by Mel Walker
Standing in the bedroom, Justin first thought was it couldn't be this easy. He recalled professor Xi's words as his frustration with the situation evaporated.
He flipped through the stack one more time to confirm, but the answer was practically staring him in his face. It would require some last minute refinement, and it was still just a hypothesis however a solution appeared to be within reach.
Justin returned to the workshop to write a few notes. As he reviewed the papers again, he logged onto the Java & Bread Company website and captured a few pictures. Satisfied, he cut and pasted a few salient bits of information about the company.
It didn’t take him long to organize his thoughts and the information. If only he had found the time to speak to his wife a week earlier. Something as simple as a conversation could have clarified so much. Communication - the cornerstone of every relationship.
Justin didn’t have time to beat himself up over it as he needed to work the problem. Her presentation, while sound in its basis, had one serious flaw when it came to the primary challenge Java had presented to her. For her to win this bid, she would need to demonstrate a solution. The problem was that the solution was sitting in the workshop, three feet from him. A piece of equipment which Justin, in the frustration of the last few days, had finally gotten to work after nearly three years. A device which he failed to tell her now worked, and therefore she had no reason to pack.
Justin stuffed the papers into the folder and began to shut down the computer. He dialed a phone number, "you have any cars available?"
"Yeah I’m at 303 Monroe Street," he continued to pack his briefcase, "yes I’m going to Indianapolis, ... yes, I said Indianapolis ... no, I don't need a ride to the airport, the next flight won't get me there in time. I need a driver to drive me to Indianapolis right away. Yes, I'll pay in advance.. five minutes perfect."
Justin stepped across the workshop and began to move items in search of the one piece he knew would make a difference. As he adjusted another frame, he paused.
Leaning against the wall was a now repaired wedding portrait. Justin slowly traced his hands across the seam of where his foot had gone through the picture. He could barely feel the repair; it was as if she had used a solder gun to heat and reseal the canvas. It must've been a painstakingly slow and challenging repair, yet Leslie never mentioned a word of it.
Justin stared at the picture a few more seconds as he felt a tear welling up in his eye. Only the beep of the horn of the cab broke him from his concentration. Sniffing slightly he carefully returned the portrait against the wall and reached into a cabinet and pulled out the metallic arm and its housing chamber. He wrapped it quickly, pushing it down to the bottom of a duffel bag.
His thoughts were on Indianapolis and the five-hour drive which lay ahead. But there was one last thing he needed to do before leaving the house.
It took only a few minutes, but every minute was proving precious. With the cab waiting, Justin grabbed the duffel bag and raced up the steps.
If he had glanced back one final time, he would have noticed the folder containing his materials for his General modification presentation, but he didn’t have a minute to glance back. His time was running out.
***
"We're here."
The cab driver shook the sleeping Justin on his knee in the rear seat.
"Huh," Justin woke to startle, it took only a moment for him to reorient himself as the large Hyatt logo blared through the right side window. "What time is it?" He said as he lifted his watch to a bleary eye.
"It's almost five a.m." the cab driver returned.
"Hell, you made great time," Justin said as he began to gather himself and exit the cab.
The cabbie shook his head side to side as he popped the trunk and began to unload, "yeah tends to happen when you drive at four in the morning.”
Justin dug into his wallet.
"You paid up front already sir," the cabbie stopped him.
Justin slipped him a two twenty dollar bills, "I know but I appreciate the extra time, and for allowing me to get a few hours of sleep, you have no idea how badly I needed it."
The cabbie palmed the money and nodded to the bell captain, an attendant appeared out of nowhere and began to take in the items, "thank you, sir, will you need a drive back as I don't have a fare."
Justin laughed, "I think I will be flying back."
"Thought as much, in any case, I’m going to grab some breakfast inside and take a quick nap in the cab. If you change your mind in the next two hours, I’ll be here in the lot." He pointed toward the large parking lot in the front of the Hyatt. "You enjoy your stay, sir."
Justin thanked him and followed the attendant to the main desk. The desk clerk appeared suddenly from the office. "Welcome to the Hyatt, checking in?"
Justin nodded, "My wife has already checked in, I’ve just arrived, would like just to head up and meet her."
The clerk smiled, "of course sir, name please."
"Grant, …” he began.
“Justin!” the suddenly animated clerk returned.
Justin raised an eyebrow, his eyes looking up as if in search of a hidden camera, “…how did you…”
“My husband’s name is Justin. I checked in your wife Leslie earlier. She is going to be so surprised.”
“Yep that’s what I’m going for, please don’t spoil it.” Justin hinted.
“Of course not.” The clerk beamed as her fingers flew across the keyboard. “I have you up on the ninth floor. That must’ve been some late flight, huh?”
Justin shook his head, "I took a cab all the way - drove through the night wanted to catch her and wish her luck this morning - she has an important presentation today."
"That's so sweet,” Sandy gushed as if Leslie were her best friend. “She's in Room nine oh two, here is your key. Can you hold for one second?"
Justin nodded as the clerk stepped around the desk and took a key to the closed gift shop. A light clicked as she disappeared for a second and returned. She turned off the light and locked the gift shop once again.
"This is not normal practice but seeing that you've driven through the night, I figured you can't show up empty-handed."
The clerk handed him a single long-stemmed rose which was cool as if they had just come out of a refrigerated unit.
"Thank you so much, ..." Justin looked down at the lapel of her jacket, "thank you so much, Sandy."
She placed the room key in a protective paper jacket, wrote and circled the room number, "you are quite welcome Mr. Grant, enjoy your stay here in Indianapolis and good luck with your wife's presentation."
Justin stared at the rose as he followed Sandy's direction to the elevator. He couldn’t recall the last time he had brought his wife flowers of any sort. As the elevator ascended, Justin racked his brain for the last impulsive thing he had done for his wife and came up empty.
His complacency had evolved into a routine.
It changes starting today, he thought as followed the signs to room 902. He slipped the room key in quietly not wanting to wake his wife. Stepping into the room, he froze, the empty bed setting off sorts of alarms in his head.
His heart began to race as he looked down at the room key to confirm. He knew it was the right room as he spotted one of Leslie’s frames on the table.
Each step he took into the room brought on another level of anxiety as he noticed the open door leading to the next room. He dropped his briefcase and items onto the bed as he listened. He didn't hear a sound, so he proceeded to step into the room. As he turned to his left, he stopped in his tracks.
Laid out on the couch with papers across his chest was Peter. Justin searched the small suite.
A small sense of relief swept through his body when she wasn't located in the bedroom. However, the relief was short lived as the concern returned. He checked the bedroom bathroom and then tip-toed past the couch to the smaller bathroom in the front of the suite.
As he stood dumbfounded, he fina
lly walked toward Peter.
Standing over him, he shook Peter’s shoulders harder than was required.
"...wha ...what?" Peter’s eyes fluttered slowly.
Justin stood over him, his fist raised, "What the fuck did you do to my wife?" he yelled as a stunned Peter stared at the fist and braced for impact.
***
Chapter Twenty-Five
Leslie Grant pounded on the door with an urgency which betrayed her concern.
A muffled voice rang outside from the other side of the door, "I'm coming, hold your horses." The door swung open as Leslie stepped in immediately.
"He's not at the house Marcus, where is he?" a clearly agitated Leslie said as she stepped in the Levins’ foyer.
Marcus stood there in his PJ bottoms and t-shirt. "Come right in Leslie," a still sleeping Marcus said as she stepped back and closed the door.
Stephanie Levins stepped down the steps, wrapping the robe around her along the way. She practically raced down the steps and proceeded to give Leslie an embrace. "Whatever happened, it’s going to be ok. We’ll figure it out. "
Stephanie led them to the living room as Marcus remained standing in the doorway. "
“Can I borrow your charger, my phone died hours ago on my drive from Indianapolis.” Leslie handed Stephanie the phone.
“Indianapolis? Will someone please explain to me what is going on?" Marcus asked.
"Why don't you Marcus, you haven't exactly been truthful about what is happening at Gen Mod lately?" Stephanie turned the question around on him.
Marcus stepped slowly into the living room, he looked left and right as a dry chuckle came out of him, "excuse? What are you talking about?"
"It's ok Marcus; my concern is only with Justin. Stephanie already told me she visited Justin in the office the other day." Leslie added.
"You told her? Even after I said not to?" a suddenly indignant Marcus said stepping further into the room.
Stephanie broke from the embrace and turned toward her husband. "You weren't telling me anything Marcus. I knew something was going on and that it involved you and Justin. So the other day when I dropped the papers I stopped in on him."
"... and?"
"And Justin told her not to worry," it was Leslie, the two had spoken to each other, "but there was something to worry about. Justin had been hinting for several days that he needed me to help him with a situation at the office, but I had been so caught up in my own work."
"We know it’s serious Marcus what is going on?"
Marcus lowered his head and plopped onto the sofa, "I’m going to need to sit for this. I didn't want you to worry Stephanie, but yeah there's been a lot going on in the office.”
Marcus slowly brought the women up to speed, each portion of the story bringing a new sense of surprise. He explained the reorganization, the position eliminations, the new corporate culture, and finally the thirty-minute presentation.
"Oh my goodness, I never knew," Leslie sat back not realizing she had been leaning forward throughout Marcus' storytelling. "How could I have been so oblivious?"
Stephanie rubbed the back of her neck, "apparently you are not alone."
Marcus continued to stare down at the floor.
Leslie noticed Stephanie continuing to glower at her husband. A strange look appeared on her face. "Marcus? That's not all of it is it?"
Marcus’ gaze held steady as if he hadn’t heard a word.
"No holds barred. We need to know everything if we are going to figure this out together. It's not just us, Justin is missing now." Stephanie continued.
Marcus exhaled loudly, his gaze rising to meet his wife, "Well, I might’ve done something which is kinda, sorta illegal...."
Stephanie gasped, " Marcus, what have you done?"
"You both may want to sit back for this ..." Marcus slowly began by explaining his actions and his flawed thought process.
He had barely begun as Stephanie shook her head side to side and muttered, “Shit, shit, shit. We are all screwed.”
***
"Don't hit me, I didn't do anything," Peter pleaded as Justin hovered over him with his fist balled up. "She’s not here. She left. Your wife left."
Justin lowered his arm as he processed the words.
"Yeah," Peter stole a glance at the clock, "about four hours ago." Peter stood, "what exactly is it with the Grants that make you guys so violent?" Peter inadvertently rubbed the cheek Leslie had slapped the prior week.
"Did something happen between you two? Did you make another pass at my wife?" The anger had returned to Justin.
Peter raised his hands, "hold on a partner, another pass?" He must've seen Justin's reaction and wisely decided to move away from that comment. "We were working on the presentation and then all of a sudden she said something was wrong. That you never asked for help. She said she had to go home to you."
"Home? To me? Why? That doesn’t make any sense."
"That's what I said. None of it makes any sense. She essentially torpedoed our presentation for tomorrow."
Justin paced the room for a second. He glanced down at his watch.
"You mean today.”
Peter pushed up from the couch, “Shit.”
Justin pointed to the table, “Boot up your laptop."
"What?"
Justin's pacing increased as he disappeared back into Leslie's hotel room. He returned with his briefcase and the device he carried with him.
"I said boot up the laptop. I only have about an hour. I have something for you which will help with your presentation." Justin unpacked quickly on the table. He turned at a still standing and stunned Peter.
"Move man. Listen carefully if you want to win that bid with Java."
Peter jumped into action as he grabbed the laptop and powered up.
Justin didn't waste any movements as he explained what he had been working on and the use and operation of the device. Peter for his part knew just enough not to interrupt, recognizing a gift when it is presented.
Justin looked at his watch. He prayed that the cab driver was true to his word and would remain in the car for the full two hours as he would barely have enough time to make it back to General Modifications for his presentation.
***
The women remained stunned, both staring at the floor of the living room. After laying out what had occurred at General Modifications, Marcus allowed them a few moments to digest the information.
"This could be very bad Stephanie," Leslie attempted to console her friend but knew the facts were not on their side.
"Marcus is a good man Leslie; you can see what he was attempting to do right?"
Leslie was touched by the comment. His friend was facing the possible life-changing situation, and she was still concerned with her reaction and opinion. "Of course I see that. From what Marcus said, Justin saw that immediately as well. I just hope whatever Justin is doing to help doesn't make the situation worse."
"Did someone say worse?" Marcus returned to the room carrying a laptop.
"What is it?" Stephanie rose, Leslie followed suit.
"Well while you two were processing I figured I would check my phone and email to see if Justin tried to contact me, you know let me know where he is and all..."
Leslie nodded, “smart; my phone died hours ago on the way home.”
"... and?" they both said in unison.
"No phone message and no email. However, something told me to check my email, my own General Modification account and that's when I saw it." He flipped the laptop around and pointed at the screen.
"He sent me an email about four hours ago with, even for him one of the most outrageous schemes I’ve ever seen." Marcus entered the room and sat once again on the couch. "It gets worse."
The gals plopped back on to the couch, their eyes focused on him.
"As of Seven a.m. this morning, he had set up a preprogrammed email to be delivered to the CEO of General Modifications outlining what I’ve been involved in."
&
nbsp; Leslie reacted first, "that was thirty minutes ago."
Marcus nodded.
"Why would he say he was offering to help and then toss you under the bus Marcus?" Stephanie’s voice cracked, close to tears.
"He didn't," Marcus said pointing at the screen once again, "according to this, he is going to take the fall."
Both Marcus and Stephanie looked in at a shocked Leslie who could do nothing more than gasp.
***
Chapter Twenty-Six
The phone buzzed and woke Justin from the rear seat of the cab.
"Where are you? Are you ok?" he instantly recognized the sweet voice of his wife.
"I'm fine? How are you? What are you up to dear? We need to talk, and it's urgent."
"I'm at the Levins,’ and we just read the email you sent to Marcus. Can you please explain, please tell me it isn't what it looks like Justin."
A silly smirk crept across Justin’s face. "Has anything between us been what it appeared over the last week? Just remember who we are. I love you, you love me, as long as we are on the same page and support each other nothing and no one can stop us."
"The unstoppable duo," she completed their dating mantra.
"Yes, the unstoppable duo. I'm sorry for forgetting, for doubting us."
She became quiet for a moment. "Me too, I’m really sorry for ..."
"Don't say it. It’s behind us." Justin shifted in the rear seat. "Listen I need you to do two things for me."
"Anything dear."
"One, and I need you to sell this one. Tell Marcus he needs to go to the presentation this morning. He should do exactly as I’ve outlined in the email."
"But Marcus says it doesn't make any sense. It's not true. Marcus doesn't want to do it."
"He must. You have to convince him, I don't care what you have to say or do but if he doesn't stick to the script both he and I will wind up behind bars." Justin felt the urgency and concern running through his veins. He knew if it was just him and Marcus he could manage but the additional wild card of the wives would complicate matters. "It’s important."