“Don’t play with us, Ryan. Keep your nose out of this.”
“I take it I’m free to go?”
Hearing no answer, he decides to find his own ride home.
The next morning, Ryan vanishes. His girlfriend reports him missing that evening. She provides the police a key and access to his apartment, where everything seems in order.
@Part VI
Chapter 86
Judicial Advice
By midafternoon on the same day of the Hemispheres hearing, Judge Easton has called Judge Bondakopf and invited her to meet for dinner. Bondakopf drops her other plans and agrees to meet her at One Fish, a posh restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. Because parking will be tough in Georgetown, Bondakopf leaves Alexandria at 5:30, takes the route of least resistance over to the Key Bridge, crosses into Georgetown and finds a private attended parking lot about a block away.
Despite what the public considers a fairly high profile, federal district judges have no regular protection – not even one serving on the secret FISA court. About a block from the parking lot, as she is walking along Wisconsin at M Street, a man walks up beside her. He is in a black full-length trench coat.
"Judge Bondakopf, I'm an FBI agent and I'd like to talk to you a moment." He produces his badge and credentials for her as they continue walking.
"What's this about? How do you know my name or that I would be here at all?"
"I'm not at liberty to answer that, Judge. However, my boss wants to speak with you on a secure cell phone. Agent Solarez, he says you know him?"
The judge stops. Several other pedestrians walking along Wisconsin pass by as she glares at the agent.
"Yes, I know Agent Solarez."
The agent taps in a phone number. "Yes, sir, I'm going to pass the judge the phone now."
"Judge Bondakopf. Agent Solarez here. I'm sorry to have interrupted you this way, but we understand you’re going to meet Judge Easton for dinner and…"
"How did you know that?"
"Judge, I don't think that’s relevant to what I'm gonna tell you. Judge Easton received a note at her office today before the Hemispheres wrongful death settlement hearing. Someone has suggested to her that the United States paid over $100 million to Hemispheres to help create the settlement fund."
"Is that true?"
"Doesn't matter if it's true or not. But if leaked, this could have devastating consequences on our outstanding operation. You personally know there are national security issues involved with this Hemispheres situation."
"I have no information that the U.S. has paid anything. Are you suggesting that I would give Judge Easton my input involving secret information?"
"No, but she's a friend of yours. She might look to you for guidance. Your recommendation against disclosing such baseless information would be helpful to us."
"I'll tell you what. Let me see what she wants to tell me, and then, well, we know how to find each other, don’t we?”
She shoves the phone back to the agent beside her and begins walking again toward the restaurant.
After the judges both receive their drinks, Judge Easton produces an envelope from her purse.
"So, this morning, 15 minutes before the Hemispheres hearing, a courier drops an envelope at my chambers. It's marked personal and confidential, addressed to me. No return address and we can't locate who delivered it. Have a look," Easton says, unfolding the page and placing it in front of Lisa.
Lisa reads the note carefully, folds it back in half and hands it back.
"So that's why you wouldn't approve the deal today."
"Precisely. I’ve never rejected a death settlement before. But with this bombshell, I refused. That's why I wanted to meet you tonight." Easton says.
"Do you know what kind of monster media storm is going on over your refusal to approve the deal today? It’s been on CNT continuously, with various legal analysts all giving their two cents."
"Tell me about it. My law clerks told me it was on Twitter two minutes after I left the bench. Well, do you think I can force Hemispheres to explain a basis for their responsibility? I mean, even if there was no $100 million paid by the government, can I force them to explain to the public why they are settling?”
"Just on the legal issue, I don't know that there's any law that governs whether you can demand an admission of responsibility or not. I mean, making them give a declaration or statement of responsibility seems shaky, but, no, I haven’t ever researched it." Bondakopf takes a sip of wine.
"After the hearing, I had my law clerk all over it. There's very little on it. But if it's true that the government paid a huge chunk of the settlement fund without any formal disclosure, that’s something the public ought to know. Taxpayer money, right? I don't know what to make of the note or who wanted to blow the whistle." Easton says.
"Hemispheres may refuse. And all those families are probably irate because Michaels made a deal and they want closure. It's certainly a difficult situation."
"If the U.S. paid that money, the public has a right to know. It would mean there's a lot more to this crash than anybody knows. And the tiny bit of information that I had before," Easton says, winking one eye at Bondakopf, "makes me believe what’s in the note."
"If you simply back off the demand that Hemispheres give an explanation of their responsibility you will look like you have no backbone," Bondakopf says. "Sometimes just delaying a decision makes you look more brilliant, and maybe just 24 or 48 hours of letting things pan out might be good. I wouldn’t disclose any information about what was in the note, though. No reason to. Let them wonder what you’re up to.”
"I don't want to make those families wait too long. But I don't think a day or two’ll hurt." Easton says, taking a long sip of her drink.
Chapter 87
Further Reflection
The hallways of the courthouse are typically empty in the afternoons. Martha looks up at the video monitor and notices Judge Bondakopf approaching the door of Judge Easton's chambers. She immediately buzzes her in.
"Good afternoon Martha. Is the judge in?"
"Sure, just one second please." She presses the speaker button. "Judge Bondakopf is here to see you, can she come on back?"
"Sure, send her in," Judge Easton responds through the speakerphone.
"Didn't expect you to come by today. I hope you have some ideas for me." The judge sits down in one of the two client chairs in front of the large desk.
"I’ve checked on some things, let me put it that way." Bondakopf says. She then lowers her voice into a whisper.
"Here's my idea for you. Reconvene the attorneys and tell them you would like to see both of them in your chambers. Yes, the media will go crazy. So what? Tell counsel you're prepared to approve the deal, but that Hemispheres is going to have to at least reference something in the settlement agreement about the crash being caused by some kind of mechanical or electrical failure. It can be vague. That way, you don't look like you caved. You'll get the admission that you demanded, and Michaels and Franklin and their clients will get what they want."
"But what about the money? What about the hundred million?" Easton asks her.
"It's unsubstantiated. The public doesn't know anything about it and you don't know if there’s even a shred of truth to it. You can't go out on a limb on that."
"I think I like it. Thanks.”
And that is exactly what Judge Easton did. The next day, the parties reconvened at 3:00 p.m. in her courtroom, and every reporter that had been covering the Hemispheres story was there. Just after court was called to order, Judge Easton asked to see the attorneys in her chambers for some preliminary discussions.
Once in her chambers, Easton scans over the draft settlement agreement—the one previously proposed. There was no admission of liability.
"Gentlemen I've decided that there may be a way we can compromise and move forward here. Mr. Franklin, I want Hemispheres to include a reference in this agreement to an electrical or mechanical cau
se of the crash. Do you think that's something you can get authority to include?" Franklin looks down at his copy of the settlement agreement, thinking things through.
"What about the explicit admission of liability that you insisted on at the prior hearing?"
"I may be willing to back off from that requirement. Perhaps some language like 'in consideration of the mechanical or electrical blah, blah the parties enter this agreement,’ so maybe not the complete admission, but something to serve as the basis of why you entered into the settlement with Mr. Michaels’ clients and the other estates. Why don't you go talk with your client?”
With that, Franklin exits her chambers, avoiding eye contact with her or Michaels, his jaw clenched in anger. For a split second he contemplates faking the call to Hemispheres, and advising Easton the offer was rejected. No way, he instantly decides. It will be reported by the media mere seconds after the hearing, his client would go bonkers, his career would be over. Damn, she boxed me in, he concludes. He finds a quiet place down the back hallway and calls Andrews, the CFO.
A few minutes later Franklin returns and asks to speak with Andy Michaels. They discuss the settlement agreement and hammer out the additional section requested by the judge. Once they arrive at a satisfactory version, they present it to Judge Easton.
"This is fine. Why don't you both return to the courtroom. As soon as I have this agreement retyped I will bring it out and have you look it over before I approve it.” The attorneys begin to leave her chambers.
"Oh, and counsel, one more thing. When you comment to the media, I expect you to explain that our brief meeting in chambers allowed us to hammer out this agreement, as they will not be happy it occurred in chambers. Do you understand?"
Michaels and Franklin both nod and walk out the door.
Fifteen minutes later, the order is signed and the attorneys – and reporters – empty into the main hall. Several reporters clamber for a copy of the settlement agreement, but are advised the clerk's office will have copies in 30 minutes. Andy tells several reporters only that his clients are “satisfied with the settlement terms.”
Chapter 88
Newbie
Andy pushes the ignition button, turning off the car. With both his hands still lightly resting on the steering wheel, he turns to Amanda.
"You're 100 percent sure about this?"
"Never been more sure. He doesn’t know it was me, right?"
"Correct. An LLC is the buyer and we gave instructions to the realtor to disclose nothing else about the purchaser. You'll be the one telling him."
"Great. Let's go."
They both get out of Andy's car, and he finds the law firm name on the directory once they enter the lobby. They are led into the main conference room of the Reston law firm where several people are sitting.
Amanda presumes a couple of them are real estate agents. One must be the real estate lawyer? Aunt Barbara is there too. After the real estate closing lawyer introduces everybody, Amanda interrupts.
"Where's Kyle Perless?"
The realtor says, "He gave power of attorney to Mr. Regentson, so he won’t be attending."
"Really? I thought since he was the seller he had to be here," Amanda says, turning to Andy, bewildered.
"It’s the seller’s prerogative," Andy confirms.
"Well…okay. I want to go see him right after this."
Andy nods. The real estate attorney hands a stack of papers to Andy and Amanda to start signing.
"You'll see little flags in all the places that Ms. Michaels needs to sign. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions."
Andy starts looking through pages and makes a few comments about them to Amanda.
"See, the purchaser name is Broken Halo, LLC. You need to start signing where indicated."
After signing what seems to be a mountain of paper, Amanda asks Andy, "Where's the papers about Café Loco and his condo?"
Andy locates the papers relating to the payoff and wire transfers.
Once she has finished signing, the others stand, smile and congratulate her. Several shake Amanda’s hand before walking from the room.
Andy, Barbara, and Amanda are the only ones left.
"Alright, we've taken care of that. Now I need you to sign the release papers relating to your own settlement," Andy says.
He takes out another folder and shows her the formal release outlining the settlement provisions of her case. Two million dollars will be placed in investment accounts. There will be additional papers relating to the balance of the monies, placed in a structured settlement, which will pay out the millions of dollars in proceeds into timed installment payments in the future.
"This structured settlement approach is a very smart move for your future, given you’re only 18." Andy says.
“It’ll help assure your college education expenses are covered,” Barb says, reaching over and touching Amanda’s arm for reassurance. Amanda tries not to cringe, but she hasn’t been happy with Barbara since her psych ward stay.
"We hope what you're doing with regard to Mr. Perless is the right thing." Andy says.
"No one can tell me it’s not."
Amanda finishes signing all the settlement papers.
“The next important question is, are you coming back to our house?" Barbara asks with a concerned glance toward Andy as they stand in the lobby.
"It's not that I don't appreciate everything, I just want to live on the farm. I hope you understand."
"But you have to finish your senior year at M.A. and then hopefully go to college. You don’t have any experience working on or running a horse stable. You can't even drive right now, so how would you shop for your groceries or go to school?”
“There are so many reasons to stay with Barb and Steve and not on the farm," Andy interjects. "You should get back to a routine, and we’ll help you with the farm."
"I appreciate everything, really, but I'm staying at Crossroads for now. I know I can hitch a ride with David, or Charlyne or Iris."
"We’re not comfortable with you staying there without an adult." Andy says.
"There is an adult there. Mr. Manuel stays in the other house, and Zander lives there."
"They’re not family or the kind of adult supervision we’re talking about," Barb says. "Don't you think that it would be unsafe for you to stay out there alone?"
"One of us can stay there for the next few nights while we figure things out." Andy says.
"David will stay for the weekend. I already asked him. He just needs to bring his homework." Amanda says.
"What about Kyle Perless, does he stay at the farm sometimes? Oh, but now…hmmm. You should talk with him about all of Kent’s belongings at the farmhouse, they’re important to him I’m sure." Barbara says.
"I'm going to let Kyle deal with that whenever, or come over whenever he wants, particularly to ride or see the horses. And I don't have any intention of changing the farm help. I want to start some kind of non-profit for people who have brain injuries or paralysis. They could come to the stables, groom the horses and stuff like that.”
"That is a nice idea; maybe Andy can help with legalities. But you've never lived on your own before. I just don't see how…" Barbara says before being interrupted by Andy.
"I'm going to hire a security guard again to stay at the farm over the weekend, and then we’ll get someone from a professional housesitting service who can stay there and drive Amanda around."
Since Amanda doesn't offer resistance to the suggestion, Andy treats that as a green light to put his plan in place.
"The headmaster at M.A. says you're welcome to return this coming Monday and you can catch up over the next several weeks with a tutor. He offered the name of three tutors who are all M.A. graduates," Barbara says.
"I might have a tutor already. She’s a former college tutor at GW." Amanda says.
"How'd you find her?" Andy asks.
"David Owlsley checked her out for me," Amanda says, knowing that she left some
details out. But it wasn't a complete lie. "Hey, we’ve got to get out of here. A bunch of my friends are going to meet us at the farm. We need to pick up some things to celebrate too.”
Barbara gives Amanda a big hug in the parking lot, and then explains she needs to return back to work. Amanda asks Andy to take her to Café Loco.
Just after they pull into the parking lot Andy pulls a small clear baggie from his pants pocket and holds it up toward Amanda.
“Where’d you get that?” Amanda asks.
“Someone found it in your backpack, maybe the train crew or someone else there. It got mailed to me with no return address or letter.”
Amanda takes the baggie with the hamsa charm necklace from Andy’s hand but doesn’t take the necklace out of the small plastic baggie.
“Are you going to wear it again?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure if I believe anymore.”
“Whether or not you think it offers protection, it’s still valuable, so please keep it safe,” Andy advises her. “Your note was in the backpack too.”
Amanda glances at him, but quickly looks ahead at the dashboard. Andy decides not to dwell on the subject.
Once they walk in the door, Amanda tells Andy she’ll be back in a minute. He grabs a seat at an empty table and orders a cup of coffee.
Amanda pushes through the swinging door toward Ramblin’ Kyles and hears some guitars playing behind a door. It sounds like Kyle inside, so she taps on the door. The door swings open and Kyle is sitting on a chair holding an acoustic guitar. A kid who looks to be about 13 is facing him.
“Practice that chord pattern, Am-C-G, a few times. I’ll be right back,” he tells the student, then exits the room, closing the door softly behind him. His shirt looks worn and says “Mott The Hoople” on the front. He has the neck of the guitar in his right hand, just holding it beside him.
Taming the Telomeres, a Thriller Page 27
