Keith handed him a business card and said, “Call my law firm’s number in about a week. I’ll have an answer.”
“Thanks.”
“What about the other two managers?”
“Don’t know them.”
“Well Fritz certainly does.”
“I’ll ask.”
* * *
The second meeting took place in a coffee shop near the docks in Pascagoula. Keith ditched the coat and tie and tried to look nothing like a lawyer. For George Haberstroh it was easy—old chinos, scruffy deck shoes, a gabardine shirt. He said he worked for a shipper out of Mobile and confessed to visiting Foxy’s on occasion. When Fritz was off-duty they enjoyed beers and burgers as they watched the girls dance. He was aware of the activity upstairs but thought nothing of it. He had never been tempted, claimed to be happily married. Fritz had worked on the Coast for years and had talked openly, at least to his brother, about the gambling and girls.
Keith got down to business with “Obviously, Fritz is not the target here. Lance Malco is the biggest crime boss on the Coast and the DA has had him in his sights for a long time. Fritz can certainly make things easier. Is he willing to take the stand, stare at Malco in court, and tell the jury everything about the sex business at Foxy’s?”
“Yes, but only if he walks.”
“The DA can’t promise leniency, okay? You have to understand how important this is. Most of the hookers will sign a plea deal in which they agree to testify and take a hit on a misdemeanor charge. Not a big deal because, well, they’re hookers. They’ll have credibility issues with the jury. The three managers are different. Take Fritz. When he takes the stand and testifies against Malco, Burch will come after him with a hatchet. First question will be: ‘Have you been promised leniency by the DA to testify in this case?’ It’s imperative that Fritz says no, there’s no deal because there’s no deal.”
“I’m not sure I follow you.”
“Fritz is scheduled to go on trial in two weeks, but before that he’ll plead guilty to one count, agree to cooperate with the State, and will be sentenced after the Malco trial. If he cooperates fully, then the DA will recommend leniency.”
“Seems like a helluva risk for my brother. Plead guilty, go into hiding, then go to trial, dodge the bullets there, hope the jury convicts Malco, then hope and pray the judge is in a good mood.”
“At this point everything is a risk for your brother. You ever been to Parchman prison?”
“No. What about Burch?”
“He’s gotta go. If Fritz wants to cooperate and maybe walk, then Burch will only get in the way. Here’s a scenario: Next week, Fritz fires Burch by writing him a letter of dismissal. Send a copy to the DA, file another copy with the court. Then Fritz hires a guy named Duff McIntosh, a guy we know well, good lawyer. He’ll charge you $500 to handle the case. At that point, Fritz is a marked man and lays low. On December thirteenth he’ll show up in court, plead guilty to all counts, promise cooperation, and go hide in Montana or someplace until he has to come back and testify.”
“When is that?”
“Judge Oliphant has set Malco’s trial for March seventeenth.”
Chapter 33
To avoid a crowd, and to protect the defendant, a hearing was hastily arranged for 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 13, in Judge Oliphant’s courtroom. Fritz Haberstroh stood before His Honor with Duff McIntosh on one side and Jesse Rudy on the other. As the DA went through the indictment, Fritz quietly answered “Guilty” to all charges. Duff asked the court to release his client on the same appearance bond. His Honor granted the request and informed the defendant that he would be sentenced at a date to be determined. He was free to go.