INVESTED (Dunning Trilogy Book 1)

by Iris Bolling

  "No, Walker. No one wants to see you begging." She shook her head, realizing she still has not gotten the whole story. "Why don't we let that go for now. What happened after you left Winnie's house?"

  "I thought I told you."

  "No, you didn't."

  He huffed. "I drove around trying to calm my temper down after Winnie said those hateful things to me. You know she even has AnnieMarie hating me now. Sweet little AnnieMarie," he cried.

  "Annie doesn't have a hateful bone in her body. Now, Grace, well she doesn't like you too much. Now, what happened after you left Winnie's house?"

  "Hep's house," he countered on her. "She took the bank, my shares and now you’re giving her the house too."

  Vivian took a deep breath. "You know, Walker, you are my brother and I love you. But if you don't tell me what happened right now, I'm walking out that door and not coming back."

  "Vivian," a well-placed simper came from Walker's throat.

  "Right now, Walker."

  "They mugged me, Vivian. Some thugs at a store mugged me. They took all the cash from my wallet, slit my throat and ran off to leave me for dead."

  "Yet you were able to get in your car and drive to the hospital," she said in an unbelieving tone.

  "You rather I laid in the street and bleed to death."

  Vivian rose from the side of the bed. Losing her patience clearly etched on her face. She pulled a chair over then sat next to the bed with her legs crossed, then glared at her brother. "I'drather you stop bullshitting me and tell me the truth."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The celebration was over and the announcement had been made. The financial world was whirling with the implication of the union between Herschel Automotive and DBT with BIT waiting on the sideline. The combination of the two would put Dunning Bank & Trust one step closer to taking the number two spot in the bank ratings.

  Paulette sat still, arms folded over her chest watching the financial audits giving their take on the news. That condo in the sky she planned to purchase once Mitch became president of the bank was now gone bye-bye.

  "The bonus is gone. I worked hard on that Hershel account. Putting all the right pieces together for months. And just like that" -she snapped her fingers in disgust- "it's gone."

  "Your bonus isn't the only thing that's gone," Nancy hissed. "We are no longer employed."

  Paulette rolled her eyes at the woman she considered clueless. "I have qualifications that will assure me another position."

  "You think?" Nancy railed back. "You just attempted to sabotage your employer's acquisition of a major account. Do you really believe another financial institution will hire you?"

  "It wasn't a sabotage," Paulette shot back. "It was a demonstration of strength and weakness. Loyalty should always be in the forefront in business. Where was Dunning's loyalty to William? He's been the second in command for years. He possesses the strength to take this bank to the next level. Myles doesn't."

  "Really, well, we clearly see who has the strength and who the weaklings are now, don't we?"

  "Dissention amongst friends?"

  Everyone in the room turned towards the open connecting door between Hep and William's offices to find Myles and Chrystina standing there.

  #

  "Mr. Dunning, I have no idea why I'm here," one of the employees in the room ran to where they stood, pleading. "I simply set up the furniture in the room as I was instructed to do." Another employee stood behind him nodding.

  "We had no idea what was happening. Hell, I still don't know what's going on."

  Myles held up his hand. "Everyone, please, take a seat."

  Paulette remained standing in defiance as the others sat back down. William, who sat behind his desk, never moved.

  Chrystina walked over to Paulette then whispered, "I know what's in your bank account. You can't afford to piss me off." She patted the back of the chair in front of William's desk. "Have a seat."

  Paulette hesitated, then slowly sat.

  William continued to drink with a curious expression on his face.

  Myles pulled out a chair from the wall, then took a seat. Mrs. Vazquez came through the door with folders in her arm and stood behind him.

  Myles looked up at Chrystina, who was in his direct eyesight standing behind Paulette. "Well," he began, "it has been quite a day. Wouldn't you agree, Chrystina?"

  "Yes, sir, I would."

  "It is not every day we find executive officers attempting to discredit the highest ranking officer, is it, Chrystina?"

  "No, sir, it isn't."

  "Sir," one employee spoke up. "Again, I would like to reiterate I had no parts in that. In fact, umm, sir, I am not an executive officer, sir. And if this is how y'all act I don't want to be one."

  Myles looked at the young man whom he found humorous. "What is your name?"

  "Larry Taylor, sir. I work in the maintenance department downstairs. I don't even come up here unless there is a job I have to do. I mean I see y'all and everything, but I don't know y’all like that."

  Mrs. Vazquez smiled as she handed a folder to Myles.

  He glanced inside. "You were told to set up the room for a secret meeting with the Hershel group?"

  "Yes, sir." The young man seemed eager to tell his story. "I asked for the written documentation, cause I know that's what you are going to ask next. But I did. I asked Ms. Nancy and she told me it was a direct request from Mr. Mitchell, the VP of the bank and it was a secret meeting. I was to do it and not tell anyone."

  "Then you went against this policy procedure which has your signature on it?" He handed the piece of paper to Mr. Taylor.

  Larry’s face frowned. "Well…what happened was…” He moaned. "Yeah, yeah," he sighed. "I signed that and meant to follow every one of those procedures. But man, this was the VP of the bank making the request. I ain't know what he was up to and I didn't know the secret was from you. You know what I mean?"

  "You could have refused to fill the request until the proper paperwork was completed."

  "Man," Larry huffed. "Are you serious? I would have been fired."

  "What do you think is happening now?" Myles raised an eyebrow.

  Larry stared at Myles as if waiting for the next shoe to drop. He put his hands together as if in prayer. "Please, Mr. Dunning, I was just following orders. That is all I did."

  Mrs. Vazquez discreetly touched Myles' shoulder.

  Myles glanced at Chrystina, who gave him a sad face.

  "Mr. Taylor, go home for the day. Report to work tomorrow at your normal time."

  Before Myles finished the sentence, Larry was jumping out of his chair grabbing Myles' hand.

  "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Dunning. It will not happen again." The sweat was on the man's brow as he bowed, grateful to still have a job. He glanced back at the smiling young lady who’d sat in the chair next to him all day. His smile faded.

  "Umm, Mr. Dunning." He reached for the young lady's hand. "This is Pam. I don't know her last name, but we've been talking about this situation all day. She is really dedicated to this bank, sir. She has two little boys at home who depend on her. I believe she was pulled into this mess the same way I was. The only difference is she was told if she did not do what was asked she would lose her job."

  Myles looked past Larry to the woman now standing next to him. He held up his hand and Mrs. Vazquez gave him another folder. He glanced through, then looked back at Pam.

  "Pamela Green, is what Mr. Taylor said true? Was your job threatened? If so, by whom?"

  Pamela Green did not seem to have the same nerves as Larry. She was a bit more reserved. "Mr. Dunning, as your event planner, I have to be honest. When I received the request, I knew what she requested was not protocol. I should have insisted she send the written request as required. I have no defense for that."

  "You are taking responsibility for your actions." Myles nodded. "I can appreciate that. Was your position threatened by anyone in this room?"

  Pa
m glanced up at Larry, who nodded, encouraging her to speak up.

  "I was told my growth with this company would be severely limited if I did not comply with the order. I purposely kept the cost down so it did not have to be approved."

  Myles waited. "You don't want to say by whom?"

  Pam tilted her head. "I made the decision to place the order and charged it to the executive office as requested."

  "Oh for goodness sakes. I was the one who told her to place the order for the meeting this morning. No need to act so chivalrous," Paulette complained.

  Myles glared at Paulette as he spoke. "I admire your loyalty to your co-worker, Mrs. Green."

  "You have two boys," Chrystina asked. "How old are they?"

  "Three and five," Pam replied, somewhat confused by the question.

  "Is the father in the home?"

  "No."

  "He was killed in the line of duty, two years ago," Larry stated. "He was stationed at Fort Lee and she decided to stay here in Virginia. She doesn't have any family here. Go ahead, finish telling them." He nodded to Pam.

  She smiled at him. "I think they have the idea."

  "They need to know the whole picture to make the right decision." He motioned with his hands.

  Myles and Christina glanced at each other then back to the two employees.

  Myles stood and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his wallet and gave Larry two, one hundred dollar bills.

  "I imagine it's been a trying day for Ms. Green. I know you both missed lunch and Ms. Green may not feel like cooking dinner for the boys. I would consider it a favor if you would take her and the boys to dinner for me. I will expect to see both of you at your desks tomorrow, bright and early."

  Pam looked from Larry to Myles. "I'm not being fired?"

  "No." Myles sat back down. "Which is something I cannot say for your superiors." He looked directly at William who had not uttered a word.

  "Myles!" Nancy jumped up.

  "Mr. Dunning, to you," Chrystina corrected.

  Myles put his hand up. "I'm coming to you, Nancy." He looked at Larry and Pam. "Larry, your actions today demonstrate what Dunning is all about. Family looking out for family. You could have left the minute you knew your job was safe, but you stayed to try to help a fellow employee. I'm proud to have you onboard."

  "Give me a pound on that." Larry held his closed fist up.

  Myles stared at him. "Not there yet, huh. Okay," Larry said then turned to Pam. "Let's go, Pam. Where do you and the boys like to eat?" he asked as the door closed behind them.

  Myles remained standing as he braced himself for the next step.

  "If you are going to fire me, be done with it," Paulette blurted out.

  "I don't want to be fired," Nancy cried. "Chrystina, you know how I am. I act before I think sometimes."

  "Stop begging," Paulette growled. "It's pathetic. Look, Myles, it wasn't anything personal. Change is a challenge for me. William is petty, but I know what it takes to get the job done the way he wants. You are a total mystery. To be honest I believe it was unfair to bypass William for the President's spot. He's been at Mr. Hep's side since I've been here. He deserves a chance to run things his way."

  "Thank you for your frankness. I will be just as frank. Your reasons are unimportant. You attempted to sabotage a relationship with a major client. That is reason enough for termination in my book. However, Mrs. Vazquez and Ms. Price believe each of you has redeeming qualities."

  Mrs. Vazquez gave him the two remaining folders. "You’ve each been demoted to the branch office closest to your home. Your salaries will be adjusted accordingly. Paulette, you worked on the Hershel account. The bonus designated for you will be in your next paycheck. You both will have reprimands on your record that will remain for five years. Each of you are free to seek employment elsewhere, if you choose to within that timeframe. If you decide to remain, all promotional opportunities will be limited to you for the next year. Until then one infraction of any kind and you will be relieved from your positions. Are there any questions?"

  There was a shocked expression on Paulette's face. "You are giving me the bonus?"

  "You worked on the project." Myles nodded.

  "You are not firing us?"

  "No," Myles answered.

  "Why?"

  "Loyalty and compassion flow from the top down." Myles nodded to Chrystina.

  Chrystina turned to the security guards who were standing in the doorway.

  "I suggest you take a little time to think on that one. Your offices and desks have been cleared. A guard is waiting to escort both of you out."

  Nancy ran over and hugged Chrystina. "Thank you, I know you saved my job. I don't know why and I don't care. But thank you." She ran out the door.

  Paulette walked slowly behind her as she glanced over her shoulder at William then to Myles. "Mr. Dunning." She gave a curt nod then disappeared out the door.

  #

  Myles took the seat directly in front of William's desk then glared at him.

  The smirk on the man's face was condescending to say the least. Myles' hand was itching to knock it off William's face.

  "You will never fire me, Myles." William grinned. "I know where all the proverbial bodies are buried. All the trade secrets as you will," he sneered.

  "Is that so?" Myles sat back, stretched out his legs then crossed them at the ankle.

  "It is a fact." William sat up, folding his hands on the desk as he held Myles' glare. "I've been around since before you were born, boy. Do you think your father got to this point doing what was right the entire time?" He shook his head. "Not even you can be that naive."

  "Is that so?" Myles just sat there, glaring.

  William sat back. "I don't know, maybe you are if you think I wouldn't have protection against this very thing." He laughed. "I knew once Hep was gone it would be a Dunning taking over this place. I prepared for the inevitable. You, Walker, it didn't matter who, I protected myself."

  "Is that so?" Myles did not move a muscle other than his lips when he spoke. His eyes landed right on the man who had the audacity to attempt to smear his father's name.

  "Do it. Say the words so I can shove them right back down your throat." He sat back and chuckled. "Yes, I can see it now. My first stop will be with the Federal Trade Commission. Yes, I have documents that show a little inside trading on your beloved father's behalf." He nodded his head up and down. "When I finish there, I think I'll have a press conference of my own to tell the world about Dunning's illegal hiring practices. I'm certain Homeland Security would get a kick out of that." William sat up again, this time snarling in Myles' face. "If that isn't enough, I'll expose all the sordid details of Walker's little escapades with female employees." He slammed his hand on the desk. "This is a man's game, boy. That's something your father never understood. All the social hand holding, and lifting this one up and helping your neighbor crap is for the weak. The strong capture and destroy." He glanced at Myles who kept his calm demeanor.

  "Say something, boy," William shouted.

  Myles did not reply.

  William stood, puffing out his chest as if he had conquered something. "It's about time you people recognize who is superior."

  "You people?" Chrystina questioned, but Myles raised his hand.

  "Mitch deserves to have his say," Myles calmly spoke.

  "Mitchell," the booming voice echoed in the room. William picked up the glass and threw it against the crest on the wall. "The name is William Mitchell. I've had it up to here with you people and this nickname crap. For thirty years I've had to deal with Mitch from Hepburn. Winnieford was the only one who ever understood my rank, my position in life."

  Mrs. Vazquez and Chrystina glanced at each other.

  "I've had to deal with you people and your righteous attitude about your rich history. Well, whippety damn do, your family can be traced back to 1806. We are now in the twenty-first century. It's time to do things my way."

  "Is that so?" Myles sti
ll had not moved or reacted to William's rant.

  William leaned across the desk. "Do you understand the kind of damage my documentation can cause your family? I will have you in a public relations nightmare of epic proportions. Now" -he stood and adjusted his suit jacket- "this is how things are going to work around here. You will retain the title, however, you will make no decisions without my approval. I will have final say on executive position appointments, and the president's bonuses on any future acquisitions." He grinned as if he had just conquered the world. "Once a reasonable amount of time has passed, you will step down and name me your successor."

  There was complete silence in the room. Myles looked from Chrystina to Mrs. Vazquez.

  Myles uncrossed his legs and stood. "Well, he let me keep the title."

  Chrystina shrugged. "That's something."

  "You don't seem to be taking me seriously."

  "That's because we are not." Chrystina shook her head in disgust. "There is no way you can be that stupid. Do you really think we came in here unprepared?"

  "You better rein in your hound dog, Myles. I may send a file out to a reporter out of spite."

  "Did you just call me a dog?" Chrystina took a step towards him. "You little turd."

  Myles put his hand out to stop her from moving forward. "Mitch," he began. "It seems you have the upper hand. Believe me it's a facade." He held out his hand to Chrystina.

  She placed a folder in his hand.

  He exhaled. "This is an exit contract. It includes a confidentiality agreement, precluding you from speaking to anyone regarding Dunning, its employees, past or present." He placed another document on the desk. "This document indicates you agree to the severance package." He pointed to the figure on the page. "That totals your annual salary for each of the thirty-four years you have been with the bank. This document." The last sheet of paper was put in front of William. "This document is important so pay attention. This document only needs the signature of the CEO to file embezzlement charges against you for creating fraudulent credit cards to cover personal debt. Over the years you have stolen over 25.7 million dollars from Dunning."