by Stephen Frey
For Lil
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to:
Elaine Koster, Dutton publisher, for her continuing support.
Lori Lipsky, my editor, for her outstanding contributions.
Michael Pocalyko for his tireless assistance with this project.
Cynthia Manson, my literary agent, for all her work.
Stephen Watson for his counsel.
Others I’d like to thank:
Gordon Eadon, Russell DaSilva, Jim Wilson, Kathy Thornton, Tom Lynch, Barbara Pocalyko, Arnold Dolin, Laurie Parkin, Mary Ann Palumbo, Leigh Butler, Kevin Haas, Denise Cronin, Aline Akelis, Lisa Johnson, Tracey Guest, Alicia Brooks, Robert Wieczorek, Jr., Barbara Fertig, Betty Saif, Jim and Anmarie Galowski, Brooke McDonald, Chris Tesoriero, Jim McPartlan, Pat and Terry Lynch, Mike Lynch, John Paul Garber, Rick Slocum, Rick Stoddard, Walter Frey, Kathleen Halligan, Dileep Bhattacharya and Nita Mathur, Howard Sanders, Richard Green, Kevin Erdman, Gerry Barton, Liz Eodice, Marie Patton, Julie Plaza, Brian LaLonde, Jim O’Connor, Kevin Kops, Louis Frey, Georgette Gruen, Kiran Sondhi, Mark Rothleitner, Bob Carpenter, Dennis Hedgepeth, and Tom Gates.
Prologue
April 1997
The man sat calmly in a large leather chair at the edge of the lamp’s faint arc of light. He inhaled deeply, held his breath for several moments, then slowly tilted his head back and blew thick, pungent smoke toward the ceiling. He was in no rush. He had negotiated many times before and was acutely aware of the value gained from projecting indifference in these situations.
David Mitchell peered through the gloom at the figure in the leather chair, but could distinguish little except the indistinct outline of the man’s body and the glow of a cigar tip as it moved. David wanted to push the meeting forward but said nothing for fear he might give away his impatience—and in the process, the deal.
“So what is my incentive?” the man finally asked, his gravelly voice filtering through the smoke-laden air.
“Two million dollars,” David answered. “A million when the contract is signed and another million when full production begins.”
“Two million dollars.” The man chewed on the words for a moment, then spat them out. “You’ve asked a great deal of me. I don’t think two million is enough.” He tapped the cigar gently on the side of a crystal bowl and a perfectly symmetrical inch-long ash fell into it.
“How much is enough?”
“More than two million.”
David drew in a long breath. He was annoyed at the lack of progress but tried not to make it obvious. “Can you really deliver?” It was a bold question, and despite the dim light he noticed the man’s relaxed posture suddenly stiffen.
“Of course I can.” The voice was still steady but now conveyed a repressed anger at the younger man’s audacity.
“How can I be certain?” David asked quickly, sensing that he had struck a nerve.
“You can’t be certain. You just have to trust me.”
“I’m giving you two million dollars. I need more than trust, I need guarantees.”
“Impossible. There can be no guarantees.”
A few moments of uncomfortable silence ensued.
“Perhaps I’ve made a mistake in coming here.” Instantly, David wished he could have taken back the words.
The man reclined into the chair. “Fine,” he said confidently. “Then leave.”
David felt a drop of perspiration trickle from the end of his eyebrow slowly down the right side of his face. He couldn’t enter into a transaction on such fragile terms. But he couldn’t walk away from it either.
The man saw David’s indecision and made his move. “What you get for your money, Mr. Mitchell, is my ability to act alone. And don’t underestimate how important that is. It’s what makes this situation attractive to you. There will be no time wasted on fact-finding missions and no committees adding years to the process.” His tone intensified. “Don’t think for a minute I’m being greedy requiring more than two million dollars for my participation. If I decide to accept your proposal, what you pay me will be nothing more than a rounding error on your profit statement.”
A rush of anticipation surged through David. That was true. The payoff would be immense. “Then how much do you require?” He asked the critical question once more.
The man shook his head. “Come back to me with a revised proposal. Work through our mutual acquaintance.”
“But time is of the essence. I want to know what you require now.” David felt the protective wall around his emotions crumbling, and his left eye blinked once—involuntarily.
If the face hadn’t been cloaked in shadows, David would have noticed the trace of a smile turn the corners of the man’s mouth up. The blink of the eye—the crack in Mitchell’s countenance—had not gone unnoticed. “I won’t suggest a number. I never do.” He pointed the smoldering cigar tip at David. “But I’m becoming impatient. Make certain your next offer is your best offer.”
David nodded, realizing there would be no end to the negotiation tonight. “All right, I will.”
Mitchell had scored higher on the psychiatric exam than anyone in the firm’s history. Now the man saw why. Despite excruciating pressure, Mitchell was maintaining his demeanor admirably. There had only been that drop of perspiration and tic of his eye. Most of his predecessors had fallen apart by now. “You’re doing the right thing, Mr. Mitchell,” the man said gently. He didn’t give a damn about Mitchell, but spoke the words compassionately to manipulate the younger man’s emotions. It was business, that was all. They wanted Mitchell for the long term. They wanted him locked in now, not getting cold feet later and accidentally saving himself. “You’re definitely doing the right thing.”
“I know,” David said, trying to exude confidence.
“Without a big hit like this one they’d crucify you. They’d let you bleed up there on the cross until you expired, then they’d burn you. And believe me, you wouldn’t rise from the ashes. There would be no phoenix story here.”
“I know,” David said again, this time through clenched teeth. The man was absolutely right. The pressure was intense. Without a strong performance, much stronger than he had shown so far, he would be terminated, and there wouldn’t be another job—not like this one anyway.
The man puffed on his cigar. Someday, if Mitchell proved worthy, they might allow him insight into the bigger picture. They might let him see why one had to win and the other lose. And they might let him understand how they could make that happen.
David rose from his chair. It seemed obvious the meeting was over.
“Mr. Mitchell.”
David turned back as he reached the door. “Yes?”
“I want you to understand two things before you leave.”
“And they are?”
“First, I’ve never used my position this way before. I am entirely ethical. I am not corrupt.”
David’s silence spoke volumes.
The man’s eyes narrowed as he sensed skepticism. “Second, I’m considering your proposal because I believe it is in the country’s best interest. Money is not the driving force in this situation, not my primary motivation.”
For an instant David thought he saw the face, but then it faded into darkness again. “What are you talking about?”
“My paramount concern is national security. And I’m willing to use any means necessary to achieve that end. That is why I’m willing to consider your proposal. The money is secondary. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” David stared at the dark figure, marveling at the man’s ability to rationalize. At his ability to avow with sincerity that $2 million—or whatever the number turned out to be—wasn’t the real issue. “I’ll be back to you tomorrow through our mutual acq
uaintance.”
“Good.”
David stepped into the deserted corridor and closed the door. Cool fresh air rushed to his face, and for a few moments he stood there cleansing his lungs of cigar smoke, allowing his heart rate to slow down. It had taken immense courage to proceed with this meeting. Christ, the whole thing could have been a setup.
Finally he began walking away, the sound of his hard soles on marble echoing into the far recesses of the corridor. But it hadn’t been a setup, and now the final piece was almost in place. By tomorrow night all the hard work, planning, and payoffs would begin returning dividends.
Chapter 1
September 1999
“That’s quite a caseload you’re lugging home tonight, Jesse.” Neil Robinson, branch chief of the city’s Office of Internal Revenue, nodded at the young woman’s overloaded bag as the two of them threaded their way through the after-work crowd spilling onto Baltimore’s downtown sidewalks.
“Oh, I just threw a bunch of old files in there before we left to impress you,” Jesse laughed, as they dodged several men in suits coming around a corner. “I want you to think I’m working hard so you’ll get me a new grade and I can get a raise.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. I just got you your new grade two months ago. And you got your raise then.” Robinson tried to sound annoyed but turned his head so she wouldn’t see him smile. He knew full well the files in her bag were active. Jesse Hayes and her friend Sara Adams were the hardest working revenue agents at the branch. But somehow Jesse consistently combined her amazing efficiency with a contagious smile and a positive attitude—something Sara couldn’t always manage.
“Pull a few strings for me, Neil,” Jesse said, yanking the bag’s strap higher on her shoulder. “Aren’t I worth it?”
“Of course you are, but that isn’t how the government works. They don’t care what you’re worth, just how long you’ve been around.”
“That doesn’t sound very encouraging.” Jesse grinned. “How am I going to feed my four children?”
Robinson raised an eyebrow. “Jesse, when did you have children?”
“When I decided this would be a good time to go for another raise.”
Robinson shook his head and laughed, then checked his watch. Five after six. He was five minutes late for his meeting with Gordon Roth. Robinson prided himself on being punctual, but tonight he was consciously late. Hopefully, Roth wouldn’t wait around. “Where are you headed, Jesse?”
“Class.”
“Oh, right, business school,” Robinson reminded himself. They stopped at a corner waiting for the light to change. “A master’s degree in business.” He looked at her proudly. “Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?”
“It’ll sound a whole lot better when I’m finished.”
The light changed and they moved ahead with the crowd.
“How’s school going?” Robinson sensed her frustration.
“Fine, I guess. I shouldn’t complain, but sometimes it isn’t easy to sit in class for three hours after a day at the office.” She sighed. “I hope having an M.B.A. will be worth all of this.”
“Have patience,” he said paternally. “It will be worth it in the long run.”
Jesse recognized the delicate admonishment. “I know I shouldn’t sound so frustrated, Neil. It’s just a lot of pressure.”
“Sure it is, but you have a way of finishing things you start. And nothing worth anything in life comes easily.” He pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket and wiped perspiration from around his mouth. Perhaps he should just skip the meeting with Roth altogether.
Jesse smiled at Robinson as they hurried up the street. They didn’t have the typical supervisor-subordinate relationship. He was her boss, but a true friend as well. “You know I’ll always be grateful to you for writing that recommendation, Neil. I think it made the difference in my being accepted at the Maryland Business School.”
“No, you got yourself in, Jesse.”
“Well, it was extremely important. A woman in the admissions office told me the recommendation had a big impact.” Jesse paused. “And it’s nice of you to let me leave early one day a week to attend the municipal finance course.”
Robinson held up a hand. “Not a problem. Hell, you do more by noon than most of the others do in a full day. And that’s not a criticism of them. They work hard too.” For a moment Robinson and Jesse were separated as they made their way through a large tour group milling about in front of a hotel entrance. “When do you graduate?” he asked, as they came back together.
“Next June.”
“Then it’s off to New York, right? To work for one of the investment banks up there.”
Jesse hesitated. Going to New York would mean leaving the IRS, and she didn’t feel entirely comfortable about her boss knowing that her ultimate goal was to resign. But they had talked about the matter several times and he had steadfastly encouraged her to pursue the new career. “That’s my hope. But there’s so much competition for those jobs.”
“Don’t worry. I know people in New York who can help. I’ll make a few calls at the appropriate time. It’s amazing how many friends I’ve developed in the financial community since becoming a senior official at the IRS.”
They exchanged knowing glances. Everyone wanted a friend at the IRS.
“I couldn’t ask you to help me again, Neil,” she said loudly as a commuter bus roared past. “You’ve already done so much.”
“Stop. I’m glad to help. I respect how hard you’ve had to work to get where you are. I had to do the same thing. I had people help me, and I promised myself to do the same thing for others when I got to this level, at least for people who deserve it.”
“I really appreciate that, Neil.”
Robinson slowed down as they came to the next corner. “Light Street.” He nodded at the street sign as he wiped his mouth with the handkerchief once more. “This is where I get off. I’ve got a meeting at the Hyatt Hotel in a few minutes.”
“Are you all right, Neil?” Jesse had noticed the perspiration above his upper lip even as they were leaving the office. It was a sure sign he was nervous about something.
“What do you mean?”
Robinson had seemed distracted all day, now that she thought about it. “Is anything bothering you?”
“No, everything’s fine.” He touched her elbow gently, as if to reassure her. “I hope class goes well. And keep your chin up. It’ll all work out.”
Jesse smiled. “Thanks.” Neil Robinson was a wonderful man. There was no way she could ever repay him for all his kindness. “See you tomorrow.” She began to walk away.
“Oh, Jesse!”
She stopped and turned back. “Yes?”
He began to reach into an inside pocket of his suit jacket, then slowly let his hand fall to his side. For a few moments he gazed at her intently as pedestrians flashed between them.
“What is it, Neil?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he said finally. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the office.” Then he waved and walked away.
Jesse shrugged, shifted the bag to the other side of her body, and headed for her car.
Five minutes later, Robinson was standing in the Hyatt’s third-floor lobby, scanning the crowd.
“Mr. Robinson?”
Robinson felt a tap on his shoulder. “Yes?”
“I’m Gordon Roth.”
“Oh, hello.” Disappointment overtook Robinson as they shook hands. He had been so close to walking out. “Please call me Neil.” Roth was not what Robinson had anticipated. Sandy blond hair fell to the bottom of Roth’s suit collar in the back, and he wore a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. “You aren’t exactly what I expected. I thought you guys all had crew cuts and no facial hair.”
A thin smile crossed Roth’s face, as if he found irony in Robinson’s remark. “Why don’t we find a place where we can have some measure of privacy?” Roth pointed toward a small table in a secluded corner of the lobby. “How about o
ver there?”
“Okay.”
The two men threaded their way through the couches, tables, and chairs of the hotel lobby, now packed with business types. Finally they reached the table in the corner, where the hum of conversation was not so loud.
“Is this all right?” Roth asked.
“Sure.”
Here they enjoyed a panoramic view of Baltimore’s inner harbor. It should have been a popular spot, and as Robinson sat down he wondered how this table could still be available with the room so crowded. “We certainly have a nice look at the USS Constellation,” Robinson observed, pointing down at the Revolutionary War ship—now a maritime museum—moored in the harbor.
“Mmm.” Roth had no interest in the history floating beneath him. “Waitress?” He motioned to a young woman.
The woman finished taking another table’s order and moved toward Roth. “What can I get for you, sir?”
“I’ll have a scotch and water, Glenlivet if you have it.” Roth nodded at Robinson. “What would you like?”
“A beer. A long-neck National Premium would be perfect. Nothing tastes better than a cold beer at the end of a hot, humid Baltimore day, Gordon.”
“Right.” Roth smiled insincerely as he turned to the waitress. “You’ll bring a nice chilled glass for my friend, won’t you?”
“Of course.” The waitress scribbled on her order pad and moved quickly toward the bar.
Robinson admired the Constellation again, then shook his head. He shouldn’t be here. He had piles of paperwork in need of attention. Being branch chief was no bargain—not even in September, five months after the April rush. But Gordon Roth had been extremely persistent over the phone the last few days, and Robinson wanted to keep this thing quiet.
Roth crossed his legs and relaxed into his chair. “Tell me, Mr. Robinson, why are you so interested in Elbridge Coleman?”
Robinson felt his pulse accelerate instantly. Roth was picking up exactly where he had left off on the phone.
“Why have you pulled all of Coleman’s personal tax returns for the last seven years? Why have you pulled the corporate tax returns for Coleman Technology?” Roth launched the questions rapid-fire.