Free J.D. Trafford - Michael Collins 02 - No Time to Die by J.D. Trafford Page B

just discovered he was here illegally after a detailed review of his fraudulent documents after the body was found. Say that he was no longer an employee of Jolly Boy.”
    There was silence.
    Dylan shook his head.
    “ That’s it,” he said. “How much did that little bit of advice cost us?”
    Dylan stood. He stretched out his arms, and then looked out at the dock.
    “My boat is calling me.” He grabbed his crotch. “I got two babes waiting for a ride.”
    Before he walked away, Dylan leaned over and whispered in Brian’s ear.
    “The lawyer chick has got to go.”
    Brian nodded his head. “It’s taken care of.”
    “Really?” Dylan asked, standing. It was strange for his brother to be involved in a thing like this.
    “ Really,” Brian said. “Today is her last day. Her nonprofit no longer exists.”
    Dylan nodded.
    “It’s about time you got your hands dirty.” He patted Brian on the head. “I’m proud of you.”
    “ What’s that about?” Harrison asked as Dylan walked off. “I thought I told you it was best to stay away. No connections. Don’t get involved. Ignore her.”
    Harrison slid his chair a little closer to Brian, as if he was about to impart great wisdom.
    “In the 1960s General Motors started investigating Ralph Nader, and Nader sued them. Nader became famous and a major pain in the ass. If General Motors would have ignored him, Nader would just be a weird law school professor who writes books about cars that nobody reads.”
    “ I agree,” Brian said, but then he looked around, still imagining the listening devices. He lowered his voice. “Attorney-client privilege?”
    Harrison considered it, and then nodded.
    Brian allowed a brief smile. He thought the plan was quite clever.
    “ Tonight the board is going to vote to shut her down.”
    “ You know this?” Harrison asked.
    “ I know this,” Brian said. “The head of her nonprofit’s board belongs to the Miami University Club with me. Our kids take riding lessons together.”
    Harrison nodded. He couldn’t see how shutting down an insolvent nonprofit was illegal. It was actually a clean resolution. The Community Immigrant Legal Services had been a nuisance, although it had also been a great source of billable hours over the years.
    “You’re sure?” Harrison asked.
    “ I’m sure,” Brian said. “The chair says he has no choice, actually sounded a little sad about it, as if he cared about these people.” He shook his head. “I played along, of course, to get more information.”
    “ Then what?”
    Brian smiled wide.
    “This is the best part.” Brian paused, looked around again before continuing. “In a few days, I’ve arranged a little grant to a legal aid organization in Orange County, California. She’ll be offered another job. Seems there are migrant farm workers everywhere, and the further away from here the better. She won’t come back to Jesser. The California strawberry and spinach people will have to deal with her, instead of us.”
    Harrison picked up his glass of ice water from the table. He leaned back and smiled.
    “Very nicely done, Brian. I believe that would be checkmate.” Harrison raised his glass. “Very nicely played, indeed.”
     

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    It was dark by the time Michael, Kermit and Jane arrived at the office. Earlier in the evening, Jane had made a spaghetti dinner for them after work at her apartment. Kermit wanted to go to The Box, but neither Michael or Jane could handle another batch of grease.
    The meal was supposed to be a thank you and maybe even a goodbye.
    When they walked up to the door, Miggy was waiting for them, just like he had been waiting on the day that Michael and Kermit had first arrived.
    Jane hadn’t seen him at first, distracted by the people she saw through the window. They were the members of her board, milling about her office, chatting.
    Miggy coughed. His skinny body was folded up by the door. Next to him was his Army surplus backpack and sleeping