1 February 2022 Tuesday

Jack woke up the next morning to the sound of the phone ringing on his bedside table. He answered the call. It was Jerry and he asked him to come to his room. He walked into Jerry's room and sat on the chair.

Jerry said “I have tracked the stash houses and labs here in the U.S. let's just call Mr. Mendoza our lawyer on the phone”

But it is like 7 in the morning that’s too early for calling anyone

No, it is not and we have half a million reasons to call him in the morning.

Okay fine, let's just call him.

On the other side, Mr.Mendoza picked up the phone and said “Hello who is this?”

Hello Mr.Mendoza its Jerry here

It is a little early for calling in the morning

Oh, don’t worry I am wide awake Mr.Mendoza.

I was talking about me, Mr.Jerry.

Don’t worry I will make it worth your time. I have just emailed you a list of 3 drug labs in northern Carolina as proof for the law enforcement that my information is accurate.

Okay, that is indeed a good start. How much would you like me to negotiate the value of this information?

I don't want you to ask anything in return. This information is my goodwill. I would like you to negotiate 25% of all the assets and money seized in asset forfeiture programs in coming drug busts to be our information worth.

That is a big ask. You do know that it is the max amount they can give us anyway right?

Don’t worry Mr.Mendoza they will give it to be sure that we are in a strong position tell them I will give them information about 3of the top 5 drug kingpins that can lead to their capture and also the whole operation of the Sinaloa cartel’s money.

I assume that all this info will be for a price.

You assume right it will be for a price of 10 million a price for 3 drug kingpins and 20% for the Sinaloa cartel money.

You do know that Jerry you are dropping bomb after bomb on me, do you have all this information and how am I gonna convince the D.E.A. that you can provide all this information.

Mr.Mendoza that is the reason you are going to the D.E.A. office this morning and will demand to see the Special Agent in Charge of the D.E.A. they will be sure to not let you meet him. Then just drop the info about the drug labs at the desk of the receptionist and tell them to come to see you if they want to chat about the info in the packet. And leave the claims about drug kingpins out of it.

That is a bold claim. If you can not provide the information then I will be forever gonna be a laughing stock in the whole of New York.

Don't worry, I have just sent you the location of the 100 drug labs and 50 stash houses in the northern Carolina area.

How come you have all this information, Jerry?

That is a dangerous question to ask and I would like it if we don’t discuss it in the future.

After that Jerry hanged up Jack who was on edge blurted out “you are a sly bastard you know” Jerry just rolled his eyes at the screen and told him to go to the office on time he has work to do.

Carlos Mendoza POV:-

Carlos was having regrets taking Jerry as a client yesterday. I thought he was just a crackpot who called to harass me but then he deposited the half-million in the firm’s account according to the contract he knew he was about to get screwed and looks like Jerry didn't wait 12 hours to do so. He was worried that he may have mistakenly steeped into the rivalry between drug lords.

He resolved himself of doing Jerry's bidding after opening his email he was shocked about the information it contained everything about the targets from the location to the guards and also suspected guard names and their pictures. he was becoming more nervous by the time he finished reading the info. He knew that for this level of information Jerry had to be some big plays. The mild-mannered man he talked to can just have him killed with the snap of his fingers that was clear as a day to him. He resigned himself to doing what Jerry suggested without any deviations.

He walked to the D.E.A. office and approached the reception. The receptionist asked him about the purpose of his visit. He asked for a meeting with S.A.C.(Special Agent in Charge) and lo and behold he was asked to wait 30 minutes. Looks like there was a change in plan. After 30 minutes he was escorted to the SAC office of SAC. SAC was a tall man with a full-frame sitting behind a desk. The nameplate on his desk identified him as John Conner. After sizing me up he said, “what can I do for you, Mr.Mendoza ?”

Please call me Carlos and I would like to negotiate some compensation for my client for providing information.

Okay, Carlos, that is the reason a Top Lawyer ever comes in my office so what does your client want immunity, relocation in witsec monthly allowance something like that.

Well no my client is only interested in money exchange of info.

Okay since you are a big-shot lawyer I suppose your client wants to remain anonymous.

That is correct let's just say my client has info about drug labs, stash houses extra how much his information would be worth.

Well, I suppose thanks from us for doing his civic duty would not be acceptable.

Your assumption is correct. My client would like to be provided.

So your client wants a percentage we can give him 10% of the money seized during the bust assuming the information checks out.

That will not be acceptable, how about 25% of all assets seized.

That is a big task if you are a good lawyer you don't think we will agree to that.

How about 20% of all assets seized which include drug labs, stash houses in the U.S., and also all the money of the Sinaloa cartel.

That is a big claim. Are you suggesting your client can get all the money from the Sinaloa cartel, the deadliest and most ruthless cartel in the entire world?

Yes, that is our claim and as a goodwill gesture here is the location of three drug labs.

Okay looks like this has been a productive meeting assuming this information we will be touched but I think we can agree if my bosses agree.

Jack POV:-

Jack was getting bored in his office by trying and failing to trace the hack orchestrated by Jerry and it looked like no one in the office was having any success he was feeling proud of Jerry's accomplishment and was thinking about Jerry's plan to infiltrate the cartels using spyware on their phones and his plan to infiltrate the Sinaloa cartel money operation was very upper sort of crazy when Jack asked about how much money he thinks he can get from Sinaloa cartel he nonchalantly told about 1 billion dollars if all things proceed to be average. Jack did not want to think how much money they can get if things proceed better than average.

Jack was having trouble concentrating on the work so when Carla came and told him that Tom wants to see both of them in his office then he was thankful for the distraction but when he and Carla arrived in Tom’s office he could tell something was wrong there. Tom was wearing a pained expression on his face and there was a man from legal sitting on the couch in his office. Tom began to speak “Jack and Carla you both are suspended with pay pending the inquiry by the legal department due to your negligence in doing your duty and having aided a criminal in his crimes.”

Jack was stunned before he could speak Carla shouted: “What the fuck are you talking about Tom we both know there was no mistake on our part it was just that the hacker was good than our whole division and baited us into making the mistake.”

Jack woke up from his stupor and started calming Carla own he knew this was a phishing expedition from the higher-ups and they should just take some time to think. he calmed Carla down and asked tom when the hearing he said 10 February 2022 meaning 10 days from now on. Tom told both of them to collect their personal effects from their desks and they would be escorted from the premises. Jack took Carla's hand and steered them toward their desks.

Carla POV:-

Carla was livid and thinking how could the FBI do this to us and started to hyperventilate. Jack told me to breathe deeper and just sit on his chair he would collect both our personal effects. Jack was very calm and his face was not showing a single emotion and was calmly collecting our things. he started recording the whole affair on his phone and started typing on his keyboard the security personnel who was asked to escort us asked what he was doing and stop doing he said he was logging out his bureau id from his workstation and the security personnel can not stop him from doing so. the security guard was confused and started for Tom’s office for instructions. Jack just ran and started typing on my workstation also and he was finished before the guard returned with Tom. Tom asked what he was doing Jack said he was logging out his and mine Bureau I.D. from the workstation. I was sure he did something else on our workstation and wanted to ask him but I was aware of all the eyes on us from all our colleagues and said nothing. Now he told me that he was finished and we both were escorted out of the building. Jack took me to the Italian restaurant and after sitting at a table he told me he had to make a call and he would be back in a minute. I was exhausted from the ordeal and said nothing.

Jack POV:-

Jack was furious with Tom and the FBI because he knew he and Carla were going to be made patsy for some higher-up’s satisfaction. But he knew there is nothing more he could have done to mitigate the damage after sitting Carla at a table he made a call to Jerry and asked him if what he had done was successful. Jerry replied that it was successful and that he will know everything shortly. He asked Jerry to do everything he thinks necessary to uncover the whole scheme.

Jack now called his Aunt Lannie Conner, was a corporate lawyer, and worked at New York’s Top Law firm.

His aunt answered “Hello Jack, what a nice surprise! How are you doing?”

I am a fine aunt but sorry this call is not a social one.

What happened Jack you sound agitated?

My friend and I were suspended from work and I need a lawyer.

What happened? don't worry, just come to my office. We will talk all about it and they will be sorry that they messed with my children.

thank you, auntie, I will be there in 30 minutes.

Jack walked inside the restaurant and sat opposite Carla. Carla said “what are we going to do now Jack”

He said that they are going to meet his aunt and hire a lawyer.

Carla said “You never told me about your family”

Sorry, but my parents died when I was 12 and from then on my mom's best friend Aunt Lannie raised me like her child here in New York ''.

“I am sorry for your loss”

Jack told Carla it was a long time ago and that they should go to his aunt's office to meet her since she is a lawyer and can help find a good defense lawyer.

Carla agreed and they both went to Jack's aunt's office.on seeing Jack in the lobby his aunt came and hugged him and said “are you okay Jack you are looking stressed ?”

Jack replied, “I am okay auntie, meet my friend Carla”. Lannie said, “Hello Carla, are you Jack’s girlfriend? He has not brought any girls home since high school.”

Carla was stumped for words just then Lannie started laughing to her embarrassment of Jack. Jack said, “auntie you have to stop doing that she is a good friend”.Lannie said sorry to Carla and suggested that they should meet in her office after reaching the office she demanded 10$ from both Jack and Carla. Jack opened his wallet and gave her 10$ Carla was looking between them. Jack explained it is a retainer so she will be our lawyer and this conversation can be covered under attorney-client privilege and no one can force her to reveal the content of this conversation. Carla gave Lannie 10$ and then Lannie gave both of them a receipt of the money received.

Lannie now shifted into the lawyer mode and asked them to explain the situation to both of them after asking several questions she said “I don't understand how they are going to expect anyone to believe what they are accusing you of and do they think you will just roll over.”

Jack said that he might have an answer but he will need to confirm a few things and asked for Lannie’s laptop. She gave it to him after checking some things he said “they are going to doctor evidence and plant a false trail on our workstations to prove us guilty”. Carla shouted “what, how can they do things like that?”

Lannie just calmly asked, “how do you know they are going to do these things?” Jack answered, “I may have planted a keylogger on both our workstations when we were told to collect our things.” Carla said “so that's what you were doing”

Lannie was having mixed emotions. She was proud that Jack was thinking straight in those conditions and had taken measures to protect himself and angry at the FBI that they had tried to road railer Jack. She was thinking about how she was going to enjoy it when they realized how screwed they were.

Jack was watching his aunt and she was smiling but it was not the gentle smile that she normally displayed to him, it was like a smile a shark would have worn before hunting prey he did not doubt that his bosses at the FBI were not going to like it when his aunt was finished with them.

Lannie said “Jack and Carla I would like to bring my friend Sheryl in on this case. She is a very good defense lawyer and she also hates the FBI with a passion, she would love to screw them.

Jack said that he would not have a problem with her friend taking the case. Lannie picked up the phone and invited Sheryl into her office after coming in she listened while Lannie explained everything to her. after listening to everything Sheryl said “So if I am listening to this write then FBI is fabricating evidence to blame their own two employees so in theory, someone higher up the chain can say they did something to their friend in Washington D.C. and you have proof of the fabrication of the evidence. Jack said “Yes '. Sheryl started laughing and said “Damm Lannie you never told me your children were that smart and why is he working in the FBI he should be a lawyer with that brain of his' '. Lannie said, “I wish I could say that all my children were that smart but that would be a lie”.

Jack said “Sheryl I know you both are very happy but the keylogger I installed was not exactly according to the bureau's policy. I don't want to get prosecuted for that.”

Sheryl said “Don’t worry Jack it is policy, not a law and if it were a law we could have presented the argument that you believed that there is a chance that evidence can be fabricated and took appropriate measures to ensure your safety and that’s exactly what happened no jury will convict you. Now let's talk about money. How do 10000$ retainer and 20% of settlement for both me and Lannie sound?”

Lannie said “you should get all the fees”

Sheryl replied,” First they are your client first and second I know you will go with me to tear them a new one so you should receive at least half the fees.”

Carla said embarrassed “But I don't have that kind of money saved. It all goes to student loans.”Lannie said, “don’t worry about the money we can take after settlement, and guess how much do you think the FBI will settle this for?”

Carla said “1 million”

Lannie said “20 million”

Carla exclaimed “20 million!”

Lannie smiled like a shark and said “20 million each”

Carla was just dumbstruck with the amount of money. Jack saved her by thanking both ladies and telling them that they will be in touch. Sheryl told them to not discuss the case with anyone from the FBI including Carla’s Boyfriend they both agreed. Lannie invited both for lunch at their house on Sunday. Jack said that he would be there and Carla also said yes.

Jack stopped a taxi and said Goodbye to Carla and reminded her to not discuss the case with her boyfriend James and that he will be in touch.

Jack arrived at his house in a good mood and was looking forward to some rest but he remembered that he had tasked Jerry to look into the frame job and was looking forward to the result. Jerry welcomed him home and asked if he wanted the short version or the long one.

The long one

It is pathetically simple and a waste of my skills, the police commissioner and his friends are looking to discredit the evidence and some defense attorney floated the idea that if someone was arrested for this whole fiasco then they could find something in their life or just dismiss the evidence out of hand if the plead guilty. The commissioner was on sinking and decided that this was the best defense strategy he called every favor he owed and was distributing favors like candy someone in the FBI legal department took the bait and set up the scheme. And before you ask Tom was not involved in the scheme and had no idea that they were going to fabricate the evidence. He was fed the line that Carla would get slapped on the wrist and you will be freed of all allegations and it was just a ruse to satisfy some people in washington.

Jack was relieved that Tom was not involved in this whole fiasco and he decided to go out to a club uptown to blow some steam with his cousin Mike Connar and invited Mike to the club.

After changing clothes he goes to the club where he met Mike who was chatting with a gorgeous girl. He approached mike who said “Hello Jack meet my friend Aarti Malik “

“Hello nice to meet you Aarti”

Nice to meet you too Jack I was just telling Mike how it is rewarding work as a teacher and it was nice to meet you both.

What was that? Jack asked mike

Well I have been chasing her for some time but she is not interested in a guy who works at an investment bank, you know how that goes?

Oh I know how is your work going made some big deals or something

No man, everyone can not be that lucky like you who just invests the very first time and blows everything out of the water.

That was not just luck and you know it

Yeah yeah, big guy, you explained everything to me and I did not believe in you so sue me I was skeptical.

Nah man it is all in the past is anything else interesting going on in your life?

No man the same age goes to work 12 hours a day and after a week when spending time comes does not have much energy to do anything.

Tell me about your job, what was that mess about the hack, people were going crazy at my work and tech shares were dumping like they were going out of fashion.

It was just a very good hacker who baited us and made a fool of the FBI. Now they are looking for someone to blame and guess who they found?

Tell me it is not you, are they blind?

Yes it is me and they are not blind there is an inquiry on me and there will be a hearing in 10 days.

Fuck man how are you so chill, we should call mom and hire you a lawyer otherwise they would railroad you.

Don't worry I talked to auntie and we hired a lawyer you might know her Sheryl she works with auntie.

Yeah, I remember her she is a hell of a lawyer. Now, what about your job will you quit if you are quitting consider joining dad in the business he will be very happy if you join the business.

Yes I will be quitting and no I will not join the family business I am starting to think of starting my own business but it is all in the future. Let's just get hammered tonight. I don't want to think of these depressing things.