CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Later that day, loaded down with packages, I followed Nell, Bailey, and Ned inside the house. They were eager to show Clint their purchases. It was an enjoyable, practical way to ease the kids into a new school situation. Neither of them would be wearing private school uniforms anymore.
Clint was sitting on the lanai with Vaughn and was being kind about “oohing” and “ahing” over the items Bailey and Ned eagerly showed him.
After the children left the lanai to change into their swimsuits, Clint said, “I’m not sure what’s going on with the business project I’ve been working on, but I’m going to seek some confidential advice from Reggie. It’s really important that no one in the company knows I’m doing this.”
I exchanged worried looks with Vaughn.
“Believe me, we won’t tell,” I said. “But I do think it’s a wise move on your part. I understand the firm recently made a $10 million settlement on a legal case.”
“That happened after I joined the firm. The situation was never mentioned in any due diligence I did on the company,” said Clint. “A hush-hush deal for sure.”
“How did you do on your Zoom call with Claudine?” I asked.
“She’s reworked the numbers, and I don’t like them.
The numbers she and I had projected didn’t satisfy the requirement to cut costs enough.
She’s suggesting eliminating more employees and paying those who are left less money.
I recorded the conversation, and I’ve printed the financials she provided, but I’m going to need help to review and verify the numbers.
My broken arm is giving me fits if I work for any length of time. ”
“Is that what you’re using Reggie for?” I asked him.
Clint nodded. “I can’t leave it to Claudine to put together a new plan that I can agree to. Her father would, I’m sure, applaud her for cutting the costs of the deal, but that’s not what I agreed to when I signed on.”
Clint’s cell rang. He picked up the call.
I watched his face as he listened. His eyes widened, and the color left his cheeks.
“I see. Was any damage done to the rest of the house? I’m recovering from an accident in Florida, but I’ll have our insurance company come in to assess the situation. Yes. you can reach me at this number.”
“What’s wrong?” asked Nell, coming to his side.
“That was the police department. There’s been a break-in at the house,” said Clint.
“It was discovered by Libby, our next-door neighbor, when she came into the house to water the plants. They said my office has been turned upside down, but the rest of the house has hardly been touched. It obviously has something to do with work. Thank God, I have my computer and any backup information with me here.”
“Oh, my God! That’s terrible. What if the children or I had been in the house?” said Nell. “I’ll call Libby now.” Nell’s cell rang. “Oh, here she is calling me.”
“Hi, Libby,” said Nell. “The police have just notified Clint of the break-in. What can you tell me?”
Clint signaled Nell.
“Libby, I’m going to put you on speakerphone so Clint and my parents can hear,” said Nell. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” Libby said. “I don’t know what the police told you, but when I went into the house to water the plants, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.
Not until I got to Clint’s office. Papers were everywhere, desk drawers were open, and items were scattered throughout the office closet.
“Did you check the rest of the house?” Nell asked her.
“Not until the police arrived,” said Nell. “They made certain there was no one inside and then allowed me to make sure the upstairs rooms were okay.”
“There was no other sign of things not being right?” asked Clint. “What about the alarm?”
“For some reason, the alarm didn’t go off,” said Libby. “I think it’s been broken. But you’ll have to check with the police about that.”
“Sounds like professionals,” Vaughn said quietly, and I silently agreed.
“Thank you, Libby. I’m grateful you weren’t hurt, that whoever it was had already gone,” said Nell. “We’ll hire a security company to patrol the house, and I’ll fly up to D.C. to take care of this. Clint is recovering from a fall and has two broken arms.”
“Oh, no! That’s awful. I hope he heals quickly,” said Libby.
“One last question,” said Clint. “Did you hear or see anything related to the break-in?”
“No,” said Libby. “I was away for most of the day volunteering at the hospital. I came over to your house after I got home.”
“I’ll let you know my plans,” said Nell. “Thanks again.”
After Nell ended the call, the four of us sat quietly. This was no amateur trying to get information. It was a professional who definitely wanted to find material related to Clint’s project.
“I don’t like the idea of you going alone to the house,” said Clint. “Even with added security.”
“I’ll go with her,” I said. “Like you, Clint, I don’t want Nell to have to handle the situation alone.”
Nell turned to Clint. “I’ll pick up some extra things for the kids and us. And I’m going to pack up valuables and bring them here.”
“Smart idea,” said Clint. “I’m going to remain here for the foreseeable future. It’s something you’ve wanted, and since the accident and now this, it makes sense.”
“What about Claudine and your project?” I asked him.
“That will have to be worked on here in Sabal,” said Clint.
Vaughn frowned. “We’re pretty secure here. Just in case, though, I’ll hire a security company to patrol our house.”
“I’m sorry it’s come to this,” said Nell. “If you’re uncomfortable with having us here, we can find another place to stay.”
“Nell, honey, this is your home,” I said. “We can’t let others scare us away.”
“Right,” said Vaughn. “I’ll see that you and your family are safe with us.”
“It’s just information they want,” said Clint. “But, Nell, after taking care of this, I’m comforted knowing you’re going to be staying in Sabal.”
“One day at a time. Are you going to let Claudine know about the break-in?” I asked Clint.
“No,” he said with a firmness I understood. “I think they’re playing me for a fool. I may have fallen for the glamour of this company, but I’m better than that.”
I glanced at Vaughn.
He gave Clint a nod of approval. “I think you are, too.”
###
The next day, Nell and I flew to D.C. and took an Uber to her house in Bethesda, Maryland.
As the driver pulled into the driveway of the two-story luxurious house, I studied it, thinking it looked like many colonial-style homes outside Boston.
The exterior was gray-painted clapboard with sparkling white trim.
The front entrance door was bright red and was an integral part of the wide front porch.
“It’s a pretty house,” I commented as Nell and I got out.
“It’s too much house for us—six bedrooms and five bathrooms. We don’t need all that space. But Clint was right about it being a house designed for a quick resale. It has everything someone could want.”
“Are you thinking of selling it?” I asked, surprised.
Nell stood looking at the building and sighed. “The idea of someone breaking into it is creepy. I’m not sure I’ll ever feel the same way about this house.”
“Well, we’ve got a lot to do while we’re here,” I said. “Put me to work.”
“I’m meeting with the insurance agent this afternoon.
Before then, we need to conduct a thorough survey of the house to make sure nothing is missing.
I want to pack the more valuable items and store them in Florida.
There’s not a lot. It’s mostly smaller objects—family jewelry, silver, and the like.
Sentimental pieces. I can pack up in the car and drive them to Florida. ”
“And the children’s stuff?” I asked.
“I want to be judicious about what I take to Florida. With Christmas coming up, they’ll want a few items from here,” said Nell.
I followed her to the front door and waited while she entered the security system's access code.
We waited for a signal that it was unlocked, but it didn’t come. Frowning, Nell turned to me. “I guess it hasn’t been fixed yet. She took out a key and unlocked the front door with no trouble.
Inside the foyer, we stood a moment while Nell checked the security system keyboard. “It’s been disarmed,” said Nell. “I guess the police left it like it was. I’m to call the security company.”
“Where do you want me to start?” I asked her.
“Let’s do a walk-through of the house. I need to make sure nothing else was touched,” said Nell.
We left our purses in the kitchen and walked through the rooms on the first floor, then the second floor, leaving Clint’s office to the last.
Nell opened the door, and we peered at the disturbance.
“What a mess,” said Nell. She lifted her cell phone and took photos from the doorway, and then we moved inside the room to record the scene with more photographs.
While we were there, Nell called Clint and put him on the speaker. “Ann and I are in your office. We’ve taken photographs. What else should we do? What would you like us to look for?
“I want you to go to the closet and see if you can find a key hanging along the side of the wooden trim behind the door. When you find it, I want you to take it to the garage and open a toolbox there.”
“Really? Okay. What will I find there?” Nell asked him.
“You’ll see,” said Clint. “There are personal papers. I put the paperwork in there in case something like this trouble came up. I’ll hang on while you search.”
Nell found the key, and we went into the garage and looked for a metal toolbox.
We found it under the workbench among some other items. Nell tried the key and unlocked the box.
Inside, several envelopes were marked and sealed.
“Okay,” said Clint, “I want you to remove the envelope called ‘Employee Agreement’. There should be another marked ‘Equity Agreement’. Find the one marked ‘pay stubs’ and the one marked ‘benefits package’. I want you to bring those to Florida when you return.”
“Why are they here and not with your other personal papers?” I asked Clint, too curious to let it go.