The Assassin's Trail Read online

  Kruger suppressed a laugh. “Okay, obviously I hit a nerve. I’ll call him right now. As far as I’m concerned, you were never involved. We did not have this conversation. If someone checks the phone records, we were talking about the wedding to see if you could possibly get here, do you understand?”

  “Yeah, I appreciate that, Sean. Let me know how it goes.”

  “I will. Good night.”

  Kruger ended the call and sat for a moment, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Apparently the man he had asked about was on a watch list within the Secret Service. If so, why?

  Stephanie knocked and opened the office door to check on him. “Have you found out anything?”

  “At the moment I’m not sure. Give me a few minutes; I need to make another call. Maybe then I can make sense of the last one.”

  Stephanie had been around him long enough to know it was time to shut the door and wait, which she did. Kruger gathered his thoughts and dialed the number Clark had given him for Margolin. The call was answered on the fourth ring. “If this is Kruger, you have a lot of explaining to do.”

  “Obviously the individual I inquired about is known to your organization.”

  “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing? Why are you investigating Fernando Guevara?”

  “Actually, I’m not. His name came up, I became curious and made a phone call, that’s all.”

  Margolin was quiet for a moment. “Why are you curious?”

  “My fiancée works for a company Whiterock is interested in. Guevara has bought a lot of stock and is trying to get a seat on the board, or something like that. Hell, I don’t know this crap. She and everybody in her office are nervous. I was trying to help and find out what I could. Nothing diabolical or sinister, simply trying to get some information for my future wife.”

  Kruger could hear a sigh on the other end of the phone. “Okay, I understand, Clark said I can trust you. What kind of information do you need?”

  “Tell me about Guevara. What’s his story?”

  “Fernando Guevara is the son of Spanish immigrants, Philippe and Isabelle Guevara. They arrived in New York City in the summer of 1940. The dad was a tailor, opened a small shop in the South Bronx. Fernando was born in 1950, graduated from New York City College and took a job as a stock broker on Wall Street. Made his first million by the time he was twenty-four, then lost it during the oil embargo years of the seventies. The eighties were kind to him. He worked for several firms, then found a home as a fund manager at Goldman Sachs in 1989. Apparently, he made a ton of money during the dot com period, left Goldman Sachs and formed Whiterock Equities. That’s when he became politically active. He is a major donor to the current president’s party.”

  “I see. Thus the Secret Service’s interest.”

  “Yeah. Thus our interest. He and the president are very close. He dines at the White House at least once, sometimes twice a month. We’ve vetted him several times, for security reasons. Plus, there was a rumor he was going to be tapped for a cabinet position. So far, that hasn’t happened. The only thing questionable we found about the man was his business practices. He’s ruthless when he sets his sights on acquiring a company.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s an egotistical bastard. He surrounds himself with very intelligent individuals, but if they disagree with him, he fires them. One such individual told us he got into a discussion with Guevara about how a target company was being evaluated. Guevara told him he was wrong; the guy calmly showed him the data, insisting he was right. Guevara started screaming at the guy, firing him in the middle of a meeting. The only reason he keeps good people is he pays twice what they would make anywhere else.”

  Kruger thought about this for a moment, started to say something but decided not to. “Okay, he’s a jerk, that’s not a crime. Why is the Secret Service so sensitive about this guy?”

  “Because of his relationship with the president. Individuals higher up the ladder than I scratch their collective heads on why the president likes the guy. When he buys a company, the first thing he does is start letting people go. We were told this practice has two purposes. One, it immediately cuts overhead, and two, makes the survivors work harder. He then reorganizes the company and sells it outright, or breaks it up into various smaller companies. He then sells these entities separately. Whichever way he does it, people lose their jobs. We were told Whiterock regularly produces profits in the eight to nine figure range.”

  “How much has he contributed to the president?”

  “A lot.”

  “Well, there you go. Money has a tendency to create strange friendships sometimes.”

  Margolin sighed, “Yeah, I suppose it does.”

  “Ted, thanks for the info. I owe you one.”

  “Well, let’s chalk it up to interagency cooperation, what’d ya say?”

  “Sounds good, talk to you later.” Kruger ended the call and got his laptop out.

  He emerged from his office twenty minutes later and went straight to the coffee pot. After checking to see if it was still on from dinner, he poured two cups. He looked at Stephanie, who was sitting at the dining room table checking emails on her laptop. He motioned for her to follow him to the balcony. He sat down at the bistro table and stared out at the lights of The Plaza. Stephanie sat down and waited for him to start talking.

  “Stef, the guy who owns Whiterock does exactly what you told me. He buys his way into a company, takes it over, and then sells off the pieces. Fernando Guevara believes he can do no wrong. He buys and sells companies like a used car dealer. No concern for the employees of the companies. They’re just part of the assets.”

  Stephanie sipped her coffee and said, “Should I warn someone at my company?”

  Kruger shrugged. “I don’t know, his tactics aren’t secret. I’m sure your senior management is aware of how he does business.”

  Stephanie grew quiet and stared out past the balcony. After several minutes, she said, “What can I do, Sean? I have to warn someone.”

  “I’m familiar with the psych profile, individuals who have an inflated perception of their own importance. They surround themselves with people who agree with everything they say. The rest of humanity is here to serve their needs and bow down to them. His personality type is dangerous when they have a gun, but this guy is probably more treacherous in other ways. The only thing I can suggest is talk to Neil. I’m not sure he can do anything if Guevara buys the stock he needs.”

  Stephanie reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you, I appreciate you making the phone call. As I told you Friday night, I’ve lost my lust for making sales goals, and if something happens to the company…” She shrugged. “Let’s concentrate on ourselves for a change, not the job.”

  “Whatever happens, we’ll get through it together,” Kruger said with a smile. “Hell, who knows, Oklahoma City might look pretty good in a few months.”

  Chapter 10

  Kansas City, MO

  Sunday

  Small talk was not his favorite pastime, but he did enjoy observing corporate culture in action. The reception held for them by Stephanie’s company on Sunday afternoon was a great place to observe the pecking order and who was trying to get promoted. After all the congratulations and hand-shaking, Kruger found himself standing next to the bar and drinking the first of his self-imposed two beer limit. While watching Stephanie introduce Brian and Michele to her co-workers, he thought back to last night’s dinner after their wedding.

  Stephanie had arranged everybody at the table so she could sit next to Brian. After the cocktails and wine were served, she turned to him and in a serious tone, said, “Brian, now that your father and I are married, I would like to ask you a question. I know I’m not your real mother, but I love you like a son. With your permission, I’d like to introduce you tomorrow, and in the future, as my son. Would that be alright?”

  Brian smiled. Like his father, he was seldom caught off guard by unexpected questions.
>
  “Only if you allow me to call you Mom,” he answered.

  From that moment on, the evening went perfectly.

  He smiled with the memory and sensed more than saw someone approaching where he stood. Wine glass in hand, Neil Ross, CEO and president of the company, was walking over to Kruger. The two shook hands, and Neil said, “Congratulations, Sean, I’m happy for both of you. Stephanie’s an extraordinary individual and a valued member of my team. She deserves a fulfilling personal life.”

  “Thank you, Neil. I agree, she is extraordinary.”

  Neil Ross was in his early 60s, and not a heavy man, but one who had the body of someone who spent more time behind a desk than on a treadmill. He was dressed in a dark gray pinstripe Armani suit, complimented with an open collar blue silk shirt. His once coal-black hair was now lightened by an increasing number of silver streaks. Ross was the same height as Kruger, but today he appeared weary, his posture was slightly slumped, and the dark circles under his eyes detracted from his handsome face. Neil looked out at the crowd and said, “Can I talk to you for a moment on a professional level?”

  Kruger looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “About what, Neil?”

  “Stephanie tells me you know a little about Fernando Guevara.”

  Kruger shrugged. “I made a few calls, can’t say I know a lot about him.”

  Neil nodded his head. “I understand your reluctance to discuss this, but I and some of the local board members have been asked to meet with Guevara later this afternoon here at the Marriott. His staff called on Friday and inquired if we would be available to meet with him.”

  Neil paused for a few moments and looked at Kruger. “How did the man know several of us would be here?”

  “Neil, I don’t believe in coincidences. He knew about the reception, which means someone inside your organization is feeding him information. Stef and I didn’t even decide to get married until last weekend. This whole thing was thrown together this week.”

  “Yes, I’m afraid I agree with you. I can’t for the life of me figure out who would benefit. Can you tell me anything about him?”

  Kruger thought for a moment. He had met Neil Ross several times over the past four years and liked the man. He was ethical, loyal to his staff and managed the company with compassion.

  “I honestly don’t know much, but as a profiler I would consider him narcissistic and manipulative. Definitely deceitful. I wouldn’t believe a word he tells you, and anything discussed, I would get in writing. Preferably notarized by the Supreme Court.”

  Neil smiled at the last part. “I called a few friends around the country yesterday trying to get prepared for the meeting. They all agree with you. He has a ruthless reputation and everyone suggested not trusting anything he says in conversation. He told Frank he wants to have a private meeting with just the two of us in the morning. Not sure what it’s about, maybe to discuss his offer before the board meeting tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Can’t you tell him the company’s not for sale?”

  “Unfortunately, it is my fiduciary duty to determine what is best for the shareholders of this company. If he makes a good offer, I am bound to present it to the board. Now, they can vote to decline the offer, but I have to take it to them. If he does buy us, I’ll be gone, and senior management will be dismissed and replaced within six months to a year. That’s his pattern.”

  “Do you think the board will vote that way?”

  “The board has always agreed with Frank and me on our decisions because we do what’s right for the company, and they trust us. But we’ve never had to deal with a situation like this before, a semi-hostile takeover bid.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what to expect.”

  “Sorry, but I’m not in a position to say too much.” Kruger was getting uncomfortable. He couldn’t tell Neil about the conversation with Ted Margolin.

  Kruger was about to tell Neil he couldn’t discuss anything further when a slender man in an incredibly expensive suit walked up to Neil. He was slightly over five-and-a-half feet tall, with coal-black hair combed straight back, bushy eyebrows over a hawk nose. The man extended his hand and said, “Neil, I’m Fernando Guevara. I was told you would be here. Mind if I join you?”

  Neil looked shocked for half a second, but recovered rapidly, shook the extended hand and said, “Why, no, I don’t mind, nice to meet you. Mr. Guevara, this is Sean Kruger. He and his wife are the reason for this little get-together. They were married yesterday.”

  Guevara smiled and shook Kruger’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Sean. What is your position in the company?”

  Kruger smiled, noticing that Guevara did not say congratulations or hello, but simply addressed him by his first name and got to business. He had also addressed Neil, a man he’d never met, the same way. How interesting. Kruger was going to enjoy this next part.

  “Actually, I’m not with the company,” he replied. “My wife is the Senior Executive Vice President of Domestic Sales. I’m an agent with the FBI.”

  Normally, in social settings such as this, when he dropped the FBI bomb, people either got flustered or were fascinated. Guevara did neither.

  He politely said, “Well, nice to meet you anyway.” Then he turned his attention back to Neil. “I would really like to meet your staff. Can you introduce me?”

  Neil appeared tense and upset about the intrusion, so Kruger said, “Neil, I have to make a phone call. I’ll talk to you later.”

  With that comment, Neil lead Guevara toward a group of senior managers gathered around a TV watching a Royals game.

  Kruger observed as Guevara was introduced to each of the managers, half of whom were women. As the introductions progressed, Guevara seemed to ignore the women and concentrate on the male members of the group. Kruger smiled and slowly shook his head. Stephanie walked up to him and nudged him on the arm.

  “Was that Fernando Guevara? I heard he might show up. Did you meet him?

  “Yeah, I met him. That’s him with Neil, all business, no time for social niceties. Since I don’t work for the company, I’m persona non grata. Interesting guy, but I wouldn’t want to have a beer with him. Watch how he interacts with the group over there. He’s basically ignoring the women.”

  Stephanie watched for a few minutes and said, “Great, just great. At least Neil isn’t kissing his ass. That would make it even more disgusting.”

  Kruger laughed and said, “Neil doesn’t look too thrilled either. Probably wanting another glass of wine. Or something stronger. Why don’t you go get Neil another drink, take it over there and get introduced?” There was a hint of mischievousness in his voice.

  Stephanie stared at him and shook her head, “You’re impossible. I’m sure I’ll meet him soon enough. I need to rescue Brian and Michele. I left them with Bill and Lucy Henderstill. I hope they’re still awake when I get back.”

  She walked away, making a wide circle around the area where Fernando Guevara was standing.

  Kruger was following her with his eyes, thinking about how great she looked, when he noticed the man in the navy blazer. He was sitting at the bar and staring at Guevara. His expression was blank. Every few moments, he would fiddle with what appeared to be a Bluetooth receiver in his right ear. Kruger immediately suspected it wasn’t a Bluetooth receiver, but a hearing enhancing device. He had used something similar several times when he was on surveillance. However, this one looked more like something from Walmart.

  As Guevara moved around the room meeting different people, the man would follow discreetly, always staying about thirty feet away.

  He didn’t appear to be part of a security team. He was slender and did not have the upper body strength of most corporate security personnel. Plus those guys usually stood closer to their client and were constantly glancing around. This guy wasn’t; he was concentrating on Guevara.

  Besides the blue blazer, he wore khaki pants, a light blue polo shirt and loafers. He was holding a short glass containing a clear liquid and trying to be inconspicu
ous.

  Intrigued, Kruger didn’t care if the guy was spying on Guevara, but he did care if the man was working for Guevara and recording private conversations. He made sure his iPhone’s camera would not flash and discreetly took several pictures from about fifteen feet. After watching the man for a few more minutes, his years of experience told him the guy wasn’t working for Guevara. He was following him.

  Thirty minutes later, Guevara finished his rounds at the reception and left. His shadow set his drinking glass down and followed at a distance. In Kruger’s mind, this left no doubt the guy was following Guevara. As discreetly as possible, Kruger wandered over to where the man had set his cocktail glass. Reaching down, he used three fingers spread inside the glass to pick it up without disturbing any finger prints on the outside. He took the glass to the bartender, showed his FBI credentials and asked for a plastic zip-top bag.

  Nodding, the guy found one behind the bar and handed it to Kruger. “You gonna pay for that glass or just take it?”

  Kruger stared at the man. “It’s evidence. I’m taking it. You got a problem with that?”

  The bartender backed up and hurriedly shook his head no.

  With the bagged glass in hand, he walked to a quiet section of the reception area and took his iPhone out. He attached the pictures of the man to an email and sent them to a technician at the FBI Facial Recognition Department in D.C. Hopefully, he would get a response in a day or two. The fingerprints on the glass would be taken to the local FBI office first thing in the morning for processing. If he was lucky, using both methods there was a good chance to identify the man by tomorrow afternoon.

  Suddenly he realized there might be one more possibility. He found Ted Margolin’s number on his phone and called. Ted answered immediately, “Do you know it’s Sunday, Kruger?”