Page 73 of Keep Quiet

He rose and began pacing, trying to collect his thoughts. He told himself he was jumping to conclusions. Maybe the police hadn’t collected the phone and laptop for evidence yet. Or maybe Voloshin had password-protected his phone and computer, and the police hadn’t looked through them yet. He didn’t know what time Voloshin’s body had been found or when the police had started investigating.

He paced back and forth. His temples throbbed. He considered calling a lawyer to represent him when the cops came, but it would only make him look guilty. Still it made sense to get some legal advice. He thumbed through his phone log, found Hubbard’s phone number, and pressedCALL. The phone rang, then went to voicemail, but Jake hung up, telling himself to remain calm. He had seen enough TV shows to know he shouldn’t volunteer any information.

He resumed pacing. He remembered that he had called Voloshin last night from the house. He’d have to make sure to mention that to the police, before they got Voloshin’s phone records.

Suddenly Jake stopped stock still, his pacing ceased. If the police had found the photos and the video, then discovered the wire transfer, they could figure out that Voloshin was blackmailing Jake. The police might even suspect Jake of murdering Voloshin. His mouth went dry. His thoughts raced, threatening to run away with him. The blackmail gave Jake a perfect motive for wanting Voloshin dead, and Jake’s only alibi was that he was home with Ryan, who was implicated in the same crime. The police could be coming to question him in connection with Voloshin’smurder.

Jake realized he had to stop the wire transfer. His gaze flew to the desk clock—9:59. The police would be here in no time. He had to get ahold of Harold and reverse the instructions. He raised his phone and pressed Harold’s cell number. The call rang once, twice, then three times and went to voicemail.

Jake heard the beep and left the message, “Harold! Change of plans.Don’tsend the money to the account. Do you understand? Call me as soon as you get this message, but innoevent should you send the money to the account.” Jake wanted to make sure Harold got the message, so he scrolled to the text function and typed:Harold, Major change of plans. Do NOT send the wire transfer. Call me ASAP.He hitSEND,but still wasn’t satisfied. He pressed the number for Harold’s office at the bank.

The call was answered, “Hello, this is Pennsylvania National’s Wealth Management Group. I’m Marie DiTizio, how can I help you?”

“Hi Marie, it’s Jake, and I have a problem.” Jake knew Marie but he didn’t know if she had been told about the transfer. “I need to reach Harold. He called me this morning, and I know he’s in a meeting. You know where he is?”

“Yes, of course, but our clients are confidential, as you know—”

“I don’t care who the client is. Call him for me. Not on his cell, but at the client. Somebody has to put a note in front of him right away and tell him to call me. It’s very important.”

“Interrupt his meeting?”

“Yes, Marie, I wouldn’t ask you if it weren’t an emergency.”

“May I help you instead?”

Jake hesitated. “Did Harold discuss anything with you about one of my accounts yesterday or this morning?”

“No, but if you update me, I’m sure I can help—”

“Then no, thanks. I need you to call Harold, get a note in front of him, and tell him to call me immediately. Have them write on the note that he shouldnotdo what we discussed. You understand?”

“I suppose I could do that,” Marie said uncertainly. “That he shouldnotdo what you discussed.”

“Yes, exactly.” Jake glanced at the clock, feeling time slipping away. The police would be here soon. “Call me right back after you’ve made the phone call.”

“Of course. I’ll attend to it right now.”

“Thanks, good-bye.” Jake pressedENDon the phone and checked the clock—10:06. The police were on their way. Phone in hand, he hurried to his office door, flung it open, and hustled to Amy’s desk. “Hey, we had some terrible news this morning.”

“What’s going on?” Amy focused her warm brown eyes on his face, her concern immediate. She had on a funky multicolored scarf and dangling silver earrings with bright red stones.

“Amy, do you remember that prospective who dropped in yesterday morning? Lewis Deaner?” Jake leaned over, lowering his voice, even though the closest desk wasn’t within earshot. “I just got a call from the police, and he was found murdered in his apartment.”

“Oh my God.” Amy’s hand flew to her mouth. “That’s terrible.”

“I know, and the police are going to be here in about twenty minutes.”

“Here? Why?”

“I assume they want to investigate and ask what we met about yesterday.” Jake tried to remain composed. Over Amy’s shoulder, he spotted Ramon heading his way.

“How did they know that you met with him? Is that who you were on the phone with?”

“Yes.” Jake saw Ramon, trying to flag him down. “I called Deaner at home to follow up with him, and the police were there. They’re on the way over now.”

“So what do we do?”

“Will you make sure the big conference room is available? Obviously, we’ll keep this between us.”

---