August 13, 2004 James Malaki’s listed home of residence, Talware NC
Peter Gibbons stared out the car window. “Damn it Bobby, are you sure were not lost? We’ve been on this road four nearly a half hour.” He said with an impatient sigh.
“Pete, no. For the sixth time, no I’m not sure were not lost. But have you seen anywhere to turn around or stop at all? According to the GPS and the satellite images this dude lives in the ass end of nowhere.“
The car crested a hill and Peter finally saw something besides trees, it was a gate. “well I guess your right this must be a private drive. As they got closer they saw a small security shack standing just in front of it.
Bobby slowed the car and rolled down the window as they approached. The shack door opened and a security guard dressed in black stepped out waiting for the to come to a stop. “Can I help you gentlemen?” The guard asked.
“Yes, I’m special agent Shoemaker, this is special agent Gibbons, FBI; were here to speak with Mr. Malaki.” He said as he put the car into park.
“Are you expected?” the guard asked
“Uh, no. I highly doubt it.” Bobby answered.
“Okay, hold on just a sec.” The guard said before dashing back into the shack and picking up a phone. After a brief exchange he hung it up and returned to the car. “The estate keeper says that Mr. Malaki isn’t in at the moment but your welcome to come in and speak with him.”
Bobby looked over to Pete and raised a questioning eyebrow. Nodding, Pete said “don’t want to make this trip a total waste, he might be able to shed some light on Malaki“.
“Okay, ya sure. We’ll talk to him.” Bobby said to the guard.
“Alright I’ll phone ahead to the estate keeper to let him know you’ll be coming. He said he’d meet you at the main entrance if you were.” The guard returned to the shack closing its door.
Bobby rolled the window back up and a moment later the gate began to slide open. Putting the car back into drive the two agents passed through the gate and continued down the wooded road. After about ten minutes the road curved and finally left the woods. The road opened up immediately into a loop with a garden in the center and behind it a large four story wood paneled mansion. A small drive left the loop and headed around the side of the mansion, presumably leading to the kitchen delivery entrance and garage. Rounding the loop Bobby stopped in front of the main entrance to the house.
Both agents climbed out and stretched cramped muscles, they’d been driving for hours. Bobby took the steps slowly enjoying the fresh air. Just as he was about to knock the door swung inwards and he effectually almost punched the old man who had opened it. “I’m sorry Bobby said”
“Good afternoon gentlemen, I am Walter Barons, I am the estate keeper. My sincerest apologizes, but Master James is not in at the movement. Perhaps if we had known of your visit ahead of time it might have been possible for you to speak with him.” He said with the faintest hint of a smile.
Bobby studied Barons, the man was tall, in his mid to late sixties and his accent reflected a very formal education. His grey hair still had flecks of a dark color here and there and even though it appeared to be a twinkle of humor about his person, Barons was eyes betrayed him. In them Bobby could see that this was a shrewd calculating man.
“Hello Mr. Barons, my name is special agent Peter Gibbons, this is special agent Robert Shoemaker. We’ve come an awfully long way to speak with him, do you know where he is or when he will be back?”
“I do not pretend to know my employers schedule.” Barons replied, “Its been over a month since I’ve seen him last.”
Pete’s eyebrows went up. “Over a month? So he goes off and plays with his money leaving you in charge of the house while he is gone?”
The old man smiled, “that’s one way to put it.”
Pete pulled a note pad and pen from his pocket. ”How many are employed at this house?”
“Six” Barons said. “three house keepers, a landscaper, a chef and myself “
“What about the guard?” Bobby asked.
“They work for a service, none of them have ever been trough the gate.”
“What do you know about Mr. Malaki’s activities?”
Barons eyes focused on Pete. “Mr. Gibbons, Master James has not asked my permission or council on anything since he was a young child. The day he turned fourteen he ’informed’ me that he was taking control of his fathers estate and that he would like to keep me on if I would stay. I did, so I am. Since he was a child Master James has always been an incredibly driven individual. He does not find it necessary to keep me informed in his plans and I do not ask.”
Scribbling in his pad Pete didn’t look up but asked “So you’ve know him for a long time then?”
“Yes, I worked for his parents before he was born. When they died I controlled the estate and served as Master James’ guardian until he was of legal age.”
“How did his parents die?”
Barons was looking like he was starting to get tired of the questioning. “They were in a car accident when Master James was seven years old.”
“Mr. Barons, its been a long ride do you mind if I use your restroom?” Bobby asked
“Not at all” Barons said swinging the door wide into a marbled foyer and inviting the two in before directing the agent towards the restroom.
Pete continued to question the estate keeper. “What can you tell me of Mr. Malaki’s companies he owns?”
“To my knowledge Master James doesn’t own any companies?” Barons said guardedly.
“Really? Because he is listed as an employee to more then seventy Mega-Million and over three hundred Fortune-Fivehundred. Companies.”
“I know he is very active with the stock market, perhaps that has something to do with it.”
“No Mr. Barons, owning stock in a company is not the same as being an employee for a company. Eighteen of these companies the he is employed with have filed for reparations for corporate espionage in the last ten months. Eighteen. Now while that is a large number, I‘d like to ask him how he manages to work for almost four hundred companies at the same time.”
Barons’ face had turned to stone and the hint of a smile was gone. “As I said, I know nothing of Master James’ activities or about his ownership of any companies.”
Bobby returned saying “Wow that’s a nice bathroom.” He looked to Pete who nodded.
“Would you happen to have a number with which we can reach Mr. Malaki with?” Pete asked.
Stepping to the side of the front door he reached out and pulled a small business card from a tray, then handed it to Pete.
Pete took the card and said “Thank you Mr. Barons.” as he shook hands with the man.
“Not at all” Barons said opening the front door.
A few moments later as Pete and Bobby drove through the gate and headed back home.
“Well?“ Bobby asked growing impatient.
“Well what? Ya the old guy knows shit, no the old guy didn’t say shit.” Pete replied “Did you expect any different?”
“Figures, I’m gonna kill Gwen for sending us out here, she’s always doing this kinda crap. We could have just called and it would have been enough, but no, we have to surprise them to catch them off guard.”
The car grew quiet as Pete slumped into his seat and Bobby focused on the twisting road.
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