Deadly Dining, Page 3

  Chapter 3

  Paula Waters

  The next day Paula called a friend at the DA’s office to find out what was happening on the Bellucci case but was told there were no serious suspects yet. She read all the newspaper accounts of the incident and watched the video at least a dozen times. She was on edge waiting, hoping someone would call her. She loved high profile murder cases and couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into this one. Finally, just before lunch she got the call she’d been hoping for.

  “Hi. This is Paula Waters.”

  “Paula. This is Emilio Bellucci. Stan said I should call you if the police acted like I’m a suspect.”

  “Yes. He told me you might call. What’s the situation?”

  “They just arrested one of my waiters, Ricardo Ricci. He was the waiter who served the Parmesan cheese to the customers who died.”

  “Really? Have you talked to him? Does he have any idea how the cheese got laced with poison?”

  “Yes. I asked him about it and he claims not to know.”

  “How long have you known him?”

  “Since he was a boy. I know his father. He’s a good boy as far as I know.”

  “So, does he want to hire me?”

  “Yes, but he doesn’t have any money. I’m going to have to pay your fee.”

  “What about his family?”

  “They are poor.”

  “Hmm? Well, that’s very nice of you, but it could be rather expensive if he is charged with murder.”

  “I know, but he’s my employee and my employees are like family. I can’t just let him hang in the wind, as they say.”

  “So, you believe he is innocent?”

  “Yes. I think so.”

  “Okay. Where did they take him?”

  “To the police station downtown. They left about ten minutes ago.”

  “Alright. I’ll go down and bail him out. I’ll have a bail bondsman call you. You’ll have to guarantee his bond.”

  “Of course. Thank you, Paula. Stan has said some good things about you. I hope you can get to the bottom of this. I’m sure Ricardo had nothing to do with it and I’d like to find out who did this and why.”

  “Yes. That’s going to be the key to Ricardo’s defense. We have to get to the truth.”

  Paula hung up and gathered her things to make a trip to the police station. She hoped she’d get there in time to keep him from being put in the jail’s general population. She didn’t want to be at the police station until midnight trying to get him out on bond. She told Maria to alert her bail bondsman that they’d need his services and to give him the pertinent information for Ricardo Ricci’s bond. When she got to the police station she went up to the intake desk.

  “Hi, Molly,” she said.

  Molly Rogers was an old friend. They’d met in high school but hadn’t become good friends until Paula started working in the DA’s office and had to spend a lot of time at the police station.

  “Hey, girl. Who are you looking for?”

  “Ricardo Ricci.”

  “Oh, my! You picked up a triple homicide?”

  “Yes. It’s my lucky day.”

  “I guess so. How did you pull that off?”

  “Oh. You know Stan. He attracts murder cases like a mule attracts flies.”

  They both laughed.

  “Well, you lucked out. Your guy is still being processed. I suppose you want to see him.”

  “Yes, indeed. Could you get him for me?”

  “Sure, just as soon as they’re done with him.”

  “Thanks,” Paula said and went over to a bench and took a seat. While she was waiting she called their bondsman, Roger Rand. Stan had actually hooked up with Roger in his very first criminal case years earlier. Stan was representing a pretty travel agent in a bankruptcy who got arrested at her creditor’s meeting for mail fraud. Since she was broke and didn’t think her court-appointed attorney was doing a good job, she sweet-talked Stan into taking it over, putting up her bond and getting her out of jail. Of course, it wasn’t long before the client disappeared, leaving Stan on the hook for the bond. Paula shook her head in dismay every time she thought of how stupid Stan had been to guarantee the bond. Luckily, it all worked out in the end as Stan tracked down his client and managed to prove her innocent.

  “Roger.”

  “Hi, Paula.”

  “How’s our bond coming?”

  “Well, the best I’m going to be able to do is half a million. Your client’s benefactor is a little short on collateral.”

  “Well, I hope that will be enough. With three victims, I’m not so sure.”

  “I tried to get them to go to a million, but my underwriters don’t think your guy’s restaurant is worth much anymore.”

  “Yeah. They may be right. Thanks Roger.”

  Paula hung up and then decided to call Stan and brief him on the situation. She knew he’d want to start working on the case the minute they’d been hired. It was important in murder cases to get off to a fast start because witnesses had a tendency to disappear quickly or their memories would fade over time.

  “They arrested Ricardo?” Stan asked. “What motive could he possibly have for killing these customers?”

  “I don’t know. It’s seems hard to believe he would do something like this. He’s damn near part of the family from what Emilio says.”

  “Well, see what our client has to say about it and let me know. In the meantime I’ll talk to Emilio and see if he had any disgruntled employees, aggressive competitors or others who might have been behind this.”

  “I will. Talk to you later.”

  As Paula hung up Molly waved to her. She got her stuff and came over to the counter.

  “Room 2. They’re taking him there now.”

  Paula nodded and walked over to visiting room two, went inside and took a seat in the booth where a thick glass partition separated the prisoner from the visitor. There were several slits in the glass to allow sound and air to go through. Two minutes later Ricardo Ricci was ushered in and took a seat.

  “Hi, Ricardo. I’m Paula Waters with Turner and Waters. Emilio hired our firm to represent you.”

  Ricardo nodded. “Why did they arrest me? I told them I didn’t poison the Parmesan cheese.”

  “I don’t know. How long did they talk to you?”

  “About an hour. I told them I didn’t know anything.”

  “So, they must have some evidence against you otherwise they wouldn’t be charging you with capital murder.”

  “They kept asking me who hired me to kill the customers.”

  “So, how did you respond?”

  “I told them the truth. Nobody hired me to do anything.”

  “Did they say why they thought you were hired?”

  “They searched my apartment and claim to have found $10,000 in cash in a shoe box under my bed.”

  “Claimed? So you don’t know how it got there?”

  He laughed. “No. If I had known it was there I would have spent it. I could have really used the money.”

  “So, does anyone have a key to your apartment?”

  “No.”

  “Have you had anyone over lately?”

  “Sonia Bennett, my girlfriend, is over all the time and my cousin Rudolph stopped by last weekend.”

  “I’ll have to talk to them.”

  “Sure. I can give you their numbers.”

  Paula wrote down the names and numbers. “How much do you earn at Emilio’s?”

  “Eight dollars an hour.”

  “And do you have a lot of expenses?”

  “I have a lot of credit card debt, almost $40,000 and I’m behind on my apartment rent.”

  “Okay, so they think you did it because you were desperate for funds?”

  “Probably.”

  “How did you get in so much debt?”

  “My sister got real sick and I borrowed on my credit cards to pay her medical bills.”

  “So, how is your sister now?”


  “She’s much better.”

  “Good. . . . Okay, don’t talk to anyone from now on, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “There will be a bond hearing in a few hours and the judge will want you to enter a plea and then your bond will be set. I’ll be there with you. When the judge asks you your plea, just say you are not guilty.”

  Ricardo nodded.

  “Hopefully the judge won’t set the bond too high so we can get you out of here today. Have you ever been arrested and charged with a criminal offense?”

  “No. A couple traffic tickets is all.”

  “And you have lived in Dallas all your life?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Then keep your mouth shut and I’ll see you at the hearing.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Waters.”

  Paula walked out of the booth just in time to see Roger Rand coming in. She walked over to him.

  “So, you have my bond?”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he said and handed her an envelope. “Just get your guy to sign it and it’s good to go.”

  “Thank you, Roger.”

  “So, how does it look?”

  Paula frowned. “It looks like someone set Ricardo up. Ten thousand dollars mysteriously ended up in a shoe box under his bed. The DA is going to claim that someone paid Ricardo to lace the Parmesan cheese. Unfortunately Ricardo was desperate for money, so it’s a credible motive.”

  Roger shrugged. “Well, I’m sure you and Stan will figure it out.”

  “I hope so,” Paula replied with little confidence in her voice.

  “Watch out when you leave. The media is outside in force.”

  “Oh, really?” Paula said looking toward the door with a grin. “Thanks for the heads up.”

  Roger left and Paula went over to say goodbye to Molly.

  “So, what do you think?” Molly asked.

  “He’s been set up but whoever is responsible did a good job, so I’m going to have my work cut out for me. Right now it looks like I’m going to have my first press conference. Thanks for getting the word out.”

  “Anything for you, girlfriend, but you do owe me lunch.”

  “No problem. I’ll call you.”

  Paula turned and strolled toward the front door to face the media. The moment she stepped outside reporters and cameramen surrounded her.

  “Ms. Waters, do you think your client is innocent?” a reporter asked.

  “Yes. Absolutely, he was obviously set up. He didn’t even know the victims and he was like family to Emilio and would never have done anything to hurt him.”

  “Who do you think set him up?” the reporter asked.

  “That’s a good question. We don’t know right now, but we intend to find out.”

  “Is it true ten thousand dollars in cash was found under your client’s bed?” another reporter asked.

  “That’s a rumor I have heard, but I haven’t been able to confirm it one way or another.”

  “Do you know who will be prosecuting the case?” a third reporter asked.

  “No. But we’ll find out this afternoon at the bail hearing. . . . That’s all for now,” Paula said feigning irritation. “Thank you.”

  Paula turned and walked briskly away from the media to the garage elevator. When some of the reporters tried to get in the elevator with her she gave them a dirty look and waved them off. Reluctantly they backed off and let the elevator door close. From the police station Paula drove to the West End where she met her husband, Bart, for lunch.

  Bart worked for the DA’s office so Paula could often get a heads up on what they were throwing at her. She hoped Bart had something good for her today.

  “So, how did the interview go?” Bart asked.

  “Well, he claims he doesn’t know how the poison got mixed into the cheese, or how $10,000 in cash ended up in a shoe box under his bed,” Paula replied.

  “Really? Do you believe him?”

  Paula shrugged. “He seems sincere, but I don’t know him well enough to know if he’s telling the truth or lying through his teeth. He did admit he was broke.”

  “So, how is he paying for your services?”

  “His boss is paying. Apparently Emilio has known him since he was a child and has complete faith in him. So, for now I’m going to presume he is innocent and focus on finding out who would have had motive to hurt Emilio by destroying his business.”

  “Well, I’m afraid the DA has assigned his number one prosecutor on this one.”

  “Rutledge?”

  “Right.”

  Brian Rutledge was a ruthless prosecutor who had a near spotless record when it came to prosecuting murder cases. He was the odds on favorite to take over for the sitting DA when he decided to retire or moved on to higher political office. Some thought he might even challenge the DA in the next election if he thought he had a chance at unseating him.

  “Oh, well. With a case like this the DA had no choice but to put his best man on it.”

  “There was talk the DA might prosecute it himself, but I think he was afraid of the consequences if he lost.”

  Paula laughed. “Got him scared, do I?”

  Bart smiled. “Scared, worried, I don’t know, but they’re definitely not going to underestimate you like they have in the past.”

  “They better not,” Paula said. “There’s nothing I’d like better than to kick Rutledge’s butt.”

  Bart smiled. “I’d like that too. He’s a genuine prick.”

  After lunch Paula drove to the Frank Crowley Courts Building where the bond hearing was to be held. The courtroom was packed with reporters waiting to get their first glimpse of Ricardo Ricci, a man who had allegedly laced Parmesan cheese with poison and then delivered it with a smile to four patrons knowing it might kill them. By evening some in the press would be calling him such things as the ‘Waiter from Hell’ and ‘Ricardo the Reaper.’

  Paula walked briskly to the defense table. She nodded to Rutledge who was already seated at the prosecution table. The bailiff, seeing her, brought Ricardo over and told him to sit next to her. A few moments later Judge Amos Anderson took the bench.

  “All rise,” the bailiff said.

  Everyone stood up while the judge took the bench. “Be seated,” Judge Amos said. Everyone sat back down while the judge studied his docket sheet. “Alright, the State of Texas vs. Ricardo Ricci.”

  Rutledge stood up. “Brian Rutledge for the State.”

  Paula rose. “Paula Waters for the defendant, Ricardo Ricci.”

  “Alright, Mr. Rutledge. What do we have here today?”

  “Your Honor. Mr. Ricci is charged with three counts of capital murder under Chapter 1 of the Texas Penal Code §19.03 and one count of criminal attempt under Chapter 1 of the Texas Penal Code §15.01. The prosecution believes Mr. Ricci is a flight risk and opposes bond.”

  “Alright. Ms. Waters. Is your client prepared to enter a plea?”

  “Yes, Your Honor,” Paula replied and motioned for Ricardo to rise.

  “Ricardo Ricci. You are charged with three counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder. How do you plead?”

  Ricardo stiffened. “Not guilty, Your Honor.”

  “Very well,” the judge said. “Mr. Rutledge, why do you think Mr. Ricci is a flight risk?”

  “Well, Your Honor. Mr. Ricci is single, owns no real estate in Texas, has no substantial assets and since this is a death penalty case he would have a strong motive to flee the jurisdiction of this court.”

  “Ms. Waters? What do you have to say about that?”

  “Your Honor. Mr. Ricci is a native of Dallas. He has family here, he has no priors and just because he is poor is no reason to deny him bond. Besides, he has never traveled outside the U.S. and doesn’t even have a passport. We would request a modest bond.”

  “And what would you consider modest, Ms. Waters?”

  “Two hundred and fifty thousand? If you set it any higher it would be tantamount to denying him bond.�
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  “Mr. Rutledge. I don’t see a substantial flight risk here so I am going to set bond. What amount would satisfy the State?”

  Rutledge looked over at his assistant and then back at the judge. “No less than two million, Your Honor.”

  “Well, I seriously doubt he could put up a two million dollar bond, so I’m going to set it at $500,000. I’m sure that will be difficult enough for him to raise.”

  “Thank you, Your Honor,” Paula said.

  “I’m going to also restrict him to Dallas County, though, and he’ll have to wear an ankle bracelet to insure compliance with that restriction.”

  “That will be fine, Your Honor,” Paula said.

  Rutledge didn’t look pleased but he didn’t say anything.

  The judge looked over at his computer. “We’ll set a status conference in 30 days at which time I’ll set a trial date. Is there anything else?”

  “No, Your Honor,” Rutledge replied.

  “That’s it for us, Your Honor,” Paula agreed.

  Paula left the court to go file Ricardo’s bond. When it was done she waited around for him to be released. Forty-five minutes later Ricardo walked out of the cell block and into the waiting room with his ankle bracelet already in place. After he collected his belongings they left and went back to Paula’s office. Emilio and Ricardo’s girlfriend were there to greet them. After they’d agreed on a time to meet to get started on Ricardo’s defense, Ricardo and his girlfriend left with Emilio. As they drove off Paula felt like the case had gotten off to a good start. Unfortunately, she had no idea what to do next to prove Ricardo Ricci’s innocence. But that was a problem for another day. Right now all she could think about was a hot bath and one of Bart’s heavenly massages.