Jackson looked disappointed. “The same way I could guarantee that you would win the lottery. If I can perform that magic, I think I can handle Wall Street.”
“What if something should happen to me?”
“The contract you will be signing binds your heirs and assigns.” He nodded at Lisa. “Your daughter. However, that income would go to her and at the end of the ten-year period so would the principal amount. There’s also a power of attorney form. I took the liberty of already having filled in the notary panel. I’m a man of many talents.” He chuckled lightly. From out of the darkness, Jackson extended the packet of documents and a pen to her. “They’re clearly marked where your signature is required. I trust that you are satisfied with the terms. I told you from the start that they would be generous, didn’t I?”
LuAnn hesitated for an instant.
“Is there a problem, LuAnn?” Jackson asked sharply.
She shook her head, quickly signed the documents, and handed them back. Jackson took the documents and slid open a compartment in the console of the limo.
LuAnn heard Jackson make some tapping sounds and a loud screech ensued and then stopped.
Jackson said, “Faxes are wonderful things especially when time is of the essence. Within ten minutes the funds will be wired into my account.” He picked the papers up as they slid out of the machine and placed them back into his briefcase.
“Your bags are in the trunk. I have your plane tickets and hotel reservations with me. I have planned your itinerary out for the first twelve months. It will be a great deal of travel; however, I think the scenery will be pleasant enough. I have honored your request to travel to Sweden, the land of your maternal ancestors. Think of it all as an extremely long vacation. I may have you end up in Monaco. They have no personal income tax. However, out of an abundance of caution I’m putting together and thoroughly documenting an intricate cover story for you. In sum, you left the States as a very young girl. You met and married a wealthy foreign national. The money will all be his, as far as the IRS is concerned. You see? The funds will be kept only in foreign banks and offshore accounts. U.S. banks have stringent reporting requirements to the IRS. None of your money will ever, ever be kept in the United States. However, keep in mind that you will be traveling under a United States passport as a United States citizen. Some accounts of your wealth may well trickle back here. We have to be prepared for that. However, if the money is all your husband’s, who is not an American citizen, who does not reside at any time in this country, who earns no income directly in America, or from investments or business endeavors connected to this country, then, generally speaking, the IRS cannot touch you. I won’t bore you with the complex tax rules having to do with U.S. source income such as interest on bonds issued by U.S. concerns, dividends paid by U.S. corporations, other transactions and sales of property having some tangible connection to the United States that could trip up the unwary. My people will take care of all that. Believe me when I say it won’t be a problem.”
LuAnn reached out for the tickets.
“Not quite yet, LuAnn, we have some steps to take. The police,” he said pointedly.
“I took care of that.”
“Oh, did you now?” His tone was one of amusement. “Well, I would be very surprised if New York’s Finest weren’t stationing themselves at every airport, bus, and train station right this very minute. Since you’re a felon fleeing across state lines, they’ve probably called the FBI in as well. They’re sharp. It’s not like they’ll be waiting patiently at your hotel for you to show up.” He looked out the window of the limo. “We have some preparations to take care of. It’ll give the police additional time to set up their net; however, it’s a trade-off we have to make.”
As Jackson was talking, LuAnn felt the limo slow down and then stop. Then she heard a long, slow clanking sound, as though a door were being raised. When it stopped, the limo pulled through and then stopped again.