Chapter 400: Stafford Foundation

Wednesday, February 8th, Afternoon

The workday was getting near its end. Fallon walked into the lobby; she looked at the portraits of her predecessors that dominated the lobby. Fallon looked each of them over but lingered on the portrait of her late father. Finally, Fallon turned to look at the receptionist.

Fallon caught herself on the desk edge. She turned a little too fast for the platform heels she wore. Her special Foundation shoes, that would keep Tanner guessing about her.

"Hi, Amber," Fallon said, trying to sound vapid.

"Hello, Ms. Stafford," Amber said.

"Can you buzz me in? I've seemed to have forgotten my key," Fallon said.

"No Problem, Ms. Stafford," Amber said and buzzed her in. Fallon slowly walked into the inner office. Part of the reason she ambled was because of the goddamn stripper heels she wore. Her more sensible shoes were in her purse.

Walking across the small open office space, Fallon glanced across and caught the eye of Gena Pratt from marketing. With a quick nod, Fallon kept moving, so she wouldn't fall, towards her office.

Once in her office, she quickly got behind her desk and sat down. After a sigh of relief, she put her purse down and took off her jacket.

Looking up at her doorway, almost as if on cue, Tanner Rich stood there. Tanner ran the foundation day-to-day but ultimately answered to Fallon. Amber must have called him after she buzzed her in.

"Forget your key, again?" Tanner asked.

Fallon nodded, "Yeah, I did," she said.

"What brings you here, this late and unexpected?" Tanner asked.

"I was in the area, and well, why not see my old friend Tanner," Fallon said.

"Very well," Tanner said, "So, what's on your mind?"

"Just I've not been here in a while, so why the hell not visit?" Fallon asked.

"Okay," Tanner said, "So, how was Tree Hill?"

"It was grand, Tanner; we had a pig roast and cow tipping. You know, I swear all the women were pregnant again," Fallon said.

"I see; sounds like a fun week," Tanner said.

"Yeah, I won a cow-tipping tournament," Fallon said.

"Well, congratulations, Fallon," Tanner said.

"Thank you," Fallon said.

"So, yeah," Fallon said.

"Would you like to review the books or something?" Tanner asked.

"Sure," Fallon said.

Tanner nodded and left the door. Fallon shook her head and pulled out her phone; going through the phone, she answered a few text messages and emails. Once she finished, she put her phone down and started to drum on her desk.

Finally, Gena Pratt, the young woman from marketing, stood in the doorway holding a few books. Fallon looked at the woman and smiled.

"Ms. Stafford, Mr. Rich wanted me to bring you the book," Gena said.

"Please, come in, Ms. Pratt," Fallon said.

Gena came in and put the books down on the desk. Fallon reached for one and looked it over. Finally, Fallon looked up at Gena.

"Please, close the door," Fallon said.

Gena walked over to the office door and closed it. Fallon closed the book and placed it on the desk; Gena nodded and walked to the front of Fallon's desk.

"How cooked are these books?" Fallon asked.

"I'm not sure; Tanner keeps stuff like that close to the vest," Gena said.

"What do you know?" Fallon asked.

"Not much, but Tanner tends to handle one or two big donors and benefactors," Gena said.

"Yeah, I'm not surprised," Fallon said.

"Why do you ask?" Gena asked.

"Just curious, that's all," Fallon said.

"It's not like you to be this curious, Ms. Stafford," Gena said.

"Maybe, I'm taking more of an interest other than the good lunches," Fallon said.

"Okay, I don't believe you, Ms. Stafford," Gena said.

"Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it," Fallon said.

"Right, Ms. Stafford," Gena said.

"How've things been going?" Fallon asked.

"Going well," Gena said.

"That's good to hear," Fallon said.

"So, Ms. Stafford," Gena said.

"So, what?" Fallon responded.

"What's with this whole Fallon Adams thing?" Gena asked.

"Well, that's sort of a long story," Fallon said.

"Nothing is a truly long story, just a story you don't want to talk about," Gena said.

"Okay, okay, you got me; it's more complex than long," Fallon said.

"Try me," Gena said.

"Well, how deep of a dive do you want me to do?" Fallon asked.

"I'll tap out when I'm ready," Gena said.

"Well, you know I'm single," Fallon said.

"I've heard those rumors," Gena asked.

"I also find it hard to form any sort of romantic relationship because of my money," Fallon said.

"My god, you can't be serious," Gena said.

"I am," Fallon said.

"So, you use Adams? Where did you come up with that one?" Gena asked.

"My step-sister's last name," Fallon said.

"Do you do that often?" Gena asked.

"No," Fallon said.

"What caused it?" Gena asked.

"The foundation sent me a post-New Year's Eve Party this year," Fallon said.

"I remember that; it was my idea," Gena said, "So, what happened?"

"I met a guy that I wanted to see where it leads," Fallon said.

"Who?" Gena asked.

"His name is Grant," Fallon said.

Gena nodded, "Somehow, someway, I just don't know," she said.

"Thank you, Ms. Pratt," Fallon said.

"Is that all, Ms. Stafford?" Gena asked.

"Yes," Fallon said.

Gena nodded and left the office, closing the door behind her. Fallon reached for one of the ledgers and cracked it open, wondering how cooked these books are.