by S. E. Lund
JOSH: Oh, God, you look beautiful. Is that the dress?
ELLA: Maybe. We still have tomorrow to check out other stores, but it's one I liked the best.
JOSH: Well, it's beautiful. You look fantastic in it.
ELLA: How was your day? I missed snuggling with you and kissing you goodnight.
JOSH: Not so good. Remember I told you about the hack? The FBI Financial Crimes Unit sent someone over with a warrant to search Keith's office and take his computer and cell.
ELLA: Oh, my God, Josh! What???
JOSH: Suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering. He has to go down to the office next week and answer questions.
ELLA: What are you going to do? He's your CFO for Dominion, right? Has he been cooking the books?
JOSH: He says it could be linked to the hack that took place a few weeks ago. Maybe someone planted incriminating evidence or something. We'll find out this week when both of us meet with the FBI's investigators.
ELLA: I'm so sorry... Why didn't you call me and tell me?
JOSH: I didn't want to ruin your weekend with Steph. I trust Keith, and don't believe he was cheating Dominion, but until we get to the bottom of this, things are going to be tense.
ELLA: I wish I was there with you right now.
JOSH: I'm fine. You go to sleep and have a good day with Steph. I shouldn't have even told you about this, but we made a pact to always tell each other everything that's going on. I didn't want to break that deal so soon after we made it.
ELLA: No, Josh, it's good you told me. I want to know when something happens with you. No matter what it is. Always tell me, even if it might upset me. We're partners.
JOSH: We are. That's why I told you, even though I wish you didn't have to know. Try not to let it bother you too much. I don't want your weekend of fun and shopping with your bestie ruined.
ELLA: Don't worry. She and I have been through bad times and we've survived.
JOSH: Good. You better go to sleep now. Maybe we can meet for supper tomorrow.
ELLA: Sounds perfect. I love you. XOXOX
JOSH: I love you back. OXOXO
Then, I lay in bed and my mind went over everything -- the hack, the FBI visiting and taking Keith's computer and cell and files, the allegations of evading taxes and money laundering. It didn't seem right that Keith was cheating Josh out of money. They were friends in addition to being partners in the business. Keith was an executive for the publishing arm of MBS. It would be like me imagining that Steph was defrauding me.
On Saturday, Steph and I indulged ourselves in the luxury that was our suite at the Ritz-Carlton. Like the last time we stayed, we had a massage and facial at the spa and then spent the afternoon shopping for dresses but didn't find anything that I liked more than the dress from Friday. We also visited a couple of local furniture boutiques, picking out lamps and rugs and other things we'd need for the penthouse and taking photos of them so I could get Josh to approve. I could have bought them using the credit card Josh provided me in my name, but I didn't want to without him approving. When Josh and I had some time, we could go and check out the stores together and buy things for the penthouse. I couldn't wait for the builders to be finished with the interior renovations so Josh and I could get in and start decorating.
Saturday night, Steph and I met Josh for dinner at a local steakhouse, but the mood was subdued because of Josh's worry about the investigation. My own enjoyment of the weekend was as well and even Steph noticed it. On Sunday, we did the whole horse and buggy ride around Central Park and tried to enjoy the last few hours before Steph left to go back to Concord, but the anxiety I felt over the allegations put a damper on my fun.
I went with Steph to Penn Station where she was catching a train back to Concord and said a sad goodbye.
"The next time I see you, it’ll be for the wedding," I said. "Get a dress for the wedding that you like and that you think suits you and send me the bill."
She gave me a big hug. "I had fun anyway. I know you were worried about Josh, but just getting away from home for the weekend was a great little holiday for me."
"Good," I said, and we hugged again. "I enjoyed it as much as I could, considering. Hopefully, this will all be cleared up soon and we can get back to normal."
She left me and went down the stairs to the platform and back to Concord.
I went back to the apartment and Josh.
* * *
Monday, Josh went to meet with the FBI and Justice Department prosecutors to discuss the case. I was on pins and needles all day, wondering what would happen. I just couldn't believe that Keith was guilty of money laundering or MBS of illegally evading taxes. I was sure they would use every legitimate means to reduce their tax burden, as all corporations did, but to do it illegally didn't sound like the MBS I had learned of, especially not with Josh Sr at the helm. It had to be a mistake or industrial espionage -- someone trying to hurt MBS because of competition or out of a desire for revenge after MBS did a particularly hard-hitting story on them.
Of course, I thought about my father's partner and so I called my father up, hoping to speak with him.
When I told him about the case, he sounded concerned.
"I've always been resentful of MBS's coverage of the case," my father said, "but I would never do anything about it. There are probably dozens of people who have been targets of MBS's investigative reports on crime and white-collar corruption. Probably a few organized crime types as well. I guess the investigation should turn it up, if the evidence is there."
"I hope so," I said and sighed. "It's just another thing that's put a damper on our wedding plans. I hoped we could enjoy the next couple of months without anything hanging over our heads, but until this case is settled one way or the other, it's going to be a really stressful time for Josh."
"I'll do some calling, see what I can find out through my contacts, but if I were you, I'd just hunker down and keep busy, keep making your plans, and try to forget about it as much as possible. I've done some reading about Josh, and he's a solid, good man."
"He is, Daddy," I said, feeling relief that my father had finally seemed to come around to respecting Josh, even if he didn't really like the idea I was marrying into Josh's family because of his history. "He's a really good man and I love him. He loves me. I hate to see him so stressed like this, especially since he just started as CEO of MBS and none of its skeletons are about him or anything he's done."
"I get that. Unfortunately, he's inherited the corporation with all its warts. He has to deal with it now. Just try to be stoical about it until you get more information."
"Daddy, you're a natural stoic but the rest of us aren't. It's hard to be stoical when the chaos is all about you and yours."
"It's hard, but it's the best course of action. Try to focus on what's important -- each other. Let the FBI and DOJ do their work. If Josh is innocent, I'm sure it will come out."
"Okay," I said and exhaled. "I hope you're right."
"I'll call and let you know what I find out."
"Thanks," I said, and we said goodbye.
* * *
I got a call from Josh after lunch and he seemed in somewhat of a better mood than earlier in the morning.
"Hey, sweetie, how are you?"
"Forget about me," I said, anxious to hear what happened with the meeting. "How did the meeting go?"
"We had a very good meeting with DOJ and FBI about the case. They were very interested in the hack and thought it was suspicious. Luckily, we reported the hack to the appropriate officials and so they were able to check with our story and confirm the details. Looks like it was maybe -- maybe -- someone trying to set us up. They're looking at their source more closely now, so things are looking up."
"Oh, Josh, I'm so glad to hear that," I said, and a sense of relief flooded through me. "How come they didn't already know about the hack?
"Government's huge and one part doesn't always talk to the other parts," he replied. "They know now, so hopeful
ly, this will be cleared up soon. I'm just glad they followed up on what we told them on Friday. Things are looking up with the case so I'm happy."
"Phew! I'm happy, too, in that case. I spoke with my dad this morning and he said he'd do some checking around, see what he could find out through his contacts. Josh, he said he thought you were a good solid man and that you wouldn't be involved in anything illegal."
"He did?" Josh replied, sounding pleasantly surprised. "Score! I figured this would sour your father on me, if he found out."
"No, he really seemed to be certain you weren't involved in anything criminal."
"That's a definite bonus, considering he's going to be my only father now."
"I know," I said. "The only question is who would be trying to get revenge on you and for what? I hope they find out soon, so we can move on with our lives."
"Me, too. Let's go out and celebrate tonight. What do you say?"
"There's a Knicks game today..."
"Oh, yeah. How about we stay in and celebrate tonight," he said with a laugh. "I'll pick up some Korean."
"Perfect."
We ended the call and I sat back in my chair, happy that the whole FBI DOJ business seemed like it might all be a tempest in a teapot.
* * *
Josh arrived at the apartment at around seven, bags of Korean takeout in hand. I went to him at the door and took the bags from his hands, while he removed his coat and boots. I had the coffee table set with plates and cutlery and napkins, so we could sit down and watch the game, which was recorded from earlier in the day.
I went to the refrigerator and took out a couple of Korean beers and opened them for us. Josh came over and took one from me and we kissed.
"Thank you," he said. "For everything."
"Thank you," I replied. We clinked the necks together and then took a sip before sitting down and dishing out the food.
"You don't mind that we're staying in?" Josh asked, while he scooped out some rice onto his plate.
"I don't mind at all," I said. "All that matters is that we're together."
"That's true," he said and leaned over to kiss me once more."
It was true. I was so glad my father seemed to have come around towards Josh. He really was a good man and once more, I was thankful for how my life had changed for the better when I moved to Manhattan. But I was also aware of how fragile it all was and how much luck played into my life.
If I hadn't crossed the street that morning, I would never have run into Josh and met the love of my life.
I watched him dishing out the Korean Spicy Beef Barbecue and tried to do just what my father advised.
Focus on each other. In the end, that was all that really mattered.
22
Josh
The next weeks while we waited for the results of the FBI investigation into the hack were tense, but I felt better and better as each day went by and the news from the FBI was good. I felt less and less stressed that Keith or one of his staff had been cooking the books without his knowledge.
While Ella and I waited for the final verdict, we tried to focus on the upcoming wedding in California and the renovation to the penthouse we bought. But it wasn't easy -- the length of time it took the FBI and DOJ to look into the hack and determine whether we were set up was excruciating. I wanted to put it in the past as soon as possible.
While we waited, we spent our time when we weren't working getting the wedding arranged with David in Los Angeles. He was excited to be hosting the wedding and spent a great deal of time on the phone with us, on Skype, showing us where we might hold the ceremony on his property overlooking the valley.
"Here," he said and held up his cell, showing us a panorama of the LA scenery spread out below his property, which was on the top of a hill. "You can see the entire city from up here. It's fantastic. We could put the table here and hold the ceremony over here."
He went to a spot below a large tree and I had to agree that it looked like it would be the perfect location for us to say our vows.
"I like it," Ella said and squeezed my hand. "I can see it in my mind's eye. It will be perfect. Thanks David."
"My pleasure," he said, and I could tell David was truly pleased to be hosting the wedding. He was as excited as a kid at the Disney Store for the first time.
"The weather will be beautiful and so we can plan to hold an afternoon ceremony followed by a dinner on the patio. I'll volunteer to grill some seafood and steaks for us if you like."
"No, no, David," I said and shook my head. "We can cater the food so we can all just sit back and enjoy the night."
"If you want, but seriously, I don't mind. I love my grill."
"No. You should enjoy yourself. Seriously, brother. It's enough that you're hosting everything."
"Don't even mention it. It makes me happy."
It did make him happy. I imagined that after the death of Terry and his injuries, he was having a hard time and wanted family around him as much as possible.
Ella and I as well as Mr. and Mrs. Carlson would stay at the mansion, with a few other brothers. Anyone else would stay in a block of hotel rooms we reserved for out of town travelers.
Compared to both Ella's and my previous wedding plans, the whole business was very low key and that was the way we both wanted it. Not that we didn't trust that the wedding would come off, but we understood what really mattered wasn't how big and expensive the wedding was, but the emotions behind it.
Those were rock-solid.
* * *
On a Monday at the end of March, while Ella and I were visiting the penthouse renovation, watching as movers brought up our furniture so we could make sure they positioned it properly in the newly finished and polished interior, I got a text message from Trent Sullivan about the case.
TRENT: Can you meet me at my office tomorrow at ten thirty? I should have the final report in my hands and want to go over it with you.
I answered quickly, eager to get it all over with. Trent had assured me that if they were going to charge me or indict Keith, they would have by now, so hopefully, they'd found evidence that exculpated Keith and MBS of any wrongdoing.
JOSH: I'll be there. What is your expectation on what the report says?
TRENT: Based on the fact they didn't arrest Keith or call for you to turn yourself in, I'd say it's just a report on why they bothered with the warrant in the first place. Hopefully, the material and old servers and equipment you provided cleared things up.
JOSH: Let's hope. See you tomorrow.
I turned to Ella who was glancing out the window at the view. "I'm going to see Trent tomorrow with the final report from the DOJ on the case. He thinks it's been dropped, and this is just a review."
Ella came to me and slipped her arms around my neck. "Oh, thank God," she said and leaned up to kiss me. "It's nice to get some good news on that front."
We spent the rest of the morning ensuring that the furniture was all in its proper place and that meant that the penthouse was almost move-in ready. The only thing left was to unpack all the boxes of dishes and kitchenware, plus all of our personal possessions. They were being moved on Wednesday. We would officially take possession then and would gradually clean out the old apartment.
"It'll be nice to be in here," Ella said as we stood at the huge floor to ceiling window looking out over the western edge of Central Park. I stood behind her with my arms around her, my chin resting on her head.
"It's our own place," I said. "Picked out by us, furnished by us, designed by us. It's all ours. I hope we have many happy years here."
"Me, too," she said.
I kissed the back of her neck and watched the cars driving along the streets below.
* * *
I went to meet with Trent the next day, eager to hear what the report concluded about MBS and Keith's role in any illegal financial dealings. My gut was in a knot despite the faith I had in him that he had done no wrong. He could have hired someone who was unethical and not known it.
Whatever the case, I was hopeful that Trent was right, and it had been a set-up.
I arrived at the building where Trent worked and took the elevator to the boardroom where our meeting would be held. I said hello to the receptionist and after removing my coat and scarf, I went inside. There Trent was, seated at the head of the large conference table, a conference phone set up and a video screen pulled down across from him which showed an empty room. We were going to have a video conference with someone -- possibly the DOJ official in charge of the case.
"There you are," Trent said and stood up when I came over to his side. We shook hands and I took a seat beside him facing the screen. "We're just waiting for our counterparts at the DOJ to join us and go over the report."
"Good," I said and sat down, unbuttoning my suit jacket, trying to relax while we waited. Trent's admin person came into the office and bent down to me.
"Can I get you a coffee or some water?"
"Water would be nice," I said, and she nodded.
She left us for a moment and returned with a bottle of water and placed it in front of me.
When she was gone, Trent handed me a file and I opened it and saw that it was the report. It was on official DOJ letterhead and looked like a legal document. I scanned it but couldn't make out what the conclusion was based on a quick scan.
"What's the upshot?" I asked, and turned to Trent, who was busy scribbling something down in the margins of one page.
"The upshot is that MBS was set up by whoever it was who hacked you. The report doesn't identify the person who did the hack and there are some names redacted, so I assume they're people who may have forthcoming charges laid who the DOJ doesn't want us to know. James will brief us once he comes online."
"James?"
"McBride," Trent said. "My counterpart in the DOJ. He wrote the report and was in charge of the investigation."
We waited for a couple of minutes, and finally, McBride came on the line, apologizing for being late. He looked to be in his early forties, with greying hair, thinning on top and wire rimmed glasses. He looked like what I'd expect a DOJ investigator to look. Ordinary. Blend in.