10 February 2022 Thursday

Jack was on his bike and was driving it fast because he forgot the time of the hearing and was sidetracked by checking up on various projects which Jerry had marked as interesting. When Jerry reminded him about the hearing Jack was jolted out of his thoughts and proceeded to tumble down from the chair he was sitting on. Jack had a pretty good idea that Jerry had done that on purpose and had done some probability calculation to play the prank on him. But that was not why he was worried about pissing off his mom by arriving on his Bike because Lannie Connor did not approve of it and had made her opinion known to everyone willing to listen to her. And now she was also with Carla who also hated the bike but Jack could not do anything about it because he had no other choice since he was running late

He arrived outside the FBI building and parked in the public parking garage. He was worried about the guard making a fuss but Thankfully the security guard did not bat an eye at the bike. That was a refreshing change of pace and one Jack hoped sign of his good luck but that hope was quickly dashed as he saw his mother and Carla approaching from his mother’s car. His mother said

“Hello, son, why were you not answering my calls? I thought you were running late.

No mom I was on the way so did not know the phone was ringing

Don't tell me you were riding on that bike of yours. You know that That bike has given me lines of worry on my face and now your dad is also thinking to buy one

Mom, you are as beautiful as ever and we can buy a mountain bicycle for dad some exercise will do him good

Now that is a very good idea indeed but don't you dare think I forgot about your bike someday I am going to get rid of it.

Then Jack and Lannie hugged each other. Jack was having fun duo bantering and was very happy and had almost forgotten why they were there but was reminded when Lannie hurried both of them to the lobby where her colleague Sheryl waited. She told all of them that the hearing will start in 15 minutes and asked if there were any new developments to which they both shook their heads.

Then Lannie proceeds to explain that they should not answer any question in depth and should wait for the lawyers to ask for clarification and let her handle everything. Lannie specially asked Carla to show restraint when James her ex gave his testimony and that she will handle everything. They all were ready for the hearing.

They proceed to the room where the hearing was taking place. There were 5 seats at the front of the room like a typical press conference setting and two tables and chairs for the subjects of the hearing. Lannie and Sheryl told both of them that it works like a court system but there is no jury and outside experts here. They could only use outside experts in the appeal process and the committee was heavily biased toward the FBI. When Jake told them that he was nervous about the bias after that Sheryl told him that due to his keylogger they have such evidence that the FBI will be begging for a settlement before the end of the day.

The hearing had begun and some lawyers from the legal team read the complaints and allegations against Jack and Carla and asked permission to call Witnesses. Their first witness was Tom Jack’s supervisor and he was asked about the general details of the incident when the FBI lawyer was finished Lannie started “Mr. Tom, did you have any indication that Jack and Carla were allegedly involved with this hacker?

No, I did not

Then how did you get found out about the allegations and what did you afterward

I found out about the allegation when a lawyer from the Legal department visited me and told me they investigated on some anonymous tip and they have some evidence? I then followed standard operating procedures and suspended both of them without pay and had them escorted out of the building.

Did you see the evidence against them before suspending them?

No, I did not but I was informed that it exists

Then where is Mr.Tom because there is no such evidence submitted in this hearing?

I don't know.

The defense wants to show on record that the supposed evidence was not submitted for our review and was also not shown to Mr. Tom here.

The FBI lawyer said “objection members but that is irreverent and we have overwhelming proof?”

But committee members, the basis of seizing and searching my client's workstation on which evidence was found and they were suspended, is absent so we can challenge it.

The head of the committee asked if she wanted to challenge this in court.

Not at this time

The head said “let the record show that the defendant has no objection about evidence at this time.

Now James was called and proceeded to tell that Carla and Jack were behaving suspiciously and he had found some secret emails on Carla’s laptop when confronted about the emails Carla admitted to having made a mistake for money.

Lannie asked “ Mr. James you work for the FBI right?

Yes but dating is not against the rules since we both work in different departments.

Did Carla admit to some specific crime or general crime?

No, she just said that it was a mistake

Okay Did you accost her outside her home on Sunday and had an altercation with my client Jack due to which charges were pressed on you?

But that was a misunderstanding

According to the report you accused Carla of cheating with Jack and when asked to leave proceeded to assault my client Jack. Are you saying it is not true?

There was silence from James and then Lannie proceeded to Show the police report and statements from Jack, Carla, and the Taxi driver.

The head asked the FBI lawyer if he had anything to say and he replied he did not know of the incident.

Things proceed from there in which the FBI lawyer introduced Some notes, videos, and programs to implicate Jack and Carla to which Lannie asked for proof of authenticity, The Lawyer just smirked and called his witness an IT personnel from legal who proceed to tell all about the process of recovering and verified that it was he who recovered all the logs.

Lannie said “can you please verify this chain of custody list”

Yes it is right

Can you tell me when according to this you received the Computers for data extraction? And is it right?

I received the computers on 1 Feb 2022 at approx 4:30 P.M and this is right

So where was it between 2:00 and 4:30 and did anyone access it?

It was in the evidence locker between that time and no one had access to it as you can see from the chain of custody.

Lannie said that she had no further questions? And wanted to call her client Jack as a witness. When Jake sat there he was asked general questions about his identity then Lannie started to go into the heart of the matter and asked “ What did you do after you were suspended and told to leave the building”

I went to both our desks and told the guard that I am logging out of my bureau id

But what did you did

I installed a keylogger in both of our workstations.

The FBI lawyer flew from his chair and said it is illegal but Lannie calmly replied that it was only against the bureau policy and not illegal since Jack had access to the workstation legally. The committee head said that she was right but why was she digging the hole deeper for her client. Lannie replied that it was her business and he will know in some time.

Lannie then asked “ What is a Keylogger”

It records every key that is placed and can be used to reconstruct what was done on the computer.

But why did you install it?

Because I thought someone could fabricate evidence and I was right.

Everyone in the room was silenced. The FBI lawyer objected and said that was preposterous. Lannie calmly told the committee that Jack was her witness and that no one can stop a witness from answering a question willingly. The FBI lawyer can Charge him with perjury if he can prove it as a false statement The committee allowed it.

Lannie said, “How were you right, can you explain?”

According to my keylogger, our workstations were accessed between 2:30 and 3:00 pm, and all evidence was planted

Can you prove the allegation?

Yes, I will need the CD I gave you

Lannie said that she wanted to submit evidence to which the FBI lawyer objected and said that she can not submit new evidence without informing them. To which Lannie said, “ It is not new evidence, it is a file extracted from workstation data that the FBI submitted as their evidence .”

Everyone was not believing what was happening all people were frozen in their seats Then FBI LAwyer demanded a break to discuss a deal which the committee hurriedly accepted but before anyone can leave Lannie said

“Now I am going to take my son and his friend to my office. Now it is 11:00 A.M. if the FBI director does not come there and give an apology and agree to my terms at 3:01 she will send everything to the New York Post and the DOJ .”

Everyone was looking at Lannie like she was mad but she just walked out of the room and her companions followed her when they reached her office Jack could not keep control and said “Mom you are awesome”

Lannie just rolled her eyes and said “ I am always awesome but now they will also know it”

Everyone started laughing and Sheryl said “You did not even allow me time to take jabs on that smug lawyer”

Lannie said “ Don’t Worry you will receive your chance here with the FBI director, not some puny kid playing lawyer.

Everyone ordered lunch and the atmosphere was very festive. Now they had to wait for the director.

FBI director John Michael's POV:

John Micheal was a patient man but his patience was starting to slip because of how smug the DEA director was acting in these meetings. He was having trouble imagining the luck the rotten bastard had to luck into that much of a good source. He was very interested in learning the identity of the source but was having no luck like his colleagues. That lawyer Carlos Mendoza was one of the most-watched people in the U.S. recently but all their efforts were in vain because they could not even know the general area The Informant was living by tracing phones. It always changed the first two-three times they thought he was traveling that much but that jig was up he called from London and New York and the difference between the calls was avg time it took to travel the location but due to a blizzard, London was having signal problems and delayed flights. Then they were able to discover a spoofing service that was using real phone lines and working as a phone operator for the privacy of the clients. That had led to a very good amount of intel and they were operating it now. He was happy about that but he had a sneaking suspicion that they were led by their nose to the target and not due to a mistake. It was confirmed because there was no other call from that service.

He was interrupted from his thoughts by his secretary who told him that his deputy director wants to speak with him. When he was told of the situation he could only pull his hair. He asked, “How true are her claims?”

Sir, we are investigating right now

I asked how true they were, don't just bullshit me on this.

They are true sir. It looks like it was done by some people in the legal department to get evidence against the New York police commissioner thrown out in court.

That wretched bastard will never stop troubling me.

What do we know about the Lawyers and the kids?

They are good kids who were going to be railroaded.

Boy’s parents are dead but his Mom’s best friend Lannie Connar, his lawyer, raised him as his aunt. The other Lawyer is a very good defense attorney who works with Lannie Connar and hates the FBI. She has sued the Bureau many times and has won 3 out of 5 times.

The girl is from a normal family and has good lawyers because of her friendship with the boy.

How bad is it?

The worst is they have proof of the FBI fabricating evidence in our building and that is leaving the phantom evidence used to suspend them and seize the workstation. The Boy Jack Miller is very smart and caught them with their pants down

Looks like we don't have a choice if we don't want every case investigated by the cyber branch thrown out and having a hearing in Congress in which we will be renamed a new one and then have to pay them the damages they will be asked to in court.

But she demanded your presence and I think it is just empty threats for settlement.

No, it is not about the settlement where we have wronged her children and I don't doubt that at 3:01 P.M. she will call every newspaper or T.V. that has a phone and email and send all of it. At max 4:00 P, M. we would have the summons to appear in front of the president to explain why we fucked up. So now I am going to meet her and you are coming with me. And find out everyone who is involved in this scheme because if I am right she would like their heads on a silver platter, and I am going to give them

Jake's POV:

Jake was having trouble reconciling his mom's lawyer persona with her normal personality of a kind and loving woman. But he did not get to spend any more on these stray thoughts and was soon brought out of his mind by the ringing of the phone on his mom's desk who answered and told him to send them in after 5 minutes. She faced them and said that the FBI director and Deputy director are in the lobby and will be here in 5 minutes.

Shery just laughed and said, "you are vindictive making the FBI director wait when you demanded his presence. I am working on this case more with every passing moment." Jack just laughed at his mom's antics while Carla nervously chuckled. Lannie last time reminded their strategy to all of them in which Lannie will be the bad cop while Shery will be the worst cop Jake and Carla were to remain silent and only speak when prompted by Lannie. Jack told her that they both remember all this and we were not going to forget in the next 10 minutes.

Jack had seen the FBI director in person at his training and the man had more grey hairs on his head otherwise John Michaels had not changed by much on his side was a thin man whom he recognized as the deputy director Carl Freeman. He was looking forward to the boys club match against the girls.

Director John Micheals said “Good afternoon Ladies I headed you wanted to talk to me”

Lannie said “Well you heard wrong”

Excuse me?

I want an apology from you in writing for not keeping your people in check and one from the FBI for trying to Sabotage my client's careers.

These are some big demands Mrs. Connar

Then I am afraid you have wasted both of our time. Sheryl, please show gentlemen to the door.

You are treading in dangerous water it is a borderline insult to my position and the FBI

As it should be to show you how far you have fallen and have to demand respect instead of earning it.

The room had grown frigid. Then John chuckled and said “ I knew it was bad news to piss mothers off but did not know the extent of it. I apologize for all the troubles your clients faced and can have it in writing provided they drop this matter and sign an NDA.

Well that Mr. Micheals is not gonna happen let's see you have agreed to apologize so now the other portion will be handled by my colleague Sheryl.

John internally grimaced because he was outmaneuvered and was in the least favorable position anyone can imagine.

Sheryl said “ NDA is a non-starter and if you insist on it you know the route for the door”

Well, was it worth a try? What are your other conditions?

What are you gonna do to people involved with this shit show?

They will be quietly asked to resign or take voluntary retirement

That will not do I want all resigned and retired without pension

People will not accept that laying down Ms. Sheryl

They don't need to just use the fear of prison on them as you use on other people?

Okay, can we agree to that? Now can we sign papers?

Not so fast Mr.John. We still need to discuss the settlement

Well they will receive a severance package of 100000$ each in cash

That is not good enough.

Deputy Carl spoke “ Bitch” in low voice but at that exact moment John had finished speaking and everyone heard it

Sheryl said “well this bitch wanted 20 million dollars for each of my clients but since you are in a generous mood I will not say no to an extra 5 million on top of that Carl boy”

Carl was humiliated and said nothing while John grimaced at the amount of money

John said I don't think we have that kind of money

Well, you U.S. The Govt gave 210 million dollars to a Criminal informant and is also flush with 1.5 billion extra cash by information given by this informant so it should be easy to squeeze through and we will want the money tax-free.

How did you get the details of the deal?

I heard rumors now you confirmed it.

We will need time to arrange everything but we will not willingly give this info to anyone we can take it as an honor agreement.

We will not share the info on our Honour but our clients want the money by Monday.

We agree to the deal but just make sure to honor our NDA.

They both left the office and John said “That was a bloody beatdown” Carla agreed with John and drank some water after seeing this Lannie said that it was celebration time and that they should drink wine. No one objected and they celebrated in the office with wine.

When it was time to leave Jack decided to leave his bike at his mom’s office since he was somewhat buzzed he took his leave from everyone and proceeded to flag a taxi. He proceeded to early dinner and slept on his bed without changing since he was tired.

Jack woke up from a siren. He sat up on his bed and Then the siren was cut off and Jerry told him to get armed. Jack did not ask questions and pulled out his 9mm from the bedside table. When it was in his hand he asked what was happening?

Jerry Said “ Carla’s ex James is coming here to kill you with 2 gang members”

What and how do you know

Remember I had spyware on his phone and when he met with the gang members and planned it was all recorded and 20 minutes ago it was uploaded to my servers. When I tracked his phone it was at his home but according to street cam 4 blocks from here, he is coming 3 men are approaching the building in hoodies and one of them is a perfect match for James in Body type and his gait which is unique to almost every person matches with James. So I am pretty sure they are here to kill you.

How are they going to avoid security cameras in the hallway and outside the building?

That I don't know but he should have some tools and tricks for them.

You grab the Assault rifle and load the magazine in it

There is no need for that, just call 911 and report suspicious activity on them.

The police won't get on time for such a general call and we can’t tell them that we were spying on him. So you don't have a choice.

Okay, what is the plan?

The moment they mess with the security system I will sound an alarm and you will call 911 in a panic that someone is trying to break into your house and to send the police. when they try for the door lock the Alarm would be blasted at full volume that should let them run. You will also inform the 911 operator that you are armed and will remain on the call when the police officer arrives at the scene to tell you through the phone.

I guess that works.

Jack was feeling dread in his stomach and had a feeling that something was going to go wrong. But he calmed his mind and focused on the 9 mm in his hand and the assault rifle on the table which he had reloaded while Jerry was speaking.

He picked it up and went to the upper end of the stairs where there was a bend that could serve as a perfect cover for him. He put the assault rifle near the wall and racked the slide of his 9mm. Then he remembered about the dim light on the upper floor and asked Jerry to shut it and illuminate the living room and the door area in dim light and if someone steps through the door to blast the lights on and say Put your hands in the air. And drop the gun in my voice from the ALEXA in the kitchen

No problem and looks like they have used lasers on the building camera and someone is hacking your home security system. Now call 911.

Jack called 911 and told them that someone was trying to break into his home just then Jerry blasted the alarm at full volume and the 911 operator was drowned out. Jack looked around the wall and saw that there was no one on the door just then the door was opened by 2 loud shots. Jack ducked around the corner again. The speaker in the kitchen was announcing him Then there was multiple shot in the direction of the kitchen at that moment Jack knew he had to use his gun so he fired looked around and fired at the intruder but missed his first shots and the intruder jumped behind the sofa in the living room Now jack knew that his gun will not work and lifted the assault rifle from the floor and frog jumped around the corner as explained in tactics and opened fire on the sofa after 20 rounds he took his earlier position and switched to the 9 mm gun in his hands and waited. He was hearing sirens in the distance so he peeked around the corner and nothing was moving on the lower floor. There was blood on the rug near the sofa and lots of it. Jack was getting sick but he remembered the 911 call and picked up his phone

The 911 operator was saying “Sir are you okay is someone hurt”

I am okay and I think I shot the intruder. Can you send the EMTs?

Sir, we are sending the EMTs a patrol car has reached your location please give us your location

I am outside my bedroom and near the upper end of the stairs of my apartment

Sir please leave the gun there and retreat to the bedroom officers will announce themself when entering the house.

Jack left the guns there and retreated to his bedroom. He heard Cops entering the house and announcing themselves. He shouted for them and told them that guns were on the upper end of the stairs and he was unarmed and in the bedroom. He saw a police officer with a gun drawn peeking in his room. He showed the officer his hands and kept them in the air. The officer's partner arrived and asked “ Sir are you alright do you need medical attention”

“I am fine and no I don't need medical attention.

The cops told him to wait there on his bed and one of them stayed with him. After 5 minutes the officer arrived Jack could tell by the uniform that it was a sergeant he said: “ Sir can you tell us what happened here and do you have a license for the guns.”

Jack was silent he considered answering his question but his Mom’s warning about never stating without a lawyer's presence showed its head and he said “I would like a lawyer”

The sergeant replied “I am afraid we have to take you for questioning to the station and then you can contact your lawyer”

Jack said “ Are you arresting me”

No sir we want you to come in for questioning”

In that case, I am going to make a call to my lawyer”

The police officer did not stop him for

Picking up his phone he called Lannie who answered after a long time. Lannie said, “Why are you calling this late Jack, did something happen?”

“Yes mom, an intruder tried to break into my home and fired a gun now I am going with the police for questioning can you come and meet me at the police station “

Jack are you alright or did you get hurt?

No, I am a fine mom and there is not a scratch on me.

Okay, that’s good. Which police station are they taking you to and don’t say a word till I reach there.

Jack asked the sergeant where they were taking him and forwarded the info to his mom.

Jack thanked the cops for letting him make the call and told them that he was ready to go with them. Jack was taken to the nearest police station where he was asked to sit in the lounge and wait for the homicide detective who will be with him shortly. Jack showed his acceptance and asked for water which was provided to him. He was now thinking about all the gore and mess he had seen on his apartment’s floor but he did not know which one of the three was the person he killed. But he had a strong suspicion that James was the person killed by him. He was feeling remorse because he killed a man but not because he liked him it was due to the matter of taking a life.

Jack waited for 15 minutes when the detective arrived and asked him if he changed his mind about the statement to which Jack answered negatively. They both sat silent for some time then when Lannie arrived with Graham they both rushed towards Jake and hugged him at that moment Jake broke down and started softly crying. The detective left to give them privacy. After 5 minutes Jack was feeling better than before and proceeded to drink the water. Seeing him more composed Lannie asked him what happened and to no single detail behind.

Lannie proceed to ask him questions about the guns, timing of the alarm, and some other things to which he replied satisfactorily. She then asked him to wait with Graham while she talk to the detective. Graham proceeds to tell him that all will be good and that he made no mistake in shooting the man. Lannie arrived and told him that the intruder was Carla’s ex and there appears to be two more accomplices so the detective wants to take his statement and ask some questions if he was feeling up to it. Jack told her that he had no problem with that and gladly answer the question.

The detective entered the lounge and proceeded to inform them that they will need to move to the interrogation room Lannie flatly refused and told the detective that her client was not a criminal and if he wanted the statement he could take it in the lounge otherwise she would like to speak to his supervisor about it. The detective folded and told them that he would set it up in a conference room.