CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak
Joy
After getting our building permits, yesterday went by quickly. We met up with Big Man Lou and his team
at a small warehouse in Bismarck. He was a capo who worked under Cristos and was in charge of
handling Cristos’ team while he was away.
“We found a lead on the doctor who took care of you when you were hurt, JT,” Lou said while cing a
folder in front of us. “We suspect she’s in Bali, Indonesia. From what Primo found
outst night, the money trail from one of the Cohen’s bank ounts leads to an ount in
that country. The doctor reverted back to her maiden name after she and her husband were
divorced. As for the husband, we don’t know exactly where he is, but her name shows up at a local
money remittance center. We think her husband might be living near her.”
“At least we know where to find her. I already hacked into St. Elizabeth’s database and found that joy’s
medical files have been deleted. I doubt if there’s a printed copy at the records
section. The only reason why Theodore Cohen sends the good doctor money is because she has a
copy of the files,” Cristos said. “Have you hacked into the coroner’sputer?” Lou
nodded his head.
Everything on Joan Summers is there, but the coroner’s findings have already been doctored. Joan
Summers and Kimberly Smith share the same findings except for the date and time of death which are
consistent for a serial murder,” Lou borated. “I’m guessing the coroner keeps copies of his ‘true’
findings at home.”
“I think you’re right. But just like the Cohens, his house is like a fort. Did you find a money trail?” Cristos
asked. “He just bought a new Volvo for his wife.”
“No, we didn’t. We think the coroner is being paid in cash,” Lou said. “If you turn to page three, there’s
something we found in one of Daniel Williams’ files. It seems to be a spreadsheet set up for sales and
profits. Of what…it wasn’t listed. But whatever they’re selling has earned them a cool three million
dorsst month alone. Anyway, we’re still going through the files. When we find anything important,
you’ll be the first to know.”
“Well, I doubt if they smuggle in goods. I’m leaning more on the possibility of drugs. This is more of
Sebastian’s arena. I’ll see he gets the data. By the way, I need info on a Noah Jensen. I found this in
my car,” Cristos said, showing Lou a stic bag of a circr listening device
chopped up in pieces.
“This is your police standard issued listening device. Did this Noah Jensen put this in your
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CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak
car?” Lou asked.
“Yep. He was seated in the backst night and I found that underneath the backseat when I got home.
We also saw him snooping around Joy’s housest night,” Cristos said. “Lou, he pretends to be a
nobody, but now I have my doubts.”
“This means whoever is running the town has a hold onw enforcement. As for Noah. Jensen, he isn’t
a nobody. He’s someone trusted by someone up in the food chain to have stuff like this,” Lou said.
“What does he do for a living?”
“He’s a contractor,” I answered.
“Contractor? He can build aboratory without anyone knowing. I heard there’s a new residential area
just outside of your town near theke. They can make the drugs there and transport the drugs via boat
to the nearby towns and cities for distribution,” Lou spected.
“I’m beginning to think Noah deliberately withheld evidence and information when you were attacked,
Joy,” Cristos murmured as he looked through the files. “And your attack was probably ordered by
someone high in rank as an initiation of sorts. Why they targeted you? You must have witnessed or
heard ‘something or maybe your parents did. It was their way to
shut you up.”
“I’ll have to ask my dad,” I told Cristos. “I don’t remember ever seeing or hearing something
out of the ordinary.” This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
“What else do you need, Primo?” Lou asked. “Say the word and I’ll do it.”
“I need you to make an anonymous tip to the good Sheriff of New Salem through a burner phone and
get opera tickets for the coroner and his wife. Whatever else I need done is more Xavier’s arena. Just
get that info I need on Noah and all the people under his payroll,” Cristos said. “And monitor all activity
from Dan’sputer. I’ll hack into his home system so you can also monitor him from there.”
After our short meeting, Big Man Lou and his team disguised themselves as delivery men delivering
antique furniture. While Cristos and I set up the pieces of furniture in a spare room, Lou and his men
quickly set up my home security system. They were in and out in an
hour.
“Your security system is installed and it is time for me to head to the pub. Youing with or you’ll just
meet me there?” Cristos asked.
“Coming with. I need to pick up my car at Bo’s. I’ll just have one drink with Jack and head
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CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak
home. I need to get some sleep,” I said, yawning
“I bet you twenty bucks Jack is a no-show.”
Cristos won the bet. At the pub, Jack didn’t show up, but Lisa did. She said Jack and the Sheriff were
on a manhunt for the aplice of the Summers and Smith murders. I heaved a sigh of relief, thankful
the anonymous tip worked, and called it an early night..
In the morning, news spread that a fire erupted at Sheriff Combs’ house while he was out on a wild
goose chase. Xavier made sure whatever he took would never be discovered.
I stayed home the whole day. I did call Pete to check on their progress and he said they were on
schedule
It was almost six o’clock and I was waiting for Cristos to pick me up. I was wearing a white short
sleeved midi dress with a matching long white cardigan and white strappy sandals with a low heel. My
hair was up in a neat and tight bun, essorized with my favorite ded hairb.
Cristos called to tell me toe out before he entered the cul-de-sac. I punched in my security code,
then turned off the lights and locked the door. I nced at Noah’s house before climbing in Cristos’ car
and noticed his truck wasn’t in the driveway.
You nervous?” Cristos asked me. He was wearing a dark blue long sleeved polo shirt with haki chinos.
He looked simple, casual and dashing.
“No. But I would rather go out on a date with you,” I said, giggling. He patted my knee lovingly.
“Me too, honey,” Cristos said, driving to Prairie’s Peak. “Let’s just think of Liam as a third wheel. By the
way, I got the medical records of Laura Jensen, the autopsy report of Owen Jensen and some news
clippings about their ident. I also pulled out the school file of Peter McDowell. Apparently, he moved
here from Texas his freshman year in high school after his father died. Not much is in his file so I’m
going to do some digging.”
“Do you know where he lives?” I asked.
“At Hignd Oaks, the prime residential area where the coroner lives. His mom owns the local
pharmacy,” Cristos answered.
“They have
business?”
money,” I said. “So why is Pete working for Noah when he can put up his own
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13:35 Mon, Mar 25 M S
CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak
“That’s why I’m going to do some digging, Cristos replied. He nced at my hair and nodded
approvingly. “I know this isn’t your first rodeo, but are you ready?”
“Yes, I have liquidtex covering my fingerprints and hydrogen peroxide wipes to destroy DNA from
ss and utensils,” I said.
“And when we’re there, what should you
do?”
“Drink at the same spot so it will be easier to wipe off lipstick. Hydrogen peroxide wipes should always
be on hand to wipe ss and utensils if ever I have to leave them unattended. ce disposable seat
cover before peeing and add soap when flushing. Make sure not to y with hair, so there will be no
hair fall. If I sneeze, ce tissue in my purse, not in the trash bin. I think I got it,” I said.
“Good girl. With Liam, it’s always a da mn test,” Cristos said. “Since I’ll be the designated driver, I won’t
drink, just in case he drugs you. If he does, I’ll send out a 911 message to Sebastian and Xavier.”
If Liam does drug me, Xavier will kill him,” I said. Cristos chuckled.
“Seriously, if he does drug you, I’ll kill him.”
efore entering the estate, we needed to wait at the guard house for Liam’s phone call nfirming our
appointment. Once he did, the guard opened the gates and waved at us to
enter.
It was a steep and lonely climb up to the top of Prairie’s Peak where we found the magnificent chateau-
styled redbrick home, reminiscent of the 1920s art deco period…the time when the Cohens arrived at
New Salem.
The dark wood stained-ss doors opened to reveal a smiling Liam dressed in a white long sleeved
shirt under a dark gray vest with matching dark gray pants and leather shoes.
“There are usually guards out here on the grounds. I guess Liam told them to go elsewhere so they
wouldn’t freak you out,” Cristos said as he parked his ear. He flicked his fingers in the air while he fixed
his hair. “Well, time to get this show on the road.”
I opened the door, exited the car and felt the chill in the air. I quickly tightened my cardigan around my
body, shivering from the cold breeze blowing across the hilltop.
After securing his car, Cristos offered me his arm and guided me to the front doors of the mansion
where Liam stood with a drink in his hand.
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13:35 Mon, Ma
CHAPTER 43 Up to Prairie’s Peak
I tightened my hold on Cristos’ arm. I felt a sudden urge to inflict pain. There was no father and no army
to stop me. I could tie Liam up and y pin the tail on the donkey with a knife.
As we approached, Liam mockingly bowed at us.
“Wee to my humble abode.”
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Luna-Mom
This mayor thinks highly of himself
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