-talking you, ever.” I cleared my throat. “I’m coming up to see you this weekend. Anything you need me to bring?”

“Just yourself, and that young man. He suits you, suits this land.”

“Yes, he does. I just have to convince him of that,” I said.