Page 76 of Keep Quiet

“Yes. He was with North Mayfield and was watching his kid, a sophomore.” Jake decided to stick with the story Voloshin told him, because it was too risky to improvise. He didn’t want the detectives to know that he knew Voloshin had lied about his name, family, job or anything else. He doubted the police had asked Amy any questions, because she knew Voloshin as Deaner, and he doubted the police would go find the tiara moms.

“Did Voloshin tell you what he did for a living, at the game?”

“He was a freelance writer.”

“How long did you speak with him?”

“About five minutes.”

“That’s all?”

“You know how these games are. You end up sitting with people, trying to make conversation or drum up business. Network. I told him I was a financial planner, I gave him a business card, and he said he’d come see me.” Jake heard himself volunteering too much, out of nervousness. “To make a long story short, he came by my office Monday morning and we met.”

“Where, here?” Detective Zwerling took more notes on his pad.

“Yes, but not in the conference room. In my office.”

“For how long did you meet?”

“Fifteen minutes.”

“So, short?” Detective Zwerling took another note.

“Yes.”

“Is that typical?”

“No.”

“Why did it end so soon?”

“He seemed like he’d heard enough.” Jake swallowed hard. “He ended it.”

“Did you make notes during the meeting?”

“No.”

“Do you, usually?”

“No.” Jake sneaked a look at the credenza clock—10:40. He could hear it ticking in his brain.

“What did you talk about?”

“I told him about the company and our investment philosophy, like I do with any new client.”

“You were hoping to get his business?”

“Yes, I was hoping to sign him.” Jake kept his answers short. He wasn’t about to take any chances, in case the detectives had somehow seen the photos or video.

“What do you mean, sign him?”

“We have an agreement that new clients sign, called an Investment Advisory Agreement.”

“Did he sign it?”

“No, I didn’t offer it to him. We didn’t get that far.” Jake remembered that he ought to mention his phone call to Voloshin, to preempt any suspicion when the police found Voloshin’s phone records. “By the way, I called him on Monday night, to see if he had any questions or if I could help him further, but he said no.”

Detective Zwerling made a note. “What time did you call him?”