Chapter 22

Paul finally decided to go and see his dad. Work had closed for the day and employees had begun to leave the building, but he was sure that his dad would be around.

He closed the door of his office behind him and brought out his phone from his pocket. He wanted to call Helen. She was yet to reply to the text message he sent her in the morning and didn’t pick any of his calls. The last time he called, it didn’t even go through.

“The number you’ve dialed is—”

Paul ended the call before the machine could complete its sentence.

He walked by his brother’s office and looked briefly through the glass if he was inside, but he wasn’t. Never change, Paul thought to himself and smiled. His thoughts then wandered towards the party they both attended and towards Kate. He wondered if his brother was still seeing her.

“Not your problem,” he said to himself as he got into the elevator.

His dad’s office was one floor above his and his office was the only one on that floor. It was also the last floor in the building.

He was getting out of the elevator when someone bumped into him. It was his dad’s new secretary.

They both apologized to each other before she asked who he was.

Paul thought for some time before giving an answer.

“I’m the COO,” he said.

“Oh, you’re Paul,” she replied, looking embarrassed. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you are?” Paul asked.

“Jodie,” she replied.

“Nice meeting you too, Jodie,” Paul said.

“Is he still around,” Paul asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Okay, thanks,” Paul said.

She said nothing but smiled as she walked away.

Paul entered his dad’s office without knocking. His dad, who was sitting in his chair with both hands on the armrest, did not look surprised to see him.

“I thought you would find your way here sometime,” James said.

Paul did not reply. He made his way to the table and sat down across from his dad. He looked at him for some time as though inspecting something.

“You didn’t wipe it all off,” Paul said to his dad, pointing at his face.

“Maybe it was intentional,” James said as he shrugged.

“Of course,” Paul said.

“Glad to have you back boy,” James said. “I’ve missed you.”

“Of course, you have,” Paul said. “I went briefly through the book and the contractor you hired did a shit job and I saw that a new face joined the party.”

“There’s always money to be made son,” James said.

“Of course,” Paul replied.

Paul stood up and started to leave the office. He turned around to look at his dad once again.

“You really should wipe that off, it looks obvious,” Paul said.

“Not really, it just as easily could be milk,” James said.

“Right!” Paul said and left the office.

Paul thought about what he was about to do. He thought that would be the end of their relationship and that there was no coming back from that.

But I have to do it, he thought.

It was not something Paul thought about doing until his dad pushed him. Well, not until Helen brought the idea up. He thought that if things were to continue the way they were, it was only a matter of time before someone from the government found out what was going on and not only would the company be shut down, but they might also do some time for their crimes. The only thing he wasn’t sure about at the moment was if the shareholders were in on it. He had traced the money coming in and going out of the company and there was nothing to confirm that suspicion. Meeting with them would be a gamble as meeting with the wrong person might blow up his plan.

He was back in his office and was sitting down. He thought about going home and that made him think about Helen once more.

“She should have found a way to get to me,” he said to himself. “I really hope she’s okay.”

He heard a tap on his door and looked up, it was Diane. She opened the door and entered.

“Hey,” Paul said.

“Hey,” she replied and moved closer to the table.

“I saw you walk by, but in the wrong direction,” she said. “Not heading out anytime soon?”

“I actually think I am,” he replied. “I would like to quickly sort out some things though.”

“Something that can’t be sorted out tomorrow?” She asked. “You actually look tired; it seems to me like you've done enough today.”

Paul looked at her for a few seconds.

“Looks like you’ve got plans for me this evening,” he said, still looking at her.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” she said. “Let’s say I would like to welcome you back and I’ve got just the place. Besides, I was supposed to see you later during the party. Remember?”

Paul smiled. He had things to talk to her about and he thought this could just be a good time for that to happen.

“What the hell,” he said. “I’ll get my things.”