Stratagems Read online

  When they neared the other door Kyle could read the bold, black stenciled writing. Three letters took the upper half with a message written underneath:

  APD

  AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

  It was the main office of the Albuquerque Police Department, but Kyle didn’t know a door led from the sub-level of the parking garage directly into the building. Rudy knocked twice and Kyle heard a buzzer on the other side, then the door popped open a few inches. Kyle cautiously moved forward. The door opened into a large reception area, a woman sitting at a desk to his left. A maze of halls led in four different directions.

  Rudy stopped at the desk and signed in, then pointed Kyle down the left hall. There were doors, offices, and smaller reception areas on either side; this hall was substantially wider than the other had been. Plush carpeting covered the floor in front of him. About five doors away, Rudy stopped and knocked. After a moment, it opened and Kyle saw Norm standing on the other side, a smile spread across his face.

  Norm extended his hand. “Nice to see you, Kyle. Thanks for coming.”

  Kyle shook half-heartedly. “I didn’t have much choice, did I?”

  Norm blew it off. “Have a seat. We’ll try to make this short and painless, okay?”

  Kyle nodded.

  He entered the room which looked nothing like the interrogation rooms he had become accustomed to on late night TV, when he had a chance to watch. There was no two-way mirror on the wall for others to observe. Actually, the door he had entered was the only way – only apparent way – in or out of the room. A large oak table occupied the center, with posh, swivel chairs dotted around the edges, 16 in all. The walls were papered fashionably and the lighting subdued, offering an informal atmosphere. Kyle could see a briefcase, a stack of papers and a cell phone at the far end of the table where Norm apparently had set up shop. Behind the head of the table was a white dry erase board, taking up the entire wall. It was clean.

  “Come, sit down,” Norm said, heading for his seat.

  Kyle proceeded cautiously, following Norm closely.

  Norm turned and faced Rudy and the other agent who remained quiet the entire time. “That’ll be all.”

  Kyle noticed a puzzled look suddenly flourish over Agent Kain’s face. The moment was priceless.

  “Excuse me?” Rudy questioned.

  “I would like to speak to Mr. Randall alone,” Norm said.

  Rudy hesitated, the urge to speak out evident, but nodded and left with the other agent, the door closing slowly behind them. Norm took his seat at the head of the table while Kyle took the one immediately to his left. Norm shuffled through his papers for a few seconds while Kyle watched.

  “I thought if we talked alone you might feel more at ease,” Norm explained. “Rudy can be intimidating at times.”

  “I would have felt more at ease if we could’ve met at a café or something.”

  “Yeah, the walk down that blasted hall makes you feel like you’re entering a missile silo.”

  Kyle managed a smile. “What’s on your mind? I have to get to work.”

  Norm leaned back in the chair, studying Kyle before he spoke. “What’s your take on all this?”

  “Excuse me?” Kyle said, puzzled.

  “I want to know your thoughts. Anything.”

  “Why?”

  “You seem to be the closest to it.”

  Kyle thought for a second. “Any information I could provide to you would be premature.”

  “I’m not quite sure what you mean?”

  “I’d be shooting in the dark. Making guesses. If I guess wrong, innocent people could get hurt.”

  “Are you saying you know something?” Norm asked.

  “No, not at all. I’m saying I’m not ready to share my guesses with anyone at this point. I could be wrong and my people could get caught in the middle.” Kyle decided to turn the tables. “Tell me, what exactly is your take on all this?”

  Norm smiled, apparently anticipating the question. He leaned forward, giving it some thought, then looked directly at Kyle. “Okay, why not. I think Charlie’s death is a symptom of a crime in the works. I think he was either involved in or learned something he shouldn’t have and paid a price.”

  “He wasn’t involved in anything,” Kyle corrected.

  “Listen, I have to consider every possibility.”

  “And the drugs discovered in his office?”

  Another sly grin escaped Norm. “Obviously planted there for our benefit.”

  “How do you figure?” Kyle asked, glad someone else felt the same.

  “People involved in drugs, either selling or using, have a pattern of behavior or a certain modus operandi, if you will. They rarely keep them so readily available at their place of work. Usually they’re hidden somewhere so as to not be traced back to themselves.”

  “Maybe you should repeat that to Rudy.”

  “Rudy is rather zealous when it comes to drug cases, but don’t mind him. I’ve found the truth surfaces eventually, given time.”

  “You said you believe a crime is in the works,” Kyle reiterated, glancing at his watch.

  Norm continued. “Your firm deals directly with banks, correct?”

  Kyle nodded.

  “Your code resides on bank computers?”

  “Along with code from various other places. Most banks are on large systems using purchased, third party software, such as CICS and the like. Sometimes they need additional functionality, and that’s where we come in. It’s hard to keep up with banks buying each other out all the time. Sometimes the bigger banks try to swallow the smaller one’s whole, and we have to react to integrate their systems into the buying bank’s systems.”

  “Could someone use your company to gain access to financial accounts?” Norm asked bluntly.

  Kyle rolled the question over in his mind, thinking of Robert and all the information he had gathered from Charlie’s files. Norm was obviously beating the bushes to see what would fly out, since he didn’t have the same information Kyle did, looking for a reaction from Kyle. “It’s possible,” Kyle said finally.

  Norm folded his hands together and gave Kyle a thoughtful look. “I’m going to say this once, and I want you to listen carefully.” There was a slight hesitation as Norm waited for some sort of response from Kyle, receiving none. Norm continued, his voice measured and precise. “If you are personally involved in some conspiracy, I would be willing to grant you immunity from prosecution, provided you cooperate fully with my department.” Another hesitation, then Norm added, “…and testify, if and when the time comes.”

  Kyle leaned back in his chair, controlling the urge to lash out at Norm and his fishing expedition, realizing that was precisely what Norm wanted him to do. Instead he gave Norm an ingratiating smile. “I’m involved in finding out who killed my best friend. That's it.”

  “Let me piece some of this puzzle together for you, Kyle. Show it to you from my perspective. Your employee and friend is killed by unknown assailants. Probably these same individuals enter your corporate offices and pose as FBI agents, but center their efforts on your and Charlie’s offices. Your house is bugged. You likely have someone watching you, maybe even following you. Then, last night, you push your motorcycle through your house and leave out the back, losing one of my agents who was assigned to track your movements. You evade Rudy’s questions. I bet I have enough right now to convince a judge to hold you for questioning, pending completion of a full investigation.”

  “You’re starting to sound like Rudy,” Kyle said, containing his temper and hiding his fear. He did, in fact, suspect that a conspiracy might be in the works, but decided to keep it to himself for the time being. He was more afraid evidence Robert uncovered would implicate him further, especially since someone had access to Allied’s systems to plant the virus.

  “Did you know tampering with commercial and private bank accounts is a federal crime?” Norm said.

  “Of course, I do.”

  No
rm leaned in closer. “This is your chance. Right here, right now. Come forth with whatever you know and your involvement, and I’ll make sure you get off light.”

  “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just the guy caught in the middle because it’s my department and Charlie was my friend.”

  “Where did you go last night?” Norm asked, his voice growing more forceful after each question.

  “Riding.”

  “Where?”

  “Down the freeway, up nine-mile hill, then home.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Why not?”

  Norm ignored the question. “Why’d you leave through the backyard?”

  “I didn’t want to be followed, by them or you.”

  “Why do you think someone would want to follow you?”

  “The same reason you think I’m involved. They figure I know something, just like you, but I don’t.”

  “Why are you being difficult?”

  “Maybe I’m just a hot head,” Kyle said defiantly. He was getting tired of the constant assault of questions.

  “I don’t think so,” Norm said, sure of himself. “Hot heads tend not to rise in management so rapidly.”

  “You met the General Manager, Tom Wells?”

  “Yeah, I met him.”

  “Then I guess that blows your theory out of the water.”

  Norm ignored his attempt to derail the questions. “Regardless if you are involved or not, I demand your full cooperation.”

  “Have you earned the right?” Kyle asked.

  Norm hesitated, wondering if he heard correctly. “Earned the right?” he repeated. “You mean the right to find out who actually killed Charlie? I should think you would be biting at the bit to get us involved as much as possible.”

  “Is that what you think?” Kyle asked, passing him a wry stare. “Let me enlighten you. Someone killed Charlie, and then my employees are questioned, right in our own offices, by people they think are FBI agents. I got a good look at their badges, and I saw yours as well. I couldn’t tell the difference. Oh, yeah, and just by odd coincidence they happen to leave the premises at the same time Kurt, the head of security, returns. They bug my house, probably right under your own agents’ noses, and my house is still bugged for reasons I don't know. Then I’ve got Rudy Kain breathing down my neck at every corner. Pardon me, Agent Alexander, but whoever they are, they seem to be one step ahead of you at every turn. Now you expect me to trust you?”

  Norm remained quiet after Kyle finished. Kyle also wanted to throw in the fact that it was the FBI who was ultimately responsible for his father's death, but held his tongue. They obviously hadn’t figured out he was a protected witness, and Kyle hoped they never would. The last thing Norm needed was another excuse to badger, or even arrest, Kyle, or hold it over his head in return for full and complete cooperation.

  Norm’s voice was slow and articulate. “I could arrest you now for obstruction of justice, interference with an ongoing FBI investigation, and perhaps a few other things if I put my mind to it.”

  “You can do that,” Kyle acknowledged, his heart pounding hard in his chest. “I’ll call my lawyer and be out of here by this afternoon. Tell me, have you informed the director, or even the deputy director, about FBI imposters running around Albuquerque?”

  “Is that a threat?” Norm asked, his mood somber.

  “Think of it as a guarantee. I figured you’re keeping this out of the papers for a reason. Who knows, I might even stroll on over to the office of the CIA and tell them this whole, sordid story. They might see an opportunity here, don’t you think?”

  “You’re hiding something, Kyle.”

  “Wasn’t it you who said, just a few moments ago in fact, that the truth usually surfaces, given time? So, if I’m really hiding something, you’ll find out soon enough.”

  “Why are you playing games?”

  “I’m not. Maybe I’m a little cautious, but nothing more.” Kyle stood, looking down at Norm. “Are we finished?”

  “For now, I guess.”

  Kyle went to the door and looked back at Norm still sitting in the chair at the far end of the table. “I have two favors to ask,” he told Norm.

  Norm grinned. “You’ve got to be kidding?”

  “I don’t believe so,” Kyle said.

  “And they would be...”

  “First, I ask for you to be patient. If I uncover something, I’ll let you know. You may not believe this, but I see you as my only hope in bringing to justice those who killed Charlie.”

  Norm nodded, apparently having little choice in the matter. “And the second request?”

  “Keep Rudy off my back.”

  Norm grinned as Kyle walked out.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Santiago had been waiting in the car 15 minutes when he spotted her coming toward him. He was at the far reaches of the parking lot at Allied where, hopefully, no suspicion would be aroused as he was surrounded by expensive cars and trucks taking up several spaces each to avoid getting dinged. The window was rolled down and he was enjoying a nice, cool breeze prevailing from the west, the parking lot offering a wide view of the valley below. From the driver’s seat he saw the Intel plant across the river, its large buildings spanning several city blocks across Rio Rancho. He could also make out the Rio Grande River winding its way through the city, outlined by the trees lining the riverbanks.

  He eyed Rene carefully as she approached, gazing at her black dress, which hugged her body tightly. Her hair was dark, cut short, and she attracted much attention. Santiago looked forward to his meetings with her, even though they were few and extremely far between. Most of the time it was conversations on the phone.

  She opened the door and eased herself into the passenger seat, looking in all directions to see if anyone had spotted her. The windows were heavily tinted and while she remained inside, no one could see her. She looked over to Santiago and attempted a smile, but Santiago could see she was struggling.

  “It’s been a while since we last talked,” Santiago finally said, attempting a soft and compassionate tone, but was pitifully unaccustomed to such tactics. He actually liked Rene and felt sympathetic toward her, but couldn’t let that interfere with the business at hand.

  A single tear escaped her eye. “Did you kill Charlie?” she asked bluntly.

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “You know what I mean. Did your friends kill him?”

  “Some of our associates went to talk with Charlie, and he pulled a gun. Our men pulled their guns. He shot first and they opened fire. It was self-defense.”

  “I don’t believe you. I don’t even believe Charlie owned a gun.”

  “It doesn’t matter if you believe me or not, we still need you.”

  She shook her head violently. “No way, I’m out. This is it. I just came out here to tell you I quit.”

  “It’s not that easy, babe. Like it or not, you’re involved.”

  “I won’t cooperate.”

  Santiago turned in his seat, facing her. She was scared but trying to appear brave, and he admired that. He actually didn’t want to strong-arm her, but his orders were specific and unconditional. “Let me explain. If you don’t cooperate, we’ll all get caught, including you. If we go down, so do you. Whadda you think Social Services will do with your son if you end up in prison?”

  A choked cry burst from deep within her throat, her eyes filling with tears. “No.”

  “Has your ex-husband paid the child support the court ordered?”

  Rene shook her head, swiping a finger across her eyes. “He disappeared. I don’t know where he is.”

  Santiago produced a white envelope from behind him, handing it over to Rene. She stared at it, but didn’t attempt to pick it up.

  “There’s another five grand.”

  She was mesmerized by the plain, white envelope, sitting next to her, calling her name.

  “I can’t,” she sobbed.

  “You have to. I know it, and
so do you. It’s almost over. After this one, you won’t see me again.”

  She slowly reached for the envelope and began flipping it over and over in her hands. It was thick and heavy. She had received several envelopes before, with amounts larger than what was inside the current one, so it was nothing new. The only tangle this time being Charlie was now dead and she obviously blamed herself in some way.

  “What do I have to do?”

  “First, answer a few questions.”

  Rene nodded slowly, dabbing at her eyes, her makeup streaking down her cheeks.

  “What’s going on inside Allied?”

  “Can I ask you something first?” Rene asked.

  “Sure.”

  “Those FBI agents, the first ones. Were they part of your group?”

  Santiago didn’t answer at first, then thought it wouldn’t matter whether she knew or not. “Yeah, they were ours.”

  Rene composed herself and took a deep breath. “The real FBI came along and asked all kinds of questions. What we were working on, what was Charlie working on, did I know him well, did he ever confide in me, things like that. Senior management has been calling everyone in, one by one, asking questions as well.”

  “Have they talked with you yet?” Santiago asked.

  “Yeah, late yesterday. I told them I didn’t know anything and recapped what the FBI asked. They asked about Charlie and whether he used drugs, and I told them no. Then they asked me if I used drugs and it went on that way for a good ten minutes.”

  Santiago smiled. “I’m more interested in what Kyle’s doing.”

  Rene looked up, her eyes wide. “You’re not going to hurt him, are you?”

  “No,” Santiago assured her. “No way. We just need to make sure he’s not poking around too much, that’s all.”

  “Actually, he’s been gone a lot. To tell the truth, I haven’t seen him or Robert around the office much since our meeting.”

  “Meeting?” Santiago asked.

  “Yeah. After the FBI left, Kyle called everyone together. Told us we could take time off work if we wanted, and said we can attend Charlie’s funeral, but we haven’t heard when that’s going to be.”