TWENTY-ONE

 

At seven Monday morning, I sat at the table flanked by the CEO’s of each Chesco division. The FBI agents were interspersed between the different presidents. Carl stood at my side with his report, enough copies for each of us, all of them numbered and to be collected after the meeting. The feds had their own copies plus the actual evidence.

I hit the gavel on the table. “In going over the income reports I discovered a substantial decrease in revenues. One that couldn’t be explained by the economy. Over the weekend, I had a forensic audit performed by Carl,” I nodded to him standing at my right shoulder, “and the FBI white collar unit. Carl?”

Carl made the rounds of the table passing out the report. “The SOB’s transferred your money into more shells than a traveling magician. So far, we’ve discovered ten businesses operating off-shore with a little more then ten million siphoned from the operating capital of Staff Ready and Sunset Harbor. I suggest you read this carefully before we go further. It makes for good bathroom material.”

Special Agent Harrigan stood and introduced himself then said, “The FBI took prints for his office, and we still don’t have a clue who he is. His vitals are as bogus as his name. He’s one of the best con artists we’ve ever seen. There isn’t a trace, not a hint of him anywhere.”

Carl took a deep breath and exhaled. “He’s been stealing money for the three years he’s been working here. But you’re also lucky. He’s the only one involved and wasn’t high enough to bleed you dry.” He smiled the smile of a man who loved the kill. This job suited him well. Too bad the IRS didn’t pay that well, or he’d have been a tiger for the U.S. Government.

“That’s right, Ms. McChesney.” Agent Harrigan nodded. “We have enough to put him away for life.”

You may have, but you’ll be playing a wicked game of “Catch Me if You Can” in weeks, if not days, to come. I nodded in a gentile southern way. “I thank you Carl and Special Agent Harrigan for your quick response to my request.”

I caught Carl’s knowing wink across the room.

After ninety minutes of growing horror and outrage from the division presidents, I held up my hand. “Enough. In less than thirty minutes, we’ll have the bird caged, but he won’t be singing on his way out the door…just screaming curses. It’s business as usual until after I hold the emergency meeting of the executive management. Be sure he’s with you.”

My smile matched Carl’s, but unlike him, my eyes weren’t flat like a shark’s coming in for the kill. Mine, I knew, were filled with worry.

The FBI may take him into custody, but they couldn’t hold him. This con artist was unlike anything they or the human world had ever dealt with. He was a unique demon called The Chameleon for his ability to change at will. Even angels, unless on the alert for him, couldn’t spot him. But I could. I had his scent.

* * * *

 

As agreed, Carl and the agents entered after the corporate presidents and their vice presidents had settled themselves around the large conference table. Only one member of the executive team was conspicuously missing.

As the door opened one of the two missing men walked in and I smiled. “Thanks for coming, George.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He flashed me a grin. “Erin wouldn’t have wanted me to either.”

The wistful expression on his face said he missed my grandmother, and not on a loyal employee to employer level, but much deeper. Most people didn’t realize it, but when Randee’s Gran Erin died, she left George five percent of the company for life with provisions: he couldn’t sell his stock to anyone but me or my heirs, and it reverted to the family upon his death. She’d wanted him to have the freedom to travel and do all the things they’d talked about over the years. Instead, he’d been so worried about Randee he’d stayed on.

All that changed with my arrival. Last night he finally gave notice. As he took the seat next to me, I whispered, “All set for the cruise?” He’d booked a year-long round the world trip.

“Yup. Leave in a week.” His gaze scanned those in the room. “Seems like one person’s missing.”

“He’ll be here one way or the other.” I looked through mere slits. “Even if we have to send out a search party and drag him here.”

The door opened and in sauntered our missing party. He looked at the executives sitting around the giant table. He smirked and sat. “Hail, hail the gang’s all here.” Leaning back in his chair, he looked at me.

“In my capacity as owner of Chesco, I’ve called this emergency meeting to discuss some upsetting information.” I looked over the sea of faces. “As I went through the last year’s profit and loss statements, I noticed a problem. Over the weekend, I’ve had a forensic audit carried out on Chesco’s books covering the last three years. This morning, my worst fears were confirmed.”

I said into the receiver, “Send them in.” Returning the phone to its cradle, I looked at each person. At the twinkle in George’s eyes, I knew my smile was all teeth, no warmth.

Carl, accompanied by the FBI, walked into the room.

Carl handed out the final report on all Chesco’s companies and their assets. “Ladies and gentlemen, as this report proves, one individual has systematically been embezzling from two of your companies. An annual audit should’ve shown this, but the person somehow kept the auditors from discovering the shortfalls. After speaking with them, I’ve learned they were never alone, he was always beside them.”

“Mr. Bennett,” grim-faced Harrigan nodded, “for the record, what’s your real name?”

“Who the hell are you?”

I smiled as Harrigan, flanked by two other agents, moved to stand behind Bill. “Oh, my bad. I should’ve introduced everyone. You all know Carl, of course. The gentleman behind you is from the FBI, he’s Special Agent in Charge Harrigan.”

Carl leaned forward. He laid his hands on the conference table and snarled, “It appears, Mr. Bennett, you’ve been a very bad man. From my investigation, I’d say you’ve embezzled almost ten million dollars and now have it hidden off-shore. But I’ve found it, and it’s now frozen. All of it.”

Stunned silence filled the room.

Bennett’s chocolate brown eyes turned a flat, emotionless black.

“Please stand and place your hands behind you.” Harrigan slipped the plastic ties over Bennett’s wrists and tightened them. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights?”

“Yes. Not that it matters.” Bill snorted then laughed chilling me to the marrow of my bones. “You can’t hold me. Nothing you have can hold me.”

He was probably right, but the FBI had no idea he was serious. I looked up into his eyes. “Face it, Bennett, evil never pays.”

He smiled. “What can I say? The devil made me do it. And it’s so much fun.”

“Sir, come with us now or we’ll have to use force.”

He laughed loudly. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.” He glared at me. “You think you’ve got me, but you won’t win, you snotty little angel.”

“Oh, but I do know you, Chameleon; I’ve got your scent now.” I stood, meeting his gaze straight on.

“Too late to stop us, all the crucial moves are in play,” he sneered. “Olivia’s already lost. They’ll have David soon, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. As for you, you won’t see me coming. Another time, another place.”

* * * *

“You have to be especially vigilant.” I squeezed Olivia’s hand. “He sounded confident their plan would succeed and it’d occur any time. That means you need to keep David and Randee not close by but within hands reach, even through the night.”

I swallowed hard. Stars above, I hated telling her this but if I didn’t and anything happened I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. “He also said you were lost and David would follow soon. Then again, that could’ve been a ploy to throw us off when in truth Randee’s the target.”

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. “If anything happens to them, I don’t think I could go on.”

“They’re here because of you.” Natasha patted her on the back. “It’s because you fought and won against Keara and Heinrich that we have the twins and Kendra’s after you. If you hadn’t succeeded, Randee and David would’ve been lost two years ago.”

Olivia sobbed into a tissue. “I know, but that knowledge’s little condolence if I lost them.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Gregory stood behind her like a sentry.

“Where are they?” I asked.

“In their room with Josh and Hazel.” Olivia blew her nose. “Josh built them a puppet stage and Hazel made the puppets. They’ve been acting out sketches for most of the morning.”

“Wow! That was really nice of them.”

Gregory rubbed Olivia’s shoulders. “Yes, it was. They know how worried we are. It’s nice to have friends who’ll pitch in and try to relieve some of the pressure.”

I frowned. “I’m sorry I’m not one of those helping. I just want you to know what I’d learned and see if it’ll help to keep anything from happening.”

Olivia shook her head. “You aren’t making anything worse. You’re a dear, dear friend who’s already risked her life for me. Don’t ever think you’ve hurt me in any way.”

“Hopefully, the feds can keep Bennett locked up until we’re finished with this. Although, I suspect that as soon as he escapes—and he will—all he has to do is turn himself into a cockroach. He’ll create a new persona in a new city and destroy another unsuspecting schmuck.”

“This Chameleon…” Natasha said. “Aside from taking any form he wants, just what exactly does he do?”

“He’s a corrupter who resides on this plane.” I dragged my fingers through my hair, shoving it off my face. I was giving serious consideration to cutting it short as I’d had it in my previous life. If it weren’t for Jared loving to play with it, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Sighing, I returned to explaining Bennett’s demon. “His purpose, as defined by the Dark Prince, is to find weak souls, those who have little self-esteem and lots of money. Then, he swoops in and plays up to their egos, feigns interest, romantically or otherwise, gaining their trust with money he’s stolen from previous marks and a line of how he had once been unsure of himself yet overcame those feelings to become a success. Of course, it’s all a lie, except the success part. Once he’s gained their trust and had bled them dry, he threw them aside in an extremely cruel manner. The prince gets his pay-off through their misery.”

I stared at the floor thinking about Randee. “Thank the stars Ms. C doesn’t keep anyone out because they were going to kill themselves.”

* * * *

 

“Attention everyone.” George held up his glass. “A toast to Miranda on a job well-done.” He smiled as he took a sip.

I grinned. It was his first night as simply a long time family friend, not a butler, and as such he’d joined us for dinner. He was of course welcome to stay in his apartment as long as he wanted. “Thank you, George.”

I took a sip of my own wine. “Smooth,” I said to Jared.

Jared looked at me over the edge of his glass as he sipped, then sat it down. “Part of my private stash.”

I licked my lips. “Delicious.” I saw deep passion burning in his eyes.

“Hadn’t seen heat that could scorch like that since Erin did the same thing with her own long time beau.” Uncle Paddy darted a glance at George. The distinguished butler averted his eyes momentarily. I wondered if he’d ever get over her. Perhaps this trip would bring new life and a new love to him.

“Where’d the FBI take the scoundrel anyway?” George scrutinized an agency butler as the man removed our appetizers and the accompanying plates. His momentary arched eyebrow told me the man wasn’t quite up to his standards.

“He’s locked up in Jacksonville for tonight. But because of the high probability of escape, the agents plan to move him to a federal maximum security unit until after the trial. He’s refused counsel saying he’d argue his own case.”

“Stupid.” George shook his head. “Doesn’t he know they’ll throw him under the penitentiary?”

“He’ll probably go to Pensacola—assuming he doesn’t somehow escape first.” I observed Jared once again wolfed down his salad. Thankfully, he had the same appetite for all things he loved.

“You’ve barely touched your food. What’s wrong?” Jared nodded at my almost untouched plate.

“Sorry, the smell of debauchery made me sick to my stomach.” I can’t get the thought he was already escaping out of my mind.

Jared nodded. “I agree with you.”

Uncle Paddy’s smile vanished. “So do I.”

“What are all of you agreeing with?” George stared at us, a puzzled expression registering on his face.

Uncle Paddy blinked. “Didn’t you hear Randee say she was afraid he was already escaping?”

George shook his head.

I bit back a smile. Every since we’d rescued him, Paddy had displayed some interesting abilities, like being able to hear my telepathic thoughts. I needed to constantly remind myself to maintain a shield.

“Glory be to the Old Country! I always had it some, even as a wee lad, but you’re right, it’s stronger now.” His cheeks reddened. “Do ye think I’ll be another David Blain?”

“I wouldn’t go trying to make a living at it.” I lifted my glass for Harry, the new butler, to pour another glass of wine. “I’d try using my talent for good. We all need to fight evil.”

“Then I’ll be tellin’ you the phone is about to ring. ’Tis Special Agent Harrigan. In a bit of a snit, he is.”

On cue, the phone jangled. Harry answered and brought it to me. “It’s Harrigan, as Mr. O’Brady said.”

“Hello?…He did what?…How?… I will. I understand… Try, please try… Thank you.” I handed the phone back to Harry then looked at Paddy and Jared. “Bennett’s escaped. He was in lock down, solid steel door, no windows, and a guard right outside the door and he still escaped. The cockroach crawled out through a crack.”

“Miranda,” Jared snapped.

“Sorry, but really short of…anyway Harrigan’s sending agents to protect us and Olivia based on Bennett’s threats.”

“Agents watching us?” Jared rubbed his forehead.

I agreed. That’s not what we needed right now. Not with Kendra and her comrades on us like a duck on a June bug.