by Sims, R.
“I’d like to excuse the witness until she can be interviewed for any additional information she may have.”
The judge said, “Motion denied. But if you’re through with the witness, I’m sure Ms. Ingram would be delighted to pick up where you left off with your questioning. Would you like to continue with Ms. Lansing, or will you be tendering the witness?”
“I’ll ask a few more questions, Your Honor.” Shit. The prosecutor had no idea what to ask the witness now. He didn’t know what was going to come out of her mouth. And because she was in a wheelchair, he believed the jury was going to have undue sympathy for her. The exact reason he had decided to put her on the stand in the first place.
CHAPTER 105
Janet returned to her seat at the table and whispered something to Dexter.
Wesley said, “Ms. Lansing, when you talked to authorities about this case, why did you not tell them what you allege today?”
“You mean about Eric and Troy?”
“Yes, their so-called setup.”
“Well, I thought I did, but then some more federal agents came by and said I had been talking to a fake agent. I didn’t know who to believe or trust after that. But now I’m here in court, and I know all of this ain’t fake.”
Wesley wanted to call her a liar right there in the packed courtroom, but he knew he’d have to go about it in a more professional manner. He wasn’t sure if she’d been paid off by Dexter. Exploratory rummaging could uncover some answers for him.
Wesley asked her, “Ms. Lansing, are you aware of the penalties for providing false testimony?”
Geneva shrugged. “Why should I give a damn? I ain’t said nothing but the truth.”
“Are you aware that your interview with Agents Walters and Frey was recorded?”
“Yeah. So?”
“I believe Agent Walters asked you to go over everything you’d said to Patricia Teague, the woman who had unlawfully introduced herself to you as an FBI agent. Do you recall that?”
“I do. But can you tell me why I was supposed to trust Mr. Walters after the Patricia woman had fooled me just to get some information? I’m just a cripple in a wheelchair; I’m no good at spotting a fake.”
Wesley walked to his table and conferred with his assistant attorney. A few seconds later, he looked at Janet and said, “Your witness.”
Janet stood but stayed at her table. “Ms. Lansing, what happened to the letters?”
“The ones Troy sent? I gave them to that Patricia woman, thinking I was giving them to a real FBI agent.”
“Are you aware that Patricia Teague was arrested in connection with her impersonation of an FBI agent?”
“I’m aware of it. Some cops came by and took another statement from me after they arrested her. Showed me some pictures of her.”
“Patricia impersonated an FBI agent and tricked you into giving her some information and critical evidence concerning this case. Is that the sole reason you don’t trust authorities?”
Geneva said, “I got a bunch of reasons. Hell, I even asked Agent Phillip Walters to drive to the store and get me a six-pack of beer with my own money. He said he couldn’t do it and made up some bullshit policy number or code that says beer runs ain’t’ allowed.”
There was lots of laughter in the courtroom. Even the judge smiled. He saw no reason to admonish her about her language yet.
Janet said. “How do you know that the policy number or code was made up?”
“Because his partner, the other agent, told me.”
“That doesn’t sound like a good reason to lose trust in the authorities, particularly the FBI.”
Geneva said, “Don’t you understand? Whenever someone’s willing to lie about something small, for no reason at all, you’d be a fool to trust them with something big and important.”
CHAPTER 106
As soon as Janet entered his office, Wesley said, without preamble, “I have an offer for your client. Is it possible for…” Janet held up an index finger, pulled out her phone, and called Dexter. She kept the Galaxy Tab under her arm and took a seat without invitation. When Dexter answered she said, “I’m in the prosecutor’s office, and he says he has an offer for you. “Should I wait for you to arrive?”
Dexter said, “No. Set up an off-the-record meeting on The Parallel. Seven tonight. Dinner is on me. Wesley and Phillip, no one else. If they can’t make it then we have nothing to discuss.”
Janet said, “I’ll call you back soon.” She ended the call then looked at Wesley.
Wesley said, “Can I finish the proposition now?”
“There’s a marina between the beaches of Laguna and Huntington called the Pacific Risp. My client will meet you and Agent Walters there at seven tonight on a yacht called The Parallel. The meeting and conversation will be off the record. Someone will meet you and escort you onboard.”
Wesley simply stared at her.
“Oh, almost forgot…Dinner is on my client.”
Wesley looked at his watch. Less than two hours to go. “Walters, two other agents, and myself,” he said.
“The additional agents will not be allowed on the yacht. I suppose they can wait for you nearby but…” Wesley thought about it for a moment. “Walters and I will remain armed without exception.”
“My client never mentioned arms, so I assume that doesn’t concern him.”
“The Pacific Risp. We’ll be there,” Wesley said.
***
At 7:10, Janet led the way as Phillip and Wesley admired the 177-foot yacht. As soon as they were onboard, Dexter met them at the middle deck and said, “Our conference will be held on the lower deck. I’m sure one or both of you are armed. That’s not a problem. Your professions warrant it.”
Nobody had anything to say.
“Quite possibly both of you are wired, but you should know that the lower deck’s conference room is impervious to radio signals. Unless you have analogue tape recorders, or something hardwired, you’ll only pick up indecipherable noise. My lawyer’s here, which means our conversations will not be admissible in any court of law.” He headed toward the elevator. “This way, gentlemen.”
As they entered the conference room, there was a tall, elderly Italian man who gave each of them a menu. He said, “Welcome aboard The Parallel. Please enjoy your stay.” He closed the door and waited outside in the hallway.
Dexter sat next to Janet at the conference table. Actually, there was an empty seat between them. Phillip and Wesley sat directly across from them, Phillip facing Dexter.
Dexter said, “I hope you guys like Italian. It’s usually Thursday’s menu.”
Wesley noted how plain the conference room looked, except for the nice paintings on the walls. The Chandelier. The polished redwood table with matching coasters and beige tablemats. The eight leather swivel seats at the conference table. The 120-inch projection screen on the wall. The plush, wall-to-wall beige carpeting. “Is it a stretch to assume that this is your yacht?”
“The yacht is mine, but don’t waste your time trying to prove it.” Then, Dexter said, “Is there anything you like on the menu? There may also be some specific things that aren’t on the menu. Just ask.” It was an Italian menu that included a brief description of each item in English.
CHAPTER 107
Wesley closed his menu and placed it on the table. “My appetite isn’t as big as I had hoped. I’ll have some dry white wine, grilled red pepper shrimp, and steamed green beans with onion sauce.”
Dexter began placing an order seemingly with an imaginary person. He said, “Alberto, Mr. Henderson will have vernaccia di san gimignano, gamberi piccanti alla griglia, and fagiolini con salsa di cipolle. I’ll have the same.”
Alberto confirmed, his voice coming from a set of ceiling speakers.
Dexter looked at Janet then Phillip.
Phillip said, “Sounds fine to me, but can you replace the shrimp with smoked salmon?” He wondered who Alberto was and how Dexter was obviously placing their orders with hi
m.
“Alberto, Mr. Walters will have that same order, but his main dish will be salmone affumicato.”
Janet said, “Alberto, Ms. Ingram will have rotelle in salata di pasta con tonno in pepperoni arrostiti and tea, slightly sweetened.”
Wesley didn’t know what to think of Janet’s apparent familiarity with the process. He decided to start the conversation. “Return the money and any resulting assets. Plead guilty and I’ll convince the judge to sentence you to nothing more than twenty years.” Wesley was prepared to agree to ten years.
Dexter said, “We’re only here because Geneva Lansing crippled your case today. No pun intended.”
Wesley said, “You only agreed to this meeting because you know that Ms. Lansing doesn’t make or break the case.”
“Seven years,” Dexter said. “I keep a billion and make it look like your guys discovered the two billion that I will return.”
“Mr. Parker, you know I can’t reward you for your crimes. You’re looking at a minimum of thirty years; twenty is a gift.”
Dexter looked at Phillip now. “You’ve been trying real hard to put me away, even though you never got a chance to know me. Let’s hear your input. What does the super cop think my chances are at trial?”
“Ten percent,” Phillip said.
“Then I see no reason to plead guilty. The famous Phillip Walters even thinks I have a chance.”
“Slim chance. I said ten percent.”
There was a knock at the door. Dexter invited one of his Italian waiters inside. The man quietly served their drinks and left.
Phillip repeated, “Slim chance, Mr. Parker. Very slim. Nothing I would bet on if I were you.”
Dexter said, “The chances of a black man becoming a billionaire after serving a decade in prison are less than one-eighth of a quarter percent. Your ten-percent pledge doesn’t sound slim at all.”
“You’ll be in prison until you’re in your sixties,” Phillip said. “Nothing good ever comes to people like you, at least nothing long-term.”
Dexter smiled at him. “Keep talking. Your religion is coming out. I suppose you believe something good will come to you. You’ve worked a few high-profile cases, sent lots of people to prison, attend Catholic Church, and always tried to do right by the law. Still, your god is pissed at you right now. All the good you think you’ve done was really for the benefit of your two college kids and your career. None of it was done to make the world a better place.”
Phillip smirked. “Tell me, what does your god think of you?”
“How should I know? We parted ways two years before I went to prison. Religion demands too much of my freedom. I’m usually religious whenever I’m in the company of other religious people, though.”
Phillip said, “So you’re a phony. Is that what you’re admitting?”
Dexter leaned back in his chair and formed a bridge with his hands. “Aren’t we all? The real question: Can you tell the difference between the real and the fake?”
CHAPTER 108
All agreed that dinner had been excellent. Discussions and negotiations had continued, mainly between Dexter and Wesley, but now Janet said to the prosecutor, “When you lose this case, you realize you can never run for office? No one ever votes for losers.”
“Who says I will lose? More importantly, who says I’d be interested in running for office?”
“So far, none of your evidence ties my client to the tracks beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“I disagree.”
“Mr. Parker,” Janet said to Dexter, “I will advise you not to accept any plea deal. The government’s strongest evidence is against those who have already pled guilty.”
Dexter said, “You’re the lawyer. No objections.”
Wesley said, “The jury might not find it so hard to digest what Eric Adkins has to say.” He looked at Dexter then Janet. “And even if the jury sees your client as the victim right now, I don’t think they will once they hear testimony about what he’s been doing with his brother’s wife. More than that, Gerald has the critical pieces to this complicated puzzle.”
Dexter shifted in his chair, scratched at his chin for no reason, and said, “Don’t put my brother on the stand. He’s the only family I have, but I will cut his ass off like an unpaid light bill if he testifies, regardless of the outcome.”
“Is that a demand, a request, a threat, or a suggestion?” Wesley asked.
“Mr. Henderson, my brother knows nothing about this case. I made sure I never told him anything. The statement he’s given is all lies. Putting him on the stand is nothing more than subornation of false testimony.”
Phillip cut in and said, “So you’re telling us your brother’s a phony, too? I guess the real question: Will the jury know the difference between the real and the fake?” He smiled at Dexter.
Dexter contemplated, as if thinking of a response. Finally, he said, “If my brother hits that stand, I’ll fight fire with fire.”
Wesley had him now. “If you don’t accept the twenty years and return the money and assets, I can promise your brother will testify.”
Dexter’s eyes moved from Wesley to Phillip then back to Wesley. “I understand you had some complications with Agent Laura Frey. I’m wondering why I haven’t seen her during my trial, despite the fact that she’s the author of a few 302 FBI reports. Call my brother and you can bet I’ll call Agent Frey.”
Wesley said, “Thanks for the warning. Agent Frey will be charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and a few other felonies tomorrow. When you call her to testify, I assume as a hostile witness, you better be sure you can still count on her for $500,000 worth of help.”
Janet stood and said, “The positions sound firm to me. Mr. Henderson, Mr. Walters, we’ll see you in court tomorrow.”
Dexter stood as well. “Last chance, Mr. Henderson. I’ll serve three years in prison and keep a billion dollars.”
Wesley and Phillip stood at the same time. Wesley said, “Out of the question.”
Phillip said, “Earlier you asked for seven years.”
“That was when I thought you guys might use my brother to convict me. I think you both know how foolish that move would be.”
Phillip said, “We’ll know whether you’re right soon enough.”
CHAPTER 109
Inside Wesley’s Mercedes, Phillip fastened his seatbelt and said, “What do you think?”
Wesley started the car. “I’m impressed. Surveillance has nothing. The wire was useless in that conference room. They’re still looking into the yacht owner’s background, and they’ll call back when they have something material.” He backed out of the parking space and drove away from the marina.
Phillip said, “He never had any intention of pleading guilty.”
“I agree, but how did you arrive at that conclusion?”
Phillip thought about something for a moment then said, “He knew you’d never agree to let him keep one dime.”
“Does he sound genuinely worried about the testimony his brother will give?”
Phillip nodded. “I believe he is worried about it. His body language says so. I still think he knows something critical to the outcome of the trial, and it may have something to do with Agent Frey.”
Wesley slowed the vehicle then stopped at an intersection. “I’m sure there’s something she’s not revealing about the case, but her sexual encounter with Macon hardly has anything to do with the charges and evidence against Dexter. It can only make the bureau look bad; it doesn’t make Dexter look innocent. I’ll have her arrested in the morning.”
Phillip said, “She knows she’ll face no more than five years for any charge you throw at her. Dexter could have arranged untold millions for her to finish sabotaging the case. We would never know until it’s too late. Can you prevent the defense from calling her to testify?”
Wesley began driving again. “No, because Agent Frey has relevant knowledge of the case. The Supreme Court has too much to say about the matter.”
>
Phillip had no reply. His mind worked back to the cripple woman on the stand. Geneva. She had certainly surprised the prosecution. Phillip smiled.
Wesley saw him. “I suppose you have an idea.”
“No.” Phillip smiled again. “Geneva Lansing was a setup; her testimony was part of Dexter’s plan. I should have seen that one coming. But I must admit, the whole thing was meticulously constructed. The housing project apartment, the filthy living conditions, the bad credit.”
Wesley said, “And where does the setup come in?”
“It was her job to make sure we interviewed inmate Troy Epps about the letters she mistakenly gave to Patricia Teague. It’s clear that Troy was Dexter’s plant, but I’m sure he imagined Geneva would be interviewed before Troy. I think the next surprise will cost us.”
Wesley said, “Then I guess it’s time to call our two main witnesses.”
CHAPTER 110
Friday morning, Eric Adkins had been called as the first witness of the day. He was in county jail garb and shackles.
Eric had been answering the prosecutor’s questions for twenty-two minutes now and had looked at Dexter almost thirty times.
Wesley said, “And again, this Geneva Lansing is not the 33-year-old handicap woman who lives in Baltimore, right? She’s not confined to a wheelchair, is she?”
“No. The woman I was seeing was using her identity.”
“Tell us how you met Geneva. We’ll call her by the nickname she claimed. Jenny. That should keep down the confusion. How did you meet Jenny? How did you come to know the woman who would later become your live-in girlfriend?”
“Well, the day I was released from prison, Dexter remained incarcerated. He wanted me to pick some money up from a friend of his who manages a steak shop restaurant in Harrisburg. He wanted me there at a certain time.”
“What were you instructed to do with the money?”
“Send it to Dexter’s prison account.”