One. #2
Tomorrow was just another day of her own making. Smiling at the memories. Home and in bed her day complete she was ready for it to start all over again tomorrow.
Eager for each day to arrive, she worked her butt off.
Doing what she loved. Mid-morning, surprised when Mirrian came rushing in after her latest consultation had left.
“You’re never going to believe this.” She told her eagerly.
Waiting for what had got her so excited.
“You’ve received a donation.” Marrian almost giddy closing the door behind her.
“Ok that’s good right?” Smiling she pulled her gloves off throwing them into the bin. Marrian didn’t get excited for nothing.
“It’s amazing. You’ve been sent 1 million credits!”
Frowning she wasn’t sure she’d heard right. “What?”
Marrian laughed. “I know right? I checked it twice it's real.”
Waving her hand at her. “Shoosh keep your voice now. We don’t want everyone to know.”
“Why not it's great news.”
“Does it tell you where the donation came from?” She whispered.
“No. The account has no name. No way to trace it.”
She nodded. Her voice low. “Good. Keep it under wraps. We’ll discuss how we use it if at all.”
“This is genuine we can use it. Get in more staff. You can do less, expand into other areas. All the things you wanted.”
Stepping up to her she ushered her hands to keep her quiet. “You don’t understand. This could be misguided for something that was nothing. I can’t take it until I know for sure.”
Marrian grasped her arm suddenly getting her concern. “What did you do?”
Shrugging, giving her a wry smile. “I helped a man in need. Gave medical care in the clinic to a human and didn’t report it. Nor will you. You know if that got out there would be consequences.”
“Shit Janna. You’re not a Doctor!”
“I know I know but couldn’t turn him away.”
“The alarm going off?” She nodded. “Ok. I get it. We’ll not celebrate just yet then.” Marrian showing as much concern as her now.
“Thank you and please don’t tell anyone.”
Marrian coming to her and hugging her. “Of course.” Letting her go. “Back to work, we need the credits! This is turning out to be one crazy day.” Laughing Marrian left her.
Sitting down hard. A million credits. It was way too much.
What was he thinking?.....
That much was going to attract unwanted attention. Those that thought her business could be a magnet for attracting money would want to use it. Others thinking she was an easy target would come for her. People she didn’t want to attract, she would.
None of that was going to be good.
Way too high profile. Being unseen worked in her world. Not drawing attention. She’d have to figure something out and fast. All those credits in her account would be noticed soon, word would get out and then, there was going to be fallout.
Damn it. She wished she had his contact details….
But there hadn’t been time for introductions.
If she did have them, she could ask him to take it back.
Yeah, that sounded ungrateful, when she really was grateful but it was too much.
A quarter would have still been too much.
A nice 5 grand would have been great. More importantly gone unnoticed.
She had no idea what she was going to do.
Her buzzer going off, her next client was waiting. Pressing for reception to send them in. Her champagne problems were for another day.
Full days, she was busy each time Marrian mentioned a working lunch to discuss things, and she hedged.
Still none the wiser she had no answers.
A couple of weeks of that and she knew she was running out of time and still none the wiser.
When she got the message from the bank to ‘discuss’ her account she knew time was up.
The bank would have to report such a deposit, then she’d get a visit from the tax man and banking fraud people to make sure it was on the up and up and she wasn’t money laundering for someone.
And when that got out, those she’d rather not deal with would come calling thinking she was an opportunity.
Her day going down the toilet fast.
With no choice she gave Marrian the ok to make the appointment with the bank. She couldn’t fight it. Resigned at what was to come.
Three days later, instead of dealing with clients concerned about their pets, she was in the bank manager's office with Marrian. Drinks offered by the manager, she just wanted out of there but that would look suspicious so she stayed put.
“Ms Grainger. We need to discuss your account. There are some irregularities we need to clear up.”
And here we go….
“I’m happy to discuss it but first, I need confirmation that this is entirely private no one is to know. So if you would dismiss your colleague here I’d appreciate it.”
The bank manager gave a nod to his colleague and she watched him leave shutting the door behind him.
Turning back to the bank manager. “This was an anonymous donation. We have no information on who sent it to us and I’m sure you already know the transfer data was encrypted. My bookkeeper couldn’t find any information on who it is. But I’m sure you already know this too.”
“I was hoping you’d have more details. I must verify who sent it and that it is legitimate, not fraud or money laundering in any way.”
“I totally understand. In fact, if you have the facility to return it do so.”
The bank manager frowned he looked confused. “You want me to return a million credits?”
“I do.” She told him emphatically. In that moment knowing she didn’t want the hassle. “It is causing us all a lot of trouble. I never asked for it nor do I want it. It is far too much. And as you say, until we know where it is from, we cannot take it.”
“There’s no need to be hasty. I’m sure we can work this out. Returning it would incur fees.”
“Take it out of the funds.” She stood. She was done here. “Return it with a note. Thank you but far too generous.”
“I think some time to reconsider would be good here.” The Bank Manager not giving up standing with her.
She smiled glad to have it off her back. “No need. Send it back today. Thank you for your kind assistance in this matter.”
“But the bank will lose thousands in fees and duty.” He blurted suddenly realising that he’d overplayed his hand.
Marrian with her they walked to the door. “Like I said, take the fees from it.”
Opening the manager's door she walked through, seeing the manager slump in his chair. She expected he was regretting pushing for this meeting now but actually he’d done her a favour. She didn’t want the responsibility and now it was gone.
“You were quick to get rid of it.” Marrian told her shaking her head.
“Yeah the only way to be free of it. You heard him it was going to be a nightmare. Best it goes back.”
Marrian linked arms with her walking away. “I think we deserve a coffee.
“I think we need to celebrate.”
“Celebrate what? Losing a million credits?”
“No. Losing the months of headaches we no longer have. The jumping through hoops that would make us hate it in the end and the trouble that would follow.”
Marrian squeezed her arm. “Yeah, being rid of that, we can celebrate.”
A fine lunch with a shared bottle of wine, she was back at work doing what she loved.
In the back of her mind, that her Cyborg guest might not be responsible for the credits at all.
But then who else would it be? There was no way of checking like Marrian had said.
No message. It could have been another generous benefactor.
But somehow, she doubted it. It was too much of a coincidence and her clients weren’t that wealthy.
The whole thing still weighing on her mind. No good deed…..
She’d known better. Had counselled herself against it but helped him anyway. She couldn’t leave anyone like that. It wasn’t her way. If not him someone else, she’d have done the same.
Turning her mind back to work. Making the most of her day she worked on until closing.
Locking up and going home.
The next week flew by.
She had little time to think on it more.
Such thoughts filtered into the background as her work consumed her once more, saving lives, helping others to be well.
Comforting the owners. Supporting those grieving.
And when the time came to make the end decisions, it was often a blessing and a curse.
The human consumed in guilt when it was the right thing to do for the animal.
Human emotions torn apart.
She never put a healthy animal down. Always moving them on to a good home or charity. Given the chance she’d take them all home but she couldn’t do that. And couldn’t favour one over another. Not with her work hours. All of it heartbreaking.
But she needed to be of sterner stuff.
Had to hold in her emotions.
And do her job.
Comfort those she could. Help those that needed it. Give loving moments to the end.
And all of that balanced with the joy of new life, of saving one, of giving hope and passing on good news.
Her days were always up and down. The circle of life. Some good some bad but mainly in the balance.