Robbie's Scheme

by Justin Haines

  Robbie checks his watch for what feels like the tenth time and looks back at the door. Still no sign of anyone entering. As he checks the time yet again, he begins to think he’ll be dining alone this evening. He knows he can only blame himself for being stood up.

  Accepting his fate, Robbie opens the restaurant’s menu. He’ll only stay if there’s anything worth keeping him here. Otherwise, he’ll drop a nice tip for the staff and head back home.

  The cold gust of wind instantly makes Robbie drop the menu. He breathes a deep sigh of relief at the sight of Maya walking into the restaurant. He waves to grab her attention before the hostess leads her to the table. Wanting to start off on the right foot, Robbie stands and pulls her chair out for her.

  “Thanks for having dinner with me. I’ve been worrying I might not see you again after the baseball game.”

  Robbie smiles as he returns to his seat. The smile fades when he notices Maya isn’t reciprocating it.

  “I needed a couple of days, Robbie. I enjoy spending time with you, but I don’t think I like the people you surround yourself with.”

  “He’s a client, Maya. Not someone I consider a friend.”

  “I’m not just talking about Ben Scotts. Teddy gives me a really weird vibe too. I don’t like being around him.” Maya bites her lower lip and hesitates. She doesn’t want to offend Robbie, but she needs to get her feelings off her chest. “Honestly, it’s all of it. Your world is strange and uncomfortable for me.”

  Robbie takes a sip from his water glass and lets the words hang in the air between them. It takes him a second to formulate his thoughts. Ultimately, he decides to push back against what he perceives as her hypocrisy.

  “It’s the same world you occupy. We’re not so different. I spend most of my days with the same politicians your career revolves around.”

  Maya isn’t buying the equivalency. “Yeah, but I spend my days documenting their activities and investigating if their actions and beliefs match their words. You rub shoulders with them and line their pockets.”

  “They’re lining my pockets.”

  “It goes both ways,” Maya interrupts. “They love you because of the service you provide them. They don’t hang out with you and invite you to baseball games because they enjoy your company. They do it because you benefit them.”

  “My reputation benefits them.”

  “No,” Maya interrupts again. Part of her is enjoying cutting Robbie off. “You take their fortunes and grow them, giving them more power. That’s why they tolerate you. Your reputation is only a bonus.”

  “Maya, I take their money so I can have this reputation. And you know I don’t do it for the reputation, I do it for the good I’m able to bring the world.”

  “At some point, you’ll have to sit down and do a cost-benefit analysis. You may be surprised to find out if the good you bring is worth it.”

  “I know it is.”

  Maya picks up the menu and ignores Robbie’s answer. She can hear the stubbornness in his voice and knows she won’t change his opinion on this tonight. She may as well just enjoy the meal at a restaurant she could never afford to experience without him. Despite it all, she’s still enjoying his company.

  “Come with me to a retreat this weekend.”

  The offer surprises Maya. This isn’t where she thought the conversation was going. She lowers her menu to find Robbie staring at her. She takes a moment to look into his eyes before answering.

  “Like a bed and breakfast? We’ve only been dating for like a week.” Maya tries to sound hesitant. She knows that’s how she should react, but the idea of a weekend away with Robbie thrills her.

  “No, not exactly.” Robbie tries to sound reassuring because he knows this isn’t going to be an easy sell. “Teddy is hosting sessions on the POTCH campus this week. He’s recommending I attend and I would love to bring you as my guest. It can help give you a better understanding of our beliefs, goals, and mindset.”

  “What kind of stuff do you have to do at a POTCH weekend retreat?”

  “Nothing crazy,” Robbie chuckles. He recognizes the concern in Maya’s eyes. She’s reacting the same way Jalen and so many others always do to his campus invitations. “It’s mostly a weekend of sitting through lectures from spiritual guides and participating in group workshops. Obviously, there’s no meat or alcohol on the campus, which is the biggest hassle, but the meals are otherwise delicious. A few days there can show you the power of thinking and help you visualize the success your hard work will bring.”

  “You sound like a bad infomercial.”

  “Are there good infomercials?”

  Maya smiles at Robbie’s joke, but she isn’t convinced. “I don't believe in making my own luck, Robbie.”

  “That’s why you should come with me. Keep an open mind and give it a chance. You can sit down with Teddy and formulate your own success plan.”

  “I don’t want a POTCH success plan.”

  The waitress mercifully arrives with a glass of wine for Maya and refills their water glasses. Maya’s thankful she ordered wine with the hostess as soon as she entered the restaurant. Its arrival is impeccable timing. She takes a sip and reopens her menu, content to let the conversation die.

  “Well, I’m going either way,” Robbie mumbles as he follows her lead in perusing the menu. “My donations to the Church have really been adding up since we started going out together and Teddy thinks it will benefit me to sit through a few refresher classes.”

  Maya wants to let the conversation die so they can move on, but the mention of money grabs her attention. Especially money Teddy’s advising be sent to himself. Maya wouldn’t be the reporter she is if she didn’t always ask questions when something grabs her attention.

  “How expensive is this?”

  Robbie misinterprets the kind of interest she’s showing and drops his menu in excitement. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about any of that. I would cover all of the admission fees for you if you come as my guest. Some of the sessions can be pricey, but I receive substantial discounts as one of the group’s highest-ranking members.”

  “I meant, how expensive have I been for you to date?”

  The implication that she’s a burden on Robbie or his wallet doesn’t sit well with Maya. She certainly doesn’t want him thinking that way.

  Robbie doesn’t catch the phrasing of her question and answers as if it’s only about the money, which is inconsequential to him.

  “Well, a pretty penny’s been donated to the Church in my name. It’s the easiest way to heal my soul and continue the spiritual journey. Hopefully, I don’t commit any more transgressions and can save the money to spoil you with.”

  “Is that why we’re eating at this fancy Italian restaurant? I notice a lot of the meals are meat-free.”

  “The mushroom risotto and gnocchi are both delicious here,” Robbie chuckles, realizing Maya’s catching on to his way of thinking. “So, will you come with me?”

  Maya takes a long sip from her wine glass, using the moment to choose her words carefully. To buy more time and not wanting to be drunk so early in the evening, she holds her lips against the glass without drinking.

  To Robbie, it feels like it takes her hours to answer the invitation.

  To Maya, it feels like she’s been put on the spot and time’s standing still, waiting for her response. Even while avoiding looking across the table, she can feel his eyes watching her.

  “I don’t think I can.” Maya raises her hand to quiet Robbie before he can protest, wanting an opportunity to explain. “Redman is holding a pair of fundraisers at the end of the week, and the rumor is he’ll be taking the proceeds straight to New Hampshire for a weekend trip. If he leaves town, the paper will expect me to follow. Redman needs to be back in Washington on Monday, so I could stop by if you’re still away.”

  Maya offers the post-weekend visit as a compromise. She doesn’t want to upset Robbie and is praying he won’t still be there. If he is, this offer can buy her alm
ost a week to come up with another excuse.

  Robbie lifts his menu up between them, finally taking his eyes off Maya. Even without being able to see him, she can hear the disappointment in his voice. “No, Teddy and I will be flying back into the city on my helicopter late Sunday night.”

  “Maybe I can come by your place on Sunday night when we’re both back in town?”

  “No, I’ll be very late,” Robbie says without moving the menu.

  He hides behind it until the waitress circles back around to take their orders. Maya’s mind runs wild wondering about POTCH while she stares at the leather cover of Robbie’s menu. She’s grateful for the waitress’s arrival, forcing her to push the paranoia and crazy theories out of her head.

  Once the waitress leaves with their menus, Maya tries to pick the conversation back up. With a new topic, of course. But Robbie isn’t in the mood for much conversation after what he perceives as her rejection. The power of positive thinking certainly isn’t having an impact on this table tonight.

  Chapter Nine

  Busy writing her column on Redman’s fundraising efforts, Maya doesn’t notice the receptionist walking over to her desk. She’s trying to keep her eyes focused on the financials in front of her, numbers she knows will be obsolete in only a few hours when he hosts another fundraiser. But it’s the column her bosses are asking for, so it’s the one she’s forcing herself to write.

  “Maya, a couple of men are here to speak with you.”

  The receptionist’s voice throws her off and it takes her a second to realize that she is, in fact, the Maya being spoken to. It becomes abundantly clear when the receptionist starts clearing her throat.

  Suddenly feeling rushed, Maya jumps from her desk and steps forward to follow the receptionist. Unfortunately, she forgets her bottom desk drawer is open and she trips over it, causing her to stumble forward and knock a colleague’s cup of coffee all over his desk.

  Maya does her best to regain her composure and follow the receptionist off the newsroom floor, despite knowing the entire newsroom is watching her. She also does her best to ignore the large coffee stain residing on the front of her blouse.

  Reaching the front of the office, Maya finds two men waiting by the elevators. One’s leaning over the receptionist’s desk and talking to the new girl. He’s smiling like he’s trying to flirt, but it looks like he’s showing her pictures of a baby. The other’s staying back by the elevators, trying to act aloof and mysterious. They’re wearing nearly identical cheap black suits and brown loafers. She can’t help but notice the quality of suits after spending time around Robbie. It’s a curse she doesn’t appreciate so far.

  “Maya Morrison?” the taller of the two asks.

  “Yes,” Maya says as she tries to cross her arms at an unnatural angle to hide the coffee stain.

  “I’m Special Agent John Knott with the FBI.” He steps forward from the elevator to shake Maya’s hand and jabs an elbow into his partner’s side to get his attention. “This is my colleague on a case we’re currently working, Special Agent Pete Connelly. Is there somewhere private we ca talk?”

  “Am I in trouble?”

  “No, not at all. We’re hoping you can help us in our investigation. You may be a potential witness or perhaps a background source. I’d love to provide you more details but would prefer to do so in private.”

  “Um, let me think,” Maya says as she glances back at the newsroom. She knows she shouldn’t have whatever conversation this is about in earshot of a hundred reporters, but she can’t think of anywhere to take them.

  “The conference rooms normally need to be booked in advance,” she mumbles as she tries to think out loud.

  “Do you have an office?” John asks.

  Maya snorts in response. These agents are clearly more accustomed to dealing with Wall Street executives than reporters.

  “I’m not sure I’m comfortable speaking here,” says Pete.

  “In the newsroom? No, of course not,” Maya responds. “I’m just trying to think.”

  “Are you able to take a short break?” John asks. “Perhaps we can secure a secluded table at a nearby cafe or diner.”

  Eventually, watching the struggle on Maya’s face as she looks around the office becomes less amusing and the receptionist takes pity on her. She informs them one of the editors is away on vacation and his office is vacant. John jumps at the offer, already irritated that at least one person is eavesdropping on the start of their conversation.

  Following the receptionist to the office, Maya’s racking her brain to try and figure out what this is in relation to.

  “Is this about one of my articles?” Maya asks as soon as she steps into the office.

  John gives the receptionist a polite smile and waits for her to leave before answering.

  “We believe so,” he says as he firmly shuts the door to the office. Unfortunately, there’s no lock on it. “You’re currently working on a profile of Robert Locke, and he’s a person of interest for us.”

  “No, I’m not,” Maya interrupts.

  Her mind is suddenly racing. With a thousand thoughts running through her brain, she doesn’t think of any more words to spit out. Robbie was the last thing on her mind while marching over to the office. What could he have to do with the FBI?

  “You’re not?”

  The agents exchange a confused glance. John didn’t expect a reporter covering a potential criminal to stonewall them and doesn’t like how this meeting’s starting. He opens his briefcase and starts rummaging through it.

  “Ms. Morrison, we have agents trailing Robert for surveillance, and you’ve been seen with him at multiple political fundraisers, plus a recent baseball game.”

  “Are those the only places your agents saw us together?”

  Finally finding the pictures he’s looking for, John removes his hand from the briefcase and returns his attention to Maya. He spreads a series of photos out on the desk and invites her to examine them.

  When she steps over for a better look at them, her stomach drops. Maya’s horrified to realize that she’s in all of them. It’s a collection of photographs of her talking to Robbie at each of the fundraisers, plus a couple of photos of them sitting around Ben at the game.

  Most aren’t of her best angle and the lighting was bad in the museum, but she admires the way she looked in the expensive dress at the charity gala. If only she hadn’t returned it. She wonders if Robbie would buy the dress for her now. Thankfully, there isn’t any photographic evidence of their fight outside Ben’s box or either of the restaurants they’ve eaten at.

  “Yes, and Ms. Morrison, it would be best for everyone if you answer us with complete honesty and don’t leave anything out.”

  “I was being honest, I’m not writing a profile on Robbie.”

  Realization appears to dawn on the agents as she calls him Robbie, rather than the formal Robert they’re using. John notices that Maya is looking at the pictures fondly. He preferred the concern she had when they entered the room. He doesn’t like that it disappears the more she looks at pictures of Robbie.

  “If your agents were good at their jobs,” Maya continues, “they would report to you that we’ve also gone out to a few restaurants together. Before you tell me anything more, you should be aware that my relationship with Robbie Locke is personal, not professional.”

  “So you’re not writing a story on him?” Pete asks.

  “Ms. Morrison, we’re currently investigating Robert Locke for a series of financial crimes and are hoping for your cooperation,” John says, not wanting any time wasted by answering his partner’s stupid question. “We know from your reporting that you’re a good person who believes in doing what’s right and helping the little guy. In this case, that means telling us everything you know about Mr. Locke and his lifestyle.”

  “His lifestyle? What sort of crimes are you accusing him of?”

  “We believe his hedge fund is a sham. It’s our suspicion that he’s running one of the l
argest Ponzi schemes in history.”

  Maya’s knees feel weak when she hears the words. She drops the picture she’s holding and falls back into the desk chair. She didn’t expect this kind of accusation. It takes her a minute to find her breath and collect herself. She thinks about Robbie as she takes a few deep breaths, wondering what could have made the agents believe this.

  “You said ‘suspicion.’ Does that mean you have no evidence against Robbie?”

  John sits down in the chair across the desk from her. He tries to look into Maya’s eyes, hoping to confirm that she’ll be on their side. Unfortunately, her eyes look lost. Her usual expression of determination is gone but there’s no replacement. Her brain’s absent.

  “Not enough for a conviction at this time. Which is why we’re here. I’m sure anything you can tell us will prove beneficial to the case.”

  “We never talk about his work,” Maya lies.

  She tries to think back to every conversation and argument they’ve had over his hedge fund. Has Robbie ever told her anything that should have made her suspicious? Is she naive or gullible for not expecting this?

  “That’s not necessarily what we need. Have you ever been inside his home or office?”

  “What good would that do?” Maya asks as she tries to stall for time.

  “Sometimes, the most incriminating clues are hiding in plain sight. Has he ever said or done anything that’s made you suspicious?”

  “No, of course not. I wouldn’t be dating a man I’m suspicious of.” Maya relaxes as John moves on from questioning if she’s seen his home. Of course she has, in fact, she can’t stop daydreaming about that beautiful penthouse. But that’s not what she wants to tell the FBI. At least not yet. “Teddy is the suspicious one, not Robbie.”

  John grimaces and bites down on his tongue while Maya talks. He doesn’t like that she’s avoiding his questions about Robbie’s home and office. He likes it even less that she’s referring to their association as dating.

  “Teddy?” Pete asks. “Are you referring to his spiritual advisor Theodore Tucker?”

  “Yeah, the man’s practically leading a cult. Have you guys heard of the stuff POTCH does? The money they’re taking? That’s the only part of Robbie’s life I’ve been suspicious of.”