Page 113 of The List

He pointed to the files lying on the floor. “That’s what those were for. You’ve got several cases against us. I told my office I was coming over to discuss settlement. I didn’t hurry or do anything suspicious. So if somebody was following me they didn’t see anything unusual.”

“And I come here all the time,” Hank said.

“Let’s hope they’re sufficiently confused to still not know what to do.”

Brent reached into the envelope and removed the recorder. “You ought to listen to this.”

Greene and Hank listened. Afterward, they read the two remaining sheets.

“These guys are amazing,” Greene said. “They’ve taken the concept of a company town to its most logical extreme. They own or control most of the really profitable local businesses, along with banks and the credit union. And they’ve always had a hand in the hospital and convalescent center. It’d be easy for them to know everything there is to know about somebody.”

“You almost sound like you admire what they’ve done,” Brent said.

“Not at all. But you have to marvel at the ingenuity.”

“They killed my father.”

Greene held up his hands. “I know. I get it. I’m sorry as hell about that. But to stop this, we have to understand it. They’ve become the ultimate self-insurer. A guy works thirty years, retires, and expects a pension and his medical bills paid. Instead, he gets knocked off by some goon in the night and everybody just thinks he worked too hard. Bad heart. Weak kidneys. Tragic accident.”

“Was your father ill?” Hank asked.

“Not that I knew of. But he liked to keep things to himself.”

“I used to wonder about people,” Hank said. “Men I worked with for a long time retiring, then dead within a year or two. But you’re right, Lou, I just thought it went with the territory. The mill’s a tough place to work. It’s hard on the body.”

“The vast majority died on their own, Hank,” Brent said. “According to Bozin only about two thousand were killed. There must have been tens of thousands of people who’ve worked for Southern Republic. They can’t kill ’em all.”

Hank shook his head. “Bastards. When I was mayor the company always insisted that some of their people serve on the council. Same was true at the county, especially on the board of tax assessors. Lee would push me hard to make sure there was some element of political control always there. But these guys didn’t need looking after.”

“I’d imagine that was all for show,” Greene said. “A certain pretense would have to be maintained. But a few tax breaks and some undervaluation of property wouldn’t hurt the bottom line either. Those were little favors you could easily deliver. If they hadn’t asked, you’d become suspicious.”

“These three SOBs are mass murderers,” Brent said, talking like the prosecutor he used to be. “We need to do something. Now.”

“Bozin is right,” Greene said. “Drawing attention to them is the key. But I’d stay away from the local press and local law enforcement. We don’t know how far Southern Republic’s reach is. It would be logical to assume they’d have friends there. Atlanta is the place to spring this.”

“You got somethin’ in mind, Lou?” Hank asked.

“This room could be bugged,” Brent said.

Greene shook his head. “There’d be no reason to bug this office—until now. And yes, Hank, I do have something in mind. I have a friend from law school who works in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta. I also know a couple of reporters with theConstitution. I have to be in Atlanta Monday and Tuesday for workers’ compensation hearings at the state board. The trip’s been planned for some time, so it won’t raise any eyebrows. While I’m there I can get this stuff to the right people.”

Brent immediately didn’t like the idea. “That’s putting you in the line of fire with the rest of us. I can go straight to the Fulton County DA.”

“I’m already in the line of fire thanks to you two coming here today.”

“They’ll probably put a tail on you now,” Brent said.

“Maybe. But I’ll be careful. I always drive, that’ll give me time to see if I have an escort. And I’ll go straight to see my friend tomorrow.”

Brent shook his head. “I don’t want to involve you.”

“I’m already involved. Besides, it’s the only practical solution. There’s no way you two would ever make it to the police or the press. This De Florio would be all over you. And don’t forget about your families. You can’t risk them. You need to keep the other side in a state of confusion. Go about your business. If they’re watching, there won’t be anything to arouse suspicion. Sure, they kill. But they kill carefully. It’s planned. Not spontaneous. By tomorrow, I’ll have this stuff to the right people. After that, they wouldn’t touch either of you.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Hank said.

He didn’t like it. Not at all. But the reference to his mother struck home. Not to mention Ashley and Lori Anne. “Okay. But let us know the minute you make contact.”

“I’ll call Hank,” Greene said.