Layers: Book One (4 page)

He drops me another file. I hesitate again but take it. What else can I do? I really what to touch him just to see him freak out—you do, too, don’t you?

“Before I begin my briefing, I want it clear, that everything said today is confidential and no formal charges will be made today. Do you understand, Ms. Keith?”

“No! Formal charges? What the hell?”

“He turns to Jaxson. “Did she not read the files?”

“Henry you just handed them to her.”

“Oh…Yes…Right. She must read them before I can continue.”

Jaxson nods. “Yes, I agree.”

Henry takes off his glasses. “I need coffee. I’m going to take a break.”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Jaxson spouts.

“Yes…yes it is.”
Fred—Henry agrees, and then stares off like he can’t even remember why he’s here or what planet he’s on.

“Malinda is waiting for you in my office. I’m sure she’d like to join you, for coffee,” Jaxson says and then gives him a warm genuine smile.

Henry rubs his chin. “Who’s Malinda?”

“Malinda’s your wife.”

He contemplates for a minute. “Yes, Malinda is my wife.” He answers with confusion.

I think he’s still stuck on the planet thing. I feel the need to help Henry–Fred—the poor stone–ager. So I telepathically send out images of earth. I would send out images of his wife, but I don’t know what she looks like. Sorry stone-ager.

After a few minutes—but it felt like hours—he says, “After coffee, maybe golf? I’d like to go golfing Jaxson. Would you like to join me?”

“No, not today Henry. Rain check?”

“Yes…yes rain check.” He stands up. “Goodbye then.” He tucks in his chair, then walks to the door and pulls it open, then freezes for minutes, seconds—whatever. He turns. “What was my wife’s name?”

Jaxson smiles. “Malinda.”

“Oh…yes Malinda.” He nods then exits.

“Oh my holiest fuck! What was that?”

Jaxson exhales. “That was me—saving your ass.”

“What?”

“Open the files and read.”


I scan both files while Jaxson watches. I finish and groan.

“What the fuck is this?”

“What does it look like?”

“What does it look like?”

“Did you not just read it?

“Yes, you just watched me read it.” Something is definitely lost in translation. Don’t you think? “I can read for Christ sakes. In several languages.” I add—just because I can and I’m mad.

“Okay let’s start over.” He says almost in a mocking tone—almost. “Tell me what the
words
say.” Okay that was full on mocking.

“The
words
say…” Yes, I’m mocking back. “That I’ve embezzled twenty–million dollars. Is this some kind of joke? Because I don’t think it’s funny.”

“No, I’m afraid not. It’s real.”

“It can’t be real.” I wave a file. “I didn’t do any of this.”

“Are any of those accounts yours?” He asks.

I pick up the second file and scan over it. “The NYC bank accounts and the Amex are mine but the balances have been altered. The other credit cards, loans, and Belize accounts—not mine.”

“I found the report very comprehensive and convincing.”

Well la-de-da!
“Just because a report
looks
credible and thorough, doesn’t make it true. And the truth is, that I did
not
skim from thirty company accounts over the last nine months.” I snort. “Why the fuck would I? I don’t need the money.”

“You have twenty million dollars just lying around.”

“No, I don’t have twenty million lying around.
What do you think I am, a meth dealer?
“I didn’t do this.” I wave the files. I like waving files and I’m damn good at it. Don’t you think?

“

I don’t think you did.”

“Then why…wait a minute, the partners meetings, the camping in your office. I’m guessing the partners disagree and they’re considering filing charges.”

“Yes, they’re considering it.”

“You have no idea how insane this is. It’s shit-ass crazy.”

“I agree that it’s crazy. The question is what are we going to do about it?”

“The question is why I’m I not facing charges.”

He lifts a brow.

“You put up the money—didn’t you?”

“Yes, the partners don’t know that it came from me. I made it look like it came through your attorneys.”

“My attorneys? My fictional attorneys of Dewey-Cheatam-and Howe?”

“It was the only way. There is no way I’d let you be charged for embezzlement.”

“I appreciate all that you’ve done Jaxson but do you think adding more bad apples into the barrel of rotten apples is the way to go? I’ve been falsely accused of embezzlement, then you front money through my fictional attorneys. If anyone finds out it wouldn’t look good.”

“No one is going to find out, Lex. Ryan attorneys wanted to have you met at the airport. They had most of the partners believing that you wouldn’t return from France.”

“So your twenty million bought me some time?”

“For now.”

“So what’s the deal with Fred Flintstone?”

”Oh my God, you see it too. I’ve known Henry for years but every time I look at him I expect: Wilma, Barney and Betty to show up.”

“You forgot Pebbles and Bam-Bam.”

We laugh, even though the Pebble and Bam-Bam part isn’t that funny—now Dino and whatever that cat’s name is; the one that keeps on throwing Fred out the window of his stone–age house—now that’s funny.
Or not.

Jaxson inclines his sex–on-fire body further back in his chair. I fucking love that song—‘Sex On Fire’—I’m singing it in my head. I’d sing it to you but I can’t sing for shit.

Then OMG, he runs his
hands
through his hair. Yes, I said
hands—
a two–hander
comb through. Oh. Dear. Lord. Now he has that just–been–fucked hair. Can guys have it? Well, he does and it’s fine. I shift in my chair. Can a girl get a hard-on? I cross my legs, uncross them, cross them, uncross and finally cross them.

He smirks. Cheeky bastard!

Now, where were we before I got all hot and bothered, wet and…I clear my throat, because I can. “Henry—you were explaining?”

“Oh Yes, Fred—Henry. As I mentioned before, Ryan attorneys have advised the partners to turn you over to the DA. They’re out for blood Alexia.”

“Why? What did I ever do to them?”

“Personal agenda. With the exception of Henry, all of them have egos the size of a house—a big house. They thrive on attention and the media. One of them is vying for the DA’s job, and she sees you as a stepping–stone to further her goal.

I’ve been trying to convince the partners that it’s in their best interest to settle things privately. Private settlement: no scandal, damage control, more money in your pockets.”

“But not all of them agree?”

“No, the majority still wants to turn it over to the DA. He heaves a big sigh. “Alexia, as the CEO, I’m walking a fine line. I care about this company. Fuck I more than care, it’s been my whole fucking life for ten fucking years. I might have inherited my position but I’ve worked my ass off, first keeping it afloat, and then turning it into a Fortune Five hundred Company.

Ten years ago when I took over as CEO, I had two choices. One: I could dissolve a company that my grandfather started or two: I could take on partners. I chose to take on partners. I don’t regret my decision, but my plan all along was to buy back shares once things turned around. I’ve been able to buy back some, but the company is turning out hefty profits right now and no one wants to fucking sell.”

“Okay. I get it Ryan.” I’ve never heard him say
fuck
so many fucking times.
Ever.
It’s fucking weird.

“Sorry for the speech. What I’m trying to say is that I don’t have enough shares to override the partners. So if it comes down to a final vote…”

“I get that you have CEO responsibilities. You don’t have to worry Jax. I won’t be facing the charges.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“You were explaining about Fred.”

“Yes, Fred. A few months ago Henry had some kind of breakdown that led to a stroke. His wife, Malinda, asked me if I would keep this information private and keep him on the payroll until he retires in a few months. I agreed.”


“So none of the partners know about his condition?”

“No. I’m the only one outside of his family that knows. We’ve managed this because Henry worked mostly from his home before his stroke. Henry has a reputation as a hard ass. The partners thought that if you met with Henry and me, you just might confess and the whole thing could be settled.

“They really though that I’m that naive.”

“I don’t know. I think they thought you would be that scared.”

“So you called his wife, Malinda and…?”

“I told her about the embezzlement mess and she agreed to help.”

“So the partners think that…?”

“They think Mr. Flintstone is tearing you a new asshole.”

“I only need one asshole, so thanks.”

“So, what’s next?” I ask.

“We need to figure out who set you up and why.”

“The report states that the whistle-blower is unknown. Do you have any clues as to whom it might be?”

“Not even one.” He shrugs.

“That really sucks, because that’s where I would have started.”

“So you think it was someone at Ryan?”

I almost roll my eyes. “Yes, definitely.”
Why would you even think that it could be an outside job? Duh.
I recline back further in my chair and rub my now aching temples. I’ve been sitting for hours and my ass is sleeping—I want to join it. I could use a nap. Hell, I need a vacation to get over my vacation—then a vacation to get over the post vacation.

“Okay, so we don’t know the messenger, but we can still narrow down the suspects. There are four departments that have access to those thirty accounts: accounting, risk management, legal, and tech support. And only a handful of people with the brains to pull it off.”

“You being one of them.” He smirks.

“Yes.” I roll my eyes. “Like you even have to ask?”

Jaxson gives me
The Brow.

The Brow––is the lifting of the left brow while lowering the right, forcing the space in between to roll and pucker
. I hate
—The Fucking Brow.

I roll my eyes,
again.

“What?” He asks.

“You were doing so well.”

“Well?”


“The Brow.
” I retort and shake my head with disgust and disappointment.

He frowns and rubs over the fading pucker before he continues. “So, who at Ryan hates you?” he mocks.

“Very funny Jaxson. And FYI, not everyone at Ryan hates me.”

“I know. Pete told me about his near lynching.”


“My team’s the best, Jaxson. They’re confused and angry. It’s not every day you see your manager escorted away by security.”

“All a part of the show.”

“I get it.”

He exhales then grabs my water and takes a big swig. “I have a meeting with Dale tomorrow.” He huffs. “I’ll do my best to reassure him and your team that I’m doing everything I can to get you back to work.”


“Thank you, Jaxson.

He winks. Oh my hell that’s hot. “You’re welcome.”

“Okay, onto my enemies.” I rub my hands together as if I’m relishing they idea of having loads of enemies. “There’s Frank––he hates me and has access but he’s an idiot.”


“I agree, not Frank. I think Frankie has a crush on you but because you can’t stand him—he hates you.”

I roll my eyes. “That makes like zero sense. Moving on—there’s Rob and Steven in payroll; no access. Jim Sharp in tech support. He could have—no he’s too busy jacking off.”

Jaxson gives me the,
what the
look, I’m so grateful and relieved that he didn’t give me
The Brow
, I almost cry.

“Why are they your enemies?”

“Because they’re assholes who like to wave their dicks around.
Literally.”