Avarice or Innocence (JOHN LOGAN FILES Book 1)

by Marshall Huffman

  “New File. Letter format, single space,” he said. “Dear Mr. A I K I M O T O,” he said pronouncing each letter individually. New paragraph...it is a real pleasure to be here with you today,” Terry said and the words appeared on the screen.

  Mr. Aikimoto was visibly impressed. Terry dictated a short letter and it was immediately transformed on the upper screen. He then picked up the attached pen and signed the lower screen. His exact signature appeared at the foot of the letter above.

  “Print one copy,” Terry said, placing a standard sheet of paper in a thin slot at the front of the lower screen. A few seconds later the copy was deposited on the table at the back of the machine.

  “It can scan, fax or copy. It can send both text and emails by voice,” Terry said smiling.

  “Voice and written recognition as well,” Aikimoto said obviously impressed. “Quite advanced, I must say it is even better than you said it was.”

  “I thought you would be impressed,” Terry said.

  “Yes, it is good but our sources say it cannot do math. It has a decimal problem much like earlier chips, only more serious. You cannot seem to fix this one,” he said.

  “Mr. Aikimoto. Please sit down. I am going to tell you something that no one and I mean no one knows or suspects. Please,” Terry said, indicating a chair.

  Aikimoto looked at him for a minute and decided to sit down. What could he lose? He had everything to gain by listening to this man’s story. Terry sat down and took a deep breath before beginning. The better part of an hour had passed before he finished.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  At about the same time as the meeting between Aikimoto and Larkins, Detective Logan was plodding through an itemized listing of the purchases made by Mr. and Mrs. Larkins. He was developing quite a list of some very expensive items.

  A high priced diamond ring, a fur coat, expensive champagne and on and on. They could have all been for Carla Larkins but he was darn sure going to check it out.

  A lot of cash advances were showing up as well. He started checking the dates and soon found a definite pattern. He would need to double check and make sure it wasn’t business related. He decided it was time to visit DigitCom and talk to the Accounting Department.

  The trick was not to tip them off about what he was really looking for. He decided to go directly to DigitCom and try to bluff his way into what he needed. When he got there he was taken to the bookkeeping office. Within a few minutes a pensive looking man introduced himself as Mr. Workman.

  “Mr. Workman, nice to meet you. I’m John Logan,” he said.

  “Yes. We have been expecting someone from your office. It’s nice to meet you,” the nervous little man said.

  “You have?”

  “Oh yes. We want to get through this audit as quickly as possible,” he said, “where would you like to start?”

  “I was going to ask to see the expense records for the two principle owners, Mr. Larkins and Mr. Ashton,” he said.

  “All right if that’s what you would like. I have been instructed to show you into the small conference room. There are note pads, pencils and calculators already there. If you need other equipment just let me know. Follow me please,” he said and led Logan to a very nice conference room.

  “When will the others be joining you?” Workman asked.

  “Ah, I’m not sure. It’s a busy time of the year for us,” he said.

  “I can certainly appreciate that. Just yell if you need me. I’ll bring you the ledgers right away so you can get started.”

  “I would appreciate that very much,” Logan said. This was far too easy he thought. Something wasn’t right but he wasn’t about to mention it. The bookkeeper returned a few minutes later with two thick files and departed.

  Logan went to work quickly making notes and crosschecking items from his own list. He was able to finish his list and to copy down several more items before Mr. Workman stuck his head back into the room.

  “Everything is just fine,” Logan said, quickly taking off the glasses he was forced to wear whenever reading now. It hurt his vanity and made him feel old so he always yanked them off whenever he was around someone he didn’t know well.

  “We will be going to lunch soon, would you like us to bring you something back?”

  “Heavens no. I’ll just continue to work,” he said returning to the files.

  “Very well then, I can see that you’re busy. I’ll just leave you alone. There is a vending machine just down the hall if you get hungry,” Workman said, closing the door softly behind him.

  Logan was surprised when he looked down at his watch later. He had been there for almost four hours. He decided that he had accomplished everything that he could for now so he closed the folders, pocketed his notes, and headed out. He was walking down the hallway, back the way he had come in when he passed Mr. Workman and a tall slender woman.

  “Are you finished for the day?” Workman asked as he walked towards them.

  “I am for now. All that talk of food made me hungry. I thought I would go get a bite to eat,” he said walking on past.

  “Enjoy. I’ll be looking for you later,” he said waving as Logan hurried on.

  “Who was that?” Joan Cole asked.

  “That’s a Mr. Logan from the auditors,” he said.

  “What? From Cassen and Cassen? I don’t think so. I know everyone there unless he is brand new. Besides, they are not due until tomorrow,” she said stopping Workman in his tracks.

  “I’m sure that what he said. He said he wanted to get started right away,” he said, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

  “What did you give him?” she demanded.

  “The expense journals for Ashton and Larkins,” he said nervously.

  “I need to check this out,” she said and hurried off.

  “But he said he needed the files,” Workman offered to her retreating back.

  “Sure and I need a million bucks, would you mind bringing me that too?” she shot back.

  ****

  Logan sat in his car for a few minutes blessing his good luck. He might be getting old but he was still cagey. Now all he had to do was spend about eight hours cross checking. Once that was done he could obtain warrants, if necessary, to do physical inventories at Larkins' house and Winston could do the same at Ashton’s. If it turned out to be necessary and, of course, if he could convince a judge to issue the search warrants. Nothing was ever easy any more. He started up his car and noticed the typical unmarked FBI car parked down the lot a ways with two agents sitting in it. Smooth fellows he thought to himself. Real James Bond stuff.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Carla?” Stephanie’s soft voice said.

  “Are you there Steph?” she quickly asked.

  “Is that you crying?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were back in here. I don’t think I can take this much longer,” she sobbed.

  “I know. I know. But what can we do? I can hardly move and I have no idea when we are being watched and when we are not. I haven’t risked trying very much. Have you?”

  “What can I do? I can hardly feed myself. I would give anything to just see the sunlight again. How long do you think we have been here?”

  “I have no idea. I lost track a long time ago,” she said with a sigh.

  “Steph, you poor dear. You have been here longer than I have and I’m the one crying,” Carla said.

  “How did you know I was kidnapped?” Stephanie asked.

  “I didn’t really. Jim called and asked if I knew where you were. He was pretty frantic. At the time we were both hoping you were off on a trip that had maybe slipped his mind. You know how he is about such things,” Carla replied.

  She had stopped sobbing now. Just to talk was good therapy.

  “Well this is some trip,” Stephanie joked.

  “I feel so bad for you. How did they get you?” she asked.

  “When I went to get in my car someone was waiting for me in the
back seat. All of a sudden a bag or something was put over my head and I felt a needle stuck in my arm. I struggled for a few seconds but the next thing I knew I was here, wherever here is,” she told Carla.

  “They got me in almost the same way. Terry has told me a thousand times to always check around before I get in the car but I have never listened to him. It seems so silly. Especially in our own garage,” she said.

  “Should have listened to him,” Stephanie replied.

  “I sure should have, about a lot of things,” she said.

  She thought about telling her about her suspicion about Terry’s affair but decided some things needed to remain private.

  “Do you know why they took us? I mean obviously for money but the joke is going to be on them when they find out just how much we are worth,” Carla asked.

  “Money. What else can it be?” Stephanie answered.

  “I thought it might be about the new computer chip Terry and Jim are developing. Terry said Jim thinks it will be worth millions and millions,” Carla said.

  “You mean you honestly think this could be about a computer chip? I don’t know Carla. That seems pretty far fetched to me,” she answered, “Besides no one knows about it yet.”

  “Are you kidding? In this business? Everyone knows everyone else’s business. Terry knew about the Intel Pentium Processor i20 problems long before it became common knowledge,” Carla said.

  “Sure, but that’s just because they hired Bob Spitzer away from them a few weeks before,” Stephanie said.

  “I’m just saying it’s a very small community they operate in,” Carla said.

  “You could be right. What the heck do I know? I’m just a captive like you,” she answered.

  “What does any of us know for sure?” Carla said softly.

  “Have you been able to tell anything about the man who comes around from time to time?” Stephanie asked.

  “Not really. His voice is disguised somehow. Other than that, I can’t tell much,” she said.

  “He seems kind of tall to me. Don’t ask me how I know, it’s just a feeling I have,” she told her.

  They were able to talk for another half hour before the man with the strange voice came in and took Stephanie away. Poor Stephanie, how was she going to hold up? She had been there even longer. Carla sure hoped she was going to be all right. In fact she was really hoping they were both going to survive this somehow.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  The rain pelting against the window matched Ashton’s mood as he sat in the large conference room. The last week had been one of constant pressure from almost every side. Terry, pushing for the sale of DigitCom, Detective Winston asking a constant barrage of questions and Agents Petty and Nelson interrupting him at every hour of the day and night.

  The one person he wanted to talk to most, Linda Taylor, had not called. He knew she was doing her best to get the chips and get back there but it was nerve racking nevertheless. She had called once while he and Terry were having a pointed debate about the terms of the sale.

  “Linda. Where are you?” he had said while Terry paced around his office.

  “At the airport in Denver. I have a three hour layover before I leave for Boston,” she told him.

  “How is it going?”

  “Not bad. Trying to jump from one city to another without reservations is proving to be not only costly but a logistical nightmare as well. They have lost my luggage twice. I feel like a refugee,” she told him.

  “Sorry Linda. We will make this up to you when you get back. Send you off on a nice vacation someplace,” he said.

  “No way. I’m never leaving town again once I get back,” she kidded.

  “I can relate to that,” he joked back. “How many more to go?”

  “Four. I should have the one in Boston by tomorrow and then it’s off to Florida,” she told him.

  “When do you think you will get back?”

  “Late next week. Wednesday if all goes well,” she told him.

  After he hung up Terry wanted to know what that was all about so Jim told him what was going on. Terry concurred that he was doing the right thing. Without the chips they would never be sure it wasn’t sabotage. Terry seriously doubted if Bob Spitzer was involved.

  He knew that Jim just didn’t like the man but he had found him to not only be a good technician but an excellent troubleshooter as well. His credentials were impeccable and they were lucky to have him. He had taken a pay cut to come to work for them, and even though the potential rewards seemed great, it was still a leap of faith. Terry was adamant that he wasn’t involved if it was sabotage.

  Now they were sitting and waiting while the lawyers read through the papers one last time before selling. Jim had stalled as long as he could but they were only a few days from the deadline to have the money. The FBI seemed very nervous about the fact that they had not received any further contact from the kidnappers. That wasn’t the usual pattern but then little in this case was the norm.

  “Everything seems to be in order,” Terry’s attorney said after finishing the document.

  “All the changes we asked for have been adequately covered. I see no reason not to proceed.”

  “I agree,” Jim’s attorney replied. Ashton was hoping that they would indeed find something out of ordinary so they could delay the proceedings but no such luck. They handed a set of documents to each of the three men. Mr. Aikimoto’s attorney pointed out the appropriate places to initial and sign.

  Jim and Terry were doing much the same thing on their side of the table. Jim agonized over every initial and signature but the die was cast and there was little he could do now. They had to have the money and they had no other options. Terry hurried through his documents and passed them over to Mr. Aikimoto to countersign.

  The entire process was slowed down by Ashton’s hesitancy but at last the final signature was in place. The provisions called for Jim and Terry to stay on, as advisors for the next thirty days and no employees would be released without their approval during that time. Royalty rights held personally by Jim and Terry would remain theirs. All other technology would become the property of Aikimoto Limited.

  “You really got a bargain,” Jim had lamented but Mr. Aikimoto did not bother to reply.

  “The money?” Terry asked.

  “You may confirm the amount. Here is the account number in the bank as you requested,” one of Mr. Aikimoto’s attorneys said, handing over a slip of paper to Terry.

  Terry immediately turned and picked up a phone and called the bank. It took a few minutes but it was confirmed that the money had been transferred to the new account early this morning.

  “Everything is in place,” Terry said, standing and holding out his hand to Mr. Aikimoto.

  He did not take his hand but stood and did a quick bow saying, “I have much to do so if there is no more business to attend to, I need to get back to Aikimoto Limited.”

  “This is Aikimoto Limited now,” Jim muttered looking out the window at the dark clouds rolling overhead. He had always liked the conference room, until today. Today he hated it.

  “I suppose that is true,” Aikimoto said and lead his procession out of the room.

  “I want to let the FBI know we have the money,” Terry said picking up the phone and dialing.

  “My bet is that they already know,” Jim said, pointing to the obvious government car in the parking lot.

  “Still,” Terry said and waited as Agent Nelson came on the line.

  “We have it. We can meet the ransom demand,” Terry said. You could hear the relief in his voice.

  “That’s real good Mr. Larkins. Now if we can just get your wives back unharmed,” he said.

  “Why shouldn’t we? We are going to give them the money,” Terry said quickly.

  “I know but we are not dealing with rational people here. No one in their right mind resorts to extortion as a way of life,” Nelson reminded him.

  He didn’t want to rain on his parade but
he needed to be reasonable. Just handing the money over did in no way lessen the threat of something happening to Carla and Stephanie. He just needed for Terry and Jim to understand that clearly.

  “All right but it’s a big step. Just a week ago we couldn’t even say this much.”

  “You have done well. Now let’s just get them back,” Nelson said.

  To Jim everything seemed surreal. Suddenly he had no real commitments for the first time in years. Even paying the ransom was not going to leave them any place close to broke. Each of them would still have some money tucked away and Jim owned his cars and home free and clear. He wasn’t sure where Terry stood. He was still young and once the Millennium3 went public, they would have a fairly good royalty stream.

  He had been so determined to get the chips back and find out what was really going on but now it seemed less critical. Still he wanted to know. He stayed behind in the conference room after Terry went to his office. The large paintings of him and Terry seemed to be watching his every move.

  “What else could I have done?” he said, tuning to face his own likeness. No answer came but the eyes appeared to mock him.

  “Excuse me?” Martha said, walking into the room.

  “Oh nothing. I was just babbling to myself,” he said, embarrassed.

  “I understand. I have the open letter to the employees like you asked. Terry has already read and approved it. I thought you might want to look it over too,” she said.

  “Thank you Martha. You have been a real rock. You know we made sure you were well taken care of don’t you?” he said, glancing at the letter.

  “Oh yes, financially I will be fine. I will miss this place. I don’t think it will be the same without the two of you. I have no intention of staying on,” she said.

  Jim doubted very much if that would even be an option, that is why he had insisted she be given an extremely generous severance pay and prepaid insurance plan. She was well protected; he had made sure of it.

  He made sure that Linda Taylor was well taken care of as well. He only wished she would call and let him know what was going on. He initialed the letter and went to find Terry but he was not in his office.