Gifts From The Kasbah, Robert F. Clifton [suggested reading TXT] 📗

tell me about Philip Spencer and Emma Prescott?”

Amina laughed. “Really Captain. You may look upon this aging Berber woman from the Rif mountains of Morocco and think of her as backward and uneducated, but you'd be wrong. I've lived in the United States long enough to know what it takes to survive in business, any business. All one really needs is an excellent accountant and an excellent attorney. Jabar and I have both. Our attorney has

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explained the governments case against us and at the same time informed us how a plea deal works in the American judicial system. So, our knowledge of the activities of certain Mexicans and Americans, including Philip Spencer and Emma Prescott will remain between us and our lawyer. I hope you understand”.

“Wallace smiled. “Certainly Mrs. Himidi, but you can't blame an old cop from trying. Thank you so much for talking with me. You're free to go”.

“Not at all. And may I say you are a gentleman”.

“Thank you Mrs. Himidi”.

After Amina Himidi left Wallace turned to Stiles and Myers and said, “There goes a very smart woman, not only smart in a business sense, but also in the ways of life. Alright, let's get Spencer in here then we can finish up and get out of here”.

Carol Myers opened the door and seeing the guard posted in the hallway asked for Philip Spencer to be brought to the interrogation room. “Sorry Miss. That prisoner is probably in court with his attorney. His lawyer is filing a writ of habeas corpus.”

Myers rushed back to the room and gave Wallace the information.

Captain Wallace walked over to the wall with the electric outlet and unplugged his tape recorder then started packing everything into the large brief case.

“Looks like his lawyer is one step ahead of us”, said Stiles.

“Like hell. Think about it this way, The Kasbah is closed. Where else can he go? Only one place, home. Spencer's lawyer just put his client in our jurisdiction, Nautilus Beach”. When I'm ready for him, we'll pick him up. Meanwhile, we keep digging”, said Wallace.

Back at headquarters Captain Wallace called for Detective McKenna.

When the young officer reported Wallace handed him a large, manila envelope. “inside of this is a half burnt piece of paper. To me it looks like an invoice.. I can't make out what it's for, but you're going to find out for me. I was able to get the zip code. It's 07416. That's Franklin Township, New Jersey. As far as I know there is only one plant nursery there. Show the paper. If it's one of their invoices I want to know what was shipped and to who. Take my unmarked car tomorrow morning”.

“Yes sir”.

“And sign for the evidence.”

Later that evening Robert Wallace sat relaxed on the living room sofa in Doctor Manfred Edwards home. The pathologist sipped a scotch and soda while Wallace nursed a beer, taking occasional sips from the brown glass bottle.

“So, you think this is the one”, said Edwards.

“Yep”

113. “Seems to me that, what was her name? The college professor?”,asked Edwards

“Deborah”

“Oh yeah, Deborah Roth, seems to me that you thought she was the one”.

“At the time I thought she was”.

“Then, after her there was the newspaper reporter”.

Wallace smiled, remembering the time in Tobago. I never said she was the one”.

“After her, there was the nurse”.

“Too independent and combative. However. Excellent in the sack”.

“And the realtor”.

“Again, an independently wealthy widow, too serious and wanted to remarry”.

“And, now, what's her name?”

“Jane”

“Jane. And according to you, she's the one”.

“Yep”.

“What makes her different from the others that you insisted was the one?”

“I can give you a million reasons. A few are, sophisticated, educated, smart, beautiful, young enough to bare children and most importantly, she puts up with my bull shit”.

“Oh, well that settles it. If she can put up with your bull shit you better marry her. Those in your past couldn't and those in your future won't. Hell, go down town tomorrow and get the license before she gets away”.

“I haven't asked her yet”.

“Why not?'

“I'm afraid she will say, no”.

“I thought that you just said that she is sophisticated, educated and smart”.

“I did”.

“Then she will definitely say no”.

Wallace laughed. “You could be right. OK. I'm going home. As they say, tomorrow is another day”.

“Are you getting any closer in solving these cases?”, asked Edwards.

“Closer? Yes, inch by inch”.

“You are always in a hurry. Don't rush. When you do that, mistakes are made.”

114. “Yeah, I know. Good night Doc”.

“Good night”.

 

After a good night sleep, Wallace walked into his office. As usual he carried the white paper bag containing coffee and donuts for members of his squad. Things had changed since Carol Myers joined the unit. Now the bag contained one Styrofoam cup of tea and a plain muffin with butter. He sat eating at his desk when Frank Stiles walked in, reached into the bag and took one coffee and one donut.

Stiles took a seat and then looking at Wallace said, “I hate to tell you this Cap, but you're putting on weight”.

“It's because I quit smoking. If it keeps up I'll have to go on a diet. If that happens, no more coffee and goodies in the morning”.

“Speaking of goodies, would someone pass me my tea and muffin”, said Myers as she walked into the office.

Looking at the clock on the wall and then at Myers he said, “Are you just getting in? It's eight fifteen”.

“I've been here since seven forty five Captain. I was talking to some of the girls downstairs and I went to the ladies room. If anyone missed roll call it's McKenna. He's not in yet”.

“He's better be on his way to Franklin Township”, said Wallace.

His conversation was interrupted when the telephone on his desk rang.

“Major Crime Squad, Captain Wallace”, he said when he answered the phone.

“Captain, this is James Walker, United States Attorney here in Philadelphia. I understand that you are investigating two homicides and that Jabar and Amina Himidi are persons of interest in your investigation. Is that right?”

“Yes it is”.

“Well, to bring you up to date, the Himidi's have agreed to a plea bargain. Now, it is my understanding that Amina Himidi wishes to talk to you. You of course can refuse to talk to her or you may come up here and see what she wants to tell you. I'm only letting you know that she wants to communicate”.

“Thank you. Can I see her today?”

“We have no problem with today or for that matter any day that you would prefer”.

“By tomorrow she might change her mind. I'm on my way. Thank you Mr. Walker”.

“You're welcome.”

Wallace hung up the receiver and looked at Myers who was sipping her tea. “Carol, when you are finished go down to the desk sergeant. Have him bring in a radio car off of the street and have them transport you to the police garage. When

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you get there, check out an unmarked car and schedule it for a trip to Philadelphia. Then, come back here and pick me up”.

“How about me Cap? Do you want me to go with you?”, asked Stiles.

“No. What I want you to do is find out if Philip Spencer is in town. If he is I want to know where he's living so we can pick him up when we're ready”.

A civilian employee knocked on the office door even though it was open. “Come in”, said Wallace.

“Sorry to bother you Captain, but I have mail for you”, said the male clerk as he handed Wallace a white envelope”.

“Thank you”, said Wallace. He took the letter looked to see who it was from then using the letter opener on his desk sliced the top opening the envelope. He reached in and removed a type written document, unfolded it and leaned back in the high back, leather chair. As he read, a slight smile formed on his lips. “Excellent”, he said aloud. He got up from the chair walked around the desk and placed the letter in the Kerr file. Turning to Myers he asked, “Are you ready?”

“Yes sir”, she answered as she got up and left the office carrying the cup of tea with her.

Turning then to Stiles he said, “I'll probably be gone all day. You run things here. That means you keep the nosy press off of our ass. If the prosecutor or his staff call you don't know anything. Same thing with the State Police. By now they're pissed off because the feds made a bust and they weren't invited. If they give you any trouble hang up on the bastards and I'll deal with it later. Most important, I want to know where Spencer is living”.

“No problem Cap”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chapter Fourteen

 

The uniformed guard at the United States Detention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania opened the heavy steel door of the interrogation room allowing Amina Himidi to enter. The woman wore the handcuffs on her wrists and the rolled up pant legs of the orange jump suit. By tradition she wore the multi colored hijab that covered her head and as she entered the room she looked at Wallace and said, "Good morning Captain. I prayed that you would have a safe trip coming here to see me"

"Good morning Mrs. Himidi. I trust you remember Detective Myers".

"Yes I do. how are you my dear?"

"I'm fine Mrs. Himidi", answered Myers.

"I brought you a little something. A cup of Moroccan coffee and a few almond brioust. Now, i made sure that the coffee was made with orange blossom water, but I was told that the orange water was added to taste. As far as the

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milk goes, I was told that milk is optional when drinking. so, i had them put the milk on the side," said Wallace.

"How nice of you to bring me a treat. i am sure that who ever prepared the coffee used the correct amount of orange water and then brewed it strong. As for the brioust, I will wrap them in this napkin and enjoy them in my cell. Thank you very much".

"You are quite welcome. Now, it is my understanding that you and your husband have agreed to plea bargain with the United States Attorney's. Is that correct?"

"Yes it is. and, let me get right to the point as to why I wanted you here. You see, the Spencer boy went before a judge yesterday and is out on bail. My lawyer has told me that he has agreed to testify against Jabar and me. Well, since he chose that path to walk down I have decided to make his trip a little less satisfying. at this moment, on this day I will answer your questions pertaining to the death of the two girls".

"Do you know who killed them?"

"Not exactly. I can tell you this. It wasn't Jabar or myself. I have the feeling dear Captain` that you yourself know who the killer is, but you don't know why the girls were killed."

"And you can give me the motive?"

"Oh yes", said Amina then took a sip of her coffee. "My that is good. Where did you get this?", she asked.

"The Fez Restaurant on Second street".

"Ah yes, I've heard of it. Now i know that you want to know why Betty and Gloria were killed. You see, Jabar, ignorant when it comes to a lack of schooling became an expert on growing marijuana and later the manufacturing of hashish. I am sure that by now you know that we made contact with the Mexicans. From them we were really interested in their supplying us with heroin. However, for us to buy their heroin we had to also buy a certain amount of marijuana. That was no problem. You see over time the Mexican business here in New Jersey became so large that they needed a place to exchange the money they made. I think you call it money laundering. it was they that offered us the money to build and operate the Kasbah. They wanted business as usual, but in addition they