Chapter 7

That evening after the meeting AJ decided to stop by the office and catch up on some of the constant paperwork that was on his desk. His date had been preempted and he had no other plans so he might as well get some work done.

Sitting down at his desk he turned on his computer and logged into his email account. It was unusual for him to get many messages on his work account, but every now and then there was one so he made a habit of checking at least once a day. The little letter came up on the screen announcing that he had mail and with a resigned sigh, AJ opened the message that didn't list a sender or a subject line. It was a short and cryptic message that AJ had no clue as to the basis of it. It read: I know you're not guilty and I have your back on this one.

He sat there and read and reread the message, but still he couldn't figure out what it meant. Of course he wasn't guilty! But guilty of what? And someone saying they had his back, but not signing the email? This was very strange. Needless to say, that was the end of any hope of getting paperwork done that evening!

Picking up the phone, AJ called Bud and asked him to come down to the office. He apologized that it was a Saturday evening, but said it was important. Bud was somewhat of a computer expert and if anyone could figure out where this email came from, he could. AJ spent most of the time that he was waiting for Bud to arrive standing and staring out of his long office windows, with his hands linked behind his back.

When Bud got there, AJ showed him the message that he had received and Bud admitted to getting a very similar one earlier in the week. "Did the message you received refer to this also? And if so, do you have any idea what this is talking about?" AJ questioned him.

"No Sir, my email was about the Dexter embezzlement case."

"What exactly did it say?" AJ wanted to know.

"It said that Dexter had the money hidden under a false name. It gave the fake name and the bank where the money was kept."

"And you had it checked out?"

"Yes Sir and it was right on the money…so to speak," Bud chuckled a bit at his own attempt at humor.

"I see, but what made you feel that it was a reliable source?"

"I didn't know if it was or not Sir, but I felt that there wasn't any reason not to check it out, I mean you know the old saying, 'leave no stone unturned'," Bud replied.

"Well do you have any idea what this message could mean?"

"No, Sir, but I see that this came through on your work account."

"Why does that have any significance?"

"Well that would lead me to believe that it has something to do with work rather than your personal life. Can you think of anything that it could mean?"

"No, if I did I would've told you, Bud. Can you trace where these emails are coming from?"

"I'm sure I can Sir. It might take a little time, but I should be able to find out where they were sent from."

"Okay Bud, get on it and let me know as soon as you have something. And thanks again for coming in on a Saturday night."

"No problem, Sir," Bud said and told AJ that he needed some time at the computer. AJ nodded and left him alone to work.

AJ didn't sleep very well that night and he fretted about the cryptic message all the next day. He was trying to get his mind off of it by doing yard work. However it didn't work very well. Since Monday was Memorial Day and the offices were closed, AJ would have to wait until Tuesday to get any more information on the emails and by then he was more frustrated than he could ever remember being.

To Be Continued….