transport hot guns for him. The guy was caught in the act and arrested. The charges were dropped. The file is sealed.”
“Someone cut a deal.”
“Sure looks that way. And this scum and Jack Winter must have built a long-term relationship, one that included testifying against Angelo at his trial.”
“Okay, so you’re figuring the guy was a confidential informer.”
“Had to be. If he wasn’t a CI, why would they drop the charges and seal the file? And why would he be testifying against Angelo thirteen years later? I plan on getting hold of the accusatory instrument read at Angelo’s arraignment. Plus, if this CI really was a CI, and Winter needed him for Angelo’s arrest, then there’s a master file somewhere with his forms and registration number. I plan on getting my hands on that, too.”
“Matching a name with a CI registration number is a tall order. Especially in the D.A.’s office.”
“Not to worry. Even though those control officers are determined to protect their informers’ identities, I’ve got my contacts. I’ve also got Congressman Shore’s leverage. In the meantime, I’ll start out the easy way. I’ll call the Central Clerk’s Office and have them dig the Angelo case file out of storage. That’s a matter of public record. I’ll go over the trial transcript with a fine-tooth comb. When I find the witness testimony I’m looking for, that’s when I’ll call in my favors from the D.A. I’ll get a copy of this CI’s documents, or at least a couple of forms with his registration number, some basic info, and some dates on them. I’ll compare the details there with the details of his testimony. Believe me, I’ll be able to figure out if it’s the same guy.”
“You’re going to a lot of trouble to follow up on this angle. Who is this guy?”
“His name is George Hayek. He’s an international arms dealer.” Monty studied his son’s expression, saw no visible recognition. “I guess you didn’t cross paths with him in your overseas assignments. He lives in Europe;Belgium, I think. He’s made a fortune, selling weapons to foreign governments. Whether or not those deals are legit, I don’t know.”
“Is there evidence to say otherwise?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t get it. Why are you focusing on him in connection with the Winters’ homicides? What’s the tie-in?”
“Hayek’s arrest record. Not the sealed one. He had a previous conviction before the gunrunning incident. Nothing major, just an attempted car boosting. He got off with a couple of months’ time and community service. I got hold of that online booking sheet. Hayek made one phone call—to Lenny Shore.”
Lane did a double take. “Lenny? What’s Hayek’s connection to him?”
“Good question. But there definitely was one. Lenny posted Hayek’s bail. Which gives us an interesting link. Lenny is Arthur’s father. Seventeen years ago, Arthur was a state assemblyman and Jack Winter’s closest friend. And Jack Winter was prosecuting Carl Angelo, who I suspect Hayek was informing on for years and who testified against Angelo in court.”
“So the Winters’ homicides could have been an act of revenge.”
“It’s a distinct possibility. Or maybe Hayek ratted on Angelo to move up in the gun-trafficking world. It’s still all supposition. I need the D.A.’s records and the court transcripts. Most of all, I need to learn about what makes Hayek tick. I’m hoping I can learn that from Lenny Shore. I’m glad we’re eating at his place on Monday.”
“Me, too. This is starting to sound more exciting than my heli-skiing trip with the congressman later in the week.”
“Speaking of which, what happened the other night at the Shores’?”
“The evening was short, and pretty benign. Some vegetable drinks, some casual family photos, and a discussion of next week’s itinerary. Oh, and an invitation to Winshore’s holiday party. Apparently, Jill Shore thinks I need a life partner.”
Monty’s
“Someone cut a deal.”
“Sure looks that way. And this scum and Jack Winter must have built a long-term relationship, one that included testifying against Angelo at his trial.”
“Okay, so you’re figuring the guy was a confidential informer.”
“Had to be. If he wasn’t a CI, why would they drop the charges and seal the file? And why would he be testifying against Angelo thirteen years later? I plan on getting hold of the accusatory instrument read at Angelo’s arraignment. Plus, if this CI really was a CI, and Winter needed him for Angelo’s arrest, then there’s a master file somewhere with his forms and registration number. I plan on getting my hands on that, too.”
“Matching a name with a CI registration number is a tall order. Especially in the D.A.’s office.”
“Not to worry. Even though those control officers are determined to protect their informers’ identities, I’ve got my contacts. I’ve also got Congressman Shore’s leverage. In the meantime, I’ll start out the easy way. I’ll call the Central Clerk’s Office and have them dig the Angelo case file out of storage. That’s a matter of public record. I’ll go over the trial transcript with a fine-tooth comb. When I find the witness testimony I’m looking for, that’s when I’ll call in my favors from the D.A. I’ll get a copy of this CI’s documents, or at least a couple of forms with his registration number, some basic info, and some dates on them. I’ll compare the details there with the details of his testimony. Believe me, I’ll be able to figure out if it’s the same guy.”
“You’re going to a lot of trouble to follow up on this angle. Who is this guy?”
“His name is George Hayek. He’s an international arms dealer.” Monty studied his son’s expression, saw no visible recognition. “I guess you didn’t cross paths with him in your overseas assignments. He lives in Europe;Belgium, I think. He’s made a fortune, selling weapons to foreign governments. Whether or not those deals are legit, I don’t know.”
“Is there evidence to say otherwise?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t get it. Why are you focusing on him in connection with the Winters’ homicides? What’s the tie-in?”
“Hayek’s arrest record. Not the sealed one. He had a previous conviction before the gunrunning incident. Nothing major, just an attempted car boosting. He got off with a couple of months’ time and community service. I got hold of that online booking sheet. Hayek made one phone call—to Lenny Shore.”
Lane did a double take. “Lenny? What’s Hayek’s connection to him?”
“Good question. But there definitely was one. Lenny posted Hayek’s bail. Which gives us an interesting link. Lenny is Arthur’s father. Seventeen years ago, Arthur was a state assemblyman and Jack Winter’s closest friend. And Jack Winter was prosecuting Carl Angelo, who I suspect Hayek was informing on for years and who testified against Angelo in court.”
“So the Winters’ homicides could have been an act of revenge.”
“It’s a distinct possibility. Or maybe Hayek ratted on Angelo to move up in the gun-trafficking world. It’s still all supposition. I need the D.A.’s records and the court transcripts. Most of all, I need to learn about what makes Hayek tick. I’m hoping I can learn that from Lenny Shore. I’m glad we’re eating at his place on Monday.”
“Me, too. This is starting to sound more exciting than my heli-skiing trip with the congressman later in the week.”
“Speaking of which, what happened the other night at the Shores’?”
“The evening was short, and pretty benign. Some vegetable drinks, some casual family photos, and a discussion of next week’s itinerary. Oh, and an invitation to Winshore’s holiday party. Apparently, Jill Shore thinks I need a life partner.”
Monty’s
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