Page 41 of Fighting for Mallory

Faith scrambled from the closet and held out the flash drive.

“Not quite an iPad, but close enough.”

“Is there anything here we can plug it into?”

“No. Let’s go to my office and see what’s on it.”

An hour later Faith and Judd listened in disbelief to a conversation Andre Lapeno had recorded between Bentley Hayes and Senator Keane.

“We had a deal, Senator Keane. You support my bid for governor, and I help you with that dirty land development deal you cooked up with Olson & Associates. Evicting low-income people from their homes so you can build a swanky high-rise complex for the rich is not going to look good for you.”

“It will improve the neighborhood,” Senator Keane argued.

Bentley laughed. “Yes, for your cronies who will snatch up the property as soon as units are available. I’ll take the heat for it as long as you return the favor.”

Silence fell between the senator and Hayes for a moment.

“All right, Hayes. What do you want?”

The rest of the conversation outlined in detail what Hayes expected from Senator Keane and ended with an agreement between them.

“Wow,” Faith commented. “So, this is what got Lapeno and his family killed. But I’m skeptical that Hayes or Keane ordered a hit.”

“There’s only one way to find out. It’s time to pay Senator Keane a visit.”

They learned from the senator’s executive assistant that he was playing golf at the Bel-Air Country Club. When they arrived at the prestigious country club, Judd flashed his ID to get inside. Fortunately, he and Faith were wearing appropriate clothing, otherwise they wouldn’t have been allowed entrance. Within a few minutes, they found Senator Keane enjoying cocktails at the bar with his golf buddies.

“Excuse me, Senator. Sorry for interrupting, but I need to speak with you. This is Faith Stoker. Is there somewhere private where we can talk?”

The senator slid off the barstool. “Of course.” His congenial tone belied the annoyance shining in his eyes.

Judd and Faith followed the senator outside to a quiet area hidden by thick bushes and lovely shade trees.

“What’s this about, Mr. Morgan?”

“It’s about a conversation Andre Lapeno recorded between you and Bentley Hayes which, we believe, led directly to the Lapeno family murders.”

“Refresh my memory. Hayes and I had dozens of conversations Lapeno could have overheard.”

“All right.” Judd played the conversation he’d downloaded onto his phone.

Senator Keane’s face turned a bright shade of red.

“Care to comment?” Judd asked.

“Not in front of her!” The senator pointed a finger at Faith.

“Then you won’t mind if I escort you to my office?”

“Am I under arrest?”

“No. I’m trying to find out who murdered the Lapeno family. You might have information that will help us solve this case.”

“If you’re concerned about this going public, don’t be,” Faith reassured him. “There’s something bigger going on than a dirty senator making deals that favor the rich. You’re old news.”

His face flushed again. “What do you want to know?”

“Did Lapeno confront you and Hayes with this recording?”

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