The Chase II Page 3

  “Oh no. Nothing happened here. GRIT is great, you are great. I just…” She started. “I’m so embarrassed to say this, but…”

  “You can tell me, it’ll stay here. Okay?”

  She nodded her head, then continued, “I’m in major debt and I’ve been trying to save money to pay off my loans and other debts. It was probably stupid to move to New York, but I came on a wing and a prayer. I rented a room in the Bronx with a husband and wife couple. Last night they were arguing and the cops had to be called. She smacked him and he smacked her back. I could hear it from my room across the way. The cops told him he needed to leave and she told me she was moving back in with her folks and I had until Saturday to get out.”

  “What? It’s only Wednesday.”

  “I know, that’s why this is going to be my last week.”

  “Penelope, you can’t afford to get a place on your salary. How much debt are you in?”

  “A lot, Xena. It’s too much to get into, but I wanted to let you know.”

  “Wait, how much can you afford to pay a month?” I asked, while grabbing my phone out of my bag.

  “Not a lot. I have many responsibilities, so those takes precedence.”

  My fingers quickly dialed the number and I waited for a response.

  “Hey little X.”

  “Hey, Matt. Quick question for you. One of my teacher’s is in need of a place quick. She’s on a tight budget, but I was wondering if you could help her. Like you helped me.”

  “Ahh, yeah.” He hesitated. “How little is her budget?”

  “Not sure, here she is right now.”

  I put the phone down and whispered, “He’s a brother of a friend of mine and he helped me get a place. Tell him what you need and he should be able to help you. I’ll leave you too to discuss numbers.”

  “O-kay.” She took the phone, while I made my exit to sit and stare at Janice.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, just sitting here to annoy you.”

  “Well, you are doing a good job of it.”

  “Good.” I continued to stare as she laughed.

  Five minutes later, Penelope emerged from my office with half of a smile on her face.

  “So?” I asked, as my body pulled away from the chair.

  “He’s going to come at lunch and go over some figures for me, but he says that he’s confident, he can help me.”

  “Oh good.” I rubbed her arm. “Don’t worry Penelope, we’ll figure something out.”

  A tear ran down her cheek.

  “Wait, what’s wrong?”

  “This is, uh,” She sniffled. “One of the best places I’ve ever worked. I’ve never met so many nice people before.”

  “Yeah, honey. I agree with you there.” Janice chimed in.

  A smile spread across my face as I pulled her in for a hug.

  “Okay, Penelope. No crying, because I can’t cry before the investor comes. Afterwards, I can join you, alright?”

  She nodded, while laughing. “Okay.”

  As she left, Janice raised her eyebrows to me. I raised mine back at her and went into my office to prepare for the meeting. The P.B.G. Corporation had only been around for only four years and there was some unease about why they were so interested in donating such a large amount of money and technology to a new school. We were entering our third year, which was also a testing year. Our eighth graders would take the New York state standardized examinations which would determine many things, including what high schools they were eligible for, which could have an impact on their college choice. The high school selection was very competitive in NYC, unlike many other places in the United States.

  “Ahh, Ms. Fuller. How are you doing today?” Asked the short pudgy man who reeked of expensive cologne causing me to sneeze. “Bless you. Mr. Antler could not make it today, but I’m his business partner and we really wanted to discuss some sort of partnership with you.”

  “Yes, let’s talk and see what PBG has to offer.” I sat down behind my desk. “Mr. Antler and I discussed several numbers over the phone, but he wanted to meet in person to finalize things. Would you like the tour?”

  “Oh, I’d love to, but my time is limited. We discussed the two-point-five million dollars, and the additional five-hundred thousand every year.”

  “Mr. Stevens. While, I am awfully flattered that you want to invest in my small school of three years, I will say that I’m a little concerned. What’s the catch?”

  He formed an oily smile, then leaned forward, “What my partner did not mention was the company’s stipulations. You have received a large amount of donations from a few anonymous donors and legit organizations. However, the authorities have traced these shells and corporations back to illegal gambling, bribes and various mobs on the East Coast. We do not want to sink our business by being affiliated with dirty money, so we are willing to upfront the monies that you have received, plus our own.”

  What?

  “Dirty money?” Dread seeped into my chest as I felt feverish all of a sudden.

  “Yes, Ms. Fuller.” He laid a folder on top of my desk and said, “Here are a few of the company names. Do you recognize any of them?”

  Quickly opening the folder, I scanned the names on the official looking document. Sure enough, in the middle, planted between them was XAND Corporation. One company was even called X2.

  “Are you alright, Ms. Fuller?” The man leaned forward.

  “I, uh…” Beads of sweat started to fall down my back and my head felt like it was about to explode.

  “I know this is a lot to take in, but we have it on good authority that this information is accurate. You may want to untie your school from this, because it could go away as a result.”

  My body slammed back into my executive’s chair as I let out a sharp exhale.

  “Well, I’ll give you some time to think about it. Once you’ve made your decision, you know how to contact us. Again, cutting off this illegitimate source would be far worth your while.”

  He gathered his things, including the sheet with the names and said, “Have a good day?”

  “C-can, I have that?” I asked, before he could leave. My finger was pointing to the folder.

  “Well,” he said as he looked down at the folder. “This is really official police business, but.” He paused. “What the hell? Just remember you didn’t get that from me. Okay?”

  “Okay. That’s fine.”

  He handed the folder to me and said, “Use it wisely.”

  The man was gone. Vanished, vacant, obliterated, just like my heart. My palms were sweaty, my pants lining was sticking to my legs as my entire body was covered in anxious sweat. Who was I in bed with literally?

  I needed to find out if any of this was true and the only person that would know was coming in at lunch.

  Chapter 4: Xena

  I pressed the intercom for Janice and said, “As soon as Matthew Andrews gets here, please send him to my office.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Thanks.”

  I let the button go. Ten minutes later, a knock came to the door and a jovial Matt strolled in.

  “Hey, stranger.” He greeted me.

  “Hey Matt? How you been?”

  “I’ve been okay. Pondering life and all that shit.” He had a far-away look on his face and something else.

  “What’s wrong with your face?” I stood from my desk and met him half way.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Just had a misunderstanding.”

  I put my hand up to his face and said, “A misunderstanding with someone’s fist?”

  He winced when I touched the swollen ______ mark near his eye.

  “Xena, stop. I’m a big boy. I can handle my own affairs.” He pushed me away.

  “Apparently not.” I just thought about Tay and what his goons did to people that couldn’t pay or were in major debt.

  I lowered my voice and asked, “Matt, do you have a gambling problem?”

  “What?!” He exclaimed.
“Fuck no. Why the hell would you ask me that?”

  His head reared back in shock, his eyes were squinting and his upper lip was turned up.

  “Nothing, I mean. Well, everything. You come in here looking like somebody worked you over and that happens when the goons are sent after you for not paying up.”

  “You watch too much TV,” he went to sit down. “The other way it could have happened is if a little hottie tried to snuggle up to me in the bar in an attempt to make her boyfriend jealous. He did not like that and caught me off guard.”

  He was right. I was freaking out and paranoid.

  “I thought you were leaving the club scene alone.” I _________.

  “Yeah, I’ve slowed down.” He looked around the room. “Nice office.”

  “Thanks.” I sat next to him and he pulled upward. “I have something really sensitive to ask you and I know you are loyal to your brother and all, but I need to know Matt.”

  “Well, then you ask him Xena.” He shook his head.

  “Matt, you’re the only one that will tell me the truth. You know he won’t and I’m not sure what to do. I can’t keep this up. All these lies and innuendos. I just need to know if these things I’m hearing are true.” I explained.

  His eyebrows scrunched together and asked, “What do you mean the things you are hearing?”

  “Things about his company and the company he keeps. Like it’s not legit and he’s in bed with people like Tay Connors, and possibly under investigation. Things like that. That my school might be in jeopardy and even his anonymous donors are shells for his companies. Please, Matt. I’m begging. Is any of this true?”

  One side of his mouth was turned up in utter disgust and disbelief.

  “Where are you getting this shit from?” He grounded out. “This is bullshit.”

  “I can’t tell you where, Matt. I just need to know if it’s true.”

  “The fuck you can’t.” He leaned forward. “You talk to X about this?”

  “No.” I felt chastised.

  “Then you better or I will.”

  “Matt!” I whined. “Is any of it true? I’ll tell him, I just need to know.”

  “First of all, you of all people should know he might be many things, but a criminal he isn’t.”

  It was time for me to rear my head back, “Uh, he kidnapped someone, Matt.”

  “Touché. Let me rephrase, besides someone fucking with something of his, everything is legit. He don’t mess with anything illegal, unless it’s for retribution, reclamation or revenge. Besides that, Xavier is clean and XAND has nothing to do with his personal affairs. All that other shit, you better talk with him about Xena and I mean today, because I’ll be talking to him if I find out you didn’t.”

  “Fine, just give me a couple of days. Okay?” I snapped as a knock came on the door.

  He looked at me.

  “Come on, Matt. I’m going to tell him. Just give me a couple of days?”

  “Fine.” He glared at me.

  “Come in.” I yelled.

  “Hey Xena, I came to see if your…” She stopped talking, mid-sentence and stared at Matt.

  I was still waiting on her to finish her sentence and didn’t see when Matt stood up and was staring back. She jerked her head to me.

  “Hey Penelope, this is Matt, the guy you spoke with over the phone. And Matt, this is Penelope. She needs your help.”

  “Yeah,” Matt said as he walked towards her. “Nice to finally meet you in person. Your voice doesn’t do you justice.”

  Oh boy.

  Penelope nodded nervously and adverted her gaze to the floor. He was going to scare her out of here.

  “I have an hour, I can join you if you want.” I looked to Penelope, who nodded ferociously while Matt was giving me the ‘don’t block’ eyes.

  “Sounds great.” She finally mustered up.

  “Great, where are we going, Matt.”

  “Insane.” He muttered.

  When she walked out, he muttered, “you really are a pain in the ass.’

  “I do what I can.” I smiled.

  He pushed my head forward, so when I turned around to swing, he ducked.

  “This must be the future brother-in-law,” Janice commented in a bored tone.

  “Shut-up.” I kept walking. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

  “Okay.” She replied.

  ******

  We went to the local bistro around the corner and was able to grab a table way in the back as a couple just left. Penelope would not make eye-contact with Matt at all, even though he peppered her with a laundry list of questions. She was already shy, but around a hot guy, she almost turned into a mute. She could see how intimidating he could be. He was tall, built with almond-shaped eyes and a gray streak in his hair, giving him a more regal look than the play-boy he really was.

  “So, Penelope, I’ve been asking a lot of questions and you’ve said barely nothing, so I’m not sure how to help you.” Matt exhaled.

  Matt was sitting on her side of the bench and since it was a small bench, they were close, so he was looking down at her, while she was looking down at the menu like something else was going to appear.

  “Could ….” She said.

  “What?” He asked, “Can you speak up?”

  “Could you sit over there?” She asked louder.

  I almost choked on my water as laughter nearly spilled over, until I saw she was serious. Matt looked to me with an arched eyebrow and I shrugged my shoulders with my brows raised.

  “Sure, love.” He smiled down at her. “I can do that?”

  Once Matt moved me over with his bony hips, so I was squished against the wall, he focused on Penelope.

  “I’m here.” He reached over, lifted her chin with his bent index finger and said, “Tell me what’s going on, so I can help you.”

  Her eyes met his and I could have sworn, I saw his shoulders relax. I was definitely not a match maker, but I sure as felt like this was meant to be in some weird way. Tiffany explained what happened with her current apartment, how much she was paying and how much she could afford. Matt did not make faces, judge her or anything. He just listened and took some notes.

  “Okay, can you give me a second?” He looked to Penelope.

  She nodded her head and he said, “Xena, come here.”

  I took another bit of my turkey club, then got up and followed him so she was out of ear shot.

  “Is your place ready yet?” He asked me.

  “I doubt it. I’m sure that’s another thing Xavier has lied about.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Look, are you staying at Xavier’s or your place in Flatbush?”

  “I’d prefer to stay at mines, why?”

  “Well, if X has anything to do with it, you’ll be with him. So, how about you let Penelope stay at your place? She can pay you the rent she was paying, but until I find her a place which will be difficult on that budget. I can subsidize the difference.”

  “What?!” I exclaimed, then lowered my voice, “You don’t even know her.”

  “You want to lose a teacher?” He asked.

  “Of course not, I’m talking about you subsidizing the rent. You don’t know her.”

  “Doesn’t mean I shouldn’t. She needs help. This helps you.”

  “And you.”

  He gave me a knowing smile.

  “Listen, Matt. Don’t screw her over. I’m telling you now. You’ll answer to me. If she’ll even give you the time of day, you mess this up, I’m coming for your ass.”

  “Whoa, street-fighter.”

  “Don’t start that shit again.” I rolled my eyes, at Xavier’s first nickname for me.

  “Okay, deal.”

  “Deal, but no subsidized. She can just pay what she pays at the other place.”

  “Aww, you’re a great boss.”

  “Whatever, do not fuck this up.” I said and made my way to the table.

  Matt followed me, sat down and said, “Okay, it’s settled. We’ll mov
e you out tomorrow and you’re going to stay in Xena’s old apartment in Flatbush. Then we’ll probably spend the next few weeks looking at apartments or houses to see what’s in your range. Okay?”

  “What!?” She almost shouted.

  “We’re going to move you…”

  “No,” she interrupted him. “I heard you, but just wanted to make sure I heard right. I can’t afford to pay rent or for a house or anything like that.”

  “Don’t worry,” I chimed in, “Matt, got me the deal of a century.”

  “I promise.” Matt said, “I got you.”

  I turned my head to him, making sure he saw my warning eyes, but it was too late. Penelope smiled from ear to ear and said, “Oh, Matt.”

  Oh shit.

  He mimicked her smile and if that didn’t make her panties wet, I wasn’t sure what could.

  When we arrived back to school, they exchanged numbers and she went to class. Then Matt told me to gather what thing I had left from there, because he would have cleaners go there tonight around seven. I kindly informed him, that there was only one Andrew man that I took instructions from and that was when I felt like it. He laughed, but reiterated that I better have my shit out of there by seven.

  Chapter 5: Xena

  I should have known Matt was Xavier’s brother first, so he would cover for him. This was my thinking when I returned to work. I felt like our relationship had grown, since he helped me get the house and everything. However, he was still Xavier’s brother, but he seemed genuinely surprised by my statements. I didn’t know what to think, but I need to know. I had to know. My future was at stake. My legacy, my job, my creation. I thought about all the various things that could go wrong and I was not happy with the outcomes. Coming to the conclusion that I needed to be proactive instead of reactive, I called Milan because her husband knew everybody.

  “Hey Girl, what’s up?” I asked.

  “Nothing much, you at work?”

  “Yeah, just going over some things.”

  “How is that sexy man of yours doing?”

  “Not good, honestly. Well, we aren’t good. It’s a long story, which I will gladly fill you in on, but does your husband know of any private investigators?”