Just Me

by Graysen Morgen

  “You did a good job, very smooth and professional.”

  “Yeah, tell that to the thousands of readers in the morning.” She ducked her head and slid into the car with a solemn look on her face. As soon as Giles shut the door Ian flipped open her cell phone and hit speed dial.

  “Hey honey.”

  “It’s over.”

  “Are you okay?” Cassidy sat back in her office chair and ran a hand through her thick black hair, it fell flat against her back just below her shoulders.

  “I guess. I was to the point quickly and then it was over.”

  “I guess I’ll call Trina and Wendi tonight and let them know. What are the chances of it showing up in my paper?”

  “Since the plant is located there, and you live there, probably a hundred percent. Be careful going to work tomorrow. I‘m sure they’ll stake out your place. Max went ahead and added your name to the restraining order for the press so you may not see them up close, but they’ll be around.”

  “God I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “I know. I’m really sorry.”

  “Why? Because we went out for your birthday? Give me a break Ian, that guys a dick and he’ll do whatever he has to.”

  “I swear if I ever see him on the street he’s a dead bastard. I’ll snatch his arms off and beat him to death with them!”

  Cassidy laughed. “Now that I’d like to see.” She stretched her legs under the desk and yawned. “I love you and damn it, I miss you like crazy.”

  “That goes both ways.”

  Chapter 19

  “All rise for the honorable Judge Roland Wynn.” Everyone in the small brown paneled room stood up. The tiny door to the left of the large desk opened and a short bald man with no facial hair walked out and up the couple of stairs. He sat down and opened the file in front of him. “You may be seated.” Ian took her seat behind the table between Maxwell Guthrey and Daniel Meyers. J. R. Hinkley with thinning gray hair and a matching beard sat with his attorney Fred Fleming at the table to the right. “Case number eighty-one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two, Wiley versus Hinkley, is now in session.

  “Mr. Guthrey you may begin your opening statement.”

  “Thank you.” He buttoned the jacket of his black Armani suit that matched his black hair, as he walked up in front of the judge and the jury. “During the course of the week I am going to explain to you how the defendant, J. R. Hinkley, paid two former employees of Wiley Steel Corporation to mishandle sales deals in order for them to be given to Hinkley Metals. These deals add up to millions of dollars lost in profit due to the negligence of the two former employees. These two men are now employed by J. R. Hinkley.” He walked back to the table and sat down.

  “Mr. Fleming, you may now begin your opening statement.”

  “Thank you.” The fairly short man had thick white hair. “As you will soon find out, the accusations against my client are fairly true, except for the fact that the plaintiff has no proof that these so called deals were locked in with her company, and there also is no proof that the two men in question were paid to mismanage these deals on purpose. My client simply paid them to give him inside information on his competition.” He went back to his table and sat down.

  “Mr. Guthrey, call your first witness.”

  “Thank you.” He stood up. “I’d like to call Ian Wiley to the stand.” Ian stood and walked over the small table and microphone attached to the large desk that the judge sat at. A heavyset black man walked over to her with a bible. She’d watched enough law shows on TV to know what she was supposed to do. She placed her right hand on the book.

  “I, Ian Leland Wiley, do swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me god.” She sat down and watched Max make his way over to her.

  “Since your parents' tragic death, almost one year ago, you, as sole heir, took over as President of the Wiley Steel Corporation, is that correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “In doing so, you worked closely with Frasier Higginbotham with him as your assistant as he was your fathers, is that correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “You also worked as Benjamin Bradford’s superior, is that correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Benjamin Bradford was the Locomotive Services Director for Wiley Steel, is that correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “How did you come about the botched deals Miss Wiley?”

  “When I took over the company I asked to see the books and records so that I could catch up on the company. Since I was away at college I only made it to the corporate office or the plant once a year. My father talked about the business with me, but I needed to know the exact figures since I was now responsible for the company.”

  “That makes sense. Please continue.”

  “It was during this careful examination that I discovered we bid on deals that were locked in, yet the sale didn’t show in the bank statements. So, I pulled all of the records for the production plant. I also hired an auditor to go through the records in case I was missing anything, that’s when I put everything together.”

  “And what is that you found Miss Wiley?”

  “Benjamin Bradford was bidding on deals that were never going to production.”

  “What happened when you asked him about this?” Max stood directly in front of her.

  “He denied it at first, but I figured out that Frasier Higginbotham was helping him and I called Benjamin Bradford into my office again. That’s when he confessed everything.”

  “Please see evidence exhibit A, a tape recording of the office confession, my law firm was present on the speaker phone.”

  “Objection! The two men were unaware of themselves being recorded.” Mr. Fleming stood up.

  “Overruled. Taped conversation doesn’t need an announcement in this situation. Mr. Guthrey, you may continue.”

  “Thank you, your honor. If we could, please play the tape for the court.” He turned to the bailiff, who then turned the tape recorder on. Everyone listened to Benjamin Bradford and Frasier Higginbotham both confess to the botched deals. Both men said that Hinkley was paying them a cut of the money he was making off of the deals. “I believe that is all that I have for this witness.”

  “Mr. Fleming, your witness.” The white-haired man stood up and walked over to Ian.

  “Miss Wiley, is it true that you are involved in an office affair with a female subordinate?”

  “It’s not an affair Mr. Fleming. Yes, I am in a relationship with one of my female employees.”

  “This alleged employee was mixed up in this supposed scandal, is that true?”

  “No.”

  “You’re involved with Cassidy Harland, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is she not the Director of Logistics for Wiley Steel?”

  “Yes she is.”

  “Wasn’t part of the mix up with these deals blamed on logistics?”

  “Yes it was.”

  “Objection!” Max stood up. “We just heard the evidence proving the stories about the botched deals were lies.”

  “Move on with your line of questioning Mr. Fleming.”

  “I’m simply stating Miss Wiley may have let her relationship cloud her vision when logistics became involved.”

  “Actually Mr. Fleming, I had only just met Miss Harland the day I went to the Production Plant to go through the records. Therefore, I wasn’t involved with her then. As a matter of fact, I didn’t become involved with Miss Harland until after I terminated Mister Higginbotham and Mr. Bradford.”

  “Fine. Who was it that told you the bids on these deals were locked in?”

  “Not all of them were, some of them were purposely overbid.”

  “Okay, first, again who told you they were locked in?”

  “I called the companies behind the deals in question after Mister Bradford kept claiming that they were locked in but production and logistics had slowed him down until we lost the deals.”

  “
So these so called companies told you they were going to buy from you, but your company was too slow with shipping and manufacturing so they went elsewhere. Is that correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you believed these companies?”

  “Yes.”

  “What made you believe these companies, but not your own?”

  “I believe in everything at my company, including the records that indicated this problem to start with. I was merely trying to get to the bottom of it. Frankly, I wanted to know why we were losing multi millions of dollars, therefore I did some checking up on my sales staff. Is there a problem with that?”

  “I’m the one that is suppose to ask the questions Miss Wiley.” He walked over towards the jury, giving his best intimidating smirk. Then he walked back over to her. “How did you find out about the overbid deals?”

  “Did you not just hear the tape?” You stupid jack-ass!

  “Again Miss Wiley. Your honor?”

  The judge looked over at her. “Please answer his line of questioning Miss Wiley.”

  “All right. When the companies told me about the deals a few of them didn’t make sense to me, on further investigation I discovered the overbids. When I asked both Frasier Higginbotham and Benjamin Bradford, they confessed to purposely overbidding in some cases, as you just heard on the evidence tape.”

  “How did you learn that Hinkley Metals was involved?”

  “I simply asked the companies, every single deal was picked up by Hinkley metals. So again, during the office confession both of my former employees confessed that they were being paid by J. R. Hinkley to miscalculate deals in order for them to be picked up by his company, he then cut them in on part of the profit.”

  “That’s all of the questioning that I have.”

  “You may step down.” The judge spoke to Ian. She immediately stood up and walked back over to her seat.

  “What an idiot.” She whispered to Max.

  “I know.”

  “Mr. Guthrey, call your next witness.”

  “I call William Goody.”

  He went through his line of questioning, making sure William knew nothing of the dealings between Higginbotham, Bradford, and Hinkley. He also touched on the subject of Ian’s relationship with Cassidy. William admitted to knowing about it, as all of the directors do, he honestly said he knew nothing of it until Ian held a meeting to announce it. Fred Fleming did his best to break William down, but there was no reason for the man to lie about something he knew nothing about. Therefore, Max moved on to his next witness, Carey Stewart. Carey was just as honest about the dealings. He knew nothing of them or the relationship until Ian announced it. Again Fleming did everything he could, but got no where with his questioning.

  “I’m calling recess until tomorrow morning at nine a.m.” The judge spoke.

  “All rise.” Everyone stood as the bald man in the black robe made his way back through the small doorway.

  Once they were headed out of the courtroom Ian turned to Max. “So we’re doing good so far, yes?”

  “Most definitely, apparently the only thing this fool has to go on is your relationship. As you can see that’s taken him nowhere. I know we’re going to run into some press out here. Let me talk for you.” Max pushed through the doors. Ian stood between him and his partner Daniel Meyers. “Dan, try to shield her on that side. There’s her car.” Giles was waiting on the curb with the Bentley.

  Flashes began going off and at least ten people jumped in her face. “Miss Wiley? Miss Wiley?! Did your parents know you were gay? Miss Wiley, what does your company think of you sleeping with an employee? Miss Wiley how long has the affair been going on? Do you plan on adopting children? What will happen to the Wiley bloodline? Have you ever had sex with a man? Is Miss Harland getting promoted? When is Miss Harland moving to the corporate office?” They finally made it to the car, Ian slid in and Giles slammed the door shut. God damn bunch of stupid as a soup sandwich no good pieces of dog shit! She pulled her cell phone from her belt and flipped it open.

  ~ ~ ~

  Cassidy was out on the production floor going over the plans on a new deal when she felt her phone vibrate on her belt. “Excuse me a second Rich, Darren.” She stepped out of the production floor office. “Hey.”

  “We just finished for the day. I needed to hear your voice.”

  “Aww. How did it go?”

  “Surprisingly good. Of course, our relationship was brought up every time, but Hinkley’s lawyers have nothing. It’s almost like a bad joke watching his stupid slimy ass fumble through his questioning.”

  “I see. Well, I’m glad it’s not as bad as you thought it would be.”

  “The press tried to eat me alive when we came out of there though.”

  “Yeah, I had a few reporters corner me with questions this morning. I just told them no comment and walked inside.”

  “That’s good. What time are you guys leaving?”

  “I was just in a meeting with Rich and Darren about this deal that they need me to go out on a limb for”

  “I’m sorry, you could’ve sent the call to your voicemail baby.”

  “No, don’t be ridiculous, you’re the head honcho, when you call, everything stops, whether it’s personal or not.”

  “That’s good, because it’s not all personal. I need you guys to be ready go, we start again at nine a.m. and I want you both rested. Trust me, this thing will drain you, I feel like I’ve been run over by a run away freight liner on a deserted railway.”

  “Aww. I wish I was there to make you feel better.”

  “You will be soon. Hey listen Cassidy, I want Rich to go to the hotel, but as soon as you guys pull up Giles will be there to pick you up. Hopefully, there will be no press there.”

  “Sounds good. I can’t wait to put my arms around you. I miss you. I love you so much Ian.”

  “I love you too, and miss you like crazy.” Tonight. Ian thought with a smile as she hung up the phone.

  ~ ~ ~

  “So the drama continues huh. I figured they’d have nothing to go on. No one knew what those idiots were up to until she told us. What do they expect us to do? Go up there and say yes we were all involved.” Rich vented his frustration as he drove through the afternoon traffic.

  “I know, the whole thing is really stupid. I don’t see why the asshole Hinkley didn’t just pay back all the money he basically laundered from Wiley Steel.”

  “His little stunt in the newspaper is a real low blow too. I’m surprised Ian didn’t rip his dick off and smack him with it. Excuse me, I‘m sorry.” He blushed.

  “Don’t be, trust me, she wants to.”

  “I still treat you like one of the guys, I think that’s why we get along so well Cassidy.”

  “Me too. Don’t ever change Rich. That would be scary.”

  “Yeah. Funny thing is, I never could tell when you guys started dating, you didn’t change one bit.”

  “I don’t plan on changing. At work Ian Wiley is my boss and she forever will be unless I no longer work for the company. Nothing will change that.”

  The crew cab pick up pulled into the hotel parking lot. Cassidy could see the black car with the salt and pepper haired man waiting for her in his perfectly starched tux. “That’s my ride.” Rich got out of the truck to make sure Cassidy got her suitcase out okay.

  “I guess I’ll see you in the morning. Nine a.m. right?”

  “Yeah, you know where the courthouse is don’t you?” She asked hesitantly.

  “Yeah. Have a good night.”

  “You too.” She called back as she slid into the black leather back seat.

  “Good evening Miss Harland.”

  “Hello Giles.” She smiled.

  ~ ~ ~

  Ian sat on the couch in the formal living room with Cassidy wrapped in her arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Me too. I think this is where I feel the most comfortable. I mean I know this is your house and everything, but I jus
t feel so different when I’m in your arms.”

  “Good.”

  “Dinner was fantastic, I forgot to thank Giles.”

  “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere, it’s still early. Hey, there’s somewhere I want to take you before the sun goes down. Come on.” Ian walked out into the garage and pulled the gas powered golf-cart out.

  “Whoa, where’d this thing come from?”

  “It’s been here, you guys didn’t see it because it was covered for the winter. Hop in.” Cassidy stepped up into the little cart and Ian took off over the hill towards the back of the property that climbed up the mountain.

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  As soon as they rounded the last corner Cassidy recognized the drop off to the valley that she had seen during the winter when she was visiting with her friends. “Oh my god Ian, this is where I fell in love with you.”