Shadow of Secrets

by Kacie Clement

  Emma thoughtfully responded, "I'm scared, Amelia. Will you take a long weekend and come to Flagstaff with me? We could take a drive to the Grand Canyon!" Becoming excited, Amelia responded, "Absolutely I will, it's time for some warm sunshine to come into my life, this winter in New York has been brutal. When do we leave?"

  Emma smiling said, "Thursday, my father is booking my flight, but I will book us two first-class tickets on the same flight and text you the information. But, how do I convince him he doesn't need to take me to the airport? He is not your favorite admirer, and he will blame this all on you." Amelia chuckled into the phone, "Emma one day your dad will come to love me. Everyone does. As far as your problem with him and the airport goes, tell me again, Emma, what do you do best?" Emma laughed loudly, "I shop. Yes, I should pick up a few items before the trip. I love you, Amelia, watch for my text!" Smiling, Emma said goodbye. Hanging the phone up, she wondered what she was going to pack. It's only a few days till she leaves.

  Howard arrived at Matrix International striding quickly and stopping directly in front of his secretary, "Mary can you come into my office for a moment please, I have a few things for you to do for me." He quickly explained that Emma would be leaving for Flagstaff to oversee a project. He asked her to please book her a one-way first-class ticket for this coming Thursday afternoon and locate a two-bedroom penthouse suite rental for six months. Taking into consideration that he will need a room when he goes to visit. "Can you do this by the end of the day, please, and prepare a travel folio for Emma?" "Of course, Mr. Graystone," Mary states, "I'm on it." "Please close the door behind you," Howard asks pleasantly, as he picks up the phone to call Carmine to tell him about his morning.

  "Carmine, good morning, it's Howard." Carmine chuckles, hearing the stress in his friends' voice, asked, "Sounds like you have had a rough morning so far." "Yes, it's been challenging, but we have a problem. Emma is making the connection between our families; our business and she is not happy Carmine. She confronted me this morning before I could even finish my first damn cup of coffee." Carmine laughed into the phone, "That girl of yours Howard is a firecracker if she ever realizes this fact, you, my friend you are in real trouble. I worried rather Antonio would be able to control her bouts of independence." Silently considering, just how much of a connection Emma made, Carmine asked, "Exactly, how much does she know Howard?" Feeling a sense of nervousness, Howard responded, "I think it is more of a suspicion than anything else, she's hurt, angry and mourning Antonio."

  Saddened by Howard's statement, Carmine continued, "You friend have your hands full with that one. Tell me what your plan is to calm your little girl down?" Howard exasperated stated soundly, "I'm sending her to Flagstaff to work on the Green Touch Renewable project for a few months. I have my secretary finding her a penthouse, and I will set her up with a very generous spending account. At least then, I can protect her from herself until she comes back around to my way of thinking". Thoughtfully Carmine responded, "Well, I don't know if that is the perfect plan, but I wish you luck old friend. I have a few associates in Flagstaff that can help keep an eye on her but don't underestimate her Howard, and she is your daughter".

  Smiling, Howard said, "She does push me to my limits, that is for sure." Carmine turning serious, stated," Howard, we must be more careful. There are things Emma is not ready to understand yet. I will contact my associates in Flagstaff to keep on an eye on things. Let's meet for dinner on Saturday night at eight o'clock at Rosa's Italian eatery". Howard was smiling, "Sound's great. I will see you then, Carmine."

  Howard's thoughts turned back to the time when shortly after losing Christine, Carmine De Luca, his longtime friend took him aside, telling him he needed to find a new direction in life. With the promise of a silent partnership, today he was the fourth richest man in the world worth eighty-four billion dollars. Well, the cleaning of the DeLuca money helped pad the bottom line as well. If it hadn't been for Carmine, who knows where he and Emma would be today. Good friends like that are hard to find.

  Thursday morning arrived and Emma, sitting on the edge of the bed, biting her lower lip, wondered if she has the strength to pull this off. Glancing at the clock on her wall, she realized it was already seven-thirty a.m. Running for the shower, she thought, I need to be at the office by eight o'clock to say goodbye to my father if I plan on being on time to meet Amelia at the airport.

  Throwing her hair up in a ponytail, slipping into a summer-long skirt with a matching tank top and light shrug, she arrived at the office at nine a.m. Gathering up her laptop, Emma looked around her office. While shutting off the light, Emma reflected with sadness that although this office had always been her safe place, it was time to see what she could do on her own. Emma shut her office door and set off to find her father. Finding Howard in his office, she happily says, "Morning, Dad! Just wanted to stop in and say bye before I go." Howard looking puzzled replied, "Bye? I have arranged a car to take us to Newark Liberty this afternoon; what are you talking about?" With a broad smile and a shake of her head, she said, "Dad, if I'm capable enough to represent Matrix International on a project in Flagstaff, I am perfectly capable of getting to the airport by myself. Besides, I want to do some shopping before I leave, just a few last-minute items I forgot to get, you know some makeup and maybe some new perfume". Howard placed his hands on his forehead, saying, "Emma, must you always be shopping? I've set you up with an expense account, but there is a limit you are just going to have to adhere to." Looking at Emma, bouncing from one foot to another, which he knows she only does when nervous, continued, "What is it you're not telling me, young lady? What exactly are you up to?" Emma moved closer, kissing her dad on the forehead said, "Don't be a silly dad, I'm not up to anything, you only gave me four days to get ready, plus I am just excited to get started. Now come and hug me or I won't have time to get my shopping done." Howard reluctantly raised from his chair to hug Emma. Holding her close, he whispers," I love you, my Emma bug." Pushing her to arms-length, he stared into the same ice-blue eyes he sees with and said, "Are you sure you don't want me to come to see you off on your new adventure? "

  Smiling broadly, Emma responded, "Dad, I will be just fine, I'm just so excited to get started and need to pick these things up. I will call you as soon as I arrive, and you will be coming to visit me soon, I am sure. It isn't like I'm going far away".

  "Just across the Country!" Howard said, "Alright, then shop if you must, but I want you to call me as soon as you arrive in Flagstaff. How are you going shopping and to the airport? Would you like me to arrange a car for you now?" Looking flustered Emma quickly said, "Uber dad, I'm taking an Uber, you have heard of that, haven't you? I will be fine; I will text you when I arrive at the airport. I love you Dad now I really must go, I'm behind schedule as usual, and I don't want to miss my flight". Grabbing her carry-on bag, Emma blew her father a kiss as she walked out the door.

  Howard stared at the empty door, vividly feeling his daughter's departure, shopping, and Uber, that girl is going to be the death of me one day, or she's going to bankrupt me. Either way, I have got to get a handle on this. He looks at his watch, it is only two hours until her flight leaves, and she intends on shopping first. She is so like her mother. What was he going to do with himself now that she would be gone? Picking up the phone, he calls Vittoria DeLuca, Carmine's sister. Vittoria answers the phone in a sultry voice, "Howard, how are you today? Are you getting ready to take Emma to the airport already?" Smiling, Howard says, "No, she has a bit of shopping to do, and she is taking one of those Uber contraptions. So apparently I am no longer of any use to anyone".

  Vittoria laughed lightly saying, "Howard, a woman has to do what she has to do, and the Uber is quite a handy contraption, you should try it sometime." All Vittoria heard on the other end of the line was a groan, "Howard, instead of going home to an empty house, how about I use that key you gave me and go and fix a good Italian meal for you. I know, my love how difficult it will be for you to go home to an empty house." S
miling gently, Howard responded with," Only if you agree to spend the night Vittoria, yes, it will be helpful to come home with you there. I will see you at seven?" Vittoria with a sly smile on her face," Yes, a home-cooked dinner will be just what you need, I have some shopping to do first, food shopping, Howard. Women do shop for essentials. "Howard groaned. "I have a maid to do that." In a softer voice, Howard almost whispers, "I will see you at seven Vittoria." Hanging up the phone, Howard feels a sharp pull of guilt. His thoughts immediately go to Vittoria, he cares deeply for her, but if Emma knew, well that is a secret he needs to keep, I can imagine what her reaction would be to that. Howard was running his hand, absent-mindedly through his hair when his thoughts moved to Carmine. If Carmine knew he was sleeping with his sister, well that may be a discussion he would not want to have. Ahh, the secrets he must hide to keep the world in balance.

  Howard shook the thoughts out of his head and returned to the email he was writing to Martin Stevenson, reminding him precisely what Emma's job description should entail.

  Emma was riding in the Uber on the way to Fidelity Union Bank and was preoccupied with her thoughts. I can't believe he bought that, or that I lied to my father. Can I honestly do this? I will be living alone in my apartment. Will I like it? Can I live on my own? So many questions, everything is happening so fast, she barely had time to breathe. She just needed to get through the bank and get to the airport to meet Amelia on time.

  A few minutes later, the Uber pulled up to curb in front of the bank, and she asked the driver, "You can wait for me? I will make it worth your while, I then will have to get right to the airport. My appointment shouldn't take longer than thirty minutes.’ The Uber driver looked, back at her, "Sure there's a diner across the street, and I could use a sandwich. I am guessing the final bill should equal three hundred dollars." Emma smiled while opening her pocketbook, saying That's fine and to show my appreciation I will pay half now and the other half when we get to the airport. See you in thirty minutes." She gave the driver a little wave as she walked into the door of Fidelity Union Bank.

  Walking through the door, she immediately sees George, the elderly security guard sitting at his desk, "Good morning, George, is my Uncle Mark available?" With a happy smile, George stood and responded, "Good morning, Miss Graystone, let me give Mr. Hanson a call for you." Picking up the phone, Emma listened as he reached her Uncle, the bank officer that oversees her trust. She hears George say, "Mr. Hanson, Miss Graystone is here to see you, sir, send her up? Certainly, sir, I will escort her myself."

  Mark Hanson, setting the phone back in the cradle, stood, wondering why Emma would show up unannounced, she usually calls. He thought of the years, since his sister Christine died and how he promised to oversee Emma's trust. Knowing Emma, she is just like my sister, no doubt she just needs to spend money to go on a shopping trip, or if she is off on another vacation to some exotic location.

  George stands and smiles broadly, "Miss Graystone let me accompany you to the elevator there." They arrive at the elevator, Emma turns and says, "Thank you, George, I know the way, It's the 14th floor, right?" Shaking his head, he asks, "Yes, Mam, are you sure I can't be of service." Emma touches his arm softly," Thank you, George. I will be just fine."

  Emma pushed the button for the 14th floor; she needs time to calm her nerves before meeting with Uncle Mark. Biting her lower lip, she says to herself, "I can do this. I need to be myself. I can do this." The doors open with a bang startling her thoughts and she finds her Uncle Mark is standing at the door, "Emma, what brings you to come to see me on such a great day?" Emma laughs nervously and says, "Well, I need to make a with drawl on my trust account."

  Mark looks past her back to the elevator, asking, "Is Howard coming up?" Emma, focusing her ice blue eyes on Mark stating, "I don't need my father Uncle Mark to make a withdrawal, I've been in control of my trust since I turned twenty-five. I am now twenty-eight if you remember correctly and I am pretty sure you do, or does your secretary send me those yearly birthday cards?" Taken slightly aback, Mark quickly grabbed her arm, leading her to his office, "Emma, of course, I send those cards, now let's take care of that with drawl for you." He seats her in the Queen Anne chair in front of his desk. "Can I get you some water or tea, perhaps Emma?" "No, I'm fine actually on my way to Newark International, I'm relocating to Flagstaff on assignment. Now, what do we need to do to get started?"

  "You're what?" Mark slowly responded, "You're moving to Flagstaff? Alone? How much do you think you would need to withdraw?" Emma, looking at her newly manicured nails, Emma, raised her head, looking straight into her Uncle Marks eyes and said, "Well, to be honest, I would like nine thousand in cash, and the remaining amount of my trust fund, I would like you to transfer to a new bank account."

  Mark sat back in his chair, not believing what he just heard, "You opened a new account?” Quickly tapping on his keyboard, pulling up Emma's trust fund account. “Emma, that is twenty-four and a half million dollars! What if we get you the cash, and then I can wire the money to a bank of your choice when you need it. I would be glad to make those arrangements with your father." Picking up his phone, he looked sickly at Emma and said, "Why don't I give him a call right now, and we will get this handled for you right away."

  With a sudden jolt of fear, Emma put on her best-spoiled niece face, sternly looking straight at Mark saying, "Put that phone down Uncle Mark, there is no reason to call my father. My account was left to me by mother, your sister, and you know as well as I do, I don't need anyone's permission to do what I want with it. Now I need to be at the airport, so let's get on with this."

  Emma placing both hands on the desk while pulling herself closer, looking at her Uncle with a brilliant smile and said, "Now Uncle Mark, when have you ever seen a Graystone girl not get what she wants, besides Carmine DeLucas driver is waiting to take to me to the airport, so I will be perfectly safe. Now let's get on with this. "

  Mark picked up his phone to call his assistant Natalie, explaining what he needed. While waiting for Natalie to arrive with the cash, and the forms to be signed, Emma filled her Uncle Mark in on the project.

  Fifteen minutes later, Natalie entered the office, she handed everything to Mark and then quickly left the office. Mark looked at Emma and said, “Do you have the account number for the new bank account in Flagstaff? Emma handed her Uncle a piece of paper with the name of the bank and account number written on it. Mark looked at Emma, shocked, saying, “Emma Graystone, this is a bank in the Grand Cayman Islands! Does Howard know you are doing this?” Emma replied sternly, “I do not need my father’s permission to do this Mark, nor does he need to be informed before we complete the transaction.

  Mark, in resignation, showed Emma where she needed to sign on the paperwork to close the account. While Emma was signing the paperwork, Mark looked fondly down on her, saying, "Emma, I hope you know what you're doing. Your mother was the same way, impulsive and not always thinking things through. I know you want to be on your own, but are you sure this is the way you want to do it?" Emma, tears welling in her eyes, looked at her Uncle softly saying, "Yes, Uncle Mark, I know what I am doing. I must do this". Mark came around the desk and embraced Emma tightly, "All right then, but be careful Emma that much money does strange things to people and brings all sorts of unsavory characters into the picture." Stepping away, Emma touched her Uncles arm gently, and says, "It also brings power, the power to start controlling my own life. I will be fine. I love you, but I must go the driver is waiting, and I'm already later than I said I would be". Emma gave her Uncle Mark's arm one last soft squeeze and turned walking out the door.

  Mark Hanson sat down in his chair, astounded as Natalie burst into the office loudly saying. "What are you thinking, Mark, you can't just close Emma’s account and transfer the money to a foreign country without Howard knowing." Mark looked at Natalie over his desk, and sternly said, "Yes I can, she has the control to do what she wants with that money and maybe starting on her own is just the thing she nee
ds." Sputtering, Natalie looked at him, not believing what she was hearing, "When Howard finds out, he is not going to be happy with you." Standing Mark looked at Natalie and said, Listen to me carefully, it is up to Emma to tell him that news, my sister left that money to Emma, she would be proud of her finally breaking out of her father’s control. Now if you could close the door as you leave, thank you, and Natalie, not a word of this to anyone."

  Natalie closed the door and grabbed her purse. If she hurried, she could make it to Matrix International and back to work before her lunch break ended.

  Howard was getting ready to leave for lunch when Natalie while rushing stumbled into his office. "Natalie, what are you doing here?" Howard asked, surprised. Out of breath, Natalie quickly said, "Howard we need to talk, I'm on my lunch break, and I don't have much time, but I have the information you should know about right away. It's about Emma."

  Howard was looking confused, pointed to the chair across from his desk, saying, “Take a seat, Natalie. Emma is on her way to the airport. I was going to grab some lunch; what is so important that has put you in such a tizzy, I don't have time for this today." Taking a deep breath, Natalie blurted in a high pitch voice, "Emma closed her trust fund this morning and had it all transferred to a bank in the Grand Cayman Islands!" Howard looking at Natalie like she was crazed, his voice rising with every word, "What did you just say?" Natalie quickly repeated slowly, "Emma has closed out her mother's trust fund. She took nine thousand in cash and transferred the balance to a bank in the Grand Cayman Islands. I thought you should know right away. That's what you pay me for Howard to give you immediate information when Emma comes into the office?"

  Howard, spending a moment with his head in hands, looked up his ice blue eyes blazing. "Emma has closed her mother's trust fund, and you didn't think once to call me while she was there? She took it all?" Natalie was looking sheepish, "Yes, sir. I couldn't get away to call you. I am sorry, I came as quickly as I could."