Bonnie glares at him, but her expression slowly clears and she sighs. “Well, I suppose a thank you is in order, but that’s a pretty crappy thing to do to someone.”
Hughes says, “Yes, unfortunately it is, but it is still one of the most effective in our experience.”
Agent Mather smiles ruefully. “The others will be finishing up their interviews shortly. Can I buy you a cup of coffee to apologize?”
Bonnie replies, “A shot of tequila would be much better, but since you’re still on duty, a cup of coffee will do. I’d love one.”
Jessica’s interview is rather uneventful. She is questioned about Mark and Bonnie’s marriage, her friendship with Bonnie, and her working relationship with Sean. Jessica explains that Bonnie and Mark referred her to Mr. Green for marketing services for her company. She talks about how she disliked Sean when she met him and how it came about that his firm is now representing her.
“Without Mark and Bonnie, I seriously doubt SGM would have ever taken my company on as a business client, simply because we’re small potatoes compared to SGM’s other clients,” she says. “I have a lot to thank them for, and they have always been wonderful people.”
The agent asks, “And how do you know Hugo and Ricardo Montes? What is their connection to Juan Zamora?”
Jessica looks puzzled at how the FBI would know about her connection to Mr. Zamora, but figures they probably know a lot of strange stuff. “Well, I met each of them through Mr. Green. He located a factory that he thought my company might look at as a possible expansion site. I was performing due diligence for Beauty Boutique Clothing, and each of the individuals mentioned was involved, to some degree, in that due diligence,” she replies.
The agent asks for examples of their involvement.
Jessica explains, “Ricardo owns and manages the factory. Hugo, in an effort to help Ricardo land a long-term tenant, opened the communication channels into the government, through Juan. As a favor to Juan, I suggested that while I was in Brazil, I could have one of my designs custom-made for his wife. She loves the fact that she owns the first Beauty Boutique design manufactured in Brazil. It was just good marketing. I believe it will shorten and minimize the cost of expedited approvals, thus allowing me to open the factory for production in three or four months.”
The agent raises his eyebrow at the questionable business practice of bribing the Brazilian government, but is convinced that Jessica has no knowledge surrounding Mark’s murder and concludes his interview with her.
Jessica meets up with Agent Mather and Bonnie at the Starbucks coffee shop in the lobby of the federal building.
Agent Mather welcomes her, then explains, “Sean’s interview was expected to be the longest of the three, due to the close working relationship he and Mark shared over the years. They should be done soon though.”
The three of them decide to continue in conversation until Sean’s interview concludes.
Most of Sean’s interview is benign, until he is questioned about the struggles Global Metal Refining was experiencing with Diablo Mining, Inc. Sean immediately realizes this could get very difficult because of his smuggling U.S. currency past Brazilian customs in order to buy Hugo Montes’ cooperation. He tries to explain.
“Well, I devised a strategy to shift the environmental blame off of Global Metal Refining and onto Diablo Mining as it pertained to Mother Earth Cooperative. Diablo Mining had technically not violated any Brazilian laws, even though all parties knew international best practices were ignored in order to maximize the gold yield for both Diablo Mining and Global Metal Refining,” he says, hedging around how he managed a compromise.
The agent presses. “Why would Mr. Montes agree to such a one-sided arrangement?”
Sean’s response is plausible. “Because Diablo Mining is a small company in comparison to Global Metal Refining, and if they wanted further contracts with Mark, they had to agree to this arrangement or find themselves losing future contract bids and therefore business.”
The agent raises his eyebrows and says, “So, just to confirm, you blackmailed them into acquiescing?”
Sean gives the agent a wry smile and replies, “That’s a bit harsh. We simply persuaded them to accept our terms. It’s called business.”
The agent snorts. “Spin it however you want to, Mr. Green. Mr. Montes didn’t really have a choice, did he?”
Sean almost chuckles. “Of course he did, agent. One always has a choice. Fortunately for me, in this case, most people are greedy. When you control the dollars, you control the terms. Mark Stevens taught me that simple fact and I’ll never forget it.”
The agent scoffs. “Bullshit. The two of you extorted your terms out of Diablo Mining.”
Sean presses his fingertips together, feeling a bit frustrated. “It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? What is your name again, by the way?”
“Bill Parks,” the agent replies. He ponders his next question before asking, “So, Sean, who would want Mark dead? Consider your answer carefully, because this same person may want to kill you next.”
Sean tries not to act disturbed, but he is actually shocked about the idea. It isn’t anything he ever considered, and frankly, he is unsettled by the possible ramifications of the question. The agent notes his distress, but is quiet.
Sean thinks for a moment with several names rattling around in his head, then responds, “I have absolutely no idea who would ever want Mark dead.”
Bill sits quietly for what seems like an hour, his piercing eyes locked onto Sean’s. When he breaks the silence he says, “Really? Let me see if I can think of a few possibilities for you to consider then. How about Bonnie or Wendy Stevens? Hugo or Ricardo Montes? What about Juan Zamora? Or any one of the members of the Mother Earth Cooperative? Hell, it could even be you.”
Sean meets Parks’ gaze and says coldly, “You don’t think much of me, do you? What the hell is your problem? Besides, what would be my reason, or Bonnie’s, or Wendy’s, to kill Mark?”
Agent Parks says, “I could think of a billion reasons.”
“Well then, maybe you killed him. See how ridiculous that sounds?” Sean counters, annoyed. “What about the others who didn’t inherit any money from Mark’s estate?”
“Oh, you mean those other individuals whom you and Stevens have controlled and extorted from to make more money?”
Sean, actually angry now because of Agent Parks’ juvenile antics, decides to play along just a bit more. “Agent Parks, do you know what I think? I think the FBI hasn’t a fucking clue who shot Mark, and every one of you are grasping at straws, hoping to find the proverbial needle in the haystack.” Parks laughs out loud but there’s an edge to it, and Sean decides to piss him off some more. “Oh and, Bill, I forgot to explain that ‘proverbial’ means customary, or well-known. Am I free to leave, or do you have more sophomoric theories you would like to espouse?”
Agent Parks sits back in his chair yet again. “You are free to leave at this time, but we very well may wish to discuss matters further with you later.”
Sean pats his heart and says, “I cherish the thought.” He stands up and walks out of the room. “Where are the others?” he asks the receptionist, and is directed downstairs to meet them in the coffee shop.
The minute Bonnie sees Sean coming; she knows things didn’t go well. Sean walks up to her, Jess, and Agent Mather at their table and says, “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting on the jet and getting the fuck out of this podunk, redneck town. You two can join me or you can stay, but the jet leaves as soon as I get to the airport.” With that, he turns on his heel and heads for the door. Bonnie and Jessica share a moment of confusion, then grab their purses, leave money and a tip at the table with Agent Mather, and hurry after Sean.
When they get into the car, Jessica asks, “What the hell was that all about?”
Sean replies, “I’m just tired of all the bullshit today.”
For the rest of the trip, he doesn’t say a word. He drinks scot
ch after scotch until they land in San Francisco. Jessica makes Sean give her his car keys and drives them all back to Bonnie’s house. When they arrive, Wendy is waiting for them, reading a book. Sean walks unsteadily past her without acknowledgement, heading straight to his bedroom.
Wendy is about to say something to his back when Jessica touches her arm and murmurs, “Let him go. We’ll talk about everything in the morning. Apparently his interview wasn’t very cordial.” Jessica goes to Sean’s room, knocks on the door, and peeks inside. Sean is sitting at his computer, shirtless.
She clears her throat. “Hey, are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?”
Sean looks at her over the top of his computer screen, sigh, then says, “Not tonight. I’m just pissed, and now pretty drunk. We can all talk in the morning, okay?”
Jessica nods and closes the door gently. She stands there for a moment, her hand still on the doorknob, thinking, oh my God, that man is fine, even when he’s pissed. In that moment, she realizes just how much trouble she is in as far as Sean Green is concerned.
The next morning, the four of them sit down to compare observations of their interviews. Bonnie, Jessica, and Wendy want to know what happened in Sean’s interview, since his reaction was extreme compared to the others.
Sean explains, “Agent Bill Parks made several accusations about Mark’s and my business relationship, suggested that I could potentially have killed Mark for money, and then proceeded to tell me that if I didn’t do it, whoever killed Mark may want to come after me next.”
All the women are shocked. Recognizing his comments are disturbing to the others, he adds, “It just shows that they have no idea who killed Mark.” Attempting to change the subject, he asks Wendy, “How was your interview here?”
Wendy shrugs. “I met with David Hill, who was absolutely charming. He asked about Mark growing up, our relationship as kids, and then about our adult relationship. When I told him Mark and I really didn’t have much of a relationship as adults, he asked me to explain why.” She glances over at Sean momentarily, and he knows Wendy disclosed everything that caused the rift between the two of them.
Bonnie fingers her coffee mug. “You know, you never have discussed the reasons you two never spoke as adults. What did happen?”
Wendy touches Bonnie’s hand gently and says, “It’s a long story, dear. But the short version is that Mark was into making money and I just wanted to help people. Perhaps that’s why he took over Dad’s company and I became a counselor specializing in treatment for domestic abuse victims. We simply saw the world too differently. Did I ever tell you, I found out years after Mark and I stopped talking that he was the person who anonymously paid off all my student loans, all the way through my PhD?”
Bonnie smiles as a tear rolls down her cheek. “No, you didn’t. That was just like Mark.”
Wendy swallows and replies, “Yes, it was, dear.”
Sean sits there, unable to fathom Wendy’s strength. What a kind gesture that was, for Wendy to turn a horrible circumstance into a loving memory for Bonnie, he thinks. He wonders if he would have been able to be so kind had he gone through all that Wendy had endured.
The conversation is abruptly interrupted by a telephone call from Nate and Evelyn. Jessica puts them on speakerphone so they don’t have to repeat everything separately. They explain that all the plans for Mark’s memorial have been made. They reserved Grace Cathedral for the service and emailed the program to Jessica for Bonnie’s approval.
“Sean,” Evelyn asks, “will you be up to delivering the eulogy?”
Sean nods. “It would be my honor.” He looks to Bonnie. “Unless you have someone else in mind?”
Bonnie shakes her head. “I would love it if you delivered the eulogy.”
Nate chimes in, “Our intent was to keep the service under two hours, but several people have contacted us wanting to speak on Mark’s behalf. A senator, some business associates, and a few friends have come forward so far.”
Bonnie asks, “Can we please keep it under two hours? I don’t think I can endure much more while still maintaining my composure.”
Nate and Evelyn agree that they will make sure that change occurs, then request approval on the program as soon as possible.
Bonnie says, “Hold on, I’ll have Jessica pull it up right now.”
After reviewing the program, Bonnie approves it and thanks them for all their hard work in preparing everything.
Sean asks, “Did you allow time for the press to ask questions?”
Evelyn replies, “After the service, we have reserved time for a brief press conference with questions and answers for them. We were hoping you would handle that immediately after Bonnie leaves the church.”
Sean sighs and says, “I knew it was coming. It might as well be then, so I can just be done with it.”
Nate says, “There is one other thing everyone should be aware of. The FBI will be at the service, but they have promised to keep an extremely low profile, so if you recognize one of the agents, just ignore them and they will do the same for you. From our best estimate, we are expecting around twenty-five hundred people to be in attendance. We’ve already informed everyone there will be no reception following the service, because the next of kin has requested privacy. Bonnie, we’ve also set up a charity foundation in Mark’s name for any donations, specifically to help with environmental problems, and you are the chairperson of the foundation. We named it the Stevens Environmental Relief Fund.”
Bonnie starts to cry and says through her sniffles, “Thank you. I’ll make sure Mark is honored through this foundation.”
With all the plans for Mark’s memorial in place, Wendy, Bonnie, and Sean schedule appointments with Todd Stoddard to complete all the necessary transfer documents. Wendy informs Mr. Stoddard that she will find other legal representation in San Diego and will not be in need of any further services from him or his office.
“Pardon me, Ms. Stevens, but why?” Todd inquires.
Wendy is very blunt as she states, “Because, Mr. Stoddard, I hold both you and Mark responsible for my father’s death.” Todd is surprised and says so, so Wendy explains, “You’re the asshole who assisted Mark in the hostile takeover of Metal Refining, which caused my father to lose his company, become despondent, and commit suicide.”
When Todd attempts to protest, Wendy interrupts, saying, “I don’t want to hear your excuses. I’ll simply take my six billion dollars and find other counsel. Have a nice life.” With that, Wendy terminates the conversation. Both Bonnie and Sean, however, decide to remain clients of Mr. Stoddard.
CHAPTER 17
A DAY AT A TIME
Grace Memorial is a beautiful, iconic chapel in San Francisco. Today, it is filled with flowers and wonderful, happy images of Mark Stevens’ life. When Bonnie, Jessica, Wendy, and Sean arrive, they are not surprised to see the place is packed. The pastor begins the service by reminding everyone present that God is still in control of all that happens.
“While we don’t understand why such tragedy could befall anyone in this life,” he says, “there is always a higher purpose being achieved. There is shelter and hope to be found in the Lord during trials and difficulties. Let us pray.”
There’s a rustle while everyone bows their heads. Then the pastor prays for the peace found only in God to transcend their hearts, minds, and emotions in Christ Jesus. After the prayer, the service is turned over to Sean, who delivers a brief but powerful eulogy, in which he outlines Mark’s many accomplishments, successes, goals, and dreams.
Sean concludes with touching words to Bonnie. “I was a close friend and confident for Mark through both of his failed marriages. While I am sure Mark loved his previous wives, I had never seen Mark as happy as he was with you, Bonnie. Mark cherished you and would have done anything to make you as happy and fulfilled as you made him. One day, while trying to explain your relationship to me, and also convince me why I should find someone and settle down, Mark told me you completed him and
his life, and there would never be another woman for him. It was that simple! I remember thinking, at the time, that Mark was becoming a sentimental old fool,” Sean pauses, a sad smile on his face. “But now, looking back, I recognize what the two of you had. I pray someday I’ll find someone to complete my life like you did for Mark.”
After finishing this statement, Sean turns the service back over to the pastor, who allows many other friends to share special moments and memories. Other than the grateful tears shed during Sean’s eulogy, Bonnie sits stoically throughout the service, although she is extremely gracious to well-wishers at its conclusion. She maintains her poise as she, Wendy, and Jessica exit the church and drive away. It is only in the car that Bonnie allows herself to feel the totality and searing pain surrounding Mark’s murder. In that moment, she feels completely lost, alone, abandoned, crushed, and broken. She weeps uncontrollably, surrounded by the arms of the two people who love her most in the world.
While Jessica and Wendy are comforting Bonnie, Sean is heading to the press conference. He grabs SAC David Hill and asks the agent to accompany him, to prevent him from saying more than is permissible at this point in the investigation.
Hill agrees and says, “Of course I’ll help monitor you. Thank you for asking.” They walk into the press room together.
Sean takes the podium with his opening statement. “Thank you all for honoring the family’s request for privacy during these difficult days. In the next few weeks, I am sure Mrs. Stevens will feel up to handling requests for interview, but again, I ask for your patience. In the event you wish to request an interview with Mrs. Stevens, please contact Nate Styles, at Beauty Boutique Clothing, or my executive secretary, Evelyn Brooks at Sean Green Marketing. These two extremely competent individuals will coordinate with each other, so please don’t try and play them against each other to get your request expedited. We will know, and we will not be amused.” He pauses, considering what to say next.
Uncontrolled Spin: The Power and Danger of Spin ( Un missable Series Book 1) Page 18