The Big Gamble - Michael Mcgarrity [77]
Kerney doubted it would happen on his watch, but he’d started the planning process anyway in hopes that the concept would survive and eventually come to fruition.
In the first-floor headquarters conference room, he met with Sal Molina, Ramona Piño, and Jeff Vialpando, the APD sergeant, and Helen Muiz, who was present to take notes. Detective Piño summarized the information she’d gained about Cassie Bedlow, Sally Greer, Thomas Deacon, and Adam Tully.
Vialpando explained why Tully’s club was a target of investigation, and made a pitch to let him use Piño on a temporary undercover assignment. Kerney tabled the request until later in the meeting.
Molina added some preliminary information about Norvell’s Colorado business dealings. Then Kerney went over what he’d learned from Mark Shuler and the anonymous letters.
“Maybe we’ve got a hard target,” Molina said.
“Maybe that and a whole lot more,” Kerney said.
“Let’s back up and outline everything we now know.” He moved to the easel at the end of the table and flipped open a newsprint pad. He wrote:
NORVELL & TULLY—BOTH FROM LINCOLN COUNTY, WHERE MONTOYA’S BODY FOUND.
COLLEGE YEARS—NORVELL AND TULLY RUN GIRLS, SELL DRUGS, ETC.
MONTOYA ACCUSES NORVELL OF DRUGGING & SEDUCING COUSIN FOR SEX TRADE PURPOSES.
NORVELL & TULLY BOTH MOVE TO DENVER AFTER COLLEGE. TULLY OPENS PLAYERS CLUB, NORVELL STARTS A MEDIA ESCORT AND SECURITY SERVICE.
MONTOYA KILLED AFTER NORVELL RETURNS TO NM & IS ELECTED TO STATE SENATE.
Kerney stopped writing and turned to Sal Molina. “Fill us in a bit more on Norvell’s Colorado years.”
“Like I said, Norvell’s company supplied cars and drivers for celebrities who were in town for concerts, book signings, media events, and movie and television productions. He also provided private security for them, as well as for concert promoters and film companies shooting on location.”
Molina pulled a piece of paper out of a file. “It was incorporated in Colorado as Five Partners Enterprises, solely owned by Norvell. That’s all I have, so far.”
“That doesn’t sound like a way to make a fortune,” Kerney said.
“But the company name is interesting,” Ramona said. “Tully’s business in Albuquerque is incorporated as Five Players.”
“A coincidence, I’m sure,” Kerney said.
“Add one more,” Jeff Vialpando said. “Cassie Bedlow’s agency is on the books as Five Stars Enterprises.”
“Hold on,” Sal Molina said as he quickly flipped through his notes from the Denver PD. “Here it is. Belinda Louise Nieto was murdered outside The Players Club in Denver.”
“Surely, it’s just an unrelated circumstance,” Kerney said, writing it down.
MONTOYA’S COUSIN KILLED OUTSIDE DENVER CLUB OWNED BY TULLY.
“Three different companies incorporated as Five Players, Five Stars, and Five Partners,” Kerney said. He tore off the sheet of newsprint and taped it to the wall. “Tully, Bedlow, and Norvell. Who are the other two?”
“Silva and Barrett attended Tully’s grand opening in Albuquerque,” Vialpando said.
“Okay, they’re possibles,” Kerney said.
“And what about Luis Rojas, the ex-college jock?” Ramona asked.
“We know nothing about him yet,” Kerney said, shifting his gaze to Helen Muiz. “Let’s start a things-to-do list, Helen. Personal and business background checks on Silva and Barrett. Locate Rojas and do the same.”
He returned to his chair while the officers stared at the list on the wall.
“If Norvell killed Montoya to keep her from exposing him, you’ve got motive, Chief,” Vialpando said. “But what about opportunity? Can you place him in Santa Fe at the time of the murder?”
“Or at Tully’s Denver club, the night Belinda Nieto was killed?” Ramona added.
“That’s two more things to do,” Kerney said, nodding at Helen, who