Chapter Thirteen #3
Michelle’s shoulders dropped, “It was real, I’m the same person. I just omitted the truth.”
“Girl, don’t play lawyer games with me.” I laughed bitterly.
I looked over at Jackie, “Tell me I’m on one of those hidden camera shows,” I demanded.
I began to replay in my head every interaction I had with Shelly.
The times when she asked too many questions and I assumed she was just nosey.
The times she was over my shoulder looking at files and shit then played it off, acting like a ditzy blonde.
Jackie didn’t smile or say a word and that told me everything I needed to know.
I wasn’t getting pranked; this shit was as real as a heart attack.
“Yes, I have been investigating you and your gym for months Brick, but my friendship with you was genuine. I just couldn’t tell you why I was there.
I carefully investigated you and realized that you had nothing to do with what was going on.
You are sitting here right now and not in a jail cell because I know without a doubt, that you are a strait-laced businesswoman.
I have never seen you cut corners and I know Brick and Co means the world to you.
You would never do anything to sabotage your gym.
I know that you had no idea this was going on,” she told me sadly.
I buried my face in my hands.
“Ms. Walker, I’m sorry that you had to find out all of this in this manner. This investigation has been ongoing for months. We believe the suspect has stolen the identities of dozens of your members,” Agent Harris slid another packet across the table.
“Dozens?” I questioned.
“Possibly even more than that. Those are just the ones we know,” he replied.
“Jesus, this is too much,” I sighed.
“The paperwork in this folder authorizes a complete audit of security footage, computer servers, employee records, payroll, customer databases, and financial statements. Also, if you agree to help us you have to let agent Michelle continue to be employed in your establishment, and you cannot tell anyone who she is. Not your staff, your trainers, friends, or family. If the suspect realizes we’re closing in, they’ll disappear and all of the legal ramifications will fall on you and your business.
You could be sued for millions of dollars in restitution to these victims,” Agent Harris said.
“My client isn’t responsible for any of this so you will not bully her into helping you with your investigation,” Jackie interjected.
She then turned toward me, “Are you ok with allowing them to continue their investigation so they can get what they need to fry this motherfucker?” She asked.
“Absolutely! I will give them whatever they need, I want to help!” I told her honestly.
After signing all the paperwork and agreeing to help the authorities, I walked out of the building feeling numb.
It felt like every time I took five steps forward; I took ten steps back.
I drove away from the Justice building on autopilot as my mind replayed a million different scenarios.
They didn’t tell me who they suspected was the scammer, it had to be my brother.
They didn’t want me to alert him, so they kept it a secret from me.
Who else had access to all of those files and all of that information?
I arrived in front of my house, parked the car, killed the engine, and sat there replaying the events of the night.
I felt so alone and wished I had someone to be here for me.
Someone to tell me that it would be ok. My phone rang, and Zumo’s contact popped up on the screen.
I ignored the call because I wasn’t in the mood to fuck and I wasn’t in the mood to talk about what happened earlier.
I just wanted to be left alone.
He called back and I knew he wasn’t going to give up so I answered the phone.
“Please Zumo not right now,” I whispered trying my hardest not to let him know that I was upset. He had just said that he could take care of me better than I could, and I told him he was lying, I didn’t feel like hearing him say I told you so.
“I’m on my way,” he said before ending the call.
Less than twenty minutes later, he pulled into the driveway parking behind me. He got out of the car carrying flowers, and a grocery bag. He walked up to the window and tapped lightly signaling for me to roll it down.
“Yes?” I asked as I tried to clean my face, but I knew that my eyes were red rimmed and puffy from crying.
“Get out of the car, come inside, and tell me what’s wrong. I’m here for you. Whatever it is, you don’t have to deal with it alone,” he assured me.
“It’s bad Zumo, but I can’t tell you about this. I could get in real trouble if I do,” I looked down at my hands.
“Well, you don’t have to tell me, but I can still hold you and feed you ice cream,” he shrugged.
I unlocked the door; he pulled it open and pulled me into his arms. I came undone and allowed myself to be vulnerable as my world fell apart. This was the first thing I wouldn’t be able to protect my little brother from, and I felt like I had failed him as a sister.