Chapter 51

Jude felt he was going to climb the wall for the fifth or sixth time; his emotions had been running from frustration to worry in ever decreasing circles and time was passing slowly … not that he really wanted ten o'clock to come … in case his fears were justified … the worse happened. He had to admit there wasn't an exact time or line to be crossed … Patrick had just made that a reasonable time to be back by … that they would have had evidence by then and if Annie stayed with Rodney and Maria past that time it didn't mean she would be there all night … that she was or would become a second hostage … he'd guessed the police were on his tail. It was just an estimated time nothing more and it was getting closer.

He looked over at the clock on the wall yet again and realised it was ten to ten and there was still no news from Seattle, and that was the most frustrating part. They'd had nothing since the check in call … the group had arrived in Seattle and were dealing with things only ring if there was an emergency. And wondered yet again if a phone call asking 'why no phone call to tell them what was going on' could come under the remit of an emergency … after all the waiting was driving them mad.

It wasn't only the not knowing it was the frustration of hitting that black hole … the 'I've gone home for the night please leave a message' or the long unanswered phone that left you wondering if the person had just got there as you rung off and as there wasn't a return number for them to ring you didn't know they were there cursing. Not to mention the internet page down or it went up to the date before the one you were after so the information stopped short and you knew if it just carried it would give you the information you need to start the ball rolling. Then there was the one that had 'web page going up tomorrow' in bright bold letters but no date to say when tomorrow is or was. …

And sighed … he hated evening investigations and the flat times ... especially ones with a personal involvement or someone at risk.

Hearing Jude's sigh Ricardo looked up from the papers he was packing away knowing exactly what he was going through. All evening in spite of the work he'd been seeing different scenarios with Maria ending up dead either because Rodney had taken her hostage and it had gone to the wire and a shoot out or she'd not believed the truth and had died trying to protect him. Not to mention the one where Rodney had been arrested as planned in the morning and his sister collapsed devastated by the truth so they'd lost her in a living hell. Having Gabi and Cathy round had helped a bit but there were still those moments … slow time that every investigation has and time was ticking away and still no news … which in his book usually meant good news ... but tonight there was that niggle the phone would ring with bad news.

When the computer bleeped to say they had mail they both jumped to it tipping chairs over and hoping it was a quick report from Patrick.

Getting there first Jude sighed it wasn't and it was for Ricardo so he walked away to ponder things or just go up that wall … again.

The trouble was no matter how they tried they could not find out for certain where Rodney came from … Mr Rodney Peters appeared in Seattle when he took Maria there just as the jailer appeared for those months needed … and Pedro was way too common to even contemplate playing with and it was only a given name after all. They did know the house in Seattle had been bought in a private deal and had been on the market at Christmas so gave credence to Rodney's story, and Maria explanation to Antonio that she'd seen it with Rodney liked it so helped buy it and moved in nearly immediately.

Jude could not help thinking that knowing what they did about the man he could have sold the damn thing to himself just to change the name and give the credence to the story he needed. The only trouble with that was the name of the previous owner didn't start with a P or R, because it was a private deal they had no forwarding address to check out. The P or R anyway was really just their fanciful thinking his initials and age could be anything. And to find more history … well that needed feet on the ground in Seattle or people and open offices to be checked in the morning when someone was under lock and key … and those feet on ground weren't ringing in.

He and Ricardo had carried on playing with the information from Seattle as Patrick said they could and the surface history of the garage was interesting … it had been for sale just after Maria's disappearance and then gone off the market but had prospered with the same name and owner or boss. He reckoned someone had bought into a partnership rather than buying out … sleeping partner but couldn't find another name … again one for the morning or those feet on the ground … he knew Patrick had bound to have asked someone.

As for Carol and Juan they had bought their apartments about that time too. Not that they had anything to do with Maria's disappearance it was just a way he could keep tabs on the time line of this confusing story … just something familiar to group things round. Like Rodney those two didn't seem to exist before they bought their apartments and although they were separate on paper he knew in his bones they were a partnership … a couple. This meant they used one apartment probably sublet the other one … possibly to Rodney as they were linked to him. That would enable him to keep off the paper trail so he could con other women … possibly, he was smooth enough and as he progressed he'd not been caught would have got money and possibly what bought into …

"Jude."

He came out of his muse and walked over to Ricardo with a hopeful. "Well?"

Ricardo kept his emotions under control knowing his anger would give the wrong impression and explained. "You were right, that damn man wrote to us confirming that the charity had received twenty five thousand dollars and in accordance with Ben's past wishes had made no fuss. Because the appeal notice was with the cheque stub the letter went to the address mentioned on it. Hence the correct letter back and stopped any red flags."

He huffed rather than exploded. "Hell! It was beautifully done and would have stayed unknown if Ben hadn't told us in that nightmare. We now know the jailer received that money as payment or part payment because it doesn't seem enough for four months kidnapping duties. The other payments were done in the usual way so its not them."

Jude had to agree it was good and organised typical of the jailer's profile and smiled because something was going right and possibly that low time in the investigation was coming … his thoughts stopped as there was a knock on the door which immediately opened.

Antonio popped his head round the door using the rest of it as a shield and asked. "All right to come in now?"

Jude and Ricardo smiled, and Ricardo said for both of them. "Yeah we've both calmed down. How's Gabi and Cathy."

Antonio smiled and then came in saying. "Good I got bored walking the corridor. Cathy's sleeping and Gabi was dozing, she reckons Cathy could feel the tension and that nice SWAT Officer did a good job."

Ricardo snorted then said softly. "Think I'll call him out every night till she sleeps through." … Yeah things had got a bit tense, he and Jude had got a bit short and snappy and Cathy had cried and would not be settled. Who'd have thought the big bruiser SWAT officer turned out to be a gentle giant … perhaps that was why Cathy went to sleep she knew she had no option.

Antonio smiled and was glad of their reaction, his brother's especially he knew how he was feeling and carried on to deliver his message. "Jude, the Desk Sergeant said there's a bank manager out front who'd like to see you in answer to your phone message. Said he was passing and decided to do it now rather than in the morning. Does that make sense?"

Feeling that edge Jude said quietly, "Oh another break" and got up adding. "Ricardo will fill you in on the other one."

Instead of talking his brother Ricardo kept his attention on Jude and said. "You can't ask him." seeing him pick up the photo of Rodney and the lady they could not identify with his pen and pad. Lindy had remained a mystery, which wasn't surprising but it all added to the frustration, helplessness and tension that ran through the evening.

Jude looked at Ricardo and relented. "Come with me and we will see. I don't suppose there's anything new about the threesome Antonio."

Antonio shook his head and clarified. "No last report was they were gradually finishing their meal. So I guess they will be back home half an hour after they actually finish. Our guys managed to set up the listening device and officer in the house opposite and there's a small the crew in the corner house."

Jude voiced his thoughts. "Good, let's hope Annie doesn't ask or get asked for a sleepover trouble is if she suspects anything she'll cause trouble… for the right reasons no doubt. You can read Ricardo's notes by the computer if you want to I doubt if we will be long."

Ricardo got up glad to be sitting in on the interview; it would stop his mind going back to the jailer being intelligent and vicious enough to take Maria with him in a shoot out just to leave that added kick of guilt behind. He knew Ben would feel it as well because he reckoned the man couldn't make a true identification of the jailer… he'd only seen a clown's face of some type … and body language didn't stand up in court.

As they walked along the corridor Jude broke into Ricardo's thoughts by asking. "What was that thing about the Charity?"

Ricardo got his mind out of the spiral and into gear and explained. "I did as you suggested checked back on the history of all his pay outs for Charities over the kidnapped period and especially round Christmas Eve 1999 and then I went back to when he first took them out and checked them. I ended up with three different addresses on this one so decided to check the headquarters and web sites. They had a history page of appeals and that one wasn't shown so I checked that the headquarters address was real and then emailed them the details… hence the delay. They just come back with that information and that they've sent all the details to the subsection treasurer and anything from them will come back to us in the morning. It's a big charity right across the States so I don't which part of the morning it will be we might be dealing with a different time zone."

They were close to the reception area so stopped talking and as the SWAT officers still in casual clothes passed them Jude said "Stay in the office and relax, Antonio's down there. Should have word from big brother soon … interrupt us if needs be."

The officers nodded and went on their way.

oxoxo

As they arrived at the reception desk Jude casually checked the gentleman there and decided he didn't look like a typical bank manger even though he wore a dark suit.

Before the Desk Sergeant could say anything the man turned towards them and with a smile said. "Just come from a banking dinner and I checked the bank's messages and got yours. As I have a full day tomorrow and was passing I thought I'd drop in and see if I could fix something and the Sergeant here suggested now, which is fine by me.

Jude nodded and introduced himself and Ricardo then led the way to the interview room.

Once in there they sat round the table and the bank manager said immediately. "I should explain I've only been at this branch this week because the manager and the deputy are away so I don't know how much I can help. And there's not forgetting the usual thing about clients' privacy of course."

"That's fine." Jude said then started to explain. "We are trying to find out if a fraud has taken place today. It is possible it is just a miss understanding in which case it will go no further and the people concerned will not know either. If we think a fraud has taken place then we will of course start taking action so you being here now is an advantage. The information we have is that sometime today a cheque was used to start up a business which is to be based out of town and possibly a male and female or just one of them did the presentation. I would assume you as acting manager would deal with that type of transaction rather than one of the clerks on the front desk."

The bank manager gave a slight smile at the vagueness and said. "I did several in fact; do you know the name signed on the cheque?"

Jude sighed knowing this was going to get complicated and said. "Possibly Mrs M Peters or Maria Peters, she wrote the cheque willingly and in good faith, as far as we know it is to be a joint partnership with another lady. This other lady is the one dealing with the paperwork and I assume Mrs Peters had already signed her part of that paperwork. I don't know if she was fully financing or part financing the new business. We believe there is a deadline back in the city of tomorrow morning and Mrs Peters is on holiday here till tomorrow afternoon. So it was decided the other lady should travel down and deal with the paperwork here and then go back to hand it over as confirmation before the deadline.

Due to an unrelated investigation we now believe the whole thing is a con to get money from her and it is possible that the husband maybe involved. Because of this we have to tread very carefully."

Ricardo tried hard to hide the smile at the way Jude had managed to get to it without mentioning or using the photo and waited with bated breath hoping the bank manager would take up the story and tell it without there prompting.

The bank manager thought back and worked out what exact he could say knowing the rules about privacy etc. He knew that where fraud was thought to have taken place he could give certain facts …his job was not only to protect clients but money as well … the fact they thought the woman might be being taken for a ride by her husband meant it could get extremely messy. He came to his decision and said. "You understand that Peters is a common surname." Jude nodded as the man carried on. "No one started up a business using a cheque signed by Maria Peters or Mrs Peters today but I did see a cheque made out to a charity account signed by a Mrs Maria Peters."

Jude hadn't expected that one and felt a rush of possibilities and asked. "Was it a large one?"

The bank manager smiled and then said softly "That's a matter of opinion … it was for ten thousand dollars, the only reason it crossed my desk was because she wanted the other account moved over into the larger account as well. So it was the two transactions done at the same time."

Jude knew the amount was big enough start up a small business with or without the help of another person and briefly wondered if Lindy had passed it off as a Charity business to Maria. She'd never given a name to Ricardo just said they were starting it off and what if it was the same charity as the other one and asked hopefully. "You said she … could you describe her and were you happy with the transaction."

The bank manger thought for a moment then said slowly. "To be honest, yes but I was also slightly uneasy ... everything about the deal was right. She had the right documents regarding the account knew what was going to happen. She was putting in the donation and moving an account to another one, it was from a paper account to electronic banking account hence my supervision and the phone check to make sure it was all correct. ... I don't know if you remember but there was a big fraud case last year, not with this bank another one when some money disappeared shortly after being put into an electronic account and that account disappeared so the money was lost to the client."

Jude nodded knowing it had been a big case and wanting clarification said. "So it was doing it that way rather than her that made you uneasy."

The man smiled and said. "Yes I think so. But also looking at me you might not expect me to head a bank … more like a swimmer in a suit perhaps."

Jude smiled as he nodded and the man smiled and explained further. "I do swim actually, but because of an illness which was causing my hair to fall out in chunks I shaved my head for charity. I thought it was a good way of getting it done at once, avoiding endless well meaning questions and getting money for a good cause. I'm working part time hence travelling bank manager, less long term stress so they say. Also in my line of work I've learnt not to judge people by looks alone … more voice and body language etc. If I walked past the lady concerned in the street I would have said she was a lady of the night … if you understand me, and that was due to her dress and she wore a wig."

Ricardo and Jude just about managed a nod and let the man carry on. "No doubt if my wife had been with me on the street she would have hurried me on with a few well chosen words. The lady's manner however was that of a confident educated business lady and she explained her appearance without being asked as being a confidence booster after an illness hence the wig. I didn't feel the needed to ask for more details and commented that she and her charity work were obviously doing well.

When I came here it was just to arrange an appointment for the morning now though your information has got me worried, this lady was dealing with a charity and that means public donations so I'll give you any general details I can. Thinking about it if you need to take it further we could supply an 'in bank' photo but she was wearing a wig I don't suppose it will do any good."

"Keep the tape it will give time and date if it's needed." Jude then pondered out loud, knowing Ricardo would be feeling as cautiously excited as he was. "She obviously knew her wig extra was a good cover and she didn't mind you checking the things because she knew they would come out right. Are your phone calls recorded for monitoring purposes?"

"I think it's usually ones coming in that are monitored but it could be different so I'll check first thing."

Jude nodded and carried on, "If there's a recording keep it and any other record of the call being made. I expect the number you rang was to her partner on a throw away phone but it's worth a try. Can you remember the name of the charity and was it based in Sunset Beach."

The bank manger made some notes in a small note book he always kept with him and then answered. "Yes, according to the documents the account was opened on 27th December 1999 in Castletown and its called Countryside Charity and I believe the total to be transferred was around seventy thousand dollars. The main charity has branches all over the States."

Ricardo swore which made Jude look at him sharply and he explained. "That's the charity." and knew not to go further at the moment, they didn't want to get sidetracked.

Jude nodded feeling elated they had the break but they needed to be careful and asked. "How much was the original amount do you know."

The bank manager looked at the pair and said slowly wondering what he'd got himself into. "According to the book there were two donations. The opening amount was twenty five thousand dollars the other one was sometime in January and for around ten thousand dollars."

Jude's heart nearly stopped and he hardly dared ask the next question but did. "Regarding the twenty five thousand dollars I don't suppose you know the date and who signed that cheque."

Sensing something was definitely up the man looked at Jude and asked. "Why?"

Jude sighed and knew he had to go further even if it made things complicated and said. "It's possible that the person who signed that cheque did so under threat and that account was therefore opened by someone impersonating the real person and that cheque was in fact payment for another crime that had been carried out against the threatened person earlier."

The bank manager silently went back over that statement and realised things had definitely got complicated and could get ugly then said. "Sorry, but I don't know how it was made up it was just a statement in the book she did explained it was a result of a Christmas appeal that went very well. Perhaps the Castletown branch of the bank could help. I can say that the account or saving plan was an unusual one so I reckon a professional must have given them some very good advice. I do know it was date specific that means an early withdrawal meant loss of all the interest, it was due and because she'd got the donation from this area wanted to do it all in the nearest branch and that was this one. Otherwise I assumed she would have done it at her usual bank at Castletown."

Trying to keep his excitement out of his voice Jude said. "Okay, could you give me the woman's details so we can check it out and of course I'd rather you didn't tell anyone about this?"

"You think this woman is part of a con job then."

Jude had to be careful now and said. "If we find out there is no branch of the charity in Castletown then it's possible. We believe Mrs Peters was under the impression she was opening a business in Seattle, you say you received a cheque for a charity from a Maria Peters that was a donation and then paid into another account. Can you remember which bank her cheque was made on?"

"The same as mine but based in Seattle and the name of the charity was stamped on rather than written."

Ricardo nodded knowing that Ben and Maria had banked with the main one in town so it was reasonable to assume she'd transferred everything to the one in Seattle and printed name meant it could have been done afterwards or Maria hadn't thought it important that they working for a charity.

Jude registered it and carried on. "That's the bank we know Mrs Peters has used in the past though it was a different branch of course. I think we need the extra information to carry out an investigation into the two things and it's looking likely the electronic account is part of the fraud and could be their main account."

The bank manager took a moment to get it right in his mind then said. "Fair enough, her name is Mrs Lynette Cortes, The Sea House, Castletown and the address of the charity was 48 Main Street, Castletown. She took all the documents away with her but I've got our forms in the office you can have those."

Jude wrote the addresses and looked at the time it was ten o'clock and said. "She wasn't worried by you taking notes so I expect they will lead to a dead end."

"All the documents looked right, the phone call went through and the electronic account looked established, there was no reason for me doubt it at all."

Jude nodded; he would not expect anything else from the guy and he reckoned he would need Paul if their IT officer for part of this and said. "I know and if we are right I reckon everything has been moved on by now. It's possibly that by looking for it could destroy evidence so I'd like a member of our staff to check your computer in the morning. I'd don't know if you want to do this now or before any members of staff turn up tomorrow … either way I would like you to leave your computer off and isolate it from the others and make sure no one has access to it. If you can leave me your personal number I'll contact you if we should need to get into the bank before opening hours. In the meantime don't mention it to anyone."

The bank manger wrote the details down and handed them over and asked. "Not even my present boss? You'll need a warrant for the forms and to get into the computer."

Jude took the details knowing the man needed to cover his actions and reassured him. "We will have the paperwork with us; I take it your present boss is the one who runs the main branch in town.

"Yes."

"That's okay we know each and he trusts my judgement and I'll contact him tonight. I also come under FBI fraud jurisdiction so it's all covered. Thank you very much for coming in."

The man nodded and said. "That's okay then. I'll see you or an officer in the morning."

They got up and shook hands and then escorted the bank manager out.

oxoxo

As they walked down the corridor Ricardo said quietly, though he felt excited by what they'd learnt. "That charity does not exist in Castletown, the nearest one is LA and that's the one Ben supported."

Jude nodded letting everything run through his mind and as they entered the office the SWAT officers and Antonio looked up expectantly.

Jude asked. "Any news?"

"No, nothing boss."

Jude sighed. "Right," and turned to Ricardo "What date was that cheque."

"22 December and it was the last one on the sheet. He's paid extra cheques to that charity in the past, but they were way before the kidnapping so they must be all right. Do you think Ben thought that was how Derek paid the jailer and that's how it became part of the warning nightmare?"

Jude sighed "Yeah could be. We need to check that Castletown address see if it will give us a hint of something. I'm also wondering if Rodney is getting ready to pull out."

Antonio and Ricardo looked at him so he voiced his thoughts. "Maria paid for a new car, no doubt put money into his business and now we find twenty five thousand in December 1999 plus another for ten thousand and very good interest, then you add her ten thousand today and it's all gone into an electronic account. Could be the one that's hidden the other money and as this Lynette has appeared might be his next or previous partner; we also got a Juan Cortes so I wondering if it could be a family name. The only thing against it is if he actually owns that garage..." His phone ringing interrupted him and he muttered. "Let's hope this is Patrick."

He sighed as he answered the voice at the other end. "Hank how are things." He listened then said. "Bring the whole family over if he wants come and AJ will provide the flight if needs be, not sure where they would stay thought." …. …. … "That would be a good idea and thank you, I'll check with Helen in the morning I've not heard anything other than Ben's sleeping." … ... … "No don't push him if he stays silent, might be a case of you coming back alone and he comes later we'll stay fluid on it." ………….. "Okay we'll talk then, thanks and goodnight."

He rang off and the door opened and Jude suddenly felt as though everything was happening at once as the Desk Sergeant said. "They've left the restaurant no one is going to tail them as the roads are very quiet and they don't want him sensing anything."

"Okay thanks. I don't suppose any word from Patrick?"

"No sorry." The Desk Sergeant answered and went out.

oxoxo

While Jude had been on the phone Ricardo had gone across to the computer weighing things up and checked the addresses and called out. "Different name at those addresses … person and business. If he's moving on she'll be devastated ... Hell she'll be that anyway. Surely he's better off with her the divorcee and the house was over a million, we're talking about thousands … peanuts and they looked good together. You saw how he reacted to her distress and what about the car it's not exactly small and it could be traced within hour of her being left and calling us in." he was going into full concerned brother mode now.

Jude nodded knowing those concerns were better out than in went to the white board and added the information saying. "Yeah I know and it's just a thought as though things are being collected up, perhaps he just wanted pocket money. Perhaps he thought he could swap it for the original Seattle one and would drive that one away. But that one is not there now that would be a shock for him. Maria mentioned cousins so perhaps it is a family name but would you shorten Lynette to Lyndy though."

The others had come round the board to read the information Jude had put up and the SWAT officer said. "No it would be Lyn unless it's a nickname by running two parts of two names together and the other one is Di or Dy."

Jude pondered and nodded and said. "Trouble is we don't know where this third player is. Mac you two sort everything out for moving in tonight and or a stop further down the road due to pick up or drive off."

The SWAT officer nodded and went in a huddle with his partner.

Ricardo looked at Jude who shrugged and added quietly. "If he did want to move on quietly he could do while she sleeps, she's had a good night with a friend looking forward to seeing Carmen in the morning so relaxed, tired and secure sleeps heavily and he creeps out and drives away. There's also the possibility that this woman has been watching us or the Mission or hanging round the town or the street they are staying in. She could know that Ben's at the Garden Centre though I don't think any of the club people there would breathe a word. Word is they are quite protective of the couple after seeing the reunion with Betsy and as they could have read the papers might not be too happy about answering anyone's questions.

He picked up the office phone and dialled when answered he said. "I need all officers out of view the car and everything looks natural Rodney etc should be coming through soon, tell me when they pass though." He listened to the reply and looked over at Ricardo and said. "I got a rather short sharp 'Why do you think I'm still under the flowerpot'" and smiled as he added. "So I guess they are being good. Sort of begs the question as to where they put the damn car."

Ricardo smiled and nodded looking at the clock realised it was gone ten and he felt less edgy and knew that was because something had started to move. He looked over as door opened and Gabi walking in he smiled and walked over to her and asked gently. "Too quiet for you."

Gabi smiled and nodded pleased at his greeting and said. "Cathy sleeping like log and has another babysitter and I needed a break, so how's things."

Ricardo hugged her and then when they broke said. "Suddenly moving we've found the cheque payment and another name though it might not go anywhere and something's nagging at the back of my mind so I'm going to check over the records and hope it bounces out at me. Hanks rung in I'll check about that in a moment, I expect he'll ring Patrick in a minute regardless of rules." They were moving back to the table with flies and boxes on it when Jude's mobile rang.

Jude looked at it and sighed. "It's Bob."

Everyone stopped and looked over at him while he answered it and listened to the short message. As everyone was looking at him expectantly he said. "I'm taking this next door. No one moves till I get back." Because of their expressions and knowing they could not have missed his initial reaction he added. "Ben's collapsed and it doesn't look good." and walked out dreading what he was going to be told.