4
Jack pulled into the A&P parking lot half an hour early and set up watch from a shaded corner.
Around a quarter after he saw Levy's Infiniti enter, followed by a battered and dirty old Jetta. They parked in adjoining spaces, then Levy got out and spoke to the driver of the Jetta, a middle-aged woman. After a brief conversation, Levy returned to his car and the Jetta moved two lanes away where the driver had a clear view of the Infiniti.
A little research had revealed that Levy occupied the number two spot at Creighton, right below medical director Julia Vecca. Could the driver be Vecca? Seemed like a long shot. Hard to believe the medical director of a federal facility would drive around in a heap like that.
Whoever she was, what was she doing here?
Jack could think of a couple of ways to find out, but settled on the most direct.
He pulled on a pair of leather driving gloves, stepped out of his car, and walked the perimeter of the lot until he was behind the Jetta. Then he beelined for it.
She jumped and let out a short, sharp screech when he yanked open her door.
"You won't be able to hear a thing from here. Come and join the meeting. I don't want you to miss a word."
She stared up at him through thick lenses. Her gray-streaked brown hair managed to be simultaneously mousy and ratty. Her suit was wrinkled and her white blouse showed ring around the collar. She grabbed for her phone.
"I'm calling the police!"
He took her arm and gently pulled her from the car.
"No need, lady. We're just taking a short walk to your pal Levy's car over there, where we'll sit and get to know each other."
The fear in her eyes turned to annoyance as she allowed herself to be led across the lot.
Levy's eyes fairly bulged through the windshield when he saw Jack and his companion. He jumped out of the car and stepped toward them.
"Julia, I—"
Julia, ay? Thanks for the ID.
Jack waved him back inside. "Nothing's changed, doc. We've got a table for three now, that's all."
Jack opened the front passenger door and ushered Vecca into the seat, then climbed into the rear.
"Comfy," he said as he settled on the soft cushions. He shoved a gloved hand toward Levy. "Now, as they say at the Oscars: the envelope, please."
Without a word, Levy slapped it into his palm. Jack opened it and pretended to count, then stuffed it into a pocket.
"Okay. Now that that's out of the way, why are you here, Doctor Vecca?"
She jumped at the sound of her name, then turned in her seat and focused suspicious eyes on him.
"You know who I am? How? Have I been under surveillance?"
He winked at her. "I'll never tell. But you might consider washing your underwear between wearings."
That had been a guess but, considering her appearance, an easy one. She glared at him.
"I came here to get a look at the man who is blackmailing us. I must say, I'm not impressed."
"Then why didn't you simply arrive with the doc here?" When she didn't answer, he added, "Oh, I get it. You didn't want me to know you were involved. You need deniabilty so you can leave Levy in the lurch should this whole situation head south, right?"
Vecca reddened while Levy's neutral expression said he'd already figured that.
"And as for blackmail," Jack went on, "I didn't ask for this. I was offered."
"That's immaterial. Just make sure you do what you're being paid for—which is nothing."
"Or what? You'll sic Bolton on me like you sicced him on Gerhard?"
He was probing here, looking for a reaction.
"I've heard enough of this." She opened the car door. "Remember what I told you."
She slammed the door and stormed back to her car.
"1 do believe I've upset her."
Levy cleared his throat. "The only way to truly upset Doctor Vecca is to threaten her protocol. She's got a lot invested in this clinical trial.'"
"Enough to want Gerhard dead?"
"She did not 'sic' Bolton on Gerhard. I told you—he was with us the night you say Gerhard was murdered." He cleared his throat. "You mentioned oDNA last night. Tell me honestly: Where did you hear of that?"
"The stuff that doesn't exist?"
"It's obvious that you know it does, so I see no point in denying it. But where—?"
"Let's trade. You tell me about it and I'll tell you where I heard about it."
"You heard about it from Gerhard, didn't you."
"First time I ever laid eyes on him he was dead." Jack wasn't giving anything away. "You first."
Levy looked around the half-full parking lot. Vecca had putt-putted off in her junker.
"Let's move the car."
"Where?"
"I'll show you."
Jack leaned forward for a look over the backrest and saw Levy's RF detector resting on the console.
"Afraid somebody's listening?"
"No, of course not. I'd just like a change of scenery."
The RF detector was reading only background, but Levy could be worried about a laser eavesdropper—bounce a beam off a window and hear everything inside. Then again, he could have something arranged…
Jack reached back and pulled out his Glock. He held it low and racked the slide. The cartridge in the chamber popped out and bounced off the rear of the front seat. All for show, but the sound effect brought the desired result.
Levy said, "You brought a gun?"
"Of course." He pocketed the ejected cartridge. "Didn't you?"
"No! I don't even own one."
"Probably should. Okay, take us where you want to go."