Damage Control

By Renee Benzaim

Annie Avants turns her back on her Southern roots and becomes a homicide detective in Kern County, California.

Her partner, Tom Weston, suffers his own life tragedy when his wife is killed on live camera TV during a bank hostage situation gone bad.

Jesse Greyeyes wants to be DA and he wants Annie, but his Native American roots make him both arrogant, defensive, and unsure of himself.

Laine DelMonte, Chief of Technical Investigations has a secret she's kept hidden and is always looking over her shoulder.

Can this diverse group solve random serial killings in Kern County, California?

DECEPTION - POWER PLAYS - MURDER

Detectives Annie Avants and Tom Weston tackle one of the most perplexing murder mysteries since they began working together.

The crime victim is a local, well-respected attorney who has gone missing.

There's not much criminal evidence to go on. His car was found an hours drive out of Bakersfield with blood on the passenger seat.

No body has been found.

His staff is in a quandary. He had a new trial scheduled to begin the next morning. Everything was set to go.

And then, he just disappeared.

A mysterious package left in the restroom of the Kern County Courthouse leads our detectives to believe that the attorney is dead.

And now. . . another person has gone missing!

Will our detectives find the answers before a media frenzy erupts in the Kern County/Bakersfield area? Will the FBI be called in to help? Will they come to understand the kinds of criminal minds that lead someone to be a serial killer and narrow the list of suspects?

This fast-paced crime fiction detective thriller will keep you reading well into the night to find out 'who dun it?"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renee Benzaim
• Release date: Sep 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301413652

Renee Benzaim

Renee Benzaim was born in Wenatchee, Washington, but grew up in Northern California. She wrote her first short story when she was in the third grade and discovered her love of putting words on paper.Her novels include the popular Detective Annie Avants crime fiction series, which is set in Kern County, California. Annie has become very popular with readers and some call her the next "Nancy Drew". She will publish the fifth novel in this series in the Summer of 2016.Her other books include Coyote's Song, the story of a five-year-old Miwok Indian girl who disappears. Ten years later, a reknowned writer sets out to solve the mystery of Evangeline's disappearance.In addition, Renee has written three non-fiction books: How to Make Compost; Salsa!; and Can Men Get Yeast Infections?She lives with her husband in a home and gardens surrounded by a stone wall. This small piece of paradise is the home of an ever=growing number of cats and one shaggy dog.

Book preview

DAMAGE CONTROL

Detective Annie Avants Mystery Series #2

By

RENEE BENZAIM

CONTENTS

Title Page

Table of Contents

Dedications and Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-One

Chapter Fifty-Two

Chapter Fifty-Three

Chapter Fifty-Four

Chapter Fifty-Five

Chapter Fifty-Six

Cast of Characters

Recipes

Renee's Story

What's Next for Annie & Tom?

Thank YOU!

Copyright

DEDICATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To my husband, Aziz - for all the reasons why

To Clyde and Nicolette - for more reasons than I can count

To my nephew, Melvin Copenhaver, who left this world too soon

There are so many people who helped make this book what it is. I know I'll forget some of you, and I apologize in advance:

A big Thank You to my sisters Vanery Dyer and Dorcee Rechtfertig, and my sister-in-law Isabelle Dyer, who relentlessly pointed out my errors! I appreciate it so much.

I can't forget my grandson, Ryan Robertson, who is always cheerful and keeps me motivated. He will be a famous chef one day and will write fantastic cookbooks!

Many people in law enforcement were only too ready to answer my questions. I want to extend a big Thank You to all these wonderful, dedicated men and women!

My friends on Google+ who are members of the Crime Writers Panel have been a source of constant motivation and up-to-the-minute information.

CHAPTER ONE

Sunday

16 September 2012

3:00 PM

The three cousins sat around the table sipping their drinks. It was early afternoon and they had just finished their mid-day meal.

Is everything in place? the first cousin asked.

Yes.

And you're sure you want to do this alone? the second cousin said.

I am sure. It is my revenge and I must exact it myself.

You are right, of course. Call us when you are ready and we will meet you to finish up.

* * *

Sunday

16 September 2012

6:30 PM

The attorney leaned back in his expensive leather chair, steepled his fingers under his chin, and thought about his day. The sun was just setting and he could see the far distant mountains from his 10th floor office. He paid little attention to the beauty outside his floor-to-ceiling windows, however.

He enjoyed coming in on Sunday to do the final opening statement when he had a trial that started the next day. Superior Court was just across the street from his opulent offices.

He didn't mind paying the transcriptionist, Maleah Leaupepe, overtime to come in on Sunday to transcribe his tape and then listen to his presentation. She had a good ear and didn't hesitate to tell him when some phrase or other didn't sound right.

Her background was commendable. She had finished her Paralegal Training before coming to work for him and would step into a paralegal slot soon. In fact, one position had just opened up in his department when he fired Chloe Zamora. He was considering Maleah for that position. She was learning a lot - and quickly - by transcribing all the documents from the different attorneys at the firm. She would go far, of that he had no doubt.

Now, the last step was finished for his court date tomorrow. His lead paralegal, Blayze Jentry, had done her work well. The exhibits, trial binder, and all the various papers that they would need in court were already packed up and organized. In the morning, she would arrive early and transport everything over to the courthouse in preparation for their trial.

Life was good. He was in control.

Well, he said to no one in particular, I guess it's time to take care of a few other loose ends and then head home for a relaxing evening with a good bottle of wine.

He glanced out of the window just as the sun sank below the mountains. He walked over to the window and put his hands on the glass, warm to the touch. He looked down over the city sprawled below him. Bakersfield had been good to him, even though it wasn't a major city like Los Angeles or San Francisco. He liked the small-town ambiance and the connections he and his relatives and ancestors had cultivated over the years.

On that note, he turned and headed out the door.

When he arrived earlier, he parked his car in its assigned spot in the multi-level parking garage. Security guards staffed the structure, and a special key card was needed to open the gate in order to enter or leave. The golden rays cast shadows throughout the garage, bathing everything in a pleasant golden glow. His was the only car on this level.

He left the parking garage and headed west on Truxtun Avenue, towards California Avenue, and the 99 Freeway. Before he could go home and enjoy that delightful bottle of wine, there was an unpleasant personal matter demanding his attention.

CHAPTER TWO

Monday

17 September 2012

8:25 AM

Where the hell is Conrad? Blayze yelled into her cell phone as she stood in front of the Superior Courthouse building on Truxtun Avenue, just across the street from their offices. It was 8:25AM and the court clerk would call their case in just 35 minutes. Blayze had everything set up - Conrad's opening statement laid out neatly on the table just in front of his chair - but the attorney wasn't here. He always arrived at least forty-five minutes before giving his opening statement in a new case.

Has anyone heard from him yet? No? Have you tried all his numbers and places he might be? When she got negative answers to all her questions, she flipped her phone closed in frustration.

Would the Court sanction him? Could she talk to the judge privately and try to get a switch with another case? Not likely, she thought. They weren't happy with the judge they had drawn to start with and he wasn't enamored with Conrad. In fact, the judge just flat didn't like Conrad and would be looking for an excuse to impose a sanction or even charge him with contempt of court.

No sense asking if co-counsel could read Conrad's opening statement, either, she thought. Oh, where the hell is he, that bastard? I'll have his balls for breakfast if he's off somewhere with some cutey and forgot about Court!

Blayze had a good relationship with the Court Executive Officer, so she headed back inside to find him and see what he thought. If she couldn't find Conrad fast, she would have to go back into the courtroom and face the music.

* * *

Detective Annie Avants, from the Robbery/Homicide Unit of the Kern County Sheriff's Office, didn't realize that a twisted journey into the depths of murder and depravity would begin with a simple visit with one of her favorite paralegals.

Annie all but skipped down the steps of the courthouse. She had just testified in a case that was a 'no brainer'. At the conclusion of the presentation of the closing arguments by both parties, the jury received the case and retired to the jury room to deliberate. She didn't think it would take them long to reach a guilty verdict.

She glanced to her left and saw her friend, paralegal Blayze Jentry, sitting on a bench in the shade, looking as glum as Annie could ever remember seeing her. Blayze was a very vibrant person, and outspoken to boot, and it was unusual to see her even sitting still, let alone so glum.

Hey Blayze, Annie said as she walked over to her friend. What's the matter? You look like you've lost your best friend.

Maybe I have, Blayze said. We have a case that was scheduled to go to trial this morning. Conrad came in yesterday and prepared his opening statement - brilliant, of course - and left it on my desk. I came over here at 8:00 AM and set everything up. Conrad never showed up and we couldn't locate him. I don't know what to think. I don't know whether to be mad or worried.

Has he ever done this before? Annie asked. She knew Blayze did most of the work and Conrad got all the credit in their department. Annie didn't have a lot of respect for Conrad, and neither did a lot of other people.

Well, not like this. He's been late and sometimes he's forgetful, but we could always reach him and set him on the right path. This time, no one knows where he is. We know what time he left the parking structure last night, but what he did after that is anybody's guess.

Hmmm, Annie said. Do you think he's sick or hurt somewhere? Maybe he drove that fancy car of his off the road and no one can see it. Is it too soon to start looking in earnest?

I don't know what to do. I've got an appointment with the managing partner at 1:00 PM and we will come up with a plan of action if we haven't heard from Conrad by then. Can you imagine the media frenzy if we file a Missing Persons Report? I don't even want to think about it. I even called his ex-wife in Seattle to see if, for some unknown reason, he was there, or she had heard from him. But he wasn't there, and she hadn't heard from him. Now, I've got her worried. God, what a mess.

C'mon, Blayze, Annie said as she stood up. Let's have brunch. It'll take your mind off of this for a while. Maybe he'll show up before we finish. What did the judge say?

What could he say? He recessed for two days, very reluctantly, and the prosecutor wasn't at all happy. If Conrad hasn't shown up in two days, we have to have one of the other partners prepped to take over. It's that simple. The client has nothing but time on his hands since his injury, so a couple of more days won't matter to him.

After their brunch, Annie walked Blayze back to her building and waited while she called upstairs to see if anyone had heard from Conrad. No one had, so Annie and Blayze parted company.

Don't forget to call me, Blayze, if you hear anything, Annie said as she walked to her car and headed for the Sheriff's Office on Norris Road.

CHAPTER THREE

Tuesday

18 September 2012

10:00 AM

Have you heard any more news about Conrad Denenberg's disappearance? Tom said to Annie as she plunked her leather messenger bag down on her desk.

I talked to Blayze briefly yesterday outside the courthouse, but she was in a funk and didn't know anything new. I haven't heard a word from her since then. I'm hoping no news is good news, but I think she would call me if he turned up.

I know they mainly handle personal injury lawsuits, but explain to me what exactly they do? Tom said. What was the trial that was scheduled to begin yesterday about?

"The attorneys are mainly high-powered personal injury lawsuit attorneys. Conrad Denenberg is one of the most successful and sought-after attorneys in that field.

"They represent plaintiffs in both high profile and low profile cases. They even do pro-bono work.

"They're a well-respected firm and are good at what they do. Most of the cases they handle are settled before they ever go to trial.

"The defendants they deal with are, for the most part, insurance companies.

"Here's a simple example. Suppose you caused a vehicle accident and someone in the other vehicle was seriously injured. If you had, for example, State Farm Insurance and the injured party went to a law firm and filed a claim, the law firm would sue the insurance company for the limits of your insurance coverage.

"Now, most insurance companies, when they are notified that one of their clients has been involved in an accident and is most likely at fault, will immediately contact the injured party and attempt to settle quickly - usually for their medical expenses. Once the injured party has retained an attorney, however, the paralegal sends the insurance company a letter stating that the injured party now has legal representation. At that point, the insurance company can no longer contact the injured party directly, but must go through his or her attorney.

The law firm will be able to get the insurance company to cough up a lot more money for legitimate issues. They will include lost wages, future lost wages, present medical expenses, any future medical expenses that may be necessary such as plastic surgery, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, pain therapy, and anything else that's appropriate.

What's loss of consortium? Tom said.

Annie blushed. I knew you'd ask that as soon as the words were out of my mouth. First off, in California, two people have to have a valid marriage before the non-injured spouse can file a claim for loss of consortium. Most people think it just means loss of sexual activity, but it also includes damages resulting from the non-injured spouse's inability to enjoy the same love, affection, and companionship that was part of their life before the spouse's injury.

Oh. So, what was the case at hand about? Tom asked.

It was a tragic oilfield accident. The right side of the injured party was mangled and he'll never be out of a wheelchair again. Most of his right side, up to and including part of his pelvis, was removed, and the accident was caused by a faulty piece of equipment. The insurance company for the petroleum company that hired the man offered a two-million-dollar settlement, but the law firm is going after a lot more than that.

So, they're not your typical 'ambulance chasers' that you hear so much about?

As far as Blayze is concerned, they do a lot of good and help people who wouldn't normally get a fair shake.

Well, I hope that the attorney who is standing in for Denenberg is up-to-speed on the case.

Blayze will know every little detail of the case and everything was already prepared, including the opening statement. I talked to someone at the courthouse this morning and he told me that Kris McNabb will be standing in for Conrad Denenberg. She is extremely competent. She'll have spent as much time as she needs to get up-to-date on the case. Blayze will be right there by her side in the courtroom. There shouldn't be any continuity problems.

Yeah, now all they need to do is to find Denenberg.

CHAPTER FOUR

Thursday

20 September 2012

8:30 AM

Thursday morning when Annie sat down at her breakfast table to glance at the Bakersfield Californian and see if there was any interesting news, she was stunned to see the headline: Prominent Bakersfield Attorney Missing with all the details about Conrad's life and disappearance.

She immediately picked up the phone and called Blayze.

Hi Blayze, Annie said.

I guess you saw the morning paper, Blayze said. We really didn't have a choice but to report it. It's been over three days since any known contact. They've checked out his credit cards and cell phones to see if there's been any activity, but they found nothing. I'm getting a bad feeling about this, Blayze said.

So, what's happening with the case that was on the calendar for last Monday?

"One of the other senior partners, Kris McNabb, is now counsel of record for this case so the trial is going on as planned. We went into court yesterday morning for opening statements after Kris filed the paperwork for a change of counsel, which was approved.

"We were going to file a Motion for Continuance, but Kris had already reviewed the case and saw no need for a continuance other than the two days the court already granted.

The jury was already selected, so that's not a problem. All the exhibits had been lodged at court and everything was frickin' ready. Just, no attorney.

Annie could tell that her friend was crying, in fear and frustration.

I just don't know what I'll do if something bad has happened. I've worked with him for so long. I don't think I could work for anyone else, especially not Kris McNabb.

Don't get ahead of yourself, Blayze. There still may be a simple explanation for the whole thing. He could be somewhere with amnesia. I'm sure the police are checking everything and everywhere.

Yeah, they're very thorough. Well, I'd better get back to work and make sure everything is ready for this afternoon. Judge Elroy Flowers isn't going to cut us any slack, and the slightest mistake will not be pretty to behold.

Annie crinkled her nose. Is that who you drew, Judge Flowers?

Yes, unfortunately. He and Conrad have a history and don't have much respect for each other. The judge wasn't happy. At least, he appeared unhappy. He probably went into chambers and clapped his hands in glee thinking that Conrad had really screwed up this time.

Just keep your hopes up, Blayze. That's all you can do at this time. Dwelling on negative outcomes won't help one way or the other.

I know, Annie, and I'm blessed to have friends like you that I can dump on without feeling guilty.

Call me and keep me posted if you get a minute, Annie said, as she bid her friend good bye with a heavy heart.

CHAPTER FIVE

Saturday

22 September 2012

1:00 PM

Annie, Jesse, and Tom pulled up in front of the large home of Noura's parents. Noura Zapata was one of Annie's best friends and had gone through a bad time during the last month.

Noura was always secretive about her family and even Annie never met anyone other than her husband, Jorge, and her son, Estefan. When Noura and her cousin, who was a Bakersfield Police Department Patrol Officer, had hidden evidence critical to a trial Annie and Tom were involved in, everyone was shocked.

Noura had a younger brother, Tito whom she dearly loved. She would do anything for him. When he convinced her that his friend Manolo Alcantar was on trial for a crime he didn't commit, she eventually believed him. Her boss at the time, Mitchell Stephens, a noted defense attorney, was defending Alcantar.

What Noura did, even though it conflicted with her ethics, was have her cousin go to the evidence room and hide the knife which was the crucial piece of evidence in the case. When the evidence couldn't be found, and the chain of custody was broken, the jury had found Alcantar not guilty.

Noura's conscience plagued her, but her brother was important to her so she rationalized her actions.

Now, however, this had backfired on her. After Alcantar was released, he and Tito had been involved in a robbery of an East Side Crip, and the Crip gang member had been killed by Alcantar. Both men were now in jail.

Noura eventually confessed to Annie what she had done and there was a review by the District Attorney, Sheriff/Coroner, and Chief of Police. Noura left her position as lead paralegal for Mitchell Stephens and was told she could not work as a paralegal in the criminal law field, at least not in Kern County. She eventually went to work for an attorney friend of Jesse's, Eric Stone, who practiced intellectual property law.

Her cousin was forced to resign.

The two men, if convicted, face unknown complications if they are jailed in a prison that houses members of the Crip gang. They are members of the Southside Bakers, a Hispanic gang in south Bakersfield.

Noura had to live with the fact that if she had not manipulated the outcome of the first trial, her brother would not be in jail awaiting trial on robbery and accessory to murder.

Relations between Annie and Noura had been strained after the meeting with the District Attorney, but when Annie was kidnapped by the black widow serial killer, and Noura realized that Annie could have died, she visited Annie in the hospital and they reunited.

Noura's mom, whom Annie had never met, sent a big basket of Mexican food to Annie at the hospital and Noura said they were planning a big Piñata party in the fall and wanted to invite Annie, Jesse, Tom, Laine and Noelle so they could finally meet all of Noura's family.

In the interim, Annie and Noura had resumed their weekly lunches and their friendship was back to normal. It took a while for Annie to understand Noura's betrayal, but she eventually understood the old maxim that blood is thicker than water.

Both Tito and Alcantar were in the pre-trial phase of their individual cases. Both men were being defended by Public Defenders. Their trial was scheduled to start in the near future and Noura wasn't looking forward to the outcome. She still loved her brother, but was heartbroken by his lies to her to get Alcantar freed the first time.

Therefore, today was a milestone in Annie's life. Right after Annie was released from the hospital, she briefly met Noura's mother and thanked her for the great food, but she hadn't seen her since. Noura told her all about her family - her brothers and sisters -

Reviews for Damage Control

[catya77 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second multiple murder investigation/mystery staring Detective Annie Avants and her partner Tom Weston. The legal profession, specifically at one firm, is under attack by a killer. While this can be read as a stand alone novel, I would not recommend it. To get the full enjoyment, as well as understanding of the characters and references to previous events, reading the prior novel helps. It also shows a fuller development of the characters and the relationships with each other and their society/reality.The narrative is heavily researched and detailed while not being obtuse, heavy, or boring. Even when told from multiple points of view, it flows seamlessly with the twists and turns the mystery demands. There was only one instance which caused me some pause.Characters are more fully developed in this second installment than in the first, but perhaps that is because of my familiarity with them. New and interesting characters are also introduced.Overall, an exciting read!