Dissecting The Toad
(ATF)

by Brandgwen

Disclaimer: The guys belong to Mirisch, etc., the universe belongs to Mog, "Addicted to Bass" belongs to Daemion/Abrahams (copyright 1998 Prozaac Recordings) and "Into Temptation" belongs to Neil Finn (copyright 1996 Capitol Records). All characters, with the exception of the Seven, are of my own creation; any resemblance to persons, real or fictional, is entirely coincidental. I'm not making money, I'm not worth suing.
Author's Note: This fanfic is the second in the Deep Cover series.

Conners

Josiah Sanchez wandered down the corridor, toward the first door on the right. In the end, Team 7 had acquired the task of interrogating the suspects with very little complaint from the other agencies. After all, who knew the case better than Larabee?

As he opened the door to the interview room, Josiah could feel the presence of its inhabitant, almost as a physical entity. Francis Conners had an aura about him capable of filling a room. His appearance, his sense of style, his very essence screamed affluence. This man personified charisma.

Josiah was raised the son of a Missionary, his childhood peppered with such simplistic catch phrases as "believe and ye shall be saved". While Sanchez, himself, had long since abandoned blind faith, he retained the idea that power was derived from within. He was little impressed by the expensive coal dress-suit or the slick manners of the man before him. Chris had matched interviewer and subject well.

"So, Mr. Conners..." Josiah exhaled as he flicked through the folder he had brought with him, "I do believe you are in a little trouble."

"I have no intention of answering any questions, without a lawyer present."

Josiah smiled. "I don't suppose you refer to Ms. Jameson. I'm afraid she's a bit busy at the moment, also."

Conners did not move in his chair, but a shadow of discomfort swept across his face. Obviously, he was not thrilled with the idea of Cassandra Jameson being interviewed. "Ms. Jameson? No, no. Ms. Jameson is the company's commercial lawyer. My own, personal lawyer is one Arnold Richmond. I would appreciate it if he were made aware of my current situation."

"Whatever you say," Josiah rose and went to the door. An officer standing by the room took the name of the lawyer and Josiah resumed his seat. "What would you like to do while we wait for him, Mr. Conners? Or can I call you Frank?"

If Josiah had hoped Conners would flinch at this overt familiarity, he was disappointed. Rather, Conners smiled a somewhat condescending smile and said nothing. His manner toward the ATF agent was as an entomologist to a bug; Josiah was colourful, interesting in a bizarre way, but deserving of no more that being impaled on a pin and stuck in a display case.

"How about we take a look at this folder I've brought with me," again, Josiah turned his attention to the large volume.

"I assume you realise that, until my lawyer arrives, anything I say will be inadmissible in court," Conners, in fact, assumed no such thing. He frankly wondered where on earth the ATF had found this leftover hippy and how many of the aforementioned hippy's brain cells had survived the sixties. The federal agencies must really be scraping the bottom of the barrel, these days. Richmond will make mince-meat of this.

Josiah smiled. "Oh, that's alright. I'll probably to most of the talking, anyway."

Casually, Josiah leafed through the pages, skimming the text and nodding his head, as if reviewing a well-remembered book. "Ah, here's a good bit. Let me see..." Josiah cleared his throat and began to read aloud, "In the next financial year, I believe it might be advantageous to maximise on our more lucrative activities. It may be that cutting back on our traditional trade might be in order..."

"What, exactly, is contained in that folder, Agent?" Conners' manner remained aloof, but his voice and eyes both carried a disquiet they had not previously held.

"Transcripts, Mr. Conners, of board meetings. Recognise them? I've listened to the original tapes and I seem to hear your voice a lot."

"Indeed I do not recognise them, but, if they are as you say, I must insist you tell me how you laid your hands on such material."

Josiah shook his head and shot Conners a sly grin. "I'm afraid I can't answer any questions without my lawyer present."

Conners rolled his eyes and settled back into the hard plastic chair he occupied. Josiah couldn't help but feel a little smug. First blood was his. Now who's the bug and who's the bug-catcher?

"Would you like me to read you some more, Mr. Conners?" Josiah flicked through a few more pages, "how about this? Accounts being held by our new clientele have been doing very well. We have seen a net increase of 62 on our initial investment over a nine-month period. We might do well to consider re-directing our money back into these particular industries..."

"Fascinating, Agent," as he listened to more of Josiah's recitation, Conners mind began to whirr. He had always been careful never to mention client names or actual criminal acts in the boardroom. A naturally cautious man, he had kept such details out of his subordinates' reach, as a matter of protocol. Even his peers had preferred these things remain unstated. An inferior man, with a less experienced lawyer, might have fallen victim to such a ploy, but not Francis Conners. "I begin to see why you would feel the need to coax my co-operation. I mean, really, the passages you read might be taken from any board meeting. As a matter of fact, it is hardly surprising I don't remember them - they are decidedly forgettable."

Josiah chuckled. The man was clutching at straws. "Absolutely, Mr. Conners. If this were all we had to go on, you would be a free man. But it isn't. We have bank statements, accounting records and shipping records, all with your company's name on them. We even have statements from you former legitimate clients concerning cancelled contracts and misdirected cargo. We know what your lucrative activities are and we know about your new clientele."

A shiver passed down Conners' spine. "If you can prove all, then why do you feel the need to recite from such a superfluous document as you have in your hand?"

Josiah's grin graced his grizzled face, revealing the agent's pleasure at his next words. "Because this superfluous document proves that you know. This document is why you, personally, will end up spending a great deal of time in prison."

Silence. Josiah could see the idea of prison sinking into Conners' consciousness. It was not a pleasant site. The darkness and dank stench seemed to blanket the man, ahead of time. Just for a moment, the formerly strong and engaging face seemed to crumble and fade.

"Agent, I am a very influential man. Money can procure many things, be they possessions or protection. Money such as mine can buy justice."

"I'm sure that's true, Mr. Conners, though I'm not sure you could bribe a judge to ignore this kind of evidence. That could cost him his job."

Reflexively, Conners straightened in his chair, trying to assume a dignified pose. "I was not speaking of bribery. However, I assure you, my legal advice will be second to none."

Josiah smiled. "And those very talented professionals will advise you to plead guilty. You're right. That's justice."

A knock was heard on the door. Richmond had arrived. Josiah turned to acknowledge the officer who stuck his head in. "Alright, son, we're almost done, here."

"Almost done?" Conners' voice was weaker than it had previously been, "I cannot think of anything more you might have to say."

"You might just be able to make things easy on yourself. We have you and we have the company, but we want your contacts."

Conners shook his head, sighing. "An interesting thought, but I doubt revealing sources would do much for my state of health."

Josiah scrutinised the man before him. So large when they had first met, now so small. Such a man would never risk making the kind of enemies cooperation with the ATF would create. Much to his amazement, Josiah felt his elation turn to pity. "I see gold makes poor armour, Brother Frank."

Josiah left the former CEO to converse with this lawyer.

Chris stood in the corridor, waiting for Josiah to finish. "How did we do?" he asked, an edge in his voice betraying some of anxiety he felt.

Josiah shook his head. "He's scared, alright. He all but confessed, right there. He won't be any trouble, once he's talked to his lawyer."

"But he won't give up any contacts?"

"Like I said, he's scared," the ATF agent furrowed his brow, staring at the door of the interview room, "he just hasn't got it in him. The man has only just realised how truly mortal he is."

Chris nodded his head. While he had never wanted to cut Conners a deal, he was even less inclined to prolong the investigation. It had to end that night. "One down, three to go."