“Consider it yours,” Chavez said throwing his hands up in surrender.
She jabbed me with her elbow and informed me, “He’s a keeper.”
Chavez laughed and shoved a slice of pizza loaded with everything on it into his mouth. Marino put his palms to his forehead and rubbed it as if he needed to get rid of some unwanted image.
After convincing Aunt Mary to take her medication and a nap in her room, I rejoined the men alone.
“She’s down. I’m in charge of the leftover pizza.”
“Tucked away already. It’s safe.” Chavez winked and pointed at the pizza box on the counter.
“If you could provide some background information, it would help,” Marino started.
“Let me give you the highlights. We met three years ago, and after entering a domestic partnership agreement the year after, we moved in together. I should disclose I consulted with a lawyer last week to terminate our registered domestic partnership agreement. Jude owns his business. He owns the house. We don’t share finances. I have never met his family, but they are from Wisconsin. I know it sounds odd but he said they have been estranged for years. We don’t socialize much, and I don’t know many of his friends. He is dedicated to his work and travels a lot overseas for business. His travel has become more frequent in the last six months,” I said.
“Does he own any other property where he might work from?” Marino asked.
“Not that I am aware. Jude spends his whole day and some nights in his studio, and if you think this house is secure, then his studio security will astound you. If you come here to the window, you can see it out there, the gray structure off the water,” I offered.
We moved over to the window so I could point out the studio.
“I must warn you if you get within three feet of that building, an alarm will go off that could wake the dead. I have the security company on speed dial because Lucy, my dog, walks over there and sets it off. Once you pass the secured perimeter, I have no idea what else he has secured. He built it as an addition before I moved in, and I know part of it is underground,” I said.
“Like a bomb shelter?” Chavez asked pulling his phone out to snap a picture.
“I guess. I’ve never been inside,” I said.
“Okay. Your aunt appears to have an intense dislike for Mr. White, and you told me you are dissolving the domestic partnership. First, why are you and how did he take it?” Marino asked heading back to sit down to take notes.
“It was his idea to do the domestic partnership agreement, sort of a trial balloon he said. Myself, I am an old soul in a young person’s body. I believe in marriage, but I was fine with it if it would lead to somewhere in a reasonable amount of time. Last month out of the blue, he told me he had a vasectomy last year while I was on a trip with my friend Eloise, and it meant a family was off the table. This decision about no children is a deal breaker for me. I spoke to my attorney, Margaret Wilcox, to explore my options regarding dissolving our domestic partnership, and she made the process sound straightforward. It was my plan after Mary returned where she lives after this visit, I would discuss our relationship ending. I am making a solid plan to leave the house with my belongings after I tell him. Once I’ve laid it out to him, my life will be hell until I leave,” I said.
“Why’s that?” Marino asked.
“He’s got a temper that ignites pretty quickly, and this could go either way. I will probably have to leave the night we talk. In the back of his mind, I know he will worry I will cause unnecessary drama or leave with pieces of his art. Neither of which I would do, but I have learned his trust level is at negative five,” I said.
“A real prince!” Chavez interjected, and Marino shot him a look.
“Why does Aunt Mary hate him?” Marino asked.
“Aunt Mary has dementia and gets a little muddled. She is on a new medication that seems to have her straightened out. One time, she lapsed back to World War II when she was a nurse. For some reason, she kept going on about Jude associating with the Russians. Well, specifically, that he was a Russian spy. I know the next question is why. Who knows? His views lean left except when it comes to money, then he is a pure capitalist. When she was out of it, she called him a commie and accused him of meeting his comrades out by the boat dock at night. She said she saw him give them state secrets and accused him of having people come to the dock at night by boat. It has been a nightmare when those two collide.”
“I see,” Marino said twirling his pen between his fingers. “Okay, it’s a good start. Why don’t you go about your business and we’ll make sure the property is secure. Since Jude is now a missing person, we want to take all precautions and make sure we look at every lead possible. Can we have the name of the monitoring company to let them know we are walking the property so if an alarm triggers we can be in communication?”
I retrieved the number, gave it to them, and then walked them to the door. “We will need to get their technician and our techs together to reset the codes,” he said.
“Fine by me.” I wanted the detectives to leave so I could soak in my claw-foot tub and finish up my paper. “Look. So you know, I took the Van Gogh down this morning. Well, alleged Van Gogh. It has me concerned because it has stamps on the back which might be authentic. I snapped some photos, and tonight I plan to send an inquiry to Christie’s since they sold the original of the painting. Before I let you loose on it, I want to talk to Alexi tomorrow to assure myself he can’t hold me responsible for anything. I just wanted you to know I am on top of the situation.”
“Thank you for letting us know. That should be all for this evening. We’ll let ourselves out and keep you posted,” Chavez advised.
Detective Marino assured me that someone would check in before I retired for the evening and someone would be stationed outside during the night. After the final check at night, no one was to leave the house without notification to the officer on duty.
When Mary woke after her nap and ate her pizza, I told her she had to stay in the house. This caused a disagreement because she liked to sit on the dock in the evening. In the end, she agreed if Detective Chavez played a few hands of cards with her when he was on guard duty she would relent.
After that was settled, I emailed my inquiry regarding the painting in the living room and took a long hot bath with Dr. Teal’s Pink Himalayan Salts, and sleep came easy knowing someone was watching over us.
Emma
AFTER CLEANING UP THE DEAD rat crime scene that Sigmund had left earlier, and a simple breakfast was consumed, Aunt Mary and I set out for the lawyer’s office.
As a child, Aunt Mary’s vivid imagination had kept me entertained. As an adult, her imagination often spelled trouble. Before we parked in the lot at the lawyer’s office, I had to set some ground rules.
“Now, Aunt Mary, Margaret is the lawyer handling the domestic partnership and Alexi is the criminal defense lawyer—”
“Emmie Lou, I was in the room with you remember?” she interrupted sharply as if I had insulted her intelligence.
“What I was about to suggest was after we finish with Alexi, I wanted a moment alone to let Margaret know about the missing person report. That work for you?” I said as I released the handle to exit the car.
She didn’t response which affirmed my fear that drama would ensue if I didn’t take the reins. Before I could move around to help her from the car, her legs swung to the side, and she slid out. Before I could lock the car, she had power walked to the entrance.
Entering the older, well-kept building surrounded by lovely green hedges, we walked the short distance to the reception area. I pointed at the wingback chair by the stone fireplace, suggesting that Aunt Mary sit there. By the time I had skimmed through half the Architectural Digest magazine I had chosen to pass the time, a young woman—Alexi’s assistant—had come to escort us to the conference room. Once seated, the assistant presented the retainer agreement for me to review and sign. I glanced through the lengthy document, signed it, a
nd handed her a check for $5000.
Alexi spared me further chaos trying to control Aunt Mary when she entered and introduced herself to us.
“If you ever want to quit your day job, there’s a runway in Paris waiting for you. I have to say, those shoes would do me in, but they are divine,” Mary exclaimed giving Alexi’s shoes an appreciative look.
“Bless you for such a kind compliment.” She stretched her hand for introductions, and we sat.
She placed her laptop on the table, brought it to life, and opened a file. There was a rap at the door, and her assistant announced Agent Thomas had arrived. He was an hour early and I wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
Agent Thomas looked tired this morning, and a little less put together than yesterday. He joined us at the conference table, and unlike Alexi, he had old-fashioned paper files with him. My file was a thick manila folder which encased various documents. Aunt Mary shot me the knowing look to indicate the government indeed kept files on all of us.
“This is not going to be a taped interview. Think of it more like a friendly exchange of information,” he said as he tugged at his right shirt cuff.
“Good. What do you need from my client?” Alexi asked.
“It’s more what I have for you so you can govern yourself accordingly,” he replied as he opened the large folder and shuffled through papers.
Well, this seemed grave.
“Okay, Sam. May I call you Sam?” Alexi asked as she sat back and rubbed the arm of the chair.
“Of course,” he agreed.
“Is my client a person of interest in any investigation?” She swiveled her chair which seemed nonchalant, but maybe it was intentional.
He took a minute before he leaned over the table and spoke. “I cannot reveal what the full scope of my role is in this matter. Suffice it to say, the safe deposit box you opened yesterday was on a watch list.” He lifted his finger to hold off any questions.
“We had a court order to observe Dr. Collier open the box. Before you ask, we cut the feed off when she consulted with you. It was clear there was genuine bewilderment as to the contents, and we were not dealing with an active member of a network connected with the box,” he stated.
“I will get a copy of the order?” she asked.
“It’s under seal,” Agent Thomas said firmly and handed her a document titled Motion To Seal from his file.
“If you are aware it’s not her box, and agree that she is not a criminal mastermind, then why are we here?” Alexi asked tapping notes on her laptop keyboard.
“There is a twist to this investigation, and I am not at liberty to say any more—” he began as he sat back.
Aunt Mary interrupted him, attracting three sets of eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. Ongoing inquiry, we know the drill. Next, he will say as they do in all the British crime dramas ‘early days in the investigation.’ Get to the point. I don’t have much more time on this earth.”
He glared at Aunt Mary hoping to intimidate her. He paused a moment, gathered his thoughts, and looked directly at me.
“We have established the identity of the woman who was using the box for the last two years. But before you ask, I am not at liberty to release her name,” he stated and waited for the fallout.
Aunt Mary fidgeted. He stared, challenging her to start again. “She has been identified as a deceased victim of what we believe was a robbery.”
“Dead. Wait, What? How did you identify her? Who is she? So, she’s a real person who was using my identity?” My voice squeaked. Alexi placed her hand on mine to signal me to settle down and signaled Agent Thomas to continue.
“Okay, then can you tell us her name and why she took on Emma’s identity, or specifically, how she did it?” Alexi asked.
“No. Any questions about the case are off the table,” he replied.
“Can you tell me how Emma is involved? If someone has put her in danger, you must inform us,” Alexi demanded. I saw her looking for the federal code section to cite.
He stroked his chin. It was apparent he was deeply conflicted. “I do not have enough information to answer the question accurately. But, I can tell you she associates with Jude White.” He again waited for the fallout of his revelation and this time was not disappointed. Everyone in the room erupted.
Aunt Mary slammed the table and curses erupted from her I wasn’t aware she knew. I started peppering him with questions, at which point Alexi took control. With her hand in a hold position, she forced us to all be silent.
“Well, a bombshell and not what we expected,” she started.
“I expected that,” Aunt Mary burst out. “There’s your answer to why he’s in the wind.”
“In the wind?” Agent Thomas asked with a confused look.
“Don’t you people talk to each other? She put a missing person out on him last night,” Aunt Mary stated as she hiked her thumb at me. Apparently, her love for the FBI had died off.
“Oh, in the wind. You mean missing. Yes, I am aware Mr. White is missing.” He smiled, but not a genuine smile. “This is a complex investigation with many interconnected parts. I need you to understand any interference from anyone,” he looked straight at Aunt Mary, “could bring an obstruction charge.” Aunt Mary raised her hands in surrender and appeared to relent.
“Is Emma in any danger?” Alexi asked circling us back to the more important question.
“I don’t believe so—” he replied with hesitation.
“Look, Sam. Apparently something more is going on here. I understand you can only admit specific details because you cannot jeopardize an investigation, but let’s sum this up. Someone, for an unexplained reason, opened a box in Emma’s name. The woman has a remarkable resemblance to Emma, right?” Alexi waited for an acknowledgment that never came. “This woman is linked to Jude White.” Agent Thomas gave Alexi a small nod. “This woman dies after the box she has been using is compromised. We know the day of the bank breach, Mr. White disappeared with no further information about him. Now you leave Emma waiting for further information, with the box in her name which could cause some serious legal issues. Do you understand my problem here? Can you honestly say Emma is not in danger?” Alexi waited for an answer that never came. Aunt Mary interjected, “She connected those dots, bucko.”
As he leaned forward, he rested his elbows on the table and his fingers pointed into a steeple. “I am sorry Dr. Collier is going through this stressful time. But I cannot offer you any further information. When we have something more concrete, we will let you know.”
“Well, you realize I can get what I need through a request under the Freedom of Information Act,” Alexi challenged.
“Ms. Morgan. Alexi. I am aware you have connections, and that you were a US assistant attorney. I am not naive to the possibility, more likely the probability, the minute I walk out you will use every resource at your disposal to find out what you want to learn. I realize you need to know the details of the investigation. That is what we are working on and not ready to explain yet. Agents lives remain at risk, and you could compromise an ongoing undercover operation. You can press for more information, but to save you time, I assure you Homeland sealed the files. I am asking you to back off,” he urged.
Aunt Mary couldn’t help herself. “Homeland. So, dickhead is a terrorist. I have to say I told you so. How long have I said he is a commie?”
She had our attention and continued. “Agent Thomas, if you get me into witness protection—I want Arizona, nothing cold—I will share my information. Get me a deal, and I will spill.”
All I could say was, “Jesus, help me,” as I lowered my forehead to the table.
Agent Thomas looked dubiously at Alexi and then back at Aunt Mary. “Thank you. If you would share your information with Ms. Morgan, she can tell me, and I will take your proposal under advisement.”
Aunt Mary hit the table, and I jumped. “Well, get cracking because I have the goods.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He picked up his pa
pers and tapped the bottom to straighten them, then put them in his briefcase. He bid us a good day and left.
When I was sure he had left the building, I whirled around to let Aunt Mary have it. “What in the holy hell is wrong with you? If anybody should be ready to send Jude down the river, it’s me. But for the love of God, terrorism? Get a grip!”
“You think I am not crystal-clear right now? You think I am in one of my funks? I have been telling you for years he’s associated with Russians. You heard for yourself what the man said in spook-speak. Shit for brains is on a terrorist watch list. Now if they want my information, they will give, and I will give. As our great president says, there’s a deal to be made. I will not live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder once I blow the whistle,” she advised and crossed her arms and indicated she was done.
“Okay, okay, everyone quiet down,” Alexi said. “Mary, I am an officer of the court and a US citizen just like you. It is our duty to keep our country safe any way possible. If you have any information to substantiate Mr. White is involved in a terrorist organization, you must tell me.”
Glancing at me Mary said, “Ask her.”
For emphasis, she pointed an accusatory finger at me. “Ask Em. I’ve been feeding information to her for years about his behavior.”
Alexi stood up and squared her shoulders. She walked over to Mary, who appeared to drop back in her seat.
“Mary, this situation is very, very serious. Mr. White is missing, and we don’t have enough information to determine if he’s voluntarily missing, or missing as in dead. A woman posing as Emma is dead.” Alexi purposefully stopped there to let her absorb the information.
“Tell me what you know, all of it from the start. I will sift through the information and ferret out what is relevant. Once I have all the information and can put the puzzle pieces together, I can then question the government, and demand answers. With the limited information I have, I would be just punching in the dark at a moving target. Understand?”
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