"Oh no."
"We did some calling around yesterday," Drake said. "Got the agent on the line that handled her case. Got him to tell us that the money had been paid out to Bargain Mart International."
"I don't think he was supposed to say so either," Ava said. "As soon as he did, he hung up. Haven't been able to speak to him since."
"No, I should say not," Traynor said. Raised his eyes above Ava and Drake. Shook his head slowly.
"Any idea what this could be?" Drake said. "I freely admit I haven't had much experience with insurance companies beyond my own personal dealings."
"No," Traynor said. "Most haven't. And definitely not anything like this."
"This?" Ava asked.
Traynor leveled his eyes on them. "Either of you ever heard the term Dead Peasants?"
Chapter Twenty-Six
Drake remained silent for a moment.
Looked over to Ava.
The term did ring a bell, but only vaguely.
"Wasn't that mentioned in a Michael Moore film once?" Drake said.
"A woman in Texas was sent the insurance check by mistake, right?" Ava added.
Traynor nodded gravely. "Correct. Both of you."
Drake nodded. Focused his eyes on the table top in front of them. Tried to recall the exact details.
"If you don't mind, could you just start at the beginning? Give us everything you've got on it?"
Traynor folded his arms across his chest. Wore an expression that looked as if he really might lose his breakfast at any time.
"Yeah, it's probably better that way. Just start at the beginning and lay it all out there. Easier than trying to fill in any holes."
Drake and Ava both remained silent. Waited for him to continue.
"I'll tell you right up front, I'm not an absolute authority on the topic. And that's something I say with a great deal of pride mind you.
"Dead Peasants insurance is the lowest form of insurance scam there is today. Worse even than arson.
“An ugly name for an even uglier practice.”
Drake remained fixated on Traynor. Consciously pushed aside any thought that entered his mind. Neither of them had brought along legal pads.
They needed to be sure to get every detail.
"The term comes from some book written a long time ago in Russia," Traynor said. "The text was all about a Lord of a manor and the serfs that worked it.
"I've never read it, but apparently it was a basic fiction story wherein the Lord would assign value to the workers. More production equaled higher value.
"If something happened to one of them, he would go back to the fief and demand payment in that amount."
Drake could already see where this was going. Still, he remained silent.
"As far as insurance goes, it was a practice that first popped up in the seventies. Really became popular in the eighties. Corporations would take out life insurance policies on their employees. They would pay the premiums, then cash the check if anything happened."
Traynor fell silent. Kept his eyes aimed high at the front window. Shook his head from side to side.
"When you say corporations..." Drake began.
"The heavy hitters," Traynor said. "McDonald's. Wal-Mart. GM. The ones with enough cash flow to cover such expenditures."
"And how many employees are we talking about?" Ava asked. Cast a glance to Drake. "Surely not everybody?"
"Not at first," Traynor said. "In the beginning, it was just the bigwigs. CEO, administrators, board members. Reasoned that they were dropping so much in productivity and training replacements, they needed some way of covering their losses."
"You sound dubious," Drake said.
Traynor snorted. "To say the least. The amounts these guys were taking out policies for were astronomical. There was no way any single employee was worth that much."
"And nobody called them on it?" Ava asked.
"It was the eighties. Reaganomics had the economy roaring. Everybody assumed that once the spigot was open, the money would always be flowing.
"The insurance companies didn't care, just so long as they got their premium payments every month. Government oversight was a joke."
"So pretty soon it went beyond just upper officials?" Drake asked.
"Yes sir," Traynor said. Exaggerated head bob for emphasis. "Wasn't long and every rank-and-file employee was getting an insurance policy taken out in their name."
"With equally disproportionate values I'm sure," Ava said.
"Well, let me put it this way," Traynor said. Started to speak, but paused briefly. "This is still all confidential, right?"
"Mhmm," Ava said.
"Absolutely," Drake answered at the same time.
"Okay. Back when the Galt's first came to me for a policy, we sat down and went over their financials together. At that time, Craig was making $21,000 a year.
"Now granted, this was almost twenty years ago. Still, he was a logger with a college degree. And this is Missoula. They don't exactly pay New York City Wages."
"Meaning at best, he was up to maybe low-40's at time of death," Ava said.
"If that," Traynor said. "But even so, you mentioned the US Atlantic policy was for $250,000? That’s still over six times his annual income."
Drake kept his eyes lowered at the table. Shook his head slightly. "Even more than that actually. Remember, the payout went to Bargain Mart, not Timberman."
Ava's eyes grew a touch larger. "That's right, meaning the ratio was probably way higher than that even."
Across from them, Traynor's face twisted. "Bargain Mart," he muttered. "I don't remember him ever mentioning anything about Bargain Mart.
"He wasn't originally from here, so I'm thinking if he worked there, it had to have been for a spell through college. Definitely nothing long term."
"And they could do that?" Drake asked. "Continue paying on a policy even after an employee is no longer working there?"
"Like I said," Traynor said, "as long as the premium checks kept coming in, nobody cared. Still don't, as far as I can tell."
Silence fell over the table for a moment. Traynor sat and swirled the dregs in the bottom of his coffee cup.
"So what can we do?" Drake asked.
Traynor stopped with the cup. Raised his eyes to Drake. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, is there anything we can do? I know Bargain Mart paid the premiums all those years, but there has to be something that can be done.
"Craig Galt was the one named on the policy. He was the one that passed away. By all rights that money belongs to Alice Galt."
Silence remained for a moment while Traynor chewed the question.
"You're right, on a basic level of course. As to an actual answer though, I just don't know."
"I'm sure there's been instances of people bringing this up before," Ava said. "What happened in that case in Texas?"
Traynor shook his head. "I'm sure there has been. My guess is, those corporations settle out of court to keep it quiet."
"It's cheaper for them to pay off one case than lose a potential windfall from all the other ones," Drake said.
"Exactly," Traynor said. "As to the case in Texas, I'm not entirely sure. The whole thing was so repugnant to me, I didn't follow real closely."
"Understandable," Ava said.
More silence fell over the table. The last of the breakfast crew rose and shuffled outside.
The smell of food and coffee still hung heavy in the air as the waitress began setting lunch menus out on the tables. She glanced over at them a few times, but seemed in no hurry for them to leave.
"If you were in our position," Drake began, "trying to help Alice Galt, what would you do?"
Traynor pursed his lips. Blew a slow puff of air out between them.
"Depends on how visible I, and she, wanted to be. If a stink is what you're looking for, make a real example out of Bargain Mart, then I'd go to court. Splash them across every newspaper in the country.
"If not, I
'd go right to them. Demand a settlement. At least the value of the policy. Probably a lot more."
Drake chewed on the advice a moment. The idea of trying to force a settlement from a company like Bargain Mart didn't sit especially well with him.
Still, there was a lot of research to be done before making any decisions. A long conversation with Alice Galt to be had.
After a few moments, Drake blinked himself back into the present. Leaned back in the booth. Looked over at Ava.
"Walt, I can't begin to thank you enough. This has been very helpful."
The tension of the conversation broken, Traynor smiled.
"My pleasure. Please, feel free to call me with any questions you have."
Drake stood. Extended his hand. "Thank you. Appreciate it."
"And if you do end up taking this to court, I'd be happy to testify," Traynor said. Shook Drake and Ava's hands.
"Thank you," Drake repeated. "Can we buy you gentlemen's breakfast this morning?"
"Ha!" Traynor said. Voice so loud it startled the waitress just a few feet behind him. "Willie's brother was Hal. We haven't had a tab here in twenty years."
"Well, thanks again," Drake said.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
"Well, what do you make of all that?" Drake asked.
Ava folded her arms across her chest. Stared out the passenger window. Shook her head in disgust.
"The whole thing is nothing short of revolting," she said.
"I liked Walt's use of the term repugnant," Drake said.
Ava nodded. "Of course, being loaded with a gallon of coffee doesn't help much either. I'm so wired right now I could run through a brick wall."
Drake motioned to the enormous plastic boot encasing her left foot. "If you could run of course."
"Shut up. You know what I mean."
Drake made a small smile. "I do."
He angled the truck back towards Ava's. Fell onto an empty side street.
Beside him, Ava reached out and smacked the dash with the palm of her hand. Paused a moment, smacked it again. A third time for good measure.
Drake considered a joke saying the poor bug was dead. Decided against it.
He felt the same sense of hostility deep within him. Not just because of what giant corporations were doing to thousands of nameless employees across the country.
Because it made him wonder if anybody had profited from the death of his parents a few years before.
He'd had years of dealing with insurance companies to internalize his anger. Otherwise, he was sure he'd be swatting the hell out of something just the same as Ava was.
A thought occurred to Drake. He shot right past Ava's house. Drove on towards his own.
They were almost there before Ava even seemed to notice.
"Where the hell are we going?" she asked.
"My place," Drake said. "I think I know just what you need."
Ava made a face. "Your place? You think what I need are pizza boxes and smelly gym socks?"
Drake drove on in silence. Considered defending himself, but let it slide. It wasn't the first time somebody had assumed he lived in a frat house.
Five minutes later he eased the truck into the driveway. The garage door was closed. Kade's truck sat parked along the curb.
"Place looks deserted," Ava said. Cast her eyes over the lot.
The one story brick home sat silent in the early morning light. The trees in the yard were completely void of leaves. The grass was still painted white with frost.
"It's Saturday," Drake said. Swung out from the truck. "Trust me, it's not deserted."
Drake led Ava down the sidewalk and through the front door. A splash of warm air greeted them as they walked inside. Suzy Q followed close behind.
"We've got company," Drake called as he stepped inside. Kicked his shoes off by the door. Bent to rub on Suzy Q.
"What the hell is that?" Ava asked. Extended a finger down towards the dog.
"This is my girl," Drake said. "Suzy Q. Been with me for five years now. Say hello, she won't bite."
Ava edged closer. Tentatively extended a hand.
As she did, Q rolled over and showed her belly.
"Oh yeah," Drake said. Patted the dog's ribs. "She likes you already."
"If you say so," Ava said. Scratched Q lightly. Stood and followed Drake down a short hallway into the living room.
An enormous flat screen television dominated one wall. It was framed on either side by doors. One to Ajax's room. The other to a restroom.
An overstuffed brown leather sofa sat in front of the television. Armchair on one end. Recliner on the other.
The far end of the room connected into the kitchen. Instead of a table and chairs in the attached dining room sat an expansive computer desk and monitor.
Despite the early morning hour, there was not a single thing out of place. The floor was vacuumed. Shelves on the wall were dusted.
As they entered, three heads turned their direction.
"Not quite pizza boxes and gym socks, huh?" Drake asked.
Ava's jaw fell slack momentarily. "Definitely not. I am impressed."
"You remember Kade and Sage? My roommate Ajax?" Drake asked. Extended a hand to the room.
"Of course," Ava said. Waved a hand around. "Morning everyone."
Ajax raised a hand to his brow. "Morning."
"Hey there," Sage said.
Kade nodded. Smiled. "Should I text Rink and tell him to get over here?"
Drake laughed out loud. Motioned Ava to the recliner. Flopped down in the armchair beside Sage.
Q curled up at their feet.
"Aw, the poor girl's still in a walking boot. At least wait until she's back to full strength before setting him loose on her again."
Kade and Sage both laughed. Ava rolled her eyes.
"Based on our meeting this morning, Ava here has a little pent up aggression," Drake said. "Did one hell of a number on my front dash. I told her I might know of something that could help burn off some of that angst."
Ajax sat up straight on his end of the sofa. A hopeful look spread on his face. "Does that mean what I think it means?"
Drake motioned to College Gameday splashed across the screen. "I figured we still had some time before the games kick off."
"Hell, even if we didn't," Ajax said. He was already on his feet. Went to his desk and picked up a CD case. Removed a blank silver disk and slid it into a game console on the floor.
He grabbed up two controllers. Kept one for himself. Extended the other to Ava.
"This is a little something new I've been working on," he said. "I think it ought to do just the trick."
Ava looked at the controller with uncertainty. Raised her eyes to Ajax. "I don't know. I'm not much for video games."
"Come on," Ajax said. "This is a prototype. You'll be the first one to try it out. I mean, unless you're scared."
The rest of the room eyed Ava closely.
The remark found its mark. She was on her feet in no time. Shrugged off the blazer and stood beside Ajax.
"Atta girl," Kade whooped. Clapped his hands for effect.
"Alright, so here's the deal," Ajax said. Before them the game booted up. "The two hottest things on the market right now are zombies and MMA. This is a combination of the two."
Graphics oozing blood appeared on the screen.
Ajax maneuvered through them as Ava turned to face him.
"You're kidding, right?"
"Just give it a shot," Ajax said. Started the game.
On one side was a hulking male zombie with a hunchback and blood dripping from every orifice. On the other was a smaller female dressed in skimpy attire, bodily fluids dripping profusely.
"Just like you're fighting," Ajax said. Did a bit of shadow boxing. His character on the screen mimicked him perfectly.
Ava continued to stare. Slowly decided to throw a few punches of her own.
On the third, she shuffled forward and sucker punched Ajax with a vicious overhan
d right.
Kade and Ajax both yelled in excitement.
Drake and Ava both laughed.
"So it didn't go well this morning?" Sage asked. Kept her eyes on the screen as the contest picked up.
Drake did the same beside her. "I wouldn't say that. The old guys were very nice. Fella definitely knew his stuff."
"He just didn't say what you wanted to hear?"
Drake raised a hand. Let it fall beside him. "I wouldn't say that either. I didn't go in wanting any particular answer. We were just looking for information. Still, it sounds a whole lot worse than we realized it could be."
"How so?" Sage prompted.
Across the room, Drake could see Kade listening intently. Even Ajax and Ava had fallen silent, despite their on-screen combat.
"Apparently there is an insurance instrument known as a Dead Peasant policy," Drake began. "Makes it possible for corporations like Bargain Mart to take out life insurance policies on employees."
"Yeah, that sounds like it's on the up-and-up," Kade said.
"Exactly. They take it out, pay the premiums, and twenty, thirty years later they collect a nice check. Essentially a zero-risk investment."
Ava opened her mouth. Tilted her head a bit. "That's a great way of putting it. Like paying into a CD with a giant interest rate and an unknown maturation date."
On-screen, the second round started. Ava swung a few uneven hooks. Ajax waited before unleashing a front kick that sent bodily fluids to every corner of the screen.
"Damn," Sage said.
"Pretty much," Drake agreed.
"So where's that put you?"
Drake sighed. Shook his head. "Not sure yet. First thing will probably be to meet with Alice again. I'll try to set something up first of the week."
"Hmm," Sage said. Nodded.
"What about Bargain Mart?" Kade said.
"What do you mean?" Drake asked.
"Why not go over and try to talk to them? They're open every damn day."
Drake pursed his lips. Considered the option. Traynor had said the policies were usually coordinated at the corporate level. This one in particular was probably purchased while Galt was still in college.
Odds were nobody at the store would even know who he was. Let alone anything about his particular policy.
Dead Peasants (Zoo Crew series Book 2) Page 11
