by Linda Hill
“I’ve been made aware of some information that could prove quite damaging to your son.” Here is where I had to choose my words very carefully. “Apparently on at least two occasions, your son has sold merchandise to people using the name and receipts of his wife’s antique store.”
Donald continued to stare at me, displaying patience for the first time in my presence.
“The problem is that your son represented these items as genuine antiques, when in fact they were just reproductions.”
He was instantly relieved, dismissing my concerns easily.
“That doesn’t sound like a problem to me,” he said. “He made a mistake.”
“That would be true, sir, except there are additional details that you should know about.”
He frowned again, clamping his mouth shut.
“In one instance, the item was in the store, marked and priced as a replica. Your son removed it from the store and sold it to buyers that he had found through other avenues. Apparently your son represented and sold the piece as an original, and pocketed the money from each sale.”
The crease between Donald’s brows deepened, and for the very first time, I felt like I might actually have the upper hand.
“In the other situation,” I continued, “the merchandise didn’t come from the shop at all. But your son produced a receipt with the store’s name on it, apparently to give the item a look of authenticity.”
“Is there more?” he growled, no longer so quick to dismiss me and my concerns.
“Yes sir. In both cases he doctored the books at the store. Entries and receipts are all in his handwriting. Both of the buyers have also returned the items to the store, and your son’s wife has produced refunds for the inflated price that each paid.” I paused, drawing out my summation. “There is a solid paper trail, sir. And witnesses.”
There. I’d planted the seed. Now I just had to make sure that I didn’t say too much, and that I let Donald Senior take the direction that would cause himself and his family to save as much face as possible.
His reaction was interesting to watch. He made no blind denials or insistence that his son would never do such a thing. I could only imagine the number of times that Donald had bailed his son out from one disaster or another.
“How do you know they’re not just blowing smoke?” His voice was unusually calm and quiet.
“I actually saw the evidence, Donald.” I experienced a small pleasure as I changed my posture. I was no longer just an employee. Now I would play the comforting friend and confidant as well.
“How did you manage that?” he asked quickly.
I dropped my voice and confided in him. “It probably wasn’t very ethical on my part, if you know what I mean. But it had to do with your son and the firm, so...” I let the sentence trail off, leading him to believe whatever he wanted to.
He offered a small smile. “I appreciate your loyalty and whatever risks you might have taken in getting your hands on this information.”
Relief spread over me. He’d swallowed the hook. I waited quietly for his next words. If he knew anything about my relationship with Annie, now would be the time for him to confront me. I held my breath and waited.
“Do you think they’ll use this information?” It was a ridiculous question, of course.
I looked at him evenly, again thinking carefully before I responded. “Wouldn’t you?”
His smile was ironic as he nodded, his voice quiet and thoughtful. “And of course they wouldn’t let us know in advance that they had this information. I expect that it was their plan to spring this on us once we were in court.” I could almost see the chess game that he played in his mind. “Smart move on their part, not to tip their hand.”
I nodded. There was no point in replying.
“Is there anything else I should be aware of?” He was back to business.
“I think that’s it, Donald. I just need some direction from you at this point. Shall I contact your son and pass along this information?” I knew there was no chance in hell that he would let me talk to Donald Junior.
“Oh no.” He was emphatic. “I’ll take care of my son. You just sit tight for a bit.” He seemed distracted. “We may have to make a few last-minute maneuvers.”
Maneuvers. What in the hell did that mean? My heart went cold. Was it possible that after this conversation, everything could still backfire? Would the Golds still be able to fmd a way to wrangle the house away from Annie?
“I’ll be in my office if you need me then.” I tried to keep my voice steady as I stood and excused myself. I turned and left his office and headed down the hallway. I had an uneasy feeling that the situation wasn’t yet over, and I had several hours to wait for the other shoe to drop.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
My nerves were on edge for the rest of the day as I contemplated what might be transpiring just down the hall. I had glimpsed Donald Junior as he breezed by my office on his way to his father’s, and it was all I could do to sit still and wait to see what would happen.
At three-thirty, Donald’s secretary called, summoning me to his office. The look that Millie gave me when I passed her desk made me want to run for cover. I imagined that she could hear every word that was spoken inside those walls.
I knocked on the door and opened it just enough to poke my head inside.
“You wanted to see me, sir?”
“Yes. Come in and shut the door, won’t you?”
I did as I was told, closing the door behind me as I entered the office. We were not alone. My client was sitting to one side of the room. His face was beet red, and he didn’t meet my eyes.
Warning sirens began going off in my mind. This wasn’t a good sign. A confrontation with Donald Junior wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.
“Sit down, Kate.”
Again, I did as I was told, my eyes darting back and forth between father and son. I began speaking to myself in my mind, trying to calm myself. It wouldn’t do to appear nervous at this point.
Donald Senior cleared his throat.
“It appears that we have some work to do.” His eyes were on his son, and I began to feel the tension between them.
“I spoke with my son about the information that you’ve gathered, and it appears that he has no defense.” He was addressing me, but his eyes still hadn’t left his son.
“Isn’t that right, Don?”
The color on the younger man’s face darkened as he kept his lips carefully clamped together.
“In fact” — Donald’s voice was rising — “my son here has confessed to practically making a living off of stealing from his wife and her store.” Again he paused for emphasis. “Isn’t that right, Don?” He repeated the question to his son and again received no reply.
For the first time since I entered the room, my employer turned his gaze to me. “It appears that he’s decided to add theft and larceny to his many talents.”
I could barely believe what I was hearing. I kept my mouth shut tightly as I returned his stare.
“I insisted that he stay here when I invited you into my office.” His smile was forced. “You see, this is just one of many lessons that I’ve tried over the years to teach him. The point that I am trying to make to him right now is that the humiliation he is suffering at this very moment is nothing” — he paused before raising his voice and turning his attention back to his son — “nothing in comparison to the humiliation that you and the members of your family would suffer if your current indiscretions were to be made public.”
The contrast between his booming voice and the sudden silence in the room was stark. I realized that I’d been holding my breath and now let it out slowly.
He turned his focus back to me.
“What is the usual prison term for grand larceny?” The question was rhetorical, and he didn’t wait for my reply. “Five years? Ten years? Maybe twenty?”
I nodded, knowing that he didn’t really expect a response from me. I was merely a prop in his one
-person play.
Again the silence was deafening. When he opened his mouth to speak again, his voice was low and threatening.
“Have I made my point, Donald?”
I stole a look at Donald Junior, who was almost cowering in a chair that wasn’t big enough to swallow him up. His eyes were averted as he clenched his jaw.
“Donald!”
The younger man jumped to attention. “Yes sir,” he mumbled as he continued to focus on the carpet in front of his feet.
“Then you are dismissed.” Donald’s voice was curt. He watched his son stand and head toward the door like a frightened rabbit. I wished I could join him.
Once he’d left the office, I turned my attention back to the man who sat on the other side of the expansive desk. He looked old and tired.
“My apologies for asking you to witness that little tirade of mine.” He smiled. “I wanted to make him understand that I meant business.” He paused. “I also wanted him to understand the severity of what he did and to suffer some good old-fashioned humiliation. I can only hope that he will learn from this.”
I stared at him blankly and dared to ask the question. “Do you think that he will?”
He looked wounded. “I doubt it. But my wife and I are at loose ends with him. He’s been a taker his entire life, no matter what his mother and I have tried.” His eyes flickered over mine and he almost laughed. “Oh, I know that I’m a real son of a bitch, my dear. But my wife is an absolute angel. She’s a kind and generous woman who didn’t deserve a son as despicable as what she got.” His voice trailed off, and he became preoccupied. Several moments elapsed before he seemed to remember that I was still in the room.
He cleared his throat and composed himself.
“I want you to get hold of Annie’s lawyer.”
It was the first time that I’d heard her name on Donald’s lips.
“I want you to tell him or her that we’re willing to drop the fight for the house in Cambridge.”
My heart began to flutter, and I found myself tempering my reaction.
“On one condition,” he added quickly.
As if he had any grounds for making any demands at all, I thought.
“I want it in writing that she will agree not to bring any criminal charges against my son in exchange for us dropping all claims to all joint property.” He paused again, scrutinizing my reaction. “Do you think they’ll go for that?”
“I can’t be certain, sir,” I replied. “They have some strong ammunition. But I’ll see if I can’t persuade them.”
“Good.” He nodded, satisfied. “Do your best, then. It’s getting quite late, and I know you have some calls to make. I won’t keep you any longer.”
That was that. I had expected the sky to fall around my ears, but instead I was being dismissed to go and do one last piece of dirty work for my employer.
“Let me know as soon as you have an answer.” His voice reached my ears as I reached for the doorknob.
I assured him that I would and kept my composure until I’d made it down the hall and into my own office. I shut the door and closed my eyes. “Yes!” I said aloud in a quiet whisper.
I allowed myself a moment of triumph before dropping in the chair behind my desk and reaching for my Rolodex.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Bob picked up the phone on the very first ring. “Bob Gleason.” He sounded harried.
“Bob, this is Kate Brennan.”
“Kate.” His voice spoke volumes. “I was hoping to hear from you earlier today.”
Panic rose. “I hope I’m not too late.”
“That depends, Kate,” he replied. “I think you know that.”
I felt relief. There was time.
“I think we have an offer that will satisfy everyone, Bob.” I tempered my enthusiasm. There were still several hurdles ahead.
“I’m all ears,” he said simply.
I paused briefly, making sure that I was about to phrase my words correctly.
“My client is prepared to drop all claims on joint property that he shares with your client. There are a couple of conditions, though.”
Bob snorted. “I can’t wait to hear this, Kate. It better be good.”
I ignored his side comments and continued.
“Mr. Gold would like an agreement in writing stating that your client will not seek to file any criminal charges against him with regard to the misappropriation of funds and merchandise from Treasured Past.”
“What?” Confusion filled his voice. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Kate. What’s this all about?”
“I think that if you discuss this with your client, she will fill you in on any details that you need to understand.” I chose my words carefully, not wanting to say anything that could be misinterpreted or, worse, construed as a breach in Annie’s trust. It suddenly became very clear to me that I was making a tremendous leap of faith. I could also lose all my credibility if anyone ever found out that I had used personal information to manipulate my own client. What I had done was completely unethical.
“Kate.” Now he sounded aggravated. “This whole thing is a mess that I don’t welcome. I don’t need any further mysteries here, okay? Tell me what this is about.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. Bob wasn’t reacting the way I’d expected. He should be filled with enthusiasm that I had managed to find a way for Annie to keep her home.
“Bob, I can’t say any more than that.” I dropped my voice down to a near whisper. “I’m treading a very thin line, Bob. I think you know that. Just please take this proposal to your client and ask her to fill you in. I honestly believe that she’ll be agreeable to the terms.”
“This is extremely out of the ordinary, Kate. I have no idea how to advise my client.”
“You’ll have to ask her for an explanation then, Bob. And as you reminded me, it’s getting very late in the day.”
Bob groaned. “I’m not happy about this.”
His unwillingness was irritating me.
“I understand, Bob. Believe me, you’re not the only one.”
He ignored my comment and told me not to leave my office. “I want to get this thing squared away tonight. I don’t want any more last-minute surprises.”
“Fair enough,” I told him, then said good-bye to the dial tone in my ear.
Compared to Bob, Melanie was an absolute angel, I decided. Then I made a mental note to let her know how much I appreciated working with her.
I looked at the clock and noted that it was already after four-thirty. I acknowledged the demands for food that my stomach was making and picked up the phone again. It looked like an awfully long evening ahead, and a pizza delivery might just help pass the time.
I tried to imagine Annie’s reaction when Bob told her about the offer. She would be confused at first, of that much I was certain. Beyond that, I couldn’t be sure. I could never have predicted her behavior over the last week, and I certainly didn’t have any idea how she might react to this new twist. She would probably be angry with me for disclosing what I’d learned about Donald’s stealing from her store. She also probably wouldn’t trust that the offer was completely aboveboard. She would be suspicious, at least. But hopefully, once she explained to Bob what it was all about, he would be able to counsel her to take the offer.
At six-thirty, Donald Gold stuck his head in my office.
“Have you heard anything yet?”
I had been staring off into space, fantasizing that Annie would be so happy and excited about the turn of events that she would be waiting on my doorstep when I finally made it home.
“No. Not yet.” It took a moment to gather my thoughts and focus on Donald.
He nodded grimly. “I’ll be in my office. Let me know when you hear anything.”
“I will, sir,” I promised, and was thankful when he disappeared back into the hallway. I didn’t think I could take the waiting much longer.
At seven forty-five, my phone finally rang and I lu
nged for it. “Kate Brennan.”
“Kate? Bob Gleason.” He cut out all the formalities. “We have a counteroffer.”
My stomach dropped. Any hope and patience that I’d had earlier in the day had vanished.
“Let’s have it.” I was all business too.
Bob suddenly seemed to be enjoying this far too much.
“My client has agreed to your offer in principle, with one small caveat.”
I rolled my eyes. What the hell was Annie up to now?
“And that would be. . .” I was tapping my pen as I held the phone to my ear.
“She is seeking some financial compensation.”
My heart sank. Oh no, Annie. You’re going too far. Now you’re going to ask for money too?
“How much?” I squeezed my eyelids together and gritted my teeth.
Bob paused far too long before speaking.
“She would like reimbursement for all losses that the store has incurred as a result of your client’s actions.
That’s it? That’s all? Now I was grinning. “And do you have a number for that, Bob?”
“Not yet, I’m afraid. We would like thirty days to perform a complete audit before coming up with a final number.”
My smile was full. “That certainly sounds fair enough to me, as long as we can get it all in writing.” I paused, wanting desperately to ask Bob about Annie’s reaction. But I couldn’t. “Let me go right now and present this to my client. Can I reach you in your office in about fifteen minutes?”
He told me that he was on his way home and gave me his cell phone number.
“Thanks for your help, Bob. I’m sure we’ll be able to get this squared away tonight.”
“Let’s hope so. And Kate?”
“Yes?” I was in a hurry to hang up the phone and present the offer to Donald.
“Bravo.” He practically whispered the word before hanging up the phone. I stared at the receiver for several moments and allowed the moment to wash over me. Then I placed it back in its cradle and took one more deep breath. We were in the homestretch now.
