Tarnished Image (20 page)

“Very well,” David said after a moment. “Before we brainstorm about the asset freeze and receive an update on the tsunami and Hurricane Claudia, let’s talk about another matter. I would like us to call a conference for tomorrow afternoon. Is that possible, Kristen?”

“Yes,” she answered. “Several reporters have asked if we’ll be holding one soon.”

“Good,” David said. “Let’s schedule it for about two o’clock. Does that work OK?”

Kristen nodded.

“Do you really think it’s a good idea to speak directly to the press?” Connick asked.

“Yes,” David answered quickly. “In a controlled situation. When I left the jail, my attorney forbade me from speaking. This will be different, more controlled. It will also be on our turf
and in our timing. He will review my written statement before the conference. As a rule he doesn’t want me talking to the press, but this allows us a forum to express my innocence. It’s important that we appear up-front and forthcoming on all matters. Being innocent isn’t enough. My innocence must be clearly shown. This is the best first step. Do we all agree on this?”

Several answered yes; others just nodded. Connick did neither.

“Second,” David continued, “I’ve prepared an internal statement to be delivered to all employees here in the building and overseas. Communications will have to work out the logistics of getting it to all our field workers, but I’m sure they can do that. Is that true, Gail?”

“Absolutely,” Gail Chen said. “I can have it to most of our workers within a couple of hours. A few will take longer, but everyone should have it within a day.”

“Good,” David said. “I knew your department was up to the task. Now, let’s move on to other matters. I need to hear from you about the asset freeze. What can we do to ensure that the work goes on uninterrupted? Can we transfer overseas materials to the most needy areas? How long can we operate without the ability to transfer funds? There are many questions to answer, so let’s get started.”

First one person spoke, then another. Within a minute the formerly subdued meeting erupted in an exchange of ideas. David understood that it wasn’t business as usual, but it was as close to being so as could be expected.

David dropped into his chair and released a heavy sigh. The evening darkness poured into the office through the windows. The meeting had lasted for three emotional hours and
had left him drained and edgy. He wanted to go up to his apartment, lock the door, unplug the phones, and go to bed, but he had promised Timmy a dinner out. He didn’t want to disappoint the boy.

Rubbing his eyes he glanced at his desktop. Ava had been in and tidied up the jumbled contents. The files were neatly stacked to his left, and message slips were placed in the center of the desk. The first note was from Calvin. It read,
Call at any time.

Picking up the phone, David quickly entered the number. He didn’t recognize it but assumed it was Calvin’s home. A woman’s pleasant voice answered.

“This is David O’Neal,” he said wearily, “I’m returning Calvin’s call.”

“Oh, yes, Dr. O’Neal,” the woman said. “He’s out by the pool. Let me take the phone to him.”

David pictured Calvin enjoying an August night by the pool as his wife brought him a remote phone.

“David,” Calvin said a moment later. “How are you holding up?”

“Tired, Calvin. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”

“Emotions will do that to you. Did the board meeting go OK?”

“How did you know about that?” David inquired with surprise.

“Mr. Barringston called me. He said that your CFO might want to cause trouble, and he was looking for a legal opinion on the matter. Did he? Cause trouble I mean.”

“Not really,” David answered. “I don’t think Bob Connick is motivated to do that. He’s a very cautious man. I think he was merely being protective of the firm.”

“Money men usually are cautious and protective.”

“I’m still the CEO, and we’re working on plans to keep things moving forward.” David noticed a large envelope at the top of his desk. As he picked it up, he wondered why he hadn’t noticed before.

“That’s good to hear,” Calvin said. “I think we need to meet on a couple of issues. When are you available?”

The envelope was addressed to him, but it had no return address.

“David? You there?”

“I’m here, Calvin. I’m sorry, I let myself get distracted. How about tomorrow morning, say, nine o’clock?” David turned the envelope over. There was nothing written on the back. Pulling a letter opener from his desk drawer, he cut open the mailer.

“Tomorrow at nine will be fine,” Calvin replied. “It might be good to have Mr. Barringston there.”

“OK,” David said. “Do you want me to call him?”

“No, I’ll do it. Have a good evening, David. And get some rest.”

“I will. Thanks.” David hung up the phone, reached in the package, and extracted two eight-by-ten photos.

David’s heart seized in his chest and began to pound wildly. His stomach constricted, and he was nearly overwhelmed with nausea.

He dropped the photos to the desk, closed his eyes, and wished them away. They were still there. With tentative hands he picked up the photos and willed himself to study them.

One was a photo of Timmy at the beach. He was standing waist deep, looking back to the shore. Behind him a small wave had crested and was hitting him in the back. Timmy’s
eyes were wide with surprise, his arms thrust in the air as the cool water embraced him. It would have been a comical picture had not someone traced the image of crosshairs over the boy’s head. At the center of the crosshairs a small red dot had been painted. Carefully lettered words were written in the upper left corner:
To die will be an awfully big adventure.

The second photo was similar except it was a picture of Kristen as she left her home. She was looking forward as if she had just left the house and was walking to her car. The same crosshairs were drawn over her image with the painted red dot splashed between her eyes. Her photo also had neatly lettered words:
Let us go in; the fog is rising.

The message was clear. Timmy and Kristen were in danger. David didn’t understand the cryptic messages penned on the photos, but he did understand their intent.

Snatching up the phone, he punched the redial button. A moment later he had Calvin on the line.

“Can you come over?” David asked quickly.

“What? Now?”

“Yes, if possible. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

“Can’t you tell me what this is about?”

“Not over the phone. Just get over here.” David hung up without waiting for a reply. He studied the photos. Someone was trying to intimidate him, and they were succeeding. But what did they want?

David dropped the pictures, picked up the envelope again, and looked inside. A small piece of paper was wedged at the bottom. He quickly extracted the note. Now he understood. The note read,
Be careful what you say. Confession is good for the soul.

Again David snapped up the phone. This time he dialed Kristen’s extension. There was no answer. He hung up the
phone and attempted to quiet the acidic fear in his stomach. He picked up the phone again, this time placing a call to security. His anxiety rose when he learned that her car was gone from the parking lot. The next call he placed was to Kristen’s home. Her answering machine picked up. David left a message requesting a call when she got in.

There was one other call to make. This one to his own apartment. No matter how much it upset Timmy, David could not take him out. The danger was just too great.

“OK, what’s all this about,” Calvin said as he strode into David’s office.

“Thanks for coming,” David said. Without additional words, he handed the photos to Calvin.

Calvin studied them for a moment before gently setting them on the desk. “Is there anything more?”

David handed him the note. This time Calvin took it between two fingers at the upper right corner. David watched the motion and realized his mistake: He had been handling the photos and notes like any other documents on his desk and had given no thought to fingerprints. David felt stupid and feared that he may have destroyed important information.

After reading the note, Calvin set it down next to the photos. “These are people who are close to you?” he asked pointedly.

“Yes,” David answered. “The young man is Timmy, and I’m his guardian. I took over after A.J. was killed. He’s learning disabled.”

“And the woman?”

“Kristen LaCroix, head of public relations and my girlfriend.”

Calvin nodded and took a seat opposite David’s desk. “Where are they now?”

“Timmy’s up in my apartment. Kristen left for home about forty minutes ago. I left a message for her to call me when she got in.”

“Has she?”

“No, and I’m getting worried,” David answered.

“Call her again. Right now. I want to know where she is.”

David responded immediately, but there was no answer.

“Would she screen her calls?” Calvin asked.

“I doubt it. She’s very good about returning messages. What’s going on here?”

“First things first, David. You were right to call me about this. Someone is working you over big time. That someone may be dangerous. I want to make sure everyone is safe. Is there a place other than her home where she might stay? I don’t think it’s wise for her to be at home alone.”

“We have employee apartments on the forty-seventh floor. Some of our people work long hours and often stay the night. We could put Kristen in one of those.”

“OK, do that. It will be easier to protect her. Then—”

The phone rang. David snapped it up, listened for a moment, then mouthed the words, “It’s her.”

“Are you all right?” David asked.

“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”

David wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t want to frighten her, but he wanted her safe.

“You still there, David?”

“Could you come back to the office?” David began, but he was interrupted by Calvin.

“Let me have the phone,” Calvin demanded. David handed him the receiver.

“Ms. LaCroix,” Calvin began firmly. “My name is Calvin Overstreet, and I am David’s attorney. We have just received some information that makes us believe that you could be in danger.”

Calvin paused, listening.

“Ms. LaCroix,” Calvin said, “I think it’s best that we be cautious about this. Here’s what I want you to do. As soon as we hang up, you double-check all your locks and windows. Don’t open the door to anyone—” Again Calvin listened. “No, it’s not silly, and this is not a game. Please do what I say. After you check the locks, I want you to find a place away from all windows. Sit in the bathroom if necessary, but stay away from the windows. Do you understand?”

There was another pause. David watched as his attorney nodded his head slightly. “Good. I’m going to pick you up and bring you back here. I want—Yes, Ms. LaCroix, I do believe that it is necessary. Don’t worry about packing anything. We’ll get whatever you need later. Understood? Good. David will give me the address. I should be there in …” Calvin looked questioningly at David.

“She lives in Chula Vista. It’ll take you about half an hour.”

“I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” Calvin continued. “I’m wearing a dark blue polo shirt and beige pants. I’ll be driving a white BMW. I’ll knock on your door three times, pause, and then three times again.”

Calvin shook his head. “No, it’s not cloak-and-dagger, Ms. LaCroix. We’ve never met. I don’t want you opening the door to the wrong person. Now, here’s David again.”

David took the phone.

“Is this really necessary?” Kristen asked.

“Have you ever known me to play a joke like this?”

“No, but life is full of surprises lately,” she said quickly.

The words stung David. “Kristen, just do what Calvin has asked you to do. OK?”

“Yeah, I guess so. But I don’t like it.”

“Thanks, Kristen. I’ll see you soon.” David hung up the phone. He turned to Calvin. “I’ll write the address down.”

“While you do that, I’m going to make a call.”

“To whom?”

“The FBI,” Calvin answered. “They might be able to tell us more about these photos. Besides, they need to know about all this.”