HONEY
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Such a beauty is a strength.
With such beauty could overthrow the world>>.
Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Idiot
1
Frankie
San Diego California, 2010
The idea was born in the head of the investigation to the case of Frank Lee on a Saturday night when, half drunk, sat at a table in a bar in the company of Ellen Evans Patricia Perez and Fat Boy.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;package> odio, list of things in the first place I would put zanzare>> said Patricia Perez,
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;l'altra night I could not sleep a wink because of a zanzara>> ;.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Ricordo benissimo>> interrupted Ellen Evans, \u0026lt;\u0026lt;and you did not stay me>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Feel it! Even the cannon will wake up, you. I also disturb the buzzing of a mosquito, and then are due to malaria. You know how many deaths are causing mosquitoes in Africa? Million. Here's the first place mosquitoes>>. Patricia stopped talking, his mouth a bottle of Bud and took a sip. It was, then, Ellen Evans to speak.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Hypocrites. I hate hypocrites. They say one thing but do the opposite. Do not ever assume their responsibilities. It 's always the fault of another or of society. All they do is their justification. Listen to this. Yesterday I was in the mail queue to pay for a subscription to cable TV, now it was my turn. I get a man in his fifties, well dressed, looked like a real gentleman. He approached me and said, "Could you give me pass? I just have to ask for a little something to the cashier, I end up in a second. " "Please if only for a second," I reply. Instead what it does? He pulls out several bills, one I still had to fill, then starts asking questions, does not seemed to never end. When it's time to quit I do: "Thank goodness it was only for a second." He does not answer me, I look good in my face and I remember. A week before he was there in line, get a little old, it was hot, limp, unable to stand. Asks permission to jump the queue and that man, the man refuses. "Issues like everyone else," replied. I felt like a reproach him but had already left. Got the point! Here I can not stand hypocrites>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;At first place according to the ipocriti, zanzare>> decreed Frank Lee.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Sapete who hate io?>> Fat Boy began, twenty-five feet high and ninety one hundred and sixty pounds. A Maori tattoos covered before whom the two girls were like an ant is the elephant.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Lo see quello?>>. On this screen in the hall, appeared the image of the counselor in the county of San Diego, Duke Beker.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Our advisor, Duke "corrupt" Beker. You know that all contracts that the county advertises they need his signature? Office supplies for offices, food to school canteens, the asphalting of a road. Well, for each delivery of material, labor or service, we need a public notice and he is to hold the invitation and he, along with a committee to decide who if he wins. But the commission, mention it, is part of in-law and men of his choice, in practice he is the only one to decide. Well you say that to win the contract must disengage from fifteen to twenty percent. When I pay my taxes and I think that twenty percent goes to him and his "committee", it becomes a beast>>. Fat Boy paused a moment, mitered whole bottle of beer, then continued:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Every night Beker is the room where I work, "La Jolla disco club." It has a private room. It 's always accompanied by one or two different girls, clearly escort. Consumes coca and offers a river. That's where pockets bribes. About three o'clock in the morning is usually completely gone then it is his secretary takes the weight and takes him home. Of course out the back door so nobody sees it>>.
They had been to make those words come to mind Frank Lee to initiate an investigation on corruption. On Monday, early in the morning, he presented himself in the manager responsible for the Tribune , Edward Clark.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Senti>> says, \u0026lt;\u0026lt;I would like to make an investigation into the corruption of our public officials, pretty strong stuff. What do you think?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;You something in particular?>> asks the director.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Duke Beker, the head of our county contracts. They say it takes twenty percent on each contract, and you drink coke, not to mention the escort that offer>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Interesting, but how do you get evidence of these statements? You know that without evidence would lead us to court and claim damages of several million, and I do not intend to risk>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Un'ammissione made by him would stesso, filmata, sufficiente?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Tu Frank, you crazy as you think you riuscirci?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;idea. I've got something in mind>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Twenty days, not more. If within twenty days without bringing me something to publish, the investigation shall be deleted and move on>>.
Frank Lee worked for two weeks at a good pace. First check whether the amount of procurement by Beker were truly anomalous. Compare notices counties or memo with the same number of people scattered in several countries. Indeed, in San Diego every delivery, by a stylus the implementation of public works, costing an average of eighteen percent more. Possible that there had never noticed anyone? Frank considered. He then went on to examine the financial position of Duke Beker and other members of the committee. And here was a surprise.
Duke Beker, except that the compensation received as an adviser, had nothing. Yet everyone knew who lived in a dream villa, was the availability of a second home in Mission Valley, drove luxury cars that changed quite frequently, and they paid the school fees of two children at Stanford. Not to mention, then, the food that passed to his former wife from whom he had divorced Lory. Frank went
cadastral offices and tried the owners of the houses, through the license plate numbers of cars came to know the name of the owner, the University learned who paid the school fees. All assets were owned by a mysterious company based in the Bahamas, "Black Hole Ltd, whose assets also included a boat of twenty-four meters, several acres of land in a farm in Mexico and California. All these assets were allocated free of charge to Duke Beker, moreover, was always the company to pay all its expenses.
At that point it was necessary to connect and show that behind the "Black Hole Ltd" there was the same Beker. It was not easy. A series of Chinese boxes countless postponed from one society to another, from one country to another, from one to another tax haven. Frank did not lose heart, sought help from a former agent of the Treasury his friend, now retired and weaving and using data from various tax agencies succeed.
I filled a dozen documents obtained by collectors. He prepared several charts and tables, all he wanted to synthesize and make easily interpreted by each individual player. They were not to be no doubt: Beker pocketed the bribes that were sent to a company based in a tax haven, whose wealth was in the availability of the Beker. The circle was closing. Frank would have blown the scandal by publishing all the The San Diego Tribune . Of course there was still something. Something that had made it irrefutable its investigation, for example, a statement of the same Beker. One of his admission, recorded and broadcast on the Internet. Frank knew how to get it.
Frank grabbed the phone and dialed the home of Patty and Ellen.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Interaction Frankie, there Patty?>>. Ellen replied:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Ciao, thought you wanted me to keep me ready for the big mareggiata>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Of course, keep comes ready in a few days. I now call for a matter of work, I would like to speak with Patty>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not here, the hours you passo>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Pronto Frankie?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes, I am. Feel always manage that blog gossip?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Blog of pettegolezzi?>> offense answered Patty, \u0026lt;\u0026lt;not even gossip and rumors are current affairs and culture of our city. My blog has eight thousand hits a day. I make my living with us blog. The blog is the future, the printed word is dead nice!>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes, yes, in a dream world. However, would you publish something really sensational, something you would do a bang?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Aspetto only this caro… What is tratta?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Before everything I wanted to know if your picture appears on the blog or your other firma, parole, six riconoscibile?>>.
\u0026lt;pseudonimo, 'No one I really want to use my privacy>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;I also do not want it to be published in the articles I write my signature and ask that my photo does not appear in the newspaper with the investigations otherwise I would have closed long ago. Anyway ... do you remember the speeches by Fat Boy at Duke Beker?>>. Frank explained what he wanted to achieve and how. It took an hour to fix all the details and defining the agreement: Frank would have written the article for the Tribune , Patty would have made the movie available on his blog.
At the stroke of midnight, the pickup parked in a secondary street, about one hundred meters from the disco. Frank and Patty went down and they set forth towards the La Jolla .
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Nottata stupenda, but a storm is coming in the next few exceptional days>> Frank Lee said.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Ellen I hear talk of this famous storm for several days. You and Ellen are going to make a "ride", as usual, risking his life, right?>> Patricia Perez said.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;No risk if you know what you fare>> Frank said.
The line outside the entrance to the disco was awesome, most people would not be able to enter because the door policy was very severe. The "La Jolla 'success was based on the reputation of the city's most exclusive clubs. Frank and Patty at park approach, Fat Boy was there waiting for them.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Benvenuti our \u0026lt;local, "said the Maori welcoming the couple in the room, \u0026lt;\u0026lt;due inputs reserved by the direzione>> said loudly so that others listen and to be the servants Frank and Patty go.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Beker already arrivato?>> Frank asked whispering in the ear of Fat Boy.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Punctual as usual, come up with two girls from headaches, a blonde and a redhead. It 'been in the bathroom with the blonde. You should now be comfortable sitting at his desk for a while '>>. Said the bouncer not heard from other people present there.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Buon divertimento>> said aloud as he thought to himself: good luck and I hope you can expose that bastard.
Patty left her coat in the cloakroom and was left with a very short dress that left towards the back and capitalize on its long legs, the rest would have done her generous curves and his gaze. In the hands holding a clutch bag which contained a small video camera. Ellen did not go unnoticed and Baker did not take long to notice it.
The dance floor was not too crowded. Patty came to the center of the track, where she would be easily identifiable, and began to move to the rhythm of the music. Frank, meanwhile, always keeping an eye on, he approached the bar and ordered a whiskey smooth. She began to sip a little at a time.
Duke Beker faces from the balustrade of the second floor and began to watch the girls dancing, his eyes focused on the body of Patricia Perez. His face appeared on the expression denoting desire. A tremendous boost to possess. He remained motionless for several minutes, then pulled back, she called a man with dark hair very short, robust body with a gym that constantly followed him, most likely one of his bodyguards, spoke to him and pointed to the girl. The man came down the stairs, approached
Patty and said
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;The Duke Mr. Baker would like to invite to his table to offer you a cup of champagne>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Accetto with pleasure, but not with my amico, sola, are sorry to let me solo>> answered and then pointed to Frank. The messenger turned his eyes toward him and Beker understand a game of looks and signs that the girl would not come if he had not brought with it mate.
stared angrily Frank Baker then shot and decided to pick up both signals.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Lasciaci soli, Mark>> Beker ordered his bodyguards, and then made to sit on a sofa Frank and Patty. Placed on the table was a bottle of champagne, Frank estimated that of much value, other than glasses and three strips of coca. I took a beaker, then filled the three cups.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Servitevi>> Baker said. His face was deformed by alcohol and drugs, the words came from his mouth trailing and mellifluous.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;No grazie, a glass of champagne, but accept it volentieri>> Frank said.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Complimenti for its bellezza>> Baker said, turning to Patty and \u0026lt;\u0026lt;The envy molto>> turning to Frank.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not just my collaboratrice>> Frank said. I'm not her boyfriend and if we find a reasonable fee, she could be there, was what he had intended Beker.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;How called signorina?>>
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Anne Robert> and he> responded with a persuasive voice Patty.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;You are in San Diego, right? It 's the first time you come in this room. I'm not wrong of course, she does not go unnoticed>>.
\u0026lt;'No we are of Texas>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;And what brought you these parti?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;job. We are here to work. I am the owner of a company that offers pre-packaged meals for the canteens of public companies or schools. In this time of crisis there is little work, we seeking contracts>> Frank was to intervene. Those words sounded like the jingle of coins in many texts of the Council. Beker smiled.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not understand how contracts can be found in discoteca>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Someone who knows very well told me about her, she said she is very sensitive to entrepreneurs in need. This person also suggested I contact them the way>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;And who is this person who knows me well bene?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Michael Ross, Deputy Director of Mass & Co>> Frank gave a chance, betting that Beker did not know the deputy director, \u0026lt;\u0026lt;grazie l'azienda she is still without that contract would piedi, fallito>>. Frank said nothing, she risked giving the false credentials, now not only can hope that the fish to bite.
the Council's silence lasted longer than necessary. Baker thought the Mass & Co and was trying to remember the name of Deputy Director. It was a strange thing is usually not treated with the subject but only with the directors of various companies, however, was certainly possible that he had spoken to the Deputy Director and in any case it was just by word of mouth that he had engaged companies eager to drop a bribe just to have a contract.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Contracts for school canteens? In a week it will launch one for the primary school. Contract for two years, amount to several million>> answered after a long think Beker. Patricia and Frank realized that the thing was done, now just let him talk and record.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;'s what it would take. And for its facilitation of a figure which we could talk?
>> Frank asked.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;The Twenty percent dell'appalto>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Quindici, we acque> bad>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not can drop below diciotto, there are other wheels ungere, know the committee and then… Anne, should be good to me… got short …>>. Patty was struck by the almost sick against corrupt man, was able to mask its expression. He thought he was doing and to record what would happen to the publication of the video.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;The girl will surely be grateful to you, but first see…… l'accordo must go to good fine>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Tomorrow is present at the site of the City Council, withdraw the notice. Now leave me his address, tomorrow someone will have an envelope indicating the amount that will offer data and to make purchases. Two hundred thousand dollars by this week, the remaining contract to win. Must send the money to an offshore company based Cajman the islands, is able to do so?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Sure, done deal. And the conclusion will enjoy the presence of the lady, real Anne?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Certo, disponibile…> bike will have a girl>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;For all contracts with the county she takes on the eighteenth percento, not così?>> Frank asked. It was the crucial question, and waited impatiently for what he said Becher. He prayed that the camera was inside the purse in the hands of Patricia, did his duty.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;For each contract and I receive a commission contributo, nothing you can do without our intervento>> Beker said proudly. Frank and Patty smiled, it was done, that Baker had become corrupt days are numbered. They got up, politely greeted the counselor, Frank gave a false address and an appointment for the next day.
was now four in the morning, Frank would have written the article would appear now that the next day, Patty would wait to upload the movie on his blog in waiting for the newspaper on the newsstands. Patty Frank walked home, went up and after checking that the images and sound were of incredible quality, the two said goodbye.
(continued)
