Seeking Truth: Part 4

A Sneaking Suspicion

Although things seemed to work out in my head, it always helped to take a few minutes to make sure everything checked out. Opening up a new text file, I began to type it out.

Someone wanted Vell dead, or something that would result from Vell's death. Whatever this person's motivation may have been, he or she planned to provoke Hayes to shoot Vell. Assuming that this person acted alone, or with minimal assistance, he or she switched Vell's cell phone with a one that has a gunshot ring tone. The phones were probably switched around the time of the incident, to ensure Vell wouldn't know the difference or otherwise wouldn't have a chance to investigate it. The person arrived at the scene early, and planted an explosive device on the building's circuit breaker. That person waited for Vell and Hayes to arrive, and once they did, called the police. The culprit detonated the device and put out all of the lights. Within two seconds, this person called Vell's new phone, causing the gunshot noise, and making Hayes think he was under attack. Hayes, understandably, shot at Vell. After killing Vell, Hayes left the scene as quickly as possible, being stopped and arrested less than a minute after he got outside. The suspect then left the scene and went to the police station, where he or she proceeded to fabricate the recording.

It seems like the pieces were finally coming together, but some were still missing. According to the police station log of who accessed the recording, there are only two possibilities for who edited the recording, Officer Shaw and Prosecutor Closeau. Of course, that depended on whether or not Detective Ingle was telling the truth. Additionally, there was still the possibility that the suspect didn't work alone. Motive and means were still missing as well. Why did someone want Vell dead? And who had the opportunity to switch his phone for another? And lastly, where is the switched phone now?

I thought about the last thing Luke had said before he left, that we could start checking on Closeau immediately. If Closeau really was involved, then even someone like him had to leave a trail somewhere. I thought back to those old mafia movies that used to be so popular. The bad guys always kept evidence of their crimes, usually either as trophies or to blackmail some of their rivals. Glancing at the clock, I noticed that I still had about twenty minutes or so before Luke and Lise would be back from lunch. Deciding to look into this myself, I crept out of Luke's office and scanned the entryway of the offices. The other attorneys were either tucked away in their offices, in trial, or at lunch, since there were only two secretaries in the room. Both of them seemed pretty busy, so I hunched over and crawled on all fours towards Closeau's office at the back of the room.

I had played my share of spy and thief games, so I knew a little bit about sneaking around, but those really weren't like the real thing. For example, in those games, the enemies typically followed a preset movement pattern, so you could time your movements. In reality, however, things were never that simple, as people could look around or change direction at any time. Plus, unlike those guards in Metal Gear Solid that don't seem to have any short-term memory whatsoever, people don't usually forget about unexplained sounds. Hence, I took my time moving from one desk to the next, waiting for the secretaries to focus their attentions on their computer screens.

I was tempted to breathe a sigh of relief after making it into Closeau's office, but didn't want to expose myself just yet. Getting in hadn't been any trouble at all, since the doors are rarely locked during the day, and Closeau's had been partially open. It was then that I realized, I didn't really know what to look for. Any sort of evidence for the case would be helpful, but where to look? I began by checking his computer, but a wiggle of the mouse revealed that it was password-protected, so that removed that possibility. He definitely wouldn't keep something incriminating in the open, or in a place where someone could accidentally find it...that probably ruled out his desk, and maybe the filing cabinets. Thinking of those old movies with book-levers that revealed hidden passages, I started to examine several of the books, before remembering that, while he was chief prosecutor, Closeau probably couldn't build a secret passage in a courthouse without drawing attention to himself. Then again, maybe he wouldn't have the evidence in his office at all. Perhaps it was in some security deposit box somewhere, or he may even be carrying it with him. There was no real way to be sure...but I had to keep looking. Turning my head slowly, I mentally made a list of potential places where he could have hidden something. First were the bookcases. While they may not be concealing hidden passageways, one or more of them could be a book-box. Second was his desk, since it had quite a few drawers, and a computer. Third were the filing cabinets in the corner – definitely not the most secure place, but they could probably conceal something to a casual observer. There had to be something more though...something that people wouldn't find through just a cursory examination. Thinking back to all the adventure books I had read, I began another list, one of hiding places that people had utilized successfully. One of the best I could think of was a situation in which the protagonist had hidden the important document underneath the newspaper covering the bottom of his pet bird's cage. As the list grew, a pattern began to emerge.

The best hiding places were those that were easily accessible, but so commonplace and unfit for holding something that no one would think to examine them. Usually behind things that either fit in or were taken for granted. With this in mind, I took another long look around the room. Finally though, I had the faintest glimmer of an idea. My eyes had locked on the one part of his wall that wasn't covered by a bookcase – the one that was covered in diplomas, certificates, and that fancy picture. My tail swaying anxiously, I quietly lifted each frame, feeling underneath for something, anything, until finally, I whispered, “Jackpot.” My tail and heart leapt as I carefully lifted the frame from the wall and saw my prize. Behind one of his diplomas was a small wall safe with a numeric keypad. So elated was I, that it wasn't for five seconds that I realized I didn't have the combination. My heart's leap had been answered with an even greater drop. For a moment I thought about pressing random buttons, hoping to get it right, but decided against it. I was no expert on these things, but I knew some security devices locked you out after a certain number of incorrect passwords, so I left the keypad alone and replaced the frame. Perhaps Luke or Lise would know what to do.

Luke! Sections of my fur stood on end as I hurriedly looked at my watch and saw that they would be back at any moment. I wasn't really worried about their reaction if they had found me in here. Luke knew what was going on, and had probably informed Lise. But the others...if Closeau found out I was in here and got back first, he would no doubt move or destroy whatever evidence may have been in that safe! No time for taking it slow, I had to get back to Luke's office on the double. A quick peek through the door crack revealed that one of the two secretaries was busy on her computer, and the other was talking to female lizard in a suit I had never seen before. As soon as the talking secretary looked away, I crawled through the door and ducked behind the typing secretary's desk. I really need to practice remembering people's names, I thought subconsciously as I moved, been here for weeks and I still don't know theirs. However, as soon as I had arrived, the lizard woman walked into Luke's office. Realizing that I definitely couldn't sneak back there without being spotted, I settled for the next best thing. While the two secretaries were distracted, I darted into the restroom. From the silence that followed through the doorway, I guessed that no one had seen me. Breathing a sigh of relief, this time audible, I conducted business as usual before calmly walking out of the restroom, in plain sight of the two secretaries. Even if they suspected something, there was no way for them to know I had been in Closeau's office, and there wasn't any harm in sneaking into the restroom. Confidently walking past them, I returned to Luke's office to meet this mystery woman.

Forming a plan

“Good afternoon,” she began crisply, in some foreign accent I couldn't quite place, as soon as I had stepped into the doorway. “I was expecting a wolf, not a fox, so I presume you are not Mr. Bradley?”

“That's correct ma'am. I'm his intern, Mark Nichols. It's nice to meet you, Ms.?”

“Tey, Ellen Tey,” she replied as she rose and vigorously shook my hand. Somewhere, I had heard that name before...again Luke's voice floated through my mind, 'All due respect to Ms. Tey...' He had been referring to the defense attorney in the case...which meant that I was now speaking to someone very important indeed.

“It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Tey. Luke went out to get some lunch, but he should be back any time now.”

“Now's a good a time as any,” came the carefree remark from the voice I recognized immediately. Turning, I saw Luke and Lise walking towards the office, slightly wet despite their umbrellas. “I assume we have a guest, Mark? Or have you taken up talking to yourself in our absence?”

Despite the stresses I had just experienced from my little act of espionage, Luke's arrival calmed them right away. “Yeah, Ms. Tey is here to see you.”

“Ah, good. I was beginning to think that she was ignoring my calls.”

Before he arrived at the door, however, I walked up to him and whispered, “I found something in Closeau's office,” before giving him the same signal he had given me that morning, to keep things quiet until we were back in safety. He gave a quick nod to show he understood, then walked into his office. “Good to finally meet you, Ms. Tey. Your reputation precedes you.”

While the two were exchanging introductions, I asked Lise, “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah,” she replied sullenly, “it's just...a lot to take in at once...to think that Mr. Closeau might have had something to do with this...”

“We'll get to the bottom of this...and hopefully prove that he's innocent. He may not be very nice, but he's an amazing attorney...definitely one of the good guys,” I caught myself, and added, “or so I hope.” Now that I thought about it, Closeau had been a prosecutor for years, and had put away several of the city's worst criminals. Could he really have sunk so low?

“Would you two care to join us?” called Luke from within his office. “I know my office isn't as nice as that hallway, but this does make conversation somewhat difficult.”

Lise sighed and entered, with me right behind her. Closing the door behind us, I leaned against the wall as the two women were seated.

“Alright, I believe I've explained this well enough in my messages, Ms. Tey, but I'll go over the case from the beginning if you'd like.”

“That won't be necessary, Mr. Bradley,” came her response, “your intern was kind enough to leave a very well-written summary on his computer screen here.”

While I appreciated the comment, I didn't exactly like that she had looked at my computer screen. Then again, I really hadn't tried to hide it at all, it was in plain view. Luke looked at me for a moment, then back to her, “Very well, if that's what you prefer, shall we discuss our strategy then?”

“That would be good,” she started, “but I believe this kind of discussion falls under privileged information?”

Luke paused for a moment, then looked between all of us. “If that's what it takes,” he answered, his voice revealing his irritation, “Mark, Lise, please don't consider me rude, but I suppose this will have to be private...”

Lise spoke first, “I understand, Luke, call me when you're finished. Come on, Mark,” she rose from her chair and led me out by my arm.

“What's going on, Lise?” I asked as soon as the door was closed behind her.

“I don't know what's going on right now, but I believe in Luke. I hope he's wrong, but the truth is the truth,” then after a moment of thought, she added, “no matter how hard it is to accept.” She took a deep breath, then continued in a whisper, “you found something in Closeau's office, didn't you? Show me.”

I didn't bother asking how she knew that. Her hearing was fast becoming legendary to me, so I just gave her a weak smile, then allowed her to lead me into Closeau's office.

“Boss left something in his office, and I need Mark here to help me find it,” she said as one of the secretaries looked up at her inquisitively.

As soon as she had closed the door behind us in Closeau's office, I walked over to the frame and lifted it to reveal the safe, asking “Any ideas as to what the combination may be?”

She didn't say anything for a second, taking it in before replying, “No. We don't even know how many digits there are, so it could be anything.”

Both of us stood there in silence for a few seconds, wondering what to do next. We had hit a dead end of sorts. Luke was busy, and we couldn't open the safe or get onto Closeau's computer. Finally, she broke the silence with, “Why don't you take off early today...there's not much more you can do around here, and I think they'll be busy in there for quite some time...”

I really hadn't expected that, and it showed in my reply, “But we're so close...and all the answers could be right in front of us...”

“I know,” she replied weakly, “but we're not going to find out his password or how to open that safe. Not today at least. Even with some ideas, password cracking software takes hours, even days to run, and unless we can figure out the code to that safe, we won't be able to get it open before the trial.”

“That's what I mean, we can look around here for some clue or something we can use to open it.”

She took a long look around the room, not unlike my own when I had crept in. “Alright...but just for ten minutes. We don't want them getting suspicious out there by overstaying our welcome.”

I gave a quick nod, then dove towards Closeau's desk, opening the drawers and looking for any numbers or words that might get us inside the safe or his computer. Lise moved to the first bookcase and began to look amongst the countless volumes for the same.

A minute passed, then two, then five, and Closeau's desk had yielded nothing. Lise had already gone over half of the bookcases, getting the same results. When our ten minutes had passed, I was looking through the second drawer in Closeau's file cabinet, and Lise had almost examined every bookshelf.

“Anything Mark?” she asked halfheartedly.

“No...nothing...” I conceded.

“Let's get going then,” she said with a sigh, “I'll continue to look later on, once the others have left, but we can't stay in here any longer,” she cautioned.

“Alright,” I began, trying to think of some other reason to stay longer. Ultimately, I couldn't think of anything, “well, let me know how things turn out. I'll see you Friday, Lise.”

“Yeah,” it was obvious she was still trying to wrap her head around the thought that Closeau was guilty, “goodbye Mark.”

The two of us stepped out of Closeau's office, shutting the door behind us. Lise returned to her desk while I walked back to Luke's office. Knocking on the door, he answered by opening it only a crack, “Something up?”

“I'm taking off for the day, as Lise says you'll be in there for a while.”

“And she's right,” came the fast answer, “we've got a lot to prepare for tomorrow. Ellen, would you mind handing me the laptop and the bag there? Thanks.”

Handing me my items through the door, he gave me a quick smile, and the promise, “Don't worry. We'll make sure it'll all work out.”

“Right...good luck tomorrow, Luke,” I responded, shaking his hand through the doorway and walking to the elevator. I don't know what he had planned, but it had better be good. Closeau would be back soon, and if he was indeed the guilty party, then we have to move fast before he suspects anything. On the way down in the elevator, I quietly said a prayer for him, since he would need all the help he could get over these next few days. Stepping out into the rain, I began to wonder what to expect on Friday, the day of the trial.

The final word

Lise's update email came to me during Criminology. A welcome relief compared to the class's current topic, Ted Bundy. Deciding that I had pretty much gotten the professor's message, I opened up my email and began to read:

“Mark,

“Luke's been making calls and driving around all day, trying to piece things together. As much as I hate to say it, it seems like Closeau is our chief suspect right now, since Shaw's been cleared. Surveillance camera footage around the police station matches the logs perfectly, so he couldn't have had time to fabricate the recording. We still aren't quite sure of Closeau's motive, but we did learn some very intriguing information about Vell and the Marestis. While I'm not sure of what exactly happens when you kill a member of a mob family, Luke's research indicates that it's pretty close to war. The organization Hayes represented, which we've found to be the Anubis Arms Corporation (AAC), will almost certainly be targeted by the Maresti family soon if this case goes south for him. As you can probably guess, the meeting between Hayes and Vell was probably to arrange a weapons deal. From what Luke's told me, he can't find anything about a clear motive for Closeau, but we do have a possibility. An old college friend of Closeau's, James Avery, is on the board of directors for an arms company that rivals AAC: Avery, Dover, and Smith Inc (ADSI). It's certainly a stretch, but within the realm of possibility that Closeau's actions were meant to sabotage the deal with AAC so that the Marestis would make one with ADSI. It's unlikely we'll get hard evidence of this any time soon, but Luke says not to worry about it. We've also received word from the police station. They've finished their analysis on the explosive from the crime scene, and it turns out that it was stolen from the police station.

“Oh yes, and there is some news on the cell phone. Luke's researched how Closeau might have switched it, and found out that it would actually be quite easy. Apparently most lower-ranking members of the Maresti family are issued cell phones from the family. Hence, given Vell's status, he had one of these standard-issue phones, and probably wouldn't have noticed at all if it had been switched. Luke has seen the safe, and he's guessing that at least the phone is inside it, but we can't say for sure.

“Hopefully we'll have better news for you by tomorrow, but we'll just have to see what happens in court, won't we? You'll be in courtroom 4B, but stop by the office first. Lise”

Things were finally drawing to a close. We now had the one thing we had been missing thus far, a motive, albeit a weak one. Of course, the one thing we were still missing was decisive evidence. Everything seemed to hinge on that phone. Was it in the safe? Were Luke and Lise any closer to opening it? I really couldn't say, but I hope Luke and Ms. Tey have a good plan for tomorrow. Everything would be riding on them.

Part 5: Seeking Truth: Part 5