His father sat back in his chair. “I asked you a question.”
“I thought you wanted to handle the situation. You didn’t tell me what was happening. You walked away.”
His father scowled at Joseph before saying, “When I have an emergency, I expect you to stick around. Have I made myself clear?”
Joseph growled, “I wish you’d make up your mind. Last time you told me to leave you alone. I never know what you want from me.”
Donovan leaned forward. “I want you to stick around until I tell you otherwise. Got it?” Joseph snarled.
His father said, “Did you hear what was going on?”
“Someone won the lottery.”
His father slowly nodded. “It’s a perfect opportunity for us to be out there making money; and what are these idiots standing around doing? Waiting for me. Can you believe that?
“Some day you are going to inherit this business. You’d better pay attention.” He pointed to his head. “Use your brain. These knuckleheads wouldn’t know they had one if I didn’t remind them. Some day that’s going to be your job! Lucky you. Good luck with that one.” Joseph started to turn around to leave. He took a couple of steps toward the door.
Donovan said, “Close the door I want to talk to you.” Joseph rolled his eyes. He closed the door, went back and sat down in the chair across from his father.
“My business is your business! Got that? Time is money. You’d better remember that. In the next couple of weeks you’re going to start having more responsibility around here. I’m going to leave you in charge.”
Joseph felt like he’d been sucker punched in the stomach. “Why?” His timing wasn’t convenient for Joseph. He thought: Next year would be better. Although controlling an empire...
His father looked surprised. “Be a man! It’s time for you to start taking over for me. It’s what we do! Do you think I want to work like a dog for the rest of my life?”
Joseph looked away. Donovan leaned across his desk and yelled, “NO! I don’t. You’re going to learn it. All of it!” Joseph gave him a defiant look.
His father calmed down. “Get out of here. Go follow up with boys from the auction room. Find out the profit margin from our last auction. While you are there check with the inventory managers and find out how productive we’ve been at finding buyers for the merchandise.”
Joseph got up and walked out. He was almost giddy as he thought to himself: I was right. This is just as I expected only better because he’s going to give me free rein. I knew all along something was going down, just like clockwork, my old man is doing just as Grandfather did to him. He smiled at how clever he was to have figured it out.
This is exactly where I want to be at this point in my life. Soon I’ll be the one living large and in charge. It’s just little earlier, than I wanted, to be in this position; but I’ll figure out how to make it fit into my existing plans. I’ve had a long time to think about this day and I’m ready for the take over. I know exactly what I’m going to do differently. Oh, I’ve been paying attention all right... For years I’ve been learning the ropes right under your nose, Father. Once you sign the transfer of power over to me and the change of guard takes place, these freaks are going to actually have to do some work around here.
He mocked his father. “Imagine that why don’t you.”
Joseph thought over his plan: I’m not going to put up with the current laziness around here. The free rides are over. All they do is sit around and complain about how hard they work now. They’ll be begging Father to come back. They’ll never know what hit them when I sit behind that desk. I’ll show you how to do it, Father. I’m the man with the plan. You’ll wonder why you didn’t put me in charge years ago. Our profit is going to soar through the roof. I have the guts and I’m going to steal all the glory.
He smiled to himself as he walked with purpose into the auction room.
CHAPTER 31
Simmeon looked up from his bookkeeping. He put his pen down. Joseph walked over to where he was sitting. He stood up and let Joseph sit down to look over his meticulous work. After he’d looked it over Joseph said, “Not bad for two auctions. My father will be happy with this work. However we need to do better. I want to see an increase of profit do you understand me?”
Simmeon said, “Yes, I understand what you’re saying.” Joseph rose and gave him his chair back. Simmeon sat down. “I’m not finished. It should be completely finished in about an hour.”
Joseph sighed. “Make it forty five minutes. I’ll be back.” As Joseph walked out the door he could feel Simmeon’s stare as he mouthed, “Jerk”, along with a few other descriptive words. They all wanted to say it to his face but not one of them dared.
He looked around and made sure the auction rooms were set up. They were ready to go. A few of the women had come in and waved to him as they walked by whispering and giggling. He checked the drink station and made sure the equipment was working properly. Then he went to find an inventory manager. They were all scrambling around getting ready. He figured Simmeon had alerted them to the fact he was on his way. He called one of them over and asked a few questions just to see what they’d say. Joseph could tell he was nervous. He stammered as he spoke but according to him they were in good shape and ready for the auction. The young man pulled the paperwork to prove it. Joseph looked around on the shelves and quickly surmised what was going to bring the highest profit at this auction. The floor manager came over to talk to him. He informed Joseph, they expected a good turn out. Only the serious and wealthiest of buyers were allowed into tonight’s auction. He mentioned that Adam Dauze had sent paperwork and was on his way to talk to his father. That was the emergency. Adam Dauze. Joseph made a face. It all made sense now. He firmly patted the informer on his back for a job well done. He headed back the way he came, briefly checking on Simmeon to make sure he’d finished. Then he went straight to his father’s office, earlier than Donovan had expected.
Adam Dauze was a very influential man and someone to take seriously. He and his family had been the only Sojourners brave enough to cross the boundary lines to help victims recover their stolen property from the auctions. They were legitimate; never told lies or tried to cheat. They were tough negotiators. They were hired at a premium by their clients to reclaim what they had “lost”. They didn’t stop until they finished the job. If Adam was here something big was about to be reclaimed. The Dauze family had certain members of the family that specialized in reclaiming: Passageways, rare coins and victims of kidnapping. Adam’s specialty was typically kidnapping.
When Joseph knocked on the door to his father’s office he didn’t get a response at first. He knew his father realized he’d been caught bargaining with Adam.
Donovan impatiently said, “Come in.”
Joseph opened the door. He entered the room and stood in the back. They ignored his presence and continued negotiations. He could tell by Adam’s demeanor that he was furious. Not good news. Even his father of all people didn’t want to make Adam angry, because when Adam was angry things became real serious--real fast. Adam had his own personal extraction army and no one wanted them to flex their muscles. Things tended to become bloody when that happened. His father was trying to tell Adam that they didn’t have the girl, but Adam wasn’t buying the story. He pounded on Donovan’s desk with his fist. Everything on the desk moved. His father didn’t flinch. Joseph didn’t move a muscle. He didn’t even dare to blink.
Then it happened, Adam vowed to tear the place apart just to make sure she wasn’t there. Adam and his father continued to stare at one another. Both of their bodyguards burst into the room, stone-faced staring at one another in a ready-to-fire stance. Automatic gunfire was heard throughout the building. Adam had brought troops into the building. He meant business. This was war! Whoever this girl was, she had to be someone important. Shouts were heard as they went into lockdown mode. Adam’s troops were met with resistance from their people. Things couldn’t get more ugly.
&
nbsp; Joseph hoped she wasn’t there; more importantly if they did have her, he thought his father was ridiculous to not make the deal and hand her over. Joseph was the wildcard in the room he had his gun loaded and ready. He figured he had the element of surprise on his side should it come to that.
Adam’s army was making their way around the building. Joseph could hear gunfire. The two remained locked in a glaring contest. He hoped his father kept his cool. This was the worst time for this to happen. They hadn’t had any problems in several years with Adam or the Dauze family.
Adam picked up the picture that was on his dad’s desk. “I’m going to ask you one more time. Do you have her?”
Donovan calmly said, “We do not.”
Adam asked the question another way, “Have you seen her, or do you know who might have her?”
“Yes. Diablo.”
Adam stood up. “You will arrange for her to be brought here.” Donovan refused.
Adam pounded on the desk again. “You will arrange for her to be brought here.”
“I told you. We don’t work like that around here.”
Adam carefully pulled a piece of paper from his coat and put it down in front of Donovan. He looked at the paper. “Just this one time. Never again.”
Adam’s commander burst through the door. He brought a pair of earrings and a necklace to Adam. “Sir, she was here.”
Adam said, “Good work commander. Donovan said Diablo had her. He’s agreed to work on a deal. Right Don?”
Donovan just sat there without emotion looking at Adam. Then he calmly said, “I agreed this once.” He picked up the paper. “I expect the payoff first Adam.”
Adam nodded to his commander. His commander left and then momentarily returned. He placed a padded envelope on the desk.
Donovan looked at him and without looking inside said, “We have a deal.”
Adam put cash on the desk. “This should cover the damages.”
Donovan said, “Tomorrow night will be the exchange. Same rules as we have agreed on before.” Then Adam left with his commander.
No one said a word. Donovan got up and placed the envelope in his safe. Then he left the building by himself. When he returned, he had the girl with him. He sent her with Nxy.
CHAPTER 32
Charles, Carson and Bev nervously waited in the office for a while letting things settle down before they decided to go back to the Hub and to the bank. As they entered the bank Charles noticed it was very opulent. He felt out of place. The lady behind the reception counter made him feel insignificant. She looked down her glasses at him, and then looked at Carson and Bev. She spoke in a sharp manner, to no one in particular, “May I help you?”
Carson said, “We would like to add names to a passbook.”
“He has to be eighteen years of age in order to add him.”
Carson smiled and said, “Well actually, it is the other way around Ma’am.”
With a frown she said, “Impossible. Let me see that passbook.” Charles took out his passbook. Her eyes widened and she jumped from her reception desk.
“Oh, I am so sorry. One moment please…” She moved rather quickly across the room. Several tellers stopped their transactions to watch her enter the bank president’s office. A distinguished lady in a yellow suit and snow-white hair came out from behind closed doors and quickly escorted them back to her office. She closed the door behind them. “Please excuse us. How may I be of assistance?”
Charles explained their purpose for being there. She listened intently to what Charles said. As soon as he finished, she began processing the proper paperwork. When the paperwork was completed Charles, Carson and Bev signed the papers. She went over the documentation with them. They thanked her for her help. They left the bank and returned to their Passageway.
Upon entering the office Carson and Charles placed the paperwork in the vault. While Carson was locking the drawer they heard muffled voices in conversation. Carson and Charles paused and looked at each other. They listened for a moment to see if they could understand what was being said. After a brief period the voices ceased. Charles glanced at Carson as he was securing the vault. Carson seemed to be in deep thought. It crossed Charles’ mind that Carson may have understood some of the conversation they had overheard.
Charles walked to the door and opened it. He looked around outside for Esmond. He rang the wind chime and waited. Then he saw Esmond hopping out from under a hosta plant coming toward him. When Esmond reached the doorway, Charles picked him up and carried him inside. Airabelle perked up when she saw him. The two of them went off and discussed the day’s events.
Bev said she was going to go to the house to take a nap. She took off her glasses and placed them in Carson’s desk. Charles gave her a kiss on the cheek and told her he was glad she went with them. She reached out and hugged Charles. She told him she was proud of him and couldn’t believe the day’s events. Then she left.
Charles and Carson sat down on the chairs and reminisced about the auction. Charles asked Carson if he wanted to look over the coins they had won in the lottery.
Carson jumped up and said, “I thought you would never ask!” He went over and retrieved the key to the vault. He and Charles opened the vault and walked in to get the briefcase. Then they brought it out and placed it on the table. Carson went to get their loupes and some gloves. When he came back they sat for a long time looking over the coins. When they were finished Carson said to Charles, “These are some real beauties, Charles.”
Charles nodded. “Now we need to catalogue them.”
“Yes, that was going to be your next lesson.
“You can bet that with your winning of the lottery, the Prime Minister will be anxious to meet with you.”
All of a sudden the Hub Times newspaper came through the Passageway. Carson stood up from his chair to get it. He grabbed his knee as he straightened.
“Paw Paw, I can get it.”
Carson walked toward the newspaper and smiled, “No, you stay there.” Carson reached for their glasses first and put his on. Then he bent over, picked up the paper and unfolded it. He laughed and said, “We made the front cover!” He showed Charles the front page. It showed the back of them walking with Dimitrios. It read, “Mystery Lottery Winner Whisked Off and Disappeared Into Thin Air”.
Carson went back and sat down in the chair. He read the article to Charles. He folded the paper down and said, “Ha, how do you like that?”
“I like it.”
“I do too.” He continued to look through the newspaper. After reading other articles Carson asked Charles if he wanted to read the paper.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Begin here. There was a lot of excitement in the Hub today.”
Carson returned the briefcase to the vault. He came back and sat by Charles. They decided to go to the house for a snack. Carson and Charles put their glasses in Carson’s desk. Then they went to the house in search of a snack. The house seemed strangely quiet when Nana wasn’t there to greet them. They fixed their own snack, sat at the table and talked while they ate. When they were finished, they went to the library. Charles napped on the couch while Carson read in his chair. When Charles woke up he could smell dinner cooking in the kitchen. Charles rubbed his eyes, sleepily stood up and walked to the kitchen. He stretched and asked if he could help.
Bev said, “Thank you Dear, but no.” She motioned for him to sit down.
“Did I sleep through lunch?”
“No, I just thought we could have an early dinner and a snack later if we want it, just for something different.” He asked her if she needed help in the morning with chores. She thought about the offer and said, “No thank you. Why don’t you sleep in?”
She told him Paw Paw was probably right about the Prime Minister being even more anxious to meet with him after winning the lottery. She put her hands over her heart and said, “Charles, I am just so excited for you… I can’t believe what happened today. I was so thrilled to see you on the
screen as the winner. What was it like to win?”
He thought about it and said, “Surreal.”
She nodded in agreement. “That will open so many doors for you.”
She laughed and said, “Airabelle told me what Dimitrios said, and he was right. Absolutely amazing.” Then she got up and finished preparing dinner.
Charles asked where Paw Paw was. Bev told him that he left earlier to visit with Molly at the store. He wanted to see how they were doing. He wanted to surprise her, and take the girls to dinner. Charles asked who was going to watch the store.
Bev laughed and said, “Oh he took one of the boys to fill in for them. I think Walter might meet them at the diner.”
“So it is just us tonight for dinner?” Bev nodded.
After dinner and conversation Charles looked at the clock. He asked if he could call Caroline.
“I don’t see why not.”
Charles made the call. Caroline was excited to hear from him. They talked for a while. When they hung up Charles went into the other room with Bev.
She was working a crossword puzzle. She pointed to the paper she was writing on and said, “These are as frustrating as they are fun.” Charles asked how she was doing. “This one is more difficult since it is later in the week.”
A deck of cards was sitting on the coffee table so he played solitaire. They sat and enjoyed each other’s company. Several hours later Carson came home. He greeted Bev and Charles and sat down on the couch. “It is quite an operation those two have going down there. Bev, you should go and see what they have accomplished.”
“I think I will. I might just stop in and surprise them. I could help the ladies in the kitchen make a few special desserts for the farmers who hang out there.”
Carson laughed and said, “I got caught up talking with Sam. He tried to get me to split one of Becky’s peach cobblers with him. So, I just bought it for him.”
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 34