Flights Of Fantasy 004

Things quieted down again after Mickey Dutz returned home. Chris and Chet had the next meeting with the employees of Hastings FBO and after a round of good questions, every employee signed the contract and ponied up the $150 dollar fee. Chet promised to have the documents drawn up in a week, and they could schedule a time to have elections for the original board. It was a constructive meeting and Chris was happy with the results.

The PI was not so successful. Chris found out that Mickey had made the most of his newfound freedom by consistently going out to several local bars known to be pick up spots. There were a series of women in his apartment, but nothing suspicious or strange. Chris told them to keep up the good work and report if they found anything out of the ordinary.

Things in Mexico were moving. The Mexican attorney sent Chet a massive package of documents and transcriptions from interviews and investigations. Most of it was in Spanish, so had to be translated. Chris was getting it in small batches. It had been interesting reading so far.

Chet mentioned he filed the civil suits against InPreTech. When the news broke, their already suffering stock went into the toilet and somebody flushed. Trading was halted at one point, and the company seemed to be on the ropes. Chris felt no remorse.

While Chris gained some insight from the documents, there was insight into what led to Fiona's actions. There was also no information about how the drugs came into the possession of Jack Peltier and the others. Strangely, there was also no mention of Mickey Dutz.

The packet of information contained the official notice of the court date. Fiona's trial was to begin in two weeks on a Monday morning. As much as he wanted to fly to Mexico City, Chris heeded his attorney's advice and stayed home. They would get day-to-day reports from the Mexican attorney and his team. Chris stocked up on frozen pizzas, sandwich ingredients, and beer.

&&&&&

It was after 6PM when Chet's phone range. Chris listened. There wasn't much to hear, as Chet mostly listened as well. When Chet shut the phone down, he looked at Chris.

"Email is incoming with transcripts of the testimony. There are also some documents that were introduced as evidence."

Chris nodded, and the two men headed toward the study, where Chris's laptop was already open and running. They stood, looking at the screen until the machine chirped, and they saw a list of incoming emails. Chris sat down and looked.

"Where should we start?"

"The transcript. I want to see how the prosecution starts."

Again, the documents were all in Spanish. Thank goodness for Google. In seconds, we had a reasonable translation. It was easy enough to read past the errors and omissions the software injected. Chris scanned through the opening parts that were mostly formal and the usual courtroom drivel. He found the first part of what he was seeking.

Mr. Rodriguez - You honor, we will show that the defendant, Fiona Sanderson Padget, was found in the possession of approximately two kilos of pure uncut cocaine, packaged for delivery in bulk. In addition, in the room where she was arrested, officers confiscated 300 capsule that were later tested and identified as Rohypnol, 400 tablets of Ecstasy, and almost a half kilo of crystal meth.

We will prove that Mrs. Padget had these drugs in her possession and intended to move these drugs from Mexico to the United States of America for illegal distribution and sale. Mrs. Padget is a licensed commercial airline pilot and part owner of the US Corporation that owns the airplane that was impounded at the same time as her arrest.

Chris scanned down further until he found Fiona's attorney statement.

Mr. Piero - Your honor, as much as my esteemed colleague would like to have you believe, Mrs. Padget was not in possession of the drugs he stipulated. The drugs were found in a bottom drawer in the hotel's bureau in the room where Mrs. Padget was arrested. She had no knowledge of the drugs, not was she in possession of said drugs. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The room in which she was arrested was registered to Mr. Jack Peltier, the client of her charter company. Yes, she was in Mr. Peltier's room, but she had no knowledge of the drugs or the intentions of their future.

Chris scanned further. Most of the next few pages were the presentation of the prosecution of the preliminary investigation and their findings. It was not until later in the document that the actual presentation of the facts of the arrest were shown. The prosecution called Detective Lt. Alfred Piero and questioned him.

"Detective Jimenez, please describe the arrest of Mrs. Padget"

"We executed the warrant on the hotel room just after 8AM. The door was locked, and we used a pass key card provided by the hotel management. The security chain was in place and one of my officers forced the chair. We entered the room in standard formation. Mrs. Padget and Mr. Peltier were in bed, apparently asleep. They were startled awake. My officers secured both individuals after letting them find clothing, and then took them to the holding area we had established on the first floor of the hotel."

"We then began an inventory of the room. We found both Mr. Peltier and Mrs. Padget's identification and passports. These we took into custody. We searched their clothing and luggage but found nothing. The drugs were found in the bottom drawer of the bureau and were immediately photographed, inventoried and IDed for security purposes. Shortly after that, we secured the room and marked it as a crime scene."

Mr. Rodriguez - Detective, what was your impression of the couple in the room.

Detective Jimenez - Mr. Peltier was angry and somewhat abusive. He had to be physically restrained. Mrs. Padget was distraught. She was crying as she tried to cover herself.

Mr. Rodriguez - How was the room registration completed.

Detective Jimenez - The room was registered to Mr, Jack Peltier.

Mr. Rodriguez - Was there any mention of Mrs. Padget on the room registration.

Detective Jimenez - No Sir.

Mr. Rodriquez - Did Mrs. Padget have a room reserved in her name?

Detective Padget - There was a reservation for a room in her maiden name, Fiona Peterson, but it was canceled several days before the charter.

Chris winced at that line in the transcript. That all but told him conclusively that the liaison with Peltier was planned. Reading on, Chris could tell that the evidence was piling up against Fiona.

Mr. Rodriguez - Were Mrs. Padget's luggage and clothing in the room?

Detective Jimenez - Yes Sir.

Mr. Rodriguez - Were Mrs. Padget and Mr. Peltier cohabitating in the room?

Detective Jimenez - Yes Sir.

The questioning went on, with the prosecutor cautiously building the case against Fiona. Chris's emotions ran high when he read an exchange between the prosecutor and the detective a few pages further.

Mr. Rodriguez - Detective, please recount your surveillance of the exchange for the drugs and money that occurred the day before your raid.

Detective Jimenez - On the previous day, our agents tailed the InPreTech group from the hotel to a warehouse in the industrial district. Inside the warehouse, Mr, Peltier met with a representative of the Medellín cartel. After some discussion, an exchange was made. Mr. Peltier delivered a small duffle bag to the cartel representative and received two large suitcases. We presume that the suitcases contained the drugs that were later found in the hotel.

Mr. Rodriguez - How do you know that the duffle bag contained money?

Detective Jimenez - Immediately after the InPreTech group left, agents from the drug task force arrested everyone else in the warehouse and confiscated the duffle bag. Inside we found $300,000 in US currency.

The prosecutor continued to ask questions for another three or four pages before he turned the witness over to the defense.

Mr. Piero - Thank you for your professionalism here today. I have just a few questions for you. Did you witness Mrs. Padget, handle, touch, or acknowledge the drugs in the hotel room?"

Detective Jimenez - No Sir.

Mr. Piero - During your interrogation of Mrs. Padget, did she every state or show that she was aware of the drugs in the hotel room?

Detective Jimenez - No Sir.

Mr. Piero - Did you ask her directly if she had knowledge of the drugs in the hotel room?

Detective Jimenez - Yes Sir.

Mr. Piero - What was her answer?

Detective Jimenez - She stated she did not know of the drugs and didn't know how they got there.

Mr. Piero - Thank you, Detective. No further questions.

Mr. Rodriguez - Your honor, I have a few more questions for the Detective.

Judge - Proceed.

Mr. Rodriguez. - Detective, was Mrs. Padget in attendance when the drug deal was consummated?

Detective Jimenez - Yes Sir. She accompanied Mr. Peltier. She was observed carrying the duffle bag at one point.

Mr. Rodriguez - Was Mrs. Padget a participant in the exchange?

Detective Jimenez - She handed the duffle bag to the cartel representative when told to do so by Mr. Peltier.

Mr. Rodriguez - Thank you, Detective. No other questions.

The rest of the transcription from that day was much of the same. Lab reports were introduced, and lab technicians testified to the nature and quantities of the drugs found in the hotel room. Agents testified concerning the drug exchange, and the recordings and reports were put into evidence. There was no doubt in Chris's mind that Fiona had been a willing participant in the situation and had known what she was doing. He was mystified at her actions and could not fathom what change in her had occurred.

Chet read the same material and looked bleakly at Chris.

"They have made a pretty substantial case in just the first day. We don't have the video or audio that was presented, but it should be available in a few days. Rules of evidence are much different in Mexico, as is the discovery process. I am not sure Fiona's attorney had any of this before the trial began."

Chris shook his head morosely.

"She is toast, isn't she?"

"Given the sentiment about the cartels right now and the Mexican government activities to shut down the drug trade, I'm afraid things are going to go badly."

Chet's prediction proved true. The trial lasted only 4 days. The judge took less than 24 hours to prepare and announce his decision. Chris had a copy in his hands by that evening.

This court finds the defendant, Fiona Peterson Padget, guilty on all 11 counts of the indictment. The defendant will serve a minimum of 25 years in custody.

It was short, and to the point. Fiona was going to spend 25 years in a Mexican prison, and there didn't seem to be anything Chris could do about it.

Chet sat with Chris and watched. As Chris read the sentence, Chet swore Chris seemed to shrink. As they sat in silence, Chet had to break the mood with something.

"Chris. What now? Do you want to pursue a divorce?"

Chris looked up, surprised.

"Of course not. She is going to need someone to support her. Find out what we can do to help mitigate this."

Chet nodded. It was the answer he had expected.

It took another two weeks for everything to calm down. Fiona was sent to the Mexican women's prison in Ciudad Juárez. Chris was to learn that this was the most notorious women's prison in the entire Mexican system. He knew Fiona was in trouble of a different sort when he read the reports about conditions in the prison. He and Chet spent several meetings talking about what they could do to ease her situation.

"Is there a way we can influence her treatment in prison?"

"Probably not. It would have to be done surreptitiously and illegally. Not something I could condone. We can make sure that she has money in her prison account to purchase things. Other than that, she is purely in the hands of the Mexican system, and it is not one of the best in the world."

Chris finally accepted that, other than a few token actions, there wasn't much they could do. He had kept Fiona's parents aware of the situation. They had journeyed to El Paso just after Fiona's transfer and arranged with a Mexican security firm to take them from El Paso to the prison, where they had a brief meeting with Fiona.

After the trip, Chris visited with them about what they found. Fiona's dad was almost inconsolable.

"It is horrible. The worst conditions I have ever seen. Fiona said the food is almost inedible. There is constant dysentery and disease. Food poisoning is an ongoing problem. She shares a cell meant for 2 people with six other women. Theft is rampant, and abuse from the other inmates and the guards is constant."

"How is she physically?"

"Thin and emaciated. She isn't eating properly, and the constant stress is tearing her apart. Chris, I'm afraid she won't last long in that environment. Is there no way to get her out or get her moved to another facility?"

"Dad, not that I have found. I have been sending money to the Mexican attorney. He is doing his best to influence the guards at the prison to take an easy approach. She has enough money in her prison account to buy things she can use to bride or trade among the other inmates. We are constantly working to find something that we can do."

"I know you are, Chris. We appreciate you so much. I know it would be easier on you to divorce her and not worry about this anymore, especially knowing she cheated on you."

"No, I'm not going anywhere, Dad. I still love her. I'm not saying that at some point there won't be a reckoning, but right now, I am focused on taking care of Fiona and finding some way to get her home."

Fiona's mom sobbed and grabbed Chris in a hug, which he returned with tears in his eyes.

&&&&&

Things fell into what was a new normal. Chris returned to his duties at the aerospace company and found himself busier than ever. New contracts, and additional responsibilities, kept his attention focused. Hastings FBO was growing and remained profitable. Chris visited the facility frequently, more than anything else, just to keep in touch with the friends he had developed there over many years.

The Embraer aircraft was eventually deemed to be part of an illegal operation and seized by the Mexican government. The last Chris heard, the aircraft was being used by the Mexican drug task force. It was a tough loss for the FBO operation, but they survived and eventually replaced it in their inventory.

The other defendants in the case were all eventually sentenced to terms at least as long as Fiona's. The case became a landmark in the Mexican war against the cartels. Most of the men didn't fare well in Mexican prison. All of them were eventually killed by other inmates over various disagreements. There was some suspicion that they were the subject of executions for their role in causing so many headaches to the cartel.

The other women were doing no better than Fiona. All, including Fiona, were the subject of constant harassment from the other inmates. One of the other women, a tall blonde model type, was essentially murdered when she was gang raped by other inmates.

Time passed. It was now five years since the Mexican debacle had occurred. Chris was now the CEO of the aerospace firm. He received the call from Chet, his old friend and attorney. After passing some pleasantries, Chet got right to the point of his call.

"Chris. Can you come to my office in the morning? I have some information from Mexico."

Chris was a little startled. Over the past several years, after Fiona went to the Mexican prison, Chris got regular reports from Chet about the situation. He knew things were not good for her and continued to pressure the Mexican attorney and the state department to do whatever they could to remedy her situation. All of his efforts had been for naught to this point, but he kept up hope.

"Sure. What time."

"Come early. I will be here."

Chris showed up just before 8 the next morning at Chet's offices. The security guard let him into the still dark and quiet office building. Chris went to the second floor and found Chet sitting in his office.

"What's up?"

"I got a message yesterday about noon from the Mexican attorney. He tried to visit Fiona a few days ago, but could not see here. Apparently, she is in the prison infirmary and unable to come to the visitation area."

"Did she get injured? Was it intentional? How bad is she?"

Without saying a word, Chet slid a piece of paper across the desk. Chris picked it up and read the translated Spanish. When he finished the brief note, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He sat quietly for several minutes before he opened his eyes and looked at Chet.

Glancing again at the note, he read it once more.

The prisoner, 3498231, Fiona Padget, has been diagnosed with HIV. She has, thus far, refused all treatments. Her condition continues to deteriorate.

Chris kept his eyes focused on the paper as he spoke.

"Chet, I don't care what it costs or what we have to do, I want her back home before she dies. Tell the state department and our attorney down there to pull out all the stops and make this happen. Spare no expense. Grease the system."

Chet looked at the grief in Chris's face. He and Chris had talked about this eventuality many times in the past few years. They knew that Fiona, like most of the American women in the prison, faced constant harassment and sexual assault. They had received word at one point Fiona had been the target of an assault by an entire party of guards. Both knew that the chances of her being infected by a host of STIs were unavoidable. The worst seemed to have finally happened.

"I'll get on it. You know the chances are slim."

"Do the best you can."

For the first time in many weeks, Chet and Chris talked daily. For the first few weeks, there was not much change in the situation. They knew Fiona had rallied at one point and went back into the general population. That didn't last long when she contracted an infection that refused to heal.

Finally, after a month, Chet got word from the Mexican attorney that there might be a break in the situation. Chet and Chris sat, each reading the email the attorney had sent. They learned that another attorney in the Mexican law firm had a long-term friendship with a federal Mexican judge. The Mexican attorney didn't give any details, but both Chris and Chet read between the lines and came to the same conclusion. For enough money, the judge could issue the orders to release Fiona to the custody of her attorney for advanced medical treatment.

Chris had no hesitation.

"Whatever it takes. Get this done."

Chet nodded.

&&&&&

It took almost three more weeks to work out the details. Chris wasn't privy to any of the discussion, nor was Chet. All Chris knew was that a rather significant sum of money went to an offshore bank account. Word came back to them that Fiona was to be released to the Mexican Attorney in three days. They would need to provide medical transport to the hospital in Juarez where she was to be transferred. That was the official plan.

In truth, the Mexican Attorney had arranged for an ambulance to transport Fiona. He would do the paperwork at the prison and take custody of Fiona. As an officer of the court, he was bound to see that she arrived in a secure ward in the hospital. That was done and that afternoon, Fiona was resting in a bed with clean sheets and being tended to by a staff doctor.

Chris was never sure what transpired in the next two days. All he knew was that on the afternoon of the second day, a car showed up at a small airport on the US side of the border. Inside were a nurse, the Mexican attorney, Mr. Piero, and Fiona. A private jet was waiting and within 30 minutes the jet took off with Fiona on board. Another nurse was waiting on the aircraft to make Fiona as comfortable as possible. The attorney and the Mexican nurse returned to Juarez.