Free Fatal Greed by John W. Mefford Page B

possible. And just so you know I’m not dropping the ball here, I’ve been communicating with J&W and Turug Patel about the same points you’re making. I hope to have more information in the near term. Realize we might need to work some during the holidays.”
    I looked across our meeting table. My eyes stopped on Harrison, who had been more quiet than usual. It appeared his comments at the party were legitimate. He was no more in the loop than the rest of us.
    The meeting concluded. A number of casual conversations broke out as we made our way out of the meeting room. Mrs. Ireland, red-faced, and mumbling something I couldn’t understand, walked up with two men. I tensed up, realizing they were the two detectives, Carl Pearson and Roger Smith.
    “Reinaldo Silva?” Carl showed his badge directly to Reinaldo, but we could all see it reflecting the light.
    “Yes, what do you want with me?” Reinaldo took a half-step back. I just noticed his left hand wrapped in a flesh-colored bandage.
    “Sir, you are under arrest for the murder of Tiffany Chambers. Please turn around and put your hands together behind your back.” Carl read him his Miranda rights.
    A growing number of people stared as if watching a car wreck, which wasn’t far from the truth. Reinaldo had been on a downward spiral for a while, and it appeared during the last week he was on an accelerated pace, missing work and acting strangely when we did see him.
    My heart sank. I lowered my head as I heard the handcuffs lock around his wrists.
    “Is it necessary to handcuff him?” Paula’s voice had a sharp edge.
    “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry to interrupt your business.” Carl took firm hold of Reinaldo’s arm.
    Reinaldo no longer controlled his own movement. He and the detectives, flanked by a group of his friends and colleagues, including me, headed toward the front door. I heard people gasp, as early morning happiness turned to disbelief. I hoped somehow, before they left the building, the detectives would realize they had the wrong person and would release him.
    “Reinaldo, do you have a lawyer?” I hollered, but he appeared to not hear me. “Reinaldo, Reinaldo, do you know any lawyers?” Reinaldo didn’t respond.
    Finally, as the detectives guided him into the back seat of their unmarked car, he turned his head toward me. “Tell Karina I’m sorry.”
     
     
     
     

  Chapter Twenty-Five
     
    Chuck’s man on the ground provided his boss an update, all facts, no emotion. “This afternoon, a J&W employee, Reinaldo Silva, was arrested for the murder of the girl. Our revised plan is proceeding as designed, sir.”
    Chuck Hagard , CEO of Omaha Gas, hadn’t anticipated a murder to interrupt the flow of the operation. The fact the girl was a casualty from her participation in this series of maneuvers troubled him. But for every action, he believed there should be a carefully conceived response.
    “While it’s not optimal, we’ll take this break and move forward,” Chuck told his cleaner, only known as Tony. “I want you to be on your best behavior for our meeting this week. If we don’t win them over, they’re only going to dig deeper and want to dictate every move you make.”
    “Yes sir. I understand.”
    After hanging up, Chuck didn’t waste any time. Lacking faith in his brother David’s ability to pull off the board of directors’ all-day event and the side operation meeting, he called his younger sibling.
    “Do you have all the details finalized at the club? I want to make sure when we bring the key players together, it’s in the right setting. The mixture of Tony with Victoria makes my stomach turn. Let’s make sure we stay factual. Get in and get out.”
    “Hey, bro, take a breath. I have it all covered. I spoke with Victoria over the weekend, and I think I have her trust. We’re looking good.”
    Chuck wasn’t amused with David’s flip response. But he knew David was a necessary evil. David had introduced him to Victoria,