Judge, Jury, & Executioner

Chapter 15

Of course the FBI's involved.

Maddox stood amongst the group of men discussing the issue at hand. Captain Doyle among them. The precinct was buzzing as everyone discussed it.

They were discussing the egg shells Maddox and Drake would have to walk to investigate the case. They didn't care Reaves was involved because if the case was thrown out it would help the Nickels. That, and they hadn't mentioned he was involved.

Maddox cleared her throat as all the men kept talking in their boisterous voices barely able to hear the others with them. Reaves sat next to her desk talking with Drake. Reaves had had no idea who the Clovers were. It was a rather dumb nickname though.

There were multiple mobs. They come and go. But some mobs stick around longer than others. The Clovers has been in New York for fifty years. Slowly building themselves up to where they are today. One of the most feared mobs in New York.

The nickname started in the eighties. One of their guys was found dead with a jacket with a four leaf clover on it. The detective involved shortened it to clover and then he began referring to the other mob members as Clovers. Hence the nickname stuck. As stupid as it was.

Mull shut the others up long enough to speak. "We know for a fact that Greg did not have any contact with anyone about murdering jurors. But whoever did is probably working for the mob. And we have a good idea as to who," Mull explained to Doyle.

"Who?" Doyle Asked.

"The Executioner."

The Executioner? Maddox had never heard of anyone by that name before.

"The what?" Doyle added more confused.

"A Clover hit man. He's been killing jurors using suicide in other cases. This is the fifth case he's done it in. Remember the Carter Pine case?" Mull said.

Maddox recalled it. One of the jurors snuck a pistol into the deliberation room and shot all the jurors. It had been a messy case. Carter Pine got a mistrial, but the case was rescheduled for later this year.

"The Executioner was behind that? Is that how Benjamin Draught got the gun?" Drake asked.

"We're pretty sure. The security cameras goofed for twenty minutes and he placed the gun inside the room in that time," Mull answered.

Reaves stood up and walked to the group. "So, the Clovers are after the Nickels and using this Executioner to try and get a mistrial to make Dominic and Greg and the others look guilty? But now that we've figured out their play they'll have to change tactics won't they?" Reaves asked.

"Technically they don't know we know. But, the Clovers aren't gonna rest till the Nickels are in the Hudson," Mull explained.

"Why?" Maddox asked, interrupting all of the men.

They looked at her as if she shouldn't speak. Except for Mull, anyway.

"Because the Nickels started skimming cash and other items from the Clovers and keeping it for themselves. When they found out, they were furious. So Greg came to us for a deal," Mull answered.

"That's not the answer. If that was the case, they wouldn't be tampering with the jury in hopes the case gets thrown out," Maddox replied.

"Unless they were trying to make it look like the Nickels were actually behind it," Reaves added.

"Which would explain the bank transfer and why it was so easy to trace," Maddox said stepped towards him.

"Which means we need to take a closer look at the mob."

"Exactly how do you plan on that? They're not gonna tell you who the Executioner is," Mull replied.

"Obviously. But they might let something slip as a way of finding him. Or, we might get a tip on how to get the people who hired him-" Maddox began.

"And then get them to flip on him in an effort to save themselves," Reaves interrupted.

Maddox nodded along as he said it and Mull scoffed.

"A cop, and B rate writer are gonna take down the Clovers, I'd pay money to see that," One of the agents joked.

"This cop and B rate writer took down the Chameleon. Who happened to be under your guys' nose the whole time," Maddox started back before grabbing her coat.

"New York times Best Selling author. If that's what you meant by B rate. Best rate," Reaves added.

The agents stood in silence, more annoyed than anything at their remarks. (Or at least Maddox's.)

Mull looked at Doyle and then gestured towards Maddox.

"If they interfere with our investigation I'll have your job and hers," Mull threatened.

"Go ahead. I seem to recall having the mayor on speed dial," Doyle replied. "How do you think he'd like the people who brought a serial hit man into their own office and then single handily nearly let him slip away, trying to get my detectives off of this case? Cause I don't think he'd be very happy with it."

"I'm calling Washington."

"And I'll call Lincoln and see if he has anything to say."

Mull tolled his eyes and stomped towards the elevator. His fellow agents followed. Greg Nickels among them. Maddox looked at Drake who was staring at Cooke in the conference room.

"Drake!" She yelled scaring him. "Dig up whatever dirt you can on any of the members of the Clovers we have information on."

"Okay yeah, I'm sure Cooke can help with that," Drake said before practically running off to the conference room.

Maddox watched him for a moment before shaking her head.

"Do you think he likes her?" Reaves asked.

"No, he's just friendly," Maddox joked.

"Really?"

Maddox held in the smirk and walked towards the elevator. For having a teenage daughter, you are very oblivious at time.

"So is the bet off?" Reaves asked.

"Yeah, not exactly much we can bet against," Maddox replied.

They both kinda laughed and then Maddox's smile faded. It was the impossible bet. There was no way he could figure it out. No possible way. She looked at him and his expression was the same.

"Would've been a close competition though," Maddox said.

"Please, I would've beaten you by a mile," Reaves replied.

"Really? You're that cocky?"

"Yes. But I guess we'll never know since the bets off."

"Unless it wasn't."

"What? You still think it's possible to compete to see who can solve this?"

"Heck yeah."

"Your on."

Maddox pressed the door close button and smirked as they closed. Alright hot shot. This ends now.