Page 41 of Flash Freeze

“Nothing like that. Sorry. But here’s what I wanted to show you.” He put a bank statement on the big screen. “You’d expect Whitmore to run a shell company, have somewhere to hide money from the IRS, but this.”

She stepped closer, staring at details of an account containing nearly half a million dollars. “What am I looking at?”

“Allied Logistics, LLC,” Paulson said. “It has no physical address and only one person authorized to make deposits or withdrawals.”

That’s when she saw the name. “Justin Booker.” Her lips parted slightly as the implications unfurled. “I figured he had to be getting funds from somewhere to help carry his plant, since Whitmore wasn’t looking after them. But that’s a bigger pile of money than I expected to see. What’s he doing with it?”

Paulson flipped screens. “He purchased computers, some new hoses and coils, paid for vehicle maintenance, and handed out $1,000 to each employee on the payroll in December for the past three years.”

“He’s giving them their Christmas bonuses,” Athena mused. “So, Booker is embezzling from Whitmore to cover expenses the CEO should have to begin with. What about his personal finances?”

“They are all aboveboard,” Paulson said. “Doesn’t look like a penny from this shell company has gone to his bank accounts. That doesn’t mean he isn’t saving it for retirement. But that’s not what concerns me. There’s a bigger red flag.”

Athena furrowed her brow as he changed the screen again. “The troubling part is these $50,000 payments going out every six months for the past year and a half. A hundred and fifty grand transferred to Assistant Fire Chief Carmen Velasquez.”

Her jaw dropped, accompanied by a sinking feeling in her gut. “Flash isn’t going to like this,” she murmured.

“What’s that?” Paulson asked, leaning toward her.

Athena shook her head. “He wants to make sure the plant has been passing its fire safety inspections. But why would—”

Paulson lifted a hand. “I looked into it. This money was never deposited into her savings or checking account. However, Assistant Chief Velasquez has been on thin ice for a while. Her firefighter husband died two years ago: mesothelioma, one of the occupational cancers firefighters face, especially those exposed to asbestos years ago. It’s better these days, with SCBA masks and air tanks, but back in the day? I lost a firefighter friend to it. Lieutenant Cash should be safe. Anyway, he left her with a mortgage and three children, one with special needs. She fell behind on the mortgage, maxed out her credit cards, and then, around the time of the first payoff, everything got back on track. I suspect she’s been using the cash to buy gas and groceries and to pay bills, while the primary expense, her mortgage, continues to be paid from her legitimate bank account. It’s still taking a bribe, but do you have any idea what health insurance and medical expenses amount to these days? There’s no way she could have kept her house while paying for her one kid’s medications, not to mention feeding two growing teenagers. And college? It would have been out of the question.”

“I can see why she felt she had to take the bribes,” Athena admitted. “I just hate that she felt it was her only option. And Booker? It seems like he was just trying to keep the plant open for his employees to keep their jobs.”

“You still have to wonder,” Bach said, reminding Athena he was still there. “If he really cared about them, wouldn’t he want the workplace to be up-to-code? If nothing else, he’s been enabling Whitmore’s negligence.”

“Unless Whitmore ordered him to do it.” Athena hardened her glare at the bank statements on the screen. “This will probably end a brave, groundbreaking woman’s career—which I hate—but we haven’t a choice. Don’t move on Booker yet. I want to talk to Velasquez first and get all the facts. Maybe if she fully cooperates and helps us catch the arsonist and murderer, she can still keep her pension.”

“This is terrible.” The pitying voice of Karen Shoops sounded from across the room. “It seems like she’s suffered enough, and after decades spent in public service, saving lives, all to end because of the frickin’ economy.”

“It’s the law, Karen,” Bach said in a tender voice, clearly empathizing with her. “We don’t make it, but it’s our job to uphold it. Do you want me to pick her up?” he asked Athena.

She shook her head. “Nobody’s going to pick her up. I’ll call and ask her to come in to consult with us about some evidence we uncovered regarding the fire. It’s true and saves her pride. Assistant Chief Velasquez isn’t running anywhere.”

“Maybe she can give us something on Whitmore,” Ice offered encouragingly. “Surely, she had nothing to do with Nolan’s murder or the bombing.”

“No,” Athena concurred. “And if that hadn’t happened, none of this would have come to light. So, if she has any ideas, theories, or information, she’ll be eager to share and bring down the criminal who caused her misconduct to be exposed.”

Athena’s heart hurt as she picked up the phone. Flash looked up to Velasquez and was so inspired by the interest she’d taken in her. She’ll be crushed, she thought. The whole team had seen the evidence. There was no putting the transgression back in the bottle. Paying off a city official and taking the bribe were federal crimes, falling under the purview of the FBI. Maybe Mr. Smith would be open to the idea of making a deal for her testimony. Booker would be prosecuted for sure and might go to prison, which didn’t seem at all fair if Charles Whitmore got to run around free, enjoying his villa on the Riviera and his Texas ranch.

She recalled the historic mansion, the miles and miles of pastures filled with beef cattle and functioning oil wells. The more she did, the angrier she became. They’d uncovered a hornet’s nest yet were no nearer to identifying Jeff Nolan’s murderer or the bomber whose action killed the three employees. She still didn’t even know if they were one and the same.

“Sure, Special Agent Bouvier,” Velasquez said in a pleasant tone. “I’d be happy to come by and help out if I can. When do you want me?”

Athena never felt guilty about deceiving suspects. Never. But right now, guilt swirled through her like a hurricane. “Now would be great. I’d like to wrap this up before the ice storm hits tomorrow.”

“I know that’s right,” she answered with a friendly laugh. “Chief Burks agreed to let me off work Wednesday since schools will be closed. Jada gets anxious when her routine changes. I’ll be right over.”

“Thanks.” Athena hung up the phone, feeling like she’d swallowed lead. “I’m going to talk to Mr. Smith. If Velasquez gets here before I’m back, make her comfortable in the lounge. And don’t look at her with pity or like she’s a criminal. I’ll see what options we have.”

Chapter 20

Mr. Smith managed to bring in Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Harmon on short notice, since Houston is home to one of the largest federal judicial districts in the country. The seasoned prosecutor, with a dusting of silver highlights in his trim, dark hair, sat with Athena and Detective Bach across the table from Assistant Fire Chief Carmen Velasquez, who eyed him warily. Mr. Smith had also called Battalion Chief Raymond Burks to apprise him of the situation. Athena wanted every legal “i” dotted and procedural “t” crossed to secure the best outcome for all parties involved. Velasquez had earned that after nearly thirty years of service.

Athena agonized over the decision to call or text Flash first, or wait until after the interview. She was off duty today, probably getting her loft ready for the deep freeze coming, taking Snuffles for a long walk, or off on an adventure with some friends. There’s nothing really to tell until we know the outcome of today’s meeting, she thought. Flash had woken her with a sweet call that morning, teasingly enumerating all the things she planned to do to her when next she had her in bed. For a day that began with tingles and visions of sexual rapture, it had sure taken a sharp turn for the worse. She decided to wait.

After introducing everyone, Athena asked, “Assistant Chief Velasquez, would you prefer to have an attorney or union representative present for this interview?”