Judgment

16

They sat at a table in Dunkin’ Donuts away from the window.

“Where is he?”

“In an extended-stay corporate hotel,” Hersh said.

“Where?”

“Allston.”

“How’d you find him?”

“Combed databases for social links, credit card use, that sort of thing. I did what I did and it worked, let’s put it that way.”

“I’m impressed.”

“He doesn’t seem to leave his hotel room. It’s strange.”

“But you know he’s there?”

He nodded.

“He’s a lawyer in Chicago, and he really is from Argentina. Went to St. George’s school in Buenos Aires, undergrad at Tufts, law degree from Northwestern. And he has a twin sister in Miami who’s hooked on opiates. OxyContin, that sort of thing. About a month ago, she was arrested, charged with forging drug scripts for OxyContin. Which is a felony offense. Would have meant prison time.”

“Would have...?”

“Right. Here’s what’s interesting. Two days ago, all charges against the sister were dropped. Without prejudice.”

“Without prejudice,” she repeated.

“Yes.” That meant the charges could be reinstated at any time. “So what does this tell you?”

“That she’s on the hook. Maybe he’s being coerced. By some powerful forces.”

Juliana looked at Hersh for a long moment. His mournful eyes, lines deeply carved around them. Finally she said, “What’s his address?”

He gave it to her. “But I don’t want you going there — in fact, I strongly advise you not to see him alone.”

“Why?”

“The man may be dangerous.”

“It sounds to me more like he’s desperate.”

“Desperate people can be dangerous. That’s exactly my point.”

Juliana took her phone out of her purse and stood up. “I hope you’re wrong.”