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AFTER MR. THOMPSON left, it took us a while to get back to talking about Kate’s potential client. Any question I had about her being nervous was answered when she said, “I love being out here with the view and the little breeze and the ducks, but if I’m going to tell you anything about this, I think we should go inside.”
I gathered up the glasses and wine bottle, she took the platter with the remaining cheese and crackers, and we moved into my living room. From the tone of her voice, I knew she was right. If anything she was about to tell me could be dangerous if overheard, we couldn’t be sitting outside.
The wall of glass in my living room allowed us to still enjoy the tranquility I love so much. The room is one of my favorites in the house—very light and restful. Off-white Roman shades cover the floor to ceiling windows that span the front of the house. When I’m home during the day, I usually keep the shades rolled up to bring the outside in and enjoy the beautiful view. At night I roll them down with a flick of the remote. I guess you could call my decor beach casual. Off-white slip-covered sofas and easy chairs highlighted with throw pillows in primary shades, a big antique coffee table in washed wood plus some other scattered antique pieces. I always keep bowls of fresh flowers on the table plus a few on occasional tables. Today, the scent of roses filled the room.
Kate cleared her throat. “Um, this woman contacted me through the FraudBusters blog about a month ago with a somewhat cryptic message. In essence, she said she had something to discuss that she felt I would be very interested in. She uncovered something by accident that seemed suspicious and was continuing to research. Talk about going to extremes, she asked me to buy a disposable phone and call her at the number she gave in the message.”
“Wow, you’re right. This certainly sounds a bit cloak and dagger. And, of course, you called her, right?”
“Yes. I actually keep a few burners on hand, considering the kind of things I get into. I could tell she was scared and attempting to do everything she could to cover her tracks. I guess she watches a lot of TV shows, because as soon as I called her she said she would call back. A moment later, she called me from a different number, and I never saw her use the other phone again. Anyway, since then, as a condition of her giving me information, we’ve used a few more sets of burners.”
My cell phone chirped and I saw Kim’s number on the screen. “Hold that thought. Kim is calling.”
“Hey, Cami. I’ll be a little earlier than I thought. I just got into LAX and thought I should make sure you were home.”
“Great. I’m sitting here with Kate and we can’t wait to see you. After you get your rental car, just come the way I told you. Turn right on Dell Avenue from Washington, then left on Sherman Canal Court. Park in one of the spaces behind my garage, and use the sidewalk along the side of my house. I’ll have a glass of wine ready for you—and, of course, chocolates.”
She sighed into the phone. “I’m glad you remembered the chocolates. We caught tailwinds and a little rough weather. It was really a bumpy flight. I’ll be ready for that wine and a chocolate fix. See you in a bit. Bye.”
Kate leafed through a magazine while I chatted with Kim. When she put it down, I leaned forward, anticipating her next words. She spoke rapidly, as though now that she had begun she really needed to complete telling me about the mysterious woman.
“I know I don’t even have to caution you about this, but I am going to anyway. No one, and I mean no one but you and Kim are to repeat a word of what I tell you. I truly believe this woman is in danger.”
I nodded, popped another cracker topped with cheese into my mouth, and gave her my full attention.
Still keeping her voice low, Kate continued. “She said she works for an accounting firm that is auditing Glendale Fidelity Bank prior to it being purchased. It is one of those small, privately owned banks and they only have one location. A group of investors proposed buying it and the board accepted their offer pending a required audit. Everything seemed pretty straightforward until she found some well-concealed transactions in their financials. Her curiosity was aroused and the first question she asked herself was why they were hidden so cleverly. She had to know more. Something just didn’t feel right, although on the surface the entries would appear legitimate to the average accountant. She took it upon herself to find out more about the major players in this investment group.”
My friend stopped to take a breath and a sip of wine, as though she was steeling herself for the next thing. “Anyway, she managed to track down some information about two of the people in the group, and apparently what she found really put her on alert. Something about people being paid to front for others and a possible shell corporation already holding multiple accounts at the bank under different names. She mentioned the Rojas cartel but gave no further details. She said she was afraid to give me any more information over the phone and insisted we had to meet in person. It was beginning to sound like she was almost beyond paranoid about being discovered, so I told her I had a trip to Los Angeles planned and agreed to meet her.
If only half of what the woman told her was true, the part about the Rojas Cartel could definitely mean she was in danger.
Kate looked as though she saw I was getting the picture, and continued. “If she is right, this could be huge. But like I said, it could also be very dangerous if the cartel is involved. The Griffith Observatory opens at noon, so we arranged to meet at one o’clock on Friday in the Ladies Room on the Lower Level near the gift shop. Imagine! Setting up a clandestine meeting in a Ladies Room, but at least it isn’t as conspicuous as going into the one on the main floor. I guess she’s afraid whoever she thinks is watching her is a man or men. I feel like I’m in the middle of a thriller or spy series.”
I always seem to have this sixth sense about con games and such, or maybe I just tell myself I do to justify getting into sticky situations. As Kate explained what had been going on, I remembered experiencing a weird feeling that something mystifying was about to happen when the three of us first suspected the clever embezzlement scam we uncovered. I couldn’t deny it—the same feeling niggled at me now. I wanted to know more although at the same time I knew I shouldn’t even think about becoming involved. There was enough to deal with due to Reid and Cunningham’s vendetta. I certainly didn’t need more.
That said, of course I pressed Kate for more information, but she said she wouldn’t know much more until she met with her contact. Then she would decide if she wanted to take it on.
I knew one thing for certain. Kim and I would not let her go to the meeting alone.