“What do you remember about the Bahn-Kart Corporation other than Stoffer and Hendley?” Judge Jenkins asked Matt.
“How do you know—”
“I was listening in to your conversation with Philip,” she interjected. “We don’t have much time. I’m particularly interested in the Board members.”
“They were included among the documents but quite honestly my focus was Stoffer and Hendley. What’s this all about?”
“You said there was a letter included. Was it addressed to you? And did you open it?”
“Yes, but I didn’t open it. I hoped to do that after the meeting this morning.”
“Good.” Judge Jenkins pursed her lips. “Sir Reginald appears to have been the honcho of that haven of depravity on his property. According to Philip, some interesting photos have turned up at his devil’s mansion.”
“Is that what it’s called now?” he asked.
She smiled. “That’s what I call it.”
“I’ve heard about the most recent photo findings, but I haven’t seen them yet.”
“Sir Reginald’s deviant club of chosen individuals appeared to have several benefits outside of coitus, namely social and business advantages. The glue that held them together was the knowledge that each had on the other. Those secrets meant power! And with it, each member would do anything for another member.” She sighed. “Really, they had no other choice if they wanted to keep their dirty little secrets hidden. And there lies the rub. Someone deliberately changed that dynamic.” She gave him a scrutinizing look. “Have you heard of Titan Research?’
“Should I have?” inquired Matt, puzzled by her question.
“No, not really. They’re a short-selling firm. If you’re not familiar with what short selling is, you soon will learn.” She pushed the button to begin the elevator’s ascent. “In a nutshell, I believe Bahn-Kart Corporation is party to a very large corporate con. Fraud. How large? And who it touches? At this stage I don’t know.” She continued with a shrug. “And I don’t have enough intel to prove it, yet.”
“Does Philip know about this?”
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out.
“His ambitions would get in the way. They would likely have a compromising effect on any investigation. Make it very untidy. So, for the moment, we’ll keep it between you and me,” she replied.
He knew her to be a discerning and shrewd individual who did not suffer fools gladly and he needed to know why she had chosen him to share this information. “How—?” Matt abruptly bit back the question when he saw Blair Plummer exit the Commissioner’s office.
Blair recognized their presence straight away. “I wondered how long it would take for you to show up. The Commish and I placed bets on it.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “Oh, well! Not my lucky day!” He scoffed, peering at Judge Jenkins. “No need for the heavy artillery, Inspector.”
“What I don’t understand, Blair, is why the…” Matt stepped back his anger before he said something he might regret. “Why you thought you could just stroll into my office…”
“And take evidence off your desk that was so carelessly strewn about?” Blair interjected. “Because your boss,” he said, thumbing over his shoulder in the direction of the Police Commissioner’s office, “told me to. Unless you’ve forgotten, there’s a major murder investigation going on and that means all hands-on board.” He sat on the corner of his desk.
“You know full well whatever evidence I gathered would be pushed along the chain according to protocol,” snarled Matt.
Blair sneered. “Perhaps.” He appeared to be rethinking his reply. “Yes, I know it would with you. But I’ve found in my career that ambition too often happens along to twist it in a different direction,” he declared, shooting a quick glance at Judge Jenkins.
Yeah, like you, Matt thought, biting his tongue. “Well! Must I ask for it back?” He eyed what appeared to be the documents neatly arranged alongside a #11 brown legal-size envelope and the white unopened envelope siting on the desk behind Blair.
Blair hesitated before speaking. “Look, what you see behind me are copies. The originals were dusted for prints. Maybe something you should have done from the get-go?”
“Okay, okay!” Matt added. The remark stung. “Did you find anything?”
“Nothing,” declared Blair, reaching behind him, and giving Matt the documents. ”The Commissioner has the originals.”
“And the letter?” Judge Jenkins inquired.
“Hang on,” Matt interrupted. “Excuse me, Judge Jenkins.” He stared are Blair long and hard. “There are a number of pages missing!”
Blair appeared surprised by the accusation. “They should all be there,” he maintained. “I photocopied them myself.”
“The Board of Governor’s section is missing, and…” Matt flipped through more of the sections, “the dates and locations for Stoffer’s and Hendley’s business trips.”
“Did anyone other than you handle these copies?” enquired Judge Jenkins.
“Only Commissioner Granger,” replied Blair. “He kept the originals when they came back from the fingerprinting lab.”
Judge Jenkins headed toward the Commissioner’s closed office door.
“Oi! Where are you going?” Blair demanded, stepping in front of her.
Judge Jenkins stopped and gave him one of those get out of my way or I’ll run you over looks.
“He left in a hurry about twenty minutes ago.”
“Any idea where he was heading?” she asked. Blair shrugged. “Anything else missing?” she called out to Matt, side-stepping Blair and heading for his desk.
Matt took a few minutes to carefully peruse the documents. “Everything else appears here.”
“Then,” she announced, holding up the letter, “Matt, you should open this” She turned to face Blair. “By the way, Mister Plummer, did your boss handle this too?”
Blair hesitated. He appeared to be thinking. “Actually, for a time he had all of the documents.”
Judge Jenkins passed the envelope to Matt who quickly opened it.
“Well?” she enquired peering at Matt in anticipation.
He spread apart the slitted opening and turned the envelope upside down. “There’s nothing! It’s empty!” he barked, throwing it onto the floor.
The pinging sound behind him told him that the others had just arrived by elevator.