The Tangled Web: an international web of intrigue, murder and romance by J.P. Lane Read Free Book Online

badge. I felt like a fool I have to confess. I had no idea I was so obvious.”
    “So the mystery man was your Detective Wallace.”
    “He was. And here’s where the plot thickens. When I asked why he wished to see me, he said Chief Inspector Palmer asked him to.”
    “Why wouldn’t Robert Palmer get in touch with you himself?” Peter asked with piqued interest.
    “That was my question. I mean, it’s not as if I’m a stranger to Robert Palmer. However, the detective’s explanation was Robert Palmer doesn’t think it’s a good idea to be directly in contact with the media at this time.”
    Peter’s cigarette stopped halfway to his mouth. “Why on earth?”
    “There’s been a threat on the Chief’s life it would appear.”
    “Good Lord,” Peter exclaimed letting out a low whistle. “Did you learn who threatened him?”
    “No, but he must have taken that threat seriously if he wanted the media to know about this, even if not directly from him.”
    Still astonished, Peter asked, “But who would have the unmitigated gumption to threaten the head of the Criminal Investigation Department?”
    “I suppose that’s where we come back full circle, Peter.”
    Peter stared at Lauren. “Are you saying you think the Matthews brothers are involved?”
    “I wouldn’t count it out. Detective Wallace was working undercover as a Customs inspector for a few months. He noticed every time a certain ship from Nicaragua arrived there would be an Indies Shipping vessel waiting for cargo at the same dock. It may have been a coincidence, or not. If it wasn’t a coincidence, it has to be taken into account that the Matthews brothers own and run Indies Shipping. Personally, I think it’s worth looking into.”
     
    The room hummed in silence for a minute before Lauren surmised, “The bottom line is the C.I.D had to have had a strong suspicion something illegal was going on if they went as far as to place an undercover man at the port.”
    “But narcotics smuggling is the domain of Customs. Why would the C.I.D. be involved?”
    “From what I understand, when it comes to narcotics investigations, there’s often a blurry line between the two. And that leads to another worrying thing. Wallace had proof Customs is on the payroll of whoever the culprits are. He was actually bribed to sign off on those shipments coming out of Nicaragua without inspection. That’s what made him single out that Nicaraguan ship in the first place.”
    Peter took a long drag as he lit another cigarette. “What you’re talking about is murder and narcotics trading on a grand scale, Lauren. That’s heavy stuff, especially if Customs is involved. That could mean there’s involvement at the government level. How high a level is the question.”
    “That’s exactly my thinking,” Lauren agreed, “And I’ll tell you why, Customs doesn’t appear to be where this ends. Detective Wallace said there’s reason to believe the C.I.D. has also been infiltrated.”
    Lauren shifted in her chair as Peter stared thoughtfully into space. “Unfortunately, there’s no concrete evidence,” he said at last. “Whoever is behind Wallace’s murder took care of that. Our hands are tied, I’m afraid. We can hardly print a story claiming a dead detective suspected cocaine is being transshipped out of the port. That would stir up a hornets’ nest, not to mention open Island News up to a libel suit.”
     
    Lauren did not respond at once. She regarded Peter with a resolute expression before she said calmly, “Please don’t expect me to drop this one, Peter. That would call for an extreme personality makeover. Detective Wallace’s evidence may be buried with him, but I intend to get to the bottom of this. I don’t know how I’m going to do that, but do it I will.” Before Peter had a chance to respond, she announced, “I’m going to a party at Gordon Matthews’ house, incidentally – on the pretext of covering the party.”
    “I strongly advise you not