Free Stained River by David Faxon Page B

than Dan Hewett, who had already established a solid position as Global Market Strategist, Genesis Investments. Genesis was old money, well established. Hawthorne was young, mobile, avant garde. It took six months, but Connery was able to lure Hewett with the promise of high bonuses and stock options. Moreover, he would work hand in glove with Connery on the future development of Hawthorne. It was an offer that piqued Hewett’s interest regarding the possibilities.
    Things went well for the first two years. By the third, Connery showed an inclination to make moves without input from Hewett , not all the time, but enough to be irritating to a man who had contributed substantially to increasing Hawthorne’s client base. That wasn’t all. Connery became pompous, too concerned with his image, too inclined toward sex romps on the continent, while Hewett steered the ship. Their friendship dissolved that year. Disillusionment followed, then quiet resentment. Hewett became the scapegoat for anything that Connery felt went wrong. Yet it was Hewett who maintained forward momentum and the profits needed to support Connery’s lavish lifestyle. In the succeeding year, quiet resentment turned to anger, anger to plotting. I should be in charge, not Connery. The relationship frayed. That’s when he hired Walters and soon after, made contact with Castelo Branco.
    Hewett had just hung up from the conversation with Pam. His scheme was well underway. Soon he would have Hawthorne, but he couldn’t do it without the likes of a Castelo Branco, now his partner in the affair whether he liked it or not. He became nervous, however, when Pam mentioned her conversation with the Treasury agent. Treasury was on to Castelo Branco. Or were they? He would call and find out.
    “Estevo! This is Hewett.”
    The response was curt.
    “I asked that you limit our contacts. You shouldn’t have taken my call to Connery’s office the other day.”
    “This is different. You’ve heard about Connery?”
    “Of course! He’s out of the way. This is a much better solution, don’t you think? My other approach would have taken longer.”
    “I agree. But here’s why I’m calling. I just talked with Connery’s wife. The Treasury Department paid her a visit. I’m sure it was to offer condolences. You may be beyond their reach, but I’m not.”
    “There’s nothing to worry about. Proceed as we discussed. I’ll tell you this: the agent’s name is Morris. I’ve known about him for some time, but his little investigation will go nowhere. You see, his boss is a friend of mine. Well paid too. You don’t think I take care of things before they get this far? You need to relax, my friend.”
    “I should have known.”
    “Good! Then don’t call again. I’ll get in touch with you when I think it’s necessary. Oh! One other thing. The secretary, Cindy. She was a little too close to Connery. She may know more than I am comfortable with. Leave this to me.”
    Hewett hung up, then looked at Cindy, busy at her computer. He was in league with the devil. What had he gotten himself into?
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWELVE
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    News of the crash and Connery’s death gripped Cindy Pellegrino like a vise. She felt dizzy, her legs weakened, and she grabbed the side of her desk, barely able to make it to her chair before collapsing. Three co-workers saw her reaction and rushed to help.
    “No, no. I’m all right, just give me a minute.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m sure.”
    They left, but kept a close watch, concerned she might pass out. She had paled considerably.
    He depended on her these past eight years and that gave her great satisfaction. She rose to executive secretary, becoming an unofficial “insider” at Hawthorne Capital, Connery’s “go to girl.” Despite her position, everyone liked her. Cindy Pellegrino was sharp, observant, and had a way of uncovering information that he always found of use. She had the