Читать книгу I Love You, Goodbye - Prentiss Sr. Grant - Страница 9

Harrison sat in his office trying to motivate himself to get to work. With the current events unfolding in his life it was difficult to concentrate on work but some accounts he handled alone. Actually it was only a few accounts, no more than twenty, but those twenty represented billions of dollars worldwide. Harrison opened the file in front of him and studied the figures inside. After thirty or forty minutes Harrison reached for the intercom to summon Elizabeth. Suddenly he was thrust back into the reality of his life. He looked at the picture of Mary sitting on his desk and briefly wondered why life had to be this way. Trying to reassure himself that events occurred for a purpose Harrison garnered his strength and began with the task at hand.

Harrison summoned his remaining secretary and directed that she have the company plane ready for a trip to the islands. Normally Harrison cherished the idea of traveling to the islands for business. The islands’ banks understood the pure nature of business. They did not want to know your personal business. They did not care where your money came from. They just wanted you to put your money in their banks, even for a little while. And for that you were treated like a king. The system fit Harrison Michaels to a tee. But this trip was more necessity than anything else. Few people in the ordinary world understand the need for uniformity in the business world. Watchdog governmental agencies were everywhere and checked every level of large companies. Banking, stocks, and taxes, everything was under constant governmental scrutiny. The biggest way to alert the “eyes”, as they were known, was to break the normal routine. That was the also the best thing about the governmental agencies. They were staffed by government employees who understood that unless you initiate the work yourself you could make it through the day easily. And because they were government employees they could not be fired unless they made a major error. Therefore, in order to enjoy a long relaxing career, they learned to watch for the “red flags” from corporate entities, things done outside the company’s normal course of business.

With the combination of corporate greed and governmental laziness, men like Harrison Michaels thrived in the business world. Money made the difference. There had to be a lot of zeros on a financial ledger to justify the actions taken by corporate big wigs. Most acted in ways that were unethical, which is irrelevant given that most of their actions were illegal. Money was transferred from one account to another. Benefit and retirement funds were used for purposes other than those intended. Small companies were formed to act as holding companies. All companies with the requisite size and number of employees to justify the risk carried on the practices. Most people think the practices are done to enhance a company’s bottom line. But the truth is the money earned by an enterprising executive on the interest on several millions dollars sitting in a holding company’s account for several months was staggering.

Harrison Michaels controlled several of these holding company accounts. Often executives in the banking industry had an ownership interest in holding companies. Who else besides a banker could transfer money between bank accounts without raising red flags? Besides, bankers are experts in the numbers game and in order to utilize the holding companies without uninvited meetings with government officials, you have to know the numbers game. Obviously the transactions occurring in these holding company accounts were not disseminated throughout the company. The files were kept in Harrison’s office under lock and key. No one was allowed access to the files, not even Harrison’s secretaries. The accountants were only given bottom line figures and all the money was where it was supposed to be at the end of the fiscal year. Only a full-scaled audit would reveal the true nature of Harrison’s business and that would not happen as long as no “red flags” appeared. Therefore now a “normal” transaction had to occur. Money had to be moved back into the pension fund account of Vulcan Technologies.

Vulcan was a huge computer corporation, which primarily assembled computers for various venders. It employed over sixty thousand people across the country and had a pension fund valued in the hundreds of millions. Vulcan’s pension fund invested in a number of companies through the purchase of stock. Others it invested in directly by advancing financing for growth. Much of this financing would sit in an account earning interest. The company would make the payments back to Vulcan’s pension fund, all the while skimming a portion for a select few of the executives of Vulcan and the holding company. Harrison would be included, as well as select members of the outside accounting firm hired to report to Vulcan’s board of directors, accountants who never requested the complete books of the company and prepared their financial statements from the bottom line figures provided by Harrison. The executives were too busy running their companies to be flying around opening numbered bank accounts. Besides as long as each person’s individual account registered a deposit when warranted no one questioned the process. Also company executives did not like to be directly involved because they felt it insulated them if any trouble occurred.

Harrison’s role was to ensure actual account transactions were proper and to take the portion skimmed and place it in off shore bank accounts. He was also the only one who knew the entire picture. To some this would be unnerving but not Harrison. The only way he would be involved was if he had primary control of the process. Harrison had safeguards in place in case of his early death. The only true worry Harrison had was being caught by the Feds. That worry did not involve prison. Harrison figured he could avoid that. Also an indictment would not cost him much financially. The laws did not call for large money penalties and Harrison knew if all else failed he could easily do five or so years in a minimum-security prison while his money sat in a numbered account earning interest. No matter what the government did to him, Harrison knew, they could not touch his money or property unless it was located in the United States or a country which had specific agreements with the U.S. The only real property Harrison had in the U.S. was his house and he didn’t mind losing it.

Harrison wasn’t un-American, he was a businessman. In today’s world that meant he conducted business around the globe, not just in the United States. Harrison could tell you what the financial markets were doing in England, Tokyo and any other place in the world on any given day. He, like many industry giants, had to know these things. Harrison dealt with businesses located in every country. He kept track of uprisings in countries most people didn’t know existed. It was the sheer magnitude of the task that fueled Harrison’s drive. He did not want to be the best he wanted to be the best in the world. His desire to succeed resulted from his childhood.

Harrison was born to a middle class family. His father was an average man who never dreamed of greatness. He worked for an accounting firm for twenty years and barely moved up the ladder. He was what some considered a closet whiner. At work he did whatever menial task was assigned to him without complaint but when he got home, he complained endlessly about how he was unhappy. Even as a child Harrison would listen to his father in disbelief. Harrison could not understand how anyone could live such a miserable life, too afraid to stand up for himself at work and too afraid to strike out on his own. When the eighty-hour weeks finally caught up with his father, who died of a heart attack at forty-seven, Harrison swore he would never let anyone else control his life. It was from that moment Harrison began studying diligently to ensure his success. He had his father’s knack for numbers and was quick to fall in love with business and specifically banking.

Physically, Harrison was not a large person and he knew business would be the key to his success. Sports were out. Harrison wasn’t especially coordinated as a young man and found only slight satisfaction participating in team sports, mainly because he quickly discovered to be successful he was required to rely on others. Harrison noticed most of his teammates didn’t have his drive and commitment to do what it took to win. Oh they wanted to win and whined when they didn’t, but they weren’t willing to sacrifice to achieve their desires. In high school Harrison was somewhat of a loner due to his refusal to participate in sports but his confidence in himself and outward personality made him friends with most of the students. Harrison’s popularity continued through college and enabled him to make the connections that brought him to where he was now - planning a trip to the Cayman Islands to transfer money back into accounts where they were supposed to be all along.

The intercom buzzed to inform Harrison the company jet was ready. Harrison placed the Vulcan file in his briefcase and locked the filing cabinet. He straightened his desk briefly to make sure he did not forget anything. That was one of Harrison’s security devices. His desk had to be in order. It didn’t matter if files were lying on top because Harrison strategically placed them there. Even the newest secretary was warned not to touch anything. Finally he directed his secretary to notify the pilots he would be at the airport in a couple of hours and he expected to take off as soon as he arrived. Harrison also told her to contact him immediately if the board of directors assembled any sort of meeting while he was gone. With this done he called the building’s parking garage, summoned his car, picked up his briefcase and headed to the elevator. Walking out the front of the building Harrison headed toward the parking garage. The young man was pulling up to the entrance with Harrison’s car as Harrison entered. Stopping next to him the young man immediately exited the vehicle and held the door. Harrison climbed inside without acknowledging the lad and sped out of the city. Normally Harrison would have a bag packed and available at his office but with all that had occurred he had forgotten about the need for the trip and did not prepare. He cursed quietly for not being on top of business matters even during this difficult time. The lack of clothes wasn’t a problem. Harrison could run to his house on his way to the airport. If the pilots had to wait they would just have to wait. After all, they worked for him.

Pulling into his driveway, Harrison did not recognize the car parked there. It was a black Crown Victoria. A government car. Harrison tapped on his briefcase and sat in the driveway momentarily. He could not see anyone in the vehicle with its tinted windows. Deciding it was best to confront the situation Harrison got out of his car without his briefcase and locked the doors. He walked directly to the automobile parked in front of him and knocked on the driver’s side window. Harrison stepped back as the car door opened. “Mr. Michaels, I’m glad I caught you.” Jeffrey Taylor was extending his hand as he exited the car. “I have your wife’s personal items from her car and wanted to deliver them to you.” Harrison shook Jeffrey’s hand. “Why didn’t you come to my office?” Harrison was looking around the district attorney to determine if anyone else was with him. “I tried your office but when I called they said you had left. I was already out this way and decided to see if I could catch you. I hope you don’t mind.”

Harrison began walking back to his car. He unlocked the door and grabbed his briefcase. Turning back toward the house he told Jeffrey to follow him inside. Jeffrey tried to exchange pleasantries as the two entered the house and made their way to Harrison’s office but he quickly realized Harrison was not in the mood. Upon entering the office, Harrison placed his briefcase beside his desk and sat down across from Jeffrey. “I appreciate your coming here Jeffrey and I didn’t mean to be short with you but I am heading to the airport and don’t have much time.” “I understand, Mr. Michaels, and I will not keep you long, I promise. Like I stated earlier I just wanted to give you your wife’s personal belongings.” With that Jeffrey handed Harrison a large package. Harrison took the package and placed it on his desk. Jeffrey looked at him as if he was waiting for Harrison to open the package but Harrison just sat at his desk.

“Again I appreciate your coming here. Is there anything else I can do for you?” Harrison’s tone made it clear he was ready for Jeffrey to leave. “I was hoping you could give me some help with your wife’s case,” Jeffrey stated as he reached in his coat pocket for a tablet and pen. “As you know we have arrested your former secretary, Elizabeth Blaine. The evidence points to her being the culprit but I have one problem.” “And what problem is that, Mr. Taylor?” “I don’t have a motive. Tell me Harrison, do you know of any reason why Elizabeth Blaine would want your wife dead?” The District Attorney’s tone changed from inquisitive to accusatory. He had leaned forward in his chair and was looking directly at Harrison.

If this was a tactic to make Harrison flinch, it did not work. Harrison never took his eyes off the District Attorney as he slowly rose from his chair and leaned across the desk. “I don’t know of any reason, Mr. Taylor, but I do know one thing. I know I can have you in private practice faster than you think.” “Now Mr. Michaels, there’s no reason to become hostile. I am not accusing you of anything. I am just trying to figure out why Ms. Blaine would want your wife dead.” The fact Mr. Taylor could maintain the look on his face without smiling was a tribute to his years in the courtroom. While Harrison did not confess to anything, Jeffrey knew by his reaction to this question the second time it was posed, Harrison was hiding something. But there was no reason to press the matter now. Standing, Mr. Taylor again apologized for the rudeness of his question and stated he only intended to bring Mary’s personal belongings to Harrison. Harrison came from the back of the desk and escorted Jeffrey to the door. Watching as Jeffrey drove away, Harrison decided he better find out what he could about the district attorney. It might prove helpful in the future. Turning and walking back to his office, he sat at his desk and stared at the package before him.

Following several minutes of nothing but staring, Harrison got up and fixed himself a drink. He didn’t have to leave even for ice with the small refrigerator built into the bar. Returning to his seat he pulled the package to him and began opening it. Slowly he reached inside and pulled out Mary’s purse. It was one of those small purses women carried when dressed in business attire. Looking at the purse, Harrison knew Mary had been dressed in a blue skirt with a blouse and jacket. She had been attending to one of her charities the night she died. Holding the purse he imagined Mary at the function. Mary would be gliding from one group of people to another carefully soliciting donations to her charity. Mary was accomplished in having people believe it was their idea to donate large sums of money to her causes. It was easy for her, given her love for the children the charities helped. Harrison figured Mary’s work filled the void of not having children of her own. It also helped that Mary’s work centered on her charities. The functions Mary held were lavish. The elite would attend dressed to the nines. Mary was the consummate planner. She was smart enough to allow the men areas to conduct business knowing they were going to do so anyway. The women were mostly socialites concerned only with the latest events and the importance of being asked to attend. Mary would see to both groups with equal zeal. She had the ability to find comfort in both worlds, appreciating the importance of each. Before the evening was over the women would be photographed with their corporate spouses for the local papers, handing Mary large donations. Harrison took his place in the background, only assisting when Mary needed help giving an executive an extra nudge to loosen his purse strings.

Opening the purse Harrison retrieved Mary’s wallet. He unzipped the pocketbook and laid it open on the desk. Picking through the contents he looked a Mary’s credit cards and driver’s license. It still amazed him she could take such a good driver’s license picture. Harrison came across several business cards and began thumbing through them. He hadn’t flipped through but a couple when he stopped suddenly. Harrison read the card repeatedly as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His mind raced with thoughts of when a meeting could have occurred and what type conversation would have transpired. Harrison turned the business card over and a telephone number was written on the back. Looking again at the front, Harrison was determined to call to the number on back and have a talk with Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent, Natalie Johnson.

Placing the business card aside Harrison reached back in the package and pulled out several items of jewelry. The necklace he remembered giving Mary as a gift. It was the Christmas they spent in Colorado. Mary looked so beautiful in the glow of the fireplace and Harrison smiled as he thought of the look on her face when she opened the necklace. Suddenly Harrison remembered Mary’s body lying on the table at the funeral home. Frantically he tore through the package and dumped the contents on his desk. He found an earring and shuffled through some papers until he discovered the other. “Where is it? It has to be here!” Harrison was throwing the papers on the floor and grabbed a sweater and tossed it to the side. Mary’s wedding ring fell out of the sweater and landed on the floor. Harrison leapt down and picked the ring up and held it in his hands. He stared at the ring for several minutes while his heart settled. Finally he gathered the papers and jewelry and placed them in his safe. Turning to exit the room, Harrison placed the business card in his wallet and left for the airport.

“He’s on the move again.” John Daniels was at a full run when he entered Natalie’s office. “What!” “He’s on the move. He has the company plane fueled and waiting at the airport.” John was still trying to catch his breath as he spoke. “How is it I am part of the largest investigative agency in the world and am the last to know that my prime suspect is leaving town?” Natalie was shouting as she leapt out of her chair. John explained that his connection at the airport did not arrive for work until the afternoon shift and contacted him immediately upon seeing the bank’s pilots. The informant further stated there was not a definite departure time but the destination was the Cayman Islands. This the informant learned directly from the pilots. Thankfully they always loved to brag to the ground crew where they were going.

Natalie instructed John to get to the islands and report what Harrison did and with whom he had contact. She asked if anyone knew for which company Harrison would be making the transactions. John wasn’t sure because the information hadn’t come from the accounting department with the bureau. They weren’t even sure if Harrison was making transactions on behalf of a company. “Not sure he is making a transaction?” Natalie was almost shouting. “Most banking transactions were made from Harrison’s office. His wife just died and he hasn’t even buried her. There certainly isn’t any need for him to travel to the islands unless it is to transfer funds.” Natalie’s frustration with the ineptness of her associates was beginning to show. She picked up the telephone and instructed the accounting department to bring her the latest data on Harrison Michaels. “I will contact you with the information.” John nodded his understanding and left the office for the airport. Natalie sat back down at her desk and impatiently waited for the requested information.

When the paperwork was delivered, Natalie snatched it from the runner’s hand without acknowledging his existence. She quickly began reviewing the numbers to figure out on whose behalf Harrison was conducting business. Natalie understood the problem hampering the case against Harrison Michaels was the connection, if any, of his trips to the Cayman Islands to the banking transactions of various companies. Those transactions were themselves a problem. The accounting department could not figure out any pattern with the transactions which would prove Harrison was breaking the law. The agency believed he was funneling money through the holding companies but without the information in the Cayman Banks it was having difficulty forming a complete picture. Even though the bureau was attempting to put pressure on the banks they were unable to obtain the information they desired. Therefore the only alternative was to connect the people Harrison was in partnership with and hope they were banking within the United States or in countries that cooperated with the U.S. The theory was if they could get the first part and the last part of the puzzle the accounting department would figure out the middle.

That was the reason Natalie directed John Daniels to travel to the Cayman Islands to follow Harrison. The problem was that to date Harrison never met with anyone while he was at the islands. It was as if he knew he was being followed. If the government changed its tactics or surveillance agent, Harrison would immediately pick up on it. The government also could not find out whether Harrison was meeting people in the banks themselves. Harrison traded with several banks on the islands and his business was always conducted in the upper offices. And the Cayman banks did not allow government agents to sit inside their establishments and bother their clients. The banks were very protective of their clients. No one was allowed to enter the banks unless they had business there. If a person came in and sat down it wouldn’t be long before a bank representative would approach and question them about why they were there. If they didn’t have business they would be politely but firmly asked to leave. And flashing a government badge would only have them shown to the door quicker.

The only way the government could find if Harrison was meeting someone in the banks would be to post agents outside every bank from opening until closing. The government never knew which bank Harrison would use until he walked inside. Harrison used every bank in the islands and never notified any bank he was coming. He would just show up and do business. This did not bother the banks because many of their customers did business that way. Background checks would then have to be done on everyone who arrived or left the bank utilized by Harrison. The manpower necessary to accomplish such a large-scale surveillance was unavailable given the “higher-ups” reluctance to be directly involved in this case. Therefore, unless Harrison became sloppy and met someone outside the bank, connecting him to anyone would be impossible. But given the situation Harrison was currently in with the death of his wife, sloppy was a possibility and Natalie was not about to give up any opportunity to prove herself to the bureau.