Myka's Tail Ch. 04

"Look, I know everyone here says this deal stinks to hell and back," Kelli's dad interrupted. "I mean Jesus. Three of my neighbors, the Pattersons, the Castillos and the Richmonds are all selling. I've talked with them and it doesn't feel right. These are all people who I know for a fact would not sell like this even if their life depended on it, and I am just betting there is some sort of coercion going on."

"We can't make that accusation without proof though," Stuart replied. "We will just have to keep at this and try to spike their wheels where and when we can."

"Well, we better spike quickly," my dad added, and I could hear the stress in his tone. "I don't know about Steve, but I had a clerk deliver a notice to me this morning that the county is going to try invoking eminent domain and our one chance to appeal is in ten days."

"Yeah, I got that this morning too, and I did some calling," Kelli's dad continued. "They are taking all properties and structures thereon and are paying fair market value for the purchase price. Funny thing is that it's the same company that did the surveying that has the contract to estimate and assign value to our houses and properties."

"There is no fucking way that can pass any sort of normal ethical test," one of the lawyers growled, and the others were all nodding in agreement. "I don't think I could get that one past even the most business friendly judge. No fucking way."

"And another thing has been bothering me Mr. McAllister," Marcus said, stepping in once more. "A business deal like this, with this many questionable issues, with all of the shady things I have hints of, there is always a trail of money and accounts that show several illegalities at least."

"And have you found them," Stuart asked.

"That's the thing sir. I have followed the trail to four different bank accounts and one central management company, but no matter how hard I have pushed, pried or dug, the trail goes cold right there."

"Yeah, I have been there to help on the computer side of those searches," my dad added. "And it's weird. Just as Marcus said, when I try and follow computer data flow into and out of those banks and that company there is nothing. Not even regular public traffic. It's like they are internet black holes."

"That can't be right," Stuart grumbled, again looking very confused. "Do we know who set these things up? Is there a lawyer or a firm of record?"

"Yes sir," Marcus replied. "The staff lawyer for AvaChem that established pretty much everything in this entire venture is one Maximillian Barton, and he is almost as blank a slate as the deal he set up."

"Show us everything you currently have on him."

Marcus proceeded to pull up a couple of files on his computer which he then sent over the conference connection. I was barely paying attention again and it was only by sheer luck that I glanced towards the screen as a file with a picture of the mysterious Mr. Barton flashed up on screen. My eyes widened in shock and not a little bit of anger.

"Holy shit," I practically screamed. "That fucking no good bastard!"

My foulmouthed outburst immediately silenced everyone that was with us or at the other end of the connection, and I could feel a spike in Kelli's concern for me. The reason for that was the feeling that the primal side of my Neko heritage was very close to the surface now and I really felt like pounding the piss out of someone.

"Sorry for the interruption," I apologized, only slightly in contrition. "Could you go back to that little shit's picture for a minute?"

Marcus complied with my request and brought up Maximillian Barton's profile picture once more, and Kelli's gasp behind me let me know that she had an idea of what was going on now as well. There staring out from the screen at us was the face of Mathias, and memories of Scotland made my blood run cold.

"Stuart," I said, and Kelli took my hand to calm the rage that was bubbling just beneath the surface of my emotions. "The man posing as the lawyer of record for AvaChem and for this land grab is also known as Mathias, and he was the one who nearly killed us and your daughter in Scotland."

The uproar over the video connection was both instant and loud, and the confusion of several voices trying to talk over each other kept the cross talk going for several minutes. I could see Stuart's pale face over the video, and the resigned concern that my dads had for him. I had essentially just dropped a bomb into the middle of our efforts.

"Are you certain that it's him," one of the lawyers asked me once things began to calm down, and the withering look I gave him made him flinch even across the vast gulf of the web.

"That man had me chained down naked to a sacrificial table," I hissed in undisguised fury. "When I wouldn't cooperate he beat me across the face and chest, and he stabbed a young woman in the heart because he thought that it would increase his power."

"Myka, sweetie," Kelli whispered in my ear as she took my hand and I felt much of my rage dissolving. "Calm down and breathe, ok. Just breathe."

"After he killed Jasmine, he poisoned two girls like me," and I indicated my ears and tail so they knew what I meant. "He was obsessed with occult power and thought we were the path to it, and I saw the consequences of that obsession from ten feet away. So yes, I am damned sure that is Mathias."

"Well that gives us a motive for this sudden and bizarre interest in your land," Stuart interjected. "But unless we can get the evidence of wrong doing we're stuck. Any suggestions?"

There was a few minutes of conversation between Marcus, my dads, and the lawyers, but eventually I managed to pull my dad aside. I motioned Kelli over and I took us into one of the other rooms so that we could talk.

"Sorry to pull you away dad, but I just thought of something," I said. "Kelli, do you think that magic might be used to fuck up a computer search like the one Marcus and dad were doing?"

"I suppose it's possible," she mused and I watched her mind go into her thinking mode.

"Dad, what if Mathias used magic to hide all the criminal stuff he was doing and also used magic to influence or blackmail our neighbors into selling? If we can expose that..."

"That's a tall order if it's really the case," dad replied with a sigh. "What do you think Kelli, is it possible?"

"I'm positive it's possible, I just don't know how he did it or how to counter it. Could you work with me tomorrow, explain to me how the data filing systems and the other computer functions work in this case?"

"Sure, that wouldn't be a problem. We can start in the morning."

Once back in the room with everyone else, we were able to catch up on the last bits of the conversation. Dad informed them that he was going to try a couple of older tricks that normally wouldn't work, but seeing as Mathias was not really a lawyer nor a computer expert, that they might be able to sneak by his defenses. With that another video conference was scheduled two days later and we all went about our tasks.

The next night Kelli seemed excited about something, and she pulled both dad and I aside after dinner. She was practically bouncing off of the walls as she closed the door so we would not be overheard.

"Ok, so this morning dad here explained a bit about computers and how many of the network and web functions work," she began.

"You know," my dad replied. "I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing you call me dad like that even though I'm not Steve."

"I've know you were also my dad since we were little," she said, and gave him a kiss on the cheek just to prove it. "Anyway, I did some thinking and some experimenting, and I am pretty sure I know how Mathias used magic to hide the things he did."

"That's great," I exclaimed with a healthy dose of exuberance. "Can you counter it though?"

"I already have," Kelli grinned as she pulled out a small piece of parchment like paper with some strange writing on it. "I just need dad to stick this somewhere on the computer that Marcus will use to try and look at those records again, preferably somewhere inconspicuous. Once he tries to get into the files and pathways, the runes and glyphs should break down Mathias' magic and allow access for everyone from now on."

"Seriously," dad exclaimed in complete surprise. "Just like that?"

"Yeah, just like that."

"You, my other little girl, are an angel, even though you call yourself a witch."

Dad's comment made all of us laugh, and we followed him into his computer area where he used some rubber cement to paste the paper Kelli had given him to the underside of his laptop. She assured him once again that when Marcus used that computer to locate the files that things would become unhidden, and it was possible that it might crack the magic that held up Mathias' phony law credentials as well.

As good as her word, the next morning when dad had Marcus try his search one last time I heard a whoop and holler come from his computer room. Clearly a load of information had now been found. It was a number of hours before they even came out of dad's workspace, and they only did that so that they could participate in the video conference that was scheduled.

Kelli and I had decided not to sit in on this one, but from the excited remarks and conversational buzz that surrounded those that were on, we knew things might possibly turn our way. The call extended out for more than two hours before the end was called, and Stuart asked if Kelli and I could come over for just a minute.

"Hi Stuart," I said and I waved to him over the camera. "What did you need?"

"I just wanted to make sure that you and Kelli would be there when your parents present their appeal to the county council," he replied. "I and my team will be there as well, and I will need you both there so that I can announce something that I had in hand as a backup plan in case we couldn't stop AvaChem directly."

"Ok," I said, but it was clear that I was a bit confused. "We were going to be there anyway, but I don't know how we can really help you."

"You just be there and be yourselves, and I will take care of the rest," Stuart said with a wink.

"Then that is what we'll do," Kelli replied, and I nodded my agreement.

There wasn't much more to do once the proper information gathering system had been found. It was in the hands of Marcus and the lawyers now, and all we could do was wait and show up for the eminent domain hearing in six days. During those few days I finished up my last finals and submitted the remainder of my paperwork for graduation, and I also ramped up my practice with both Gina and with Sensei Rick. If there was going to be another throw down with Mathias then I was going to be ready.

The time we had left passed much more quickly than any of us had anticipated, and on the evening of the hearing our family was waiting around the kitchen table, worry etched on all of our faces. I was so damned nervous that I could not keep my ears from twitching or my tail from lashing in frustration. This was our lives and our homes Mathias was messing with, and I felt like I couldn't do anything.

We ate a quick dinner in silence, which was definitely not normal for our family, and afterwards we set out for the county offices where we would hopefully set things straight. I was not sure if Mathias would be there or not, and I could feel my desire to pound him into a pulp if he was rising every minute I had to wait. What I was feeling must have come through over our bond because it caused Kelli to lean over to me in an attempt to calm me down.

"Sweetie," she whispered in my ear as she cuddled up next to me in the back seat of my dad's car. "You're angry. I can feel it, and you have every right to be. You don't, however, have the right to take it out on him if he shows up, especially not in public."

"Why not," I hissed. "He's a murderer, a liar, and a thief and I'll be damned if I am going to let him skate on this one. He has to be stopped or he will eventually kill us, or make it so the Betrayer can."

"You are right again," she agreed. "But we need to let the Circle, the whole Circle, deal with Mathias. We need justice, not revenge. And do you really think that Millicent would let the bastard off without him paying everything that he has coming due?"

I had to admit that Kelli had me there. While Millicent did remind me a lot of my nana, and it was because of those very reminders that I started calling her nana, she was older and wiser by far. And when she was angry not even the very forces of nature could compare to her righteous fury. Leaving Mathias to Millicent might not be what my sense of vengeance wanted, but there was no doubt that he would receive a full measure of justice at her hand.

"No, you're right," I sighed in response. "I will keep a level head, but please don't let me get out of hand if things go south."

"I won't my love," she promised, and she held me in her arms the rest of the way to our hearing.

By the time we arrived, which was about fifteen minutes before things would start, Stuart, Marcus, and what I could only guess were a group of about eight lawyers, were already set up and waiting for us. Stuart brought us over and made some quick introductions, and a couple of the lawyers stepped away from their group to talk to us.

Stuart was going to take the lead, even though it was not his property, because they were his attorneys. There was a significant amount of evidence to be presented, and if it went that far, then my dads would possibly have to stand and answer the questions of the county council and the mayor. Nobody in our group thought that it would come to this.

The time soon passed, and the remainder of the county officials that had not been in the room finally entered and took their seats. Stuart and his lawyers were seated very near the front of the room, ready to do battle within the confines of the evidence and the laws of the county, and we took our places behind them. Once everyone was seated the county mayor brought the public hearing to order and the moment of truth had come.

I looked around at all of the people who had come to this hearing, and I was surprised to see nearly all of our neighbors who had apparently agreed to sell were in attendance. My ears flicked with my piqued interest because I had also noticed what looked like several reporters in the crowd as well. I saw another group of well-dressed individuals that also looked like lawyers, and I guessed that they were part of AvaChem's business team. I was disappointed, however, that I did not see Mathias anywhere.

"Hey love," I whispered to Kelli, and indicated the AvaChem group. "Mathias isn't here, and I don't think he would just back off when he was this close to a goal."

"You're right, sweetie. It really doesn't make sense. I fully expected him to be here so that he could gloat in his victory. We'll see what happens though."

Eventually the discussion notes and minutes of the meetings that led up to this hearing had been read, and some of the council and one of the AvaChem attorneys made some brief statements. The gist of it was that it was unfortunate that our families would be required to give up our homes and land, but that the benefits to the county and all of its residents would more than outweigh our inconvenience. There would be jobs created, and infrastructure built that would benefit not just the county, but the state and even the country as well. Once finished with their self-congratulatory pats on the back, the mayor opened the floor to our families so that we could make our appeal against what we felt was the theft of our homes.

"Excuse me sir. Who might you be," the mayor asked as Stuart stepped up to the podium.

"My name is Stuart McAllister, Your Honor, founder and CEO of McAllister Enterprises."

"And you are here for what purpose," the mayor questioned.

"Your Honor, I am a personal friend of both Dan Carlisle and Steve Harrison, and when the issue of the forced sale of their land and homes came up several weeks ago, I chose to offer them my services and the services of my staff attorneys in fighting this issue."

As Stuart was introducing himself, one of his lawyers handed a small bundle of papers to one of the council assistants.

"Your assistant has just been handed documentation that all parties involved in this matter have agreed to the terms of our service," Stuart continued. "It states that all fees required by the attorneys in this endeavor will be paid myself, and that I and the staff I so designate may represent Mr. Carlisle and Mr. Harrison in these matters if they so desire. All of the relevant signatures are there, Your Honor, and I believe that the document is in order. May I be allowed to continue?"

The mayor clearly did not expect this, and I could see the increasing frustration and irritation in the council's faces. For a document that should have taken only moments to verify, it went well beyond the five minute mark before anything else was said.

"The council and I were hoping that this matter would be resolved expeditiously," the mayor began, after the heated discussion with the other members. "However, it appears that the assistance provided by Mr. McAllister and his team was rightfully requested and agreed upon so you may continue sir. I would caution you, Mr. McAllister, to be succinct in your arguments, and not waste the precious time of this council."

"Thank you, Your Honor," Stuart replied, and I saw a hint of a grin try to mark his face which meant that things were about to head south for the mayor and the others.

"First, I would like to present the council and the attorneys from AvaChem with this temporary federal injunction prohibiting the sale or acquisition of any of the properties that are related to the building project that AvaChem is seeking to initiate," and again one of the legal team distributed several copies of another bundle of papers.

This caused an uproar in the council chambers, and it was several minutes of barely controlled chaos that followed. Attorneys from both sides conferred together over the documents in hand, and I could see the reporters taking down notes as fast as humanly possible. After some time, the mayor finally shouted to be heard over the crowd, and called for order once more.

"Mr. McAllister," the mayor fumed once he had reestablished control of the room. "This is highly irregular, and improper for you to spring something like this out of the blue on this council, and I am inclined to end these proceedings and move forward with the exercise of eminent domain immediately."

"Your Honor, I do apologize for causing such a ruckus, but the order that issued the injunction was handed down only three hours ago, and as such we had little to no time to inform all relevant parties. You will notice, however, that the injunction prevents the exercise of domain as well as the sale of the other parcels."

"This is directly due to the fact that the attorney of record that initiated the business deal with the county and the sale of the other properties, one Maximillian Barton, does not exist," Stuart continued, though he only caused a small buzz of murmuring this time. "From a preliminary investigation that was done it was discovered that Max Barton was a false identity created by one Matthew Sanders, also known as Mathias, who uses no last name."

"Mathias, if you recall, was the individual that kidnapped my daughter and the daughters of Mr. Carlisle and Mr. Harrison, and subjected them to a night of horror and torture that ended with one young woman dead, and the others bruised, beaten, and suffering from psychological trauma."

"That is all well and good," the mayor interrupted, but was immediately cut off again by Stuart.