Do What You Gotta Do

Sometimes you've got to take the heat
If you're gonna walk down the mean street
Take the heat and you see it through
Because sometimes it comes down to
Do what you gotta do

 

“But, Chief –” Trixie sputtered, “I want my team in there to look at B3’s software. We both know that B3 implemented the changes I recommended. It won’t take us long to figure out who opened that security hole back up. “

Deputy Chief Ben Walker shook his head gravely. “We can’t risk it, Belden. There’d be too many questions asked if I let you in there. My counterpart for the New York District is going to send in a team to work with Beckhart. If Beckhart’s innocent like you insist he is, then he should cooperate with the feds fully.”

Trixie groaned. “If you’d just let me try – I know it wouldn’t take me more than a couple of days to find how it happened. Besides, B3 is a client. He’s going to call me if I don’t call him.”

“Perhaps,” he acknowledged. “But we’re not going to risk the entire case on it. Finish up with your crew at Fireking. You can go with the team to explain to Beckhart but nothing more. Agent Tibbs will lead the new team and he’s promised to keep you briefed. Make yourself available to his team as requested. We need this investigation to go as fast as possible.”

Trixie sighed. “Okay. But we’ll finish up with Fireking in just a couple of days. Maggie King practically did our job for us there. Hoffman’s going to have some customer relationships to repair, but his company is doing well otherwise. Moreover, he’s not doing any research and development in security encryption. Only physical security related to cameras, sensors, and fire alarms.”

Walker held up a hand. “We need you to keep a low profile while we check out Beckhart’s company, Belden. Can’t you go do something everyone expects?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Check out Wheeler,” he growled. “We both know you think he’s innocent. Go prove it. No one will think twice if you’re working with Wheeler International.”

“But what about Langham and Kingston?” she protested. “I still have to figure out how to check them out, not to mention we still need to check out Control & Venture.”

“Just investigate Wheeler,” he instructed. “You’ll find a way into the other companies,” he paused and gave her a meaningful look. “If you need to.”

 

 

Charlie stared at the rolodex on his desk. It was jammed with names, phone numbers, and notes about colleagues and clients. The great debate had remained unresolved over the weekend. He had wisely used his time removing his personal effects from his office at Connors, Ford & Newman. However, he remained torn on the ethics of packing the rolodex. Unlike some of his colleagues, he had scorned the modern PDA and email contact list. He preferred paper and pen. His outmoded system had yet to fail him in a time of need.

A knock at the door brought him back to the reality of the day. He glanced up and was surprised to see Ben Riker was his visitor.

“Hi, Ben. Come on in. What can I do for you?” he asked, standing up and jamming his hands in his pockets.

Ben looked around the office, noting the removal of Charlie’s personal effects. “I guess the rumors are true, then. You are leaving.”

“Not a rumor at all,” he replied with a grin. “Those are the facts, my friend. I guess you’ll be trolling for new business on your own for a while now.”

“Yeah, probably so.” Ben shoved his hands in his pockets in a gesture similar to Charlie’s. He rocked back and forth on his heels for a moment before speaking. “Say, Charlie. The story is you’re leaving to start your own firm. You’re not going to join Eastway-Berkley as a corporate officer.”

“Right again, Riker. That’s also a fact.” Charlie studied his younger associate for a moment. “Did you need something?”

“Uh, maybe,” he answered, pushing his hand through his hair. “Are you going to be hiring any associates to work with you?”

“Eventually, yes,” Charlie answered. “I have to get things going first, and I’ll need a secretary. I’d like to take Ellie, but I’m going to have to get Andie to bless that. Why? Do you have a recommendation?”

“No.” The silence hung heavy between the two men for a moment. Charlie waited patiently for Ben to continue.

“Why?” Ben finally blurted out. “Why are you going out on your own? Why wouldn’t you go to work for Eastway-Berkley? Take over from your Dad one day.”

Charlie masked his surprise like the seasoned litigator he was. It was the last thing he expected Ben to ask him. “Why?” he echoed Ben’s question.

“Yeah, why?” Ben gestured with his hand, indicating the spacious private office with its coveted view of the city’s skyline. “You have all this. Your star was rising here. You could go to work for one of the largest privately owned corporations in the world, but you’re walking away to start your own firm. Why?”

Charlie grinned. “Because I want my own, Riker. I don’t want what my Grandmother made or that my Dad continued. I want to make my own mark on the world. Besides, I’m a lawyer and a litigator. I don’t want to run a big corporation; I want to practice law.”

He studied an obviously confused Ben. “Why is that so hard to understand?”

Ben hesitated a few moments and finally shrugged. “Because I wish I knew what to do.” He started to pace back and forth in Charlie’s office. “The firm, it’s just not what I want with my career. The type of cases, well, they’re just not what I expected. I was hoping to get into the criminal law practice area.”

“I’m going to be focusing on trial work,” Charlie replied. “But I’m a litigator. I don’t expect to entertain much in the way of criminal law practice.”

Ben grimaced. “Yeah, well if you hear of anything along those lines, will you keep me in mind?”

Charlie nodded. “Sure.” He paused for a beat and continued. “Say, Riker. If you like criminal law, why didn’t you stay with the district attorney’s office? Your star was certainly rising over there before you moved to Connors, Ford and Newman.”

Ben shook his head. “The DA’s office is too political for me. I don’t like prosecuting cases for headlines.”

“Yeah, but that’s the path to federal attorney and eventually a US Attorney like your dad. Why didn’t you just stick with it for a couple of years?” Charlie probed. “The Feds will pick you up.”

Ben snorted. “Yeah. Same reason as you, Prescott. I don’t want to work under my Dad’s shadow. Besides, we both know that 95 percent of a district attorney’s caseload is cutting a deal. Not to mention, the aforesaid politics and family conflicts.”

“Get off your high horse, Riker!” Charlie snapped. “You want criminal cases but the DA’s office is too political and Daddy’s shadow is too long with the Feds. Maybe it’s time to decide what you want to be when you grow up and start doing the kind of work required to get there.”

Ben glared and resumed his pacing. “Look, I know it doesn’t make sense, but I tried practicing law in a public office and it’s just not what I expected. My dad doesn’t make a damn decision on a case without checking with his handlers on what the political fallout is going to be. I want to do something that matters. Justice is blind and all that crap we were told the first day of law school.”

Charlie sat down in surprise. “You’re an idealist!” he accused, a grin breaking across his face. “You want to defend liberty and pursue justice. You’re… you’re… you’re Atticus Finch!”

Ben spun around and slammed his hands on Charlie’s desk. “Maybe I am!” he snarled. “Is there anything wrong with wanting to protect the innocent?”

Charlie grinned. “Not a thing, my man. Give it up and go work for the public defender’s office. You’ll fit right in.”

“They won’t have me.” Ben muttered.

“What do you mean they won’t have you?” Charlie asked in surprise. “They’d jump at the chance to get a Yale man like you.”

“Not when your Dad’s the U.S. Attorney they won’t.”

Charlie looked at Ben, understanding dawning on his face. “I see,” he answered slowly. “You could move to another district,” he suggested.

“Yes, that’s an option,” he admitted. “Thanks for listening, Charlie. Like I said, if you hear of anything …”

Charlie nodded and Ben turned and walked out of the office. Charlie had an uncomfortable feeling he had missed something important in that exchange. However, he returned his attention to the rolodex. He flipped through it, noting some clients he had enjoyed and some he would be happy to be leaving behind. Sighing, he pushed the rolodex away and turned to make sure his files were in order. The buzz of his telephone was a welcome distraction.

“What is it Ellie?” he asked.

“Reid Beckhart’s on the phone, Charlie. I’ve explained the situation to him, but he insists on speaking with you. He said it was urgent.”

“I understand, Ellie. Put him through.” Charlie grabbed a stray ballpoint from the desk drawer and scrounged for a piece of paper while Ellie made the connection.

“Hello, Reid. What’s so urgent you can’t wait for my successor to help you out?” Charlie forced a jovial note into his tone.

“I’ve got a huge problem, Charlie. It can’t wait. Hell, I can’t wait. Beatrix Belden is here and she’s telling me someone used our system to hack into another system and interfere with business. The cyber-crimes division of the Government will be here any minute.”

Charlie detected the anxiety in his friend’s voice.

“Charlie…” Reid’s voice choked. “They’re going to shut us down if you don’t do something.”

“I’m on my way,” he answered, standing. “If they get there before I do, don’t say anything.”

Charlie slammed the phone down. “Ellie!” he yelled, standing and grabbing his briefcase. “Ellie!”

“Dammit! Where is that girl when I really need her?” he muttered grabbing his coat and keys.

“I’m right here. Where’s the fire?” His secretary stood in the door, her voice as unruffled as her person.

“At B3 Software,” he replied. “Listen, I don’t have any phone numbers or anything for work on my personal cell phone. Call Judge Armen and connect me to him. I’m going to need an emergency court order to prevent the Feds from shutting down B3. Find Riker and have him do the paperwork and get the order over to Armen’s office.”

“Charlie, what do you want me to tell Andie?” Ellie asked her calm efficiency remained unfailing in the midst of the current crisis.

“Tell her to assign Riker to Beckhart’s account NOW!” he bellowed, hurrying down the hallway.

Ellie returned to her desk and opened her contacts list with a heavy sigh. “I sure hope he plans to take me with him. This place is going to be boring without him around.” She picked up the phone and started dialing.

 

 

“Listen closely, Reid,” Trixie placed her hands on the glass-topped desk and leaned forward, glaring at him. “You don’t understand how serious this is. If you don’t cooperate with the Cybercrimes Division, they’re going to shut you down.” She glanced over at Charlie Prescott, seeking his concurrence.

After Trixie’s initial meeting with her boss from the CIB, it hadn’t taken long for her to set up a meeting with the founder and owner of B3 Software. “If it hadn’t been for Charlie and my connections to the Bureau, this situation would be a lot worse. Now, you’re going to reset the passwords for every single employee at B3 software immediately. Then, you’re going to get Madji back in here and he’s going to close that security hole. Again. After that, you’re going to cooperate fully with Agent Tibbs on reviewing everything that has happened to your system. Whether you like it or not, you’ve got a criminal working for you, and if you don’t take it seriously you’re going to be the person that ends up in prison.”

Reid gave her a thunderous look. “How many times have I told you that I trust everyone who works for me?”

Trixie sighed. “Numerous times. How many times have I told you that I don’t?”

“Dammit, Charlie!” Reid blustered. “Can’t you do something?”

“I have done something,” he answered evenly. “You haven’t been arrested, have you? Thanks to Beatrix, the government has agreed to work with you to resolve this issue. The Feds take cybercrime seriously.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side,” he grumbled. “Both of you are supposed to be on my side.”

“We are on your side,” Trixie assured him. “But we can’t help you if you won’t follow our advice. We can help fix this for you, Reid. But you have to let us.” She paused, realizing the pain he felt from the betrayal of someone he had trusted. “Please, Reid. Let the government agents do their jobs. I’ll do everything I can to help.”

Reid rubbed his eyes. It was still difficult for him to comprehend what was going on. “Very well, reset the system. I want Madji, Chris, and Ted to be given full system privileges.”

Trixie hesitated, realizing she would have to defer to the special agent in charge of the case. “I’ll recommend that to the CIB’s team but it’ll be Agent Tibbs’ decision.”

“And they’ll do everything you can to minimize the impact to my business?” he asked anxiously.

Trixie shook her head. “That’s up to Agent Tibbs and his team.”

“Beatrix,” he growled. “I don’t want someone from outside working this. If word gets out…”

“It won’t be just anyone,” Trixie promised. “You can trust Agent Tibbs. We’ve worked a case together in the past and he knows what he’s doing.”

“I want you to stay fully involved,” Reid insisted.

Trixie held up her hand. “I can’t do that, Reid. You know my firm has to be neutral in this.” She glanced at Charlie, but his face was impassive. “My former boss has gone out on a limb for you, Reid. He’s made sure I’m part of the reserves agent corp. I’ll help Agent Tibbs as much as he requests it. But this is his operation, and he needs to run it.”

Charlie nodded. “Take it, Reid. You won’t get a better offer.”

Reid glanced back and forth from Trixie to Charlie for several moments. Finally, he nodded his head, pushed back from his desk and stood up.

“So be it.”

Trixie nodded in satisfaction and reached for her laptop bag.

“Beatrix,” he queried.

“Yes?”

“We’re on numerous deadlines. I don’t think I need to tell you what the impact of this could be to B3’s customers.”

“Understood,” she replied. “The CIB has plenty of work to do besides worry about your company,” she explained. “They won’t make a career of investigating B3.”

“I hope not,” he mumbled. “Otherwise, I’m not going to have a career.”