Lethal Action

by Rachel Dylan

  “What happened?” He walked into her room looking for the assailant.

  “It was just an awful nightmare.”

  A flood of relief soared through him. “I heard you scream and feared the worst.”

  “I’m sorry to have woken you.”

  “No, I’m fine. Do you want to talk about the nightmare?”

  She sat down in one of the chairs and looked up at him. He could see the fear in her eyes and it killed him.

  “It was so real. Like I was reliving the attacks. I’m sorry. I know it probably seems a bit melodramatic to be in tears. But it was so emotional. You probably think I’m crazy.”

  He walked over and knelt down beside her. “I don’t think you’re crazy. You’ve been through more trauma in one day than most people do in a lifetime. I’d think there was something wrong with you if you didn’t have some sort of visceral reaction.”

  “You’ve been so kind to me.”

  “You deserve that and more. If I could’ve prevented any of this I would have.”

  “You’re a good man, Gabe Marino.”

  She had him up on a pedestal. He had his flaws, more than a few. “Just trying my best. That’s all anyone can ask of us. You should try to go back to sleep. It’s just two a.m.”

  “Maybe the worst is over.” Her voice shook as she spoke.

  “I’m right next door. Don’t hesitate to call if you need me. I’ll be right over.”

  Gabe didn’t sleep much the rest of the night. On edge. Worried about her. He prayed for strength and guidance. He knew Caleb had been right. The priority had to be shifted to the Cyber Future Chip investigation. Nola would have to be secondary. Because the Cyber Future guys had their sights on Hope.

  He ran through the possible connections that Cyber Future could have with organized crime. They were a California based company and the most powerful organized crime groups in that area had ties to the Asian crime rings. Was it possible that the Asian and Italian mafia were having a fight over a very valuable computer chip? Nola might be in over his head. Yeah Nola was bad news and definitely had ties to organized crime, but the powerful groups operating in California were on a different level. It would definitely add up that they would be willing to put a hit out on Hope if they thought she was the key to the chip.

  Those thoughts were still in the forefront of his mind as he guided Hope into the law office the next morning.

  “Nola is coming in to talk about his examination,” Hope said. She hadn’t slept well either. The dark circles under her eyes and lack of color in her cheeks told him that.

  “Since it’s Friday, I guess that makes sense. Greg’s not been around much lately.”

  “He’s just our local counsel. I don’t know how familiar you are with that practice, but we needed a local firm to be able to work with to try the case. But it’s pretty common for local counsel to take a more limited role. He’s there if we need him. And he and Lee are obviously friends.”

  He closed the door to Hope’s office. “Before Nola gets here, I wanted to run some ideas by you.”

  “All right.” She sat down at the desk across from him. Today she wore a simple but classy black pantsuit and blue blouse.

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about the battling organized crime groups theory. And given Cyber Future’s home office, I think it’s most likely that there’s a connection to the Asian organized crime groups. Now that is not my area of specialty. I’m much more familiar with the traditional mafia groups and to a lesser extent the Russian groups. But here, I think it makes the most sense.”

  “And you think one of those groups is working with Cyber Future?”

  “Yes. Even if it’s not an entire group, maybe someone from the group or an offshoot is. Whoever it is, whether it’s supported by a traditional style organization or a rogue operation, it’s the scenario that makes the most sense. Random criminals aren’t this persistent. They certainly don’t put out hits and keep coming back in the face of danger and the real possibility of being caught.”

  “That all sounds like a solid working theory. But we’re still at a loss for figuring out how I come into play.”

  “When was the last time you saw Nola before you came to Maxwell?”

  “It was about a week before. He was in New York on other business. I took him to dinner and we had meetings at the firm.”

  He nodded. “I need you to think back to both the meetings and the dinner. Did you notice anything suspicious? Anyone watching you?”

  “You have to remember, I wasn’t in high alert mode then. I was just doing my job, focusing on making the client happy. I don’t remember anything out of the ordinary.”

  “When you met with him, did he give you anything?”

  “What do you mean? Like what?”

  “Anything at all.”

  She sat in silence with a frown pulling at her lips.

  “Think, Hope. Take all the time you need.” He could hear the clock on the wall ticking as Hope racked her brain.

  Then her eyes widened. “Yes. He did.”

  “What? What did he give you?”

  “When we were at dinner, right before we were done, he gave me a small USB drive. He said it contained copies of the documents he’d brought to our office in hard copy that day. I didn’t think anything of it.”

  “What did you do with the drive?”

  “I sent it to our file room at the firm. It should be filed with the case file. Oh no.” She paused. “We had all the case files shipped down here.”

  “Where are those?”

  “They’re being stored at the client’s. There wasn’t enough room here for all of them, so we only have the witness preparation files and trial exhibits here on site. All the backup and the rest of the case files are at Wakefield.”

  “That has to be it, Hope.” His pulse raced. This was just the break he needed. “We need to get over to Wakefield and search for that drive. Does anyone know what you did with the drive?”

  “My secretary sent it to the file which is our usual procedure. I give it to her and she makes sure it is filed. No one else would’ve known about it.”

  “And Nola. Has he asked you about it?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Someone had eyes on you at that dinner in the restaurant. That’s why you’re being targeted. The chip information has to be on that drive.”

  A loud knock made Hope jump. “Sorry, I’m a little skittish.”

  The door opened and Nola walked in. “Are you ready for me?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Good morning, Gabe. Any security updates?” Nola asked.

  “My biggest concern right now is keeping Hope safe. She’s obviously been targeted by Cyber Future because they think she has something to do with this chip. Have you given it any more thought? Any ideas on how they get her roped into this?”

  Nola didn’t flinch. “No. It’s a total mystery to me. And it angers me that they continue to come after her. Why don’t we hire additional private security for the balance of the trial? I’m sure Wakefield will more than cover the cost.”

  “We’re considering all options at this point.”

  “Good. Now I guess we have some other work to attend to, Hope?”

  “Yes,” she said. Her legal pad was in front of her and her laptop sat opened. She was the ever competent attorney ready to prepare her witness.

  “There’s something I’ve decided that I should tell you before you put me on the stand.”

  Gabe stood up, realizing it was his time to exit.

  “What?” she asked leaning forward.

  He closed the door. What he wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall.

  Chapter Eight

  “Cyber Future is right about the breach of contract. That was my doing.”

  “What did you say?” Hope asked. She had to have heard Nola wrong.

  “I figure with everything else going on, now is the time to come clean about the contract.”

  “What did yo
u do, Carlos?” she asked, purposely using his first name. She could feel the trial crumbling right in front of her. All of the work, the hours, and the stress, and now this.

  Nola crossed his arms in front of him. “Remember I told you how I thought getting involved with Cyber Future was an awful idea. I tried to convince Lee that they were bad news. As a side note, I was right about all of it. Just look at what is happening now. Lee should’ve listened to me.”

  “Let’s get back to what you did with the contract.” She wanted to hear this.

  “I got tired of the Cyber Future nonsense. So their allegations are factually accurate. We stopped payment and diverted our supply of the Wakefield Chip to one of their competitors.”

  She was at a loss. “But the documents, I’ve seen them all. We have records of paying them the full amount owed.”

  “Those were forged.”

  She put her head in her hands. How had she gotten involved in this? A board member of her client was admitting to forging documents? “Does Lee know about this?”

  “Absolutely not. He needed plausible deniability.”

  “What about Sam?”

  “No, ma’am. Just you. And I’m sure you’re aware of your ethical obligations as a lawyer. You have to keep this to yourself.”

  “And you must be aware that I am not allowed to put you on the stand if I know you’re going to commit perjury.”

  “Then you can’t put me on the stand.” He leaned forward in his chair.

  “You just played me.”

  “I have no idea what you mean.”

  “You knew that once you told me that you forged documents, I couldn’t willingly put you on the stand. I have no way of knowing whether you’re telling the truth or not. But the bottom line is you don’t want to testify. But even if we don’t call you in our case in chief, they’re going to call you in their case. You’ll be on the stand either way.”

  He smiled widely. “You know, I really like you, Hope. I’d like you to consider being my personal attorney.”

  She wanted to immediately shoot him down. But before she opened her mouth, it occurred to her that she shouldn’t just reject his proposition. If she worked more closely with him, she could find out more intel on his businesses. “I can’t be your attorney if you’re dishonest with me. Trust is key to the relationship.”

  He nodded.

  “So why don’t we start with the Cyber Future Chip and go from there.”

  “I really have no idea about that. If I did, I would tell you.”

  He continued to look her directly in the eyes and lie. This was dangerous. She had to hold back her fear and keep putting on this act. “All right. You’re saying you have no idea why it is they think that Wakefield stole the chip?”

  “I have no idea. I think they are just trying to stir up trouble.”

  “With all due respect, sending a hit man after me multiple times is much more than trouble.”

  He grinned. “There’s that fire I like to see.”

  “Back to our immediate problem. You know you’ll still have to testify. They’re going to call you as a witness in their case.”

  “I understand that.”

  “And you’re going to lie.” As she said the words it was all becoming clear what his game was. “You’re going to lie when then they examine you.”

  “I obviously won’t tell the truth. It’s up to you whether you question me.”

  “You’re putting me in an impossible position. You do realize, though, that at this point, Wakefield is our firms’ client. Not you in your personal capacity.”

  “I do. But you realize that it’s in Wakefield’s best interest if I lie.”

  Her head began to pound. What should she do? She had to keep the bigger picture in mind. There was an active FBI investigation into this man. If she could aid in that investigation, then she should. But she had her ethical responsibilities, too. “This is all a lot to take in.”

  “I understand. And I can tell from getting to know you that you aren’t really the type of person to want to work with a man like me. But we can make a good team, Hope. If you just give me a chance. Just think of what bringing me in as a client would do for your partnership chances. And I’d demand that you get full credit for all my business.”

  “Thank, Carlos. I’d like to think it over.” She wanted to add something though. “I appreciate you believing in me.”

  He smiled obviously feeling like he scored a victory. If only he knew the truth.

  “You know how to find me, Hope. And also consider letting me provide you with additional security.”

  “Thank you, Carlos.”

  He walked out of her office, and she let out a deep breath. Sitting in a state of disbelief. She had not been expecting that. She’d reviewed all the documents in the case—multiple times. Now to find out that Nola had forged the key documents made her sick. This guy was even more unscrupulous than she initially believed.

  Nola put on such a good act, though. She’d enjoyed working with him. He’d been a great resource at Wakefield for her. And yeah, he was stubborn, but most all of the business guys she dealt with were like that. It was just how they were. He’d always been nice to her and treated her with respect. Now she couldn’t help but wonder how dangerous this man really was. Was he capable of truly heinous acts or was he just a white collar criminal?

  He was lying about the Cyber Future Chip. What else was he lying about? A chill shot through her remembering that look in his eyes. Totally devoid of emotion. He was able to lie with a straight face. That made him even more dangerous.

  A light knock on the door was followed by Gabe’s head peeking in.

  She motioned for him to come into the office.

  “Something’s wrong,” he said.

  “I don’t even know where to begin.”

  “Just start at the beginning. The last thing I heard was him telling you that you needed to know something before he took the stand.”

  She looked down at her hands which were currently balled up and tried to relax. This was Gabe. He was on her side. “Well, let’s see.” She paused. “He informed me that he forged documents. That Wakefield did actually breach the contract, but he forged documents showing Wakefield made the payment. I suspect that he diverted those funds to promote his criminal enterprise.”

  Gabe’s dark eyes widened. “I must admit, I didn’t see that coming.”

  “Me neither. I reviewed those documents personally. I’m familiar with each one of them. I had no way of knowing that they weren’t real. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”

  “What happened when he told you that?”

  “We had a discussion about whether he was going to take the stand as part of our case as one of our affirmative witnesses. He knew that I’d be put in a very difficult situation knowing that. As a lawyer, if you know your client is going to perjure themselves, you can’t put them on the stand. Now, you have to be pretty certain about their perjurious intent. But still.” She sighed and shook her head. “He’s going to lie on the stand because Cyber Future’s going to call him as a witness.”

  “What are you supposed to do about that?”

  “I don’t know, but there’s more.”

  “Okay.”

  She stood up and walked around the front of the desk. “He wants me to be his personal attorney.”

  “He what?” Gabe walked over to her and grabbed her hands. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did you say?” He dropped her hands, and she paced back and forth.

  “I told him I was flattered and that I’d think about it. Of course, I wanted to tell him no way, but I had the sense to realize that this might be a golden opportunity for the investigation.”

  “You’re brilliant, Hope. Truly brilliant. You are right. This could be just what we needed to crack the case.”

  “So we left it with me getting back to him. He also lied to me about the Cyber Future Chip. He still claims he knows
absolutely nothing about it.”

  “Which is why we need to find that drive at the company in the files you sent and prove otherwise.”

  “I know.”

  “But we can’t mess up this opportunity with Nola. You could have unprecedented access.”

  “I’m in a very precarious position. Wakefield is my client right now. I need to figure out what I’m obligated to do with what Nola told me.”

  “Won’t everyone figure out something is up if you all of a sudden say you aren’t going to put him on the stand?”

  “Or worse, that I don’t examine him after they put him on in their case.”

  “I know you’re not going to like this.”

  “Uh oh. What have you got brewing in that mind of yours?”

  He smiled at her as she sat back down in the desk chair.

  “You don’t have to do the exam. Make Sam do it.”

  “That means I have to keep this information from him.”

  “Given the security threat involved in the ongoing FBI investigation, it’s more than justified. And as an FBI agent, I’m asking you to do just that.”

  “I was afraid you were going to say that. This isn’t easy for me.”

  “I know, Hope. But you’re doing the right thing here. Once this is over, you can go back to your regular life in New York practicing law without these threats and dangers. For now, though, I really need you to let me know if you think you can handle taking on Nola.”

  “I have no problem taking him on. But I feel very uncomfortable saying yes to representing him. I think it’s a pretty questionable line in the sand. Can I just string him along for a little while? Say I want to learn more about his businesses before I accept?”

  “That’s a perfect idea. You would be basically working as a confidential informant for the FBI.”

  She bit her bottom lip and carefully considered what he was saying. She was already in so deep there was probably no way out. Not to mention the fact that some organized crime group probably wanted her dead. “Okay,” she said reluctantly. “For now we need to get to Wakefield and start looking for that chip. We can just say that I need to review certain files.

  “Let’s go.”