by David Allen
“And I still have two more left for emergencies,” she said aloud.
After the last six months with Steve, Christy no longer thought of him as an actual living human being with feelings. He was a pawn to be manipulated. He was a patsy and nothing more. His sole purpose was to be taken advantage of in order to provide for her needs. And then once he was used up, he was to be discarded.
Christy turned the key and the powerful engine purred to life. The rear tires gave a chirp as they attempted to bite into the slick asphalt. Christy could not help grinning as she threw the car into second gear. She loved the power of her new vehicle.
The local branch of Christy’s bank was right around the corner. Christy turned into the parking lot and pulled up to the drive thru window. Her saving account at the bank was growing rapidly from the funds received from providing information to Tim. She had no trouble cashing the $1,000 check.
Christy stuffed the bank envelop into the front compartment of her purse and zipped it up. She truly felt that Steve’s money was hers for the taking. The money was something she was owed as payment for the time she spent with him.
The rear tires of the BMW kicked up a small cloud of dust as Christy pulled out the bank parking lot. She gunned the engine and turned down West Shore Boulevard toward the International Plaza Mall. The mall was one of Christy’s favorite hangouts. She knew of several stores that carried Gucci bags. She was sure she would be able to find the Jackie O style bag in black.
Neiman Marcus was the first store Christy went into. They had a large assortment of Gucci bags and several Jackie O bags from which to choose. Christy quickly made her selection, and then picked out a matching Gucci wallet. The total for the two items came to just a little over $800, including tax. Christy dug into her purse and paid with the crisp new $100 bills that were just traded in for the stolen check.
Christy was proud of herself for taking control of the situation. She smiled slyly as she walked out to her car with her new purchase in hand. Christy felt nothing but a growing dislike and disdain for Steve. His failure to provide her with the bag she wanted was just the latest disappointment.
Such a simple task, she thought. She had given Steve all of the details of what she wanted and he screwed it up anyway. He couldn’t even get her the bag after she told him where he could find it.
It was all getting to be very disappointing for Christy. She could not wait for Tim’s plan to go into effect. She couldn’t wait for Steve to be put in his place. And then, in just a few short months she could end the charade and sue Steve for the condo and half of his wealth.
* * *
Tim Burke sat silently behind his desk. The door to his office was still tightly closed. The pressing legal documents scattered about on the desktop were still being ignored. Tim sat motionless at his desk. His eyes stared straight ahead, fixated on an insignificant spot on the wall.
Tim was painstakingly reviewing his earlier conversation with Christy over and over in his head. He did not like what he had heard during the call. The thumping of his right hand against the desk slowly started up again.
The call with Christy weighed heavily on his mind. Too many annoying problems were starting to crop up out of nowhere. Too many unexplained issues were starting to surface in what should have been a very simple and straightforward plan. Tim started to think many of the problems were pointing back to Christy.
Christy’s attitude was starting to be a problem. Tim did not believe she was being totally honest with him. She never called to say that Steve would be in the office on his vacation day. He didn’t understand how she couldn’t have known. He felt that she should have called him as soon as she knew. Maybe she wanted me to get caught in the meeting, he thought
Tim began to think Christy was intentionally holding back selected information on Steve. His mind thought back to the prior night and his meeting with Christy in the parking lot. Christy seemed nervous and agitated even then. He remembered their sometimes heated conversation and the fact that she admitted that she now had her own plan to swindle money from Steve. Something was up. Either he was really getting paranoid or there was a much bigger problem brewing.
Tim focused on the plan that Christy told him about. He knew that if she was able to get the new condo from Steve and sue him for a portion of his worth that the take would be huge. It would be many times what she would be getting from him. Tim knew that if Christy ever had to choose where to place her loyalties she would choose the side that would net her the most money.
The thumping grew louder and faster. Tim began to seriously consider the fact that Christy might be playing two different angles at the same time. Maybe she is even going to play me against Steve to help her win Steve’s confidence, he thought. Tim was no longer sure about anything.
Chapter 31 - Surprise
Joe Jackson pushed himself back from the kitchen counter bar and took the last swig from his forth cup of coffee. “Well Steve, I think that is it. It looks like we have it covered. I think you are all ready for them.”
“I sure hope so,” said Steve, as he started to gather up all of his notes.
“So Steve, what are you doing for the rest of the day? I am starving. You want to go out and grab some lunch?” asked Joe, as he glanced at his watch. “It’s just a few minutes before one o’clock.”
“Yeah Joe, that would be nice. We don’t get enough time together anymore and I didn’t eat any breakfast. Hey, would you mind driving? I don’t have my car.”
“Yeah, sure thing Steve. What happened to the car? Is it in the shop already?”
“No, the car is fine. It’s all part of the story about Laura. I’ll tell you all about it over lunch.”
“This sounds interesting. I can’t wait,” said Joe.
Steve grabbed up several of the documents off of the counter bar and stuffed them into his briefcase. He remembered there were a few other documents he wanted to look over that were left at the office.
“Hey Joe, can we stop by the office first. I will just need a minute or two. I need to grab a couple of papers that I need to review before Thursday’s meeting.”
“Sure thing Steve. I’ll take the trip up to your office with you. But, you can’t take too long. I am dying to hear more about this Laura you met.”
The drive over to the office was quick. Steve kept the conversation focused on his concerns at work. He kept quiet about Laura. He wanted to wait until he had enough time to tell Joe the whole story. Every so often Joe would ask about Laura, but Steve would just ignore him.
Steve and Joe walked into the Peterson building at just a little before one fifteen. They gave their pleasantries to Margo at the front desk. Steve tried to assure her the company was not being sold. He explained that it was not even for sale. Margo listened and nodded in all the right places. After the discussion, she remained somewhat skeptical.
“I better issue a memo telling the staff that Peterson Software is not being sold,” Steve said to Joe, as the two got into the elevator. “It sounds like everyone believes the rumor is true.”
Joe tried to change the subject. He was still a little embarrassed of the fact that he believed it too. Steve didn’t want to let it drop just yet.
“Maybe you should write the memo,” Steve said jokingly to Joe. “You seem to know a lot more about the subject.”
Joe did not respond. He stared out at Tampa Bay during the entire trip up, ignoring Steve’s attempts at humor. When the elevator came to a stop, Joe hurried out as soon as the doors opened to avoid any more jeering. Steve hurried out after him. He was shocked as he almost ran into Laura who was waiting right outside the elevator door.
“Oh Steve,” said Laura with a huge smile. “Your secretary said she didn’t see you in the office today. I just left a package on your desk for you.”
Steve struggled for something to say. His mind was having a little trouble. Finally the words came.
“Laura. Wow, this is quite a surprise. I thought you worked during th
e day.”
Steve reviewed the words he just spoke in his mind. He wished he could take them back and try again.
“Well, my office is real close by and even doctors sometimes get a lunch break,” said Laura with a smile.
“How did you know where I would be?” asked Steve.
“Steve, everybody in Tampa knows where the Peterson Software building is. I figured you for a workaholic so I thought you would be here. I was surprised when your secretary said you didn’t come in this morning. I was thinking it might be your foot.”
“Oh no, the foot is doing really good,” said Steve. He raised and lowered his leg as if to prove his statement.
Joe was intrigued. So this is Laura, he thought. He stepped in and extended his hand.
“Hi I’m Joe. Joe Jackson.”
“Hi Joe, I’m Laura Hanson. Steve told me all about you last night.”
Joe was intrigued. He wondered what might have happened last night, as he extended his hand to Laura.
“It is very nice to meet you Laura,” said Joe as they clasped hands. “You know, you look very familiar. Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so,” replied Laura.
Joe looked over at Steve. He noticed the look. Steve was struggling. He was struggling for something to say.
“Laura, you said you had a package for Steve?” asked Joe, attempting to take some of the pressure off Steve.
“Yes, I brought Steve a little gift to thank him for his help with the clinic. I left the package in his office.”
“Well Steve, we better get over to your office and check out this gift,” said Joe. He gave Steve a slight push to get him moving forward.
Steve took the lead and the trio headed off. As they entered his office, Steve could see a large box sitting on top of his desk. It was wrapped in dark blue paper and accented with silver ribbon and a large blue bow at the top.
“What is this for Laura?” asked Steve.
“Just a little something for your help in getting me space for the clinic. I just wanted to say thanks.”
“But Laura, the space isn’t guaranteed yet. They still have to vote on it,” said Steve.
“I know. But you were the first person to even try to help. So I wanted to say thank you. Go ahead and open the package. I hope you like it.”
Steve sat down at his desk and carefully eyed the professionally wrapped package. He reached up and carefully removed the bow from the top of the box and set it aside on the desk. He loosened the end of the ribbon and pulled it off in one long strand.
“Come on Steve, just rip it open,” said Joe.
Steve looked up with a big smile. He was feeling a bit more relaxed.
“I don’t get many gifts Joe. I am going to savor the moment.”
Steve returned to the box. He gently removed the wrapping paper and neatly folded the sheets next to the box. He grabbed a pair of scissors from his desk and sliced a piece of tape that secured the top.
“OK, here goes,” announced Steve.
Steve stood up and slowly began to open the lid. He glanced over at Laura. “Is something going to jump out at me?” he asked lightheartedly.
“Maybe,” said Laura. “Better be careful.”
Steve opened the top and began to feel around inside the box. He reached through the upper lining of shredded paper and felt something hard. He grabbed the object and pulled it out. It was a bright yellow construction hard hat with the name Peterson in bold letters along the front.
“I thought you might need it when you’re down checking on the progress of the shelter,” said Laura with a wily smile.
“Wow, thank you Laura. This is great,” said Steve as he placed the hat on his head. “Look it even fits.”
“Steve, there is still something else in the box,” said Laura. “You need to dig in a little deeper.”
Steve dug in again and this time pulled out another box. He opened the box to find a pair of dark brown wing tip dress shoes.”
“They have steel in the toes and reinforced soles. I thought you might need those for the shelter too,” said Laura.
“Wow, I love them,” said Steve excitedly. “You even got a ten and a half. How did you know my shoe size?”
“I saw the size printed in your shoe when you had it off yesterday.”
“Laura this is very nice of you. These are definitely the best gifts that I have gotten in years. Thank you very much.”
Steve walked over and gave Laura a big hug.
Joe’s eyes widened. I have got to hear this story, he thought.
Tim Burke’s office was next door to Steve’s. The door to the office was still shut. Tim was still sitting at his desk brooding over Christy and his next move. As he sat there, he thought he heard voices in Steve’s office. He listened and heard them again. Tim decided to go over and investigate.
The voices grew as Tim approached the door to Steve’s office. Tim looked into the office just as Steve was finishing up his hug with Laura. He froze in the doorway as if he had seen a ghost.
As Steve backed away from Laura, he caught something out of the corner of his eye. He turned to find Tim standing in the doorway still looking somewhat dazed.
“Hi Tim, can I help you?” asked Steve.
For once Tim was at a loss. He spoke before he realized the consequences of his words.
“Steve, I thought you were out sick today,” he exclaimed.
Immediately, Steve jumped on Tim’s mistake. “Sick? Who told you that Tim? Do I look sick?” asked Steve.
Joe could not believe his ears. Steve actually came back at the arrogant bastard. Joe wanted to laugh. He held his hands to his face to shield his expression from Tim.
Tim was speechless. He quickly realized it was Christy who told him Steve was sick. It was a horrible blunder. He couldn’t respond to Steve’s inquiry.
“Tim, I never called into the office today to tell anyone I was sick. Who told you that I was sick?” Steve asked again.
Tim could feel the blood rushing through his body. His face became flushed. “I don’t remember who told me Steve,” came the slow response. “I guess I just assumed.”
Steve liked his newfound power. It felt different. It felt good.
“Well if someone told you, I would like to know who is spreading rumors. Try to remember Tim,” said Steve. “I have to leave the office for the rest of the day. Feel free to leave me a phone message if you remember who it was.”
Tim never looked up. He quickly returned to his office. Joe finally couldn’t take any more. He blurted out a hearty laugh.
“That was beautiful Steve, you did great.” said Joe.
Steve was all smiles. At this point he didn’t care about Christy or Tim or the plot against him. He knew that he would survive and the company would survive no matter what happened. He turned toward Laura with a big smile.
“Laura, ever since our talk last night I feel much more confident and in control. I think you really helped me.”
Steve moved toward his desk. “I’m just going to collect a few documents from my desk Laura. If you can wait a minute we can all walk out together. Do you have time to join Joe and me for lunch?” Steve asked.
Laura glanced at her watch. “I can spare another minute or two to walk out with you but that is it,” she replied. “The practice calls.”
Suddenly, Joe spoke up. “Now I remember who you are. You are Dr. Laura Hanson right? You worked with my son Luke on one of his projects a few years back.”
Laura looked surprised. “Luke Jackson is your son?” she asked.
“Yes. And you helped him out about three years ago when he was starting up his school for the deaf.”
“That’s right, the Jackson school for the deaf up in Lakeland. How is Luke doing?”
Joe beamed. “He is doing great and so is the school. They just completed a 3,000 square foot expansion project for the school with a grant from the state. The school now has students enrolled from as far away as Alaska. Last month th
e school was written up in one of the journals for some of their innovative techniques.”
Laura nodded. “That is great. When I met Luke I could tell that he loved his work. I expected good things.” Laura paused for a few seconds and then turned to Steve. “It was you. You provided the initial funds for the school. I remember you now.”
Steve was just finishing collecting his reports and was packing his news shoes and hardhat back into the box. He looked up slightly at Laura.
“I only provided the start-up funding. Luke provided all of the hard work,” Steve said modestly. “How did you get to work with him?”
“I worked with Luke for a few weeks when he was opening up his school. They needed an MD to review their policies and procedures as part of a certification process. I was just starting out in Tampa and I was glad to help. I never realized it was him when you were telling me about Luke last night.”
Steve picked up the large box containing his gifts and reports. “It really is a small world,” he said, as he started toward the door.
Steve, Joe and Laura made their way out to the parking lot. Steve again invited Laura to join them for lunch but she assured him that she had to get back to her office. Before she got into her car she thanked Steve again for his help. She then gave him another big hug.
Tim was watching the trio leave from his office window and witnessed the entire event. He was seething. As soon as Laura pulled away, Tim raced to his phone and dialed Christy’s work number. The call went right to Christy’s phone mail. Tim heard the first few words of the recorded message and slammed down the receiver.
* * *
Most of the lunch crowd had already finished eating and left the popular G. Elliot’s restaurant. The restaurant was right across the street from the Peterson Software headquarters. It was a favorite lunch site for many of the local business professionals.