Private Investigations

I go checking out reports - digging up the dirt
You get to meet all sorts in this line of work
Treachery and treason - there's always an excuse for it,
And when I find the reason I still can't get used to it.

 

Trixie threw the reports down on the table in frustration. “We’re missing something, guys. I can feel it.”

Sean nodded in agreement, but said nothing.

Trixie stood up and began to walk around the private conference area of her new offices. Sean and Amy had already dubbed it the war room, and the state-of-the art equipment was as good as anything they had used while working in government offices. With the cipher locks and alarms that Amy had installed, they could leave portions of their work out and save time each day as they regrouped.

“There are connections everywhere in this case,” she mumbled. “Kingston and Fireking. Fireking and B3 Software. The Langhams and the Wheelers. Schools, boards, all kinds of information connecting these people together. We’re missing a major connection.”

Trixie picked up the report and flipped through it again. She stopped, looked back through. “Where are the details on Torch and Triad?” she asked. “You’ve got the principals but none of the background on the families.”

“I omitted them because Walker said they were cleared,” Amy replied.

Trixie glared at her team. “Did I tell you to omit them?”

“No, boss,” Amy answered.

“Is Walker running this investigation?”

“No.”

“Dammit, Freeman! Get me the details on the Buchanans and the Pattersons and get it fast.” She slapped the report down on the table and strode towards the door.

“Where are you going, Boss?” Sean hesitated before asking.

“Out!” she snapped. “I want that data ready when I get back.”

To her credit, the door didn’t slam, but it was clear to her team that their leader was more than a little displeased with their answers.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Amy accused her partner. “I would have pulled the data if I had known.”

“Because some lessons need to be learned the hard way!” he retorted. “She did tell you not to exclude them. Get with it, Freeman. I can’t input the details until you get them for me.” He powered up the database. “Give me the details as you get them. And quit making damn excuses. Belden accepted you on this team to give you an opportunity to get ahead with the Bureau. The least you could do is remember your basic training.”

“You don’t understand how hard this had been for me,” Amy whined as her fingers flew over her keyboard. “I’ve been given most of the work. I’m expected to run the office as a legitimate detective agency, run background checks, find lost dogs -- I’d like to go to some fundraisers, scope out these companies, and investigate as well.”

“Then get your act together! Your workload hasn’t been any more than the rest of us. Belden spent the first two months working on her own. You saw the files and reports. The work she did was phenomenal. Start paying attention to your own work, Freeman, and learn from her.” Sean shook his head. “You need to remember that Belden didn’t have to agree to take you on this team. She’s given you a great opportunity. Quit making excuses and do your job.”

Amy blinked and took a deep breath. “I am doing my job. I just don’t like being spoken to like that.”

“If you were doing your job, she wouldn’t have spoken to you like that,” he retorted. “Look, it took you twice as long as she asked to find an office and get us moved. You didn’t tell her about sending the background checks off to the bureau and you’re only half finished on the detailed background checks. If you think that’s doing your job, sister – you’re in for a rude awakening.” He held up a hand as he noticed Amy open her mouth. “Don’t even say anything else. The fundraiser is only two weeks away and tempers are getting short. Just feed me the damn research.”

 

 

“Hi, Janiece,” Trixie smiled. “Is Reid still available?”

“Sure, just go on in. I blocked some time off for you after you called.”

Trixie walked towards the now-familiar office. She had been relieved to find Reid had time available for her that afternoon and gave a tentative knock before entering his office.

“Busy making another billion or so?” she asked with another smile.

“Nope, I leave the money making to sales.” Reid leaned back in his chair, a return smile crossing his face. “Actually, I was brainstorming my next research and development project. I was wondering if it would be possible to develop a computer program that would teach someone how to ice skate.”

“Possibly. Guess it depends on what level you take it. But ice-skating is easy. Didn’t you grow up in New York?”

“Yeah, but I never did much ice skating. My problem is that I need to learn how to skate like a pro by tomorrow night. My daughter’s talked me into going with her and Allison to this fundraiser thing.”

“Skating with the Stars. It’s a benefit for the Figure Skating in Harlem charity. A very worthy cause.” Trixie’s eyes twinkled as she replied.

“You sound like you know something about it,” he replied. His eyes narrowed in accusation as he added, “They didn’t put you up to teaching me, did they?”

Trixie laughed and held up her hands to protest her innocence. “Jim and I are planning to attend. He’s a fan of the charities that support kids’ programs. We both grew up ice skating on lakes and ponds in our community.”

“Is there a chance you can learn in one day?” Reid sat up, decidedly more hopeful than before.

“I don’t think there’s much of a chance at all. Although, I have it on good authority that you don’t have to skate.” She paused and turned her head to one side. “Only the really cool people actually skate with the stars.”

“Great,” he mumbled, slumping in his chair. “Now my daughter has to be seen with her very un-cool father. I’m told these things are important to young teenage girls.”

“Does your daughter skate?”

“She loves it. She’s hoping to see some girl she’s watched on television. A famous skater, Jenn, Jenny, Jennifer … something like that. I’m told she’s famous for sticking the quadruple axel or something.”

“I have a feeling if your daughter gets to see her skating idol then everything about the evening will be a success,” Trixie assured him. “Jim and I’ll keep an eye out for you to see if we can help introduce them. You never know.”

“Thanks, Beatrix. I can use all the help I can get on this one.”

“Listen, Reid. Speaking of help …” Trixie trailed off and she bit her lip as she hesitated. “Did you by chance do any checking to see if you could discover the culprit on your security breach?”

Reid stiffened. “I thought I told you that it no longer mattered.”

“You did,” she admitted. “But it matters to me. You’re protecting someone. I’m not one hundred percent sure who it is, but you’re not doing them any favors.”

“It’s in the past, Beatrix. There’s no good that can come of bringing all that up now.”

“Is it Chris or Allison?” she asked, and without hesitating continued her grilling. “It’s one of the two of them. If you want, you can tell me who in confidence, and I won’t act on it, but I have to know who you’re protecting.”

He shook his head. “Let it go, Beatrix. We didn’t lose any money from the hacking. In fact, thanks to what happened, our security is now top-notch. It won’t happen again.”

“You’re right, the hacking won’t happen again,” Trixie agreed. “Because they finally found what they needed and it’s not on your system. It’s one of your code-word research and development projects. From what you told me, it’s not the ORCHID project. I’m not sure the name of it, but it’s the one where you’re developing the random key multiple-use encryption technology.”

Reid leaned forward, his hands clenching the edge of his desk. “How did you know about that project? Only two people in the entire world know about that project. There’s no way they would’ve told you about it.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” she replied. “Reid, please listen to me. One of the two women in your life is in this up to her neck. It’s either Allison or Chris. Both had the opportunity to make the changes in your system every time. Once I learned Allison’s college coursework was in computer science, I realized she could have done it as well. Are you going to tell me?”

“No.”

“You can’t protect her forever. She’s in way over her head. We’re not talking about some photographer blackmailing her for pictures in the society rag.”

“I can’t do it. I’m sorry, Beatrix.”

 

 

“What’d we find?” Trixie asked as she dropped a pizza box on the table, ignoring the surprised faces of her team.

“More connections,” Sean replied. “You’re not going to believe this.” He punched some keys and nodded towards the display on the wall of the war room.

“When Freeman gave me the families of Torch and Triad, all of a sudden we started getting connections like crazy. Take a look at the expanded suspect list – there are several people who are members of the New York City Junior League.”

“Wow!” Trixie uttered as she walked closer to the projected data, studying it. “Kitty, Allison, Mitsy, Maggie, Buffy, Olivia Mortimer, even Lisa Chin is a member.”

Sean cleared his throat. “Your business partner is also a member.”

Trixie nodded as she stared at Honey’s name. “That’s quite a list. That must be the up and coming charity for New York Society females. Who sits on the board for the Junior League?”

“None of them,” he answered. “But there are a couple of persons of interest involved with the league.”

“Like who?” she asked.

Sean began ticking names off on his fingers. “Senator Schumman’s daughter is a member. So are Governor Kennedy’s daughter and the niece of Vice-President Baldwin.”

Trixie’s eyes widened as she glanced down at the list of names Amy handed her. “There’s ample opportunity for global exposure, huh?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Are there any more organizations that connect this many of our suspects?” she asked, beginning to pace around the large table.

“Not exactly,” Amy answered.

Trixie twirled and looked at her questioningly. “What do you mean?”

“The fundraiser for the Frayne School has almost as many.”

“Exactly how many of our original list of suspects is attending the fundraiser on Saturday?” Trixie asked.

“All of them, boss,” Sean answered. “Show her, Freeman.”

Amy punched keys and displayed the list of fundraiser attendees.

Trixie stared at the list in disbelief. “It’s here,” she finally said, turning to her team. “The answer is right here, somewhere on this list within these connections. But we’re missing it.”

Sean nodded in agreement; he felt it in his gut as well. “Do you want to talk it through?” he asked.

“It wouldn’t hurt,” she admitted. “Let’s do name cards, please, Amy.”

The young agent nodded and punched a few keys. Each of the names on the list was now formatted in its own neat little box.

“Arrange and then let’s draw the connections,” Trixie instructed.

A few more key punches and the view on the projector screen changed again.

“Remove anyone who doesn’t have a connection to B3 Software or the Beckharts,” Trixie requested.

“Why B3, Boss?” Sean asked.

“I’m almost positive that Reid Beckhart is the one developing the random key encryption technology. He practically admitted as much. It’s not the ORCHID project, but he is definitely working it or at least knows about it.”

“Wow ….” Sean whistled leaning back. “Nice work.”

They watched the screen as the list of suspects shrunk.

“Good. Now let look at just the women,” she requested.

Approximately half the remaining names disappeared, and Trixie moved to get closer to the image projected. “Of these women, who has the most connections to both the fundraiser and the ten suspect companies?”

Amy frowned and it took her a minute to request the data her boss wanted to see. When she had completed, the list was down to two dozen women, including Grace and Honey Wheeler.

“Here,” Trixie insisted. “One of these women is the key to all of this. They are responsible for working with IRMA and sabotaging Fireking.”

“Your best friend is on this list,” Sean pointed out. “Do you really think she’s a suspect?”

“No,” Trixie answered. “I don’t think Maggie King is a suspect either. I think she’s a victim.” She turned and looked at Amy. “Can you rank these?”

She shook her head. “No, all I can do is tell you who has the most connections to other people. That person is Grace Wheeler.”

“It’s not going to be the person with the most connections,” Trixie mused. “And it’s not going to be the person with the fewest,” she waved her hand towards the screen. “Give me the 12 middle names.”

Amy punched a couple of keys and the team read the names.

• Allison R. Beckhart
• Katherine Buchanan
• Tiffany C. Eaton
• Margaret K. Gaitley
• Tinsley M. Gaitley
• Olivia King Hoffman
• Margaret King
• Tamera Langham
• Elizabeth Patterson
• Evelyn E. Steward
• Melissa Thornhill
• Emily C. Williams

Trixie frowned. “Olivia Hoffman is only a child why does she have so many connections?”

“The school she attends is quite popular among Manhattan’s rich and famous,” Amy answered. “It gives her connections to most of the female suspects.”

“Okay, that explains those connections. Who is Tinsley Gaitley?” she pointed at the name.

Amy read from her notes. “Stepdaughter of Margaret King Gaitley and the only daughter of her husband Tim. Attended boarding school in Switzerland and works at Kingston part-time. Is seen almost every weekend at the New York City hottest happening place or otherwise is gallivanting across Europe.”

“I wonder why our paths haven’t crossed,” Trixie murmured.

“The rumor is she doesn’t get along with her evil stepmother or stepbrother, even though their money funds her lifestyle. If Margaret Gaitley is attending an event, her stepdaughter isn’t.”

“But they’re both attending Jim’s fundraiser,” Trixie pointed out.

“Acknowledged, boss,” Amy admitted. “It’s only one of about three in the past two years, according to our database.”

“Interesting that she spends a lot of time in Europe,” Sean mentioned. He moved and pointed at the screen. “Who is Emily Williams?”

“That’s Emily Christine Williams. Better known as Chris, from B3 Software,” Trixie answered. “She’s worked with Reid since before he hit it big. Remember? One of the ramen noodle eaters from the early days.” She shrugged. “Reid said he trusts her with his life. She may be the person he’s protecting and she has the ability to hack into B3’s system, but there’s no concrete evidence on her. She’s very quiet; you’d hardly know she was there.”

Sean held up a hand. “Wait a minute; you said that like it’s bugging you.”

“It is bothering me,” Trixie affirmed. “People like that make the best sleepers. They blend in with the workforce and no one can remember if they were actually at a meeting or not. If Reid is developing a secret encryption technology on the quiet, she might very well be the brains behind it. She co-developed Comperio.”

“Wow!” Sean whistled. “She does have brains. My gut’s telling me to take a closer look at Ms. Williams.”

Trixie nodded. “My gut’s telling me the same thing.” She looked back over her shoulder. “She’s single, by the way. Reid swears the only guy she’s ever loved is Ted Kent and he is completely in the dark that she feels that way.”

“Definitely worth watching,” Sean nodded emphatically.

“Yeah,” Trixie added. “You know, Agent Tibbs told me he had little doubt that Reid, Chris or Madji could find who hacked into the B3 system if they would try.”

“I’m not surprised,” Sean answered. “The team that developed the Zoekmachine is pretty amazing. But now that you told us they also developed Comperio, he’s right. They could figure it out. It’s their business.”

“Maybe they have,” Trixie murmured, studying the list. “Maybe they have.”

 

 

“Harold!” Trixie exclaimed in surprise as one of her newest clients pushed through the door of her offices. “I don’t recall us having an appointment this evening.”

Trixie had dismissed her team half an hour earlier and insisted they take the weekend off. As the lead agent on the investigation, she recognized that the past two days of working twelve-hour days was taking its toll.

“We don’t,” he replied, looking around the office nervously. “Listen, Beatrix. I’m in all kinds of trouble. Can we talk? Privately?”

Trixie’s mind processed his request. Certain she could take care of herself, she nodded in assent. “Of course. I’m the only one here at the moment. What seems to be the problem?”

“You’re the only one here?”

Trixie immediately realized her mistake. “For now,” she agreed. “My partner will be back soon.”

“I see.”

Trixie motioned him towards the chairs in the public area of their suite. “Have a seat. What seems to be the problem?”

Settling his fleshy frame in a chair, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. Trixie wondered why the man was sweating when the weather was unseasonably cool.

“I’m in trouble. My business is in trouble. Tammy is furious with me, and I think Henry’s going to quit as well. I’m going to have to borrow money just to make next week’s payroll.”

“You understand that I’m a private investigator, not a business consultant.”

“Yes, of course, but you do security analysis. Someone is robbing me blind. Unless, I’m losing my mind and its Tammy or Henry that’s stealing from me, then I don’t know whom it could be. They’re insisting it’s me!”

“Harold, I’m not following you. Why don’t you explain what happened after Sean and I left your offices earlier in the week?”

Harold launched into a rambling explanation about how Henry Scheuer, his chief operations officer, had reviewed the financial statements in detail with his wife. It became clear then just how dire his company’s financial situation was.

“We’re hemorrhaging,” he said bluntly. “And Henry is insisting that I’ve authorized all these expenditures. Then he told Tammy about the yacht.”

“Oh, yes,” Trixie remembered. “The one in the harbor.”

“Yes, that one. I explained how it was necessary for entertaining clients, but Tammy wouldn’t listen. She’s furious with me.”

“When business has taken a downturn then it can be hard for some people to understand the investment in things like a yacht for entertaining.” Trixie strove to find the tact that came so easily to her best friend. She reminded herself that Harold and Tammy Langham were good friends of the Wheelers.

“Lillibet is for more than just entertainment!” He stood and started pacing. “She’s a fully-equipped floating office. I’ve closed several important business deals on her. Deals that wouldn’t have happened without her.”

“Did you say Lillibet?” Trixie asked.

“Yes, that’s the name of my yacht. ”

“I see.” Trixie wondered where the name had come from. “Harold, I’m still not sure how I can help you.”

“Don’t you see? I didn’t authorize all those expenditures and payments. But all of the records show that I did. Someone is falsifying the records.”

“And you think it’s Henry?” Trixie asked.

Harold stopped pacing and pushed a frustrated hand through his graying hair. “That’s just it; I don’t think its Henry. Henry is solid. Tammy and I’ve taken good care of him, and he owns thirty percent of the business. He’s an equal partner with Tammy and me. If he steals from me, he’s only stealing from himself.”

Trixie nodded slowly. “Who received the payments?”

“That’s the problem,” Harold wailed. “Hundreds of different companies all over Europe and Asia. Everywhere we’ve got customers. It doesn’t make any sense. Those were good deals. Say what you will, but I know how to structure a good business deal. They were, they are, good contracts, profitable business.” The nervous pacing resumed. “There’s no way every contract I have is losing money, but they are.”

“Maybe you miscalculated currency fluctuations,” Trixie suggested. “The dollar’s been weak overseas, it catches many businesses off guard when –”

“Do I look like I just graduated from business school?!” Harold snapped. “I understand currency fluctuations. We always hedge for currency.”

Trixie sighed. “Harold, I’m a private investigator, not a forensic accountant. If you think Henry or Tammy are fraudulently managing the business –”

“Didn’t you hear a word I said!” he shouted. “I don’t think Tammy and Henry are stealing from me! That means someone else is. I want you to investigate and find out who it is.”

Trixie sat and chewed her lip, knowing she didn’t have a choice but to agree to Harold’s proposition. She deliberately waited to answer, giving Harold a studied look as he paced. Finally, he sat back down and spoke more calmly.

“Look, I know it’s a lot to ask, and I wasn’t particularly interested when you were trying to help before. But if I don’t do something, I’m not going to have a business to save. It would mean a lot to me. Tammy speaks highly of your abilities.”

Trixie nodded. “Very well, Harold. I’ll help you. But I can’t get started until next week. We’ve just finished up some accounts today, and I’m not bringing my staff back in here to work on this over the weekend.”

“I thought you said your partner would be back tonight,” Harold said softly. His hand reached out to rest on Trixie’s knee. “If you don’t have any plans this evening, Beatrix, I’d love to take you to dinner.”

Trixie shook her head. Her weary mind failed to engage and she responded automatically. “No thanks, Harold. The only thing I’m interested in this evening is going to bed.”

“Oh, Beatrix!” he breathed, standing and pulling her out of the chair. “I thought you might feel that way.”

Before Trixie could fully register what she had said and how Harold had interpreted her response, her neck was being devoured as Harold lavished sloppy, wet kisses under her ear, one arm holding her tightly to him as the other hand fumbled for her blouse.

“Harold!” she protested. “You’ve misunderstood what I meant.” She pushed against him, surprised at the strength with which he was holding her. Raising her voice, she tried again. “Harold! No! Don’t do this!”

“You know you want it, baby.” His voice was muffled as his mouth followed her collarbone towards her breast.

Summoning her training came instinctively. One foot came down hard on Harold’s instep, while her hand grabbed the one that was fumbling with her shirt, twisting it painfully until Harold was turned around, his back to her in an uncomfortable hold. His yelp of pain could have been heard several offices away.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Harold, once and for all,” she said, her tone menacing. “If you’re going to be our client, you aren’t going to touch me again, not even to shake my hand. Are we clear about this?”

“But you were the one that said you wanted to go to bed with me.”

She twisted the arm tighter, satisfied when she heard the responding grunt. “I said no such thing!”

“But you did!” he protested.

“Are you calling my fiancée a liar, Mr. Langham?” The voice sent a chill down Trixie’s spine as she jerked her head towards the door of the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency.

Jim’s face was impassive but the green eyes glittered like ice chips.

“Your fiancée,” Harold stuttered. “No one told me that.”

Jim moved purposefully towards the two of them. “I don’t believe you answered my question, sir. Are you calling my father’s future daughter-in-law a liar?”

“Of course not!” he stammered. “It’s all a simple misunderstanding, that’s all, a play on words. I was only teasing, no harm meant.”

Jim quirked a questioning eyebrow at Trixie.

Nodding almost imperceptibly in answer, she tightened her grip on Harold’s arm one last time before speaking pleasantly. “I didn’t misunderstand anything. Mr. Langham should schedule an appointment to have his hearing checked. It seems strange that someone would misunderstand the word ‘No’, don’t you think, Jim? Hopefully, his ears will just need a good cleaning and he won’t need a hearing aid.”

She released his arm and he quickly stepped away. In his effort to put distance between himself and Trixie, he stumbled directly into Jim.

Harold Langham’s rather generous girth, encountered a swift, solid punch from Jim.

“Excuse me. Mr. Langham,” Jim said, his voice full of icy apology. “I was trying to catch you to keep you from falling.”

Doubled over, but still rubbing the arm that had been violently twisted, Harold continued to step towards the door. “Yes, of course Jim. Sorry about that. I understand completely. And, uh, Ms. Belden, that’s an excellent suggestion. Most excellent. I’ll be sure and schedule that hearing test next week. I, uh, trust that you’ll still undertake the investigation we were discussing earlier?”

Trixie shot a hesitant look at Jim before answering. “Yes. I think we both understand one another now.”

“Very well,” Jim spoke up. “Mr. Langham, if you’ll just step outside with me for a moment, I want to be very clear that you and I understand one another as well.”

Harold shuddered upright and straightened his tie. He ran a shaking hand over his hair to smooth it. He was sweating profusely. “No need of that, Jim. I assure you that I understand completely.”

Jim watched as the older man hurried out of the door. As the door clicked shut, he turned to Trixie and frowned.

“You’re not seriously going to keep him as a client, are you?”