"Good morning, Alexa. Thank you for meeting me on a weekend." Sandow shook Alexa's hand and indicated a chair at the conference table.
"Not a problem," Alexa assured him. "I imagine your schedule has been as jammed as mine."
Sandow ruefully nodded as he sat down next to her. "As I explained, the judge sitting on our case regarding your trust fund requested a video conference to discuss the question of the identity of the person who received your disbursements. Your mother's attorney has promised to have you present."
Alexa's blue eyes widened. "Really?"
"I didn't make any such promise, and I even hinted that you wouldn't be available for this meeting. So, I suppose you could say we're going to have a Perry Mason moment," Sandow smirked. He glanced at his watch, then stood and walked to the other side of the conference table where his laptop was open. "We're due to start in a few minutes. Please keep silent until I need you to appear with me."
Alexa nodded and took a deep breath to settle her nerves. After a few minutes, she heard several voices and immediately recognized her mother's voice.
"Mr. Sandow, glad you could join us. Let's get started. I am Judge Christopher Daniels, and we are here to discuss an issue regarding the Bliss Trust Fund. As of this moment, all parties present are under oath to speak the truth under penalty of perjury. Mr. Damian Sandow is present and representing the person purporting to be Alexandra Bliss. Mr. Matt Hardy is present and representing Mrs. Madeline Chastain Bliss. Also present is Court Reporter Kris Statlander and another woman…Ms?"
"If it please Your Honor, I will reveal her identity as part of my presentation," Hardy politely spoke.
"Any objection, Mr. Sandow?" Judge Daniels asked.
"No objection, Your Honor," Sandow smiled.
"Very well, Mr. Hardy, you may begin."
"Thank you, Judge Daniels. Ever since her husband, Robert Bliss, died on February 5, 2001, Mrs. Madeline Bliss has been the trustee of record. She has legally handled all the disbursements of this trust to her five children according to the very precise and exact wording of that trust. Her youngest daughter, Alexandra Bliss, has received her share of the disbursements as per the terms and conditions of this trust. I have those accountings which were filed with the probate court. Those accountings, as regards to Alexandra Bliss, were properly signed by Alexandra Bliss and deposited into a bank account here in Columbus in the name of Alexandra Bliss with her endorsement on the checks of disbursement." Hardy gestured to someone and two women sat close to him, clearly visible on the monitor screen. "I have Mrs. Madeline Bliss and her daughter, Alexandra, here with me."
"I see. Mr. Sandow?" Judge Daniels asked.
"Thank you, Your Honor," Sandow smiled. "For the record, this is the person purporting to be Alexandra Bliss?"
"I should think I know my own daughter," Madeline snapped.
"I meant no disrespect, Mrs. Bliss." Damian motioned with his hand for Alexa to join him. "However, Your Honor, Mrs. Bliss is disrespecting the Court because my client, joining me here, is the real Alexandra Bliss. Alexa, do you recognize these women?"
Alexa calmly faced the camera and nodded. "The woman sitting next to Mr. Hardy is my mother, Madeline Bliss. The woman next to her is my sister, Jacqueline Bliss Parke."
Hardy looked at the two women next to him in confusion.
"I'm going to ask both women claiming to be Alexandra Bliss to produce some sort of identification," Judge Daniels ordered.
Alexa opened her purse and pulled out her wallet. "This is my driver's license and my State Bar Identification from the Iowa Bar Association." She handed the cards to Sandow who held them up, one by one, to the camera.
"Thank you." Judge Daniels pointed at his screen to the women next to Hardy. "And you, madam?"
"I…I didn't drive today. I don't have my driver's license with me," the younger woman explained.
Smelling blood in the water, Sandow quickly spoke. "If Mr. Hardy could hold up one of these accountings of disbursement, I'd like to see the alleged signature of Alexandra Bliss. We can compare it to the signatures on this driver's license and State Bar Identification."
"So ordered," Judge Daniels crisply replied.
Hardy silently held up one of the accountings showing the signatures. But it wasn't fast enough to hide the angry glare he threw at the two women next to him.
Judge Daniels studied it for a moment, then nodded to Sandow.
Sandow silently held up first the driver's license then the State Bar Identification card. When Daniels nodded, he handed them back to Alexa.
"It's my opinion, those signatures do not match," Judge Daniels sternly spoke.
"Your Honor, it is our position that the disbursements in question were not issued to Alexandra Bliss," Sandow spoke. "We are requesting certified copies of those disbursements as well as certified copies of each and all cancelled checks to compare all signatures by a Court provided expert with not only Alexandra Bliss but members of her family. We are also requesting an investigation into the opening of a bank account in the name of Alexandra Bliss in Columbus and the identification used to open that account. In turn, we will provide proof of Alexandra Bliss' whereabout on the dates of those disbursements and deposits to show she was not in Columbus."
Judge Daniels sternly spoke. "Mr. Hardy, I'm giving you until Monday at 10am to consult with your clients. During this time, you might educate them as to the penalties for financial fraud…both legal and monetary as well as possible charges for forgery and conspiracy. Also, you might educate your clients as to the penalties for perjury. I'll see both attorneys in a video conference next Monday at 10am. Court adjourned."
Sandow disconnected the feed and closed the laptop. "I don't think Mr. Hardy knew anything about this," he mused.
"I never heard of him. As far as I know my mother's attorney was Paul Orndorff," Alexa admitted. "He was an old crony of Mother's."
"It's possible he's no longer in practice and Mrs. Hardy was a member of his firm," Sandow guessed. "I'll do some checking on them." He smiled and got to his feet. "Nonetheless, I believe we'll be able to wrap this up very quickly."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"All I want to know is what is being done to find my son!"
IA Captain Baron Corbin winced at the shrill tone in voice of the woman confronting a man he recognized as newly promoted to detective. It took him just long enough to cross the lobby to recall the man's name and division.
Detective Rybeck. Missing Persons Division.
The man accompanying the woman placed a hand on her arm as Corbin sat his lunch takeout bag from Steak N Shake on the receptionist's desk. He walked to join them, frowning as Ryback rolled his eyes.
"The report you filed isn't even a day old," he grumbled.
"Excuse me. What seems to be the problem?"
Ryback turned around, scowling until he recognized the IA Captain. "Captain Corbin. Sir." The last word was heavy with sarcasm.
"Our son is missing, Captain," the man explained. "We just wanted to know what progress has been made to find him."
Corbin saw Ryback start to roll his eyes again. "Excuse us for a moment." He motioned for Ryback to join him as he walked away. "Come with me. Detective." The last word was heavy with sarcasm.
The two men walked to the other side of the lobby.
"Is rolling your eyes part of your investigative process? Detective?" The last word was heavy with sarcasm.
"They filed the report yesterday," Ryback complained.
Corbin lowered his voice to a growl. "Was that the question I asked you?"
Ryback swallowed whatever he wanted to say. "No, sir. My mistake."
"Yes, it was. And it better not be repeated," Corbin warned. He indicated the file in Ryback's hands. "Is that the file for this case?" When Ryback nodded, Corbin took it and glanced at the name.
Friedman, Maxwell Jacob
"Yeah, the guy who got fired," Ryback snorted. "And they wonder why he just took off?"
"Do you know why he was fired?" Corbin casually asked. When Ryback shrugged, he continued, "Because he assumed facts not in evidence when investigating a missing person. And then incompetently and ineptly mishandled the investigation." He focused on Ryback with laser intensity. "Is that how you intend to do your job?" he hissed.
"No, sir."
"Inform your Captain that the Chief and I will be handling this case," Corbin ordered. "If he has any problems with that, he knows where my office is located. Dismissed. Detective." The last word was heavy with sarcasm.
As Ryback stomped out of the lobby, Corbin made a mental note to keep an eye on the man. From what he'd just seen, he never should've been promoted. He sighed and walked back to the couple across the lobby.
"My apologies. The detective has been removed from the case. I'm Captain Corbin." He glanced at the file. "You're Mr. and Mrs. Friedman? Parents of the missing person?"
"Thank you, Captain," Mr. Friedman nodded. "Yes, Maxwell is our son." He hesitated, then continued, "I know he was terminated from the department. I…we felt the detective wasn't all that interested."
"I understand," Corbin nodded. "I reprimanded him about his attitude and will advise his Captain about both the attitude and verbal reprimand. I assure you. If that happens again, action will be taken."
"Will you be looking for my son?" Mrs. Friedman hopefully asked.
Corbin hesitated. "Because of your son's association with this department, I'm going to bring in Chief Malenko as well. We'll both review your report and determine how best to investigate." He glanced at the file. "I know it's difficult, but can you tell me what you reported to Detective Ryback? Just to confirm all the details are in the file."
Mr. Friedman nodded. "Maxwell didn't tell us anything except that he'd been…terminated from the department. He said he was going to Cancun for a few days…to clear his head and decide what to do next. He flew through JFK."
"Can you tell us why he was terminated?" Mrs. Friedman interrupted. "I can't imagine Maxwell doing anything wrong!"
Corbin hesitated again. "I'm sorry, but privacy laws and department policy won't allow me to discuss that."
Mr. Friedman placed a hand on his wife's arm. "We understand. And I appreciate you protecting my son's privacy." He slipped an arm around her shoulder. "Maxwell never came back from his trip. Detective Ryback seemed to think that he must've met some woman in Cancun and decided to stay there."
"He would've called so we wouldn't worry!" Mrs. Friedman firmly declared.
"Well, whatever Detective Ryback seemed to think will have no bearing on my investigation," Corbin assured them. 'Although that's not out of the realm of possibility.' He flipped open the file and found their contact phone numbers. "I see your phone numbers in the file." He reached into his pocket and handed each of them his card. "I can be reached at this number. Did you take your son to the airport?"
"No." Mr. Friedman looked startled. "You think he never left home?"
Corbin shook his head. "The first thing I'll do is confirm that your son flew out of Davenport, then start tracking his movements. Do you know where he was staying in Cancun?"
"The Grand Fiesta Americana on Coral Beach," Mrs. Friedman said with a small smile. "He always stays there."
"I know it's difficult to wait, but this could take some time. Especially liaisoning with officials in Mexico," Corbin explained. "But I will keep you as informed as much as possible."
"Thank you, Captain." Mr. Friedman reached out his hand to Corbin. "We appreciate you stepping in and taking over the investigation."
Corbin shook his hand and smiled at Mrs. Friedman. "I'll be in touch," he promised. He watched the couple leave the lobby, then turned around to grab his lunch. 'What the hell have you done now, Friedman?'
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Three hours later, Corbin watched as Malenko read through Ryback's file, then the information Corbin had obtained.
"So, Friedman flew out of here to JFK. But there was no flight reservation from JFK to Cancun." Malenko closed the file and leaned back in his chair.
Corbin nodded. "It appears the story he told his parents was to explain his absence. It doesn't appear he had any intention of leaving New York because his return ticket was open-ended for 5 days. And there are no other flight reservations in his name."
"So, he possibly could still be in New York," Malenko mused. "Any traffic on his credit or debit cards? Passport? Maybe crossed the border into Canada?"
"Nothing on his passport," Corbin replied. "I won't have information on his cards until Monday."
"I've got a contact at the NYPD. She just made Captain. I'll give her a call and see if he's shown up in any of their data bases," Malenko decided, reaching for his phone. As Corbin got to his feet and walked to the door, Malenko added, "What about this Detective Ryback?"
"I'll be keeping an eye on him," Corbin promised with a cold smile over his shoulder.
Malenko nodded in agreement. He dialed a number as Corbin left the office, then leaned back in his chair.
"Captain Benson."
"Congratulations again, Captain Benson," Malenko smiled.
"Dean! How are things in the Midwest?" Captain Olivia Benson chuckled.
"Same as ever. Settling in okay?"
Olivia shook her head with a smile. "Is that why you really called?"
"Busted," Malenko admitted. "I need a favor. A former officer of my department has gone missing in New York."
"Former?" Olivia asked.
"Terminated. He royally screwed up an investigation and refused to accept punishment," Malenko crisply explained. "He told his parents that he was going to Cancun for a few days to clear his head. We've tracked his flight to JFK, but there's no record of his ever flying out. His parents filed a missing persons report. Because of his recent termination, the file's on my desk."
"You think he might've gotten into a situation here?" Olivia asked.
"For all I know he could've gotten into some bar fight and had his wallet stolen. Could be a John Doe in a hospital," Malenko snorted.
'Or the morgue.' Olivia hummed in agreement.
"Or he could be shacked up in some hotel with a woman he met on the plane. It'll be Monday at the earliest before we get any tracking on his credit or debit cards," Malenko added.
"Email me the specifics, and I'll start running him through our databases," Olivia promised.