Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
That last part I unfortunately didn’t have to make up. Apparently, Langston Knight was an even bigger con artist than even I bargained for. The business wouldn’t suffer for it but this kind of thing needed to be addressed when the board of directors had their own accountants look over the books for when we took our company public.
I wanted to hold off sending our findings to the authorities, but Gavin insisted we get the DA involved. Fortunately for me, this particular DA is up for election and with the promise of a generous donation to his campaign he is willing to forego sending the case to trial and offer a plea agreement that basically amounts to a slap on the wrist.
At the end of the day, I think the case wouldn’t have garnered him enough media attention. It wasn’t the kind of issue that moved the voters. But Langston disappeared before he was formally served.
“So now what?”
“I was hoping to get in contact with him to let him know that my company doesn’t want to see him locked up, as long as he’s willing to agree to probation and restitution.”
“Restitution? How much would that be exactly?”
“I don’t have an exact amount but I imagine that number would be topped with court costs so in the tens of thousands.”
“No…” Zora whispers. She sways from side to side and for a moment I think she’s going to lose her balance.
I’m immediately at her side to catch her in case she does but she places her hands on my chest to push me away.
“Are you going to be okay?”
She shakes her head. “I’m as fine as I’m going to be. I still don’t understand why you’re here. Like I said, I haven’t heard from my brother in a long time. At least three years. He keeps in contact with my father sporadically and it’s only when he wants something. We’re not exactly close, so you’ve wasted your time coming here.”
“Do you think he will try to contact your father? Maybe when he does you can tell him if he returns to California, we’re willing to work with him. If he doesn’t it’s likely he’ll face prison time. The DA has agreed to hold off issuing a warrant for his arrest. But he’s only giving me a limited amount of time.”
“And you’re saying if you find him, he won’t go to jail?” There was caution in her voice and I could barely keep myself from grinning.
I almost had her.
“As long as my company agrees to these conditions as long as we’re the injured party.”
She closes her eyes with a groan. “My brother and I have a complicated relationship and honestly if he’s guilty of this crime, he deserves to go to jail. I’d love to tell you to do your worse but it would kill my father. He’s been through enough lately so I’ll do my very best to get a hold of him. Wait a minute….” She takes a few steps away from me as if something dawns on her.
“You said as long as your company agrees to the conditions. Does that mean there’s no guarantee he’ll stay out of prison?”
I raise my shoulder in a slow shrug. “Where’s your father, Zora?”
She narrows her eyes. “Why do you want to know?”
I chuckle. “Good luck finding your brother.” I head to the door even though I have no intention of leaving. As just as I calculated, she calls out before I’ve taken three steps.
“He’s in the hospital.”
I turn on my heel. I was aware of his financial issues and didn’t ask the P.I. I’d hired to dig beyond that. Knowing he had health issues raised the stakes. No wonder Zora seemed so stressed when she answered the door. But this was turning out even better than I anticipated.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I can understand the dilemma he’s probably under, especially with his health issues, and his home being in foreclosure and now his son could be facing prison.”
“How…how did you know about the foreclosure? And what does that have to do with you finding my brother?”
“I imagine you’re going to spend the next several weeks trying to figure out a way to save this house. You’ll probably going to take some time off work to care for your father and I doubt not having an income will help the situation. And then there’s the issue with your brother. Seem like you’re in a considerable amount of trouble Zora.”
“You bastard. Did you come here to rub this in my face? Being your target in high school wasn’t enough for you? Did you seek me out for the purpose of kicking me while I’m down. You haven’t changed at all have you? Get the fuck out of my house.”
“You’re partially right, Zora.” I close the distance between us until our bodies are only inches apart. I hook my arm around her waist and pull her against me.