Heavy Traffic Ch. 06

"I can have them to you within the hour," she said.

Judge Evans nodded and said, "My docket is free for the afternoon, so I think I'll just wait here with Bryce if he doesn't mind. This will be closer for you than having to bring the papers to my house for signature."

"You're more than welcome to wait here," said Pierre. "I can get you setup in a spare office so you can be comfortable and have some privacy for any work you want to do in the meantime."

Judy Gardner rose and picked up her briefcase. Bryce and the Judge rose along with her. "I'll be back with the motions shortly," she said. "With your signature Judge, we can get all of them acted on before close of business today."

"Where are Tri-Star Partners accounts held?" asked Judge Evans.

"Buckhead National Bank in Atlanta appears to be their main institution, but we will also target Volunteer Bank and Trust offices here in Nashville," said Gardner. "The motions will freeze all their accounts, not just those already identified as associated with Wallace Enterprises."

"Fine," said the Judge. "Let me know if you need any help getting cooperation from the FBI in visiting the banks today."

As she turned to leave the conference room, Judy Gardner responded, "Thanks your Honor. I don't envision any difficulty with the FBI, but I'll let you know if I need your influence."

***

When Amanda arrived at the American Express office she initially thought that she must have been cast in some hidden camera comedy show. After Amanda explained that she was there to pick up her replacement passport and credit card because she had lost hers, the young lady had asked to see some identification. Amanda tried to explain that she had no identification until she had her passport, but the agent insisted that she couldn't give Amanda her identification without first seeing some identification.

It took Amanda almost ten minutes to find a path of logic capable of penetrating the resistance of the agent. Once she had her passport and the black AMEX Centurion Card, Amanda asked the agent if she could assist her with obtaining some travelers checks. The transaction where Amanda obtained ten thousand dollars in AMEX traveller's checks, requesting that the money be charged to her credit card was fraught with even more entertainment from the agent than getting her to release Amanda's passport. Her driver stood inside the door to the office shaking his head and doing his best not to laugh at the challenges his passenger was courteously struggling with. Amanda finally persevered, and with a smile that hid her sigh of relief, she turned and headed to join her driver. As he held the door open for her, he smiled reassuringly.

When Amanda had first met her driver in the lobby of the hotel, she had almost mistaken him for the actor Morgan Freeman. The handsome middle aged chauffeur awaiting her exuded pride, professionalism and confidence, and Amanda was instantly enamored with him. After he had opened the back door to the Cadillac limousine for her, Amanda asked if he would mind her riding in the front with him. She explained that she not only wanted to see the sites as they drove, but she also wanted to talk to him and felt it would be easier if she was sitting next to him. He hadn't hesitated an instant, but simply closed the back door and stepped forward to open the front passenger door for her instead.

Rather than spending the time during the drive from the hotel to the AMEX office on her phone or searching the internet for things she needed to buy, Amanda focused her attention on Samuel Baldwin, her driver. Amanda's talent for getting people to open up to her worked with Samuel as well as it had with Sean. She soon knew that he had been born just outside Macon, Georgia, had been married for 35 years to his high school sweetheart, had three grown kids and one grandchild. In addition, she learned that Samuel had spent 30 years with Pitney-Bowes before retiring and had become a chauffeur to get out of the house and remain active in an occupation that had him constantly meeting new and different people. Samuel's wife sold real estate, and they were both very active in their church.

When they returned to the car from the AMEX office, Amanda apologized to Samuel about needing to spend time on the phone taking care of some business. Samuel dismissed her apology with a smile and held the back door open for her. As she settled into the back seat and Samuel assumed his position behind the steering wheel, she asked him to please keep the partition between the front and back seat open. Samuel merely smiled and nodded to her in the rearview mirror.

After using her phone to search the internet and do some brief research, Amanda's first call was to Maureen McKenna. She had transferred Sean's contact directory to her own phone earlier, so it was easy to locate Moe's home number.

"Hello," answered Maureen.

"Hello Maureen, this is Amanda Wallace. I wanted to check and make sure that you had made it home okay and if everything was alright with you."

"How thoughtful!" said Maureen. "Please call me Moe, and everything is fine here. However, Mr. Pierre has been trying to reach Sean and said it was vitally important that he speak to him today."

Looking at the time on her cell phone and assuming that Sean and Mickey were currently interrogating the traders, Amanda said, "Sean is currently occupied with matters that can't be interrupted, but I'll call Mr. Pierre when we are through to see if there is anything I can do for him on Sean's behalf. I would like to pick your brain real quick if that is okay."

"Of course, Amanda. What would you like to know?"

"One of Sean's companies sells uniforms doesn't it?"

"Wallace Retail Division includes 'White Spot' and 'White Hat Uniforms'. White Spot's business is primarily school uniforms while White Hat is focused on medical and law enforcement uniforms."

"Do you remember if there is a White Spot operation in the Atlanta area?" asked Amanda. "Certainly. It is one of the highest volume stores in the chain. It is located north of Atlanta in the city of Dunwoody, right near the big mall."

"Thank you Moe. Please take down my number and text me the address. Also, don't hesitate to call if you need to get in touch with me. I better give Mr. Pierre a call back now." Amanda recited her number to Moe and then disconnected.

"Samuel, do you know where a big shopping mall is in a city called Dunwoody?" she asked her driver.

"That would be Perimeter Mall, and we'll be driving right past it on our way back to the hotel. Do you want to go there now?"

"Yes please. I need to make another call, but I hope to have an exact address for you before we get to the mall."

"If you want to go to that White Spot store I heard you mention, I don't need an address. I know exactly where it is because I bought my daughter's Girl Scout uniforms from there."

"Wonderful Samuel, thank you. That's our next destination."

While Samuel drove, Amanda found Bryce Pierre's phone number and hit the 'talk' button on her phone. "Middleton, Parker and Pierre" was the announcement as her call was answered.

"Amanda Wallace calling for Mr. Pierre."

"One moment please."

Her wait was shorter than she expected. Bryce Pierre was on the line in less than five seconds. "Mrs. Wallace, I am so glad you called. I need to speak with Mr. Wallace on a very important matter and have been unable to reach him on his cell phone."

"That's why I'm calling Mr. Pierre. I heard that you were trying to reach Sean, but he is going to be unavailable for at least several hours yet. Is there anything that I can do to be of assistance in the meantime?"

Pierre considered her offer. Technically, he should only discuss the matters at hand with his client, Sean Wallace, but both Sean and Amanda had been pretty explicit in their earlier conversation that she was to be treated as Sean's equal, and failure to respect her authority could lead to his firm losing their largest client. He made his decision.

"There have been some developments related to Wallace Enterprises that I wanted to make Sean - and you of course - aware of." He proceeded to describe his suspicions about the activities of Tom Folsom and the Morris', explained how he had taken the initiative to invite Judge Evans and Assistant US Attorney Gardner to listen in on the conference call, and the subsequent confirmation that Wallace Enterprises accounts were under the control of Tri-Star Partners. When he told her about the legal motions that would be signed and executed that afternoon, Amanda realized the situation could be critical for Sean.

"Mr. Pierre, correct me if I am wrong, but freezing all the accounts controlled by Tri-Star Partners would essentially freeze all accounts of Wallace Enterprises, correct?"

"Technically, yes. The motions signed could exclude accounts dedicated to accounts payable, payroll, and the like, but since we don't know how Tri-Star has the accounts structured, I believe the US Attorney will take an 'all-inclusive' approach."

Checking the time once again Amanda saw that she didn't have much of it left. "Mr. Pierre, do you still have the number for Jeremy Thorndike?"

"Yes I do."

"Please conference him in on our conversation immediately." She waited as the conference call was being established. As soon as she heard Pierre return to the call and knew that Jeremy Thorndike had joined them, she took over the conversation.

"Jeremy, this is Amanda. We don't have a great deal of time, so I need you be as sharp for me as always. Please work with Mr. Pierre to draft whatever documents are required to insure that Wallace Holdings is legally responsible for the accounts payable and payroll funds for Wallace Enterprises. Mr. Pierre, are there any outstanding loans or other obligations that need to be addressed?"

"No," said Pierre. "Wallace Enterprises has always operated debt free."

"Excellent," replied Amanda. "I would assume that accounts will need to be established in the US to facilitate this arrangement, so Jeremy, you are authorized to immediately transfer three million United States dollars to an account at a bank that Mr. Pierre specifies. Make certain that only myself and Sean Wallace are authorized to access the funds, but their purpose should be clearly defined as being for the operation of any and all Wallace Enterprises business. Any questions?"

"Sean has more than enough in his personal accounts to cover for Wallace Enterprises," said Pierre.

"I'm sure he does," said Amanda, "But he will not be available to make the necessary arrangements until after the banks close for the day. I expect my instructions to be followed and the transactions completed before that time. You both have just over an hour by my watch."

"I'll call you back as soon as everything is set," said Pierre.

"Thank you Mr. Pierre. I am grateful for your diligence on Sean's behalf. I apologize for doubting your loyalty and professionalism earlier. Jeremy, I treasure you as always."

"Thank you Mrs. Wallace. Mr. Thorndike, if you would remain on the line for a few minutes, I think we can expedite matters between us."

"Thank you gentlemen," Amanda said as she disconnected from the call.

***

Even with the windows down and sitting under the shade of several trees in front of Glenn Parker's cabin, Sheriff Morgan Smith was sweating more than he ever had. The National Park Police surrounding the cabin had done their best to keep him hydrated, offering him cool water at least four times each hour that he had been handcuffed in the backseat of his own car, but the intake of fluids was barely enough to keep up with his perspiration.

When the officers outside started talking into their radios again and turned to face the entrance to the road leading from the highway to Parker's cabin, Morgan began sweating even more profusely. He had been formulating his statement to the FBI, but as their approach became imminent, his bravado began to fail him far too early. He didn't know what the FBI might already know about his involvement, but his experience with the Feds told him that he could easily dig his own grave if he tried to get too creative with them.

He heard the vehicles approaching at least three minutes before he saw the first one clear the trees as it came around a curve in the road. There were two additional Suburbans behind the first, and each one held four agents. Glenn Parker sat in the middle of the back seat of the first vehicle, with an agent on either side. As the first Suburban came to a stop next to the Sheriff's car, he saw Glenn Parker staring out as him even as the FBI agents next to him exited the car from either side. Sliding out on the side closest to the Sheriff's car, Parker walked up to the rear window, looked in at Morgan Smith and shook his head.

"I ought to skin your fat ass and use your hide to cover the spot where my front door used to be," said Parker.

"Glenn!" said Morgan, "I'm glad you're back early. I came to check on your cabin like I always do when you're out of town and ran into these yahoos. Do you know what is going on?"

"Stow it Morgan. While I wouldn't represent you if my life depended on it, I will offer you the only legal advice you'll ever get from me. Get yourself a good lawyer, or throw yourself on the mercy of the FBI in hopes of getting a deal that saves your sorry ass from the full punishment you deserve."

Parker was nudged away from the window by one of the FBI agents. "Why don't you go check out the condition of your cabin, Mr. Parker?" the agent suggested. "I need to have a few words with Sheriff Smith."

Parker walked away as the agent opened the back door and helped Sheriff Smith out of the car. He led him over to one of the Suburbans that still had the engine running with the air conditioner blowing steady. Opening the back door of the Suburban, he guided Smith into the seat before closing the door and taking a position in the front passenger seat. Turning sideways in the seat so he could look back at the Sheriff, the agent just stared at him for several minutes in silence.

Smith broke down first, "Someone want to tell me what's going on in my own damn jurisdiction?"

"Is that really how you want to play this out, Sheriff?"

Smith assumed a sulky expression and just stared back at the agent.

"My name is Aaron Nichols. I am Special Agent in Charge with the FBI's Atlanta office. As far as your jurisdiction is concerned, you no longer have any. You are currently in Federal custody pending charges, the severity of which will depend solely upon your cooperation over the next several hours. The United States Marshalls have assumed responsibility for your department until our investigation is complete, at which time an interim Sheriff will be appointed by the County Commissioners."

"What charges?" asked Smith. "What Federal crimes am I being accused of violating?"

"The short list includes conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, and aiding and abetting enemies of the United States," said Agent Nichols. "But the day is still relatively young and our investigation is just beginning."

"What murder, who's kidnapping and which enemies?" countered Smith.

"I'll just let you ponder your own questions for a while Sheriff, but while doing so, keep in mind that the three men who you provided assistance to this morning are still alive. They are talking, but not nearly as loudly as your own cell phone is."

Agent Nichols got out of the Suburban but was replaced by another agent who sat silently in the front seat ignoring all attempts by Morgan Smith to get further information on what the FBI already had on him.

***

True to his word, Samuel knew exactly where the White Spot Uniform store was located. Samuel and Amanda were the only customers in the store as Amanda selected shorts, various t-shirts, socks, and blouses for all twenty five girls. Amanda had spent enough time with the girls to be relatively certain of the sizes needed for each, but when it came to shoe size, she faced a challenge. The sales clerk who had been assisting them suggested that Amanda select sizes that she felt were close, and the store would gladly accept returns on anything that didn't fit. Amanda wasn't worried about returning anything. She would simply donate everything that didn't fit one of the girls to the Methodist Home with the knowledge that they would eventually find a foot to fit the shoe.

As the clerk was putting Amanda's selections together, her and Samuel realized that the space required to transport all the items was larger than the car they were in. Samuel said that he had a friend with a van who he was certain would be willing to transport the items from the store to the hotel in exchange for gas alone, but he wouldn't be able to get to the store for at least an hour. The clerk assured them that the store didn't close until 8PM, and she would be willing to wait later if necessary. The clerk had recognized Amanda's urgency in getting these items for the girls, although she didn't know the details.

When Amanda started signing travellers checks to pay for the items, she presented her passport to the clerk anticipating her requirement for identification. When the clerk examined the passport she said, "You're from Australia. I've always wanted to visit there."

"Yes I am," said Amanda as she continued to sign the required number of traveller's checks to cover her purchase.

"Amanda Wallace," said the clerk as she read the name on the passport. "Did you know that this store is part of Wallace Enterprises? Quite a coincidence, huh? Our largest sale of the year and you have the same last name as the owner."

Amanda stopped and smiled at the clerk, "It's precisely because this store is owned by Sean Wallace that I am shopping here."

"Do you know Sean Wallace?" asked the clerk in amazement. "Wait a second..." She clicked an icon on her POS system that brought up the e-mail program and quickly scrolled through the messages until she found what she was looking for.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, "You're THE Amanda Wallace, aren't you?"

"If you're referring to the e-mail from Mr. Pierre, then that's me."

"Mrs. Wallace, this is such an honor. Why are you paying for this stuff when you own the company?"

Looking at the clerk's name tag once more to make sure that she had the name right she said, "Because Linda, technically I do not own the company, Sean does. Also, by paying for it I make certain that you receive the credit, and the commission you deserve. You have been a great help and you are a real asset to Wallace Enterprises."

Linda blushed as Amanda continued, "Do you have any vacation time due you, Linda?" Surprised by the question, Linda had to stop and think before answering, "I get two weeks of vacation each year and I haven't taken any so far."

"Well, when you are ready to take your vacation, I will send you to Australia as my guest. I will make all the arrangements to be certain that you see the true Australia, and you will even stay on my ranch. I would love to hear your stories when you return, so that is the only cost that you will have to pay. And please call me Amanda."

Linda was speechless and stood there just nodding her head up and down.

"Could I have one of your business cards please?" Amanda asked in an attempt to bring Linda back to reality. Linda snapped out of her daze, handed Amanda one of her cards and completed the transaction.

Linda also handed one of her cards to Samuel. "Tell your friend to call me. I'll wait as long as necessary for him to get here."

The uniform store was located in a center that was anchored by a Wal-Mart Super Center. Amanda tore through this store buying every girl's swimsuit she could find. Some of the styles and colors were not to her liking, but she wanted to be certain that every girl had at least one swimsuit that they could use at the hotel pool. She also took the time to select a few items for herself that would provide her with some options besides the blue jeans and T-shirts that Sean had bought for her earlier.