“Exactly,” Casey replied. “Joe Deale. I doubt that’s a coincidence. Nor is the fact that Bennato recently repaved the parking lot and playground of Krissy’s elementary school. Joe worked on that project.”
There was a long moment of silence.
“How is it you have access to all that information?” Guy asked in a clipped tone.
“That’s not important. I just do. I also know he’s at the Laketown Bridge right now, working on a repaving job.”
“Let’s bring him in—now.” Peg was already at the door as she spoke.
Hope was thoughtful for a moment after the handful of agents peeled out. Her brows were knit together in concentration.
“Bennato,” she murmured. “Edward, didn’t you represent someone by that name a while back?”
Edward cleared his throat. “More than a while. Over a decade.” This was one he clearly wished his wife had forgotten.
“Was it the same Bennato as the one Casey is referring to?”
“Yes, Hope, it was. Tony Bennato. But I represented him on a domestic, not a business matter.”
“What kind of domestic matter?” Casey asked at once.
“A rather complicated divorce.”
“Really. That’s unusual, considering you’re not a matrimonial attorney.”
Edward bristled. “There were some criminal charges involved. Bennato’s ex was suing him on charges of assault and ongoing physical abuse. It was a high-profile case for me at the time. So I took it.”
“And you won, of course.”
“I did.” Edward’s jaw was working. “Any organized crime allegations didn’t impact my defense preparation. Nor were they a factor in the trial.”
“How much were you paid?” Hutch inquired. He and Grace had stayed behind to continue their behavioral analyses, while several of the CARD team members and investigative agents had taken off to bring in Joe Deale.
“How would I remember that? It was over ten years ago.”
Hutch gave an offhand shrug. “I’m just curious if Tony Bennato paid you by check or cash.”
Hope shifted a bit at the question, uncomfortably lowering her gaze.
Edward was far less subtle and far more vocal. “Are you accusing me of something, Agent Hutchinson?”
“No. I’m just trying to establish the nature of your business relationship with Mr. Bennato.”
“I defended him,” Edward said. “He was found to be innocent of all charges. Further, he walked away with most of his monetary assets. He was happy. I was happy. Our relationship ended there. And I’ve had no contact with him since.”
“Wow,” Casey commented. “That must have been some defense you mounted.”
“I’m an excellent attorney, Ms. Woods. My reputation speaks for itself.”
“Indeed, it does.”
Casey made sure to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. Still, from the corner of her eye, she saw Ashley—who was standing in the far corner of the hallway—wince. The poor girl obviously thought Casey was making a veiled reference to Edward’s infidelity. The truth was, that was the last thing on her mind. What she was thinking was what a sleazebag Edward was, and how she wouldn’t dismiss the prospect of his own mob dealings.
“The fact is, Tony Bennato would have no reason to hold a grudge against me,” Edward was concluding. “And, if he did, he wouldn’t have shelved it for ten years. Krissy wasn’t even born when I handled his case.”
“Point taken,” Hutch replied. “Unless there were some under-the-table payments involved. Those tend to prompt very long memories, and very high expectations. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Edward’s only response was a glittering stare.