Chapter Twelve: When It All Falls Apart
"So, Miss Swan, I assume you know why you are here," prompted the man who had identified himself as Agent Banner. We were sitting at a nondescript table in an interrogation room at the Seattle field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The original two men who detained me at the bank had left me alone in this room for the past twenty minutes. I assumed the wait was to make me antsy and nervous. Their strategy had worked.
I pulled my eyes from the "mirror" on the opposite wall. I had been staring at my reflection wondering who was on the other side and what they expected me to say.
"Actually, Agent Banner, I have no idea why I am here," I replied trying to exude confidence I didn't feel.
"Miss Swan, this would go a lot quicker and easier if you were honest with us."
I remained quiet, resenting the air of impatience and arrogance surrounding my interrogator. I thought about insisting on a lawyer, but I was afraid that would make me look guilty. I didn't know why I was there, but I kept reminding myself that I hadn't done anything wrong. Sure, I had made a mess of my personal life lately, but that wasn't a crime. I was working hard to dispel the sense of foreboding that engulfed me at the bank and on the drive over. I would answer their questions and hopefully get out of there soon. This had to be some colossal misunderstanding.
"Okay, let's try a different approach. You work for Volterra Consulting, correct?"
"Yes."
"And you have been staffed at Meyer Banking Corporation for the past…" he paused while checking the file in his hand, "eleven weeks."
"Yes."
"Tell me about your role there."
"My title is technology analyst, which is more commonly referred to as a computer analyst at other companies. Most of my time is spent analyzing existing code and making necessary changes. Occasionally I need to write small stand-alone programs to accomplish a specific task. You see Volterra was hired to completely overhaul the bank's computer systems. We have upgraded all of their servers and other hardware and are in the process of integrating several new software packages to make their overall information systems run more efficiently. My role is to make changes to the existing programs and customer databases so that they can 'talk' to the new software components. I first work in a test environment that mirrors the production system to ensure any changes or additions will compile correctly and not adversely affect other programs."
"But you have access to the 'live' production databases that contain customer information?"
"Yes…" I wasn't sure where Agent Banner was going with this line of questioning, but my anxiety level was rapidly rising. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my brow, which probably wasn't helping my attempt to project innocence.
"Let me phrase it a different way. You have access to customer bank accounts, correct?"
"Well… indirectly, I suppose. I mean it's not like I pull up a specific person's account information as part of my daily duties. I mostly work with the databases at a high level, mapping tables, adding unique keys so that the new software packages can access specific information to run reports, that type of thing."
"Are you aware that only seven people have programmer access to those databases?"
"I didn't know the exact number, but I figured it was relatively small."
"And you are the only consulting employee with that clearance; the others are all bank employees with years of proven loyalty to the company."
He didn't ask a question, so I didn't reply. I already knew I was the only Volterra employee with direct access to the production code. After all, no one else on the extended team was chained to a desktop computer for 10-12 hours each day. I well remembered the extra background and security checks before my clearance was raised back in late July. Emmett had to lobby hard to the bank executives for the role to go to me since I was so new to both Volterra and Meyer, but I was the obvious choice as I had worked with a very similar system during an internship. Besides, Volterra executives with technical backgrounds like Emmett and James focused solely on managerial responsibilities. Their hands-on coding days were long behind them.
Agent Banner pulled something out of his file and pushed the paper across the table towards me.
"Can you tell me what this is, Miss Swan?"
I was starting to get really annoyed at his questioning techniques. He obviously knew what the document was already, so why bother asking me. Nevertheless, I glanced at the paper before answering.
"A checking account statement from Meyer."
"And who is the client?"
Another glance. "Me."
"We did some checking. It appears you opened the account on your first day working at the bank."
"Yes, that is correct." The account activation form was part of the mountain of paperwork I completed that morning so many weeks ago. I remembered asking James if they expected me to transfer all my money from my Bank of America account to this one, which sounded like a lot of trouble. He reassured me that no one would care if I kept my other account as we weren't required to use the products or services of the clients we worked for; setting up an account with Meyer would just enable them to reward me periodically with incentives like savings bonds when the team met certain goals.
Looking again at the cover sheet of the multiple-page statement I realized that my address was wrong. It was a post office box instead of my apartment building. Huh, that was strange, but it did explain why I had never gotten any statements mailed to me, not that I was on the lookout for them or anything.
"Would you like to try and explain those deposits and withdrawals?" Agent Banner asked with a cocky expression as he gestured to the document in front of me.
A gasp escaped my lips as I started flipping through the pages. There was a long list of daily activity from the past month; each withdrawal followed a deposit of the same amount. All of the entries were between seventy and ninety thousand dollars each.
"I must congratulate you, Miss Swan, for your cleverness. Because each transfer was under $100,000, no red flags were raised by the bank's automated tracking system."
I sat shell-shock, not able to fully process how this happened or what it meant. The idea that everything I said and how I said it would be monitored closely unfortunately wasn't in my conscious awareness.
"Where did the money come from?" I barely recognized my own voice as the question tumbled from my mouth. It was scratchy as if I had been yelling at a Seahawks game all afternoon.
"Shouldn't we be asking you that?" Banner paused, for a dramatic effect I suppose. "But as it turns out, we now know the answer to that question, so no need to play dumb. Although your personal account didn't immediately raise any suspicions, the extensive audit that takes place on the fifteenth of each month did of course uncover the interest payments that were missing from all the gold and platinum level customer accounts. I mean really, Miss Swan, did you think you could get away with stealing 6.2 million dollars and no one would notice?"
"What?" Hearing a number with that many zeros immediately shocked me from the stupor I had slipped into. "I didn't steal anything. I have no idea how that money got into my account, but I certainly didn't put it there. I haven't even thought about that account much less used it since I signed the paperwork." My voice has risen to an impossible high decibel level.
"Well, there you go lying to me again, Miss Swan. But if you want me to walk you through all the evidence we have against you, then I will play along. I will admit that you had our computer experts baffled for awhile. Once the bank notified of us of the theft, we immediately started an investigation, although it was purposefully kept under the radar at first. They did though finally track down the lines of code buried deep in the system that redirected the interest owed to clients. The analysts couldn't figure out at first where the money was going to, but once we started routinely checking everyone who had access to the production systems, it of course didn't take long for all paths to lead to you. The activity in your checking account pretty much sealed your fate of course, but we did investigate further as part of due diligence. As it turns out, only one user ID accessed the section of the code in the last two months where the fraudulent program had been inserted. Any guesses whose ID it was?" The question was obviously rhetorical based on the sarcasm that laced the agent's tone of voice.
I took a deep breath as the seriousness of the situation sank in. This was no misunderstanding. Someone had deliberately set me up to take the fall.
"I am not answering any more questions without a lawyer present."
The rest of that Monday afternoon and evening was a blur. I called Charlie who promised to get there as soon as possible. He knew some of the Seattle agents from working on joint investigations together, so my father hoped to get some additional information to help my case. Emmett had shown up with three lawyers once he was notified I had been detained. They had been at the FBI office since right after I arrived, but I wasn't told until I had the presence of mind to finally request legal counsel. Emmett amazingly seemed to have complete faith in me. The first thing he said when I was allowed to see him was "we will track down the shitbag who framed you and make him pay." I didn't know what I had done to deserve such unwavering loyalty, especially considering Emmett had known me such a relatively short time and we weren't especially close, but I have never been more thankful for a friend than at that moment. I wondered though if others in my life would have the same confidence that I was innocent.
The lawyers as it turned out were not that convinced. I can't blame them considering the evidence against me, but it was still hard to hear the skepticism in their voices as we discussed the case. For now, the law firm that Volterra kept on retainer would defend me, but that was subject to change once they thoroughly reviewed the strength of the FBI's case. My employment was "at will" so they could choose to terminate my contract at any time, which meant I would somehow have to come up with the money for my own defense attorney.
I was formally charged at one point, but thankfully I could stay in a holding cell there for the time being. I was scheduled to go before a judge the next afternoon. If bail was set, I would be free until the trial, otherwise I would be transferred later in the week to the Federal Detention Center located in SeaTac.
Visiting hours on Tuesday started at 7:30 AM. Apparently Alice had arrived at 6:30 to make sure she could was 'in line' soon enough.
"I would have come yesterday, but Emmett said it would be better to wait since you were busy meeting with your dad and the lawyers," Alice explained after five minutes of repeatedly hugging me and sobbing uncontrollably about my 'prediction,' which is how she was apparently referring to my arrest. I found it somewhat ironic that I was consoling her sitting there in the visitation room. Strangely, I hadn't cried myself since this whole ordeal had started. I had actually become detached, like I was watching the events unfolded from a far. I even managed to quickly fall asleep in the private cell they assigned me, although I was plagued with disturbing dreams throughout the night.
"Rose and Jasper send their love and support. They would have come as well, but I wasn't sure if you'd want a lot of visitors."
"You know me well. I am hoping to limit the number of people who see me in this lovely grey ensemble."
Alice seemed a little shocked at my attempt to bring some light-hearted banter to the situation, which I guess was a little warped under the circumstances.
"Well I am sure they will plan on seeing you tonight. I thought you might want to stay at my apartment for a little while."
"Assuming I get bail…" I trailed off, no longer having the energy to put up pretenses for my friend.
"Of course the judge will let you go. He's got to see that you aren't guilty."
I took and released a deep breath. "Alice, I don't know what you have already heard about the case, but you should know that there is a lot of convincing evidence that I stole the money." My biggest fear was that even though some may initially defend me on principle, their faith in my innocence would deteriorate rapidly once they knew the details.
"I would have to see you in the bank's vault stuffing rolls of hundred dollar bills down your underwear before I could even consider that you were guilty, and even then, I would give you a chance to explain the scene."
I engulfed my friend in an embrace, which we held for several moments, letting the ties of our friendship strengthen even more.
"So this must be all that anyone is talking about. What's the verdict around the office?"
"Well, to be honest, very few know any details. Most assume you were arrested considering your escort out of the bank yesterday, but don't know the charge. Of course the rumor mills are operating in full swing. You have been linked with everything from running an illegal porn site to threatening the president's life. The vast majority of people though believe in your innocence regardless of the allegation. You have a lot of friends behind you, Bella."
Yeah, until they got all the 'facts' was my internal reply.
"Did anyone else consider visiting me this morning?" I hadn't meant to ask the question; it just slipped out in a moment of weakness.
"Uh…" Alice appeared nervous and suddenly wouldn't make eye contact. She knew exactly who I was referring to.
"You obviously talked to him. What is Edward's take on all this?"
Alice finally looked at my face again; my own heartache was mirrored back to me.
"Do you want the blunt version?" I gave a single nod of my head, not trusting my voice at that moment. "When I called to suggest he join me this morning, Edward balked at the idea saying there was no reason for him as your supervisor to come down unless he needed to be questioned. He went on to say that it wasn't his place to guess at your guilt or innocence, although he hoped it was the latter for everyone's sake. When I tried to pass on the details that Emmett had given me in the hope that Edward might be able to help your case, he accused me of being as bad as the other office gossips. In response, I had a few choice words for our 'friend' and then promptly hung up on him."
I took a moment to digest what she said. His reaction confirmed what I had already figured out. Any feelings Edward may have had for me were now buried deep and not about to make a re-appearance. That is when I felt the first traitorous drop slide down my face.
Alice looked panicked as more tears followed. "I knew I should have lied and said he got hit by a bus."
I couldn't help but laugh through my crying bout, especially because Alice sounded so serious.
"It's fine," I replied even though it wasn't but I needed to pull myself back together. "I wanted honesty and in the long run it is for the best that I heard it. My mind can't be distracted right now by my lovesick heart. Considering I have been arrested for a crime I didn't commit yet the evidence is stacked against me, the fact that some man doesn't return my feelings is the least of my worries."
"Oh, Bella, please don't lose faith. You will get through this and everything will work out like it is supposed to in the end."
I wasn't sure if she was talking about my 'predicament' or Edward or both, but at that moment, I wanted more than anything to believe my friend. Unfortunately, I had a feeling nothing was going to work out for me.
"Your honor, the prosecution requests that bail be denied to the defendant under the circumstances."
"On what grounds? Our client has no criminal record and there is no reason to suspect that she will try to disappear prior to the trial."
"On the contrary, Ms. Swan has no real ties to the Seattle area as she only moved here a few months ago. And more importantly, she potentially has access to millions of dollars since the stolen money was funneled to offshore accounts that the FBI has not been able to trace yet."
"Enough." The federal judge sitting at the front of the courtroom stopped the back-and-forth between my principle lawyer and the prosecutor with a rap of her gravel. "I have already reviewed the merits of this case and agree that there is a risk of flight. As such, Ms. Swan will be required to turn over her passport and bail will be set at five million dollars."
A collective gasp came from those sitting directly behind me, but I tried to remain stoic until dismissed by the judge. Thankfully, the agents who had escorted me to the courthouse allowed me a few moments with my father and friends before we needed to leave.
"It's okay, dad." I had turned to first face the person who would be most upset about the ruling. Even if he and Renee combined all of their resources, there was no way my family could come up with the 10% surety payment needed to secure my release. "I don't mind having to stay at the detention center until my case goes to trial. It is considered low security so it not like I will be locked up with murderers or anything."
So that might not have been the best thing to say based on the looks of horror that crossed everyone's faces.
"Bells, we will come up with the $500,000 somehow. I can use my house as collateral to get a loan." Apparently in his distress Charlie had forgotten how weak the housing economy was at the moment, especially in a small town on the Washington coast.
"We can help as well," Rose assured me as Jasper, Alice, and Emmett nodded their heads in agreement. "Although unfortunately most of my and Emmett's money is tied up in the garage we started as a side business, but we will figure something out."
"That's not necessary. Everyone says I should be able to get a trial date by the beginning of the year at the latest. I can handle anything for a few months." Of course if there wasn't some break in my case, I knew that I would be behind bars for a lot longer than that.
"Bella, I barely convinced your mother yesterday to stay put in Arizona per your request. If she finds out you might not get released today then you know Renee will be on the first plane out of Phoenix."
"Dad, we will work something out, but Agent Banner appears to be getting very impatient, so I am probably going to need to leave now. Why don't you come in the morning during visiting hours and we can weigh the different options." I turned to my friends. "I really appreciate all of you coming this afternoon and for all of your support, but I don't want you complicating your own lives for me."
"Bella, you know we would do anything for you. Please let us help you," Alice pleaded.
"I will. I just don't want you draining your bank accounts to do it. The priority right now is to discover who really took the money and is trying to pin all of this on me. I don't think I can count on the FBI to find the real culprit as they are convinced they already have, but I have a few ideas I want to pursue on my own. Right now though, I just need some time to think through everything that has happened over the last two days and come up with an action plan."
I gave them all quick hugs and finished saying good-bye before following Banner and another agent to the underground parking garage. The drive back didn't take long, and I was quickly transported back to my cell. I laid down on the small bed after my simple dinner and started making a list in my head of potential leads. Now that my brain had time to settle, I was beginning to spot places where the actual criminal may have slipped up. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I didn't hear the guard approaching until she spoke.
"Well, it looks like this is your lucky day. Your bail just got posted, so after completing a few forms, you will be free to go."
"What? How? I mean, who?" My mouth obviously couldn't keep up with the thoughts running through my brain. I didn't know anyone who could come up with half a million dollars in cash that quickly. And even if my friends went against my wishes, it would take longer than two hours to organize and pool their resources.
"Not sure. I was just told to handle the release paperwork and escort you to the front door once we were done."
She was already walking back down the hall, her response trailing behind. I quickly slipped my shoes back on to follow, my body easily going through the motions while my mind was more confused than ever.