Payback

by Morgan St. James

  We passed the afternoon throwing out theories as we waited for Kim to return. What she had to say after checking out Stephanie Kagel could swing us one way or the other.

  I have to be honest. Back when we first got into the FACR fraud busting caper, we made so many mistakes and had so many backfires it was amazing we weren’t caught. Actually we were sort of caught one time right toward the end. But, that’s another story. Although Kate was much more experienced in sniffing out crime now than we were then, that was no guarantee we wouldn’t find ourselves in a situation we couldn’t get out of.

  She kept plotting things we could do, but quite frankly my mind was wandering. Outside of my feud with my former bosses, life was good. I had a wonderful boyfriend, a good business and an amazing home. It was crazy for me to put that all at risk, but that was exactly where things were headed.

  23

  KIM BLASTED IN LIKE a woman with a mission fulfilled. We couldn’t wait to hear what she had learned.

  “Okay, I can see you’re bursting with information, but let me get you an iced tea first so you can relax a moment before you share what you found out.”

  Oh, that Kate. She is such a hostess even if it isn’t her own house. She always seems to know just the right thing to say.

  Kim gratefully sunk into one of the most comfortable chairs in my living room while Kate bustled off to get her a tall glass of iced tea. She returned with three glasses on a tray complete with a small slice of lemon and orange on a toothpick in each one.

  Call me clueless when it comes to hostess niceties, but that’s how I am. I wouldn’t have thought of telling Kim to settle down with a nice cold drink, and even if I had, never would have thought of adding a garnish.

  Anyway, once Kim did have a chance to settle down she said, “I have no doubt the Director was right—actually, more than right if that’s possible. Some of it is a gut feeling, but I’m quite sure his speculation about Stephanie Kagel is spot on. Based upon some of the things she said, I think there is a slim chance she might even know the elusive Mr. Monnigan. That would definitely establish a link. I wouldn’t be surprised if somehow he had a hand in her getting that assignment.”

  She paused to allow that to sink in. Everything in the room was still, but for an occasional quack from the canal.

  “Stephanie is a very pretty blonde, and nobody’s fool, but it didn’t take me long to find out she is also very inexperienced when it comes to concealing information, so I played on that. For one thing, it only took a few innocent questions to confirm she had access to intel prior to each of the raids that were a bust. I’m sure it seemed like idle chit chat to her, but of course I pumped her for everything I could find out, and it was plenty.”

  I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “You mean she literally spilled the beans to a complete stranger? The woman has a top secret clearance. Why would she do something like that?”

  Kim leaned back in her chair, a self-satisfied smile lifting the corners of her full lips. “I see you don’t know me as well as you think you do, Cami. Or maybe you’ve forgotten. Don’t you remember how much information I got out of you and Kate when you two barely knew me? Or from everyone involved in the FACR embezzlement scheme, for that matter?” She gave a little laugh. “Why, I’m like a guided missile when I’m aimed at someone. People never suspect what I’m up to.”

  We looked at Kim like someone we didn’t know, or at least we never suspected that side of her. “You mean when I told you so many personal things right after we met, you were pumping me? I never—”

  “Of course you didn’t, Kate. That’s why I’m really good at it. Don’t worry. You guys are my best friends. I’d never pull that on you now, but back then I had to know who I was dealing with. After all, we were getting into some really serious stuff.”

  I chimed in. “Thumbs up on that one.”

  Kim continued. “So you see, Kate, if you hadn’t told me, I’d never have guessed that you have a couple of kids in Arizona and an ex-househusband you support. I figured you more for a hard-hearted career woman who had hit a crack in the road. Knowing that about you told me that you’re honorable and have a soft spot for your kids and ex, even if your kids don’t live with you. You have a good heart, and that meant a lot to me.”

  I shuddered. “I can only imagine what you dug up in my personality.” Then I locked eyes with Kate and she gave me a little nod. “Um, in case you hadn’t noticed, it sure feels like we’re getting off the subject of what you found out from Stephanie.”

  Well, at this point I have to say Kim found out way more than we bargained for. As soon as the interview began, she said she could tell Stephanie cared less about what kind of workstation she would get, which Kim used as the standard opening ploy. It was clear she seemed much more interested in figuring out why Kim was really there. Her comments were as subtle as the clang of a bell. That raised a red flag and Kim switched her approach. None of the others had reacted like that. She couldn’t help wondering if there was something Stephanie was hiding, and that aroused her suspicion.

  By now we were hanging on Kim’s every word, wondering how she got past that.

  Kim said, “Simple. I said, ‘Look, I’m just doing my job like you are. I’m supposed to ask questions of everyone so we can figure out what to bid on. You know, I feel like you’re doing the same thing—walking through the paces, waiting for the check. Nothing says you have to like your job. Mine’s okay, but I don’t expect to be doing this forever—I’m hoping for a big break.’”

  She took that stance because none of the suspects she talked to knew she was the boss, the head of her department, nor did they know it was unusual for her to personally handle a prospective job. Normally, the rep would bring her in on a big job later, but definitely not at this early stage.

  Kim continued. “It was pretty clear that lady wasn’t there because she was passionate about this new job. I easily saw it was about the money and got the feeling that the money in question was more than her salary. So, I figured it was time to wrap up the furniture interview part, gain her trust and get to the reason I was there. First I had to say I would put her down for no specific requests—just a standard workstation. Then I had to make her my friend and begin my probe.”

  Maybe Kim was really onto something. Maybe she uncovered the leak, and that would certainly make Nathan and the Director happy. If they could identify and get rid of the person on the inside who alerted the money laundering operations about the raids, they would have a much better shot at closing them down.

  “What next?”

  “I opened with something like saying in the normal course of my job I’d been told she hadn’t been there long. Then I asked how she was fortunate enough to get transferred to a facility like this. I made it seem like a wonderful bit of luck, adding I didn’t even know this existed until I got the call that they were anticipating a move. In fact, I never realized that legal government wiretapping was going on secretly. I had to make it seem like she was in a better job than mine, so I added ‘It’s none of my business, but it looks like you have potential to move up the ladder. Wish I had something like that.’”

  It did seem naive to all of us that someone with a clearance like hers would fall for that, but obviously Kim knew what she was doing.

  “She seemed a million miles off, at first. Then she sort of clicked in with an edge to her voice and asked why I wanted to know. I said I was just curious. She seemed to accept this and lowered her voice. That was the first sign I’d be able to get to her. Oh, she was cautious about what she said, but it didn’t take long for caution to turn to bragging. She confided that she hadn’t made any friends at this new job, because people felt she had been promoted over some co-workers who deserved her job. All of a sudden, here I was—someone she could talk to.”

  A fleeting thought entered my mind. Kim really was an expert at getting people to trust her and I couldn’t wait to hear what happened after that.

  She said, “It even surprised
me when Stephanie opened up and said a friend with lots of influence suggested he could get her in. As a condition, since he had to pull strings at the very top, she couldn’t let anyone know. She didn’t even know if the Director knew how she was assigned to that facility.”

  From what Kim could gather as the conversation went on, this friend was connected to some sort of entrepreneur or somebody with many strong connections in very high places, like Senators and the like. He even could have been a lobbyist. Stephanie was completely into bragging mode then, trying to impress Kim. She indicated she already had a top secret clearance from her prior job, and that would stay in place. Her friend told her the clearance was like money in the bank when it came to moving up the ladder, because she could go right into the job without further clearances. Of course, his connection wanted something in return, but Stephanie didn’t seem to be bothered by that.

  The way her face lighted up when she mentioned him, Kim said she got the feeling this friend was definitely male—someone Stephanie was attracted to. However when she’d referred to the something in return, Kim noticed a shadow of a frown cross her face.

  By then it was nearly lunchtime and Kim suggested they grab a bite together. Stephanie looked happy and said it would be nice to share lunch with someone for a change. That’s when she opened up like I turned on a faucet or something..

  “So you really think she is the one?”

  “I certainly do and I believe there is more to it than that.”

  Now Kate was fully into the ruse. “So will she be fired to close the leak?”

  “Not yet. I’ve spoken with Nathan and the Director. We all agreed to give her enough rope to hang herself. I think jail will be in her future instead of simply getting fired. I can’t wait to see what else she’s hiding. Like, who is this mysterious connection?”

  24

  ALL THIS COVERT STUFF was almost enough to make my own problems take a backseat. Almost, but not quite.

  Kate and Kim had decided to stay on for a few more days. We were determined to launch our own investigation regardless of what Nathan said. Kim knew she would be taking the very risks Nathan had cautioned her against, but there we were again—together and picturing ourselves as super sleuths. There was no way I could ever let Milt even get a hint of what we were about to do. Sometimes he’s such a worrier, I knew without doubt he would freak out totally.

  The first thing on our agenda involved Kim pulling Stephanie into a friendship. The woman was clearly starved for friends, so it wouldn’t be that hard. Kim called her at work and suggested meeting for a drink and dinner. Of course, she didn’t bother to mention that we would also be there. Between the three of us we hoped we could get her to drink enough to really loosen up.

  Stephanie agreed to meet Kim at a cool bistro in the mid-Wilshire area. Assuming she would end the evening drunk, we didn’t want her to have to drive very far, and during lunch she had told Kim she lived near the LA County Art Museum.

  We took the freeway to Fairfax, then headed north to Wilshire. The stripped down shell of the iconic old May Company building on the Northeast corner dominated the intersection where we had to turn right onto Wilshire. Once called the grandest example of Streamline Moderne remaining in Los Angeles, it was in the process of being fully restored by the Museum of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and slated to open in a few years. I looked forward to the time when it would be the cornerstone of the growing museum district, complete with the signature cylindrical gold mosaic tile tower. At least one piece of our history would be preserved.

  We arrived at Chez Bistro early and made sure to get a secluded booth. As for explaining why Kate and me were there, Kim thought it would be easiest and most believable to say we’re old friends she hadn’t seen in quite a while and was amazed to run into us. We had been seated no more than five minutes when a very attractive woman with long blonde hair and ingenue looks opened the door to the restaurant. I figured her to be about twenty-five or twenty-six.

  “She’s here, ” Kim whispered.

  Stephanie Kagel stood about five-foot-ten in kitten-heeled sandals and couldn’t be more than a size six. I’m always good at guessing sizes, probably because I’m so conscious of my own weight. Not only that, but I was sure her jeans were a current Calvin Klein design, topped with a matching jeans jacket over an expensive camisole. Her shoulder bag bore the unmistakable Louis Vuitton design. No discount store clothes for her—I can spot designer clothing a mile away. I figured she either made a very good salary, had independent income or a sugar daddy. Taking in her looks, my bet was on the sugar daddy.

  Kim got up as the woman approached our table, gave her a friendly hug and said, “So glad you were able to make it—thank you for coming. It’s a bitch to eat dinner by yourself when you’re traveling.”

  She pointed to us. “I’d like you to meet some old friends from when I lived in LA. Can you believe we wound up in the same restaurant tonight? Is that fate, or what? Anyway, I hope you don’t mind, but I invited them to join us.”

  Kim had never lived in LA, but who was checking facts?

  Stephanie smiled, and it was a friendly smile. “Of course not.” She held out her hand. “I’m Stephanie Kagel, and you two are—”

  Kate spoke first. “I’m Kate Madison, visiting here from San Francisco.”

  I added, “I’m Cameron Harsen. Local.” I should have given a phony name like Kate, but I didn’t regret that until later.

  Like Kim said, she is an expert at innocent-sounding probing conversation. We followed her lead over a good bottle of white wine, making sure that Stephanie’s glass was filled more often than ours. We hadn’t even looked at the menus by the time we ordered another bottle.

  “You don’t know how nice it is to meet some people I can just be myself with. Kim, I’m sure you noticed. It seems like no one at work wants anything to do with me.”

  Kim put on a very sincere face—open and friendly. My God, she was good. I would have trusted her with my deepest secrets. Correction. I have trusted her with my deepest secrets and when I looked at her again, had to wonder how much she played me without my ever picking up on it. I was so involved in my own thoughts, I’d missed part of what she was saying.

  “—my job is pretty dull compared to yours. I just sell furniture made in Federal prisons. But, you. Every day you can see what’s going down with drugs and such. That has to be so exciting.”

  We ordered calamari appetizers while Kim poured a third glass of wine for Stephanie. I put my hand over my glass when she pointed the bottle in my direction, and Kate said, “Just a half glass or so.”

  Kate responded to Kim’s cue. “What does Kim mean, that you see what’s happening with drugs. Are you an FBI agent or something?” She feigned being just a bit tipsy. “I mean, well, my friend here,” she pointed to Kim, “I know she works for the prison system but her job only involves furniture. What do you do? Undercover agent or something?”

  “Oh nothing that glamorous. I just work with computer monitoring and stuff like that.” She took a long swallow of her wine. The glass was almost empty. “It’s really secret so I can’t talk about it, but let’s just say I know things most people don’t.”

  That’s when I did my bit, pretending to be the ditzy blonde a lot of people mistakenly perceive me to be. Guided missile launched. “Ohhh,” I gushed. “I heard from this really cute fellow I know there’s a big, um, what’s it called when bad money is turned into good?”

  Kim said, “Money laundering, Cami. It’s called money laundering.”

  “Thanks Kimmie.” I lowered my voice to near whisper, but first let a little giggle escape. “Sounds like they take those hundred dollar bills to the Laundromat. Imagine all that money tumbling around in a washer and dryer. Do they ever talk about that where you work Stephanie? I mean, if you know all about drugs do you know how can—“ I allowed another giggle to escape. “—someone wash drug money?”

  I have these big china blue eyes, and long ago found if I
open them wide it makes me look even more clueless, so that’s what I did. I hoped I was actually sending a subliminal message to her. I’m really dumb and you can impress Kim and Kate by giving me a simple rundown. Show them how smart you are.

  Imagine my surprise when instead of taking my bait she changed the subject. Maybe she was more on guard than I originally thought. “So, Kate, you’re here from San Francisco. What do you do there?”

  Kate certainly wasn’t going to tell her she was the force behind FraudBusters. I’m sure she has all kind of fake names and prepared answers when she’s working a case, and she didn’t disappoint.

  Looking very sincere, Kate answered, “Well, I used to be in sales, too. I haven’t even had a chance to share how things changed for me about a year ago. Now? I just make my man happy. Fate, you know. I really believe in it. When I met Kim, I worked as a rep in the private telecom business. About a year ago I made a proposal to this chain of forty-two Chuck’s Bucks Loan Stores to change out their provider. They’re in several states and it would have been a big sale with a big commission.”

  Stephanie leaned forward with interest. Her voice slurred a bit when she said, “So you made a huge sale and don’t have to work anymore? That is so cool.”

  The waiter stopped at our table and asked if we were ready to order. What bad timing, just when Kate was about to pounce. We hadn’t even looked at the menus and wanted to keep the conversation rolling. I wasn’t worried. We know how to deal with stuff like that.

  I said, “I come here often. Is it okay if I order for us? You’re going to love this special of theirs.”

  They nodded agreement and as quickly as possible, I said, “We’ll all have Enrique’s Special, but I’ll have mine without the onions. Are onions okay for all of you? Wish I could eat them, but if I do I pay the price.”

  He took the order, and we picked up where we left off.