Watch You Die Read Online Free PDF Page B

it seemed unlikely. How could historical artifacts possibly threaten today’s City Hall?
    “Unlikely, but anything’s possible. The factory’s been there since nineteen seventy-eight so the bones have been there at least that long.”
    “In your opinion, Abe, what are some other possibilities?”
    “It’s just an opinion, you understand that.”
    “Yes.”
    “Nineteen lots in this project, including this one, were sold to the developer, Livingston & Sons, by a company called Metro Partners. But Metro’s a dummy company – it’s a front for Tony Tarentino.”
    Tony T, as he was known, was a local mob boss. One of his lieutenants had been arrested on racketeering charges last year and his trial was about to begin in downtown Brooklyn’s federal court. For a few minutes last week it was the talk of the newsroom until we moved on to something else.
    “But it wasn’t an easy deal. The city had to intervene – help negotiate.”
    “Eminent domain battles are never easy.”
    “We expect that. But when Tony finally sold, it was at a considerable market value loss.”
    “Why?”
    A half-grin crooked Abe’s mouth and the sudden muscular shift cast his face in cynicism. Maybe not cynicism, exactly. Resignation. His was the disappointment of a public servant whose conscience was forcing him to discredit his own agency. At least that was how it seemed on the surface. I had never heard of Abe Starkman until today and couldn’t know if anything he was telling me was even plausible.
    “What was the deal?” I asked.
    “I don’t have any details right now, but I’m looking. Meanwhile it’s no secret that the mayor has encouraged his people to do everything possible to push forward redevelopment of the Atlantic Yards – it’s to be one of his signature legacies. And remember, he was a businessman before he got into politics; he doesn’t mind hopping into bed with a developer if it helps him get what he wants, better yet if no traces of the encounter are left behind. But helping to broker a deal with Tony T, well, that was bound to leave a mess, sooner or later – and here it is.”
    “Where are the bones now?”
    “Forensics storage. Shelved. Queens Property Clerk, voucher 12-84992.”
    I was meant to remember that but never would so I took out my pad and quickly noted it.
    “If they’re cold-casing it why stop work and why concoct a story?”
    “To make sure they’ve got all the bones. They’ll finish excavating so if they ever need the bones for future reference, they won’t have to tear down the building.”
    “Like for a RICO investigation that reaches past Tony T.”
    “Et cetera.”
    “But they’re not going to make it a priority to ID the bones now?”
    Abe shook his head. “The bones could point back to the Tarentinos. If there was something untoward about the deal for the land, and if the city tries to backpedal now, in light of these bones, on some presumed promise of leniency in the racketeering trial, then Tony T would be … unhappy.”
    “God forbid.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t want to be the person who made any promises.”
    “Were you?”
    “No.”
    “Who?”
    “I can’t be sure.”
    “Guess.”
    “That’s all I can tell you. At least three people were buried in this lot and we’ll never know who. Their families won’t have closure. That’s what bothers me so much, I think. And the possibility that after twenty-five years working my heart out for a city I love they would sell out to the bad guys for a real estate deal that’s going to make a few developers rich, and be the jewel in our mayor’s crown if everything goes his way. It disturbs me. And the scheming going into the cover-up – that disturbs me, too.” He wiped his forehead again and checked his watch. Tendrils of sunlight were reaching into the dark sky. He glanced over his shoulder at Flatbush Avenue. “Be very careful what you do with this.”
    “I will.”
    “But please don’t turn your back on it.” He