While Justice Sleeps(48)
Vance flipped open the folder and removed a thin sheet. The page floated down onto the desk’s surface, beside the Chief. The bank name at the top was a familiar one. “This is a transaction record from your bank, received this morning. An electronic transfer of five hundred thousand dollars from an offshore account, posted right after your rendezvous with Jared Wynn.”
She lifted stricken eyes to the Chief. “I’ve never seen this before,” she whispered. “I swear to you, I don’t know where this came from.” Suspicions weren’t the same, she reasoned.
“Have you traced the origin of the transfer?” inquired the Chief.
“Not yet. Whoever made the deposit took great pains to disguise their identity.” Special Agent Lee shifted closer, surrounding her in a triumvirate of suspicion and disbelief. “If you will cooperate, Ms. Keene, we can try to keep the press to a minimum. Maybe avoid revoking your law license.”
Anxiety became terror. “Revoke my license? On what grounds?”
“Fraud, to start.” Vance spoke from above her head, the dark baritone carrying the ring of inevitability. “If you conspired with Jared Wynn to defraud his father or to thwart the justice’s intentions…”
“And if you had anything to do with the death of Jamie Lewis, we’ll seek to add a charge of murder,” finished Agent Lee.
“The FBI has asked me to place you on administrative leave, pending an investigation,” Chief Roseborough added. “As of now, I see no reason why I should not comply.”
Beneath the cool delivery, Avery heard the opening for explanation. An explanation she would dearly love to offer, but could not. She shouldn’t have a thousand dollars in her account, let alone half a million.
The agent’s threats spun in a maelstrom. Revocation of her license. Administrative leave. Fraud. Murder. Head swirling, Avery reached for slippery control, forcing her mind to focus.
Any charges would mean an end to her career. Even if exonerated, she’d be fortunate to get a gig defending jaywalkers and flashers. Reputation was all you had when you’d been born without the relationships.
Avery got to her feet and planted her hands on the desk, pleading, “Chief Roseborough, please. You can’t believe I killed anyone. I went to her apartment to find out what she knew about Justice Wynn. And I snuck out to meet with Jared because he asked me to, and I was worried and confused.”
“Explain the deposit,” barked Lee. “Tell us where the money came from and who it’s for. Was this payment for a hit?”
“God, no!” Avery stumbled back. “I didn’t kill anyone, and I didn’t accept a bribe.”
“I don’t believe you.” Agent Lee snatched up the sheet and waved it once. “No jury will believe you either.”
The Chief rose as well. “Avery, give us some explanation. Anything.”
“I would—if I knew. Chief, I haven’t done anything wrong,” she repeated shakily. Yet she—as much as the others in the room—understood the tenuous connection between crime and punishment. The allegation was often more than sufficient. Innocent until proven guilty was an urban myth. Terrified, she mumbled, “Yesterday morning, I was a law clerk.”
“Avery, I’m sorry. But my hands are tied.” The Chief paused, her face imperturbable. “You are on administrative leave, effective immediately.”
Agent Lee added, “Until you can explain your newfound wealth, Ms. Keene, we have no choice but to restrict your access to governmental property. You will surrender your badge, and your access to the Court’s systems will be suspended.”
He recited the restrictions in the flat affect she assumed they’d been taught in FBI school. Avery tried to listen, but the words swirled in a blur of sound. Save us. Finish it. Protect Justice Wynn. In the square. She couldn’t do any of that from behind bars.
It was then that she realized no one had placed her under arrest. A clerkship on the district court had taught her the rules of the game in federal court. She took a step toward Agent Lee, cutting off the dry recital from the FBI. “Am I being detained?”
“Not yet.”
“Indicted?”
“No.” Agent Lee cast a look at Major Vance. “Until we have more information, we’re willing to hold off.”
Vance added, “However, we expect you to relinquish your power of attorney to Mrs. Turner-Wynn. If you do so, neither Agent Lee nor I will pursue this matter any further.”
She studied both men. “No.”
“This is not a request, Ms. Keene,” said Agent Lee, taking a step toward her. “You are under investigation, and it would be improper for you to exercise authority in this matter. Take the offer.”
Avery shook her head. “Unless you can prove I’m a danger to Justice Wynn or that I coerced him into appointing me, you have no jurisdiction over my guardianship. Either arrest me or leave me alone.”
“Chief Roseborough?” Agent Lee spun toward the justice, looking for assistance. “Mrs. Turner-Wynn should have her husband’s power of attorney.”
“I am very aware of Howard’s relationship with his wife,” the Chief demurred. “It would not be in his best interests or consistent with his wishes to give her control over his legal or health affairs.”