by Iris Bolling
"Go, man, we will chat soon."
#
Jonathan followed Myles out of the office. He stopped in the reception area and looked around.
"How may I help you, Mr. Michael?" Mrs. Vazquez asked.
"I was seeking my assistant."
"Sydney, she is right in this office." She took him to the office next to Myles'. "If you decide to stay this will be your space."
He looked around. "This will do nicely. I will need a tea tray at some point."
"You have a wonderful voice." She smiled.
He tilted his head. "Pleased to delight you. I am rather charming."
"That you are." She closed the door.
"What a bloody day," Sydney said from behind the desk.
"It was.”
“Are we staying? If so, I’ll need to acquire a flat, and transportation. It doesn't seem this place has trolleys.”
Jonathan looked out the windows to the downtown area. “I have to stay,” he stated. “Unfortunately, I don't think the drama is over. In fact, I’m certain it’s only the beginning.”
Sydney stood, then walked around to the front of the desk. She took a seat in the chair, pulled out her tablet then stared up at him. “Where do you want me to start?”
With a smile, he took a seat. “Find a flat for you and a home for me. One that a family can grow to love.”
“Shall I begin to search for engagement rings?” She smiled up at him.
#
Later that night, standing in the doorway of Elaine Jacobson's hospital room, a man watched her, riveted by the news report on the shooting at the bank. The reporter spoke of the bravery of Elaine Jacobson. Literally putting her body between other employees and the shooter. He clapped three times slowly to get her attention. She turned towards the door, the smile of glee on her face slowly dissipated.
"What a performance, Elaine."
"Jonathan Michael. What in the hell are you doing here?"
#
Across town, in a one-bedroom apartment in a run down section of town, Shawn Bolton sat up as he watched the news. He could not believe his eyes. He pulled his cell phone out and snapped a picture of the scene playing out on the screen. Staring at the picture a wide grin began to form on his face.
He scanned through the contacts on his phone until he came to the number he needed. He pushed the call button, sat back on the ragged sofa and crossed his legs.
“Hey, long time.”
“What do you want, Bolt?”
“I’ll say a half-million for starters.”
“I’m hanging up.”
“Doing that is going to cause Johnnie to slit your throat for not sharing the news I have for him.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the man you have spent three years requesting delayed court appearances, to give you time to locate and eliminate him.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
Shawn nodded his head up and down. “I see I have your attention.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m texting you a picture. If you find this information worthwhile, you have my number. Call back with a figure in mind.” He disconnected the call, then sent a picture of Cainan Scott to the number.
#
The family gathered to give thanks that everyone was safe. Before the meeting began, they said a prayer for Pam Green for a full recovery.
Myles, Grace, Gary, Michael and AnnieMarie sat in the family room with all eyes on Winnie.
“You want to take your father from his resting place because you think there was foul play?”
“Yes,” Myles replied.
“Who do you think would have wanted Hepburn dead?”
Myles hesitated. “We can’t say. We’ve been told there are certain noninvasive tests the FBI can run to determine if what we suspect is true.”
Winnie closed her eyes.
Grace glanced at Myles, then stepped over and kneeled before her mother. Taking her hands, she squeezed. “What we are asking is one of the hardest decisions we've had to make without Daddy’s guidance. He would say Family First & Foremost. If someone did this to him, it is our duty to find out who and why.”
Myles spoke. “He would want me to lead that search. Before I can I have to be certain if someone had a hand in taking my father from us.”
AnnieMarie walked over and kneeled on the other side of her mother. The men looked on. “I think you, Grace and I should go to New York. Let Myles handle all that needs to be done.”
Epilogue
"One problem settled, a hundred more to go," Myles said as he climbed into bed next to Chrystina. "Walker is under lock and key. The FBI is opening a case against the Russians. Cainan really proved his loyalty to Dunning today." Myles shook his head. "There is something about him that makes you trust him with your life. I can't put my finger on it, but there is more to that man than meets the eye."
"AnnieMarie will agree with you on that. She thinks he is keeping something from her."
"Believe me. There are layers to that brother. Dad trusted him, so why did he have a problem with Cainan and AnnieMarie dating?"
"Well, that's the mystery. Did you talk to your mother about Jerome's theory?"
"I felt we had to. All of us sat down with her about exhuming Dad's body. She agrees, if he did not die of a heart attack we need to know how and why."
Chrystina nodded her head in agreement. "With Mr. Mitchell gone, the employees are safe. What happened today exposed a weakness in our security at headquarters. We have to look at every entrance, install a new camera system."
"Oh, that reminds me." Myles pulled her into his arms. "I know where the wire goes to in your office."
"Where?" Chrystina sat up on her elbow.
"You have security monitors that cover the entire building. Sonya showed it to us. That's how I knew you were in the elevator."
"Who installed it?"
"I take it Mitch did."
"Why?"
"That I don’t know. But I think we should go through the tapes to see what has been captured. Who knows what people are doing in the building."
"You mean like making love in your boss's office?"
Myles sat up. "We have to check that."
"Yes, we do." Chrystina sighed as she settled back down. "How is your mother?"
"She was a little shaken, but Jerome has her covered."
"Can you believe Mr. Mitchell was that far gone?"
"I think he had help. I think someone was influencing him. The whole scenario with Elaine was off."
"Do you want me to look into it?"
"Jonathan is going to handle it."
"He agreed to come on board?"
"He agreed to take a look at our operations. He believes we have a traitor in our midst."
"Who?"
"He didn't say, but I have a feeling it's Elaine. The problem is he doesn't think she is working alone. He wants to find out who is spearheading the whole thing."
"The thing being?"
"We don't know. Whatever it is he felt it was important enough to leave Phase to help us."
"Are we sure he is not a plant from Phase?"
"Pretty sure."
"Why?"
Myles pulled her under him and settled in on top of her. "His reason for helping is because he is in love with Grace. I have come to understand the depths a man will go for the woman he loves."
"You mean like climbing down an elevator shaft and picking up a heavy set woman."
"Light weight." He smiled down at her. "I would do that and more for you, Chrystina Price."
"Know what you can do for me right now?" She wrapped her legs around him.
"It's yours, just name it."
"I think I need a workout."
"Let’s work it out."
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To Be Continued
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