Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
“Manchester,” Duane barked into the phone after he answered an unknown number. He was driving from New Double back over to Erin’s Way, and used the Bluetooth feature on his truck. “Hello?”
“Duane?” came a hesitant voice, then, “It’s me, Laurie. Laurie Gibson.”
Duane’s scowl instantly turned into a grin, and he had to adjust his position on the truck seat when he got an instant hard-on at the sound of her voice.
“Oh, hey,” he said as casually as he could, and for once was grateful she couldn’t see his reaction to her. “What’s up? Oh, wait, you’re not calling to yell at me for doing what I did, are you?”
“What did you do?”
“Sent an application to your daughter?”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. First, thank you for doing that. Second, she’s a grown adult and can make decisions for herself. I have no control over her career choice. On that note, I believe that in a couple of weeks, both Lorissa and my mother, Lois, will be coming out for the weekend to talk with Erin.”
“You won’t be coming?” Duane hadn’t realized how much he looked forward to seeing her again until that moment.
“Unfortunately, probably not. That’s why I’m calling you. I hate to ask, but is there any way you could Facetime me? I want to see you when I talk to you.”
“Um,” he hesitated as he turned a corner. “I’m not putting you off, but I’m driving now. I’m on the road driving from New Double over to Erin’s Way.”
“What time should you be home?”
“Can you give me an hour?”
“I can. This will allow me to get my thoughts together.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you in an hour.” They hung up and for the life of him Duane didn’t have a clue as to what she wanted to talk to him about. When he returned to Erin’s Way, he made his way to his office in the big barn and after getting both a fresh cup of coffee and a bottle of water, he settled behind his desk, making sure he had a fresh pad of paper and a pen. He fired up his computer and put the call through. He didn’t know whether it was a good sign or not that she answered after the first ring.
“Duane,” Laurie said with a sigh. “It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too, Laurie. What can I do for you?”
Duane watched as she closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Only then did she open her eyes and he could see how troubled they seemed. “Talk to me, Laurie.”
“First, I need to get this out there. I like you, Duane, I really do. I might be putting the cart before the horse here, but I hope when I come out for the program, or eventually move there, that we can spend some time together.”
“I would like that, and it wouldn’t be a hardship for me to be with you.”
“Thank you. Now, with that being said, I would like to talk to FBI Agent Manchester, and not head of Security, Duane.”
“Oh, shit, what happened, did they find Peter and Beatrice? Are you being threatened? Did they contact you?” Duane had all those thoughts running through his head and stopped when Laurie’s hand covered the screen.
“Breathe, Duane.” She removed her hand and nodded when he seemed to calm down. “I don’t know where Beatrice and Peter are. I haven’t heard anything from the cops or my lawyer, so I’m assuming they are still at large.”
“Okay, so why do you need me?”
“Please, bear with me while I get it out.” She waited for him to nod, then continued, “I was working in the conference room, they have a larger table than my desk, and I needed the space.” She shook her head when it looked like he was going to comment. “Please, wait until I’m done. Anyway, you know how you’re working along, and you hear the background noise, but it doesn’t register? Well, I heard people talking in the hall, it happens all the time. Then all of a sudden, it clicked what I was hearing. Because of the crap Peter put me through, and what my office does, decades ago, my father installed cameras in the hallway. I’ve only upgraded them over the years.” She paused and that was when Duane jumped in.
“Do your employees know they are being recorded?”
“Yes, I tell them when they are hired. I don’t know if you need to know this, but here’s a little background. Dad had that security measure installed because, and I shudder to voice these two little words, but he thought one of his employees was involved in insider trading.”
“Oh, shit, pardon my language, but that’s some serious shit right there.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m contacting you. The conversation I overheard was between one of my employees and a board member. This employee is new, the board member is a nasty piece of shit.”
Duane couldn’t help it, he chuckled. “So, tell me how you really feel.”
“The board member’s name is Griff, I don’t know if it’s short for anything, but we’ve always called him Griff. His last name is Franklin. I’ve sent you all the information I have on him. His name, social security number, date of birth, home address, work address, everything I have in my files. I also sent you a copy of the video of what I overheard.”
“Is there audio on the video?”
“Yes. I don’t know whether it was a coincidence or fate that the conversation took place within easy view and hearing of the cameras. I don’t know if it was planned, or just fate.”
“Do you think your employee might have had that conversation there to get proof of what was said?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that it happened three days ago, and the day after it happened, let’s call her Jane for now, called me at home and asked if she could work remotely until further notice. I agreed, because of what I had heard, we didn’t talk about it. Oh, and she requested to leave work early the day it happened, about two hours after Griff left the building.”
“Okay, we can get to Jane later. First, tell me why you think Griff is a piece of shit?”
“Where do I start?” Laurie laughed and picked up the cup of tea she’d made while waiting for Duane to call her back. After removing the tea bag, she settled back with a heavy sigh.
“The beginning?” Duane smirked at her and settled back with his own cup of coffee and adjusted his sitting position when she laughed.
“Okay, this is just background stuff. When I was eighteen, Dad put my name on everything, unofficially.”
“What do you mean, unofficially?”
“My name was on the letterhead, so to speak, and he changed his will to have me inherit the business, but I couldn’t physically work there until I got my degree.”
“Stop,” Duane held up his hand and shook his head. “Please, tell me your father didn’t force you to go into finance.”
“Oh, no, not at all, I knew by the time I was ten that I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. I was always good at math, and don’t get me wrong, I love my mother, but I wasn’t interested in what she did.”
“Which was?”
“Gardening. She owned a small nursery and sold it a couple of years ago when she retired.”
Duane nodded and wrote a small note about the greenhouses at the ranch across the way. “Go on. You were unofficially added to the letterhead?”
“Yes. Dad even introduced me to the board member at that time. I have had a problem with Griff since that very first meeting. See, he might be a board member for Gibson Associates, but he has his own business. I don’t know exactly what he does, but it is in finance.”
“Question, who is the majority shareholder in Gibson Associates?”
“Me, I hold ninety percent of the shares and both Lorissa and Mom have five percent each.”
“So, no one other than the three of you holds shares in the company?”
“Correct. Anyway, from day one Griff pointed out that as a teenage girl, I would be spending more money on clothes, make-up, and frivolous things than taking care of our clients. Before I could defend myself, Dad put him in his place. Dad was a very intimidating man, both in stature, and attitude. No one messed with John Gibson.” She closed her eyes, and let out a pent- up breath. “Think Ryan Carter’s size, but with your determined look.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry, when I would watch you, you always had such a determined look on your face. That no matter what you were doing, you would accomplish your goal.” She started to giggle. “Especially when you tried to mount that horse.”
Duane shook his head and chuckled right along with her. “Yeah, I was determined to get on her, but when she kept sidestepping, and Naomi suggested a different horse, it was easier. When I get a second, I go over to Broken and talk with Princess to see why she doesn’t like me.”
“I don’t think she doesn’t like you, exactly. I think she might be scared of you. You are intimidating sometimes. Maybe she was mistreated by a previous owner before.”
“I never thought of it like that. Yeah, I’ll have to talk to Naomi and Erin about it. Anyway, what else happened with Griff?”
“After that initial meeting, whenever there was a board meeting and I could attend, I couldn’t always before I became official because of my college classes, but I made every one I could. Dad tried to schedule them around me, and Griff would bitch, moan, and complain that Dad was catering to me, and not everyone else. His attempted intimidating tactics were called out every single time. One time he was so mean-spirited and nasty to me, Dad told him if he didn’t change his way, he was off the board. He straightened up after that.”
“Have there been any other problems?”
“Not until after my divorce.”
“What happened?” Duane wanted to reach through the computer screen and run his finger down her cheek to reassure her when he saw the sadness settle into her expression.
“It wasn’t anything major, but it added up over time. At one point, the company lawyer, Geoff Shyster had to tell him to shut up or he would put it to a vote to have Griff kicked off the board.” She paused, then sat up quickly. “Oh.”
“What?”
“Geoff Shyster, that’s G-E-O-F-F S-H-Y-S-T-E-R. He works for Shyster, Shyster, and Shyster Attorneys at Law. His nephew, Jason Shyster, was my divorce attorney. Gibson’s have used Shysters for years, even dating back to my grandparents.”
“Okay, so it’s a generational thing, and you’ve had no problems with them before?”
“With the Shysters, no. With Griff Franklin, yes. Only about the snide comments he would make during the board meetings that if I was a real woman then I would be a SAHM.”
“What’s that?”
“Stay at home mom, or wife. Then after the divorce he would make the snide comments that if I had stayed at home over the years and let a real man like Peter run the company, then I wouldn’t have gotten divorced. He always seemed to make the comments right after I would tell them about a major coup that was in the works.”
“What?” Duane asked when he saw her expression of shock.
“Remember I said I was in the conference room going through some papers?”
“Yes, what about it?”
“Geoff was in there with me. He’s the one that pointed out the conversation between Jane and Griff.”
“Wow, do you have a contact number for him?” Duane wrote down the information, and nodded the entire time he took notes. At one point he looked up and sighed. “Would you mind if I review the video with you waiting?”
“Not at all, I’ll get myself another cup of tea.” Laurie pushed her chair back and stood. The kettle was still warm, but she turned the flame on beneath it anyway. As it heated up, she used the downstairs powder room, and quickly returned. By the time she went back to her desk, Duane sat there with a confused look on his face.
“What?”
“Why did Griff kept telling Jane that it was all BS? I watched the clip twice, and he said BS about five or six times. I do agree that he is threatening, and coercing Jane to do something potentially illegal, but why does he keep calling it BS. If it’s bullshit, why is he doing it.”
“I don’t think he’s saying BS as the bullshit meter. I think it’s something else.”
“Pardon my language, but what the hell could it be?”
“Think about what you just watched, and instead of thinking bullshit, think Beatrice Stanton.”
“Holy shit, Laurie, this takes it all in a whole different direction!”
“I know. That’s why I’m contacting you. Geoff said he’d look into things, and I told him I knew a guy that could do a serious background check on Griff.” She looked at him with a grin. “You’re that guy.”
They shared a laugh, and that’s when Duane admitted that he knew a guy also. “What exactly are you looking for?”
“I know this sounds confusing, but I don’t want the information. I was hoping you knew someone in the FBI out here and could relay your findings to them. I think it would be good to look into Griff’s financials and who his friends are. You know, see if there’s a connection between him and Beatrice, or even Peter.”
“Give me a couple of days to look into it.”
“That’s sounds fair, oh, and I don’t know if you need to know this, but remember those papers Geoff and I were going over?”
“Yes? What about them?”
“I’m selling Gibson Associates, and we had the contract laid out on the table. As far as I know Griff didn’t know anything about it. If the new owners sign, then they will own the business in the next couple of weeks.”
“Wow, okay, let me look into this and get back to you. I’m going to be honest with you here, Laurie. When I was in the FBI I was into vice, narcotics, and the gun runners. What you’re asking is for someone from white collar crimes. I’m not saying I won’t help you, I will, I’m saying it might be a couple of days to get back to you. I’m not completely clueless about these crimes, but it might take time to find the right people to help.”
“I understand. Duane, thank you for much for even listening to me about this. I also need to tell you that neither Lorissa, my daughter, or Lois, my mother, know about Griff and his threats toward Jane. They do know that I’m selling and they do agree with it. Because I don’t want anyone to know about it at the office, they went to Geoff’s office to sign the necessary documents.”
“That’s helpful, thanks. I think I have enough for now, may I contact you if I have any more questions?”
“Absolutely, let me give you all my contact information. If you call me at the office, the call will go through my administrative assistant. She’s a bulldog and won’t let just anyone through. However, she knows I went to The Broken Wheel. If she asks who you are, could you please say you’re calling from the ranch? I hate lies and subterfuge, but I need to protect this sale as much as I can.”
“I can do that. I like that you take precautions.”
“I had to in the past when Peter tried to butt into my business. He couldn’t even balance his freaking checkbook, why would I allow him to have access to my investment accounts?”
“Wow.” Duane started to tell her he was going to sign off, but stopped himself. “Hey, just for shits and giggles, can you give me any personal information about Beatrice and Peter?” He didn’t know if he liked the evil grin that came across her face at his request. “What?”
“I have a file compiled. I had to give it all to my lawyer for the divorce, and it was easier to have it on a Google doc. Let me send that to you. If you need anything else, let me know.”
“I will, and again, thank you for trusting me with this.”
“I’m going to be honest here with you, Duane. You were the first person I thought of that might be able to help me. I didn’t go to the police, because it seems like they’ve given up on looking for Beatrice and Peter, so I knew they wouldn’t take this seriously. I hate to think that of the men in blue, but…” She shook her head and sighed heavily. “I also didn’t want to contact the FBI agents that went through Beatrice’s home or business. I want them to concentrate on that, while I feel at this time, this is a completely different matter. We can connect the dots later if we have to.”
“I totally understand. Let me get on this, and I have a guy that can double check my work.”
“Thank you, let me know what you find out. On Geoff’s advice, I will go ahead with the sale of Gibson Associates. I don’t want to be accused of insider trading when I’m not guilty.”
“Again, I totally understand. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“Thank you, Duane,” Laurie said and signed off.
Duane sat back in his chair and shook his head. “Holy shit,” he whispered as he tossed his pen on the pad of paper he’d filled with notes.
He jumped to his feet, paced with his hands in his short hair, and headed to the coffee machine. After dumping out the old, he looked around and went over to the other desk in the office. He shared the space with Tom Stolls, the vet that came in when needed, or when he was working on things for Riceman Stallions, the on-line business Erin had started years ago. He liked that the office was mostly left to him, and was grateful that Tom wasn’t around now. Not that he didn’t like the guy, he did, however, he didn’t want anyone to overhear what he had to say when he made his phone calls. After he filled his mug with the fresh brew, he raided the food cupboard and found a packet of cookies. Not a real healthy meal, but it would hold him off until he could get home to get something to eat. The first thing he did after he settled at his desk was rewatch the video, make a copy of it, and started printing off copies of everything else Laurie had sent him. By the time he was at a point that he wanted to reach out to Jake Cogburn over at Brotherhood Protectors, it was after ten at night, so he decided to call it and get back to it first thing in the morning. The entire time he ate, showered, and got ready for bed, he couldn’t get his mind off Laurie and that she would be safe without him there to protect her. Just before he fell asleep, he made a determined vow that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.