Angels & Imperfections

  Chapter 31

   

  I had asked Tony to be there for the meeting with Mr. Nordstrom. I was hoping Nordstrom might tell us something about Walter’s activities that would have criminal implications. All we needed was some information that linked Walter to a crime.

  The three of us were sitting in my office the next afternoon, waiting for Edward Nordstrom to appear. The conversation had shifted to Lori’s relationship with Walter. Christine was bringing us up to speed on the latest developments.

  “…They’ve met Walter and they find him equally as charming as Lori does. I had a hard time convincing them that he’s a snake in the grass.”

  “Wait a minute; did you say they’ve met Walter?” I asked.

  “I know, right? I was shocked myself. Apparently Lori’s parents were having dinner at Willow Brook country club, one evening, when Walter approached their table and introduced himself for the first time. He told them he had met Lori in our office and he was familiar with her remarkable ‘story.’ He indicated he wanted to support her ‘recovery,’ and told them he was ‘counselling’ her by telephone.” Christine informed us.

  “We never told him anything about Lori. She must have told him herself.” I said.

  “I guess she must have. I’m really surprised. She’s so ashamed of that part of her life, I would have expected her to keep it a secret, to the degree she can. She would barely talk to me about it. I can’t understand why she would have told Walter anything.”

  At that point, Tony interrupted.

  “So, let me see if I understand all this,” Tony began. “Walter Farley works for Ted Simpson, the Simpson Oil and Gas Company’s Ted Simpson. Mr. Farley is also the CEO of the World Wide Security Agency, which provides security for Simpson Oil and Gas, among others. Over the last several months, Walter Farley has bugged your office, put a transponder on your truck, and sent men to follow you everywhere you go. He met Lori in your office, and he’s been wheedling his way into her life. Is that where we are, so far?”

  “Pretty much,” I replied.

  “J.W., has it occurred to you, Walter Farley may have sent the hit man to kill you last spring?”

  I nodded. “I expect he probably did.”

  “What? Somebody tried to kill you, when did this happen?” Christine asked

  “It was back in the spring, about the time you quit working for Simpson Oil and Gas.”

  “My god, what happened?”

  “A guy followed me into an ally and tried to shoot me.”

  “How...I mean, what…did you do?” she asked.

  “I shot him.”

  “Did you…”

  “Yes, Christine. He missed, I didn’t. He died of a gunshot wound, I didn’t. It was a very near thing.”

  She was as white as a sheet.

  “I’m sorry you had to hear that, Christine.”

  She blinked away some tears. Then she began to harden her countenance.

  “That little weasel sent someone to kill you, because you took me on a date?”

  “No, Christine, this isn’t about you. You’re part of it, I’m part of it, and now Lori is part of it, but this is all about Walter. He has to be the biggest and the best. He can’t lose, and he can’t be made to face the truth. He is a sociopath. He lies, manipulates, exaggerates, cheats, and plays dirty to get what he wants. He’ll cut down anyone who gets in his way. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”

  “We’ve got to put a stop to this,” Tony said.

  “We don’t have any concrete evidence against him. Maybe, when Mr. Nordstrom gets here, he’ll be able to give us something useful. He’s running late.” I pointed out. “Christine, how did you convince the Murphys they needed to keep Lori away from Walter?”

  She was lost in thought, not really listening.

  “Huh? Oh, that’s just it. I’m not sure they were, convinced I mean. I let them know Walter has a history with us. I told them he’s trying to do us harm, by trying to use Lori against us in some way. They said, as they’ve gotten to know him a little, they’ve come to trust him. To them, he seems very sincere and charming.”

  “It bothers me the Murphys seem to trust Farley, more than they trust y’all.” Tony said.

  It bothered me too.

  “Maybe I could say something to her folks, J.W.” Tony offered.

  “Actually, Tony, that’s a really good idea. Thanks.”

  “Even if her parents can be convinced Lori should stay away from him. She’s both naïve and stubborn. She thinks she’s all grown up and able to make her own decisions. She might not listen to her parents.” Christine pointed out.

  “She also thinks you have something against Walter, personally, Christine.” I said.

  “Well, that’s fair enough. I do, now more than ever.”

  “But, from her teenage girl perspective, she might think you’re just being vindictive. Walter can probably play her like a violin. She is the perfect puppet for his games.”

  We all considered the implications of the situation, for a moment.

   

  “So, tell me more about this Nordstrom guy.” Tony said.

  “He’s twenty six years old. He’s been working for WWSA for two years, since he got out of the Marine Corp. Until about three months ago, WWSA had him working in Africa as part of a unit providing security for a relief agency. When that contract closed, he was recalled to Tyler, presumably to work on the Simpson detail. He told me Walter hasn’t been able to pay his people on time. Nordstrom says he wants to come to work for me. It strikes me as odd. There are several big security outfits with Federal contracts who would probably hire Nordstrom, in a heart-beat. I’m sure I could get him on with Stryker/Knight Strategic or Sun Eagle Security Systems. If he turns out to be legit, that’s what I’ll do for him.

  “He’s late. You did say six o’clock, didn’t you?” Christine asked.

  I looked at my watch, it was nearly six thirty.

  “Yeah, he is late. Say, Christine, you’d better run along if you’re going to make your yoga class.”

  “Right, well I think I’d rather be here for this interview, if it’s all right with y’all.”

  Tony nodded. “Fine with me,” he said.

  Uh huh, I saw the way Tony looked at Christine. That was interesting, very interesting. Christine had planned to go on to her yoga class, until Tony showed up for the meeting.

  “Sure, Christine, glad to have you here. I warned him to be prepared for some tough questions. Nobody can ask tough questions, like a committee,” I said.

   

  Mr. Edward Nordstrom didn’t answer any of our questions.

  He never showed up.