'The Associates'

“The Associates”
by Matthew Cox
Chapter 24
Mark and Greta entered Christian’s office.  Christian looked up and said, “How did everything go?”

Greta dropped into a chair and slammed her purse on the floor.

“Well they want me to testify or something like that against you and the five Italians.”

Christian’s mouth dropped open.  A numbing heat poured over his entire body.

“Are you kidding?” he replied.

“No.  I’m not.  They think you and I organized the entire scam.”

“Holy shit.”  Christian exclaimed while another wave of numbing heat come over him.  Sweat began to form on Christian’s forehead.

“I told them I wouldn’t say anything to involve you, but I would testify against the five Italians.  They’re thinking about the offer right now.”

Mark sat on the couch and sat his briefcase on the floor next to the coffee table.  Mark folded his hands in a somber pose.

BY THE BOOK Stranger than fiction According to investigators, Cox's step-by-step schemes were laid out years earlier in this novel. His plan had worked out perfectly. His take? Authorities estimated some $5 million. Here is precisely what the “hero” does in Cox's book: First, with his female accomplice, he rents a home, just like the one he and Rebecca Hauck rented in an Atlanta suburb. Next, the fictional character opened accounts at several banks in the area to launder the cash that was to come. Cox did just that. Then, just as his character had, Cox forged a document and filed it at the courthouse, claiming the mortgage on the home was paid off.  Then the fictional character would hit high-end lenders and telling them he owned the property free and clear. Cox is accused of doing the same thing.

“Christian, they have quite a bit of evidence on Greta.  There’s a good possibility she will spend quite a few years in prison.  If they agree she only has to testify against these Italian investors and not testify against you, she’ll receive a plea bargain agreement in a few weeks, maybe a month.  She’ll have to go in front of a judge and plead guilty.  He’ll probably give her a month or so to take care of any personal business before starting her sentence.”

Christian asked, “Do you think they’ll accept the deal?” Mark rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands and said, “It’s possible Christian, but they gave me the impression they would be looking into you whether Greta helped them or not.”

“Why are they focusing on me?” Christian asked.

“Well, apparently these Italian investors are pointing at you and Greta as being the ringleaders of the entire scam.  It is possible they won’t investigate you—the government has very little without Greta’s cooperation.  So relax for now.  Greta, I’ll talk to you next week after I speak to agent Stortz.  Take a deep breath and stop worrying.  Nothing is going to happen for several weeks, possibly months.”

Mark gave her a disarming smile and patted her on the shoulder as he left the room.  Mark glanced at Christian as he closed the door.

Christian caught something in Mark’s eyes.  A sympathy of sorts.  Mark said a quiet prayer for Greta and Christian as the door closed.

RICK BESIGLIO sat in the lobby of his attorney’s office, Saul Goldberg.  He had been waiting for 10 minutes and his patience was running out.  At $300 an hour, this shyster should be coming to his office and waiting in his lobby.  Besiglio thought the term shyster was never more appropriate than when used to describe Saul Goldberg.  He was possibly the most unethical, unscrupulous lawyer to still be practicing law in the Tampa Bay area.  His specialty was real estate and all related fields pertaining to real estate, including real estate zoning, contracts, evictions and real estate related fraud to a degree.  He had enjoyed all the perks of a real-estate attorney, such as obtaining property, prior to his client’s bids, paying off tax appraisers for the privilege of remaining taxed on land verses newly constructed subdivisions.  He was considered a palm greaser to the local inspectors and city council members.  Goldberg could play 18 holes of golf with virtually any real estate related public official, mention his most recent client problem and walk away with a price.   He dealt in hand shakes and cash, therefore any and all inquiries of corruption were circumstantial at best.

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