Chapter 43
Igrabbed a burner from the store, then headed to Zoe’s apartment. We picked her up and drove the van to a parking lot that didn't have security cameras. From there, I instructed her to call Richard Pearson.
A deputy couldn’t make the call, or I would have recruited Denise. That would have opened a legal can of worms. I didn’t want to hand a defense attorney an argument for entrapment or inducement to commit a crime. We were definitely pushing the boundaries.
Zoe put it on speaker.
The receptionist at Richard’s firm answered in a cheery voice. “Pearson Ventures, how may I direct your call?"
"I need to speak with Richard Pearson, please,” Zoe said.
"May I tell him who's calling?"
"Riley Reynolds.”
I figured that would get Pearson's attention.
The receptionist put Zoe on hold for a moment, then Pearson picked up the phone. "I don't know who this is, but it isn't funny.”
"I'm glad you're in agreement, because this is dead serious.”
I think she had his attention.
"Who is this?”
"Who I am is not really important. What I have is?”
Pearson was silent for a moment. "What do you have?”
"I'm so glad you asked. You and I both know how Riley Reynolds died.
I have drone footage. I can show it to you if you'd like.
Or I can show it to the police. It's amazing what these high-definition cameras will capture these days.
Especially in low light. The way she was strangled on your bed.
I felt like I was almost in the room when it happened.
Footage like this would certainly be enough to convict. "
“So you’re the person who’s been making these accusations?”
“No. I’m the person who’s been watching you. Recording you.”
“If you had any real evidence, the police would be knocking down my door with a warrant.”
"At first, I thought about going straight to the police and handing this over to them. Then I thought, what's in it for me? You’re a rich and powerful man. This is an opportunity too good to pass up.”
"You think I can be blackmailed?” he said in a hushed tone that was almost a dare.
"I know you can be blackmailed. I know Riley was doing it. All those funds you embezzled. Pumping up worthless companies, taking investments, siphoning off funds, cooking the books. From what I can tell, you’re running a helluva Ponzi scheme.
The last thing you need is a scandal like this to break. ”
In a low, deliberate voice, Richard said, "I'll ask again. What do you want?"
"I think it's pretty obvious. You're going to throw out a number. A number that you'd happily pay to make all of this go away."
Pearson was silent for a moment. "And what assurances do I have that the problem will actually go away? That you won't keep coming back for more and more money?”
"There's always an element of trust in situations like this,” Zoe said. “But I understand you want assurances. I will give you every copy of the footage I have. I'll give you my personal guarantee that I won't go to law enforcement or give the footage to the media."
"I'm afraid your personal guarantee isn't worth much. I don’t even know who you are.”
"I thought you might say something like that. That hurts my feelings. I like to think of myself as a trustworthy individual."
“Trustworthy individuals don't blackmail people.”
"Trustworthy individuals don't murder people in their bedroom.”
There was an awkward silence.
"I'm still waiting on that number."
"$50,000," Richard said.
Zoe laughed. "A life outside of prison seems worth a lot more than that. Especially for a man like you.”
"$100,000.”
"$250K in cash. That shouldn’t be too hard for you to get hold of.”
Richard took a deep breath.
"A onetime payment, and you'll never see me again.”
"I want to see the footage first.”
"Not a problem."
"Send it to me.”
Zoe laughed. "No. I'm not sending it over the Internet. I'm not giving you a way to trace me."
"I'm not that tech savvy."
"I don't care.”
"Fine. Meet me at Echo Beach at midnight.”
"No. I set the location."
After a pause, he said, “Where?”
"The parking lot of the old warehouse near Commerce and Terminal. You know, the one that blew up a few months ago."
"I know where it is.”
"I'll see you there. Come alone. Keep your cell phone turned on and answer when I call.” Zoe ended the call and smiled at me. “How’d I do?”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were a pro.”
“That was fun! So, what’s the plan?”