We are the only ones who can look at the bank account via the internet as I have password protected it well. Due to Swiss banking practices, even the bank would be unable to track us down. And with the secrecy laws they have in place, I am confident even the best hacker would be unable to trace us.”
With that, Paul went onto Google and logged onto the internet banking site I had set up. “I am not sure what we can tell from this as even if the Fraud Squad have not cottoned onto the Swiss account we will see no change, just the large balance of money received from the West’s customers. “If they have found it, it may be closed down and the money confiscated,” Paul added.
“One more moment and we will be able to see what’s happened,” I said as we waited for the site to come up.
“Is it possible for anyone to realise that we are looking at this bank account?” Paul asked.
“Very unlikely,” I said. “I set it up using the West’s own site, so anyone looking will assume it is someone on their payroll, as it is they would have to know of the account’s existence to even begin to ask questions, and as no one other than us have any idea what we did the chance of anyone linking us to the site would be remote.”
“Music to my ears,” Paul said.
“Here we go,” the password box came onto the screen and I added the words and letters necessary to gain access. “There are two sets,” I said, and began to enter the second one which uses lower case letters and the upper keyboard symbols before the account can be shown on screen. We waited what seemed like forever before lo and behold, there it was - $4.6 million.
“Wow!” Paul exclaimed. “Money just waiting to be found,” he said.
“Keep your greedy hands off,” I laughed, “we don’t need the money and revenge is the name of this game.”
It was obvious that the Fraud Squad had not found the account yet, so we left well alone and agreed to check periodically for any changes. “Well, that’s something else to look forward to,” I said closing down the site.
“The more grief, the better,” Paul added with a satisfied grin. From the look of it, the virus I set up and planted into their financial package and servers worked. The newspapers were very explicit regarding the mess the Accounts Department were in and their computer specialists had to admit a virus had struck their system, but they had no idea who was responsible for sending it or what type of virus it was. “I think by now we would have heard if it was still going round and round,” Paul laughed.
“So that is number three,” I said.
We both know that number four was a success as we were able to watch the fireworks as they went off when the roulette wheel did exactly what we intended. The best of it was Brandon caused the discovery himself and so far as we know, he is still unaware of the Arab who set the ball rolling and got them all arrested. “This was our best scam,” we agreed, “and with the drugs being on-board at the same time, was a bonus we couldn’t have possibly have anticipated.”
“To add insult to injury, Walter explained an indictment was issued against them for soliciting underage prostitution and people trafficking, as most of the girls were of oriental origin. This was confirmed by the State newspapers and had also been passed to him from the taxi drivers he once worked with,” I said. “Walter is o.k. now, but has told me he was concerned that he may get involved at one point but it has passed over without any attention to him or the other drivers.”
“I’m pleased about that,” Paul said, “he is a great guy and I wouldn’t want anything we had started to reflect on him. I have been up to see him and Rose while you were away, and no mention of Walter involvement has been mentioned, so he is settling down now.”
“Well, that is number four, or four and five,” I said.
“I wish I was one of their lawyers,” Paul replied. “I would fleece them for every penny,” he laughed.
“That seems to cover the outstanding issues. Let’s hope they get everything that’s coming to them,” Paul said.
“It’s been a long painful haul to get to here,” I said, “only the judge can make sure they pay for their actions, hopefully the punishment will fit the crime.”
“If it does,” Paul added, “we may never set eyes on the West’s ever again.” With that thought ringing in our ears, we bedded down for the night.
Chapter Forty-One
Brandon West
Those bastard lawyers, if they think they will get one more penny out of me, they can forget it. Until they get bail for me and my family they can whistle. The whole world and his wife are trying to pin everything they can get their grubby hands on onto me and my family and our excuse for lawyers are sitting on their backsides raking in my money. Well, I’ve had enough. I can’t stay here one more minute. I will go insane not knowing what is going on out there. It’s bad enough that the Board has taken over the running of the business. God knows what mess I will have to sort out when they finally realise we have been set up, just wait until I get my hands on the bastards that have done this to me. I will give them what I gave that runt of a husband of Lorna’s.
Thinking of Lorna, I wish I could have a word with her but the police have forbidden any contact until they have finished their enquiries. I was harsh with her on the night everything went pear-shaped. I only hope she will understand that I was at my wits end when all hell was let loose that night. She must know I wouldn’t mean anything by my words at that precise moment. I have tried hard to remember exactly what I said, but the look on her face was enough to tell me I overstepped the mark with her feelings. I am so sorry. It has taken a great deal of planning to get as close as I was to her. If only she could know the lengths I have gone too to make her mine. I have loved her from the first time I saw her at the banquet for G&F and have wanted her ever since.
I was livid when I discovered I had been overruled by those mealy-mouthed rats on the Board of Directors that decided I would have to sell my wonderful cruise ship. Don’t they realise the lengths I went too to make it a floating palace? If one of the computer programmers I paid a fortune to have sold me out I will make sure they live to regret it ‘or die to regret it’ is more like it. I will swear to the police that the device I ordered was for monitoring purposes only and that if it was what they say it was, a ‘computer tool for cheating’. I will lie through my teeth, they will not be able to prove one way or the other if it is true or not.
I’m not sure where the other concocted charges that have been made against me have come from, but they will have to prove without a doubt that it was me that created intentionally the chaos to my own company. I am yet to be given details of everything they say I have done. If my lawyers were worth their pound of flesh, I would be out of here by now. Just wait until I do get out, I will reap my revenge on everyone that had anything to do with the mess I am in.
Chapter Forty-Two
Lorna
When I collected the mail from my old address, I had no idea what was in store. I stood looking at the gold-edged envelope for some time before I finally opened it. I was amazed when I read the contents:
Sheik Saeed Bin Mugrab requests the pleasure of your company for the opening of his cruise ship ‘mugrab of the seas’. The evening will be a banquet followed by entertainment to suit all tastes. The dress code is white robes or dress suites for men. Ladies are requested to dress appropriately. RSVP within two weeks.
It will be my pleasure to welcome you on the 10th of next month at 6pm.
Kindest regards,
Sheik Saeed Bin Mugrab
A small hand-written note was attached which read:
Dear Lady,
I hope this invitation in some way compensates you for the inconvenience you were caused the last time you were to spend the evening on the cruise ship then known as ‘The Westward’. This invitaion is extended to a partner of your choice, I hope you enjoy your evening with us.
Sincerely Yours,
Sheik Saeed Bin Mugrab
I stood with my mouth open for several m
inutes trying to take in how on earth Sheik Saeed Bin Mugrab, the new owner of Brandon’s cruise ship, could possibly have tracked me down. He must be in possession of the passenger list for the night I wished I could forget.
My first thought was to e-mail Paul to tell him. My second was to turn down the invitation, but deep down my curiosity was getting the better of me. Paul will know how to handle this. As soon as I return home, I will send him an e-mail.
I have come to terms with what happened and realised that I was in no way to blame for what had taken place that night, all of the what if’s have gone away replaced by a more positive me. “You can’t do anything about things you can’t control,” Dad had told me and it has gradually sunk in. I was coming to terms with the fact that under no circumstances could I have known of the West’s behaviour and am now ready to get on with my life and concentrate on the children and Mom and Dad.
I already have a few irons in the fire relating to work and feel more content now that the film studio has reopened under new management it was satisfying to receive the letter informing me that my position within the company is still available, but I have made a decision to refuse the offer as I would still feel uncomfortable with the other staff knowing how close I had become to Brandon. I would be worrying constantly that someone might think I had known about what happened.
I have, however, been in touch with the company’s Human Resources asking if they have any vacancies in my area now that I live with Mom. I know of two studios locally that belong to the same operation, so I’m hoping they will consider me should they have a vacancy. I was very happy doing the work I was doing and would love a chance to carry on learning the craft, so I’ve got my fingers crossed.
I hope Paul won’t be too long this time before he returns. It’s nice to have someone I can talk things through with that I am sure I can trust. I hope his Aunt is feeling better now, as it must have been difficult for him to carry on working for G&F whilst looking after his sick Aunt. I often wonder if, like me, he is the only one left to look after a family member.
I am still getting good reports from school regarding the children’s progress. William would be happy that they have been able to change schools and find new friends so quickly. “Children are more resilient than we give them credit for,” Mom tells me, and she has proved to be quite right.
I am happy not to have a social life at the moment as the least complications I have, the better I can concentrate. Mom keeps trying to persuade me to go out at night with friends, but I’ve told her I am quite content for the time being and enjoy being with her, Dad and the children.
Chapter Forty-Three
Paul
What a turn up for the books that was. I could hardly believe my eyes when I got the e-mail from Lorna attaching a copy of the invitation she had received from the Arab who now owns the West’s cruise ship. She wants my advice whether I think she should go. I’m the last one she should be asking that question. She’ll be asking me to go with her next. I have to put my hands up, I’m very tempted to go with her if she asks. How could I not with everything that has happened. My only worry is ‘Bill’ and how he would feel about me going without him, especially with Lorna. I might have to refuse on these grounds, as to do otherwise may hurt his feelings. He has had enough to cope with without me adding to his misery. I am sure, however, the new owner is the same Arab that shopped Brandon for rigging the tables and the one that unwittingly became our ally.
I will try to approach the subject with ‘Bill’ just to get his reaction. That way, I will know one way or another how to reply to Lorna. I can always use my ailing Aunt as an excuse should she be disappointed that I am unable to go. I wish we could all go but without a plan that will get ‘Bill’ and Lorna back together. I can only wonder if that will ever happen. On second thoughts, it may be kinder not to tell him at all.
One thing that I would like to tell Bill, though, is the fact that our suspicions were right regarding who now owns the ship. I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of that Arab. He is obviously one to go for the jugular.
My days are now spent looking for a place to live that will suit my bachelor status. I know ‘Bill’ will want me to join him at his house for the time being when he moves in, but I will ultimately want to have somewhere to crash that belongs to me. Not too far from ‘Bill’, just far enough for the privacy I will need should I be able to persuade Chris-Ann to visit. ‘VISIT,’ who am I kidding?
There are several large bungalows with well-maintained gardens. No renovations for me, very little maintenance and a great view of the sea. These are the criteria I have given to the agents looking out for me. I have my own resources to start with but if I am to give up G&F, which is my intension, I will need to check with Bill the amount of money my 40% now stands at.
I have been giving the idea of an inheritance should my fictitious aunt pass away. It would be fairly easy if ‘Bill’ was my Aunt’s other so-far unknown relative to inherit alongside myself. Therefore, we could both be rich as far as our friends are concerned. They need not know how much just a word here and there that would enable us all to stay friends. I know this is one of the things ‘Bill’ is concerned about. How do we move from poor to rich in one foul sweep? Well, this may just be the answer. The idea may need to be honed a bit and the timing must be right, but I’m sure this would answer at least one of our problems regarding the millions of dollars we will soon want to start spending (if you can call them problems).
Chapter Forty-Four
When I see Joshua tonight, I am going to ask if I can make him an offer to buy the condo. I intend to tell him I have been saving hard from my wages and would like to get a place of my own. Although it’s small, I will tell him I have grown to love it and as I can’t afford too much at the moment, it would answer one of my prayers.
“What do you think of my plan to buy the condo” I asked Paul.
“Sounds good to me,” he replied. “When we can move into other properties, it will be great to have a getaway, and no better bolt hole than here.”
“Talking of getting away, as you know I am looking for a place of my own,” Paul said. “I would like take up your kind offer of staying with you in your new home temporarily, but I would like to buy somewhere for myself locally for when I give up my job at G&F.”
“Talking of that, we must spend some time working out how much is to be transferred into your bank as soon as you are ready,” I replied.
“Thanks for that, Bill, it will be a great help if I am to be a gentleman.”
“You, a gentleman, more like lazy sod,” I laughed.
“Never you mind, you don’t know what I may turn into with money in my pocket. I may turn out to be a businessman,” he joked.
“Funny business, if you ask me,” I quipped, “but then I don’t know everything do I,” I joked.
“Talking about not knowing everything, I want to run something past you that has been going over in my mind for some time now,” Paul added, sounding serious for the first time in a long time.
“I’m sure I can listen to another of your madcap ideas if I try,” I replied.
“No, this is a way to get the money into the open without losing our friends,” he said.
“I’m all ears.”
“Well,” he began, “it’s something I have been mulling over for a while. Should my fictitious aunt suddenly pass away, we could both inherit her fortune, you as a long-lost relative and me as the long-suffering nephew that has looked after her for some time now.”
He waited for me to get the idea. “I suppose it could work no one knows that we are not in some way related and that would certainly enable us to pretend that a fortune we had no idea she had is coming our way,” I agreed.
“Good, that’s agreed then. We can iron out the details at a later date,” Paul smiled.
“It could just work,” I said. “Time seems to be passing far too quick to fit everything in, I must slow down,” I laughed to Paul.
&
nbsp; “If you slow down anymore, you will come to a halt,” he chided. “Remember how things used to be at G&F nose to the grindstone every day?” he laughed.
“I’m glad you reminded me of that,” I said, “puts my life now into prospective. I will get on with it happily from now on.”
“I will need to get back to G&F shortly,” Paul added. “I want to talk my change of direction over with the boss,” Paul said with a serious look on his face.
“You mean you want to give yourself the sack,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
“It feels a bit scary,” he said. “After all this time working, I’m not sure if I want to be a man of leisure.”
“You’re winding me up, G&F versus here and rich, you must be joking.”
At that, he burst out laughing, “Wondered how long it would take you. I know I’m stupid but not that stupid,” he grinned. “Put the Champers on ice, I’ll be back in before you know it,” he said, giving it a high-five.
“Who was that on the phone?” Paul enquired. “Not like you to get calls on a Friday night,” he said, giving me a sideways look.
“Forget it,” I said. “I have no romantic inclinations, not like you,” I laughed. “It was Julia. Have you heard me talk of the Worthington-Clays, the previous owners? They are coming over to Grand Cayman and would like to see the house now that it’s completed. I invited them when we exchanged documents so it’s not unexpected. The only thing is it’s this weekend. Will you be o.k. to take the Audi and I will rent another car?”
Conscious Revenge Page 20