by Iris Bolling
"And?" Michael's voice came loud and clear through the speakers.
Myles turned. "Special Agent Roark, would you give us a few minutes."
Byron nodded, stood then stepped outside the office.
"We can't allow this," Grace said as she stood to get a drink.
"Allow Uncle Walker to take responsibility for the consequences of his actions?" Gary asked. "Why not? This isn't the first, second or third time he has gotten mixed up with illegal activity. Why should we keep bailing him out?"
"Because he is family," AnnieMarie replied. "We don't leave family out to dry."
Grace came back to the table. "I don't know. There has to be a way we can keep these people out of the bank and try to save Uncle Walker too."
Myles' gaze went to his mother. "Mother?"
"No, son." Winnieford met Myles's eyes. "This is your call. You do what you have to."
"Before I make a decision I want to talk to Uncle Walker and this Stephan Pavel."
"No," Michael, Gary and Grace's voices echoed around the room.
"You can't be seen meeting with a member of the Russian mob," Grace declared.
"She's right," Gary protested. "The visual implications alone would kill the bank's reputation."
"That's if you make it out of there alive," Michael added.
Winnieford stood, pushed her chair under the table then smiled at her son. "That is exactly how your father would have handled this. You don't need me here. I'll see you all at Sunday dinner."
“Is Jerome waiting for you downstairs?” Myles asked.
“Yes.” Winnie nodded then left the office.
"Have a good evening, Mother." Myles turned to his siblings. "We are going to have a conversation with Uncle Walker tonight."
"I'm with you," Mike echoed. "I should be pulling in within the hour."
"I want in," Grace stated. "I think we should include Byron."
Myles nodded. "He is welcome as long as he understands our first priority is not to the FBI."
"Understood." Grace left the office to speak with Byron.
"I'm with you," Gary stated. "I think all of us should know what Uncle Walker is up to."
"I'm staying home with Mother," AnnieMarie proclaimed. "One of us has to be left standing to tell the authorities where to find your bodies."
#
"Chrystina?" Myles called out.
"Yes?" She came from behind the console near the conference table.
"Still following the wire?"
"It's weird, Myles. I've followed it over here and it disappears behind this wall. But it doesn't seem to be connected to anything."
He dismissed her concern. "Babe, I have to cancel dinner tonight. We have a situation with Walker."
"Your uncle?" She stopped what she was doing then walked towards him. "Is he all right?"
"I think he is at the moment. He may not be when I finish with him."
"That doesn't sound good, Myles. What do you need me to do?"
"Family stuff. I'll call you later." He kissed her forehead then walked out of the office.
Family first and foremost, Chrystina thought as she watched him walk away.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Two vehicles pulled up to a closed gate that surrounded the home of Walker Dunning Jr. He had inherited his parents' home some years back. As far as they knew he lived in the mansion alone.
Mike was driving the first vehicle with Myles and Gary as passengers. Grace rode with Byron to show him the way.
"There are no lights on," Gary observed. "Do you think he is home?"
"Yes, I do," Myles replied. "I think he is hiding out. From who I'm not sure."
"You wouldn't happen to know the combination to the gate, would you?" Mike asked Myles.
"No. But it's easy enough to get." Myles pulled out his cell and dialed the number. "This is Myles Dunning. I would like the gate opened and alarm deactivated for the property on W. Dunning Rd. My pin number is 809." Myles waited a moment and then replied, "Thank you."
A second or two later the gate opened.
"You are the man." Mike grinned as he pulled onto the property.
They all stepped out of the vehicle and walked up to the front door. Myles opened the door and walked in. They were all surprised at the virtually empty rooms downstairs.
"I'll check upstairs," Mike said as he took the stairway to the right.
"What in the hell happened here?" Grace asked, stunned by the sight.
"Where is all of the furniture, the art?" Gary asked in disbelief.
"Uncle Ken mentioned this to me earlier today," Grace said as she walked from room to room downstairs. "He said that Uncle Walker has sold just about everything."
"It does not seem that was an exaggeration," Byron stated as he took in the lack of contents in the rooms.
"The art alone is worth a fortune," Gary stated. "How much debt can Uncle Walker be in if he sold everything that was here?"
"I'm sure he did not sell it for market value," Byron stated.
"No, he sold it for whatever his greedy little hands could get," an agitated Grace replied.
Myles looked around but did not comment. He was not concerned with Walker's living conditions. His only concern at that moment was to determine how Walker's actions impacted the bank and his family.
"He's up here," Mike called down the stairs.
They all walked up the spiral staircase and stopped at the entrance. A few covered their nose.
The master bedroom looked like a train wreck occurred and the disaster team never cleared it up. Amongst the discarded clothes, empty food containers and whiskey bottles was a king size bed in the center of the room with Walker spread eagle in the middle.
"I cannot talk to him in here." Myles shook his head. "Get him up, bring his ass downstairs."
"You got it." Mike and Byron picked Walker up as the others walked out of the room.
Ten minutes later they were all in the kitchen which did still have tables and chairs. Mike sat Walker at the table dressed in a robe.
"What happened to your neck, Walker?"
Walker held up his hand then squinted his eyes to try to see who was talking. "Hep, is that you?"
Myles took an angry step towards the man. Mike blocked his way.
"We are not going to get any answers that way. Why don't you let me take this one?"
Myles threw up his hands then stepped back next to Grace.
"Uncle Walker, this is Mike."
"Hey, Mike." Walker grinned. "Have a drink." His voice was raspy.
"No thanks. Uncle Walker, who is Stephan Pavel?"
"Whoa..." Walker shook his head. "Bad man. Dangerous. You stay away from him."
"Do you owe the mob money?"
"Sssshhhh, don't tell Hep."
"Uncle Myles, Daddy is dead." Grace was losing her patience.
"I know." He grinned.
Grace stepped forward. "Did you kill him?"
Everyone in the room stared at her, shocked by her question.
"I can't tell you." He frowned. "But he is dead." He began to cry.
"We're not going to get any answers tonight," Myles stated. "Mike, take him somewhere and get him cleaned up. See if you can find any hospital records on his injuries. Grace, take possession of this house. Have a cleaning crew to come in."
Gary nodded. "I'll have an assessment of what's left done by one of my people."
Myles nodded as he looked around. His grandparents were probably turning over in their graves over the state of this house. "I'm glad AnnieMarie did not come."
"She would have cried," Grace said as she looked around.
Myles took her and Byron aside. "Grace, why did you ask about Dad's death?"
"Uncle Ken said something today that made me wonder. He believes Walker had something to do with Daddy's death."
Myles exhaled. "Jerome believes it too. We need to know."
"We can have the body exhumed and have tox screens ran. But your mother will have t
o give her permission," Bryon offered.
Myles sighed then shook his head. “I’ll talk with her about it.”
"If he is involved with Pavel, he knows this is where Walker lives. They could be watching the house. For his own safety, you have to move him."
Myles and Grace glared at Walker. "I want him somewhere he cannot talk to anyone until he talks to us," Myles ordered.
"I have a place and people to keep him company until he sobers up," Mike said.
"Take him there. Get a team of people around him. We need answers."
Chapter Thirty-Five
It was well after nine p.m. by the time they got Walker settled in, the house locked up and Myles had returned to the office. Calling it a day he got into his car and drove straight to Chrystina's apartment. When she opened the door, just the sight of her calmed his raging spirit. He stepped inside the open door and fell into her arms.
"This has been a trying day, babe." He kissed the side of her neck. "I needed this, the feel of your warmth around me."
"Sometimes changes in life aren't easy. That's when family and friends step in to help you through. You want to talk about it?"
"No." He picked her up and carried her down the hall to her bedroom. "I just want to hold you. Make love to you and leave the office and family behind, just for tonight."
He laid her on the bed, then opened her robe. She was wearing a night shirt that read, 'you staying for breakfast?' He smiled down at her, then removed his jacket, his shirt and kicked off his shoes. He unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants and let them drop to the floor. He dropped to his knees. "You have beautiful thighs." He ran his hands up them. "They are so smooth, so soft." He pulled her panties down, then put her legs up on the edge of the bed. "I want to see you." He pushed her gown up.
"Myles," she moaned.
"Sssssshh. I need this tonight." He leaned forward, kissing her thighs from her knees to her center. He inhaled her scent. "You smell like peaches and cream," then licked her lips open. He heard her sigh. "You taste so sweet." His tongue traveled down the other thigh until he reached her knee. "I need you now, Chrys. I need you now." He pushed her thighs open and back, then entered her with a tenderness that made her cry out.
His strokes were smooth and easy, as he stood between her legs watching the play of emotions cross her face. He could stand there, pumping inside her for the rest of his life. Seeing the pleasure he was giving her tired his need as he began to pump harder, faster, stroke by stroke. Then when her hands covered his on top of her knees he lost all sense of control. All of the day's frustrations began to leave his mind, his body. He pumped fiercely, now wiping out all the doubts and trouble from the day, clearing the clouds away with each stroke until her inner lips began to close around him, pulling the need to a head and finally exploding with her, freeing his soul for her to conquer. He fell on top of her, exhausted in triumph. Her lips met his and the bliss of their love filled them, then induced them to sleep.
Sometime during the night her robe and night shirt came completely off and they made love again. Afterwards they laid awake in each other's arms gathering the strength for another day.
"Walker is involved with the Russian Mafia."
The statement shocked Chrystina in the quiet of the night, but she did not say anything. She just listened. "The bank seems to have some part in the deal." His head rested on hers. "I don't know why but I have a feeling Elaine Jacobson is up to something. Jerome thinks Walker had something to do with my father's death."
That sent a jolt through her. She sat up and looked at him. "Your father had a heart attack."
He put his hand behind his head. "That's what we were told."
"Why does he think there is something more to it?"
"It's not just him. My Uncle Ken believes it too."
"What do you believe?"
He shook his head. "I don't know, but I'm damn sure going to find out."
This was just the first week of his leadership. There had been many ups and downs. "The personal things you have to handle. There is no way you can let anyone know about Walker. I'll work on things in the office like getting the second in command you want. He will be able to handle Elaine." She looked at the clock. "You know, there is no time like the present." She picked up her phone, found what she was looking for then pushed the button.
"Mr. Michael, please hold for a call from the President and CEO of Dunning Bank & Trust, Mr. Myles Dunning." She put the call on hold, then held the phone out to Myles. "You're on."
He took the phone.
"I'll fix some coffee." She jumped out the bed just as Myles spoke.
"Mr. Michael, Myles Dunning. I would like to know your views on the global state of the banking industry."
Chapter Thirty-Six
There came a time in every man's life when you just have to stand up for yourself. That's the reason we have the stand your ground law. It's time to take a stand. He had waited two days and nothing, not one word from Winnieford. Well, he wasn't waiting any longer. William nodded and exhaled as he stepped out of his vehicle. This was his time.
With that in mind he walked into the executive elevator, took it up to the eighth floor. He wasn't concerned about running into anyone for he had taken the elevator just about every day of his life for the last 30 years.
#
Myles and Chrystina had completed their workout. He was in his office working on notes for his 9a.m. meeting with Jonathan Michael. The possibility of bringing such a brilliant mind onboard energized him.
Chrystina was full steam ahead on filling positions, and settling things in the office. It was time to get back to the day-to-day operations. Clearing out her old office to make way for Pamela Green to take over her old position. She decided to make a trip to the basement to get boxes. In her mind the wire in her new office was still bugging her.
#
Stepping off the elevator on the eighth floor William nodded to one of the employees walking in the hallway. On this day at 8:45 am he took a different route. He was not headed to his office. No, on this day he had another task in mind. He turned right into the hallway that lead to the risk management suite. He walked to the opening where the sign read Myles Dunning, Director of Risk Management.
"Who are you?" he asked as he stared at a young woman unpacking boxes.
The woman turned to him. "Oh, hello, Mr. Mitchell. Pamela Green, remember me from the other day?"
A little confused, William watched as she dropped an empty box on the floor. She picked up another box and began removing items.
"What are you doing here?"
"Mr. Dunning promoted me." Pamela smiled at him. "Can you believe that, Mr. Mitchell?" She shrugged her shoulders. "I mean the other day I was certain that I was going to be fired. Instead he promoted me to the assistant to the director's position. He is such a considerate, forgiving man. Why, he could have fired us for what we did. But that's not what happened. He listened and gave us a second chance. I will tell you, Mr. Mitchell, Myles Dunning has a loyal employee for life." She smiled brightly at the man. That smile slowly faded as the vision of a gun came into focus.
William fired one shot, turned and walked away.
Employees running by him did not stop William's progress. He simply kept walking to his next destination. Another employee passed him, running in the direction of the sound.
"Mr. Mitchell, was that a gunshot I heard?"
William did not answer the question. He simply raised his weapon and fired it again.
Employees were now in the hallway looking out their office doors. At the sound of the second shot they got back in their doors and closed them quickly. William continued on his journey.
#
The quiet afternoon was shattered with a single gunshot. Elaine sat stone-faced at her desk as a second shot rang out. Then she calmly picked up the phone and dialed 911.
"Gunshots have been fired in the executive offices of Dunning Bank and Trust headquarters. Get the police here now.
Please hurry before he kills someone," she shouted and slammed the phone down. Smiling at her performance, for she knew the 911 tape would be played in every news cycle for the next two days, she took her tablet in her hand and waited for what she knew would happened next.
#
Myles jumped from his desk at the sound of the first shot. Before he made it to the door, Mrs. Vasquez burst through.
"Emergency measures have been put in place," she stated as she walked past him to the desk. "Security has been notified," she said then she pushed the button under the desk.
"Was that a gunshot?"
The bookcase on the far wall slid open. Behind it was a safe room. "I believe it was, sir. I need you to step into the safe room."
Still stunned by the sound, Myles did not hear what she had said. "Where did it come from?"
"The other side of the foyer."
The other side of the foyer is where Risk management was located. "Where is Chrystina?"
"I don't know, sir. I need you inside the room, Mr. Dunning."
"I need to find Chrystina." He rushed towards the doors.
"Myles, I need you to stay inside of the safe room," Mrs. Vasquez insisted.
"You go inside the room and stay there. I'm going to find Chrystina and check on the employees," Myles argued as he ran out the door.
Two security guards stopped his progress by each taking an arm and placing him back inside the office.
"We cannot allow you to go out there, sir, until the situation is in hand," one security officer stated. "If you will remain here, we will ascertain what course of action needs to be taken."
A second shot rang out. The officers pushed Myles back then pulled their weapons. One crouched down behind the opening, the other standing behind the doorframe, both sweeping their weapons in a wide arc around the reception area.
Myles ran to the connecting door of Chrystina's office and burst through. She wasn't there. He then ran to her door that led to the receptionist area.
The security officers swung their weapons in his direction.
