Judge Underwood referred again to his papers, then looked up. His eyes, once more, impaled the prisoner.
"So far I have dealt with what I regard as the most contemptible part of your conduct. There is, additionally, the basic offense your betrayal of trust as a bank officer, not merely once but on five occasions, widely separated. One such instance of dishonesty might be argued to be the result of reckless impulse. No such argument can be advanced for five carefully planned thefts, executed with perverted cleverness.
"A bank, as a commercial undertaking, is entitled to expect probity in those whom it selects as you were selected for exceptional trust. But a bank is more than a commercial institution. It is a place of public trust, and therefore the public is entitled to protection from those who abuse that trust individuals such as you."
The judge's gaze shifted to indude the young defense counsel, waiting dutifully beside his client. Now the tone of voice from the bench became more brisk and formalized.
"Had this been a more ordinary case, and in view of the absence of a previous criminal record, I would have imposed probation as defense counsel eloquently urged last week. But this is no ordinary case. It is an exceptional one for the reasons I have stated. Therefore, Eastin, you will go to prison where you will have time to reflect on your own activities which brought you there. 'The sentence of the Court Is that you be committed to the custody of the Attorney General for a period of two years." At a nod from the court clerk, a jailer moved forward.
A brief conference took place, a few minutes after sentencing, in a small locked and guarded cubicle behind the courtroom, one of several reserved for prisoners and their legal counsel.
"The first thing to remember," the young lawyer told Miles Eastin, "is that a two-year prison term doesn't mean two years. You'll be eligible for parole after a third of the sentence is served. That's in less than a year."
Miles Eastin, wrapped in misery and a sense of unreality, nodded dully.
"You can, of course, appeal the sentence, and you don't have to make a decision about that now. But I'll tell you frankly, I don't advise it. For one thing I don't believe you'd be released pending an appeal. For another, since you pleaded guilty, the grounds for appeal are limited. Also, by the time any appeal was heard, you might have served your sentence." "The ballgame's over. No appeal."
"I'll be in touch with you anyway, in case you change your mind. And while I think of it, I'm sorry how things came out." Eastin acknowledged wryly, "So am I."
"It was your confession, of course, that did us in. Without that I don't believe the prosecution would have proved its case at least the six-thousand-dollar cash theft, which weighed heaviest with the judge. I know, of course, why you signed that second statement the FBI one; you thought the first was valid so another wouldn't make any difference. Well, it did. I'm afraid that security man, Wainwright, tricked you all the way." The prisoner nodded. "Yes, I know that now."
The lawyer looked at his watch. "Well, I have to go. I've a heavy date tonight. You know how it is." A jailer let him out.
Next day Miles Eastin was transferred to a federal prison, out of state.
***
At First Mercantile American Bank, when news of Miles Eastin's sentencing was received among those who knew him, some felt regret, others held the view that the retribution was what he had deserved. One opinion was unanimous: No more would be heard of Eastin at the bank again.
Only time would prove how much in error that last assumption was.
Part Two
1
Like a bubble surfacing from underwater, the first hint of trouble appeared in mid-January. It was an item in a gossip column, "Ear to the Ground," published in a city newspaper's Sunday edition. The columnist wrote:
… Whispers around downtown predict major cutbacks soon at Forum East. His said the big rehab - project has bankroll problems. Nowadays who hasn't? ..
Alex Vandervoort was unaware of the item until Monday morning when his secretary placed it, ringed in red, on his desk with other papers.
During Monday afternoon Edwina D'Orsey telephoned to inquire if Alex had read the rumor and if he knew of anything behind it. Edwina’s concern was not surprising. Since the beginning of Forum East, her downtown branch bank had handled construction loans, many of the mortgages involved, and accompanying paperwork. By now the project represented an important segment of branch business.
"If there's something in the wind," Edwina insisted, "I want to be told."
"So far as I know," Alex reassured her, "nothing's changed."
Moments later he returned his hand to the telephone intending to check with Jerome Patterton, then changed his mind. Misinformation about Forum East was nothing new. The project had generated much publicity; inevitably some was inaccurate.
It was pointless, Alex decided, to bother the bank's new president with needless trivia, particularly when he wanted Patterton's support on a major issue a large-scale expansion of FMA savings activity, now being planned for consideration by the board.
However, Alex was more concerned a few days later when a longer item appeared, this time in the regular news column of the daily Times-Register. The report read:
…
Anxiety about the future of Forum East persists amid growing rumors that financial backing may shortly be reduced severely or withdrawn.
The Forum East project, which has as its long-term goal a total rehabilitation of the city's downtown core both business and residential, has been underwritten by a consortium of financial interests spearheaded by First Mercantile American Bank.
A spokesman for First Mercantile American today acknowledged the rumors but would make no comment except to say, "An announcement will be forthcoming in due course."
Under the Forum East plan, some inner city residential areas have already been modernized or rebuilt. A high-rise, low-rental community development has been completed. Another is in progress.
A ten-year master plan includes programs to improve schools, assist minority businesses, provide job training and employment as well as cultural opportunities and recreation. Major construction, begun two and a half years ago, has so far remained on schedule.
Alex read the morning news story at his apartment over breakfast. He was alone; Margot had been out of town on legal business for the past week. On arrival at FMA Headquarters Tower he summoned Dick French. As vice-president of public relations, French, a burly, blunt-speaking ax-financial editor, ran his department knowledgeably.
"In the first place," Alex demanded, "who was the bank spokesman?"
"That was me," French said. "And I'll tell you right now I wasn't happy about that 'statement in due course' crap. But Mr. Patterton told me to use those words. He also insisted I shouldn't say more." "What more is there?"
"You tell me, Alex. Obviously something's going on and, good or bad, the sooner we put it on the line, the better."
Alex curbed a rising anger. "Is there a reason I wasn't consulted about any of this?"
The PR head appeared surprised. "I thought you revere. When I talked on the phone to Mr. Patterton yesterday I know Roscoe was with him because I could hear them talking. I assumed you were in there, too." "Next time," Alex said, "don't assume anything."
He dismissed French, then instructed his secretary to inquire Of Jerome Patterton were free. He was informed that the president had not yet arrived at the bank, but was on his way, and Alex could see him at 11 A.M. He grunted impatiently and went back to work on the savings expansion program.
At eleven Alex walked the few yards to the presidential suite two corner rooms, each with a view of the city. Since the new president had taken over, the second room usually had the door closed and visitors were not invited in. Word had leaked out through secretaries that Patterton used it to practice putting on the rug.