Man in the Middle

“And, if you still care, cop’s full name is Sean Ellis. Former San Diego City Detective, Sean Marcus Ellis.”

Peter wouldn’t forget the name.

CHAPTER TWENTY

 CACTUS GREW INSIDE HUGE, HEAVY CLAY POTS POSITIONED BELOW view-windows—windows taking in Pacific whitecaps, seagulls, fishing boats, and the occasional hang-glider. The horizon stretched in every direction without blemish—endless blue sky, connected to endless blue ocean.

Morgan Stenman and Sarah Guzman deliberated with their backs to the windows—they had a view of only each other and Carlos Nunoz. Because it was a Saturday, all of Stenman’s computers were shut down and, except for this meeting in her office, there were no other people on her half of the second floor. Across from the two women, Carlos fidgeted in a chair with cabriole legs, an antique from the time of Queen Anne—not comfortable, but priceless. His right foot rested on his left knee as he tugged at his ankle with an open palm, as if stretching his joints in preparation for a workout.

“Morgan, what did Peter Neil say to your attorney?” Sarah asked.

Stenman inhaled, then exhaled, as she nearly always did when framing her words: “According to Jason, he said he doesn’t know where any documents are. The tapes we made seem to corroborate that.”

“Perdoneme, senora,” Carlos said, “but you believe this to be true?”

Stenman merely shrugged.

“Neil is dangerous,” Carlos thought out loud. “He has seen a letter from his mother. What else has he seen? I believe it is possible more legal documents—stolen by this Hannah Neil—exist. It is also possible that Neil has them, or knows where they are, or will soon come to know these things. It is importante that we retrieve this information.”

Sarah nodded agreement. “For the time being, we will wait and continue following, recording, tracking him.”

“Maybe some of what you say is true,” Stenman said, sounding noncommittal. “I like Peter. I hope this turns out well for him.”

“This is a difficult case,” Sarah said. “What would you have us do, Morgan?”

Stenman flicked ashes into a crystal bowl. “Unless we are forced to, I do not think it wise to harm Peter. Not with what happened to his mother, with the possibility that the regulators may still be interested in his affairs. If possible, we should get needed answers first.”

“I agree,” Sarah said. “My recommendation is that we buy time. Hope to find out what he knows. But the moment we ascertain he has information stolen by his mother, and we retrieve that information, he must be dealt with. Fortunately, Carlos and I have a contingency plan. You are ready to execute this contingency plan when necessary, Carlos?”

“Si.”

At that moment, Stenman’s phone rang. She pushed the speaker button. “I wish to speak with Senor Nunoz,” said an accented voice.

“I am here,” Carlos said, the impatience in his voice an unspoken threat.

After a rapid briefing, the man said, “He is lost.”

Carlos slammed a fist into a wall. “What does that mean, pelotudo? ‘Lost’?”

In Spanish, the caller explained that Neil had taken off running. Nobody could hope to keep up with him, he moved too fast. At some point, the tracking device must have broken, because the signal died. Off to the side, Sarah gave a whispered translation to Stenman.

“Ocho ochenta! Find him!” Carlos slammed a fist into the speaker button, disconnecting the line. “This changes everything,” he said. “The transmitter did not accidentally break. He knows.”

“Calm down,” Sarah said. “Watch his house. This is no reason for panic.” She rolled her eyes in Stenman’s direction. Carlos understood the gesture, exhaled, and nodded.

“You will solve this problem intelligently,” Stenman said, making certain it sounded like a directive. “I do not want anything to happen to Neil that might reflect back on me. Understood?”

To her surprise, Carlos spun in anger. “We do what we have to, Senora Stenman. It is more than just your interests at stake.”

“Carlos,” Sarah reprimanded, “do not forget with whom you are speaking. Morgan Stenman is a great person. She is our friend.” Turning to Stenman, Sarah continued, “I am sorry. This is not like Carlos. He is upset that we have lost contact with Mr. Neil.”

“Perdoneme, Senora Stenman,” said Carlos. “I spoke unnecessarily.”

“Do not screw with me, Carlos, or underestimate me.” Stenman’s voice was like a deep freeze, and the room grew frigid. “And do not speak to me in such a manner ever again.”

“We will uncover the truth,” Sarah explained. “But you must trust our instincts.”

“And you must trust mine,” Stenman replied, still furious. “I prefer to continue grooming Peter Neil, but I am not in love with the notion. This has gotten complex, and I do not like that. Remember what you said about Howard Muller: he is dangerous because he does things without reason. Do not forget that lesson, either of you.”

Carlos’ crooked lips trembled. “I will not forget,” he said. “Anything.”

After Sarah and Carlos left, Stenman summoned Howard Muller. He arrived a half-hour later. Stenman recounted to him the day’s events.

“Why wasn’t I part of that meeting?” Muller drew his eyes together.

“Because our friends do not respect you, and because you have lost your objectivity.”

“Who does Nunoz think he is? Scarface acts so polite, then calls us names in Spanish as if we won’t figure out we’re being insulted. He thinks everybody’s afraid of him.”

“Thinks they are afraid? Don’t be asinine, Howard. He is dangerous. So is Sarah Guzman.”

“I’m capable of doing as much damage as those two. Maybe we should sever our relationship with them. We don’t need her money—you’ve got plenty coming out of Eastern Europe.”

She rotated her head and blew smoke towards a window. “No. Sarah Guzman is the most viciously intelligent woman I have ever known. We will continue together unless she breaks the trust first.”

“As for Neil,” Muller said, “I happen to agree with Nunoz. Whatever his mother knew or took is floating around like a time-bomb. And don’t forget, I’ve touched nearly every damn peso, drachma, and ruble that’s moved into our funds. I’m the one who finds the places to backtrade. The one who talks to our contacts. If Neil’s mother hid anything substantive, it’s my ass that’s fried first. You want my opinion: find another Zerets and have him hunt Neil down. End it, once and for all.”

“You wear your hatred for everyone to see,” Stenman said. “Perhaps you hear the footsteps of a bright young man, ready to take over.”

“Neil is less than nothing. What I don’t like is someone having information that’s going to get me investigated by the SEC for the next fifty years.” Muller stood up and towered over Stenman. “How do we know he hasn’t turned anything over to the government already?”

“Simple: where are the subpoenas? And, according to Freeman Ranson, nothing in or out of the SEC or the Justice Department related to Peter Neil.”

“We should nail Neil anyway. I’d love to be the one—”

“Drop it,” Stenman said.

Howard Muller dropped the line of conversation, but not the fantasy. He had a plan, inspired by Nunoz and Guzman. He spun his head, grinned, and imagined the look of terror on Neil’s face. His plan was genius in its simplicity, he thought.

And he hoped his plan did become necessary.