Thursday, August 5, 1977

 

A week later after Bernadette, Jack, and Rip had formed their own tight group, Peter drove up to McLean and checked into the Washington Hotel near Tysons Corner.

The staff knew him now and several nodded or said hello. People who reserved suites got special treatment. It was the same worldwide. Money made some things much easier.

Terry O’Brien had given him the name of an attorney from South Carolina who was now practicing in McLean. The attorney, Lee Jensen, had served with Terry in Vietnam. Peter needed a lawyer he could trust and one who would not ask too many questions. He had too much wealth in cash, gold, and diamonds. Somehow he had to convert most of it into investments and bank accounts. He had to become a tax-paying citizen with a social security number and bank credit. Tomorrow morning at nine o’clock he would meet with Lee Jensen. Terry had made the appointment a few weeks ago.

Lee’s office was in part of a townhouse off Old Dominion in McLean. It looked as if Lee Jensen was using part of his house as an office. The office had a separate entrance marked with a classic bronze plaque. Peter rang the doorbell and a young attractive woman opened the door and said, “Mr. Brandon, come in please. My name is Amanda. I’m delighted to meet a friend of Terry’s. He and my husband have been friends for years. Come with me and I’ll take you back to Lee’s office. He is expecting you. I just made a pot of black French Roast. I understand you take your coffee black and strong. Do I have that right?”

“Yes, you do,” said Peter with a smile, “I see Terry has covered some of the important facts.”

“The coffee and that you are a special friend is all we needed to know. Here is Lee’s office.” Amanda opened the door and said, “Lee, Mr. Brandon is here.”

Lee welcomed him with a firm handshake. He fits Terry’s description, slightly taller than I am and a few pounds under my 190. Has a distinct Southern accent and looks like a mild-mannered indoor guy except for the four-inch jagged scar on his right cheek. He or his wife knows antiques. The office is full of 18th century English pieces. Those are Dagestan Orientals on the floor. Also not woven yesterday.

Lee led Peter to a conference table and poured coffee. After sipping the coffee, Lee said, “Terry didn’t tell me much except you are a good friend, needed legal help, and could pay for it.”

Peter chuckled. “I wish it was that simple. Yes, I can pay for it. While money is not the problem, using it and growing it is.”

“Can you tell me some more? Anything you say in here is subject to lawyer-client privilege laws and protocols.”

“I have been in many countries and made a lot of money. My assets are in the form of gold, diamonds, and cash. I need some of it converted into bank credit, U.S. treasuries, and other securities so I can pay state, local, and federal taxes on future earned income. I want to form an investment company composed of you and me, if you accept me as a client. I don’t have the expertise or time to manage the money and do it according to the law.”

“How much money is involved?”

“The honest answer is I don’t know, but more than ten million and less then fifteen.”

“Where is it now?”

“I put it in several safety deposit boxes and small bank accounts where I could deposit eight or nine thousand each month and I have four hundred thousand in my briefcase.”

“Well, so far you’ve done the right thing. What else can you tell me about the origin of the wealth you have?”

“Not enough to satisfy most people. The money was not stolen. It is not income from drug operations or illegal activities and, while some foreign countries would like to cheat me and get their money back, no one legitimate is looking for the money nor is it on any Interpol watch list.”

“Who else is aware that you have the money?”

“In this country or its allies, no one but you.”

“How do you intend to pay me?”

“I was thinking about a sizable yearly retainer and a fee for successfully managing my money.”

“How large a retainer? I know that sounds crass but I’m struggling to get started here in Yankee land and cannot take on tasks that will not grow my firm.”

“I was thinking $250,000 to start and more subject to successful investments.”

“That’s generous but I have a feeling I’ll earn the money. Let’s shake on it. No formal contracts or records for now and maybe never. Agree?”

“Agree.”

“Okay, let’s get started. I’m going ask you some questions. No answer is better than a wrong answer. Tell me if you’d rather not answer.”

Lee pulled over a yellow legal pad and started asking questions about addresses, property owned, dependents, heirs. When he asked about father, mother, siblings, Peter shook his head and Lee plodded on. He asked for a social security number. Peter looked at him and said, “Here’s where you start earning your retainer. I do not have one.”

Lee stopped, capped his Waterman fountain pen and looked at Peter and asked, “Not even an old one when you were a kid?”

“No.”

“Birth certificates?”

“Yes.” Peter saw no need to tell Lee it was from a grave site in St. Cloud from the family of his grandfather who disappeared in Siberia in the late 1920s. Part of the birth certificate was legitimate, at least the form was, but the rest of it was forged. Jack had a proper birth certificate – only the name and place of birth was forged. Lee might be understanding but no need to push the envelope.

Lee said, “Okay, that gives us something to work with. Do you have any employees?”

“Yes. I have a paid Vietnamese couple that Terry told me once were part of the Quang Ngai Province, PRU.”

“Both Terry and I worked with the PRU in I Corps. Very good fighters, men and women. Do they also protect your property?”

“Yes, and my son, Jack.”

“The PRU was never slow to shoot. In a dangerous situation they will not hesitate. Anyone else?”

“Yes. I just hired a governess for Jack.”

“Wonder how she would feel if she knew the background of your house staff?”

“She’s fine with it. She is at least as good with protection responsibilities. She’s earned a brown belt in Hapkido in Ireland.”

“Jesus Christ, Peter, are you getting ready for a war?”

“No. Just hiring one of Terry’s relatives to watch over Jack and teach him some manners beyond eating his meals with chopsticks.”

“Is there anything else I need to know?”

“Yes. I may want to buy some property in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, and I’ll need a way to pay for it. Can you set up a company to own my cars and property and also pay expenses?”

“Different from the investment company?”

“Your call.”

“You’ve given me a bit of work. Let me get started. What form is the gold in?”

“Small bars. I haven’t weighed them.”

“Next time you come, bring them. They’ll be easier to convert than diamonds. How do you feel about investments?”

“I need to grow what I have and am willing to take risks with new start ups. I’m also okay with providing seed money to good ideas and committed developers. I expect to be back here in ten days or so. How about buying the property I talked about?”

“Give me some cash and I’ll issue the seller a check and arrange for the settlement. Entire process shouldn’t take more than a day or two. I’ll set up an account you can draw from as you need cash. Later we’ll get you a credit line but not yet.”

“Great, I feel good about this. I’ll give you a hundred thousand as a payment on your retainer and two hundred for you to keep on account for me here. I’ll call. Expect me in less than ten days. If I’m successful in buying what I want, I’ll be four hours from here for several months.”

Lee stood and shook Peter’s hand. “Take care, my friend. You’ve just taken the boredom out of my life.”

Peter laughed. “You just taken some stress out of mine. See you soon.”