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F
or the next few days, May spent her time trying to analyze Rupert. She had learned that his card could give her all access to all accounts. She just needed to swipe it or borrow it for a moment without him knowing.
She made small talk about cars because she had noticed his car key ring. And then she joined him for coffee the next day, and then lunch the same day, and then drinks, too. She kept that up for the whole of the week. Even hanging at his desk for long, Donald doesn't object to it because May had already gotten herself on his good side.
One night, the office decided to host a poker night, and May knew that was her shot. In fact, May had suggested that to Donald herself. "It would be a nice ice breaker to get to know the entire office," May had suggested to Donald. That was the only day when most of the security department was gone, and most of the executive managers weren't present, which could help her gain access to not only the accounts department but the logistics department too, all without alerting security. She made sure to get most of the office really drunk by giving everyone neat vodka.
And then, when the moment was right, she first deactivated the cameras around the office, which allowed Joshua to play an old tape recording on some of the cameras. Then, she stole Rupert's keys to open his drawer, where she found his card. She used his card to quickly open his monitor and search Alveris' names.
Turns out Alveris had made four payments to Trace in the past months. The last payment was made a week ago. "For consignment due on 10th January,” so the delivery was to be made on the 10th. But from where? And what consignment?" May wondered. She needed access to logistics now.
Warren was one of the guys May had gotten drinks with when she had gone out with Rupert. Warren was head of logistics, and May knew she needed his card for the rest of her plan. However, Warren was wearing his card around his neck, and May knew she couldn't access it. So, she took two glasses of Bloody Marys up to him. "Hey, Warren, let's drink up!" May said.
And as she walked up to him, she pretended to falter in her steps and then slipped. She spilled the Bloody Marys all over Warren. "Oh, goddammit! Bloom! What have you done?" Warren yelled. Had May taken it a step too far?
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I have had a few too many margaritas and couldn't check my steps. I'm so sorry. Here, I'll take you to the bathroom." May helped him up and took him to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, she removed the cord from his neck, and as he went into the bathroom, she said, "I'll wait for you outside.”
As soon as Warren closed the door, May ran over to the logistics room. She quickly accessed his computer and searched Alveris again. Nothing came up this time. How was that possible? Was the company clearing his name?
She then searched the date and time of the next consignment along with the amount, and there it was.
“10th January. Consignment weighing 50 tons. Leaving Port Beaton." That's it. That's what May needed. It didn't say what the consignment was, but May knew she was out of time as Warren could be out anytime.
She quickly closed the computers and went outside of the bathroom. Warren came out literally seconds later, and May handed him the card. "I'm so sorry again, Warren. I really didn't mean to do this. It was a genuine mistake," May said in her most innocent voice.
"It's alright. I guess we've all had enough to drink. I'm going to take off," Warren said as he got hold of his card and then left.
She went back to the room and got hold of her things. She waited there for a little more while until she messaged Joshua to restore the security cameras. She activated them from the inside, and then said goodbye to everyone and left.
When outside, she sent a message to David and Angela from the burner.
“Date: 10th January. Tuesday. Consignment to leave Port Beaton,” Angela typed.
"And what's the consignment?" David asked.
“It didn’t say. Only says that it weighs 50 tons,” May typed back.
“Weaponry. It’s weaponry. That’s usually the weight we got for his arms packaging and transport,” David messaged back.
"So, there we have it," Angela said at the end of the chain of texts. "Let's inform the Feds," David said.
"No, not right now. Let me give my formal resignation; otherwise, it will raise too many eyebrows," May texted back.
"You're right. We should wait. Besides, David, I don't think you should be the one to tip off the Feds. You're already in the spotlight," Angela replied.
"Then, who should be the one to do it?" David questioned.
"I'll find a way," Angela texted back.
The next day, May went back to work with a resignation summary prepared in her mind. She had gotten into masters, and so internships had to be put on hold as she was flying to the east coast at Stanford. She had already gotten the letter of admission forged by Joshua.
But then, as she entered the premises of the building, she met Warren and exchanged smiles with him. They started to ramble about how last night was a complete mess. And how Warren still wasn't going to forgive May for spilling the drinks. That's when May decided against resigning so early. It would raise too many eyebrows and cause suspicion. If you sue, just leave immediately.
Besides, who knows how the bust would turn out? What if it's a hit and miss? What if May had gotten details to the wrong consignment? Anything could happen. So, it was better if she stuck around longer to see how things panned out. "Guys. I think I have more work to be done here.
There will be the next transportation too after this one goes. We would need coordinates for that as well. Let me stick around for longer," May texted to the group chat she had with David and Angela.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Angela was debating whether she should contact William Payne or not. William Payne was one of Angela's earliest cases. Payne was an ex-Marine with strong connections to the FBI. Some seven years ago, he had been outcast from his department, citing allegations of treason.
William knew he was innocent, and the claims were only being alleged because William was sued for a promotion. And those of his foes and competitors knew that if William did indeed get the promotion, he would become too powerful and might even expose the dirty politics that went on in the ranks.
Moreover, he was seen as a threat to the positions of all other people in his course. He was a threat because as soon as he got the promotion, he could oust them all. William had been straightforward since day one. He was the best student at the academy, in the field, and when it came to action. Others were always sidetracked, making bad deals, and cutting corners.
So, when someone as well-rounded as William was set to take the higher stage, people feared for themselves. And thus, the plot was set in motion. Fake evidence was conjured up to prove that William was involved with the Russians. Morse codes were faked, and William not only lost his chance at the promotion but was very likely to get a life sentence, or worse, he could have been put on death row for a reason, executed without a trial.
Due to his valiant efforts in the past, he was given a trial, and that is when William turned to Angela. All lawyers in the city refused to take his case. It wasn't the lack of funds, but the fact that the people who wanted to keep William down were powerful enough to make everyone shut their mouths.
Not Angela, though. Angela was fresh in business and as fearless as ever. She rolled the dice on William and took up his case; that's not to say that William was not gambling by allowing a fresh lawyer to dig up his case.
After months and months of searching, trying to find all the information for William, trying to prove how his course mates plotted this, Angela knew she was bound to fail and couldn't save William. The fact that she could lose a case was enough to ignite a fire inside Angela and beg her to start again; that is when she learned how to do Morse code herself and learned that the Morse code pattern of the evidence matched with the style of Joseph Yakub, William's sworn rival.
She took collections of Williams's previous Morse codes and compared them with the evidence to build a case in front of the judge. Then, she involved a jury in the mix. William had kids and a wife. Joseph didn't. Jurors are often swayed by the family aspect.
Now that Angela knew who exactly was behind the whole scheme, she prepared a stringent line of questioning, and soon enough, Joseph crumbled under pressure. Wilson was saved. And not only did he get his promotion, but he reached the highest rank. So, it came as no surprise that he had afflictions in both the government and the FBI, and the NSA.
Angela knew now was the time for her to ask him for a favor. But she was hesitant. She didn't want him to think that he owed her for something because what she did was her job, not an act of service. She was also worried if he asked questions about how she knew all of this or what was actually going on, it could blow the cover. But this was the only way. She had to take the risk, no matter what the outcome. She rang his phone, and he picked up on the second bell.
"Angela! My love! My guardian angel! How have you been?" William asked enthusiastically.
"Hi, William! I am good! How are you, the wife, and the kids?" Angela asked, matching his energy.
"They're good, too. They're grown up now, the kids. You should come over someday. We'd love to have you around. It's been a while," William said.
"Sure! I'd love to come around someday. I'm just caught up with this very public case at the moment," Angela replied.
"Ah yes, I've seen it. Don't worry; I know you've got it in the bag. Anything I can help with?" William asked.
"Actually, that's exactly why I'm calling," Angela replied.
“What? What is it? You know you can count on me for anything,” William assured her.
“This is bigger than me. And it’s not about the case. It’s about an illegal weapons smuggling case,” Angela said.
"Wait, what? Angela, what? How did you get mixed up with that? You know these things are super dangerous and can get you killed," William warned her.
"Yes, yes. I know, which is exactly why I need your help," Angela said.
"Alright, I'm listening," William replied in all earnest.
"So, I've got this tip from somewhere. Don't ask me from where. I can't tell and jeopardize their life. But there's apparently supposed to be a weapons smuggle at Beaton Port on the 10th of January. I don't know the time, and I don't know who is behind this. But I was hoping the FBI could look into it and go for a bust?" Angela asked meekly.
"Angela, this is huge. I can obviously talk to the FBI and tell them this is happening. But they will question my sources, and until I tell them of that, they won't carry out an operation. It takes resources, men, and time to call a bust operation. You can't just do it on the basis of a tip," William objected.
"William, the tip is not random; it is backed and trusted. I trust this person as much as I trust you. It's legit. The smuggling will happen. And the FBI, along with your need to stop it. Just trust me, will you?" Angela pleaded.
"Alright, alright. I'll look into it first thing in the morning. And I will try my best to persuade the FBI to go forth with this. You are my source for all I know, and I trust you," William conceded.
"And that's all that matters. Thank you, Will," Angela said as she ended the call. The 10th of January was just one day away. She just hoped Will would actually believe her and convince the FBI.
