Short Straw

Three

EAGLE HEADED STRAIGHT FOR THE GOVERNOR AND received him warmly. Since Eagle had been a steady contributor to the man's campaigns' first for congress, then for governor, the warmth was returned.

When that duty had been accomplished, he worked the crowd, shaking every hand, accepting compliments on his new quarters, charming everyone wherever he went. The crowd drank, ate, then thinned, and after he had pumped the last hand, he returned to his office, where the bank president and the chairman of his board awaited on his sofa.

"Fred, Arthur," he said, sitting down opposite them.

"I'll come right to the point, Ed," Fred said. "Arthur and I have canvassed every member of the board, we've talked to our attorneys, and we've consulted the state banking board. It's like this: Barbara was a signator on both accounts, though not an owner of the accounts."

"I know that, Fred."

"Therefore, the bank is not liable for her actions. We received a lawful instruction from her, and we complied. Barbara has stolen not from the bank, but from you. You're a lawyer; you should know that."

"I had forgotten Barbara was a signator on the firm account," Eagle said. "A year and a half ago, she reorganized our billing and payables, and we put her signature on the account at that time. We never removed it."

"I'm sorry we can't be of more help," Fred said. "I know this puts you in a temporary bind. We can do a short-term loan to help your cash flow situation. How's half a million?"

Eagle did some quick calculations. He had to finish paying for the work on the offices, nearly half a million; the party had cost fifty grand, and he had other payables, too. Also, he had to repurchase stocks to avoid taxes. "I'll need a million and a half, Fred," he said.

Fred and Arthur exchanged a glance. "That's above my lending limit, Ed; Arthur's, too. We'll have to go to committee."

"How long?"

"We meet every Wednesday. I can do the half-million immediately, if that helps."

Eagle nodded. He hated borrowing money. "Send me the note this afternoon." He stood up. "Thanks for your help, Fred, Arthur. I needn't tell you this has to be kept highly confidential, even from your board, if that's possible."

"They already know, Ed, from our discussions earlier today. I'll impress upon each of them the necessity of confidentiality."

"Thank you."

"I didn't get to tell you earlier," Fred said, "but the offices are magnificent, a credit to the community."

"Thank you, Fred." They shook hands and left.

Betty came in as soon as they were gone. "Russell Norris is on the phone."

Eagle picked it up and pressed the button. "Russell?"

"Ed, I'm afraid we're too late. If we'd known yesterday, I might have been able to intercept the funds."

"Oh."

"She bounced the money to Mexico City, just like her sister did a couple of years ago. It went to the Banco Internacional this morning; I might be able to do something there, depending on how fast she moves. It's Friday; I could be there when the bank opens on Monday morning."

"Barbara flew to Mexico City this morning, so she got there before the banks closed. She might have had time to move the money again."

"Does she know the details of the Willett business, what her sister did?"

"A rough outline. She knows we stopped the funds in the Caymans before they could go to Mexico. She might think they're safe in Mexico and not move fast."

"Then it's worth the trip," Norris said. "You want me to go?"

"Yes, please. Let me know something on Monday."

"I'm on it," Norris said, then hung up.

Eagle buzzed Betty. "Get me Cupie Dalton." Cupie was an ex-LAPD detective, now a P.I. who gained his nickname on the force because of his resemblance to the Cupie Doll: plump and pink.

"Hey, Ed, what's up?"

"I'll make it quick, Cupie. My wife ran off with a lot of my money; she landed in Mexico City this morning. She sent the money to the Banco Internacional there, so she may still be in town. I want you to find her. How's your Spanish?"

"My mother was half Mexican," Cupie said. "I get along. What do you want me to do when I find her?"

Eagle liked it that Cupie said "when," not "if."

"Follow her wherever she goes, and call me. Does your cell phone work down there?"

"Yep. I'll need five grand up front; you got the account number?"

"I do; it'll be there in an hour."

"Then I'll be in Mexico City by bedtime."

"Call me." Eagle hung up and buzzed Betty. "Wire Cupie Dalton five thousand."

"Have we got five thousand?"

Eagle winced. "Fred's putting half a million in the account this afternoon; somebody'll be here with a note soon."

"There's a kid with an envelope in reception now. Hang on."

A moment later, Betty came in with the note; Eagle signed it, wincing again at the interest rate, and she stuffed it back in the envelope and returned it to the messenger.

There was a rap on the office door. "Come in!" Eagle yelled.

Wolf Willett opened the door and came in. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here earlier," Wolf said. "I was held up in a meeting at Centurion Studios." He looked around. "The place is gorgeous."

"Thanks, Wolf. Sit down."

"You look beat. Big crowd?"

"Big crowd, but that's not why I'm beat."

"What's going on?"

"Your former sister-in-law left town this morning after wiring a little more than a million dollars of my money to an offshore bank. She's in Mexico City, I think."

"Oh, my God, Ed."

"Yeah."

"The good news is, I stopped another four million from being wired from my brokerage account before she got her hands on it."

"It's like Julia all over again, isn't it?"

"It is."

"I feel responsible; you'd never even have met Barbara if…"

"None of that, pal; we're both victims, that's all."

"Ed, I turned in the negative of my new movie this morning and got a big check. If you're short…"

"The bank will come through with some short-term money, I think. But thanks."

"If they don't, or if the terms are unacceptable, I'm good for a million or two."

Eagle grinned. "With a friend like you, who needs friends?"

"I mean it. I can actually write you a check on my brokerage account right now." Wolf patted his jacket pocket.

"Thanks anyway, but I'm okay. Can I buy you dinner tonight?"

"No, but I'll buy you dinner. Are Jane and Sara here?"

"No, Jane had some work to do this weekend. They're staying in L.A."

"It's just you and me, then."

"You and me."

"Santa Cafe at eight?"

"Sure, I'll book. I've got one more call to make, now; have a look around, and pardon all the dirty glasses."

"See you later." Wolf left, closing the door behind him.

Eagle picked up the phone and called the FBI.