“No, it’s not. But you’d think someone would notice. I mean, there’s got to be something going on here.”

“I’ve been studying the corporate structure a little,” David interjected. “You’d think there was a department or something in Atlantic Properties that Kittredge had to report to. But there isn’t. Almost every other smaller business that Atlantic owns is answerable to the board of Directors. But Kittredge isn’t. They report directly to the Chairman of the Board.”

“Who’s the chairman of the board?”

David grinned. “You ready for this? It’s Martin Richmond.”

Alex’s eyebrows shot up.

“Richmond? The Martin Richmond?” Mark’s voice reflected the surprise they were all feeling.

“Yes.”

Martin W. Richmond was a leader in the business community of New York City. He had developed his own successful computer company, which involved creating software for database companies. Richmond eventually sold his business to IBM for a reported 8.3 million dollars. Part of that money had helped him start a non-profit organization, the Christian Men’s Front.

“David, are ya saying that Martin Richmond is involved in these murders?” Ben asked quietly. “Cause if ya are, ya’ll are gonna need a whole lot more proof than that.”

“I don’t think we’re accusing anyone right now, Ben. All we’re trying to do is map out the connections.”

Ben nodded. “Right. But connections to what? Kittredge? What are ya’ll lookin’ for, Alex?”

“Damned if I know right now. But Mather, Wilford, and Brogan are all connected to White, and he’s close to the top of this company. All I want to do is follow the trail.”

“But if you’re going to follow every trail that leads out from Kittredge, doesn’t that mean we have to trace down all the people who bought a shirt or a coat from the company?” Mark asked. “That’s a hell of a lot of people, Alex.”

Someone knocked on the door. David opened it and was handed a fax. “This is for you and Agent Reis, Dave. Alex, you have a phone call.”

“Can you take a message for me, Jodi, or is it an emergency?”

“It’s from someone in the gym, downstairs. She’d said if you were busy, you should either call or come down when you get the chance.”

Teren. “Is she still on the line?”

“Yes.”

“Tell her I’ll be down in twenty minutes.”

“Okay.”

David shut the door and looked up from the fax he was examining. “What were you saying about people who bought coats, Mark?”

“That we’d have to find them all?”

David shook his head. “I don’t think so. There’s no record of anyone ever buying one.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

David handed part of the fax to Mark. “These are the bank records for the Kittredge account in Birmingham. It appears that the money Kittredge claims as income from sales actually comes to them in lump sums, mostly cash. They have no dealings with credit card companies and there is no record of them submitting any personal checks to their bank account. In fact, the only thing they ever put into their account is cash. They put it in once a month, at the beginning of the month.”

“But in their records they say they make a deposit every week, consisting of all monies received from sales.”

“That’s not what their bank says, Alex.”

Alex took the rest of the fax from David’s hand, flipping through the pages. Each page had the name of a company at the top, and a list of businesses they’d dealt with in the last few months, including their sales reports to each one. She noticed immediately that the numbers didn’t match.

“Shit. Fucking shit.”

The other three looked up at her.

“It’s a laundering operation. That’s all it is. They’re taking in between fifty and sixty thousand in cash every month, disguised as sales, and it goes out to other companies to supposedly buy materials for the company. Only the stuff they buy is priced three times as high as the same companies sell it to their other customers. The whole thing is a goddamned washing machine.”

Ben took the papers from her. He looked through them for a moment then nodded.

“I think you’re right.”

David looked at his partner. “Now what?”

Alex took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “You guys track the rest of the corporate board for Atlantic.” She headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I have an appointment. Call you later.”

*******************************************************

The basement of the FBI building was actually split into three different areas. The first was the gym area, with weight machines and exercise machines. The second part was made up of a number of classrooms in which martial arts and self-defense skills were taught and practiced. The third section, packed behind sound proof walls, was the pistol range.

Margo’s office was set between the gym and the classrooms, and it was there that Alex began her search for Teren.

“She’s finishing up her class. So, it was you she called during her last break?” Margo grinned. “I was right, wasn’t I? She is family.”

“Well, yeah. Or at least I think so. I didn’t actually ask.”

“Did you ask her out?”

“No, Margo.”

“Why not?”

“Look, I don’t need you or anyone else prying into my personal life, okay? So, just drop it, Margo.”

“Okay. Alright, I’m sorry.” Margo’s voice had softened considerably. “Look, I was just kidding. Relax, Alex.”

Alex cocked her head back and looked at the ceiling. “No, I’m sorry, Margo. I’m just not myself.” She looked at her friend. “Forgive me?”

The gym director smiled at her. “Of course. And I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed.” She stood up. “I’ll let Teren know you’re here, and the two of you can use my office for whatever little talk you need to have.”

“Thanks, Margo. We’ll try not to be too long.”

“Don’t worry. I have a group of secretaries who come down every Friday at this time. They do a circuit on the machines, and think they’re hot. I hang around just in case one of them needs to change a weight from ten to fifteen pounds.”

Alex chuckled. “Well, have fun.”

“Right. You just hang out for a few. I’ll catch Teren as she’s leaving her class.” Margo stood in the doorway watching until Alex took the chair she’d just vacated.

“Thanks again, Margo.”

“Sure. Alex?”

“Yeah?”

“Forgive me for saying this, but I think you like her.” Margo disappeared out the door before Alex could say anything in return.

So she waited. In her mind she went over the information she had for Teren, and wondered if it was truly connected to her case. A few days ago she woul have doubted it. But having just discovered a major money laundering operation, she wasn’t so sure.

Teren slipped into the office. She closed the door and turned around, putting her back against the entrance.

“I found it.”

“Where?”

“In Towson, Maryland. It’s a drive, but not too far. Want to go see it tonight?”

“I’ll call it in and get a team out there —”

“No.”

Alex’s hand was already on the phone when Teren spoke.

“What?”

“No. My sources called with the information this morning, so I haven’t had a chance to see it. I want first crack at it. You’re welcome to come along, but only you. You can bring your team in tomorrow if you want.”

“I thought you trusted me on this, Teren.”

“You, I trust a little. The FBI, not at all.”

“Point taken.” Alex leaned back. “When do you want to leave?”

“This was my last session. I’m through for the day. It would take me a half hour to shower, change, sign out, and bring my car around.”

Alex nodded. “Alright. I’ll alert my boss, and tell him the team needs to be ready tomorrow morning.”

Teren tensed. “I don’t see a reason to tell your boss anything.”

“Teren, I have to. Not just because it’s regulation, which it is, but because I trust him.We have no idea what we might find out there. I trust that if something happens, Cliff’ll be ready if I need him.” She leaned forward over the desk. “I also want my partner along.”