Blood Money Read online

  “I understand exactly what you’re looking for, and I‘ve offered you a very plausible solution. Look at your internal operations and you are sure to find the culprit. I don’t see what else I can do for you.”

  At this point, the niceties were over for John. “Let me remind you, Ms. Harrigan, that we’re dealing with a criminal act here. As you can see, we have already made good progress in determining what happened yesterday. We are very close to finding out who is responsible, and when we do, they will be prosecuted. So if you have any information at all about how our files were hacked, now is the time to tell me.” He sat back in his chair as if he expected a full confession. Deep down, of course, he knew that that was not going to happen. It wasn’t going to be that easy for him.

  “Mr. Portman,” Susan began. The kid gloves were off now; she was getting annoyed by his smug demeanor. “I don’t know how you usually deal with people, but I can assure you that I don’t appreciate your coming into my place of business and questioning our ethics and my integrity. There are a lot of nasty people out there who, for whatever reasons, get their kicks breaking into business and government computers. Some do it just for the mayhem they can cause. Some do it for profit, or sometimes just for the personal satisfaction of knowing they can do it. I can assure you that no one at Cybernetic Solutions falls into any of these categories. We are too busy running a business here. We have no time for recreational mischief. So, I suggest you leave my office now. If you wish to pursue this matter any further, it will have to be in the presence of my attorney. Good luck with your search, I truly hope you catch them. But you are barking up the wrong tree. Good Day, Mr. Portman!” She got up from her desk and gestured for him to leave.

  He clapped his hands in mock applause. “That was a very nice speech, Ms. Harrigan. Bravo! I’m really impressed. You should take up acting, you would be very successful at it. Okay, I’ll leave for now, but you can be sure that this matter is far from being closed. I know that you and your company are involved somehow. When I get the proof, I’ll be back. Next time I’ll have the police with me.” He got up and left her office. He ignored the “Have a nice day,” offered up by the receptionist and stormed out the front door.

  John went back to his car. He was livid. There was no doubt in his mind that Susan Harrigan was the culprit. He called Mel on the special phone. “I just left that Harrigan bitch. If she wasn’t so damned beautiful, I’d swear she was sporting a really big pair of brass cahones between her legs. She is involved in this, I can feel it. What did you find out?”

  “I can’t find a thing on Phoebes, except some minor run-ins with the police for civil disobedience.” He continued, reluctantly, “You’re not going to like what I found on Susan Harrington. Her company looks legit. They have an exceptional reputation in the industry. They price right and deliver a quality product on time. As for her personally, she worked for the government in Washington, D. C. right after she finished graduate school. Then she partnered with a guy out in San Diego for a few years before going solo in Hudson. She supposed to be very bright, does a lot of consulting, some teaching and magazine editing. I hate to rain on your parade, John, but she looks squeaky clean to me. I think that you may be wrong about her.”

  Mel knew John well enough that he could say that to him. They had some special projects going on with one of the members of the Governing Board that made them more that just boss and employee. The shady nature of their relationship made them more like partners in crime.

  “I’m not wrong, damn it,” John shot back. “She’s the one and I am going to nail that bitch to a cross. She’ll be sorry she ever messed with me. Give me her phone numbers and her home address for now. Put everything else in a file for me and hold it until I get back. If Paul Matheson or anyone else asks about me, tell them you are having trouble reaching me. Blame it on a faulty cell phone. The fewer people that know what is going down, the better. And what about the local support matter?”

  Mel gave him the information on Susan and the name of a company they used a few years back to track down a gang of youths that broke into their Cleveland Laboratory and stole thousands of dollars in equipment. The company was able to accomplish what the local police weren’t able to. Portman recognized the name immediately. He smiled as he wrote down the name and phone number. He had worked with them personally at the time. These were definitely his kind of people. They would get the answers he was looking for, there was no doubt in his mind. Susan Harrigan was messing with the wrong people this time. She would rue the day she took John Portman on as an adversary.

  “One more thing, Mel. Ask around and see if there have been any unusual queries or complaints anywhere in the Association during the last six months. There has to be some reason someone wanted that file. This was not just mischief. Somebody wanted this file real bad. It might be right under our noses and we just don’t see it.”

  “Sure, John. That’s a good thought, I’ll check on it. Is there anything else I can do?”

  “Well, yes, there is. Run a check on Dr. Cartwright, too. See what he’s up to these days. Somebody is masterminding this. It could be him looking for revenge. He didn’t seem like the type to me, but who knows. I’ve seen stranger things than that over the years.”

  “I will get right on it, John.”

  “Thanks, Mel. I’ll talk with you later. I’ve still got a lot to do out here. I want to wrap this up within the next few days. The longer it takes, the harder it will be to get people to talk.”

  He was going to have to work fast. He knew exactly who to turn to for help.

  CHAPTER 15

  Susan was feeling uneasy after Portman’s visit. Her world seemed to be unraveling. Her usual confident demeanor had been undermined by the revelation that Portman knew that she was responsible for the hacking of their files. He had no proof, but she read him as the kind of man who would act on suspicion alone. Sue left the office and drove to a nearby shopping center to call Dennis Peterson on a clear line. The phone rang twice before he answered.

  “This is Susan. Did you get the file I sent this morning?”

  “I sure did. Great work, Susan! I turned the information over to the ‘Operation-Stop Gap’ team. They were very impressed. They’re working with Justice to build a case as we speak. When the subpoenas are ready, they will only have to clear everything with the White House, but I expect that to be a slam dunk. In the interim, we are already setting up raiding parties in every city where they operate. This is going to be the biggest roundup we’ve had in the last seven years. Just be patient.”

  “How long do you think it will take for them to get the subpoenas? If the NRBA suspects anything is up, or if there is a leak, they will destroy the evidence and we’ll have no case. I have no way of authenticating those records once they sweep their files. They’re already on a high state of alert, based on what I gleaned from Portman.”

  “I know that, Susan. Unfortunately, the wheels of justice move slowly most times. They have to check everything out first. You know the drill. Every ‘i’ must be dotted and every ‘t’ crossed before they will move. One mistake and the whole case could be lost. After years of waiting patiently, they aren’t going to blow it now by rushing into anything. That’s just the way it is. Tell me, how are things holding up at your end? How did it go with Portman?”

  “Well, things have gotten a bit complicated over here. Unfortunately, Portman knows that the hacking of the blood donor records came via Central Data Processing of Mansfield. He also knows that Cybernetic Solutions created and maintains their software. He is dead sure that I am involved. He flat out accused me of being responsible.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that, Susan. How could he possibly trace anything to Mansfield? You told me that you circumvented the customary data routes.”

  “It was a real fluke. They were doing some testing on their system at the time we went in, and they were able to see which data bank records we used. Can you imagine what the odds are of that happening? T
hey can’t trace it to Mark’s computer, though, I’m quite sure of that. Portman figures that I’m the logical suspect. Of course, he has no proof, just suspicions. He left in a real huff, full of threats about bringing in the police and all that good stuff. He seems to get real mean when he doesn’t get his way.”

  “I wonder what his next step will be. Did he give you any indication of where he’s going with this?”

  “Not directly. I tried to aim suspicion back at his own internal systems operation, but I don’t think he was buying it. Right now he’s convinced he knows where the hack originated. He’s sure that I did it, but he doesn’t know why. He seems to be more interested right now in proving that I am the culprit, because he feels that that is his link to finding out why it was done and who put me up to it. I can’t even imagine the scenarios he is working on. So, unfortunately, I think he is going to be around for a while. I expect that sooner or later he’ll be back here with a subpoena to examine our records. I can’t really see a judge issuing one, but who knows. Actually, the court process would just give us more time. There is nothing here for him to find, anyway. The big problem is that he operates too much on his instincts, making him unpredictable. That’s why I need Justice to move quickly. Once the NRBA records are confiscated, Portman will have a lot more to worry about than who hacked his precious file. I’ll be happy when that time comes.”

  “Should I get Justice to talk to anyone in the courts over there? Maybe we can delay any action on his part; tie him up somehow. We could even conjure up a reason to pick him up. That would take him out of the picture for a while”

  “I’d rather you didn’t. It might arouse more suspicions. Actually, I’d rather have him busy with lawyers and judges than conducting personal investigation into our activities. There have been too many innocent people involved in this thing already. I want this all to be over as much as you do, but for now, let’s just let sleeping dogs lie.

  “Okay, it’s your call, but if you change your mind, call me. I don’t like the idea of him threatening you personally. Should I send you some protection? It might be a wise course of action, given the circumstances. It would only be for a short time. I could have somebody there in thirty minutes.”

  “Oh, I don‘t think so, Dennis. I’m not in any physical danger. John Portman doesn’t strike me as a physical threat, as far as I can see. He’s just a normal man. I could tell by the way he was eyeing me during our meeting that he can be easily distracted. Anyway, even if he does convince a judge to issue a subpoena for our development files, he won’t find anything. I sense that John Portman is the type that enjoys being a bloodhound. Actually, truth be known, I admire his tenacity. He’s done a great job getting this far. But, unfortunately for him, time is running out. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes when that empire comes falling down, especially being away from headquarters when it all happens.”

  “Well, be very careful, Sue. If you change your mind about protection, or if you need anything at all, call me. I’m here for you.”

  “I will, Dennis. Thank you! See what you can do about speeding up the ‘Wheels of Justice.’ That would make me the happiest.” She hung up the phone, feeling a little better now. Running through the scenario with Dennis helped put her mind at ease.

  She returned to the office intent on resuming her normal work schedule. The pile of correspondence on her desk was crying out for her attention. Her special assignment for Dennis Peterson had shifted her attention away from Cybernetic Solutions for too long. It was time to get back to the business at hand. She owed that much to her staff.

  * * *

  At six o’clock, Mark shut off his alarm and rolled over for another hour of sleep. The early morning call from Susan threw him off schedule, but at eight-thirty he was sitting in his favorite booth at Denny’s waiting for his Extreme Grand Slam breakfast, all the time thinking about how Susan would scold him if she were there. She would be enjoying her single piece of lightly buttered toast and shaking her head back and forth as he downed the sausages and bacon. The waitress left a carafe of fresh coffee on his table. As he enjoyed his third cup of coffee, his mind drifted back to Susan. She sounded so ambiguous on the phone earlier. That wasn’t the Susan he knew. He was looking forward to her call that night. Maybe he could convince her to meet him on the weekend. He could motor up to Hudson and they could spend some time together. Maybe even go on over to Cleveland to see the Rock & Roll hall of fame; that would be neat. They both could use some time off to celebrate their success. Mark finished breakfast, ordered more coffee to take out and headed to his office, well fortified for the challenges of the day.

  CHAPTER 16

  All that was on John Portman’s mind was finding a way to make Susan Harrigan admit she was responsible for stealing the donor file, and to uncover the reason. He made the decision to hire some local help. John was on his way to a meeting with Dick Schaeffer. Dick’s company, On Guard did bodyguard work in the greater Cleveland area. When called upon to do so, On Guard also engages in special jobs that require talents that are often beyond the scope of their bodyguard license. When John called, Dick chose Beefy’s, a fast food place with outside tables, for their meeting. They both ordered their burgers and cokes and took them to a table at the back of the terrace for both shade and privacy. They had done business together a few years back when a group of punk kids broke into the local NRBA Lab. At the time, the police department suspected that a local gang was involved, but were unable to apprehend any of the gang members. John enlisted the help of Dick Schaeffer. Within a week, the case was solved when one of the gang leaders met with a fatal accident. After that, three other gang members were dumped, bound and gagged on the steps of a police station. They confessed to the break-in and told police where to find the stolen equipment. On Guard proved that they knew how to get a job done properly.

  “It’s good to see you again, Dick. How have things been going for you?”

  “Not so good, lately, John. It’s the economy.

  “Then I think I have something for you. I’m having a problem with a woman out in Hudson. I’m positive that she was responsible for hacking into our computer files. I need to find out who put her up to it. The information can’t be of any value to her personally, as least as far as I can see, so there has to be somebody else behind it. It has to be somebody big. I had a little chat with the lady this morning at her office. Of course, she denies knowing anything about it, but everything still points to her. The thing is, I don’t have time to deal with her through the courts. I’m not even sure that I have enough evidence to convince a judge to grant a subpoena. I need answers right away. That’s where you come in. I need her snatched, I need her to talk, and it has to be done today”

  “Today? That‘s not possible, John. I’ve got to have more time than that. This isn’t something you can do on the spur of the moment. I have to have the right men for a job like this. It’s way too risky to rush into. I need at least two or three days to do the job right. You know that.”

  “I don’t have that kind of time, Dick. Look, would twenty-five grand in cash change your mind? It will take you less than two days. You can take her to that warehouse on Patterson that you used last time. That office still has electric service, and the surrounding buildings are all vacant now. It’s the perfect set-up for what we need to do. There is easy access and no one around to bother you. I just need a couple of men that can pick her up, bring her to the warehouse and make her talk. She will be of no value to me once I find out what I need to know, so there will be no loose ends left behind to connect you to her. It will be a clean job and some quick money. What do you say?”

  Schaeffer looked interested now. “Well, I do know two guys. I’ve used them before for snatch and interrogate work. They come as a team, and they’re very good at what they do. I’m sure that they would get the job done for you.” He thought for a minute. “Look, John, let me make a few calls to see if they’re even available. Give me some time. I’m not promising any
thing, but I will do my best to put something together for you. Meet me back here in two hours, okay?” He reached out to shake hands.

  “Sure, Dick, that’ll work.” He shook Dick’s hand. “You’ve never let me down. I’ll see you back here at three, then.”

  John threw his wrappers and cup in the trash barrel and went back to his car. He had time to kill, so he headed back toward his motel. He needed time anyway, to plan out his next move. On the way, it occurred to him that he had Susan’s home address. This would be a perfect time to check out her neighborhood. It would probably be easier to grab her at her house than at a busy business complex where there would be dozens of witnesses. He made a stop at a gas station for directions to her neighborhood and drove to her condo.

  Susan’s condo development was called “The Withers”. Her ranch was at the end of a four-unit cluster. There was a ranch at both ends, with a pair of two story town houses in the middle. They were all connected with common walls. The siding was all painted the same beige color with a dark brown trim. Her double garage extended out from the front of the building on the left side, creating a wall up to the front door. John noted that it also provided a natural shield from prying eyes. Trees and shrubs on an empty lot next door shielded the right side. He couldn’t have planned a better setup. It was a perfect setting for an abduction. It should go off without a hitch. John was elated.

  CHAPTER 17

  Dealing with John Portman had drained Susan emotionally. She finally gave into the feeling of exhaustion She kept worrying about having involved innocent people in what was turning out to be a potentially dangerous situation. The project was in the “eleventh hour,” which for her was always the time when the adrenaline started pumping, adding to her edginess. She closed her eyes and tried to center herself, but she was too hyped-up to go there.