Deception Trail: A Maggie McFarlin Mystery

by Charisse Peeler

  “You are watching Liza’s house too?” Maggie asked but didn’t get an answer.

  “We were hoping to get more direct evidence against Kevin Mullens, the Director of the senior living facility, but when Chase died, he got spooked. We tried to use our other undercover person, but he wouldn’t accept delivery from her either. Someone has warned him.”

  “She?” Maggie asked. “Are you talking about, Sue?”

  The investigator looked down at his paperwork. “Susan Brookland.”

  “Now that makes so much sense,” Maggie said.

  “What do you mean?” Mike asked.

  “She was acting so weird. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I even thought she might be part of the scheme.”

  “So, now what?” Mike asked the investigator.

  “Unfortunately, there is still someone else involved. Someone tipped off the person on the navy side and unfortunately, Ms. Brookland might have been exposed.”

  “Is she in danger?” Maggie asked.

  “We don’t think so, but if we don’t catch this guy, it’s probably not the safest place to be, so she might want to take some time off maybe an early retirement.”

  “That would kill her. She loves that job.”

  “We can’t just put someone in there, so we are not sure how to proceed unless we recruit someone else from inside, but it’s hard to know who to trust or who might be involved. I feel like if we blow it, the person will stop, and we will never know who was behind the scheme.”

  “That person might also be responsible for Chase’s death,” Mike said.

  “I’ll do it,” Maggie said a little too loud.

  “Do what?” the investigator asked.

  “I’ll go in. I already have it set up with Kat. She dug in her backpack and pulled out her credentials that identified her as a Contractor.”

  Glen looked at Mike and then at Commander O’Gara.

  “I have confidence in her,” Mike said.

  “I don’t think we have a better option,” the Commander said.

  Maggie rolled her eyes, causing Glen Campbell to smile.

  “All you have to do is keep your ears and eyes wide open,” Glen said.

  “Here is a government phone that will work in the building. If you need anything, I will be standing by,” O’Gara said, handing Maggie an old-fashioned flip phone. She looked at it, confused. “Don’t worry, it works.”

  “Does Kat know anything about what is going on?” Maggie asked Glen.

  “She knows we are investigating, and she received your clearance from our office.”

  “We needed to make sure you weren’t part of it,” O’Gara said.

  “Is that why you had me arrested?” Maggie stood to face the Commander.

  “We just needed time to check you out,” he said in defense.

  “Glad I passed. You cost me $5,000.”

  “You better get going,” Glen said, “We need a believable cover story.”

  “How about she is a government contractor installing a new software program. I will contact Ms. Brookland and brief her,” O’Gara suggested.

  “Perfect,” Glen Campbell said. “Can you handle this?” he looked at Maggie.

  “Are you kidding?” She smiled. “I got this.”

  ***

  “We missed you at breakfast,” Kat said, greeting Maggie in the reception area of the Logistics Center.

  “I am sorry. Mike had an appointment,” Maggie said, not sure what information she should pass on to her friend.

  “Do you still have your credentials?”

  Maggie took her badge out of her backpack and put the lanyard over her head. “Here are your passwords and accesses. We have a meeting in 15. All of the management will be there. I will introduce you and let you say a few words. I have set up a temporary office in the small conference room. Sue will also be there, but you need to watch your familiarity.”

  “Perfect,” Maggie said, “Thanks for all this.”

  “You bet. We have until Friday, so hopefully, you can find out what you need.”

  “Friday, as in the day after tomorrow?”

  “You can do this,” Kat said, motioning for Maggie to follow her into the large conference room.

  There were three women and one man sitting on one side of the long wide table and two men and Sue on the other side. Kat motioned Maggie to the empty chair next to Sue and Kat took the seat at the head of the table. This was Kat’s meeting.

  “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As you know, we are introducing some new technology next week.” Several people groaned. Kat just smiled as if this was an expected response. “I promise this software will improve your lives. It not only fixes bugs in the bar code reading system; it takes the data and uploads it directly to the department receiving it. It reduces the handling of data by your front line employees.”

  “In other words, we are cutting staff,” said a large older woman dressed in a blue blazer and a red and blue scarf tied around her neck. Several other people nodded in agreement.

  “I promise the implementation of this innovation will not cause lay-offs, but you may have staff reassigned to other departments.”

  A comment from the end of the table echoed across the room. “This is just another way to shrink our workforce without really reducing our workload.”

  “There is going to be a testing phase and we are looking at six months to make any personnel changes,” said Kat. “A lot will be accomplished through attrition. Any other questions?”

  “Yes, who is this?” one of the men asked, pointing at Maggie.

  “This is Maggie McFarlin. She is the person who will be in charge of implementing the new software. I have sent the technical specifications to all of your emails, but if you have any questions in the next few days, please stop and see Maggie. We are going to set her up a temporary work-station right here in the conference room.”

  “Where are we going to have our Toastmaster’s meeting?” A young woman asked.

  “Sue, can you find another conference room for today’s Toastmaster’s meeting?” Kat asked Sue.

  “Will do,” Sue said, smiling at the group.

  Two young men were now standing at the door, arms full of computer equipment.

  “Okay, that’s it,” Kat said, “remember to check your email.”

  The group filed out; only Kat remained. The two young men quickly had a computer set up at the end of the conference table.

  Sue came back carrying a jar of candy, placing it on the table in front of Maggie’s computer

  “Once they discover this sitting here. You will have a steady stream of visitors. Candy always draws them in like flies. All you have to do is start a conversation.”

  Sue was correct; as soon as Maggie was alone and logged into the computer, the large woman with the blue jacket and scarf sat in a chair facing Maggie.

  “My name is Edith. I am in charge of human resources in this building, so I will be the one working directly with any personnel changes,” she dug into the jar and removed a miniature candy bar.

  Edith watched Maggie write down Edith’s name and personnel changes next to it.

  “I will let you know if I need anything,” Maggie said, “but I won’t have anything to do with that piece of the implementation. I am just a representative for the software.”

  The woman stood and grabbed one more chocolate before she left the conference room.

  The next person to sit across from Maggie was a middle-aged woman with a serious demeanor. She wasn’t here for the candy, Maggie thought.

  “I know who you are, and you are wasting your time.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re talking about?” Maggie said, trying hard not to act shocked. This woman could be the accomplice.

  “You know exactly what I am talking about. You are here to streamline, reduce staff and increase production. Call it what you want, right-sizing, lean, Judo, Karate, whatever. It’s all the same. I have been here for over 20 years and I
have seen your kind come and go. You don’t know our business.”

  “No, you have the wrong idea and your right; I don’t know your business.”

  Maggie watched the woman’s narrow eyes widen and her curiosity take over her face.

  “But I would love to know more about it if you could share,” Maggie moved her chair to face the woman, “but first, what’s your name?”

  “My name is Nora Phillips.”

  “Nice to meet you, Nora,” Maggie held out her hand and Nora took it. Her handshake was firm and confident.

  “What is your job here?” Maggie asked.

  “I am in charge of receiving.”

  “Did you know Chase?”

  “Of course, I knew Chase. We worked together for many years. He was a good guy.”

  “It’s pretty sad what happened,” Maggie said.

  “Everyone is saying his wife did it.”

  “Do you think his wife did it?” Maggie asked.

  “I don’t know what to think. Everyone is acting so weird around here. Something is going on.”

  “Really, like what kind of weird things?” Maggie asked.

  “Honestly,” she said, leaning in and lowering her voice, “I think Darrel is up to something.”

  “What do you mean?” Maggie asked

  “Every time Sue leaves her desk, Darrel sits there and makes phone calls. He also uses her computer. His office is right there,” she pointed across the hall. “Why use her desk?”

  “That does sound a little fishy.”

  “I think he is spying on her or something,” Nora said, relaxing in the chair, reached in and got chocolate.

  “Interesting.”

  “I need to get back to my desk,” Nora stood and once again reached into the candy dish, this time just filing her hand. “If you need anything, just let me know. I usually work in the warehouse, but I come up here for lunch.”

  Maggie waved as Nora left the Conference room and when she was out of sight, she picked up the phone and called Kat, “Can you access Sue’s computer and see the history?”

  “Yeah, give me a second,” Maggie could hear the clicking of computer keys. “Oh my, she finally said. “I can’t believe Sue did this.”

  “What?” Maggie asked as there was more clicking in her ear.

  “It’s the links to the vaccine manufacture and email asking for an additional shipment. All the emails were deleted, but they still exist in our back-ups. Oh, my Maggie. Sue is the accomplice.”

  “What dates were the last few emails?”

  “The last one was…wait…she couldn’t have written this email,”

  “Why?”

  “We were at Liza’s baby shower.”

  “I know who wrote the email,” Maggie said.

  “Who?”

  “Darrel,” Maggie said, looking at the door and speaking quietly. “Nora told me that she saw Darrel sitting at Sue’s desk using her phone and her computer.”

  “So, Darrel is the insider?”

  “I’m not sure, but it sounds like it. Can you print out the messages?

  “I can. I’ll meet you at South Pacific in an hour,” Kat said.

  “I’ll call Mike. He can take it over to the investigators.”

  “I’ll just send it over to the investigators instead. Cut out the middleman. I have all the information here.”

  “Perfect. Do you still want to meet at the South Pacific?”

  “Definitely.”

  Chapter 19

  Already late, Maggie tried to park her car on 2nd street, but Seattle-Bremerton Ferry was just pulling into the dock, so the close parking spots were all filled with people waiting for the disembarking passengers. She circled the block several times until someone finally pulled out. Maggie parked and rushed into the small hole in the wall called Southwind’s. Mike spotted Mike waving from one of the booths near the back.

  When Maggie reached the table, both Kat and Mike were at the end of their first drink.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Maggie said.

  “Please don’t be sorry,” Kat said, “Mike and I have had a good chance to get to know each other.”

  “Oh boy,” Maggie said as the cute young waitress appeared.

  “I’ll take another one of these,” Kat pointed to her light pink frozen concoction.

  “I’ll try the MJ special Cosmo,” Maggie said, pointing to a sign on the wall.

  “Sir?” the young girl turned to Mike, who just shook his head and got out of his chair.

  “Wait, where are you going?” Maggie asked, watching Mike don his jacket, “What about Kevin?”

  “The e-mails were enough evidence to pick up Kevin, but there is no proof that Darrell was the one who sent them,” Mike said. “They executed the search warrant at Kevin’s office. Whatever they found was just sitting right there, in an envelope, in the top drawer on top of his desk. It was enough to arrest him on the spot. The guy must have been confident that he wouldn’t be caught.”

  “Kat can fill you in on the rest,” Mike said, standing, “I’ve got to catch this ferry.”

  “Why are you going to Seattle so late?” Maggie asked.

  “I left you a voice mail, but I have a late meeting. I’ll fill you in later.” He put a $20 bill on the table and then rushed out the door.

  “A meeting?” Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Who does he know in Seattle?” Maggie asked Kat but didn’t expect an answer. Kat just shook her shoulders and took a long sip of her fruity frozen drink.

  “I’m sure glad Sue didn’t have anything to do with this mess. For a minute I thought she was a double agent. I hope she never finds out that we considered her a suspect.” Maggie sipped the drink now sitting in front of her “That’s too sweet,” she said, puckering her lips.

  “Did you ever really think Sue might be involved?” Kat asked.

  “No, but I think Sue would like it that we thought she was involved,” Maggie said, pushing the drink away.

  “Speaking of the devil,” Kat said, smiling.

  “Is this why my ears were burning?” Sue asked, taking the seat Mike had vacated. “Where is Mike?

  “He took the ferry over to Seattle,” Maggie said.

  The waitress appeared and Sue ordered a Margarita. Maggie pointed to the Cosmo and shook her head, “Could I just have a Cabernet?”

  “Sure thing,” the waitress said, picking up the drink. “Did you ladies want to order?”

  “I’ll take some steamers and a bowl of chowder,” Maggie said without even looking at the menu.

  “I would love some fried pickles?” Kat said.

  “I’ll have the clams,” Sue said and handed the paper menu to the waitress. “So, I heard they arrested Kevin. Do you think he killed Chase?”

  “It’s a possibility. I’m sure the investigators will take his prints and compare them to the ones on the gun,” Maggie said, “still not enough evidence to shift the focus off of Liza.”

  “Is there any part of you that thinks your sister is responsible?” Sue asked.

  “Wait,” Maggie sat up straight, “Kat, what else did Mike tell you when they arrested Kevin.”

  “They arrested Kevin. When? How?” Sue asked.

  “From what I understand from Mike, is that some Federal officers showed up at Kevin’s office and served a search warrant. They found an envelope and whatever was in it was proof of his involvement.”

  “What was in the envelope?” Sue asked.

  “Mike said he thought it was a list of people and their phone numbers who he was either selling the vaccine to or who was administering it or something like that,” Kat said.

  “Did he happen to say what the envelope looked like?” Maggie asked.

  “No, but he said that Kevin said it wasn’t his and that someone is setting him up.”

  Maggie took her phone out of her backpack. She had four messages, two from Mike, one from her friend Alex in Boca and a local number. She looked around and the place was too busy for her to hear clearly, so s
he decided to wait, hoping one of the calls was Mike explaining what happened.

  “You okay, Maggie?” Sue asked.

  “Just know that we are here for you, Maggie,” Kat said.

  “Whatever you need, okay,” Sue added.

  “Thank you, ladies. You are special to me and I know I live far away, but you are always close in my heart,” Maggie said with a great big smile.

  “You should be writing Hallmark Cards instead of Technical Manuals,” Kat said.

  ” I can’t believe you two thought I was involved in all this,” Sue said.

  “You kind of were involved, and you didn’t tell us you were working with the IG’s office.”

  “Honestly, when that dumb cop approached me, I thought I was in big trouble,” Sue said.

  “So, you already knew the guy when he showed up at the Storage Unit?” Maggie asked.

  “Yes, but I was in a lot of pain and he played it off, so I did, too.”

  “You did a good job keeping it all together,” Kat said.

  “I told Maggie we three should start a Private Investigation Company here in the Pacific Northwest,” Sue said.

  “You girls have fun with that. I’m good. I can’t wait to retire and be a cat lady. I’m going to drink wine all day and watch Romcoms.”

  “What about the dog? Are you keeping him?”

  “Of course, he is my burglar alarm, win-win.”

  When their food was gone, Maggie left her two friends to have another drink without her. Sue could walk home, and Kat took an Uber, but Maggie couldn’t wait to crawl under the covers in her hotel room.

  She left the zipper of her jacket open to the cold air, letting the heat of her body escape and her cheeks get cold as she walked to her car, where she took off her coat completely. She started the car, but before she pulled out of the parking spot, she listened to her messages.

  Both messages from Mike were nothing important, one of them checking on her during the day and the other saying he had some good news and would tell her about it at the restaurant. The call from Alex made her smile. She was in New York about to see a play and thought of me. Maggie missed her friends in Florida.

  The final call she purposely saved for last was a shocker.