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Parting with her money ought to make her more nervous, but she was surprisingly calm. It had only been two days since her proposal to Robert and they were meeting Matthew formally now to put together the paperwork.
"You realize how unusual this is?" The young lawyer asked as the three sat in his office.
"Giving away our money?" suggested Robert cheekily, not understanding what Matthew was talking about.
"No, that I am representing all interested parties in this transaction. All three of you are my equal clients and it can be viewed as a conflict of interest. Each one of you is supposed to have different representation, championing your particular wishes. I wouldn't want any of you to feel that I was being unfair or favoring one over the other."
Robert and Anna turned to each other for reassurance before she responded. There was no doubt of Matthew's steadfastness in their eyes.
"We won't think that Matthew. We don't have the luxury of time to spend on the particulars of each other's whims. All we want is the fairest contract for all three, given the circumstances. We trust you."
Matthew's cool blue eyes reflected relief on hearing her words. But the unusual aspect of this transaction was not solely based on his all-encompassing client representation.
"It is also unusual because I haven't seen John in a couple of days and he doesn't know. I just prepared these documents with Anthony for the partnership with Richard. This was before I was aware of the Smith-Crawley proposal. I am preparing these documents in good faith because I know John would favor you two over Richard, but the other set is currently in the hands of Richard's lawyer. We were ready to present the contract to John for signature tomorrow. All clauses and stipulations have been agreed on."
Robert was the one to comment this time. "We understand Matthew. If this contract is to mimic what John agreed to with Richard, then we can abide by the same principles. The only difference would be anonymity for Anna."
Anna smiled sheepishly.
"Yes, so, we are drawing up Smith-Crawley partnership papers. You, Robert, are providing 22% of the funds and Anna is providing 78%."
They both nodded.
"You are buying 15% of John's stake, not 15% of the company. 15% of John's 50% allotment is a stake of 7.5% in the company. Based on your mutual contribution, that means you Anna, as the majority owner of the Smith-Crawley partnership are buying 5.9% and you Robert, 1.7%. That leaves Vera owning 50% and John owning 42.5%. The company is currently valued at 10 million pounds, which means that you Anna, by contributing $90,000 pounds, are buying a valued share of $585,000 pounds. You, Robert, by contributing $25,000 pounds, are buying a valued share of $165,000 pounds. Both of you have the potential to exceed your return on investment by more than 600%. This was smart business sense, besides being generous for your friend."
Robert reflected on what Matthew had just explained. "When you put it that way, it does sound fantastic. I'm sure John, if he wasn't in this bind, wouldn't have sold his stake for so little. He's a good businessman, foiled by circumstance."
"And you are sure that my name will not be anywhere on the partnership proposal?" enquired a worried Anna. She didn't want John to know she was doing this. Just like he had done with her alibi offer, he might reject her, worried about her future.
"Correct. You and Robert are incorporating as Crawley Investors. That is one contract. You are the majority owner, but you are giving Robert legal rights to represent you. Crawley Investors will seek to partner with John Bates and he will be the sole representative of your partnership. I won't say a word."
Anna looked relieved and smiled guardedly.
"What about the only clause we'd like to add to the existing contract?" asked Robert.
"That you be allowed the right to employ somebody in the company that represents your interests?" Matthew tapped his fingers on the desk. "If John agrees to have somebody at Bates Airlift, they would be your employee, not his, and they would be paid from any gains you make. You and John would have to determine how they fit in with the rest. With this partnership, John has eroded his majority in the company. Another employee, voicing their opinions, could be counterproductive for management. As long as your employee confers only with him, I think this could work. As long as you continue to give John the right to represent you, so that your partnership with him is on equal term to Vera's, he should be alright."
"That's fair. If John would agree, then, Crawley Investors would hire Anna Smith as an employee to be located within the Bates Airlift compound."
Robert and Anna shared a conspiratorial smile. Anna would be going back.
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John hadn't even signed the legal document yet, but she was giddy. It was a wise investment, just as Matthew had suggested, and Bates Airlift would be saved. Giving him the peace of mind his life was missing was also extremely satisfying. She would do anything for him. All around, she felt good about it. Except that she hadn't told her godparents yet. She didn't want to keep it a secret, but telling them would have generated much noise and interference. Pops would most certainly be against it and Elsie would give her a muted look, representing her repressed rejection, all the while trying to appear supportive. She appreciated their concern and often took their advice. Living life without their guidance and support would have been hell. Still, she felt strongly about this. She would tell them once it was done.
She and Robert had done their due diligence, and the money had been secured.
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"Good Night, Vera," the redhead offered as she walked speedily past her front door. With that nuisance blonde git gone, it had been necessary to move Gwen back to the position of administrative assistant. Pouting endlessly, she'd returned. She tried to discuss some nonsense about Sales training, but thankfully, one glaring look was all it took for her to desist. She got the message loud and clear. Richard did not want any interference with his work and it was best to oblige him. Where her husband got the idea that Gwen could be in Sales was a mystery. That poor girl didn't have the chops. She was born to be a secretary and it would do her no good to get above herself. A few days in her old position and she would be used to it again.
"Good Night, Gwen," she muttered back. Perhaps because Thomas was with her, she'd answered to be polite. It wasn't her custom to respond at all. Most of the time, she could care less.
"Blimey, you're going soft." Thomas offered.
"Well, maybe…. Or maybe not. I did just kill all her dreams a few days ago. She works well and does most of my tasks. I don't want her to leave the company. I don't want more problems. Once in a while, I have to be kind."
They both chuckled, enjoying her harshness.
"You may have killed her dreams, but what about yours?" he asked, sarcastically.
"Oh, my dreams are very close to coming true. John is in jail and facing many years of incarceration, the company is about to fail, and I am doing well financially."
"So, should I even continue working? If everything is about to go down, why am I even bothering?" His tone was inquisitive and demanding.
"You are bothering because you need to look like you've had no part in this. If you slack, they may catch you. Continue as you've always have done until the very end."
"Hello Vera," came a gravelly voice from the door. Her attention gravitated toward it and Thomas turned around to see Richard Carlisle leaning against the frame.
"Hello Richard," she answered seductively and Thomas understood it was his time to go. He already had his coat and belongings, having stopped only to chat on his way out.
"I'll leave you two," muttered Vera's friend. He kissed her on the cheek and pushed his chair back. "Good night," he offered as he slipped out the door and out of Bates Airlift.
Richard took a step in and closed the door to the office.
"Everybody's gone. We're alone at last." He took a step forward as Vera stood up from her chair. She turned the corner of the desk to meet him a few steps away.
"Is that so?" They stared at each other intensely.
"Yes," he answered, and the one word became a catalyst in an explosive reunion. Vera lunged for him, as he did for her, and they met, passionately, crushing their bodies together. He held on to her, tightly, while her hands found and undid his tie. His own hands were running over her body, with one reached under her skirt, pulling it up to her hips. Her hands, deftly and almost violently, pulled at his shirt, opening it up so that she could feel his bare chest. During this time, they continued to kiss, effusively, fully exploring each other's mouths.
Richard took a step forward, forcing Vera to take steps back and once her bottom touched the desk, Richard's arm came down to swipe across the surface, pushing everything to the floor. With her desk clear of most of the belongings, she laid back, surrendering to his touch.
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"What are you doing Silver Daddy?" Elsie sidled up to her husband, running her hand along his back. Normally, this would cause him shivers, her touch electric to him. Her continued use of monikers pertaining to the unfortunate prostitute incident, though, were making it hard for him to enjoy his wife's caresses with that same effect - especially now that he was going through Thomas' web browsing history. Gay Porn. There was lots of it… and Charles had to filter through all of that trash to see if he could find anything else worth discovering for their case. It brought back too many distasteful memories from the incident.
"I am perusing Thomas Barrow's web browsing history. He's into something called bareback."
She reached over his shoulder to gaze at the screen.
"Oh my," Elsie exclaimed as her eyes came across an image of a gay couple. She tilted her head in obvious confusion. "How flexible they are. I can't tell who is who." There were limbs everywhere and she made an attempt to determine where the top and bottom of this image was.
She couldn't see Charles reaction to her comments, but he rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"That's because there is three of them." He reached to close the image and opened the next URL on the list. If Elsie reacted, he couldn't tell.
Elsie did have to adjust her eyes after what she saw. She thought that there was nothing else that could surprise her, what with the job she had and the amount of indecent images she had been forced to look at through the years, but Charles' revelation did make the color on her cheeks rise. She was getting to old for this, she mused. And Charles had closed the picture, so she would never be able to make sense of what she saw and determine what limbs belonged to what person. She shrugged it off and addressed her husband.
"Look at what I found," she stated and she held up the laptop she was working on. She'd been reviewing the last days' worth of surveillance from Thomas' living room video feed. "Isn't this bonny lad the one from the office?"
Charles scratched his head. "The pilot who Anna swears is in the closet?" Judging by the frame that Elsie had chosen on which to freeze the screen, there was not much doubt as to where his sexual orientation lay. Thomas' hand was on his cheek and they were locked in an embrace.
"Yes, the short one. I think his name is James." Elsie pressed play another few seconds and the young men kissed. This was leading to only one path.
"Not that it's relevant to the case, but Anna will find it amusing." Charles grimaced. He wasn't necessarily against homosexuals, but his own experience, and the hordes of gay porn he'd seen all morning had him in shock. He wanted to see no more.
Elsie noticed his repudiation. "Silver daddy, what is it?" she used the moniker on purpose. She rather liked it for her own use.
Charles huffed. "Enough with that name." Furrowing his brows, he turned away from her.
"Oh no, darling. We are going to give that name a new purpose." She set the laptop on the table beside him and eased herself onto his lap. With her finger, she turned his jaw until he was facing her. There was shame and melancholy in his eyes.
"You are my silver daddy, no matter who muttered it first." She reached forward to peck his forehead with her lips and she ran her hands through his hair. As her fingers combed through the silver gray strands, she couldn't help but admire how handsome he was, even more so than when they first met. She loved the name, even if it was given to him by a transvestite prostitute. "We need to make you forget everything, don't we, love?" She continued to pepper little kisses all over his face.
Charles leaned forward until his forehead and his darling wife's were touching. Her loving touches were having a positive effect. "You know how much I love you, don't you, Elsie?" She was making her best effort and he needed to acknowledge it.
"I do. And I love you, Charles Carson." She stood up and reached out for his hand. "Now take me to our bedroom. I think we have some forgetting to do."
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"You seem bored. What are you looking at?" Mary strolled in to the living area to find Anna in comfortable clothing, with her legs propped up on the table. On her legs rested her laptop and she was watching a video.
"I am bored." She certified without hesitation. "I am fast forwarding through Vera's recorded footage of yesterday to verify if there is anything odd. I am half way through her work day."
Mary rumpled her nose in apparent disgust. "Oh golly, that is boring. I won't disturb you." She made to leave.
"No, please don't go. Tell me something, anything, to make the remaining four hours of video, or less, given how much Vera chooses not to work, become more manageable." She patted the seat next to her, enticing Mary to join her.
"Like what? What haven't we talked about?" she asked as she took her place next to Anna. She too was still in her bedclothes, even when it was past eight in the morning.
"You've not given me the details about Matthew and don't think you'll get off easy. How was it?" Anna continued to press fast forward slowly, stopping only when Vera was on the phone or when she had a visitor in the office. Although she was not looking at Mary directly, she was keen to listen.
Her friend was less shy than Anna about sharing and dove right in with the details. "Oh, he is amazing, Anna. I've already seen him another two times, and we've been together again, and he is so considerate. He may be the best I've experienced, even with my limited knowledge."
"I'm pleased for you." Anna liked to see Mary happy and with a good man. She hoped this lasted.
"He does this technique where he….."
Anna cut her off and turned towards her. "Oh, that's too much detail. Remember, he's still my lawyer and I will likely be seeing him today." Anna chuckled and then returned her gaze to the screen.
Mary laughed. "That's fair. I won't go into detail in just the same way as I wouldn't want you to go into detail about John. He may not be my lawyer, but he is still Papa's friend."
Mary noticed how Anna's pleasant face evolved into shock. More than shock, even. It seemed she wasn't even breathing.
"What is it darling?" she asked as she peered at the screen. Mary gasped at what she saw. No wonder Anna went pale and almost catatonic. There were two people, engaging in sexual acts, on top of a desk.
"Oh my God," mumbled Anna. "It's Richard. He's the lover."
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This was too good to be true. She had set up the camera not less than a week ago and had already screened at least 40 hours of recording. She was thinking she would have to go back that night to replace the batteries, as the hours of recording had already depleted most of their capacity. It wouldn't be necessary anymore. Not now, when she had the evidence. How many times did they ever have sex in the office? She shuddered to think about it.
She decided to call Matthew immediately. The phone had only rung once when they were connected.
"Hello," came his quick and flustered answer.
"Matthew, its Anna. I have some news. I…"
Before she could even continue, he cut her off. "I have some news too. There was a misunderstanding with Anthony. He doesn't know about your partnership offering. I understand that he is on his way to the prison to gather John's signature. He already has Richard's. If John signs, that's it… Richard would be a partner, not you and Robert."
A gasp came out from her and she didn't know what to say. Richard signed as partner? She couldn't allow that. "Matthew, you must stop him. Anthony must not get the signature."
"I know Anna….. He left me a message early this morning that he was heading to the prison today. Gwen confirms that he isn't in the office and he won't pick up the phone. I have to be present at the depositions for the Bates Airlift staff. They are currently interviewing Michael and Thomas is next. I was going on my own in the afternoon to have him sign your proposal."
Anna was already running towards the door. She was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, not having fully groomed herself yet. She wasn't even wearing a bra, but she didn't care. She had to make it to the prison before Anthony got there. Geographically, she was closer. IF she hurried, she may just make it in time. Just before calling Matthew, she had printed an image and taken a picture from her mobile. She had both as she slammed the door behind her.
"I'm already on my way, Matthew."
"Wait, Anna, you can't. " Matthew sounded flustered. "Remember, you shouldn't."
She'd not confessed to Matthew about her visit. Apparently, John hadn't either.
"Oh, Matthew. I've already been there once, and I've just discovered the truth about Richard. He's Vera's secret lover. There's no way I am letting him ruin John." Before he could say anything further, she hung up.
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The brakes screeched when Anna pulled into the empty parking space at the prison. She was lucky she found a spot so quickly, given the limited spaces allotted for visitors. During a red light stop, she had managed to put on a jumper that minimized the perky evidence of her braless state and had found a hair tie to pull it all back and make her blonde mane look less wild. She still looked quite unkempt. Her sweatpants had nail polish stains and a ripped hem. She wore them for comfort, not fashion, and given the choice, she wouldn't be seen publicly in them, but vanity was the last thing on her mind. She needed to get to Anthony.
His car was in the lot. She recognized it immediately. She ran to the visitor gate and was let into the main hall. From her prior visit, she was aware that up to two visitors at a time could meet with each prisoner. She didn't know what she would do if Anthony weren't alone. She was frisked, as was customary, and her handbag was searched. She had put the image in an envelope and the guard put it between his fingers to feel if there was something besides paper in it. He put it back and Anna breathed a sigh of relief. She was allowed to bring him paper, books magazines and anything made of paper, and luckily, they did not open the envelope.
She explained that she was there to visit John Bates and the guard looked down the list. Noticing Anthony's name on the register, the guard spoke.
"He already has a visitor." Anna was mildly pleased. He had said visitor, not visitors. There was still room for her.
"Yes, it is my uncle Anthony Strallan. I was a few minutes late, but they are expecting me."
The guard looked at the name and it matched what she had spoken. "Well, you're not too late. Prisoner Bates just got here." He smiled in a weird flirtatious way that made Anna uncomfortable, but buzzed her through. She could see Mr. Bates through the enclosure's window, but he could not see her. As soon as she came into the room, panic set in. Her clear line of sight indicated that John had a pen in his hand. He was reading something. She wasn't too far away, but focused on the document on the table, he wouldn't see her. Anthony was facing in the opposite direction and could not see her either. Her heart skipped a beat when he brought the pen down, ready to sign.
"Mr. Bates," she yelled loudly. "Mr. Bates, don't." She prayed to God that he heard her.
The typical incessant, but low chatter of the visitor room was interrupted. Several annoyed visitors and prisoners guffawed at the outburst.
Her cries had the intended effect. He raised his eyes and stopped what he was doing, although he kept the pen in his hand and in position. As she approached, she could tell John was perplexed. He was like a deer caught in headlights. His eyes bore a sentiment she'd not encountered before. It was a mix of concern and trepidation.
Anthony swiveled his body when he heard the commotion and realized who the source was. His eyes reflected the same confusion as Mr. Bates'. More, if that were possible. He had no way to connect her to Mr. Bates, not when she had already been sacked from the company.
"Don't sign. Please. Don't sign," she added as she reached the table and positioned herself to sit next to Anthony. She was facing John.
"Prisoner Bates and visitors, please keep quiet," boomed the loudspeaker. Her yelp had obviously caught the attention of the guards. She turned to the control area and muttered a quick "Sorry" before she took her seat.
"Anna, what are you doing here?" Anthony asked.
John was speechless. Anna could imagine the ideas running through his mind. He was likely worried she was there to out their relationship. He had also never seen her as unkempt as she was now. She looked like a whole other person.
"Please tell me you haven't signed?" she implored, ignoring Anthony momentarily.
"I haven't signed, but I must." John responded and begged her with his own eyes, his silent plea asking her what this was about.
"Mr. Bates, I am sorry to do this here and now, but I could not think of another alternative and the stakes were too high. I'm afraid that I have the evidence you needed. Vera's lover's identity has been discovered."
John closed his eyes. Anthony was here. Anna would not have blown her cover if it wasn't essential.
"Anna, are you here because of Richard's partnership papers?" he asked, calmly as he let out a breath.
Anthony had no clue what this was all about. "Is there something going on? I just need to get your signature and I will be on my way."
Ignoring Anthony again, Anna responded to Mr. Bates instead. "Yes, I am. You can't partner with Richard. Not when you see what I have to show you." She turned to the third member of their party, finally acknowledging him. "Anthony, I am sure you have many questions. John will answer as many as he can in just a moment."
John weighed his options. At this point, he had to tell Anthony who Anna was. Otherwise, he'd have Anthony thinking they were together and he didn't want them knowing. Not yet.
"Anthony," John addressed his colleague. "I need your absolute discretion. I know I have your loyalty and I trust you."
Anthony produced a tentative smile. As much as he liked to hear that John confided in him again, he had no idea what was going on and he wouldn't feel comfortable until he did.
"You can trust me, John," he added as he looked upon both of them.
"Anna is my private investigator. I hired her to work in the company and to find the evidence of Vera's betrayal. She is now working on finding the evidence of my innocence."
Anthony's jaw dropped. How had he not seen it? "You, Anna?" he asked, clearly in shock.
"Yes, and I can answer your questions in a moment. First, Mr. Bates needs to see this." She reached into her handbag and pulled out the envelope, handing it to him.
He took it. He sensed the importance of it, Anna having alluded to the discovery of his wife's lover, but asked anyway. "What is it?"
"You were right, Mr. Bates. I had my doubts, but the truth is now available to us. Vera was clumsy again. We caught her and her lover."
Without saying another word, he discreetly pulled the image out of the envelope. He shielded the view so that Anthony couldn't see.
As the color on John's face began to redden, Anna interceded. "Are you well, Mr. Bates?"
Trying to maintain his voice neutral, he responded. "I'm as well as I'll ever be. After what I've learned of Richard Carlisle in the past three months, I am not surprised to see him stoop so low. That arse." He had failed at keeping his calm. His voice was altered and his pitch high. He was visibly upset.
He slid the picture back into the envelope. "Please keep it for me," he addressed Anna as he handed it back. "I've no use for it here. The other prisoners will only find it and use it to wank off."
Anna shuddered at his verbal explanation.
"John, what does all of this have to do with the partnership? If what I think just happened, did happen, it still doesn't change the outcome. We still need the funds and he is the only one that can provide them."
John banged the surface of the table with his fist. The table was metallic, and the noise that resulted resounded throughout the room. Anna had never seen him upset. She shrunk back from the table.
"Dammit," he added.
"Prisoner Bates, this is your second and last warning," the guard muttered again through the intercom. Then noise of the table being assaulted reached as far as where they were.
Before things could escalate, Anna intervened.
"There is another alternative. Matthew was on his way to tell you today. Robert came through. He has the funds and they are ready. It is less than what Richard offered, about $110,000, but the contracts have been prepared. The terms mimic what is in this one," Anna pointed to the discarded agreement. She noticed that the locked jaw on John's face was beginning to relax and there was a renewed brightness in his eyes. "With only one additional clause," she added as she lowered her face bashfully. She was sure John would agree, but it was embarrassing for her all the same. "Robert and his investors want to be able to hire a full time employee to supervise their interests. They would pay the salary."
Mr. Bates' loud but controlled voice caught her attention again. "Bless him and bless the day we met. If I could see him right now, I would hug him." He cracked a smile. "I'll owe him for life," he added again in a joyful tone.
Anna was pleased for him and for his reaction.
"I take it you prefer to honor that lesser offer, rather than this one, then?" asked Anthony as he took the contract within his hands.
"Absolutely. Burn the bloody thing."
"What shall I tell him?" Anthony's brows furrowed as he pondered how he would break the news to Richard.
"Don't tell him anything, He can find out when the new investors are announced," answered John, reflecting an air of indignation. "Who is Robert proposing to hire anyway?" he blurted, suddenly remembering that this one item was still open for discussion. His offended stance changed and he was suddenly introspective. "One of his associates?" He seemed to ask himself, even when he spoke out loud, since he didn't wait for an answer. This first query spurred a couple of additional questions. "Who are they, anyway, these investors? Or did he source the money from his and Cora's funds?"
Both John and Anthony turned to Anna. Anthony didn't say a thing, but it appeared he had the same questions John had.
"I am not sure how he sourced it, to be honest, and as far as I know, he represents Crawley Investors exclusively…..and to answer your question, he is hiring me. If you sign his new contract, I will be going back to Bates Airlift."
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It was a sunny day, with not a hint of rain about, and Sarah and Thomas made the best of it. They were out for a smoke.
"How did your interview go?" he asked. Sarah had just returned from her deposition. Thomas had been there earlier and their paths had not crossed.
"I let them know exactly what I think of him. He's such an arse." Sarah was proud of herself for her performance. "They asked what I knew and I told them I knew that Mr. Bates was lousy man and boss."
"Did you now?" Thomas commented coolly. As always, the vibe he gave Sarah was one of judgment, and this enflamed her sensibilities.
"What, and you didn't?" Her incredulous tone turned to taunting. "Don't tell me you said he was the manager of the year? … You would….. I know you adore him."
Thomas creased his forehead at Sarah's comments. He didn't love Mr. Bates, but he didn't hate him either. Vera was his friend and he had an allegiance to her, but Mr. Bates had never done anything to him.
"I did not say he was the manager of the year, but I found no reason to say anything but the truth."
"Which is?" She tilted her head and flailed her arms in expectation. Sarah insisted on an answer.
"That he was passionate about his business and that he would do anything to get Vera out of there." He took a long drag from his cigarette.
Sarah was the one to frown now. "You pansy….. You didn't say anything negative at all. Next thing we know, he'll be released because of the glowing character testimonials given by his employees."
Thomas raised his eyebrow to mark his dissent. Sarah and her histrionics often gave him a headache. He also disliked being called a pansy. Irritation grew from the pit of his stomach.
"Well, it depends on how you look at it. I'm not sure I needed to say anything negative. Testimonials for or against him don't matter. It's the evidence that will do him in and I've already done my part."
A flash of regret passed through his eyes and Sarah saw it, just as she was processing his words. He hadn't wanted to say that. He'd already done his part?... What was that all about?
"What did you mean by that Thomas? That you've already done your part…" Sarah's eyes bore into him and for the first time in a conversation with her, he didn't feel in control. She was. He said nothing as he took another drag and looked away. "You have done something, haven't you?" She increased the intensity of her words. "What is it Thomas?"
The longer he took to answer, the more she would insist. He had to acknowledge her questions and chose the most neutral answer he could think of. "Nothing, it was just a matter of speech. I meant nothing by it."
Sarah did not believe him. His body language was saying more than his words were willing to admit. Completely tense, his face was rigid as was his stance. He was most uncomfortable.
Sarah took a step forward. She was completely oblivious to the extent of Thomas' dealings with Vera, but she had a hunch. They spent a lot more time together than either of them spent with her. It was not difficult to believe that he would be capable of helping his friend. For the first time in her life, Sarah felt like she finally understood what was happening around her.
"All of this, what Mr. Bates has done, it's you, isn't it?" She relaxed when she asked the question. Thomas would deny it, she knew, but she was certain she had guessed right.
"You're crazy, you know that?" was all Thomas answered as he threw his cigarette to the ground and stomped on it before heading back.
A small smile erupted on Sarah's lips. No, she was not crazy. Not this time.
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Anna left the prison soon after, even when she wanted to stay. It seemed the most appropriate thing to do, since Anthony did not appear to want to leave and she couldn't justify her presence at their table any further. Anthony and John's conversation veered towards the terms of the new contract and Anthony had pledged to speak to Matthew to get to the bottom of it. Both men had approved her presence again at the firm which was a real blessing. Anthony was fidgety the whole time, probably nervous now that he understood her role. John had answered a few basic questions about the extent of the private investigation, but Anna guessed that Anthony was harboring some doubts about how he may have been investigated himself. If she did go back to Bates Airlift, she would need to clear the air with him.
When she was leaving and Anthony was busy writing, she was able to lip-sync "I love you". It thrilled her to share those words with him, even when they were silent. Mr. Bates also took a big risk, answering back "I love you too." Anthony had been none the wiser, but their hearts were fuller.
She'd hurried back from the impromptu prison visit to change her appearance before her appointment at Eagle Investments. She didn't want to look too posh, or too middle-class. She decided to wear a dress with a strand of pearls. It looked classy, without defining her income. She'd mentioned that her friend Vera Kelly had suggested their services and it opened doors for her. She'd met with Atticus Aldridge, the account manager assigned to Vera. She decided to use a different name in case Atticus spoke to Vera. She chose Edna Braithwaite, since Edna was also short and blonde. If he were to try to describe her, they would be similar. Atticus explained that they provided all sorts of financial planning services. They were brokers too and they could buy or sell stock, the companies she chose to invest in as determined by her inclinations, and they could also manage her assets. Anna felt she'd earned an acting award by the time she left. Atticus was positively delightful. He was trying his hardest to please her, even when he did not explain what Vera's investment consisted of. She'd pretended she wanted to do exactly as her friend was doing, and his response was vague. He was probably waiting for the moment she handed over her money, but alas, having just made the biggest investment decision in her life, she had no funds left over to continue with the ruse. When all was said and done, Anna understood that Vera was investing in something that she did not want John to know about. Joe would have to gain access into her account to determine what assets she was holding.
Now that she was back home, after a day of running around the countryside, it was back to the files to find more answers. Joe had sent her the dossiers on the Bates Airlift women and she had information to go over.
Gwen's file was first. Gwen Hortense Dawson was born in Scarborough in 1989, making her 26. Anna chuckled. Hortense? It was such an old-fashioned appellation and Gwen had never let on about her secret middle name. She'd find a way to wiggle that into a conversation someday. Gwen had a brother too. Her father was a teacher and her mother worked as a nurse in a retirement facility. She attended the University of Leeds and gained a degree in Business Administration. Her expenses were moderate and she had some savings, but she also did have some credit card debt. Her purchases were clothing related which matched what she knew of Gwen personally. Always impeccably groomed, she had a penchant for dressing smartly. There was nothing out of the ordinary in what she read and she moved on.
Anna was most curious about Sarah O'Brien. Sarah was in her early forties, having been born in the early 70's. Her father had been a military man, her mother a housewife. Due to her father's military assignments, she and her three siblings moved quite a lot in her childhood and youth, including a posting to Germany. She studied two years in an American University but did not obtain any degree or certification. Sarah had been married to an American when she was 19 and divorced three years later. There were no children. Anna had not expected that. With such a sour disposition, she couldn't imagine any man would want to take her on. The last piece of information in the file was even more startling than the knowledge of Sarah's marriage and divorce. Sarah had a police record in the United States. She had stolen a vehicle when she was 20. She served six months because she had no prior record and was allowed off early due to good behavior. A bubble of indignation surfaced itself. Anna felt herself getting riled up. If she were to look in the mirror, she was probably red-faced. Sarah had the gall to call Mr. Bates a common thief and she herself had served time? For an actual, not alleged theft? Anna couldn't wait to have the opportunity to one day rub it in her face. She didn't know what she would do with that bit of knowledge, or if it would ever come in handy, but it was highly advantageous to count with this tidbit of information in her mental coffers.
Daisy was next. She was the youngest at 25. Her full name was Daisy Iris Camellia Robinson. Goodness, thought Anna. That was a mouthful and just as old-fashioned as Gwen's Hortense. Daisy's younger sister was named Jasmine Violet Rose. A younger brother was named Hank. Upon learning her mother's profession, a botanist who owned a nursery, the names made sense. Anna wondered what a third daughter's name could have been. Poppy Hyacinth Petunia? Marigold Ivy Zinnia? It was too amusing for her. As she continued on, she read that Daisy's father was an electrician. Intrepid at a young age, Daisy studied at a Leeds flight school and had been straight out of training when Mr. Bates hired her. She was an oddball, at best. She didn't have ordinary interests and spent most of her off time taking classes. She had done ballet, kick-boxing and painting. She had memberships to literary societies, the Doctor Who fan club, was learning French and sewing. Her interests were everywhere. She lived at home, allowing her to spend her income on all her interests and frivolities. She didn't seem like the type that had a defined knowledge of computers. Even with her varied interests, none of her affiliations pointed to that.
Phyllis Baxter was last. As Anna picked up the file, she couldn't help notice how thin the dossier was. Two semi-blank pages were all it contained. One page had Phyllis' current address, mobile phone number and birthdate. She was 39, Anna calculated. There was no information on her place of birth or a record of her studies. The second page, where she would have expected to see a record of calls placed from her mobile, was empty. She had a number, but it was not used. Joe placed a note that she had no credit cards and no banking records. Anna was perplexed. Mmmm. How could she have no history? Nothing in cyber world? That was her oddest discover of the day. Phyllis was beginning to look like a suspect too. She was in accounting as well and knew all of the accounting practices used.
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"Are you sure about this John?" Matthew asked as his client read through the document.
"Yes. If Vera intends to fleece me, If she concocted this whole embezzlement and partnership dissolution to keep my share, then the only thing I can do is to sell it, or at least make her think I sold it. Now that Robert is involved, I know I can trust him to get my 42.5% back when Vera is out of my life."
"Do you trust Anna?" Matthew would never reveal what he knew, but if John was handing over the reins of his company over to Crawley Partnerships and Anna was set to represent them at the firm, then it would be better to make sure that he did know what he was getting into. "I ask because, if she represents Crawley Investors, and you've just handed over your entire share to them, she will be in charge of your money and all decisions."
When the Bates Airlift partnership was set up between John and Vera, both parts were equal in terms of gains and losses, and both had to agree on certain items – expenditures over $10K, hiring, dismissing, and employee's salaries. All other decisions, Vera had agreed, would come from John. Things hadn't turned sour between them yet, and Vera didn't really want the responsibility. She agreed that John had the better business sense, and he was a pilot. This being a transport company, he knew the ins and outs of helicopters better than she did. She signed willingly, and thus, the legal papers stated that his share was the managing partnership. Neither of them had thought anything about what would happen if he were to sell, the thought being unfathomable to him. There was no prevision written about this, and Matthew had confirmed that in the absence of such a clause, the law would allow for the transfer of the partnership to another party under the same conditions. Matthew mentioned that Vera could contest this in court, and a judge could rule in her favor, if so inclined. Still, if she decided to do this, it would take weeks to have her case heard in court, and it was not enough of a risk for him to put off what he wanted to do.
John thought of Anna again. He'd been thinking about her constantly since she left the prison earlier that morning. She was smart and had good ideas. He'd already seen the business side of her and he liked it. She had so much on her plate, though. Was it fair to her to have the responsibility of getting him out, on top of going head to head with Vera and running his company?
If anybody could do it, it was his Anna. "I trust her more than I have ever trusted anyone else."
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Joseph Molesley had not been a popular child when he was growing up. His mother, may she rest in peace, had paranoiac tendencies and from an early age, he was homeschooled. She rarely let him out of the house, only allowing him to venture to the flower shop run by his father, and it was directly underneath their flat. He learned to entertain himself and read everything in sight, and took every machine they owned apart and then put it back together. His mother was pleased that he could find endeavors with which to keep busy and for the most part, they got on fine. When he was twelve, she met an unfortunate death on one of the few occasions she left the house, and his father forced him to go to school after.
When he was outside his home, he was most unhappy. Other children at school taunted him for his quirks and he was alone throughout most of his school days. His father, concerned with his son's friendless state, purchased him a computer, just as they were becoming popular and affordable. Thinking it would help his son entice more friends to come home, Joseph acquired the new machine and his life changed – not in the way his father would have wanted, though. After school he would come straight home. The computer was easier to get along with than his schoolmates. All of his high school years were dedicated to learning how to program and to understand computer languages. When the internet was introduced, Joseph Molesley was one of the first people in his county to subscribe. With his knowledge of computer languages and network infrastructure, there was nothing that was off limits. He was often reckless and took unnecessary chances, but with the love and guidance of his father, his computer obsession and the benefits of this compulsion did not make him into a criminal. Instead, he sought ways where he could make money by utilizing this skill.
His partnership with the Carson's was ideal. They were fair, the work was interesting and diverse and they paid well for his services. And there was Anna. Of course, he had done his research into the Carsons before their association and when he found pictures of their protégé, he was smitten. Everything he did these days, he did to try to impress their goddaughter and it just wasn't working out. In love with their newest client, that Mr. Bates, she was, and it broke his heart. Every twitter message that came out of her account was directed at that man, Joseph knew, and he saw his chances with the pretty blonde slimmer than they'd ever been.
In consolation, he messed with the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and with Kim Jong Un of North Korea. Both were on his list of 'arses that deserved to be messed with', among others. Every now and then, he'd poke into their private files and erase things. When feeling especially down, he'd infect their central government's servers with a hoax virus. This would be coupled with an alert that would make them think that all their files would self-destruct. He usually put a timer on the desktops of all of their internet security experts so that they could squirm as the seconds ticked by and as they desperately tried to contain and counteract his measures. His enjoyment came from the snap pictures of their worried faces that the self-destruct program's camera took the moment that his timer reached zero. There was a mock explosion on their screen and then a cartoon of Garfield would pop up, asking if they had any lasagna. He wouldn't erase their files, just make them think he did. He was very careful to cover his tracks, to make sure that this could not be traced back to England. After all, he did not want to create any international incidents. He wasn't trying to make a political statement at all. Just having a bit of fun.
He'd encountered a handful of folks in his life that could match his knowledge. They didn't know each other personally, but they knew of each other and each other's capabilities. The majority had unfortunately applied their skills in less than honorable undertakings and had ended up in jail. Stealing credit cards and identity theft was very popular among people with his skill and he thought it abominable. Joseph knew that he often broke the law when he hacked into websites and mobile phone messages, but he believed in the Carson's and knew that they were very good about what cases they took. None of the information that he sourced was used to punish individuals. He also free lanced for a legal firm out of London who took on pro-bono cases and another agency in Cheshire similar to the Carson's of Ripon. He felt his snooping was for the greater good.
When Anna asked him to hack into the twitter account of the troll that was tweeting her, he was genuinely stumped that he had not achieved it yet. This didn't appear to be the work of any of his usual counterparts. He was even more stumped when he awoke to find a new file on his desktop. Somebody had actually breached his own security. His first reaction was to hyperventilate. He was gasping for air, only able to take short breaths. How had this gotten past him? He only ever slept in three hour intervals, twice a day. Somebody had taken advantage of his down time. He reached for a paper bag, one he kept near him for these types of situations and breathed in, willing himself to calm down. If he was under attack, he needed to be at his best. As he breathed in and out, and the recycled carbon dioxide did its duty in restoring balance to his blood, he was able to concentrate and rationalize what was happening. There was a file and it was titled Barrow Partial Network. If somebody were trying to do him harm, they would have already disappeared the contents of his servers. He surveyed the lights and monitors around him and they all seemed to be working. He set the bag down, it having done the trick. He felt calmer than before. He considered what to do next. Before opening the document, he searched through the log files on his server, hoping to determine where the files had come from. There had to be an IP address. A quick check might help him determine if this were friend or foe.
He sighed. Whoever was doing this was clever. There was no IP address, only blank zeros in the place of number combinations. They knew what they were doing. If the file didn't have the name Barrow on it, he might have thought that the same foreign governments that he had toyed with were exacting their revenge for his practical jokes. Yet, since he did track Anna's twitter account and was aware that the troll had offered to help, this must be it. He breathed fully now.
He opened the document to find a series of IP addresses with arrows between them. What is this? He scratched his head. There was a comment at the bottom.
I've managed to track Barrow's network partially. They want to make it look like John Bates did this. See if you can find the rest. I'll keep working on it.
Joe had never been more gobsmacked in his life.
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Charles was floating in the air. He and his Elsie had spent the better part of four hours in bed yesterday, and another two today. He was not a particularly intelligent man, nor very handsome and neither was he rich, but he had been blessed with the extraordinary love of a most remarkable woman and he considered himself the luckiest man in the world. She made him forget his incident. SUGAR who?
"Why the dreamy look, Pops?" One look at her Godfather and Anna knew he was somewhere else. She'd called them several times since yesterday and neither one of them had answered the phone. She'd almost given up, but Elsie did call her back, late at night. They'd set up this meeting to exchange information, but more importantly, because Anna needed to share her news.
"Never mind," he answered. Elsie, sitting next to him, reached out under the table and massaged his inner thigh. His eyes perked up with her touch, as did other parts of his body. Oh Lord, the things this woman did to him. He shifted his head slightly so that he could make eye contact with his wife. He implored her to stop with the expression in his eyes. She appeared to be enjoying this too much, but she silently acquiesced. She moved her hand away, not before smirking at him.
Anna was looking at her notes, and did not see what was happening across the table from her. "Have you anything important to share?" She asked without raising her head.
Elsie handed Anna a picture she had printed. "Your instinct is impeccable, my girl."
Anna took the print, and saw the image of Thomas and James locked in an embrace and about to kiss. She chuckled with amazement. "I knew it!"
"Do we have to worry about him?" asked Pops with a smile. The sight of Anna happy and laughing melted his heart. She'd not smiled this way in several weeks, ever since Mr. Bates had been arrested.
"I'll have Joe look into his background, but I can't see it. He's really not that smart." She retracted momentarily. "I mean….. He's no fool, you couldn't be a helicopter pilot if you couldn't master certain mechanical and mathematical foundations, but he's very simple in his thinking and he is not street smart. He won't even come out of the closet, for God's sake. He tries really hard to be seen as a woman's man, when he clearly isn't." Remembering the surprises she'd encountered with the women's files, she did not want to take any chances. "Still, I will look into his profile. It will prove entertaining if not eventful."
"I have gone through all of Thomas' URL history and computer files for the last year. Besides his penchant for porn and many Bates Airlift work files, he's been taking French classes. He has an account on Rosetta Stone's online learning program and he's been perusing real estate in Montreaux and Sion, Switzerland. He has several saved favorite properties. He's also looked at bed and breakfast locations in and around those cities. I wonder if our boy is preparing an escape?"
"Mmmm," thought Anna. "Switzerland? Joe hasn't confirmed whether Thomas has an account there, but based on what you're telling me, it's possible." Anna kept silent for a moment, processing an idea in her mind. "You know what else besides good banking Switzerland is really famous for?"
Elsie furrowed her brow as she racked her brain. "Fondue, winter sports and exquisite chocolate?" she offered to the conversation as a question. She wasn't sure where Anna was going with her thoughts.
Anna smiled. Those were obvious answers. "Well yes, but I was thinking more along the lines of impossible extraditions."
Pops chimed in. "You are right. The US tried to extradite that Polanski film director fellow and they couldn't achieve it. I remember reading that the Swiss do sign extradition treaties, but they rarely enforce them. Something about them disagreeing with the execution of certain international laws."
"Is it possible that Thomas, and maybe even Vera, in selecting Swiss bank accounts, are preparing to move there so that they can be close to their money? If the UK government ever caught on to their scheme and tried to go after them, it is highly unlikely that they would ever be brought to face justice."
"Well, my darling. We have to prove it was them, and soon. Doesn't the trial start in two weeks?"
Anna's nerves frayed at hearing a mention of the trial. They were so close, and she still didn't have everything she needed.
"Yes, we do have to find the answers soon. We had a break today and that should help."
Pops appeared perplexed. "What break?"
"The tweeter troll - incongnitohelper – the one I told you about, well, he or she infiltrated Joe's environment and left us a partial map of the IP route network being used. Joe explained that if Thomas was the culprit, as the document suggests, and as we suspect, he had to take the money from the Bates Airlift master account and into the Swiss account from Mr. Bates' IP address, and he was able to do it by utilizing a framework of proxy servers worldwide that would hide his tracks. He's been ingenious, the little rat."
"It's only partial?" Elsie looked on with interest.
"Yes, partial. Joe thinks he can track some additional routes too. He's trying to, at least." Anna showed them a printout of the document she was referring to. "This is complex. I am pretty techie, but I can't understand the complexity of it all."
"Oh, how wonderful. So we think we can prove that the transfers took place by hoax, but can you tie it to Thomas?" Charles didn't understand half of this modern stuff.
"I'm hoping that the IP address network will, but, there's another way I plan to do it. Starting tomorrow, I go back to Bates Airlift." She said the words with a subdued excitement. She still worried about what they would say about her investment.
"Did Vera hire you back?" Elsie chose to question her with the motherly look she often used when she knew something was not right.
Anna had not reason to be afraid, she was independent and she knew she had done the right thing, but she still valued their opinion and didn't want to lose them. She knew they didn't approve of him, no matter what they said.
She slowly started to move her head from one side to the other, indicating with her nod that this was not correct.
"Robert Crawley and I have purchased a stake in the company. I am going back as a representative of our partnership, to supervise our interests."
Anna saw the color drain from both their faces.
Elsie was the first to speak. "How much darling? How much did you invest?" She sported that supportive face Anna knew to be a façade. Elsie was just as shocked as Pops, only, she did a better job of covering it up. Pops still had the impassive look about him.
"All of the cash. Every last penny. I'm either going to be very rich when all is said and done, or very broke."
"Did he coerce you?" Pops finally said something. His tone was raised, even when he was trying to calm himself. His loudness reached a crescendo with his further questions. "What did he say to make you part with your money? Did he promise undying love?"
She expected this. She knew he meant well, but Pops was very bad at reading the situation.
"He has no idea." Anna's voice was defensive. "I explained to you before that the company was in peril because of the frozen accounts. He was about to partner with Richard, who we now know is the lover. I wouldn't allow him to be humiliated that way. Saved by the very man who his wife deceived him with? On top of everything else he is going through? I couldn't imagine anything worse…" She paused to compose herself. "After much thinking, Robert and I joined forces and I am the silent partner. Mr. Bates only knows that Robert sourced the money, not that the majority came from me."
"Darling, you have every right to spend your money as you wish." Elsie pronounced these words as she rubbed her temples to assuage the tension she was feeling. "We just worry. Please don't be offended by our doubts."
"I'm not offended. This is actually a sound investment. I've worked there. The company is run solidly and there is profit in the business. As long as we can continue to manage it as was done before, I should see a return on investment in a few weeks." She looked at Pops now, whom she had the hardest time addressing. "He's a good man. I've seen him twice at the prison in the last two weeks. He may not have promised undying love, but he did tell me he loved me. That makes this all worth fighting for."
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Anna was nervous. Robert was just as fidgety. They were about to embark on the performance of their lives. To their surprise, Matthew had explained late yesterday, when they met in the evening to review last minute details, that John had a change of heart and that there were new circumstances. Matthew explained that John trusted them with his full share now. Legally, that is what was written, that John had sold his entire share for their measly $110K. He had provided detailed instructions to Anthony, clear with what he wanted the moment Anna left the prison. Matthew had come to see him in the early afternoon, having already applied the changes requested. When Anna discovered that the management clause made her Vera's superior, she almost fainted. Since they were meeting at the pub, Robert had handed her a soda, hoping the rush of sugar would help steady her. That it did, physically, but mentally, her brain could not fathom what was happening.
It was a surprise she was not expecting. When it was accorded that she would go back as an employee of Crawley Investors, Anna assumed that she might take on an Analyst role. What Mr. Bates requested, though, was for her to oversee everything. He meant for her to be his voice of reason, and for her to make sure all of his employees were treated fairly, not exploited, or mistreated. Basically, supervise everything Vera was doing, and make sure she didn't mess it up. Anthony would help her, as there were some tasks from his side of the business that she did not see or practice during her tenure as intern. She questioned his logic that she was chosen for this, but Matthew and Anthony only explained that Mr. Bates had confidence in her and her work and that she should not worry. Given the departmental rotation that she had already accomplished, she had much more practical experience in running his company than anybody from the outside had. It couldn't be Robert, as he had to tend to his own business, and there was nobody else that John trusted to the same degree outside of Anthony. It left Anna in a panic, truth be told. She spent the last night drenched in sweat, worried about letting him down and making mistakes that could cost him additional expenses.
And now, they were both outside, in the car, taking their last breath before starting their new adventure. Everything she had ever learned in school led up to this moment. Every lecture, project and assignment made her learn something that no doubt, would help her in her biggest challenge yet. She thought of her parents and Godparents and wanted to make them proud.
They were waiting for Matthew to arrive and as they saw him pull into the lot, Robert addressed her. "Are you ready, Anna?" Robert took her hand and squeezed gently, in a kind and friendly gesture. She appreciated the comfort and squeezed back.
"I am. Let's do this."
They descended the car and greeted Matthew. He had all the legal paperwork in case their ownership rights were contested. After a few minutes of formality between them, they turned towards the entry and Anna could discern Gwen's surprised face from the reception desk, even when they'd not arrived yet. Gwen likely never expected to see her back on the compound. The last few steps to the lobby, Anna breathed in an out, attempting to relax herself and her legs that were wobbly.
Once inside, Gwen was immediate in her greeting. "Anna, Matthew. How nice to see you!" She reached out through the reception window with a nervous excitement, intent on shaking the men's hands. Matthew took her hand gently, and when they finished, Gwen looked upon Robert, waiting to be introduced.
"Gwen, this is Robert Crawley, a friend of Mr. Bates'," Anna was quick to add when she saw Gwen's face.
The read-head, polite as ever, shook his hand and added, "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Crawley."
Gwen would have rather hugged Anna, but she couldn't manage it with a wall between them. She resorted to taking her hand in hers with enthusiasm. "What brought you back? I didn't think I would every see you in this place again, although I have missed you. It's not been the same without you."
Anna squeezed Gwen's hand back and hoped internally that after all the melodrama that would take place today, Gwen would still want to be her friend.
Matthew spoke to answer, since neither Anna nor Robert were keen to say anything.
"Gwen, we need to see Vera. We don't have an appointment, but this is a very important visit, regarding the ownership of Bates Airlift." His voice was calm, but serious. Gwen read through the words and understood this to be of an important nature. She wasn't sure why she should be serious about it, but she was.
"Please take a seat. Let me advise her." She kept eye contact with Anna as she stepped back to find the woman, her gaze an open question as to Anna's involvement.
None of them took a seat and they all preferred to just stand about. Anna didn't want to look upon either of her companions, lest she lose her nerve, and focused on the tile pattern on the floor. She hadn't noticed the amount of tiles with cracks. She had never really spent any time in the reception, never having been made to wait before, and she realized that it looked unbecoming. It wasn't a very welcoming sight in this area. From a customer's standpoint, the first impression was shabbiness. Mmmm. She made a mental note to take care of this. If she were now in charge, she would pay attention to the details. A customer's experience started from the moment they arrived on their premises.
An embarrassed Gwen returned a few minutes later. Just by looking at her, Anna surmised that Gwen's interaction with Vera had not been pleasant. "Mrs. Bates is busy right now. Can I make an appointment for you tomorrow?" There was unspoken agony written across her face.
Matthew had anticipated this. When preparing for this moment, he mentioned getting inside would be a challenge. They'd also agreed that he would do the talking.
"Gwen, please tell Mrs. Bates that we will be staying here until she has time to meet with us. We can wait in the lobby until she has some time, but we would be more obliged if we were allowed through to the conference room. We would rather wait for her there. She can take as long as she likes."
Matthew was restrained in his answer, but firm. After all, this wasn't Gwen's fault and it was apparent to all of them that she did not enjoy the situation that she had landed herself in.
Gwen's expression did not alter. She grudgingly accepted the missive, acknowledging the request by a quick nod.
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"Mrs. Bates, they've stated that they will wait for you until you have time. I see them very determined to stay. Matthew Crawley requests that you allow them through to the conference room and that you can take as long as you'd like."
Vera was not pleased. When Gwen had informed her who the visitors were, she was befuddled, then annoyed. John's lawyer, his best friend and the ditzy intern they had just sacked were an interesting combination and she did not believe that they were there to talk about Bates Airlift ownership. She thought that Anna, for she did know the blonde's name, was there to sue the company for having sacked her. There was no other logical explanation to her presence there, yet it did not explain the presence of Robert Crawley. They ought to have made an appointment and their barging in on her sacred time was very rude, whatsoever their intentions.
Frowning and aggravated, she responded. "Did I not tell you to get rid of them?" Her words were laced with sharpness, implying to the girl that she was incompetent for not having completed the task. Richard Carlisle was with her and before Gwen could even respond, she made another nasty comment. "I swear, I can never get anyone do anything right." Vera didn't even lower her voice.
He didn't respond and instead looked on.
Gwen bit her lip; her strategy to avoid any back talk that could infuriate her boss any further. Instead, she managed a firm, but polite response. "I tried Mrs. Bates. Matthew Crawley is fixed that they intend to stay." Truth be told, she didn't understand what was going on. Even if she did, there was no way that she would be rude to the group. Mrs. Bates could lump it. She'd not been nice to her in the last week and Gwen had no incentive to make the situation easier for her. Let her be on the uncomfortable end for once, she declared to herself. And thus, Gwen decided to help the group. "Might I add that we have the group of passengers from Dow Chemical arriving in less than half an hour, and keeping the lot of them in the lobby will make it crowded and unpleasant for our customers. Perhaps moving them to the conference room is wise. Unless, of course, our customer's experience is no longer a priority of Bates Airlift's..…You would be the best to decide this. I'll do whatever you wish."
Her tongue in cheek comment was delivered flawlessly, and Vera winced.
"I say you get over with it, rather than have these undesirables hanging out in the lobby." Richard provided his pearls of wisdom to Vera. "If they are not going to leave, just grab the bull by the horns, listen to them, then kick them out…..Show them who is boss."
Even with Richard's suggestion, Vera sat idly, pondering her thoughts. She made no attempt to answer immediately. Not relenting from her subdued torture tactic, Gwen stood firmly. She wasn't going to leave until she had a directive.
Finally, Vera looked up.
"Put them through to the meeting room. Don't offer them any refreshments and don't chat with them. Tell them that the management team of Bates Airlift will meet with them shortly." As an afterthought, she added, "Richard, you are coming with me."
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At least half an hour passed from the time Gwen ushered them into the meeting room. As she crossed into the office, her nervousness was derailed with the pleasure she derived from walking alongside Sarah O'Brien's desk. The woman almost fell off her chair at the sight of her. She was there with Tony Gillingham and Jack Ross, discussing something about their schedules. Both men's eyes also reflected their surprise at seeing her walk so freely among them. Just as she turned into the conference room, she caught Phyllis' attention. The woman's brows furrowed, clearly as surprised as the others. With this, a sense of calm passed over Anna, and not even the waiting allowed the nervousness to return. She felt empowered, ready for the adventure to start. Robert looked more nervous than she did. She thought about Mr. Bates' and channeled his poise and attitude. Handsome and confident, he was a true leader. She closed her eyes for a second and his image appeared before here. This was not the angered man she'd seen at the jail, but a happier version of him. His smile was beautiful and she liked to imagine that it was just for her. The wrinkles around his eyes crinkled, as they often did when he was filled with excitement. She relaxed fully. This was her moment. He trusted her with his most prized possession. Let her detractors be damned, she thought. I will make him proud and I will not let this company falter.
Vera arrived not a minute later, followed by her lover. Not keen on formality, she did not even shake their hands or attempt a polite greeting. She took a seat at the head of the table. Ever the salesman, Richard was more welcoming. He shook hands with the men. He looked upon Anna, catching her wrist before she could react. At his touch, she froze. As he wrapped his grubby paws around her fingers, squeezing more than he ought, she felt a million little stab all over her body. She disentangled her hand as quickly as polite company could muster and said not one word to him. He took his seat next to Vera.
"What can we do for you?" inquired Vera in a tone that conveyed her annoyance.
"Thank you for taking time to meet with us, Vera." Matthew's accolade fell from his lips naturally and Anna wanted to laugh, but she kept her cool. "We understand how busy you are."
Vera didn't answer, but grunted an awkward acknowledgement.
"We're here because John Bates has transferred his partnership."
Richard's chest became fuller and he sat taller, if that were possible. He was sure this comment was about him. A timid smirk crept on to his lips, already savoring his victory.
"Yes, I am aware that my husband has sold a share of his holdings to Richard Carlisle. I believe that would have happened yesterday. That is why Richard is here." In her matter-of-fact tone, she added, "I didn't t need you to come all the way here to tell me that.
Matthew was unfazed by the comments. Like any good lawyer, his stance was emotionless and firm.
"But I, and we, Vera, do need to come all the way here to meet with you and explain that John did not sign the papers. I am sorry, Richard, but John had a change of heart. He did not enter into a partnership with you."
The fine lines on Richard forehead came together in a very unnatural looking furrowed brow. Anna would describe it as a repressed rage. His pasty white color also changed, much like a chameleon, to a light shade of pink, followed by a bright red. His hands were balled and his breathing sounded erratic.
Vera did not react the same way. Her mind went racing, trying to make sense of it all. Her thinking was loud, and Anna could see behind her cold eyes that her brain was processing the information. She did appear a little tense, if not completely bothered. Thus, she did react, mildly. Perhaps it was because she didn't understand the implications. Anna was sure that would change very soon.
When she perceived Richard was ready to speak out, she put her hand out in front of him to stop him. "Is this a joke, Matthew?"
"No, it is not. Mr. Bates received another offer at the last minute and he decided to accept it." Matthew turned to look at Robert, conceding that he should now speak.
"John Bates has sold me his entire holdings." Robert's voice was strong and Anna could detect a hint of pride in his statement. "As of this moment, I, Robert Crawley, hold an equal partnership stake to you, Vera. John's relinquishment of his stake invalidates your partnership dissolution request. I am your new partner."
Anna had only ever seen this kind of scene in the movies, or written in a novel. Vera's tempered response of a minute earlier morphed into something else.
"That bloody idiot," responded Richard. "He's going to regret this. I'll make his life miserable."
Anna wondered if it was a sin to enjoy Richard's reaction. Could it be considered pride? Or wrath? Whatever, she thought to herself. Neither Vera nor Richard deserved any considerations or pity from her. Not with the way they'd treated Mr. Bates. You reap what you sow, her mother would often say, and it was time to bring in the harvest.
Robert was brilliant with his attitude and comeback. "I am sorry, old chap. I wish you could have found out another way. Truly, I do. As for my friend, John, well, I don't see how he could regret it. He's sitting on a pile of cash I gave him. And about making him miserable, what do you plan to do? He's in jail and you fucked his wife. I'd say there is not much else that you could do."
Vera gasped at Robert's words, then went through the same stages of tempered rage that Richard went through not even a few minutes earlier. Her jaw locked as her faced turned steadily more colored. It wasn't embarrassment, or humiliation. Anna fathomed that this was more like the wrath that she had pondered a few minutes ago. Vera had a plan, and this must have knocked her off of whatever track she was following. She must have spent years concocting her revenge and John had bested her, foiled her when she was as confident of her victory as she could be.
"Well, if I can't make John miserable, then, I'll make you miserable." The aggression in Richard's voice was parallel to that in his body. As he pushed himself out of his seat, the momentum toppled the chair backwards. Even though the room was carpeted, it still made a considerable amount of racket. "Welcome to Bates Airlift, Robert Crawley," with that, he stormed out of the room, not without throwing the door closed. This noise was even louder than that of the chair falling, and If Anna knew the employees outside, they were already clustered together, speculating as to the nature of the meeting.
After Richard's Prima Dona exit, Vera was alone. It did not diminish her presence at all. A force to be reckoned with, she gained more poise by puffing out her chest. She too stood taller, even if she were sitting. She eyed Anna with rancor. Her assumption as to the blonde's presence was wrong, and she couldn't quite determine what it meant for her to be here.
"Why are you here?" she asked boldly.
"Ah, good. Let's get on with the rest of it," Robert added cockily. "I have another business, and so, I cannot be here full time. I have hired Miss Anna Smith, whom I believe you have already worked with, to represent me fully. I have signed all of the paperwork to give her power of attorney and make any and all decisions regarding my part in the partnership. Starting immediately, she will be working alongside you."
While her jaw had been clenched before, it now dropped. Anna was sure she could fit a whole bacon sandwich in there, so large was the gaping whole made by Vera's open mouth.
Now it was Anna's turn to puff out her chest and stand tall. Everybody else in the room had had their moment and now it was hers.
"I am so pleased to be back, Violet . I missed the office so much." The cheek in her voice could not be contained, even if she tried. "Since you moved into Mr. Bates' office, I'll just go ahead and take the one that was yours. Packing is such a nuisance and I wouldn't dream of moving you out of your new domain."
Anna even chuckled internally. She was going to have fun, just as Vera did with her. She'd learned every single name that started with a V. Two could play that game.
"Her?" Vera responded in a hostile way. Her manners went out the door long before Richard ever did, and they were past pleasantries now. The disdain in her voice was evident. "The bloody intern is your new manager?"
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A/N: I bet most of you knew about Richard by now…. He and Vera deserve each other. It only took 20 chapters to make the revelation, so thank you all for your patience…. And….. also, thank you to those who are sticking around while John is still in jail. I know you would all prefer Anna and John together, as do I, but it won't happen for a few more chapters. In the end, she will get him out!
I've had a bout with writer's block and haven't been able to progress much with my final chapter. I've only managed 1.5K in three weeks. In the meantime, I think I can progress posting this and probably, the next chapter, very soon. I am intent on getting it all finished before series 6 starts.