Fear the Storm

by Geri Foster

  “Oh, I can’t complain. What can I help you with?”

  “I’ve been looking into the Jim Snyder case and I had a few questions.”

  “To be honest we were both rookies who didn’t know squat. I can’t remember most of what happened.” Mr. Baldwin paused. “Why are you suddenly interested?”

  “I’ve come across some information that points to Snyder being innocent. Maybe set up.”

  “Like what?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say, but I hope you can help me out.”

  Margaret tapped her on the shoulder. “Is this true? Have you found new evidence in your dad’s case?”

  “We’re not sure, but a lot of things aren’t adding up. That’s why Lucas decided to call Mr. Baldwin in. He hopes the agent might be willing to discuss the case.”

  Margaret shook her head. “Good luck with that. The FBI will never admit they made a mistake.”

  “I think you’re right. That’s why I’m curious why Lucas wanted to talk to one of them.”

  Margaret shrugged, “One never knows when a person might drop a piece of information they think isn’t of any value to anyone.”

  “Let’s hope that happens today.”

  “Don’t count on it.”

  She focused on the conversation again, hoping she hadn’t missed anything big.

  “The FBI was pretty thorough. Do you think they missed something?” Mr. Baldwin was saying.

  “I’m not sure. Did anything strike you as odd during the trial?”

  “Other than being completely blown away with all the accounts and numbers being thrown around? Hell, I couldn’t keep up with half of it.”

  “Neither could I. It made me wonder how the jury managed.”

  “Well, the summary was pretty clear. Our attorney laid out how easily it would’ve been for Snyder to pull off the crime. Then asked who else could’ve done it. I think that’s how the jury looked at it.”

  “You believe the accountant for the FBI knew his stuff?”

  “I don’t know about that, but I do know six months after the trial he committed suicide, allegedly. Then, two years ago, I heard they reopened the case and determined it was actually a possible homicide.”

  “That’s interesting. He worked for the FBI, didn’t he?”

  “No, he was a contractor they called in to help figure out how Snyder managed to embezzle the money.”

  “I don’t think Snyder’s lawyer did much for his client.”

  “Neither did anyone else. Bruce Longley, my boss, told me he thought Mayer should have been fired for not doing his job.”

  “Did Longley believe Snyder did it?”

  “I think he was like everyone else. If Snyder didn’t do it, then who did?”

  “What if he was set up?”

  “By who?” Mr. Baldwin sounded surprised.

  “Someone else who worked in the bank.”

  “Well, they checked out the clerk and they didn’t think she was smart enough, and the President and Vice President aren’t going to rob their own bank.”

  “Why not?”

  Silence.

  Billy’s voice faltered, “Well, I don’t know. Didn’t the President turn it in?”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t automatically make him innocent.”

  “My guess is they went after Snyder because that’s who the Vice President said did it. Claimed to have proof.”

  “What was that proof?”

  “He had Jim Snyder’s signature on a transfer. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars had been taken out of an account.”

  “Yet, no one checked the signature or the account. Do you remember them ever saying who owned the account?”

  “Some corporation, I think.”

  “Some corporation no one had ever heard of, and no mention of when the account was opened.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “It’s all pretty shaky isn’t it? And if Spears says Snyder did it, why didn’t he stop him?”

  “I don’t know,” Billy sighed.

  “No one does, and no one asked. Doesn’t it all seem a little shady to you, Billy?”

  “When you put it like that it does. But if Snyder didn’t do it, who did?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out. And prove.”

  Chapter 22

  Lucas escorted Billy out the door, satisfied that he’d at least given the agent a reason to check further. He didn’t expect a miracle from the meeting, but he wanted the FBI to know that there were some irregularities to the case and he was aware of them. Of course, Billy would go back to his office and repeat what Lucas had said, and that’s exactly what he wanted—the Bureau double-checking their records, making sure they’d done everything by the book.

  He walked out of his office and Rachel stood up. “You heard?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “But what does it mean? You showed your hand to the FBI. Now, they may take measures to cover their tracks.”

  “I don’t think they will. They might not come out and say it, but if they’re wrong, they won’t try and cover it up. Remember, they aren’t the only ones who have a record of the court proceedings.”

  That obviously surprised her. “Who else?”

  “The district courts.”

  At that moment, Kendall came into the office, her cheeks rosy from the cold. “I thought I’d find you two here.”

  “Lucas just talked to the FBI. We’re going to visit my dad this afternoon.” Rachel smiled at her. “What’s going on?’

  “When I dropped by my parents’ house this morning, my mom told me the Spears are out of town for the holidays. They’re in Colorado until after Christmas.”

  “I was hoping to bring Robert in for questioning about the incident on Stark Road,” he sighed, shaking his head.

  Kendall took him by the arm and dragged him away from Margaret, with Rachel following.

  “The Spears are gone.”

  “I know. You told me.”

  “No, they aren’t home. Let’s go check out their house.”

  He put his hand on his hips. “Kendall, we’re not going to break into anyone’s house. That will get us in trouble and we don’t need that.”

  “What if I break in and you don’t do anything?”

  “I can’t. My job is to protect their privacy. I won’t turn my back while you commit a crime. Besides, if you find anything it can’t be used in a court of law. Not if you obtained it illegally.”

  Her lips tightened, displaying her annoyance. “I’m only trying to help.”

  “That’s not helping, Kendall,” Rachel interjected. “I know you want to do something, but that’s not it. There has to be another way.”

  She wrung her hands. “What can I do to help? I feel so useless.”

  “We all do,” Rachel agreed. “But breaking into the Spears’ house is out of the question.” She put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “You are aware they probably have cameras everywhere, aren’t you?”

  Kendall looked down, she clearly hadn’t thought of that. “See, I saved you prison time,” Rachel reassured her.

  “Do your parents know that Jeanette is part of the development project going on around here?” he asked.

  “My mom’s aware Jeanette is familiar with those people. I don’t think she suspects her friend is involved.”

  He put his hand on her shoulder. “According to Grandma Mercy she is. Says Jeanette Spears is part of that whole corporation.”

  “My dad says it’s all a fluke. There isn’t any development going on here.”

  Rachel looked at him. “That’s what Grandma Mercy said, but how does he know that?”

  “I guess he checked into it. He thinks it’s a smoke screen for something else,” Kendall offered.

  He moved closer to her, saying softly so as not to be overheard by Margaret, “Like what?”

  Her eyes widened and she licked her lips. “I don’t know. I mean, he never said. You know he doesn’t care for Robert, maybe he’s
just saying that.”

  “What does Robert have to do with the development company?” Rachel questioned.

  “He brought them in, I think.”

  He picked up his hat and headed toward the door, “Let’s go to the records department.”

  Rachel hurried to keep up with his long strides, with Kendall right behind her. Inside the clerk’s office, he approached the counter. “I need to see the corporate filing for a development company. I think it’s called The Sunshine Corporation, Unlimited.”

  “Let me see. We’re a little short-handed with the holidays.”

  “I sure appreciate it Linda. I know this is sudden and I’m grateful for your help.”

  After a few minutes, Linda returned with a file and sat behind her computer. “It looks like Mike Coons owns the company and he does have a license.” She looked up at him. “What do you want to know?”

  “What’s their tax id number and who else is on the filing application?”

  “I don’t know if I should give you that, Lucas. It’s private information.”

  “I know, but I need it for a case.”

  “Then get a warrant from the judge.”

  “I can do that, but it will take time.”

  “I can’t give you the tax Id, but I can tell you that Mrs. Spears is Mr. Coons’ partner.”

  “Okay, thank you.”

  They left the office, stopping in the middle of the hall outside. Kendall spoke first. “I didn’t know she was in on all this.”

  “In on what?” he asked. “You see any construction going on?”

  She thought for a moment. “No, not really.”

  “I think this is a big money laundering scheme.” He took Rachel by the arm, “Come on, let’s get to Fort Worth. I have a lot of questions for your dad.”

  “Do you want to go, Kendall?” Rachel asked.

  She shook her head. “No, I have a few things to check out on my own.”

  “Kendall,” he warned. “Don’t do anything against the law.”

  She held up her hands and smiled. “I’m as innocent as a tiny baby kitten.”

  His eyes narrowed with doubt. “Yeah, well, keep it that way.”

  Lucas checked his weapon at the entrance, signed his name on the register and he and Rachel walked into the waiting room. The odor of disinfectant hit him immediately and a feeling of hopefulness wrapped tightly around his chest. The noise from the hundreds of visitors hummed in his ears.

  He didn’t like this place. It gave him the creeps.

  Dark gray walls surrounded them in a room with colorful chairs and round tables placed strategically. Armed guards stood ten feet apart, their eyes ever watchful for one wrong move. From across the room Shirley waved, and he and Rachel moved quickly through the crowd toward her. Jim stood and shook hands with him then warmly embraced Rachel. In this particular area the prisoners were allowed to touch outsiders. In the more secure compounds, it was hands off.

  “It’s wonderful to see you,” Jim said, smiling at them both. He held up a bag, looking at Rachel. “Your mom brought goodies for Christmas.”

  Lucas knew there was a list of the things Jim could have and he knew the bag had been thoroughly inspected before it was turned over.

  Rachel bit back tears. “Daddy, I wish you were home for the holidays.”

  Jim smiled wearily. “I will be soon.”

  Seven more years wasn’t soon in Lucas’ book. Jim wouldn’t have much life left after his release. He admired Shirley for continuing to remain faithful to her husband. His sentence was as hard on his wife as it was on him. And Rachel suffered also. The pain she must be experiencing broke his heart.

  Despite all the odds being stacked against him, Jim Snyder remained friendly, positive and always happy to see visitors. He never blamed anyone, never griped about the injustice and never asked for a thing. Though, Lucas did notice that his brown hair was grayer, more wrinkles surrounded his eyes, and he continued to lose weight.

  “Jim,” he began, “I’d like to talk to you about the reason you’re in here.”

  Jim looked between Rachel and Shirley. “Lucas, I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “We know that. Now we have to prove it.”

  He leaned back and stared. “I don’t know how you can do that.”

  Lucas took a deep breath and stared into his eyes, identical to Rachel’s. “We’re going to try. I have a few questions. Do you mind answering them?”

  “Of course not.”

  “What led up to you being accused of embezzling funds from the bank?”

  His brow wrinkled and he looked at his wife. “I don’t understand. I was just working at the bank.”

  “Did you notice any discrepancies? Any unusual movement of money, accounts with a lot of activity?”

  “Yes, I did, but I think Robert went over that with the FBI.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Well, he told me he did.”

  “What was going on around the time leading up to your arrest, Jim?”

  “I had only been at the bank two months and my job was to make sure that the bank’s activities complied with the law and that all accounts were secure, and all transactions were recorded.”

  “You did that?”

  “Yes, but I noticed there were three accounts that had unusual activity and too much money moving around. When I checked further I learned there wasn’t a tax id attached to those accounts. I brought it to Robert’s attention and he blew it off.”

  “What happened then?” he asked.

  “I went to Mr. Burke and told him what was going on. He referred me back to Robert with the assurance he knew everything about running a bank.”

  “Mr. Burke blew off your concerns?” Rachel asked. “He didn’t even consider what you were saying?”

  “You have to understand, Levi Burke doesn’t know anything about banking. He got his job because years ago his dad was one of the founders. You’d think in all the years he’d been there he’d have picked up enough knowledge to be able to do a decent job. Unfortunately, he didn’t. Robert basically ran the bank.”

  “What did you do?” he asked. “Did you ever get answers to your questions?”

  “I was beginning to when I was accused of taking money from the bank.”

  “What did you learn?”

  “The three accounts were opened by Robert. Mike Coons and Jeanette Spears were the owners and executors of all three. There was SCS, Incorporated, Moonshine Imports and Exports, and Happy Hearts Nursing Home. When I checked the applications, I noticed that none of the businesses had tax id numbers on the paperwork.”

  “That’s against the law, isn’t it?” Shirley asked.

  “Yes. All that has to be reported to the government. I couldn’t figure out what Robert was thinking.”

  Lucas scooted his chair closer. “Were there transactions on these accounts?”

  “Oh yes. Almost weekly. Each account had over five hundred thousand dollars on average. Someone one would come in and take out say, two hundred thousand dollars, in a cashier’s check and, in a few days, they’d return to deposit four or five hundred thousand. But it was always in cash.”

  “That’s a lot of money,” Shirley said. “Certainly enough to draw someone’s attention.”

  Lucas began to see a much clearer picture. “Robert didn’t see a problem with this?”

  “Not at all. But I mentioned that the bank examiner was due in two days and if the accounts weren’t up to date and accurate, there’d be a problem.”

  “What did he do?”

  “The next day all three accounts were closed.”

  “That must’ve raised a lot of red flags.”

  “Not to Robert or Mr. Burke. Neither one of them batted an eye.”

  “Then Burke knew.”

  Jim nodded. “He knew, but did he understand the ramifications?” He shook his head and lowered his gaze. “I don’t think so. He simply didn’t want anyone to rock his boat.”

&n
bsp; Lucas leaned back and hooked his arm over the back of the chair. “I’m assuming, after the examiner left, the accounts returned. And it was back to business as normal.”

  “Yes, except on that following Saturday I went to the locations on the applications for those businesses and they were empty lots. No companies and no nursing home. When I came to work on Monday I gave my notice. I couldn’t stay there because I suspected they were laundering money from some illegal source and I didn’t want to be a part of it.”

  “Then they accused you of stealing from the bank?”

  “Yes, the very next day Sheriff Townson came knocking on my door and I was arrested.”

  “Dad, why didn’t you tell the courts about all this?”

  “I tried. I told my lawyer, and the FBI, but they didn’t want to listen. Robert and Mr. Burke were in their ears from the minute I gave my notice.”

  “How much money do you think went through the bank?”

  “Millions. Hundreds of millions.”

  Chapter 23

  It was difficult for Rachel to leave her dad when she was now certain of his innocence, but she had no choice. Now it was up to them to find evidence of the truth and prove it before a judge.

  Her mom cried as they left the building. “I hate leaving him there.”

  She hugged her. “I know Mom, but perhaps it won’t be long now. At least we’re learning more and more about what happened.”

  Her mom shoved away from her and grabbed Lucas by the arm. “Do you believe we can prove he’s innocent?”

  “Yes, I do. But it’s not going to be easy, unless someone screws up. That might give us an edge.”

  “Mr. Spears has been at it too long to make a mistake,” Rachel commented.

  Lucas grinned. “Everyone gets careless occasionally.”

  She turned on her phone and noticed that Mr. Webster had called. Excited, she wondered what he’d learned. Bidding her mom goodbye, she promised to be home in time for dinner and to help prepare for Grandma Mercy’s birthday tomorrow.

  As her mom pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to Rainwater, she pulled Lucas aside. “Mr. Webster called while we were visiting Dad. I’m getting back to him now.”