Beyond Suspicion

“Katrina?”

“Hello, Jack.”

Last Jack had heard, Katrina had helped the feds piece together computer records from Viatical Solutions, Inc., and identify more than a dozen Mafiya-controlled viatical companies, thereby preventing any further suspicious deaths and expedited payoffs. With both Yuri and Vladimir dead, however, the focus of the overall money-laundering investigation had shifted elsewhere, taking Katrina off the hook. It was evident to Jack that she’d resolved to return to a normal life.

Katrina said, “This is my friend Alicia.”

Jack looked at Theo and said, “What’s going on here?”

“I just thought you and Katrina should get to know each other better. Especially since, you know, she and I have become such good friends.” He put his arm around her, pulled her close. They were suddenly making eyes at one other.

“You mean you two are…”

“Does this surprise you?”

“No, no. Not at all. What better way to start a relationship than by putting a gun to a man’s head and kidnapping him?”

“She saved my life.”

“Technically, yes. But wasn’t it a little bit like setting your house on fire and then calling the fire department?”

Katrina’s friend said something to her in Spanish. Jack knew it wasn’t intended for his WASPy ears, but he understood every word. For effect, he answered her in Spanish. “You’re right, Alicia. I’m no Brad Pitt. But once you get to know me, I usually turn out to be slightly smaller than the biggest asshole you’ve ever met.”

Her shock was evident. “Wow. Your Spanish is really good.”

“His mother was Cuban,” said Theo.

“Wow. Your Spanish really-”

“I know, I know. It sucks.”

The way he’d said it, it was clear that he’d been through that routine a thousand times. The reaction was delayed, but finally the four of them shared a little laugh. The ice had broken.

Katrina said, “Can I buy you a drink, Swyteck?”

Jack thought for a minute, then smiled. “What the heck.”

Theo’s band was tuning up on stage. “My gig’s up. Time for me to blow.”

“Just a sec,” said Jack. “How about playing that Donald Byrd song for me. You know. The one from the album, Thank you for…”

“Fucking up my life?”

“That’s the one.”

The threesome laughed, to the exclusion of Katrina’s friend. They alone knew that it was the album Jack had requested when Katrina was holding Theo hostage.

“I’ll play it,” said Theo. “But only if you promise not to make it your theme song.”

“Just this one last time, and that’ll be it.”

“Then what?”

“Who knows?”

“That’s such a great thing, isn’t it? If you ask me, it’s the only way you know you’re alive.”

“What?”

“The fact that you just never know.”

Jack wasn’t quite sure what he meant.

“I’m right, ain’t I?” Theo said with a wink. Then he grabbed his saxophone and ran to the stage.

Jack still didn’t get it, until Theo took center stage and drilled them with the sax, an overly sharp note worthy of Ke

He smiled and thought, You’re exactly right, buddy. You just never know.

Acknowledgments

Beyond Suspicion is a sequel to my first published novel, The Pardon. That first Jack Swyteck story was a true labor of love that came into being only after I’d spent four years, nights and weekends, writing a big, fat, multigenerational murder mystery that now collects dust on a closet shelf. Six novels later, I have to say that the best part about returning to my debut was the time spent reflecting on a point in my life when I didn’t have time to start writing until eleven o’clock at night, and when I wouldn’t stop pecking away until long after Tiffany had fallen asleep on the couch with the latest draft pages spilled at her side. Thanks, Tiff, for being there when it all began, and thanks for putting up with me all these years later.

A big thank-you goes to my editor, Carolyn Marino, and my agent, Richard Pine. Both were early fans of The Pardon, and both have left their mark on Beyond Suspicion. I’m also grateful to my team of first readers who endured some very rough drafts, Dr. Gloria M. Grippando, Cece Sanford, Eleanor Rayner, and Carlos Sires. Probate attorney Clay Craig lent his usual expertise, Patrick Battle and Joseph N. Belth provided insights on viatical settlements, and the World Federation of Neurology offered a wealth of information on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The people who helped most with my research wish to remain anonymous, which is perfectly understandable in the case of cops who work undercover. Their insights into the growth of Russian organized crime in South Florida were invaluable.

Finally, character names are often a pain to come up with, so I want to thank Mike Campbell and Jerry Chafetz for making my job easier. Through their generous contributions at fund-raising auctions for the benefit of St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School in Coral Gables and for The Gold-Diggers Inc. of Miami, they have lent their names to two of Jack Swyteck’s buddies in Beyond Suspicion.

About the Author

James Grippando is the bestselling author of A King’s Ransom, Under Cover of Darkness, Found Money, The Abduction, The Informant, and The Pardon. He lives in Florida, where he was a trial lawyer for twelve years.