It was Friday morning. Practice has been intense since our next competition was tomorrow. Bodie was waiting in class with a coffee for me.
“You. Are. Awesome,” I told him, and took a big drink.
“Rough morning?”
“You could say that. Practice was a bitch this morning,”
Since I’d almost been late to class, we didn’t have any more time to talk before the professor started with the day’s lecture.
About halfway through class, a man and woman, both dressed in suits, came in and started talking to the professor. A few words were exchanged, and it looked like they showed him a picture. He pointed in our general direction and they started up the steps. They stopped at the row Bodie and I were sitting in.
“Karma Webster?” the woman said.
“Yeah,” I said.
“Can you come with us please?”
I had no idea what was going on. They looked official and the first thing that came to my mind was I hoped my parents were okay. I gathered my things and noticed Bodie was doing the same thing. We followed them out into the hallway.
“We just need Miss Webster,” the lady said, when we left the room.
“We’re friends,” Bodie said. “I don’t know what’s going on, but it looks like she’s going to need some support.” He crossed his arms I could tell it was going to take a lot to get him to leave.
“It’s okay with me if he stays,” I told them. “What’s going on?”
It was a man that spoke. “Are you familiar with Pagano Imports Miss Webster?”
“Uh … yeah. It’s my boyfriend’s father’s company.”
“Do you mean Anthony Pagano?” the lady said.
“Yeah.” I was really confused.
“Karma,” Bodie said. “Don’t say another word. I have a bad feeling about this. Who are you two?”
“I’m Detective Lance and this is my partner, Detective Martinez,” he said. “We’re with the San Francisco Police Department. Karma Webster, you are under arrest for grand theft and fraud. Please come with us.”
I heard what she said and started laughing because I realized it was April first. “Very funny,” I said. “You got me. Great April Fool’s Day joke.”
“This isn’t a joke, Miss Webster,” the female detective said seriously. “You can either come quietly or we can make a scene.” When she took out a pair of handcuffs, I figured out that she wasn’t joking.
I was in shock as they handcuffed me and walked me to a car. I was vaguely aware that Bodie was right behind us. All I could think about was that I was glad it was during class so there weren’t a lot of people around to see me like this.
“Karma,” Bodie said, getting my attention. “Don’t say anything to them at all. I don’t know what this is all about, but I’m going to call my dad and get you a lawyer or something. Just don’t say a word to them at all. I will fix this.”
All I could do was nod. I looked at Bodie as the car drove away. He was already on the phone. I didn’t understand what just happened. I remember the guy saying something about theft. I’ve never stolen a thing in my life. I hoped they’d just gotten me mixed up with someone else because I hadn’t done anything wrong.
My current situation was surreal. I had just been walked into a police station in handcuffs and put in an interrogation room. I was officially scared, and a few tears were rolling down my cheeks. The female detective entered the room.
“Miss Webster, in case you don’t remember, I’m Detective Martinez. Let me take those cuffs off you.”
Like that was going to fix the situation. I rubbed my hands on my wrists when they came off. They were a lot heavier than they looked.
“Now, Miss Webster, I’m going to ask you some questions if that’s okay.”
As if I had a choice. I know Bodie said not to say anything but there was one question I had to ask. “Why am I here?”
“You’re here because you’ve been charged with a crime Miss Webster.”
“What crime? I didn’t do anything.”
“The State of California has charged you with grand theft and fraud pertaining to millions that have been stolen from Pagano Imports.”
My mind was reeling. Detective Martinez was talking but I didn’t hear a thing she said. The only thought running through my head was that Antonio Pagano did this to get me out of Anthony’s life.
****
Bodie
“Bodie, slow down, I can’t understand you,” dad said, on the other end of the phone.
I took a deep breath and tried again. “Karma was just arrested for grand theft and fraud. They were asking her questions about Pagano Imports. They took her away in handcuffs, dad. We need to help her.”
“Give me a minute son.” I heard him typing, then he was back on the phone. “It looks like she’s accused of stealing $5.2 million from Pagano Imports. Two weeks ago, there was an anonymous tip to the police hotline that led to an investigation.” He was quiet for a minute, I assumed he was reading. “Says here she’s been funnelling money into an offshore account for just over two months.”
“What can we do?” I asked. “I mean, like right now. I know she didn’t do this and she’s going to be scared.”
“I’ll send Bill to the station to represent her. He’ll be able to get us details on what’s happening on site.”
Bill was the main lawyer for West Security. He’d know what we’d need to do.
“Thanks, dad. What should I do? Should I go to the station or what?”
“No, I don’t think going there will help and you won’t be able to see her anyway. Do what you do best, Bodie. Put your skills to work. If you know she’s innocent, prove it. I’ll call you when I have more information. Bye son.”
I knew what dad meant and couldn’t say out loud on the phone. Hacking was my thing and I hoped I could put it to good use. Picking up Karma’s bag I went back to the dorm. Before I opened my laptop, I sent Major a quick text.
Me: Bring Kayleigh to our dorm as soon as you can
Major: What’s up?
Me: It’s about Karma. It’s important and I’m not texting it.
Major: K
Setting my phone down, I went straight to my computer. Hacking into Pagano Imports was exceptionally easy. That might have something to do with the fact that West Security had set up their entire system.
It took no time at all for me to see what dad was talking about. The money transfers were easy to find, too easy actually. Anyone who was capable of stealing millions of dollars like this was sure to cover their tracks better, so I started looking into transfers and purchases that were made in Karma’s name.
There were purchases for a ton of women’s clothing, all in her size, a ten-thousand-dollar necklace and then the trip to St. Lucia. Even the $5000 donation to the children’s charity was in her name and I knew for a fact that Anthony had paid for that. There were multiple money transfers made every day. Everything from $156.33 to $9,999.99, which just happened to be the maximum for moving money to keep the IRS off your back.
No two amounts were the same, which was the smart way to do it. After ten minutes of looking, I knew it was impossible for Karma to have done this. She wouldn’t be passing Computer Science without my help, so there was no way she would know how to hide money electronically.
The problem was, how did I prove it? Sure, I knew she was innocent, but the evidence was overwhelmingly against her. In my gut, I knew the key was the money transfers, I just didn’t know exactly what about them was going to help her.
“Bodie,” Major called from the main room.
“In here,” I said.
Major and Kayleigh appeared in my bedroom doorway. “What’s going on?” she asked.
“Karma was arrested this morning and taken to an SFPD station. They are accusing her of stealing millions from Anthony’s father’s company.”
“What?” Kayleigh asked in disbelief. “Tell me everything.”
So, I did, even what I found throug
h my snooping.
“What can we do to help?” Major asked.
“I don’t know. Kayleigh, would she want her parents to know?”
“Yes, for sure. I’ll call them and then I need to go talk to her coach. We have a big meet tomorrow. I don’t want this to affect her scholarship.”
“You go talk to her coach. I’ll call her parents. I’m sure they’ll have lots of questions and I can answer most of them.”
“Okay, thank you.”
They left the dorm, and I took Karma’s phone out of her bag. I scrolled through until I saw her mom’s name and hit send.
“Karma honey, what a lovely surprise,” her mom said when she answered.
“Uh, Mrs. Webster, my name is Bodie West. I’m a friend of Karma’s.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Not really. Karma’s been arrested for something she didn’t do.” I told her what I knew. “Can you come out here? I think she’s going to need you.”
“Of course, of course. We’ll be there on the first flight out.”
“Thank you. Your tickets will be waiting at the airport when you get there,” I told her.
“Excuse me?”
“One less thing for you to worry about. I’ll text you the flight info in the next thirty minutes.”
“Oh, alright. Thank you. And thank you for calling, Bodie.”
“I didn’t want you getting a call from a detective or something like that. And I’m going to do everything I can to help Karma,” I said, and I meant it.
“We appreciate that. Goodbye, Bodie.”
“Bye.”
I hung up and immediately booked two flights from Tulsa to San Francisco. After I texted Mrs. Webster the information, I let Major know what was going on. Once that was done, I went back to my laptop. I wasn’t going to stop until I found a way to prove Karma was innocent.
Chapter 34
Karma
I sat in the interrogation room and waited. I had no idea how long I’d been here, but it seemed like hours. Detective Martinez asked me a series of questions about how I met Anthony and how well I knew him. She wanted to know about our relationship, but I said nothing.
Then it was Detective Lance’s turn. He asked me question after question, but again, I didn’t answer any one of them. The truth was, I couldn’t. I had no idea what he was talking about. Money transfers and offshore accounts were something I saw in movies, not real life. He was about to ask me another question when someone outside the room started yelling.
“I’ve been waiting over an hour. I have a right to see my client.” The door opened and a man I’d never seen before walked in. “Can I please have the room? I’d like to talk to my client.”
I watched as Detective Lance smiled at him and left the room.
“Karma,” the man said to me, “I’m Bill Wallace. Richard West sent me.”
I nodded in understanding and could have kissed Bodie right then.
Bill leaned in close and whispered. “They’re recording everything in here. What have you told them?”
“Nothing. Bodie said not to say anything, so I didn’t.”
“Very good, Karma. I know how tough that can be.”
“The West’s seemed very sure that you’re innocent, and as your lawyer I have to ask, did you do what they’re accusing you of?”
“No, I actually have no idea about anything they’ve said, other than I know about the company.”
“Good. I’m going to do my best to get you out of here, but with these particular charges it might be difficult. If they try and talk to you again without me, just tell them you want your lawyer and don’t say another word. You’ve been brave about this so far, but it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Just hang in there. I’ll talk to you as soon as I can.” He got up and left the interrogation room.
Detective Martinez came in. “Now that you’ve lawyered up, I guess you’re not going to talk, not like you said anything before. It’s time to officially book you. Come with me.”
The next few minutes were the most humiliating of my life. I was fingerprinted, mug shots were taken, and then forced to change into those awful orange clothes. I was taken to the back of the building and put in a cell. At least, I was the only one in it. I saw other women in the same situation as me. I wanted to cry, but I knew that wouldn’t help so I got mad instead.
I sat on the bed and thought about what just happened. How could this be my life right now? I was supposed to be in class, not sitting in a jail cell. I had a competition tomorrow, what was going to happen to my scholarship? Would I be kicked out of the University? Oh my God, my parents, what were they going to think of me? I’m sure they knew by now. Bodie would have told Kayleigh and she would have called them. Everything was so fucked up.
Moving all the way back on the bed, I put my feet up and curled my arms around my legs. How could I be such a threat that Antonio Pagano would go to such lengths to do something like this? I thought about what the detectives had said in the interrogation room. They had proof that I transferred millions of dollars and used it to buy things like the clothes, necklaces, and the trip to St. Lucia. They said there were several offshore accounts with my name on them. I didn’t understand how any of that was possible.
I let my head fall back against the wall and closed my eyes. I felt so helpless, but at least I had people on the outside who were willing to help me. Thank God Bodie had been there, or no one would know what had happened to me.
I didn’t see anyone until they brought meals to us. I couldn’t even think about eating, but I did take the bottle of water.
A few hours later, a guard came and opened my cell. I was handcuffed and taken to a different room. Bill Wallace was waiting for me. I was told to take a seat and the guard left the room.
“Karma,” Bill said. “There’s nothing we can do today. They’ve scheduled you to see a judge Monday morning. That judge will tell you everything you’ve been charged with and will determine your bail.”
“Monday! But that’s three days away.”
“I’m sorry, Karma, but the courts aren’t open on the weekends.”
I slumped in my chair when he said that. I was going to have to stay in that awful cell for at least three days. Then I realized he said something about bail, too. “Mr. Wallace, I don’t have money for bail, and I’m not sure my parents do either.”
“I have a feeling that West Security will be taking care of that for you. Bodie is very passionate about doing everything he can to help you.”
“What about my parents? Do they know?”
“Yes, and I understand they’re on their way here.”
It was amazing how hearing that little bit of information gave me some hope.
“Do you have questions for me?” Bill asked.
“How can I get in touch with you?”
“Just tell the guard you need to talk to me, and they’ll take you to a phone. Here’s my card.”
He handed me a business card and I held it tightly in my hand. “Will I be able to see or talk to anyone?”
“Not in here. This is basically just a holding facility. After you see the judge one of two things will happen. Either he sets bail and it’s paid, which means you’d be able to leave the courthouse, or he doesn’t set bail and you go to county jail.”
I shivered at that thought. I’d watched enough TV to know that I didn’t want to go there.
“So, is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.
“All I need from you is to be on your best behavior and don’t talk to anyone. The less you say the better.”
“Can I get some paper and something to write with?”
“I’m sure I can make that happen. Karma, we will get through this. You have all of West Security’s resources at your disposal, and they have a very big arsenal. But don’t count out Bodie. I’ve known him his whole life and I’ve never seen him this determined about anything. If anyone can get you out of this, it’s him.”
Bill
left and I was taken back to my cell. Sometime later a guard brought me a pad of paper and a pen. I took it and went back to the bed. I had no idea what I was going to write but I felt better having something tangible in my hands.
Once again, I found myself thinking about what the detectives said. I started writing down everything I could remember they told me. I’d always been an independent person and waiting for someone to save me really wasn’t my style. I was going to figure this out. There had to be some clue that would help me, I just had to find it.
****
Bodie
Karma’s parents would arrive tonight, and I’d be there to pick them up, but first I needed to go to the office. They had access to things there that I couldn’t do on my laptop. Dad wasn’t surprised to see me and told me to go ahead and do whatever I needed to do.
You always heard “follow the money” when it came to solving a crime, so that’s what I was going to do. I hacked into the police database and pulled up the money transfers. There were well over a thousand of them over the last two months. I took all that information and saved it on a flash drive, then I went to one of the many people that worked for us.
“Cathy, I need you to do me a huge favor,” I said, to one of the women in the office. “I need all the data on this to be manageable. I need to be able to sort it and generate reports.”
“Sure thing, Bodie, I’ll get right on it. When do you need it?”
“The sooner the better. If you can stay late that would be great. A friend of mine is in trouble and I’m sure what’s on that flash drive will get her out of it.”
“No problem. I’ll let you know when it’s finished.”
Cathy was only a few years older than I was, but she was the best we had at managing data.
Walking into my dad’s office, I saw he was on the phone. He motioned me to sit down. A minute or so later he was done with his call.
“That was Bill. He finally got to see Karma. He said she hasn’t said anything, which is impressive knowing what the police can be like.”
Diving in Deep (A Bay State University Novel Book 2) Page 24