by F J messina
Jet put her hand on Sonia’s shoulder and squeezed. “Lordy, Lordy, girl. You’ve become one hot computer hackin’ momma. Yes, you have.”
Sonia turned briefly and smiled at her. “Thanks. Now, let’s see what we’ve got here.”
It didn’t take Sonia long to find the company’s financial records and download them to a different, large-capacity flash drive. “That’s it. Let’s get out of here.”
Jet made certain that everything on the desk was exactly the way they had found it and checked the security monitors several times. Then, Steven Brownlee led them out of the room and locked the door behind them.
As they were leaving, Brownlee spoke. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” The sincerity of his words was unmistakable. “I’ve got to tell you that I just don’t have a good feeling about this. I don’t want to accuse the young man unfairly. I’ve just got to know for sure that he’s not ripping me off.”
Sonia hesitated before answering; the “oldfool” at the beginning of Oakley’s password had already convinced her that sweet Mr. Brownlee was going to be disappointed by the results of their investigation.
Jet stepped in. “Don’t worry Mr. Brownlee. You give us a day or two and, with the help of Mr. Saunders, we’ll be able to tell you exactly what’s going on.”
Sonia’s and Jet’s eyes met. Sonia could feel a heaviness in her own heart, but what she thought she read in Jet’s eyes was pure anger.
12
Having a pretty good idea of what to expect, both Sonia and Jet had gotten to the BCI offices a little early on Friday. Precisely at ten o’clock, just as they had assumed, Burnett Saunders walked through the door and into their waiting area. Earlier, Sonia had gone downstairs and gotten some pastries and coffee while Jet had set up a large, white, plastic folding table; it provided enough space for the three of them to sit and work together.
“Greetings, Mr. Saunders,” Jet said. “Come. Let me introduce you to my partner, Sonia Vitale.”
Saunders bowed ever so slightly at the waist. “Yes, pleased to meet you, Ms. Vitale.”
Sonia found him to be exactly what she had imagined, based on Jet’s earlier descriptions. Tall, with neatly combed hair, round wireless glasses, and a face that was anything but unattractive, he stood near the door, ram-rod straight. It was hard for her to picture what his body was like since it was lost in the gray, pinstriped suit that was clearly too large for him. As Jet had said earlier, his clothing seemed to have been transported to this time directly from the 1950s. Sonia chuckled softly. Maybe she’s right. Maybe his dad bought that suit in the 50’s and passed it on to his son. And that bowtie? Sonia directed Saunders to a seat at the table. “Welcome, Burnett. It’s very nice to meet you. Is it alright if I call you Burnett?”
“Certainly, Mr. Saunders will do.”
Sonia was perplexed.
They all sat down at the makeshift work table. Jet and Sonia began nibbling at their treats, while Saunders eschewed both the coffee and the pastries stating, “Never eat unless you’re hungry.” He straightened his already straight bowtie. “So, you’ve gotten hold of the financial files from Bronson/Brownlee?”
“Actually, we got them last night.” Jet gave Sonia a little smile. “You can thank Sonia for that. They’re all here on this flash drive.”
“You’re certain there are no viruses on your device?” Saunders’ hands went absently to his bowtie. “I would not appreciate introducing a virus onto my laptop, now would I?”
Sonia was jarred a bit by his unusual verbal style. “No, the drive’s clean, and I’ve taken the precaution of running a new virus scan on it since I downloaded the files last night. We should all be okay on that count.”
“Very well.” Saunders slid his hands along the outside, then inside, of his thighs, smoothing his pants. “Let’s proceed to download those files onto my laptop. I’ll be taking them with me to work on back at my office. I work best in my own space.”
“Do you get out of your office much?” Jet asked with just a touch of sarcasm, one that Sonia picked up on immediately.
“Not often.” Now it was Saunders who had a somewhat perplexed look on his face. “Although it appears that lately, my colleagues seem more and more interested in sending me out to do on-site work. I’m not sure I understand that. I do my best work in my own space.”
Jet threw a look at Sonia.
Sonia had to look down in order to keep Saunders from seeing her swallow a laugh. She quickly regained her self-control. “Well, Mr. Saunders, Jet says that you’re quite the forensic accountant. Are you confident that you can tell whether or not Michael Oakley is mishandling funds at the company?”
“Oh yes, Ms. Vitale. Accounting is a science, you know, not just a discipline. Many people think of it only as a discipline; they think it’s just a compilation of procedures that lead to an accurate rendering of financial truths. But they’re wrong.”
Sonia and Jet looked at each other, expecting that Saunders would go on. He didn’t.
Finally, Jet spoke. “Wrong in what way?”
Saunders seemed taken aback by the question. “Wrong that it’s just a discipline.”
Again, the girls were stumped, wondering what he was talking about. Then it was Sonia’s turn. “Can you tell us more?”
Burnett Saunders made two short tugs on the lapels of his jacket and straightened his already straight bowtie again. “Accounting can be so much more than a discipline. It’s a science. We use the science of physics to explain how things work in the world. We use the science of mathematics to explain sophisticated relationships of shape and space and time. In the same way, we can use the science of forensic accounting to understand and explain the intricacies of human behavior as it relates to the acquisition and expenditure of financial resources. Trust me, ladies, if you want to understand, truly understand, the darkness that abides in the human soul, spend some time looking at the financial activities of humans through the microscope of forensic accounting. You’ll not be pleased with what you find.”
Saunders continued. “You know, the early development of accounting systems can be traced back as far as ancient cities in Mesopotamia between 450 and 500 BC. And─”
“Yes, yes,” Jet shot a quick look at Sonia. “we’re sure that’s all true. Now about this particular case. How difficult do you think it will be to discover if Oakley has been sticking it to the old man?”
Saunders looked at the flash drive in his hand as if he could see the data stored inside. “Not difficult at all.”
Sonia leaned back in her chair. “That’s good to hear. How would you like to proceed?”
Saunders opened the laptop he’d brought with him. “I’ll simply download those files to my computer right now and then take them back to my office. I do my best work in my own space. Then I’ll be back to you on Tuesday with my report.”
Jet leaned forward. “No chance it might be before that?”
Saunders inserted the flash drive and touched a few keys on his computer. “It’s Friday. I do not work on the weekends. On the weekends, I do other things. I will finish my investigation on Monday and tell you the results on Tuesday.”
Sonia was curious. “What if you’re done early on Monday?” She wasn’t that concerned about the results coming on Monday or Tuesday, but she was fascinated by Saunders’ insistence that he would not deliver his results until Tuesday.
Saunders took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Never promise more than you can deliver. I may or may not be done early on Monday, but I am confident that I can give you my results by Tuesday.”
Sonia was really curious now. “But, if you are done early on Monday?”
“I will deliver my results on Tuesday.” He pulled the flash drive out of his computer and handed it back to Sonia.
Sonia and Jet shared a strange look with each other. Burnett Saunders, on the other hand, was totally at peace with the discussion.
“Okay, then,” said Sonia. “I’m sure you’ll be running anot
her virus check when you get back to your office.”
“Yes, I do my best work in my own space.”
Sonia nodded. “I’m sure.” Glancing at the exterior door, Sonia continued. “Jet will walk you out, and we’ll look forward to hearing from you soon.”
“On Tuesday.” Saunders stood, tugging on his lapels and adjusting his tie. “You’ll hear from me on Tuesday.”
“I’m certain of it.” Sonia smiled. “Jet, would you like to show Mr. Saunders out?”
The look on Jet’s face made it clear that she had no idea as to why she had to, “show Mr. Saunders out,” of such a small room, but she did it anyway.
When Saunders had stepped through the doorway, Jet turned and asked, “What the hell was that all about? Show Saunders out?”
A big smile crossed Sonia’s face. “You didn’t see it?”
“Didn’t see what?”
“Saunders. While he was pontificating about forensic science and the darkness of the human soul, you didn’t notice that he never took his eyes off you?”
Jet shrugged. “He was talking to both of us.”
“The words may have been relevant to both of us,” Sonia’s eyes were lit up with mischief, “but he was talking to you.”
“Get out of here. You’re crazy.” Jet looked like she’d just sucked on a lemon.
Sonia was clearly enjoying this. “Oh no, oh no. Lui ti ama.”
“What? Don’t you sneak that Italian stuff in on me. What the hell did you just say?”
“Lui ti ama. He loves you. He’s got it bad for you. Male, male, male, Bad, bad, bad.”
“Mr. Bowtie?”
Sonia started laughing. “Oh yes. Mr. Bowtie’s got it bad for you. C’mon Jet, can’t you just hear it now,” her voice dropped low, “ ‘And now, for the very first time, let’s welcome Mr. Burnett and Mrs. Jet Saunders.’ ”
Jet took the last remaining morsel of a delicious Magee’s pecan Danish and threw it at her best friend. “Take it back. You take it back.”
Then Sonia started to sing in the voice little children use. “Mr. Bowtie’s got it for Je-et, Mr. Bowtie’s got it for Je-et.”
Jet plopped down in her chair and raised the top of her arm to her forehead. She spoke in an accent covered in white gravy. “Never, never before has the honor of this maiden been so besmirched by the likes of this dastardly wench. How is it that my reputation has been so completely defiled? How shall I ever hold my head up high as I walk through the hallowed halls of high society?”
Soon, they were both laughing so hard they could barely control themselves. Tears ran down Sonia’s face. She stood and started for the door. “C’mon. Let’s go downstairs. I think we both need some fresh coffee and some fresh air.”
Jet got up to follow. Her accent remained deeply southern. “The time has come to face my great embarrassment. Lead on, fair maiden, and stand by me as I suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.”
The laughter of the past few moments and the sunshine that landed on her as she stepped out of the offices felt wonderful to Sonia. However, as she continued down the stairs to Magee’s, her spirits sank a little as well. She couldn’t help but feel just a tiny bit guilty laughing and having fun with her best friend while Mariana Castillo was . . . was what?
13
Sonia’s good mood had returned by the end of her workday. She had left the office around five and made the short walk down Ashland Avenue, onto Central Avenue, and up the stairs to her apartment. She was waiting for Brad to pick her up and take her to dinner. She didn’t know where he was taking her . . . and he didn’t know the surprise she had for him.
Punctually at six o’clock, Brad pulled up in front of her apartment in his brand-new Corvette. Sonia could just barely see the car, which was mostly hidden from her view by the house and large pin oak tree in front of her apartment. Almost skipping down the steps in jeans, a red top, and a light jacket that was white, Sonia was at the car by the time Brad had gotten out.
Brad made a “what gives?” gesture. “Why are you down here? I’m supposed to come and knock on your door. Don’t you know I have a reputation as a gentleman I’m trying desperately to uphold?”
Sonia smiled broadly. “And I’ve got a desperate need to be swept off my feet. Who’s need do you want to satisfy first?”
Brad scooped her into his arms. “Yours, babe. Yours every time.”
“Now, that’s what I want to hear. ‘Yours every time.’ I’m going to remember those words and I’m going to hold you to them.” She loved how he looked in his crisp khakis and a Kentucky blue polo.
“Fine with me, babe.” He turned to the ‘Vette. “So, what do you think? Pretty nice, huh?”
“Very nice.”
“Good thing I had the other one insured as a business vehicle. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to replace it.”
“Absolutely.” She remembered that car─remembered the danger, the fear, the damage.
Sonia slid into the car, loving the smell of the beautiful leather, running her fingers over the silky seats and burled wood interior. “So, where are you taking me?”
Brad gave her a quick smile. “Well, I know you like to eat at Saul Good, the one downtown, across from the Opera House.”
“That I do.” She gave him a pleasant smile.
“I thought you might like to go there. Or we can go to a real manly man place like Logan’s and get us a great steak.” He suddenly sounded like a character in one of those movies set in the hollers of Eastern Kentucky. “Maybe we could eat it good and bloody, and burp and fart while we throw peanuts at each other and drink beer.”
Sonia smiled and spoke with a girlish huff. “No, Saul Good will do nicely.”
It was a short trip to the restaurant and they had gotten there early enough to avoid much of a wait. The multi-level room had a cozy feel to it, a bar against the side wall and windows that looked out onto North Broadway. Sonia ordered her favorite, the Szechwan Steak Sandwich with sesame-ginger dressed spinach. Brad got his steak, a nice ten-ounce sirloin.
After a pleasant and delicious dinner, Brad asked, “Would you like to just take a walk around downtown? It’s a nice evening.”
Sonia stared where she loved to stare, into Brad’s bright blue eyes. “That sounds great.”
They walked toward the fountains of Triangle Park, right in front of the famous college basketball venue, Rupp Arena, where the storied University of Kentucky basketball team plays. Sonia looked up at Brad and said, “I’ve got something to tell you.” She was feeling nervous.
Brad didn’t seem to notice. “I’ve got to tell you something, too.”
Sonia smiled. “Let me go first.”
“Okay.”
Sonia dove in. “We’ve been invited somewhere,” she hurried on, “somewhere I hope you’d like to go.”
Brad looked at her, his brow furrowed. “And where is that?”
Sonia looked straight ahead while they walked as if trying somehow to soften her next statement. “Home. Home to my folk’s place in Cincinnati.” She turned back to Brad with a tentative smile. “They’d like to meet you.”
There was a slight pause as Brad looked away unconsciously then turned back to her. “Great. That sounds great. When are we going to do that?”
Sonia stopped walking, turning toward him. “Well, that’s the thing.” She took a short breath and spoke quickly. “My cousin is getting married in California in two weeks. Her parents are throwing an informal party for her this weekend. They’d love for us to come up tomorrow. It’d be a great chance for you to meet the whole family and for them to meet you.” She reached out and put her hand on Brad’s forearm. “What do you think?”
Brad was silent. He looked off into the distance then turned his face to hers. “Listen, babe. That sounds great.”
The tone of his voice told Sonia that what was about to follow was going to disappoint her. She pursed her lips.
“It’s just that there’s the thing that I had to t
ell you.” He turned his body toward her. “You see, I just got a second call from that former client up east. He’s having problems, and he needs me on the first plane tomorrow morning. I leave at 6:00 AM and I’ll be gone for at least a week.”
Sonia’s heart skipped a beat. “Really? You have to leave tomorrow? Saturday?”
“Yeah, tomorrow. He says he needs me up there right away.”
“Where? Where do you have to go?”
“Massachusetts. Boston.”
Sonia turned her head and looked away. “Oh.”
“Listen, babe.” Her hand was still on his forearm; he laid his hand over hers. “I’m so sorry. I would love to go meet your family. But this is a big client and I really have to do what he asks. We can go up some other time. Sometime soon. I’d love to meet your parents.”
Sonia spoke very slowly and softly, still avoiding his face. “And what kind of trouble is he in?”
“Honestly,” Brad raised his shoulders, “I don’t know. He said he would tell me all about it when I got there. I’m just going to have to trust that there’s something I can do to help this guy.”
“I see.” She released his forearm, turned and started walking again. Brad stepped quickly to keep up.
They were both silent as they walked through the park, crossed Main Street and went up one more block. Right across the street was a Roman Catholic church. It being Friday evening in the spring, it wasn’t surprising that they saw a group of young men and women standing outside the church, clearly part of a wedding party that would be using the church the next day.
Somehow, seeing the wedding party standing on the steps of the church, joyful and excited, Sonia was quietly rattled. It wasn’t long before memories stirred in her mind and tears started to form in her eyes. Try as she might, Sonia wasn’t able to stop one or two from running down her face.
Brad noticed. He stopped her and turned her toward him. “Babe. What’s wrong? What’s the matter?”
