Wesley eyes quickly darting to Martin, saw Martin’s confusion and then intense anger as he rose to beat the hell out of Wesley. Frank stood up, moving his jacket to the side so that the gun he was wearing was in plain view of each of the other gentleman seated at the table. Martin sheepishly sat back down. Emma smiling at Frank, said, “Thank you, Frank.”
Looking at Steven as she said, “You falsified contracts and let’s assume the money trail did not necessarily follow the correct, shall we say direction. How you got involved with these two, I leave that for you to figure out. One thing I do know Mr. Hopkins is that you at the direction of Mr. Stevenson, approached my father intentionally at the Energy Conference last year and talked him into investing in this project. After careful review, my business partner, Amelia Harris, who also happens to be an attorney at law, proved it was clear that my father was never to get a return on his investment due to some finely laid out legal language.
The Power Purchase Agreements showed a four percent profit on twelve of the sites on the project going to Clean Energy Solutions Inc. The Clean Energy Solutions partnership contract that you designed Mr. Hopkins? There appears to be two different contracts. One that list’s the three of you as the only Shareholders and one that includes my father as a shareholder. Though the bank, holds the false Contract, the one that was filed in Estonia only shows the three of your names on that contract. The three of you stood you to make a small fortune personally from this project. I would have to say that action alone constitutes fraud, Mr. Hopkins something you will have to answer for.” Steve sat back in his chair, shaking uncontrollably, unable to speak.
Emma turned her full attention to Martin. Martin looking defiant at first, saw a coldness and ruthlessness come over Emma, that shook him to the core. Emma said, “Martin, you and I have a lot to discuss here. I am going to ask you some questions, you are going to answer them, and Frank here is going to record them. Let’s get started, are you ready?”
Martin responded, saying, “I am not saying anything. It’s illegal to record me, you bitch.” Emma looked towards the door, signaling one of the men. The burly man came to stand behind Martin, roughly putting his hand on his shoulder and squeezing hard.
Emma raising her voice, said, “Excuse me, Martin, you are being recorded. I would like you to speak loudly and clearly, now tell me are ready to get started?” Martin replied loudly and defiantly, “Yes.” Emma turned her chair to face Martin, who was directly seated to her right.
Emma began, “Question one, Is Artie McDonald, your brother in law married to your sister?” Martins' eyes narrowed, he answered, “Yes.” Emma, nodding her head in agreement, continued, “Did Mr. McDonald work on the Hillsboro Project in New York City?” Martin, getting scared replied quieter, “Yes.”
“Tell me, Martin, did you know he shot and killed my fiancé at the time, Antonio DeLuca and did you bring him on to this project to hide his location from the New York Law Enforcement Agency?” Martin, feeling wildly nauseous, replied, “I don’t know anything about your so-called finance, they seem to come and go with you, don’t they?”
Frank started to stand up. Seeing Emma wave her hand at him to take a seat; he sat back down. Looking back at Martin she said coldly, “I asked you two questions Martin, I expect an answer NOW. Did you know he shot and killed Antonio DeLuca, and did you bring him to this project to hide his location?”
Martin looking at Emma with pure hatred in his eyes, said, “Yes to both questions. Just what are you going to do about it little girl.” Emma laughed evilly, “I am not doing anything to you, Martin, I am only clarifying matters. Well other than firing you of course.” Emma continued, “Next question, were you aware that Artie McDonald executed Grayson Blackfeather, before or after the fact?” Martin angrily responded, “After. That idiot brother in law of mine could never control his temper, Grayson confronted him about the generators, and Artie just took things in his own hands. I had nothing to do with that.”
Emma coldly said, “Except for the plan to dispose of his body, correct?” Martin, looking defeated, said, “Yes.” Emma quickly shot the next question out to Martin, “So where is Artie now Martin?” Martin looking confused, said, “I have no idea. He disappeared, and his wife or I have not seen or heard from him since. The bastard is probably on the beach in Mexico.”
Frank, with a slight grin, sat thinking, close, but not Mexico. Emma catching that barely distinctive grin on Franks' face, felt her stomach drop. Frank knows where Artie is, the question is, is he dead or alive.
Emma stood, placing both hands on the table continued, “Gentleman, you need to clear out your offices of any personal items quickly. Your escort will be here in fifteen minutes to remove you from the building. Please give me your Green Touch Renewables security cards now.” Wesley in defiance said,” You have no authorization you bitch to take our security cards.”
Emma turned when she heard her father’s voice say, “She has the authorization as co-owner of Green Touch Renewables. I just bought the business.” Turning to Emma, he said, “Missed you at breakfast, sweetheart, thought I would stop by and see if you would be home for dinner. Vittoria is upstairs looking at her new office, so I should make sure she isn’t moving into mine. I see you have this meeting under control so I will take my leave.” Emma raised a questioning eyebrow while saying,” Yes, dad, I will see you at dinner.”
Howard left the room, closing the door loudly behind him. Emma still standing, looked at Martin, Steve, and Wesley, and said, “Gentleman, you have exactly fifteen minutes to remove your personal belongings. This meeting is over.”
Steve stood saying to Emma, “But what now? Are the police going to be outside?” Emma glancing at all three men said, “I cannot answer that for you, now have a good day, you all may leave.”
Together they quickly exited the office. Emma turned to Frank, said, “Did you get all that?” Frank stood, shaking his head in acknowledgment. “Good, Frank, can you arrange a car to take me to my Doctor’s appointment, and then I have a meeting before returning to the penthouse.”
Frank smiled, “The car is waiting for you downstairs, mam.” Frank followed Emma out of the building, getting her seated in the limousine he had arranged for her. Watching the car move away from the curb, Frank turned to walk over to the waiting limousine where Carmine was sitting comfortably. Frank walked briskly, thinking Carmine is going to want to hear this recording.
Alone, in the back of the limousine, Emma pulled her cell phone out calling Amelia, “Amelia, are you ready? I just left the office, and the meeting was enlightening, it appears Steve and Wesley are making plans to leave for New York tonight and who knows where from there. Their intention is empty the Clean Touch Energy account of thirty million dollars. Go ahead, arrange the transfer into the Blackfeather Project. Ask my Uncle Mark to fix it so that digitally that transaction does not show up for say four hours. That should be enough time for them to be on their way to New York. Then ask him to work with my bank in the Cayman Islands in preparing the requested donation for the tribe to be delivered to Chief Blackfeather on Monday out of my account, as we agreed on. You have canceled all authorization on the account for Mr. Stevenson, Bentley and Hopkins? Great, thank you.” Hanging up the phone, Emma settled herself back into the comfortable leather seat. Taking a deep breath, she thought relieved, what happens from here with Steve Hopkins and Wesley Bentley is none of my business. Smiling, she watched the buildings on the street pass by.
Leaving the conference room, Martin, Wesley, and Steve headed back to Martins office. Steve slumped down in the chair across from Martins desk, Wesley started to pace in circles around the office, saying, “That little bitch is not going to get away with this, we need a plan, Martin.” Martin looking around his office, said, “There is nothing here I want, I need a stiff drink, let’s go across the street and have a drink. We need an escape plan, who knows what that bitch will do next.”
The trio headed for the elevator that would take them to the
front doors of Green Touch Renewables. They saw the pub across the street and exiting the building; they stood a moment in the sunshine feeling free. Two burly men in black suits and sunglasses approached each taking one of Martin’s arms, one said, “If you will step over to the car, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. DeLuca would like to have a word with you.”
Steve and Wesley frozen to their spots, watched as the two men walked Martin to the limo, forcing him into the car and then climbing in behind him. Steve and Wesley watched as the limousine pulled away from the curb and drove down the street.
Looking at each other in fear, Wesley moved first, waving the taxicab down that was approaching the building, he grabbed Steve’s arm roughly, pulling him towards the now stopped awaiting taxi cab, saying, “We have to go now.” They both breaking into a full run and jumped in. As the taxi pulled away, Wesley yelled at the driver, “Get us to the airport now!” The driver sped off towards the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. Steve finding his voice, asked Wesley in horror ‘What just happened? Where were they taking Martin?” Wesley looked at Steve coldly and said, “Who cares we need to put our exit strategy in motion now.”
Pulling his phone out he checked the flight schedule for the next flight leaving for New York, saying, “A flight leaves for New York in forty minutes, I am buying us two tickets.” Quickly purchasing the tickets, he looked at Steve, “The go bags are in the locker at the airport, we grab them and get the hell out of town.”
Arriving at the airport, Wesley paid the cab driver, and at a full run, Wesley and Steve made it to their lockers to retrieve their individual go bags and board their flight to New York just as the doors were closing. They didn’t notice the man sitting across from the boarding area having a beer in the small bar.
The man watching them boarding the plane picked his phone up from the bar top. Making a call, he said, “They are on their way to LaGuardia.” Hanging up his phone, he finished his drink watching the long-legged curvy brunette walk into the bar pulling a carry-on bag behind her. Ordering another gin and tonic, he motioned to the woman to take the empty seat next to him. He was done working for the day.
The plane from Flagstaff arrived in New York three hours later. While waiting for the plane to connect to the jet bridge so they could leave the aircraft, Wesley turned to Steve and handed him a packet saying, “These are your identities, keep them safe. Go online now and transfer the money, and when we get off this plane, we are strangers. We go our separate ways, understand?’
As Steve was working his I-pad to make the transfer, the stewardess made an announcement. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for the delay. We will be un-boarding shortly.” Wesley heard Steven gasp beside him, “What’s wrong?” He asked. “The money it’s gone, the account is closed!” Steve replied. As Wesley was about to respond, he looked up to see four FBI Agents standing beside their row of seats.
The Agent in the lead said, “Wesley Bentley and Steven Hopkins, you are both under arrest for federal fraud and accomplices in the murder of Grayson Blackfeather.” The FBI Agents pulled them to their feet, handcuffing them behind their backs. On the ride to 26 Federal Plaza in New York City, while Steven was quiet, Wesley kept screaming, “It was Martin Stevenson, not me that planned all this. You must believe me. We had nothing to do with this.”
It was after midnight when Steve and Wesley arrived at the Manhattan Detention Center. Placed in separate cells located next to each other, Steve entered his cell devastated and exhausted. Laying down on the hard cot, he quickly fell asleep. What seemed like minutes was three hours later. A commotion in the hallway awoke him.
Standing, he walked to the bars of his cell to see what was going on. Seeing guards coming in and out of Wesley’s cell next to him, Steven screamed, “What’s happening? Wesley, what’s happening?” A guard hit his nightstick on the bars ordering Steve to move away and go back to his bunk. Steven did as he was told. Tears running down his face, he sat quietly crying till the commotion stopped.
Looking up, he saw a guard looking at him through the bars. Steven said, “Can you tell me what happened?” The guard smiled with malice and said, “It looks like your friend had an accident in his cell, I guess you’re the only one left to take the fall for Blackfeather’s murder, that should get you a life sentence. If you stay quiet, it just may be a long one.” The guard tossed a rope through the bars of Steve’s cell turned, walking away whistling. Hearing the door clang shut after the guard went through, Steven laid back on his cot, not believing he was the only one who was going to prison. The next morning, when the day guards came on duty, they found Steve Hopkins hanging dead in his cell.
18
Emma finished her appointment at the doctor’s office, thinking it felt good to have the stitches out of her stomach. Walking outside in the sunshine, she saw the driver of her awaiting limo holding the door open for her, to take her to her scheduled meeting.
The driver closed the door behind Emma and drove her to the abandoned warehouse fifteen miles outside of Flagstaff. Coming around the limo, the driver opened the door and helped her out of the vehicle saying, “Go through the door, and Mr. DeLuca and your father are inside waiting for you.
Thanking the driver, Emma stood quietly for a moment with the acknowledgment that this meeting was going to be life-changing for her.
Walking into the building, Emma found her father, Carmine DeLuca and Martin Stevenson inside. Emma saw Martin Stevenson tied to a chair in the middle of the abandoned building with Carmine DeLuca holding a gun pointed directly at him.
Walking over, she acknowledged silently both her father and Carmine when Martin Stevenson seeing her screamed, “What are you doing here, you little bitch.”
Emma straightening her dress smiled, and said, “I am here to end this, Martin.”
Martin started screaming at Howard, “This is all your fault! Christine was mine, and you knew that. You had to keep pushing and pushing her, spending all your money on her. She was mine, not yours. You made her marry you, and then you had this little bitch, and you killed her. You took my Christine. What did all your money get you? You couldn’t save Christine, and all your money couldn’t have cured her cancer. I will destroy you Howard Graystone and your little spawn as well.”
Emma shocked, looked at Martin with disgust saying, “All this is because my father married my mother? Your high school girlfriend? You had Antonio and Grayson killed because of a high school heartbreak? Unbelievable.”
Martin forcefully spat at Emma, roaring, “I should have had you killed in the beginning, every time I see you, you remind me of what I lost, my Christine.”
Emma's eyes turned to ice. She calmly opened her purse, removing a Glock from inside. Howard seeing what she held in her hand, tried to move towards Emma to take the gun away from her, but Carmine held him back.
Emma walked to stand in front of Martin Stevenson and said, calmly and coldly, “Yes, you should have.” Emma shot Martin Stevenson in the middle of his forehead, killing him instantly.
Turning, Emma saw her father was shocked as what just happened. She walked over to Carmine DeLuca, handing him the Glock. Emma kissed her father on the cheek, saying, “Now it is over dad. I will see you for dinner at the penthouse. Emma turned, picking up her purse, walked out of the abandoned building to the limo, where the driver was waiting to hold the door open for her.
Still, inside the building, Howard could not speak. Dropping to his knees, he said, “Carmine what just happened?” Carmine helping Howard to his feet, replied, “I told you, Howard, a hundred times, you underestimate Emma. She can take care of herself. She is your daughter. What do you say we go have a drink; you look like you need one.” Chuckling Carmine waved at the two men that had been in the shadows. They were there to clean things up.
Emma having the driver stop at a few high-end shops, arrived back at the penthouse promptly at seven p.m. just in time for dinner. Emma rushed into the master bedroom, dropping her shopping bags and quickly walked to the dining room, finding
everyone already seated at the table.
Spotting Frank at the table seated next to Maeve, Emma smiled slyly at Maeve, thinking this is quite the exciting development. As the salad arrived, Emma asked, “Any updates on the crooked three?” Amelia giggling in response said, “Well I heard the FBI detained Wesley and Steve in New York with a multitude of false identities, but they have not yet located Martin, the sneaky little bastard got away. He is probably out of the country by now.”
Emma smiled at her father. Howard, seeing this stood walking over to Emma placing his hands on her shoulders while dropping a kiss on the top of her head. Moving to kiss her cheek, he whispered in her ear, “You are safe, Emma.” Howard moved away and again took his seat next to Vittoria. Emma looking at Frank, saw him watching her giving a slight nod, he turned to say something to Maeve that brought a brilliant smile to Maeve’s face.
After the meal and the coffee poured, Emma said to the group seated at the table. “I have good news! Amelia, Maeve and I are driving to Las Vegas. I have bought a car, and it will be delivered the day after tomorrow at nine a.m. So, we will be leaving after breakfast.” Amelia saying before anyone else could respond, “Is that where you were this afternoon? You didn’t answer any of my calls.”
Emma laughed, “Yes, you will love it since you have to do all the driving for the time being. I can’t wait for you to see it.” Howard raising his voice, slightly said, “Emma, please tell me you did not buy another Volkswagen Beetle and that it is not lime green.”
Laughing, she looked at her father, “Of course not silly, that wouldn’t be good luck, I found something better, and it is beautiful. Oh, Dad”, she continued, “And have I got a surprise for you!” Howard placing his head in his hands, muttered, “Emma, I have had enough surprises for one day. What have you got in store for me now?” Vittoria smiled, knowing what was coming as she and Maeve had been working on the details for the past three days.
Shadow of Secrets Page 21