Ethics of a Thief

by Hinrichsen, Mary Gale

  While pondering why she wanted him to read it, he sat in silence, asking himself, How does that apply to my situation? He quickly grabbed a pen and pad of paper and tried to crack the code.

  First: God so loved the world -- I live in the world. So God loves me.

  Second: He gave His only begotten Son -- God gave me Jesus.

  Third: That whosoever believes in Him -- If I believe in Jesus...

  Fourth: Shall not perish -- Does that mean I’ll live on?

  Fifth: But will have everlasting life: I guess that means someday I’ll go to heaven and live there forever.

  “I need to figure out how that can be helpful right now.” He stared at his notes.

  He jumped to his feet, yelling, “Eternity! It starts now. Not when I die. I have life now!” As he fell on his knees, his tears welled up, “I want to believe. Help me. I need forgiveness. I know I screwed up my life. I’m done trying to do things on my own, it doesn’t work.” While weeping, he asked, “What should I do with my life?”

  Instantly, as if someone opened the window on a rainy day and the sun shined brightly, peace came over him and he felt instantly clean inside. His mind was unmistakably lucid. He grabbed the phone directory and searched for the District Attorney’s office. After speaking to a secretary, he made an appointment for the next day.

  Within minutes of hanging up, his phone rang. It was Abigail’s voice. “Are you okay?”

  “I never felt better in my life, why?”

  “You’ve been on my mind for days. I’ve been praying for you.” “Actually, something did happen. I decided to turn myself in. I have an appointment with the District Attorney tomorrow.”

  “You sound like you’ve been crying.”

  “Yes. I have. But, they’re tears of relief and joy because, for the first time in years, I can see things clearly.”

  Chapter Thirty-one

  When Abigail arrived at her home, she was concerned because her sister’s condition hadn’t changed. She was hoping for some good news. As she opened the drapes, the sunlight was bright and brought warmth. When she listened to her messages, one was from Matt. But she decided to fix tea before dialing his number. When he answered, she said, “Hi. It’s me. How did things go?”

  “I’m glad it’s you, I called earlier, but I guess you know since you’re returning mine,” he said, with a light chuckle.

  “Did you see the District Attorney?”

  “Nope, I changed my mind.”

  “Oh,” she said, as her heart sank and her future dissipated. “But why?” she said with a punch.

  “Because this morning, my dear, I discovered something new regarding the murders.”

  “What! I thought Forelli … wasn’t he awaiting trial?”

  “Yes. He still is, but he might be innocent.”

  “Who’s the new suspect? Why didn’t anyone tell us? How did you find out?”

  “By listening to the morning news,” he said, while still grinning. “The news reporter said the FBI found an Iraqi hiding on the yacht. His spokesman said he was trying to recover a stolen artifact that dated back to early A.D. It belonged to a Samarian Village.”

  “I can’t believe this. The man was found on the yacht! Where was he hiding? We searched everywhere.”

  “They didn’t report that, but if he’s telling the truth, we were searching for the same artifact.”

  Her thoughts raced, as she sat. She was stunned by the new revelation. Suddenly she remembered, “The guy might be telling the truth. Guess what? Larry and Sandra had just returned from the Middle East!”

  “Wow. That’s an interesting thought.”

  “Where do you think he was hiding?” she asked.

  “My guess is in the Master Suite.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s the only cabin we didn’t search.”

  “Oh. That makes sense.” She said while walking to the kitchen, holding the phone to her ear. “He has to be the murderer. Did the FBI find the vase?” She switched the phone to her other ear, while pouring water.

  “No. But I did.”

  Abigail stopped in her tracks and put down the pot. “What! You found it -- when?”

  “Late morning, right after I heard the news report. I figured the historical artifact must be in the Kilgore’s house, since it wasn’t on the yacht.”

  While trying to digest what he was saying, she was silent, don’t get too excited about your future. After taking a deep breath, she said, “So, you broke into their home?”

  “Yes. Matter of fact, I did. At first, I searched to see if it was lying out conspicuously, like the Faberge’ Egg, but it wasn’t. After probing around, I decided to search where they stored their vases. I found the relic hidden in a box way behind the others. I didn’t even want to touch it, the thing looked so fragile.”

  “How can you be sure it’s what the Iraqi searched for?”

  “It was obvious. If it’s dated back to Christ, a vase or pot could easily be what they were searching for. It also looks like one-of-a-kind, it’s so fragile.”

  At this point, Abigail was confused. She wasn’t sure if she should be pleased or angry. “Do you realize what you’re saying? During our last phone conversation, you were going to turn yourself in, but, instead, you broke into their home? That doesn’t make sense. Why would you risk getting into more trouble?”

  “Because, it was my first glimpse of God’s grace.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Right before I was going to turn myself in, I switched the TV channel to the news. That’s when I heard about the Iraqi and the priceless vase. So, perhaps God wanted me to use it as a bargaining tool.”

  “But how?” she said while carefully sitting so not to spill her tea.

  “By going to the FBI and asking for a deal.”

  Silently, she was thanking God. “Did you call them yet?”

  “My appointment is at three-thirty.”

  “Today?”

  “Yep.”

  “Good for you, Matt. Do you think they’ll go for it?”

  “That I don’t know, it may not be their call.”

  “Then who?”

  “If they can’t make a deal, it might be up to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. But, I’m hoping that the FBI will at least get the ball rolling.”

  “Where’s the vase now?”

  “Someplace safe, don’t worry. No one will ever find it without my help.”

  *

  When Matt arrived to the FBI Headquarters, he asked for Special Agent Ned Parker. A dark-haired woman behind the reception desk said, “I’m sorry, but something came up. It might be a while.”

  “I’ll wait.”

  “Can I get something for you?” Her cheerful voice matched her smile. “We have coffee, tea and water.”

  “No, thanks.” He turned and walked into the waiting area and sat. After a while, he checked his watch, thirty minutes had passed. Within another ten minutes or so, Special Agent Parker came to greet him. “Sorry to keep you waiting, an emergency came up.”

  “No problem.”

  “Please come with me.”

  He followed Parker into a conference room. The man seemed preoccupied. When they entered, there was a round table with chairs. Parker held out his arm indicating to sit. After getting comfortable, he asked, “What can I do for you?”

  Because Matt observed that he wasn’t fully present, he waited until he thought he was paying attention. “What I have to say needs to be off the record. Is that possible?”

  After surveying Matt for a minute, he said, “Sure, as long as no one’s in imminent danger.”

  “No. It’s nothing like that.”

  After explaining the news regarding the Iraqi being found on the yacht, he asked, “Is closing the murder investigation important to you?”

  Parker didn’t answer.

  “Do you have any interest in finding the two-thousand-year-old vase?”

  Suddenly, there was alertness in Parker’s eyes,
as he sat upright.

  “What if I can produce the vase -- would that help your investigation?”

  “I’m not sure where you’re going here.”

  Matt leaned forward. “I would like to propose an exchange, the return of the relic for my immunity. Are you in a position to do that?”

  As Parker sat back in his chair, he said, “Immunity for what?”

  “For my many past crimes that were never closed.”

  “What crimes are we talking about?”

  After explaining in detail about his part in various fraudulent insurance claims, Matt stated that he never used weapons, never harmed anyone and had never been investigated or suspected of any of the crimes. “In short, I have a clean record, you can check it out.”

  “Then, why turn yourself in if the authorities aren’t looking for you?”

  “Because I want to turn my life around, but can’t -- not with my past haunting me.”

  As Parker swayed in his chair, he carefully surveyed Matt. “Okay. First, convince me you and your cohorts are innocent of those murders.”

  Matt leaned forward. “For starters, I know the Kilgores were involved in smuggling stolen goods, and that they had just returned from the Middle East. So, what the Iraqi said adds up.”

  “Go on.”

  While watching his face, Matt said, “Did you find the Iraqi hiding in the Master Suite by any chance?”

  No response.

  “Look at your notes. Miss Wilson and the children searched for the Kilgore’s. They went to their Master Suite and knocked on the hatch several times. And that was before we arrived. Do you think the reason they didn’t respond might be because the couple was already dead?”

  “Go on,” Parker’s eyes darted as he grabbed a pen and wrote on a yellow pad. He glanced up, while squirming in his chair. “What do you want from me, Mr. Willingham?”

  “I want for you to arrange immunity for me and my men with the appropriate authorities. When that is done, I’ll hand over the priceless relic.”

  “I’ll give it some thought and consult with my associates.”

  “I’m convinced that the Iraqi murdered those people. The vase will validate his motive to kill. By the way, I bet he isn’t denying he did it.”

  Special Agent Parker was silent with his eyes looking down and his forehead revealed deep lines.

  “It’s my guess that if you, an FBI agent, solved a double murder case and recovered a priceless artifact, it would enhance your career. Am I wrong here? Wouldn’t that be a plus for you with International Affairs? We already know that it’s an embarrassment for our country. The Iraqi’s spokesman accused our military personnel of taking it when we invaded them after 9/11.”

  “Yes, go on.”

  “My theory is that the Kilgores refused to return it to the man, so he became angry and killed them.”

  “But, you have not finished connecting the dots. Where’s the vase?”

  “What if someone had it, would it be worth immunity for its return?” he said with piercing eyes and leaning forward.

  Parker sat erect. “Where is it? Or do you even know?”

  “Yes. I have access to it and can bring it to you.”

  “I don’t get it. Why is immunity so important?”

  “Someday I might marry. I don’t want to be sitting at home with my family and be arrested for a crime I committed years earlier. Now do you get it?”

  Silently, Parker stood and then paced with his hands behind his back. When he stopped he glared at Matt.

  “I want the same deal for my associates, and I promise you, none of them have priors and they all have good careers. They only helped me as a favor. Those men trust me. So, everything I request must apply to them. Is that agreeable?”

  “I hear you.”

  “Just think of how many unsolved cases you will close, including a double-murder, and help our country politically at the same time.”

  “You make it all sound so easy,” Parker said, while sitting back in his chair, his eye cocked while studying Matt.

  “Hey, I’m not a high-risk criminal, nor are my men. This shouldn’t be a hard sell to your people or the State Attorney.”

  Soon, Parker’s eyes became more alert and his head nodded.

  “Are you in a position to start the negotiation for me?”

  “You’re a smart man. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t know the answer.” Suddenly he pushed himself up from his chair. “I’ll speak to my people and get back to you. But, I’ll warn you, the immunity does not apply to future crimes. And, if you’re lying about not using weapons, or we find out you harmed someone, the deal is off, understand? That goes for your cohorts, as well, okay?”

  After Matt grinned, he nodded. “Yes, of course.”

  “I’ll place a few calls.” While walking Matt to the door, Parker said, “I’ll phone you tomorrow. By the way, did all your crimes occur in San Diego?”

  “No. Some took place out of state or out of the country, but the insurance owners lived in San Diego.”

  “I’m not sure how that’ll fly. I’ll do what I can.”

  Matt stopped. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Our deal involves international issues. By the way, the only other person I’ll implicate is Luke Percy. That man referred all those who wanted to commit insurance fraud.” Matt watched for his reaction, but he had none.

  Matt reached for Parker’s hand, “It’s been a pleasure meeting with you again. I hope we can work something out.”

  Just as Matt was walking down the hall, he spun around with a large grin. He felt lighter, as if a weight was lifted. Although he was pleased with how things went, he knew not to celebrate until he received his call from Parker.

  Once he was home, he scouted through the yellow pages for churches nearby. One had a service that night at seven. He decided to attend.

  As he drove to La Jolla to meet with Jack, he was pleased with himself for making some significant steps in the right direction.

  He was determined to change, even if it meant doing jail time. When he arrived at the meeting place, Jack was at a table waiting. He quickly stood to greet Matt, “So, tell me. What’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You look like the dog that finally caught up with the cat.”

  While grinning, he said, “Let’s order, then talk.”

  Soon a slightly overweight, middle-aged waitress came to the table. She had brittle red hair and deep facial lines.

  “What can I get for you, fellers?”

  “Just coffee for now.”

  Soon she returned with coffee, but her hands shook while filling their cups. Later she returned to take their orders, and slowly moved out of sight.

  While Jack listened to Matt giving the updates on the case, he was intrigued that it included a spiritual change as well. He rubbed his temples while saying, “Wow. That’s a lot to take in. Talk about a turn-around, it makes me feel dizzy.”

  As Matt chuckled, he said, “Actually I feel pretty good knowing I’m doing the right thing.”

  “I’m both surprised and impressed. After listening to you, I can tell you’re doing this for yourself, not the woman. That is amazing.”

  “If I don’t change for me, it won’t stick -- I know that. It hit me, the only things I have control over are my choices and how I react to my problems. If I continue making the same mistakes, they’ll eventually destroy me.”

  “It’s about time you came to your senses,” Jack said, while leaning back in his chair with a broad smile.

  “Okay. Now, I need to ask you something,” Matt whispered. “How did you justify helping me fence stolen goods all those years?”

  “Fear, if it wasn’t me helping you, you may have ended up with the wrong people. Tell you one thing, it was hard on me.”

  “You’re a solid friend, Jack. I’m sorry for taking advantage of you.”

  *

  After Matt returned home he called Abigail, but had to leave a message. A
t that moment, he was energized and decided to clean the house. When he heard himself humming a tune, it surprised him. As he glanced at the clock, he realized he was running late for the seven o’clock church service.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  While Abigail sat and watched her sister lying hooked up to equipment, she listened to the beep, beep, beep, over and over again. She covered her eyes. How can Mother stand to watch her like this day after day?

  The pale green walls felt as if they were closing in. She went to the window to look at the ocean. The water lacked its usual sparkle. When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw a book her mother left. She walked over to her sister’s bed stand to retrieve it. As she flipped to the marked chapter, she read it out loud hoping her sister could hear and enjoy the story.

  After reading several chapters she placed the book on the table, and watched her sister. She wanted to tell her everything and said, “What can I do Alisa? I love him so much. It kills me to end our romance before it begins.” As she watched her unresponsive sister, she touched her forehead and started praying for her recovery.

  When finished, she said, “I know. A double-minded person shouldn’t expect anything from the Lord. Okay, I’ll try to stand firm,” with a tear filled face she kissed her hand, “I miss you, Sis, and I love you so very much.”

  On her way to the car, she decided to phone Carry. When she answered, she said, “Boy, do I need a friend right now. Can we get together?”

  “When and where?”

  “One hour, at the Prado restaurant in Balboa Park.”

  “Sure.”

  “You’re a good friend. There’s no doubt. When I need you most, no questions asked, you’re there for me.”

  “You would do the same for me,” Carry said.

  While driving though Balboa Park, Abigail enjoyed the beauty of all the trees and flower gardens. Although she parked on the lower level, she enjoyed her walk up the hill and admired the unique architecture of the embassy buildings. She passed the magnificent outdoor stage and the Oriental Gardens. She had never gone through them. Perhaps I’ll take the kids next week.