Crime and Gravity Part 1

Crime and Gravity

December 28th, 2107 10:08 AM

Just a few days before the new year and I was reduced to staring blankly out the window of the Regency Bright office building to avoid one of my least favorite tasks, the yearly budget. Thanks to Sarah it was mostly automated at this point but everything still needed to be signed and approved. Generally thanks to little legal problems like Sarah not being technically a person. For the first time in several years the numbers were looking good. The Lockwell case had made me into a fifteen minute hero, lining up a series of cases that had the small benefit of me not being shot at and getting paid for the same. Sarah has noted several times that this would be a good habit to continue. I sent off the last invoice I intended to today, then spun in my chair while lighting up a cigar. After a long slow drag I turned my gaze to the empty air. “Do we have any actual casework this week, or should I just close down, yell happy new year, and go on a three day bender?”

“I am certain you would do better without the bender.” Sarah’s translucent form appeared, slowly examining the computer screen over my shoulder. “And as far as case work we have been contacted by one Alexander Fellows, a mid range lawyer from the Pratt and Hawlire firm.” Sarah turned my computer screen to the details on the firm.

I took a moment to consider while reading. “Fancy, Why doesn’t a firm this high end have their own investigators on retainer?”

“They do, I asked while setting up his appointment why he was going out of house and he refuse to answer except in person. It is possible your potential client suffers from a touch of paranoia?”

“Just what I need. When is his appointment?”

“Mr. Fellows will be here at noon. Also if you intend to spend the last few days of the year on case, it would be a good idea to finish up those last few budget items first.”

I reopened the agencies files and went back to work while I finished off my cigar. Sometimes I wonder which of us is charge here. The door opening two hours later was a welcome relief as I made out Sarah’s voice. “Welcome to Samuel Sloan Investigations Mr. Fellows. Can we get you anything?”

A croaky voice came from the entrance. “No thank you.” The voice was quickly followed by the appearance of a short man in with a dark grey trench-coat covering his suit and deep black sunglasses with silver edges. Mr. Fellows looked like a spy from an old movie, a bad one anyways. Man might as well wear a neon sign saying “I am up to something.” He entered the office and even through the sunglasses I could tell he was searching for threats that were not there.

“Would you like a seat Mr. Fellows?” I indicated the chair I reserved for clients. Sarah glanced at Fellows, nonchalantly shrugged at me, then quietly took a seat on the other side of the room. Fellows stared at the chair with a blank look on his face for a few seconds before finally consenting to take a seat. Fellows then proceeded to scan the room as if someone was going to jump out of the plastic plant in the corner. “Perhaps if you told me why you need my services?”

“I am an accountant at the Pratt and Hawlire firm. Are you sure this location is secure?” Fellow’s eyes shifted from side to side before staring out the window with a look of fear in his eyes.

“Completely, all communications in and out of the office are monitored. I would know if someone tried to slip in, however if it will make you feel better.” I turned to Sarah. “Suspend all communications while I am talking to Mister Fellows.”

“Confirmed Detective. No Signals are going in or out.” Sarah tilted her head, giving a look that told me this precaution was a waste of time.

“Now what can I do for you sir?”

Fellows rung his hands before finally speaking again. “My current position at Pratt and Hewlett is accounting for one of their junior partners, James Burke. Last week I found a few discrepancies in his expenses. When I brought the errors to Mr. Burke’s attention, he rather firmly told me to go back to adding numbers and not bother him with this sort of nonsense again. Digging backwards into the department financial records I found unusual payouts going back several months.”

“Doesn’t your firm have investigators on retainer?”

“They do but all the changes are in my name, with my sign in code. If I spoke up I am sure they would just fire me to be on the safe side, then turn the case over to the police.”

I closed my eyes for a moment. “Let’s start there. What do you need to sign in.”

“A keycard and fingerprint. I can’t see how anyone could fake that.”

I leaned forward. “I doubt that. Cloning a a key card and getting a scan of a fingerprint is child’s play for a professional. For the moment let’s use that as a working theory. Do you have electronic copies of the files?”

“No, company records are not allowed off the premises.”

I tapped my fingers on the desk, thinking it over. “My personal recommendation is to come clean to your employer. It always looks better to speak up than be found out. An investigation by an agency with full access to your firm’s records would more likely than not find some evidence to exonerate you. That being said, if you want me to look into it, I am going to need three days in advance. After that time we can determine a way forward.”

“I don’t trust the people at my firm. I’ll have the money transferred immediately and expect to hear from you soon.” Fellows rose to leave.

I moved around my desk to walk him to the door. “Anything else I should know about this case?”

“Well I did follow Burke to just north of downtown. I could have sworn I saw him drop off a package to a woman on a motorcycle, but then he turned a corner and I lost him.”

“Do me a favor, sit tight and let me handle the investigation for the next few days. Also lose the sunglasses.” I guided him towards the door.

Fellows stared at me for moment then nodded as he put the glasses in his pocket before tottering out the door. I waited until the door was firmly closed behind him before returning my attention to Sarah. “What did you get out of that?”

“As predicted your client is paranoid and easily terrified Detective.” Sarah leaned over my desk. “That being said I do believe someone is trying to set him up. The mention of motorcycles north of downtown did concern me.”

“Me as well. I think it is time for a trip to Redgrave. Trouble with the Riders I do not need.” I checked myself in the mirror as I got my coat on, sliding my revolver into the side holster as a precaution. “Send the car around front.”

“On it’s way Detective. I am also monitoring public feeds for mention of Alexander Fellows, in case he ignores your warning and decides to run his own investigation.”

“Good idea.” I started to make my way towards the door. “Keep me informed.”

“Of course.” Sarah hopped onto my desk then slowly faded from view.

After taking the elevator down, I slid into the Fairlane, clicked the auto drive off, then slammed on the gas. I was in the mood to drive fast and I let the tires squeal I made my way to the docks.

Arriving at the coast I made my way past security and to the makeshift office of petty criminal and information broker Julian Redgrave. As I entered unannounced he was curled over a jeweled necklace with a magnifying lens, looking every bit the rat he was. I chose not to ask where he got the necklace.

“Am I interrupting?” I took a position at the other side of his table. Taking in the shine of sapphires as I tried to guess how much cash I was looking at. “Nice piece.”

“You always, what do you want this time?” Redgrave stood up from his work “Make it quick, I have a buyer lined up for this and they won’t like company when they show to pick it up.”

“You know if the Rider’s have been getting any extra influx of cash lately?”

Redgrave cocked a single eyebrow. “You messing with them again? You’re even dumber than I thought.”

I slid my hat off taking a slow walk around the room. “I was hoping to eliminate them as a suspect here so I would not have to.”

“Well for once I can’t help you. Their outfit has been moving up in the world. Running their cash through some big law firm and leaving the little guys like me out in the cold. Now shoo before you cost me a good client.”

“It was worth a shot.” I replaced my hat and made for the door. Nice of Redgrave to give me what I needed for free this time. Even if it meant dealing with a violent bunch I would prefer to avoid. I decided to wait for dark before venturing out.