The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 130 Meeting the Martins Link The sun was rising when | left Highland Oaks.

Before meeting up with Jake, | made a quick stop at the diner to pick up a sandwich.

As | was leaving the diner, | saw a black Jaguar enter the parking area. But instead of parking, it continued moving towards the back. It was my first tto ever see that car in New Salem, so | quickly memorized its plate number before driving off.

| found Jake casually seated on a bench along Main Street, drinking coffee from one of Bo’s disposable cups.

When he saw my car, he threw his cup in the trash bin, opened the car door to the passenger's side and climbed in.

Jake was what the Blood Disciples called a ‘cross. He was exceptionally gifted, being both a skilled hacker and a trained mercenary, so it wasn’t a surprise when Primo and Beaufort both tapped him to join their crew. Jake was given three days to decide, a cross that laid heavily on his shoulders. Ultimately, he chose Beaufort despite being heavily courted by Primo. It was one of those rare chances for Primo to employ a man with almost the sskillset as Beaufort, however the excitement of pursuing your prey on the field was something at computer or any gadget couldn't give Jake.

Jake was a muscular man of average height. His short brown hair matched the color of his eyes while his muscular physique was well-hidden under an oversized gray hoodie.... he loved wearing hoodies.

“I got a copy of all of Hartman's files on her laptop,” Jake said, showinga USB flash drive. “She was planning to leave New Salem under an alias, Mary Turner. That note you said you got from Autumn was actually written by Hartman herself.” the note “So Hartman was going to take the fall by sk ipping town,” | said. “The signature on looked authentic, so I'm guessing Hartman left the note in her office and Autumn took it.” | maneuvered my car to the Sheriff's station, then handed him Hartman's phone. “I checked her call log and noticed most of Hartman's recent calls were from Norma Martin. One guess is they were conspiring together. Did you find a money trail?” | asked.

“Yes, | did,” he answered, scrolling through the phone.”Half a million dollars was sent to Hartman directly from Norma Martin's account. | grimaced. Five hundred grand wasn’t enough. No wonder Hartman held Emma at gunpoint. “I also checked Hartman's finances 1/6 11:50 Tue, Apr 2 MG CHAPTER 130 Meeting the Martins 60% and found she has a sizeable amount saved up in her bank account. The five hundred thousand dollars together with her savings is actually enough to buy this house she was eyeing in Miami, but that would leave her with little left. | figured the money was a down- payment, but...” “But what? | mean it is possible it's a down-payment. If Hartman was planning to sk ip town, she would lose her retirement benefits,” | pointed out.

“I thought the same, so | checked Norma Martin's account and discovered she’s mostly in debt with the credit card... the five hundred thousand being the last of her money. Surprisingly, though, Ford Martin’s trust is still intact. According to the stipulations provided by the grantor, Ford is allowed to withdraw a hefty sum at any time, given the money is intended to be used for livelihood, business or an emergency.” | had to make a call to Beaufort and inform him, Norma needed money and he had lots of it.

“Link, what's up?” He shouted. The background noise was really loud. | suspected he was in the back of one of his trucks heading back to New Salem..

“I just wanted to inform you it seems Norma Martin paid Lindsay Hartman all the money she had left, so Hartman would take the fall for Ford. What if Hartman told Norma about Emma, so the both of them could milk Emma for money?” “I doubt it,” Beaufort answered. “But it can’t be possible Norma's broke though... She boug the McDowell's pharmacy after Cynthia died.” Apparently Primo has checked Norma's finances yet.

“Who said she bought it?” | asked, surprised.

“Marla Lawrence. She got the info from the ex-husband,” he answered. The ex-husband who no one has ever seen or met.

“It’s probably all a lie. | had Jake do srecon at Hartman's house and he says Norma is in debt,” | explained.

“I see... Emma did mention Lindsay Hartman believed Norma was one selfish b itch. | guess she didn’t know Norma's broke. Thanks for the info, Link. I'm going to have Cristos look into everything and plan accordingly. Where are you headed now?” “To the Sheriff's station to meet my new client,” | answered.

2/6 “Don’t forget to put in your earpiece. By the way good work on Hartman. | knew | could CHAPTER 130 Meeting the Martins count on you, Link.” Hearing his praise made my heart swell. | was finally gaining his respect.

“Jake, take my car and hand the USB and the phone to Beaufort,” | said, stopping the car right across the street from the Sheriff's Station. It was around seven-thirty and the sun was already up in the sky. After inserting my earpiece and making sure it was hidden, | opened the car door. “After you report to Beaufort, tell him | need you withtoday, just in case | need someone to carry out simportant errands.” “Sure thing, Link,” he said, but paused before opening his door. “I forgot to tell you... | also found out that about forty female nurses filed sexual harassment complaints against Ford Martin, but most, if not all, didn’t pursue it.” “That many?” | asked before getting out of the car. And what did Hartman do?” “She sent the complaints to the hospital director. | checked her email and the hospital director said he would take care of everything. | don’t know what he did or say to these women, but they immediately withdrew their complaints,” Jake said after he exited the car.

“Autumn must have that information. Tell Beaufort to have Primo ask Autumn for it,” | instructed Jake. “Soon, we'll be able to piece all of this together. Personally, | think this. sexual harassment thing Ford has got going on has something to do with drugs.” “Drugs?” Jake asked, surprised.

“Sof these nurses do drugs to stay awake. It's possible Ford targeted them because he knew he could use his knowledge of their drug use as a shield.” “That sounds really f ucked up,” Jake replied, realizing how twisted everyone in this town really was. “I thought we were only dealing with a handful of sick f ucks. | wasn’t expecting.

there'd be more.” “I know what you mean. By the way, change into something nice will you... like a suit.” “Hoodies are my thing, Link,” he said as he climbed into the driver's seat of my car. He gave a small salute before he drove off heading towards the complex.

Since it was still early, the parking lot at the station was practically empty. Good. | still had enough tto confer with my client before the district attorney arrived.

Inside, | went straight to Jack who was on the phone with someone. He mouthed, “Norma 6 CHAPTER 130 Meeting the Martins over there,” and pointed towards the back of the station.

At the waiting area, | found Norma Martin on her phone, looking quite frustrated.

“Having trouble contacting someone?” | asked, smiling down at her.

“I'm trying to call my aunt,” she murmured, a small smile playing on her lips. “But her phone’s off. She's probably getting ready for work.” She waved a dismissive hand in the air, pretending it was nothing. “You must be Bo’s attorney.” “Yes, I'm Lincoln Murphy. Undersheriff Jack Emery informedof your son’s case. I'd like to have a few moments with your son before we speak to the district attorney on the circumstances of the case-" | paused, noticing Norma's eyes widen with shock.

“It can’t be...,” she mumbled under her breath.

| turned around to find a rather short, stocky fellow in a gray suit standing behind me. His oily dark brown hair was slicked back while his dark moustache was well trimmed. He had dark beady eyes, a wide nose as well as a wide mouth while his lips were dark from smoking. | could tell... he smelled like a cigar.

“Norma, what is this nonsense | hear? Ford killed Theodore? Is this true?” The man asked, scowling at her. Norma tried to answer, but her lips wouldn't move. | decided to butt in “I'm sorry. Have we met? I'm Lincoln Murphy, attorney to Ford Martin-" “It's Martin, Mr. Murphy,” the man corrected me, using the Spanish pronunciation of M “I’m Tomas Martin, Norma's ex-husband, but you can callThomas.” He grabbed my and shook it. “Mr. Murphy, | don’t care how much | have to pay, but | want my son out by day end. If he is truly guilty, | want him to have the lightest sentence possible for his crin You do this forand | will make you a wealthy man. | can assure you... | keep my promises.” “Tomas, | already made a deal with Liam. This is why | need-" “Enough, Norma,” Tomas Martin said, cutting her off. “The pharmacy stays in the organization. | can’t believe you. You only had one thing to do... to watch over our son, but you keep gallivanting with that college nifo. | thought maybe you would grow up if | gave you less money, but you have becworse.” This is where Norma's money troubles stem from.

4/6 11:50 Tue, Apr 2 MG CHAPTER 130 Meeting the Martins .60% “Our son is not a child. He is a grown man, Tomas,” Norma replied haughtily. “And you have no right givingless money. | am entitled to a piece of the pie, you jacka ss!” “Link, cough once for yes. Is this Tomas Martin Hispanic?” Beaufort asked through my earpiece. | coughed to answer Beaufort, but ended up interrupting the Martins’ little spat. They both looked at me, embarrassed at their vile behavior.

“I think it's better if we take this discussion away from prying ears... yes?” | said, gesturing for them to move further into the waiting area while | waited for Beaufort’s instructions. The last twe talked about Ford, Beaufort wantedto make sure he went to jail. But Tomas Martin was a gchanger.

“The Angels of Darkness is primarily the Mexican Mafia. | want you to get on Tomas’ good side. If he wants Ford out, get him out. Do whatever it takes, Link, Beaufort said. | undoutedly heard the excitement in his voice.

| smiled at Ford's parents as they both calmed down..

A plan was already forming in my head.

“Mr. Martin, leave it to me. I'll get your son out.

Tomas Martin grinned at me. “I like you already.

| excused myself to call Autumn. On my way outside, | bumped into the district at needed to act fast.

Outside, | saw a lone deputy admiring himself through his car window. | quickly hid hoping he wouldn't notice me.

| was about to dial when | saw the Sheriff's car speeding towards the station. | decided to send Autumn a message instead and head back inside.

What stoppedthough was the harsh greeting the Sheriff gave the lone deputy.

There was something else going on.

5/6 11:50 Tue, Apr 2 MG The Joy of Revenge