I’m told that Silas is coming back this morning for yet another round of discussions. I’m not told whether Theodora will be joining him.
Still, I’m intrigued at how we left things yesterday, Silas saying he could help. I’m not sure what that means, but I trust that he knows a lot of people in Albany, and that those people may be able to help me.
Junior comes by, this time running late, and unlocks the door immediately.
“Let’s go,” he tells me, his shiny boots clicking on the cement floor.
“I’m feeling rushed, Junior, what gives?”
“No time, Sir. Let’s go.”
He leads me to the same gray room where I have a seat behind the same industrial-style table.
In walks Silas, with Theodora following close behind.
“Good morning, Paul,” Silas says, extending his hand. “I’ve asked Dr. Menchy to join us one more time. Hope you don’t mind.”
Theodora extends her hand.
“No,” I tell him, reaching back to her. “Good to see you.”
She sits down across from me and looks me in the eyes, clearly all business this morning.
“I only have one more question, one that came up in my follow up discussions with Silas. I don’t fully understand why you were pursuing Carson, why you pulled a gun on him in public, that night, the night of the gala.”
“Armand said I had to,” I tell her. I can feel the emotion swelling in my throat. “He said I should make it look like an arrest, that I was taking him in for holding, but really I should bring him to Armand and he’d deal with him. And Armand … well, he said he’d hurt Stacey and Trish, and that he’d hurt me if I didn’t take care of this … ”
“Of Carson?” Dr. Menchy asks.
I nod. “Yes.”
“So he gave you an ultimatum?”
“He did, and I knew it was stupid … I mean, I knew about their history … Carson fired Mick, you know … Mick was the one who wrote all the background music for his video games, you know, the intense rock-and-roll behind PowerBreak that just never stopped? That was all Mick.”
“You say Carson fired him?”
“Yes, and that’s why Mick and Armand had their falling out. When the money goes … well, you know. Nothing’s fun anymore.”
I could see Silas leaning back in his chair. He glances toward Dr. Menchy. “May I?” he says. She nods.
“So you’re saying that Armand was going to forgive all of your gambling debts if you pretended to arrest Carson and brought him to Armand that night, from the boat, or he was going to hurt your family?”
I nod. Thinking about it makes me weak at this point.
“So Bernie jumps in and wrestles the gun from you, why?”
I sit up in my chair and lean forward onto the table. “Because he already knew about Mick and me … he knew that I’d killed him. He thought I was going to kill Carson, too, but that wasn’t what I was told to do.”
Dr. Menchy stands. “Okay, that’s it. Silas, I’ve already signed the papers saying he can stand trial. Was there anything else? I’ve got an assignment north of Rochester and I’ve gotta get the team up and running.”
“No, nothing else,” Silas says, standing. The two shake hands and I stand, expecting her to turn toward me. Instead she reaches for the door.
“Good luck to you, Mr. Wilson. God bless you.”
And with that, she steps out.
Silas smiles. “Sorry about that. She wasn’t too keen on coming back, but I figured she should finish things out. I think we got it now.”
I am confused. “What do we have now?” I ask him.
Silas reaches into his briefcase, produces a business card, and hands it to me.
Bob Ford, Attorney At Law
“He knows everyone … mayors, governors, presidents, cabinet members. He’s out of Albany, works almost exclusively in politics … I can get him here next week if that works for you.”
I laugh and toss the card across the table. “What makes you think I can afford this?”
Silas shakes his head. “He’s agreed to do it pro bono. He has some … personal business to tend to here in the area, so he’s glad to help.”
An alarm sounds outside in the hallway and Junior steps inside.
“Time’s up,” he says. “Let’s go, Mr. Wilson.”
My goodness, is everyone all business today?
I shake Silas’ hand and step into the cuffs Junior presents, then follow him back to my cell.
I can’t help but think this is all too good to be true.