Deadly Distractions, page 14
"What’s going on here? Why do you have Miss Waters in your car?" Stan asked.
"And who are you, sir?" the officer asked.
"I’m her partner, Stan Turner. We’re attorneys."
The officer raised his eyebrows. "Attorneys. Huh. . . . Well, your partner is being taken in on suspicion of hit and run. She ran down a jogger about a mile from here."
"What? She’d never do that. She used to be an assistant DA for christ sakes."
The officer shrugged. "Well, I got two witnesses who saw her hit the lady and then drive off. I thought maybe she was drunk or on drugs but she seemed clear headed. I don’t know what to tell you."
"Can I have a word with her before you take her in?"
"Just two seconds. I’m not supposed to allow it, but since you’re her lawyer I guess it will be okay."
Stan thanked the officer, walked over and stuck his head in the window.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yes, I’m fine. Stan, I didn’t do it. It’s some kind of scam."
Stan nodded. "I know. Just keep your mouth shut and I’ll be right over to the jail to bail you out."
"Oh, Stan. I can’t believe this. After everything that’s happened and now this," I moaned, and then started to cry.
Stan took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "It’s gonna be okay. Just hang in there. I’ll have you out in a jiffy."
"Call Bart if you need any help," I said as Stan started to leave.
He nodded and walked back to the officer.
"Where are you taking her?" he asked.
"City jail," the officer replied.
Stan thanked the officer and went inside our offices. The officers got back into the squad car and we drove off. They took me back to the scene of the crime where several crime scene investigators were already at work. I saw the two men who I had seen earlier talking to a detective. The car stopped and one of the officers went over to the detective. They talked a few minutes and then he came back to the car.
"Okay, we’re going to take you in now. I talked to Detective Besch and he confirms that both the victim and two witnesses confirmed you left the scene of the accident."
"That’s a bunch of crap," I said. "They took the woman and left me here alone."
The officer shook his head and we were off. I had been to Dallas City Jail dozens of times, usually conferring with the arresting officer to determine if we should prosecute an offender. It felt so strange to be on the other side of the fence. I prayed Stan or Bart would be there so I didn’t have to be processed into the system. That would be so humiliating, and I didn’t know if I could handle it. Fortunately both Bart and Stan were there at the intake desk when they brought me up. Bart came over to me.
"What in the hell happened?"
"Bart, you’ve got to believe me. I didn’t do anything wrong. There’s something fishy going on."
"Yes, that’s what Stan said."
We embraced and then Bart said, "I’m afraid you’ll have to be booked, but by the time they are done with you Stan will have your bond arranged. I’ll stay with you each step of the way. You should be out of here in an hour."
"Thank you, Bart. I’m so embarrassed. How did this happen?"
"I don’t know, but we’ll get to the bottom of it," Bart said and then gave me a hard look.
"What?" I said.
"You usually dress like that for work?"
"Ah. . . . Well, not usually. . . . But I had a luncheon appointment with an important client."
Bart raised his eyebrows but let my flimsy explanation slide. By the time I had been booked, Stan’s bondman showed up with a $10,000 bond. After completing a little paperwork I was released. With all the stress of the arrest and booking I wasn’t feeling so hot, so I asked Stan to take me home. He agreed and we arrived at my condo about noon.
"I’m sorry we weren’t able to work on the Dusty Thomas case today. I really wanted to spend the day on it, but I’m in no condition to work now," I said.
"Don’t worry about it, Paula. I totally understand. Are you going to be all right?"
"Well I’m worried about the lady I hit. Would you call the hospital and see how she’s doing?"
"Sure, where did they take her?"
"Parkland, I think. . . . I just want to take a hot shower and unwind. I’m so stressed out I can hardly think."
"Go take a shower and relax," Stan said. "I’ll call you later."
"Well, I really don’t want to be alone right now. Why don’t you come up? You can order us a pizza and call the hospital while I take a shower. I feel so dirty after being in the jail all morning."
Stan shrugged and said, "Okay, I’ll stay a little while but I’ve got piles of work waiting for me back at the office."
"I know. I really appreciate you being with me today. It has meant a lot to me."
"No problem. I’m glad I was here when this happened."
I escorted Stan up to my condo and showed him to the den where the phone was located. He picked it up and started dialing. My bedroom was just off the den and with the door open he had a clear view of me inside. I started to close the door but then changed my mind. After kicking off my pumps I carefully removed my suit and nylons. I could feel Stan’s eyes on me as I removed my bra and panties. When I glanced up at him, he turned his head. I smiled, went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Thirty minutes later I put on a bathrobe and joined Stan in the den.
"I feel so much better, " I said.
Stan smiled and said, "Good. The pizza should be here any minute. I hope you like pepperoni."
"Sure, that’s fine. . . . Did you call the hospital?"
"Yes, she was treated for cuts and bruises, a concussion and some broken ribs. She’s been admitted and is expected to be released tomorrow."
"That doesn’t sound so bad," I said.
"No, it sounds like she should fully recover."
"I’m just so confused," I said. "They took her to the hospital. I was standing next to my car all alone. I’m not crazy."
"So, what do you think we have here, an insurance scam?" Stan asked.
"I don’t know. The whole thing was so bizarre I don’t know what to make of it."
"It’s not unusual at all. Insurance companies pay out millions of dollars every year on bogus claims."
"But why frame me for hit and run?"
"So they can press criminal charges, file a big lawsuit, and force you to pay them a bunch of money. Most people don’t want to be dragged through the courts so they settle even if they did nothing wrong."
"Not me, I won’t pay those bastards a dime."
"Good. I don’t think you should. I’ll have Monty do a background check on all three of them. Maybe they’ve done this scam before. If so, he might be able to find some other victims."
"I hope so. I’d hate for this to drag on and on."
"Just as a precaution, you better notify your insurance carrier of the incident. They probably will deny coverage based on the facts alleged, but they will still have to defend you in any civil litigation which will save you a lot of money."
"Okay, I’ll call them tomorrow."
The doorbell rang and Stan went to the door and got our pizza. He took it to the kitchen table while I got us some wine to drink. I felt so safe with Stan with me in the condo I didn’t want him to leave. We talked and reminisced about old times for quite a while and in the process consumed quite a lot of wine. After we moved back into the den, Stan gave me a detailed account of his escapades in Ecuador.
"God, you’re so lucky to be alive," I said. "When are you going to wire General Moya the money?"
"Tomorrow, I guess. I’m just worried about the FBI though. They’ve been watching me pretty close and when I wire the money they’re going to know about it."
"What do you think they will do?"
"I don’t know, but it could open a can of worms."
"Can you get the money to General Moya any other way?"
"No, the wiring instructions are all I have. I wouldn’t know where to send a cashier’s check."
"Maybe you should just tell the FBI you’re paying a ransom. That way they won’t go ballistic when you wire the money."
"If I have to, I will. But I don’t want to compromise Tex if I don’t have to."
"I’m so worried, Stan. What’s going to happen to us next?"
Stan smiled and took my hand. "Don’t worry, it will all work out. You just have to have faith."
I snuggled up close to him and put my head on his shoulder. He put his arm around me and squeezed me gently. I wanted him so badly, but I knew I couldn’t be too pushy. This was the closest I’d come to seducing him and I didn’t want to blow it. We sat there quietly for several minutes then I couldn’t stand it any longer so I leaned over and gave him a kiss. He didn’t push me away.
20
BACK TO BUSINESS
I felt so bad for Paula. She had been deserted right in the middle of a murder trial and then when I finally came back, she’s arrested for a bogus hit and run. I knew she had been traumatized by the arrest and needed my support. The free strip show, the sexy bathrobe, and now the kiss weren’t unexpected. But now it was the hour of reckoning. I was attracted to Paula without a doubt. She was smart, beautiful, and sexy. But, if I gave in to her it would be an hour of ecstasy and a lifetime of regret. It was time to cool things down so I turned the conversation back to business.
Did we get a trial notice yet in Dusty’s case?" I asked.
"Huh?" Paula said giving me a befuddled look. She sighed and replied, "Ah. . . . Yes, March 2. . . . We only have a few months until trial."
"Damn. So, why don’t you brief me on where you are in the investigation?"
"Okay, sure," Paula said suddenly seeming embarrassed by her lack of clothing. "Let me go put on some jeans." She left for a minute and returned in jeans and an SMU T-shirt. She filled me in on the witnesses she had interviewed and what she knew of the State’s case from visits to their offices and sleep-overs with Bart.
"You’ve done well." I said, "We have what—a half dozen suspects now?"
"At least," Paula said.
"So, I guess we should have Monty check them out."
"Yes, definitely. We might want to question them again once we have background checks in hand."
"Right. . . . So, what’s your gut feeling. Is there anyone that you interviewed who is of particular interest to you?"
"Well, there are several, but I’d have to say the People’s Mission is at the top of the list."
"I’ve never heard of the People’s Mission," I said.
"They claim to be a legitimate church, but Agent Tuttle thought it was a scam and I tend to agree with him."
"So when Agent Tuttle threatened to put them out of business, they decided to beat him to the punch?" I asked.
"Precisely."
"The only way they could get away with it," I said, "would be if it looked like someone else had done it."
"Yes, but how would they know when Tuttle was going to seize the tractor?" Paula asked.
"Good point. I don’t know."
"Bobby’s colleagues at the IRS would have had that information."
"Right. His supervisor and, what was that other agent’s name?"
"Hurst. Donald Hurst," Paula said. "But he has an alibi, remember?"
"Right. What about the female employee who had his baby?"
"Laura Blair. She denies that it is Tuttle’s baby. But she doesn’t have an alibi. She or her boyfriend could have done it."
"But the boyfriend wouldn’t have had access to Tuttle’s schedule."
"True," Paula said, "and it’s unlikely they were in on it together."
"Okay," I said. "Let’s take a hard look at Laura Blair since she had motive and opportunity."
Paula agreed and I stood up.
"I’ve got to get going. I wish I could stay longer. Should I call Bart? Maybe he can come over."
"No, I’ll be all right. Thanks for staying with me."
"You’re welcome. Now rest. Take a few days off."
"Are you kidding? I’d go nuts sitting here twiddling my thumbs with a trial on the horizon."
I looked at her for a long moment remembering the kiss, longing for another. Her eyes beckoned me. Then, mustering every ounce of self-restraint I could muster, I turned and walked away.
Jodie gave me a look when I walked into the office. "Jesus, where have you been?"
"With Paula. She was pretty upset so I had to keep her company for a while until she settled down a bit."
Jodie nodded. "There’s a New York Times reporter who has been calling. He wants to interview you."
"Hmm. I don’t think so."
"Why not?" Jodie asked.
"The situation’s too delicate. Tex is still missing and the Feds are all over me. I think it would be best to lay low for a while. Tell them I’m not doing interviews because I don’t want to interfere with the FBI investigation."
"Right."
Jodie left to call back the reporter and I sat down at my desk to start sorting through mail and paperwork that had piled up. By the time I looked up it was 4:00. I shook my head and suddenly thought of Tex. It was too late to wire General Moya the money that day, so I had no choice but to do in the morning. I pulled out the wiring instructions and studied them carefully. Then I called my bank officer, Billie Jo, to arrange for the transfer.
"You want to send half of the account tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yes. It’s a business deal for a client and the agreement is to pay half up front and the balance when the job is done."
"Okay, you’ll have to stop by and sign some paperwork for that size of a transfer."
"What kind of paperwork?"
"The request for the wire transfer and some disclosure forms."
"Okay. I’ll be there around 9:30."
The paperwork I had to sign bothered me. It was a sure bet it was designed to alert the Feds to a large transaction taking place in case they wanted to scrutinize it. If they tracked it to General Moya, I’d be in serious trouble. Hopefully he was an expert in this type of thing and the money couldn’t be traced to him. I didn’t have any choice either way; Tex’s life was on the line. I was pretty sure that General Moya would see to it that Tex was released and put on an airplane home, but the thought occurred to me that he might not be able to perform. If Tex wasn’t in his custody, he might not be able to spring him. In that case he’d take the $900,000 dollars and we’d still never see Tex. Then a horrible thought came over me—what if Tex were already dead?
Before I sent the money, I called Toni to make sure she wanted me to send it. After all, it was her money. I was pretty sure what the answer would be, but there was a lot of money at stake and I had to be careful. Besides, if the FBI did come after me, I’d need Toni to back up my explanation as to why I had the money and was wiring it to a guerrilla leader who financed his activities by selling illegal drugs to citizens of the U.S.
"Yes, definitely, send the money. Do whatever it takes to get Tex back," Toni said. "He’s all I've got."
"Okay. I’ll go by the bank and arrange it."
"How long do you think it will be before he's home?"
"I don’t know. Hopefully within a few days, but honestly, I have no idea."
"What did General Moya tell you?"
"He just said he would make sure he was released. He didn’t go into details and I wasn’t in a position to press him."
"I understand. Just send the money and we’ll just have to pray he returns soon."
"Rebekah and I will be praying hard, believe me."
"I know. I really appreciate all that you’ve done for Tex and me. Not too many attorneys would have gone down to South America searching for a lost client."
"Hey, good clients are hard to come by," I said with a chuckle.
