Double Cross (8 page)

2:00 P.M. SUNDAY

Sunday afternoons usually gave Daniel time to rest, work out, do yard work, or his favorite
 
—take a long ride in the country on his Harley. Ah, the life of the suburban cowboy. But Gran had asked him to spend a few hours with her and Gramps. Not because it was National Grandparents’ Day, but because she’d felt her blood pressure drop. He didn’t refuse.

Today Gramps’s mind slipped at church and hadn’t returned to the present. He’d talked about Gran when she wore bobby socks and black-and-white saddle oxfords. She was the prettiest cheerleader, and he played center on the high school basketball team, yet again. Those were good memories, certainly better than the harshness of good against evil. The morning’s sermon must have moved Daniel to philosophize.

No motorcycle ride today. Gran and Gramps wouldn’t always be with him, and he’d promised himself a long time ago that they’d always come first.

Some days Gramps’s stories wrenched Daniel’s heart, especially when he recalled the vitality and respect his grandfather once held in the community.

His grandparents ended up napping, so Daniel googled elderly scams, not necessarily focusing on Texas, but all over the US. It
was elementary compared to the FBI’s realm of investigation, but it gave him a better snapshot of what was going on.

He pressed in the number for Silver Hospitality. Marsha Leonard normally worked during the afternoon. The facility was her home away from home. The only other staff person with the same commitment was Chef Steven.

“Miss Leonard, this is Daniel Hilton. Am I catching you at a bad time?”

“These are the quiet hours. But I’m a little preoccupied at the moment.”

According to Gran, this was her time for online chess with Chef Steven. “When should I call back?”

“Goodness, I nearly forgot about y’all being chased by a crazy man. Are Abby and Earl okay? How can I help you?”

“They’re fine. Napping actually. Does the FBI have a copy of your computer files?”

“Not yet. I asked for a subpoena. Have to be careful, you know.”

Could he be wrong in his evaluation of Miss Leonard’s sincerity? Far out there, but wouldn’t she want to cooperate with law enforcement? “I’d like a copy of all who’ve visited my grandparents in the past year.”

“I can have the list pulled and printed for you in the morning. Or do you want it e-mailed this afternoon?”

“Thanks. Electronically would be great. I have a few other questions. Do you mind?”

“What do you need, Daniel? This whole situation makes me physically ill. In fact I’m glad you’re working aside from the FBI to find who’s responsible.”

“I’m on board with their investigation and will do anything to help.”

“I have no doubt of your commitment. I’m simply upset with all that’s happened.”

“Do you purchase your supplies through a service?”

“Everything comes from Sysco, paper to food. The items
unique to our clients are purchased from a health service company.” She gave him the name and number. “All prescription medications are furnished by the client. Daniel, those things are listed in the handbook.”

He chuckled. “Fine investigator I am.”

“You simply care about Abby and Earl and the other clients. Can’t fault you for having a good heart. I’m not sure this is permissible, but whatever I learn from the FBI, I’ll pass on to you. They probably have lots of red tape, and I could get it to you faster.”

“I may have to take you to dinner.”

She giggled like a young schoolgirl. “That might be bribery.”

“Call it appreciation for putting up with my moods. Are you afraid people would talk?” At least he interested one woman, even if she was older than his mother.

She giggled again. Marsha Leonard had never been married. She’d spent twenty years as caregiver for her own parents, and now her life’s work was directing the day-to-day activities at Silver Hospitality. He thanked her and ended the call.

More questions zipped through him. He started a spreadsheet using questions surrounding the scammers’ operations. Where would they find trained men and women who could get in and out of the victims’ homes or facilities undetected? How would the money be laundered through legitimate means that had nothing to do with the elderly? He knew the popular methods, and it would take time to investigate each one. Sophisticated hackers and people working on the inside of the crimes could pull it off. He could be standing in a Starbucks line, and the person next to him could download info from his smartphone. Scary, but true.

Miss Leonard forwarded the list of Gran’s and Gramps’s guests. Church people and old friends.

He studied the website of the church they attended. It mentioned Silver Hospitality as one of their outreach ministries. He googled Alzheimer’s care and the church’s name popped up.

That meant anyone looking for a way to gain access to the
facility could find information online. Serious predators could join the church and volunteer. He assumed other churches and charitable organizations offered similar opportunities. This was a common way to victimize the helpless, and it worked. The process took time to build trust and credibility and required people to infiltrate churches and charity organizations. Except establishing a large payroll wasn’t a smart business practice, and it increased the risk of getting sold out to the law. The scammer must have a few people who worked a city, then moved on.

Liz Austin struck his thoughts. Was he fishing, or could she be a part of the scam? She’d given him her phone number many times. He pulled out his cell and pressed in her number. Disconnected.

Giving Laurel Evertson information on Liz Austin was a step forward. He texted Laurel with Liz’s name, employment status, and a possible FBI query.

9:35 A.M. MONDAY

Abby finished her workout, showered, and grabbed a bottle of ice-cold water. Time to do a little snooping before lunch while Marsha cheered on the TTT: table tennis tournament. Abby had seen Earl lose enough of them, and they were utterly boring.

She walked to Marsha’s office, where the director kept her files, both paper and computer. Abby wanted to take a look. After all, the FBI team could have missed something important on Friday. Her first job would be a walk-through of employee files. They were alphabetically listed, one drawer with current staff and a lower drawer with previous employees. Abby made a list of every person. She leafed through the current ones, noting Marsha hadn’t made any derogatory notations. Next she searched through the older staff. Liz Austin’s file was missing. Neither was it on the desk or in another drawer. She finished the files with none of the others arousing suspicion. Had the FBI taken Austin’s information?

If Abby could figure out how to access the computer-based visitor logs, she might find something. Visitors keyed in their info and obtained a stick-on badge to wear while on-site. Daniel claimed she was computer savvy, but how fast could she find the information and not get caught?

“Abby, what are you doing?”

She swung around and plastered on a smile for Marsha. “Looking for you and going to leave a note.”

“Oh, the TTT had my attention until I realized the FBI would be back again this afternoon.” She shook her head. “I want to make sure everything is in order.”

“I don’t blame you. Those federal guys would scare me.”

“Amen. Hey, did you see the flowers for you at the front?”

“No. Are you sure they’re for me? I’m not the flower type. Rather have something more lasting like a book.”

“Your name is on them.”

Abby left the office to check on the mystery flowers. On the desk was a basket of orange and white roses with a green vine woven around the handle. How very sweet, but what was the occasion? A card held her name. She opened it. What kind of sick joke was this?

Abby, life insurance policies are no good to the beneficiary until Earl is dead. Either stop cooperating with the FBI, or the next funeral arrangement will be for Earl. Your choice.

10:00 A.M. MONDAY

Laurel scrolled through her e-mails at work, responding to the most critical issues. Her cell phone buzzed, and she glanced at the caller
 
—Supervisory Special Agent Alan Preston.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good morning, Agent Evertson. I’d like to discuss the elderly fraud case in my office. Are you available?”

“I’m on my way.” Had another scam been uncovered? A death? Evidence? She grabbed her iPad, wishing the fraud against dementia sufferers were over.

Laurel sat across from the SSA’s desk. Even the walls oozed with wisdom and experience, and she stared into his dark-blue eyes. “Is Agent Phang coming?”

“No. This is between us. She is not to know about our conversation.”

A jolt of apprehension had her senses on alert. “Yes, sir.”

“For eight years we’ve investigated various elderly-related frauds, believing there is a connection but not finding substantial evidence.”

She nodded. “I’ve examined the files and read the theories.”

He steepled his fingers. “Your past experience with Morton Wilmington left a scar on all of us who care about you and Jesse’s family. None of us will ever forget the sacrifice. We owe you for Wilmington’s takedown and the end of his nefarious activities.”

She blinked and held her breath, knowing the question that was coming.

“Why did you see him alone?”

“I had to talk to him personally, to pose questions which needed to stay between us.”

“There’s a reason why the FBI has policies and procedures.”

“Yes, sir.”

He captured her gaze long enough to show his displeasure. “Morton Wilmington’s lawyer contacted us early this morning indicating his client’s willingness to cooperate in ending the elderly fraud. Later we spoke with Wilmington. He decoded the message on the e-mail you showed him last week. His decryption has been verified.”

“What did he claim it said?” She understood most of it:
Same instructions. Contact me after. New leads.

“In addition to what you’d discovered, he gave us the next memory care facility to be victimized. The director there stated a wealthy woman had been visited by a man already this morning. We have no idea at this point if the woman gave him money, but the man gave a fictitious name and avoided security cameras. Granted, Wilmington could have set this up, or he could be sincere.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“He claims to know who’s behind the elderly frauds. He’s
agreed to help us with the investigation, contingent on his immediate release.”

“But this is all staged, right?”

“If he’s sincere, we’ll make permanent arrangements.” He cleared his throat. “We have a few terms we need you to consider before moving forward.”

Acid slammed against her stomach. “Terms, sir?”

“If you agree, you’ll be working closely with him. The two of you will be a couple in appearances only.”

Laurel held up her hand. “Who packaged this deal?”

SSA Preston stared her down. “We did.”

The acid crawled up her throat. “I’m sure Wilmington is real excited to be working with me.”

“Trust me, he’s not, but the flip side of the deal makes our proposal attractive.”

A killer set free because he snitches on one of his buds. What a lowlife. “What are the rest of the terms?”

“We know you and your partner are also friends, but communication with Special Agent Phang regarding this case must cease. She’s not to be told anything. It would be better if there’s no communication, period.”

Su-Min? They’d had their disagreements, but no contact? “How do you know he’s telling the truth and not covering up his own crimes? Especially since his info about the new scam came after the fact.”

“We’re working the case from all angles, and this is just one of them. You proved your ability to secure evidence from him five years ago, and we’re confident you can again.”

Bitterness and dread settled on her shoulders. “Sir, I’m not convinced this is a good idea. Why would anyone believe we were together since I put him in jail?”

“He’s tossing the faith card
 
—”

“I was with him constantly for six months. I learned how his mind works, his choice of friends, his manipulative nature, things
you don’t want to hear, and what matters most to him. And believe me, it’s not a Bible study or God.”

“We’ll be providing history to make the relationship look legitimate.”

She dug her fingers into her palms. “Forgive and forget in the name of love?”

“Exactly. He needs to gain the confidence of the person he claims is responsible and make contact. Get what we need. Work the game. And we need to keep him under close watch.”

Like she’d done to him. “Can you expand?”

He nodded. “Tomorrow he’ll be released. The press will play up his rehabilitation.”

“As in his faith.”

“Right. For this assignment, you’ll be relieved of your FBI position for undisclosed reasons, but the rumor will be a conflict of interests. You chose Wilmington over your career, and you’re furious about the dismissal. No one is to know about our arrangement.”

“Sir, he threatened to kill me. And now you want me to work with him?”

SSA Preston stared at her for several seconds. “We have confidence this will work. We think we can trust Wilmington. If not, he’ll take permanent residence in the penal system.”

“Think? So you’ll know who to prosecute for my murder?”

“Agent Evertson, this is your choice.”

More like a snapshot from a nightmare. “Sir, can I keep my badge and weapon?”

“Yes. Send all correspondence directly to me. Call or text me with any updates or problems. You’ll be seen with Wilmington while he’s working to gain the confidence of the one he claims is behind the scams.”

Her head swam with the danger and the unlikelihood of success. “Won’t I discourage the operation? I’m not convinced of his newfound faith. For all I know he’s playing us and is orchestrating
the whole scam from the inside.” She paused. “How would my partnering with him aid the case?”

“With your career ruined, your desire for revenge against the FBI will be a solid cover.” He drew in a breath. “Your contribution will be an asset to your career. You may need to prove you’re on his side. Whether Wilmington is once again involved with a crime, or he can lead us to the criminal, remains to be seen.”

“How long would I play the role?”

“For as long as it takes. Dress the part.”

Did she have a choice when he’d killed Jesse? Images of Earl and Abby were fixed in her mind, as well as the other elderly who’d been victimized. “All right. I’ll do it. When do I get started?”

“After our meeting, you’ll return to your desk. Call Special Agent Phang to your office to discuss the scam. There I’ll confront you in front of her about your unauthorized visit to Morton Wilmington and call you into my office. Afterward you’ll clear out your desk and be escorted from the building.”

She nodded. There went the only friend she had.

“Wilmington will contact you later this week. We’re calling the scammer Leopard. He knows how to pick and approach the victims, change his habits, and when to go dark.”

A whirl of apprehension mixed with determination filled her. She’d never trust Wilmington, and when this was over, he’d be behind bars for good. He’d never hurt good people again.