Blood Money Read online

  Mark left the car in the driveway, got the mail from the box and scanned it for anything that might be important. He entered the house through the side door, stopping only to disarm the alarm, drop the mail on the kitchen table, grab two bottles of Miller Genuine Draft from the fridge and head on down the stairs to his office. He had no specific plan in mind. He was in the fact-finding mode. This was the way he usually approached a new assignment.

  The computer/internet is vital to the work of a private investigator. Locating people, job candidates, tenant screening and competitive intelligence and prepping for legal cases are just a few of the many reasons a PI needs a good computer network. It’s not just about having a lot of expensive hardware or software. There’s an old saying that goes, “It isn’t the size that counts, it’s how you use it.” This certainly applies to computer configurations.

  He keyed in “National Rare Blood Association” and got thirty-seven matches. He spent the next hour wading through their web site, which included a plethora of self-serving references to the organization and the contribution they made to the world, including speeches by Dr. Elliott Gorton, one of the original founders of the Association. Mark made several attempts with encryption equipment to enter their corporate computer system. The result was either a “NO MATCH” or “PASSWORD REQUIRED.” Normally he would spend more time and try more approaches, but realized that he would just be going down the same road that Thurston’s system’s guys must have taken, with the same inevitable results. What he needed to do was to get past the firewalls and into the systems that are an integral part of their day-to-day operations.

  The NRBA was not using a basic “package,” as far as he could discern. Access to their computer files, other than from in-house, was logically limited to participating Blood Banks making a specific inquiry or reporting blood donation transactions. These entries would be strictly controlled, requiring the use of appropriate passwords. It was obviously a “members only” operation, and he wasn’t welcome.

  Mark’s expertise was in finding things, mostly people and money. He used public records in his work. The key being the knowledge, acquired over time, of what was out there and how to access the information. When the situation required it, he used some of the software acquired during his stint in Washington. His new Marshall-Mason D-777 encryption machine gave him access to places where he was not always supposed to be. He was not an expert in this area at all. Those who are devote their lives almost exclusively to the science, either in building unbreakable codes or in penetrating someone else’s, sometimes both. Mark spent another half hour trying different schemes to get into their system. He finally realized that he was just spinning his wheels. What he needed now was a level of expertise much greater than his, and he knew just where to turn to get it. He knew only one person who could navigate this slippery slope. A person who had created software that can penetrate the most elaborate firewalls ever designed. He did not have a “bat phone” to use at times like this, but he did have the closest thing to it; a cell phone that conveniently had Susan Harrigan’s number stored as number one in its memory.

  *

  Susan was one of Mark’s teammates at the Pentagon. She specialized in Computer Science and excelled in creating software that acted as an “open sesame” to otherwise inaccessible files. Sue and Mark had talked on the phone once or twice a year since she moved back east from San Diego. He pressed the button. It rang three times.

  “Mark?”

  “Irish!” It was his pet name for Susan.

  “When was the last time I heard from you, about six months ago?”

  “Has it been that long?”

  “It certainly has. So what have you been up to, big guy?”

  “The usual. I’m busy building up a pretty comfortable pre-employment screening business. Most companies are being extremely cautious about hiring nowadays, and from some of the things I’ve uncovered, they‘ve got good reasons to be. How are things up there in Hudson, or do you simply refer to it as “God’s country?”

  “Kind of slow right now. I just finished setting up a program for the Ohio State Police that speeds up checks for prior drug arrests. It scans the files of all 50 states in about fifty minutes. So far, drug arrests are up over 22%.” She stopped for a second. “Am I right in guessing that you called because you need my help with something?”

  “Right you are, and it will probably be the greatest technological challenge you have ever faced in your life.”

  “Boy, you sure do know how to sweet talk a girl.”

  “I‘m serious. You will really love this one. I can’t talk about it over the phone, Sue. What are the chances of meeting you somewhere between here and there? Do you remember when we attended that seminar in Mansfield, the one we attended at the Conference Center there?”

  “That rings a bell. I’m sure I can find it.”

  “Well there’s a Denny’s across from where the classes were held. I think we had lunch there one of the days. They have a dining area in the back of the restaurant where groups sometimes hold meetings. We can have complete privacy there. We could grab a bite to eat and I’ll show you the problem. I think you’ll be completely fascinated by it. What do you say?”

  “I’ve got to admit you’ve got me curious. Am I right in thinking that you’re looking at this weekend? That’s the soonest I can make it.”

  “That would be great. Say about eleven on Saturday morning. I’ll meet you inside the restaurant.”

  “You got a date,” she replied.

  “You won’t have any problem finding it. It’s right there on North Lexington. I’ll see you then.”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”

  Mark looked at the phone for a few seconds before hitting the “end” button, sorry that the call was over. It was great to hear her voice again.

  Susan was only about a three to four hour drive away. She had been back in the area for almost four years now. He wondered how he let that much time slide by, especially with the history they once had as a couple back in their Washington days. Memories suddenly flooded into his consciousness. He gave way to them.

  CHAPTER 4

  1997

  Chuck Mason was Mark’s buddy and roommate in Washington, D.C. They were into Clinton‘s last term. Chuck was a Computer Science major at college. He was on the “Hide & Seek” team, working closely with the other Computer Science member, Susan Harrigan. Colonel Carter held weekly staff briefings with the five of them. It was one of the few times in their work week that they had an opportunity to interact, the Pentagon being a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. Mark was attracted to Susan, but she seemed a bit stand-offish. It wasn’t until the sixth month on the job that he had a real opportunity to socialize with her. She and Chuck were working together on a project that required long hours. One night, Chuck called Mark from a pub around the corner from their apartment. He accepted the invitation to join them for a late dinner and a few drinks. It had been a particularly long day for him, and he had completely forgotten about eating. Chuck was engaged to a Virginia socialite, so Mark knew that he did not have a romantic interest in Susan, so he wouldn’t be getting in the way of anything going on between the two of them.

  Thanks to the ambiance of the pub and the time of day, he began to see Susan in a new light. She was not only a real knockout physically, but she also had a very bubbly personality that she apparently made a point of putting on hold during work hours. At the weekly staff meetings she was always very businesslike, sometimes almost gruff. Chuck seemed to pick up on Mark’s change of heart. Near the end of the meal he suddenly remembered that he needed to call his fiancé. He hurried through his meal, tossed some money on the table and excused himself. Susan and Mark both saw through his charade, but neither seemed to mind too much. They finished their meals and ordered after-dinner drinks. Nothing happened between them right away. They saw each other for dinner a few times during the next three weeks. They were both very busy on new p
rojects that did not allow much time for social activities or dating.

  That all changed one Wednesday, when Mark asked Susan if she would like to go away for a weekend. It turned out that Chuck had a friend with a Bed & Breakfast in nearby Virginia that was located on a beach. They had a cancellation and had offered it free of charge to Chuck. He was going to be busy that weekend, and immediately thought about the two of them. When Mark invited her, Susan was excited about the idea and even volunteered that it was probably time for them to elevate their relationship to the next level. With that encouragement, Mark told Chuck to make the arrangements for them.

  Bye the Sea was a new B & B. The couple who owned it built it on a small piece of oceanfront that was left to them in her father’s will. Art Benning, a retired New York City cop, and his wife Joan, a retired New York City school teacher, were the proud owners. Together, their retirement income was more than enough to live on. That meant that they could use their savings to build and operate Bye the Sea the way they wanted to, without being restricted by the bottom line. If they broke even that would be fine with them, because they had a roof over their heads and were doing what they had long dreamed of doing. The amenities they offered went beyond the meals and a room so customary at B & B’s. They included king sized beds, bathrooms in every room, a large communal hot tub, both breakfast and dinner and free tickets for sightseeing boats. They had a very loyal following. Their rooms were booked for the entire season, which they sometimes extended when the weather was favorable. Mark and Susan were indeed fortunate that a room had opened up, not to mention that the whole weekend was free. They arrived around seven on Friday night. The ride there was scenic and the weather couldn’t have been any nicer. The sun was just going down when they arrived at the inn. The room that Art had reserved for them was his best. It had an unobstructed view of the ocean and a private patio with lounge chairs. It was sure good to have friends who had good friends. Art showed them to the room and told them that dinner would be served in about twenty minutes. They unpacked quickly and showed up at the dinner table just as Joan was bringing in a roast. Art walked around the table and poured a Merlot into the glasses of the twenty guests. Joan returned to the kitchen several times to pick up three bowls of vegetables and several loaves of warm, sliced sourdough bread. Everyone introduced themselves and clinked their glasses to the “here’s to a great weekend” toast. Both the food and the company were superb. Dinner was topped off with homemade apple pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

  In spite of the great food and delicious wine, Mark started to lose his concentration about halfway through the meal. His mind was racing ahead to how the night would probably end. The thought of the “next level” excited him. The Bennings had seated the couples across from each other at the table. Every time he looked at Susan she smiled back. He could see a special look in her eyes, or at least that’s what he thought he was seeing. He wondered how he could ever make it up to Chuck for making this weekend possible. He owed him big time.

  They left the dining room soon after dessert was served, passing through the French doors onto the beach. It was a beautiful star-studded night. The full moon cast a romantic glow over the beach. The whitecaps glistened on the sand, ebbing and flowing to the rhythm of their short lifespan.

  “It’s such a beautiful night, Mark. I’m so glad we were invited here.”

  “It is really beautiful, isn’t it?”

  They walked hand-in-hand for a few minutes, then stopped as they reached the shoreline. Mark turned to look at her standing there at the water’s edge. He thought how the most skilled of photographers could not have posed her any better than Mother Nature was now doing. Her emerald eyes sparkled like gemstones, her shimmering red hair glowed against the backdrop of her white silk blouse. He was at a loss for words for one of the few times in his life. It took a few moments for him to regain his composure.

  “I wish you could see yourself through my eyes right now. You are such an incredibly beautiful woman.”

  In the moonlight, he saw her soft white skin darken at least one shade. “Thank you for saying that, Mark. You’re looking very handsome tonight, yourself.”

  Now his face reddened a bit. He reached out and drew her closer, cupping her face in his hands. As their lips touched, their tongues met and they anxiously explored one another. She tasted sweet at first, but after a few moments he could also taste the saltiness of the sea air. How perfect, he thought, sweet and sour…the very essence of life. They stopped to catch their breath and looked at each other. When their eyes met, Mark and Susan knew that the time was right. Hand in hand they headed back to the inn. Within seconds of reaching their room they were all over each other, grabbing, groping and disrobing until they fell together on the bed. Once again their tongues entered into the passion of discovery. He didn’t turn on any lights. The moon’s rays, shining through the skylight, were already casting a romantic glow over their naked bodies, the shadows playfully highlighting the natural peaks and valleys. Her sensual kisses and the feel of her body under him pushed him to his limit. He wanted to be slow and gentle, but he couldn’t wait another minute. He penetrated her more quickly and forcefully than he had intended. She moaned softly as he entered her, but he could feel her body meeting his, pulsating with the rhythm of his strokes. She wanted his love as much as he wanted hers. Her legs wrapped around his waist as the rhythmic motion of their lovemaking continued. They both climaxed within seconds of each other and fell, exhausted.

  After a few minutes she whispered softly in his ear, “I hope you won’t think me rash, but I think I’m falling in love with you, Mark.” She waited for his response.

  “Not at all. I’ve got the same feelings, Sue. I can honestly say that I’ve never felt quite this way about anyone before.”

  “I feel all tingly inside. It’s such a wonderful feeling.”

  She turned her face away, and he saw that she was wiping tears from her eyes.

  “Then, why are you crying? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m crying because I’m so happy. I never imagined making love with someone could be so beautiful. I feel so alive inside.”

  Mark cradled her head on his shoulder and kissed her ear. He knew exactly what she meant, but surely could not have expressed it quite that well.

  They showered together, giving each the chance to explore parts of the other’s body that had been overlooked during the lovemaking. He saw her as his Venus de Milo, his favorite work of art, to be loved and cherished. After they dried each other off, they returned to the bed thoroughly exhausted and drifted off to sleep, locked in each other’s arms.

  Mark woke up first. The bright sunlight had replaced the moonlight of a few hours earlier. He slipped on a robe and walked over to the window. It looked like a great day was dawning. He turned to look at her naked body, his eyes moving to her breasts and stopping. As he stood there admiring her, Susan opened her eyes. She could tell where he was looking. She raised herself up on the pillows and cupped her hands under her breasts, raising them up for him to see them better. “Which one do you like the best?” She slithered playfully back and forth, sort of taunting him. She reminded him of Cat Woman; so kittenish. He would have never imagined Susan to be so sexually playful. Of course, he had no complaints! He walked over to the bed. “I’m going to have my hands full making this decision,” he quipped, as he replaced her hands with his. There would, however, be no decision making at this time. Another part of Mark’s anatomy was about to interrupt, and it was being very insistent. They joined together very tenderly. This time, since both knew how it would end, they were in no hurry to get there. The pleasurable feelings along the way would be savored this time. Minutes passed as the tension of their passion heightened. Once again, they reached the climax within seconds of each other. As the feelings began to recede in his body, Mark raised himself to his elbows and looked down at her. Sue’s breasts were glistening orbs; drenched both from his saliva and the sweat of their pas
sion. “I’m afraid I just can’t make any decision right now. Would it be all right if I came back to judge them another time?”

  “You’re welcome to check on them any time you want. It’s a lifetime offer,” she replied with a smile. “I want you to be sure, so take your time deciding. There is absolutely no need to rush to judgment. I want you to be absolutely sure.”

  *

  It should be no surprise that they were the last guests to show up for breakfast. Joan offered fresh eggs, any style. She had hotplates set out with bacon, sausages and French Toast, with an assortment of sweet rolls, jams and jellies also set out. This place was going to be Mark’s Denny’s for the weekend.

  *

  Saturday and part of Sunday were spent walking the beach a lot, kissing a lot and returning to their room to make love every way they knew how and a few they just stumbled upon. He had never known anyone like Susan. He couldn’t even imagine being lucky enough to find someone like her. Mark was flying high. It was by far the best weekend of his life. He wished that it would never end. But alas, Sunday afternoon they had to say goodbye to the Bennings.

  “We had such a wonderful weekend. You both made us feel right at home. You have a really beautiful place here.”

  “We’re so happy you liked it. Please say hello to Chuck, and don’t you two be strangers,” Joan answered.