Fatal Dose (16 page)

“I know I’m right. The only reason he came in was fear for his own neck. That woman’s death was the real motivator. Oh well, that’s why we have a justice system. Let’s set up around-the-clock surveillance on Mister Simpson. I don’t want to lose him. In the meantime, I’ll check with Chief Jacobsen and headquarters to figure out our next step. Hold George until I get through to both.”

An hour passed before Chuck heard from Dennis. “Tell Mister Simpson that we will set up a sting for next Tuesday. He is to go ahead and buy whatever they bring to him. We will get it all on tape. Chief Jacobsen’s men will apprehend the men as they leave the store. We will interrogate them once they get them down to police headquarters. This is a major breakthrough. I can feel it in my bones.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Mark showed up at the hotel about fifteen minutes early to assure that he would get a table in their restaurant that would give him the privacy he needed. He hadn’t been on a one-on-one background check in a few years. His work at the FBI didn’t normally require it. At International Investigation Specialists, he has Bruce Crandall to handle that side of the business. Mark felt confident, however, that Paul would be interested in the job offering as he intended to pitch it. That’s all that counted. The Position Requisition that he prepared listed about seventy-five percent of Paul’s qualifications; an acceptable percentage for most high-level openings. Most companies prefer at least a twenty-five percent “stretch” for an applicant. That gives the individual room to grow into their new job and absorb any new requirements that may come along. The salary offer was thirty thousand dollars above his current salary plus a performance bonus and stock option plan. Mark had no doubt that the package would pique Paul’s interest.

The personal cover he used during this phase of the investigation was that of Peter Samuelson, a freelance recruiter for Fortune 500 companies. Mark used a West coast address where phone calls and mail would be received and forwarded.

Paul Snyder arrived five minutes early. He wore a blue suit with a light blue shirt and a red/white/blue-striped tie. He had the look of an executive candidate. Mark waved him over to the table.

“Mister Samuelson?”

“Mister Snyder, I’m so glad you could come, especially on such short notice. I’m sure you will find it well worth your while.”

As he slid into the booth, he said, “I want to say up front that I was really intrigued by your phone call the other day. The position you are recruiting for sounds like a dream job. I’m not necessarily looking for a change, but I’m certainly willing to listen to what you have to offer.”

“I’m glad to hear that. That’s all I can ask of you. I’ve had a tough time finding enough qualified candidates to present to my client. You came highly recommended.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m curious. How did you come by my name?”

“When I get a search like this, I usually start with business directories. I contact people that occupy similar positions at comparable companies. Usually they are not interested in the job, but it gives me an opportunity to inquire if they might know someone who might be interested. You would be surprised how willing people are to recommend business acquaintances. That’s why it’s so important for businessmen to join organizations and attend seminars and conferences. You need to meet as many people as you can, even if you only swap business cards. Networking, especially the use of the social media is the name of the game today.

“Needless to say, that’s how I heard about you. I can’t give you specific names, but I can tell you that you have several enthusiastic supporters whose opinions I value highly.”

Paul looked a bit nervous. “You will have to excuse me. I’m new at this recruiting thing. Every position I ever filled in the past came from an ad in the paper or by word of mouth. I’ve never talked with a recruiter before. Will you run me through the process, Mister Samuelson?”

“I’ll get to that in a minute. May I call you Paul?”

“Please do, sir.”

“Please call me Peter. Before we start, can I interest you in some breakfast or a sweet roll and coffee?”

“The latter sounds good, Peter.”

Mark gestured for the waitress. “We’ll both have coffee and some sweet rolls, please.”

He waited until they were served. Then he handed Paul the job specification sheet. “Look this over and let me know what you think.”

Paul read the spec sheet slowly. His head nodded as he read each qualification. A smile was forming on his face as he reached the bottom of the list. He returned the form to Mark and added some milk to his coffee.

Mark asked, “Well, what do you think?”

“I think your client must have seen my job description,” he said, smiling. “I brought you a copy.” He handed him a two page document.

Mark took a minute to scan it. “I see what you mean, Paul. It’s apparent that while you are uniquely qualified for this job, there is also enough stretch in there to make it interesting for you and for my client. Especially with the succession plan they have in place. That’s always important. It looks like my sources were right about you.”

Paul looked slightly embarrassed, but recovered sufficiently to ask, “What can you tell me about the company, Peter?”

“Well, as you probably have figured out by now, they are one of the big international pharmaceutical companies. The position of Assistant Vice President of Manufacturing is new, so they are flexible regarding the actual job description. They want the candidate to help define the parameters of the position. The Vice President of Manufacturing is five years away from retirement and they will expect that the assistant be groomed by that time to assume his responsibilities. I don’t have to tell you what that can mean.”

Mark hesitated for a second before asking, “How does this sound to you, so far?” He knew what the answer would be. He could see the excitement growing in Paul’s eyes and demeanor.

“It sounds great. What more can you tell me?”

“The job will require that you move to a major western city. I can’t say which one without divulging the company’s name. They are prepared to have a transfer company buy your home so that you and your family can move quickly. They will store your furniture and put you up in a luxury condo for up to four months, all expenses paid, while you find suitable housing. I’ve worked with the company in the past. I can tell you that my client operates first-class. From what you have heard, are you interested in going forward with this?”

“Absolutely. I’d be foolish not to consider it. What’s the next step?”

“Well, I need a bit more personal information. I have an application I need you to complete. I took the liberty of filling in the basic information, so you just have a few more blanks to fill in. If you find any errors, just correct them. Don’t worry how it looks; the form I send to my client will be transcribed to email. They will want to know your salary requirements and will need at least three personal references. There’s a place for that information on the last page.” Mark handed him the application and busied himself with buttering a sweet roll.

Paul took out a pen and went to work on the form. It took him about ten minutes. He scratched his signature on the bottom, dated it and handed it back to Mark. “You’re sure this will be kept confidential?”

“You have my word. I will have to contact your references, however. You should let them know that you gave me their names. I suggest that you tell them that it’s for a business deal you’re considering. Rest assured that I won’t give any indication of what it’s really about.”

“Great. I wouldn’t want anything getting back to Atronen. I’d be out on my ass if they found out.”

“You have nothing to worry about in that regard, Paul. Do you have any other questions?”

“Well, where do we go from here?”

“I will send your application out today. Tomorrow’s is a holiday, so they won’t be able to review it until Friday. They have only two other applicants to consider. They will most likely want to fly you out to their home office within two weeks for the first of what is usually three interviews. How it goes from there will depend entirely on how well you handle yourself. From what I see, your work history is mostly in the pharmaceutical industry and you have a good professional appearance. It’s no slam dunk, but you should do just fine.”

“I appreciate your candor, Peter.”

They shook hands and he left. Mark gathered up the paperwork, finished a last sweet roll and set out for the office to complete his report while everything was fresh in his mind. He was uncomfortable being so deceptive; setting someone up like that. Paul seemed like a nice enough guy and he was doing the right thing by his two families, but then Mark reminded himself of what the stakes were. The remorse vanished at once.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Mark gave Wendy a call. He figured that it was time to find out if she wanted to try another date.

“Wendy, this is Mark.”

“Oh, hello, Mark. Where are you?”

“I’m in my cubicle, catching up on some paperwork. I called to see if you might be free tonight.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I thought we might have an early dinner and catch a movie.”

“I don’t much feel like going out, but I’ll tell you what. If you would like a home cooked meal, we could have dinner and watch a movie at my place. I have quite an extensive DVD collection. I’m sure we could find something we would both enjoy watching. What do you think?”

“That sounds great. Are you sure it won’t be a bother? I know it’s a little late to be calling, but it’s been that kind of a day.”

“It’s no bother at all. I have everything I need already in and an ample supply of my favorite Riesling.”

“Well, then, at least let me bring the dessert.”

“You’ve on, but nothing with too many calories.”

“Leave it to me. What time should I be there?”

“How about seven?”

“That’s great. What’s the address and the best way to get there?”

She gave him directions to her condo and told him where the visitors’ parking was located.

Mark left the office early and went back to his house to shower and change into jeans and a white turtleneck. He left for her place around six-fifteen, stopping at a bakery on the way to pick up a cheesecake. He arrived, bakery box in hand, at her door exactly at seven.

She came to the door with a pink apron covering a white turtleneck and denim jeans.

She burst out laughing when she saw him.

“What are the odds of that happening? You must have been reading my mind. Come on in. Here, let me take that box. Oh, I see you’re a fan of Wilkies, too. What kind of a cake is it?”

“It’s a cheesecake. It’s very special. The man said that it was an old French recipe handed down for generations. Wilkies is the only bakery in the Midwest that makes it. I just couldn’t resist it.”

“I don’t know if that would qualify as not too many calories but I can’t wait to try it.”

He walked into what she described as the “great room” There was a leather couch and two chairs in a semi-circle facing a forty-two-inch flat screen TV. Mark felt at home right away. The furniture and decorations were either white or a soft orange pastel. The condo had hardwood floors throughout.

“Wow, what a great place and look at that screen size.”

“Whoa, don’t get to excited there Mark. We’re going to watch a movie later, not ESPN.”

“I know, I know, but still, it must be great watching football on that screen. Is it High Def too?”

“Yes it is. But it only works if they are broadcasting HD. I personally don’t see what the big deal is. I don’t really see that much difference. Let me show you around. Then, while I get our food ready, your job will be to pick out a movie. The DVD’s are on the left of the TV cabinet. Don’t tell me what you pick. I want to be surprised. I’m interested in learning about your taste in movies.”

The tour took about five minutes. In addition to the great room, the ranch condo had two bedrooms, two and one-half baths, a kitchen, dining area and a laundry room.A sliding door in the dining area led out to a fenced courtyard with an outdoor table, four chairs and a chaise lounge. The table in the dining area was set for two with candles and fancy napkin holders. She opened a bottle of Riesling, poured two glasses, handed one to Mark and pointed him back to the great room.

“Now, while I finish the cooking, you get in there and find us a good movie to watch.”

“I’ll do my best,” he said.

Wendy had more DVD’s than he thought she would have. When he asked her why, she said that at least half of them belonged to her parents. They were mostly old classics that she landed up with when her sister refused to take any of the parent’s personal possessions. They were filed alphabetically by title, within genre; love stories, westerns, mysteries, horror films, sci-fi, comedies, war stories, classics, social issues and documentaries. Mark was impressed by the collection and how well it was organized.
I wish mine were as neat this.
He decided that the occasion called for a romantic movie. His hand reached out for a favorite of his
, LOVE STORY
with Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal. A quick read of the jacket assured him that it was the right choice. He was certain that she would be pleased with his choice. It was important not to disappoint her.

Mark picked up his glass and wandered back towards the kitchen. Wendy turned to him and shooed him back towards the great room.