Full Figured 10 (23 page)

“Are you sure you're ready to hear this?” I asked Will. The tech had come and gone, but not before giving me the information that I needed to pass on to Will, which was, to my surprise, clean.

“Yes, I'm ready.”

We sat at my new office desk, and I opened the computer file with first couple of years of company earnings and reports. They looked normal, and nothing raised a brow. However, by 2011, things looked a bit different. I assumed this because Will was no longer nodding and saying okay to the things I read to him.

“Wait. Stop there. Go back. Explain this right here again to me please,” he said.

I scrolled up. “Where?”

“Right there.” He pointed. Nothing seemed strange to me, so I waited for him to say something, but he simply took over the mouse.

“Son of a bitch,” he said.

“What is it, Will?”

I had combed through the files, and everything had looked in order to me. I didn't have any suspicions at all. The numbers had seemed to be right, so my theory of Lance stealing was just that, a theory.

“Do you see these four names here?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“They left the company a couple of years ago.”

“Left? You mean they are still getting a check, when they no longer work for you?”

“Exactly.”

We took a closer look.

“Well, it shows they all made at least forty-eight thousand dollars last year and close to that the year before. That times four is close to two hundred grand last year alone, Will.”

“Let me see the year before again, and explain it to me one more time, baby, so I can be clear,” he said.

When we reviewed it again, Will identified those four names again, plus the names of three others who had stopped working for the company a year ago. My heart stopped. That meant my suspicions had been right. Lance was stealing.

“So he's paying men who no longer work here? This makes no sense,” I said.

“Unless he's cashing their checks.”

“Hold on,” I said, opening up a new tab. I typed in the payroll-processing program and signed in. I went to the profiles of each of the employees we were examining and saw that a direct deposit had been set up for four of them, but the account was the same for all four, and the other three from the year prior all shared a different account. “So this is how he does it. I bet you any amount of money that these account numbers belong to Lance,” I said.

“How can we find out?”

“I don't know, but this is enough to confront him.”

“No, baby, it isn't. This could be something that HR did, so we have to have proof that Lance is taking this money and not someone else. He is stealing thousands from my company, and I don't know how I missed this for so long,” he said.

I knew Will loved Lance like a brother, and I truly didn't want him to be the culprit.

“Listen, baby, don't blame yourself, okay? We just have to get to the bottom of this and quickly, without alerting him.”

“This sorry son of a bitch. Does he know how much trouble he may have caused for these men? I'm sure they don't know that their names are still in the system. The IRS could be after them right now.”

“Damn. You're right,” I said. “Let's just call the police, Will. I'm sure they can figure out the details,” I suggested.

Will's eyes watered, and he rubbed his head.

“Baby, it's going to be okay. He won't get away with this.”

“I know, Lynn, but I just feel so stupid. I mean, I trusted Lance, and he'd do this me? To my company? This motherfucker is laughing it up at my expense, and I'm so fucking mad right now, I want to go and beat the shit out of him.”

“Baby, calm down. That is not the answer. We just have to go to the police. Tell them what we found and let them handle it. We are having our first baby, Will, and we can't handle things on our own. Let the legal system handle Lance. If you go off on a crazy rampage, that won't help. You are going to have to relax and let the police handle this.”

“I'd rather whip his ass, and then we go to the police.”

“And I'll be visiting you in a cell right next to his. We've figured it out, so let's just do it the right way. For our baby's sake.”

He nodded. “Okay. In the morning I will handle it. Right now I need a drink to digest this all. Because I'm so mad and angry, I could beat him senseless. If he walked through that door, I can't promise you that I'd keep my cool.”

By then he was pacing the floor. I got up and stood in front of him.

“Will, it's going to be okay. I know it hurts, and I know you feel used and cheated, but it will be okay.” I pulled him close and gave him a couple of soft, wet kisses to soothe him. “I'll take you home and take care of you, baby. We will tackle this Lance issue tomorrow, okay? I love you, and I can't lose you over some man rage, so calm down for me and the baby. We will get him, love. I promise. Evildoers don't reign forever.”

“I know, but it's like they win and we suffer.”

In my heart I knew my husband's words were true, but I didn't want to agree with that. I just caressed his face and then hugged his neck tighter. There was a possibility we'd get some of the money back, if Lance still had some left in those accounts, and whatever his property was worth, we'd sue for that too. The last thing that popped into my head before we left the office was Yvonne. I was sure she had played a part, and I was going to find out what it was.

The next morning I got up and headed into the bathroom to shower. Lynn wanted to go to the police department with me, but I had convinced her to stay at home. She had given me a hard time, but I had told her I wanted to handle it on my own. When I got in my car, I had so many thoughts going through my mind, and all I wanted to do was beat the shit out of Lance, so instead of going to the police, I headed to his house.

I sat in his driveway and wondered whether it was a good idea to confront him before going to the authorities and without proof that he was the perpetrator, but I just had to see him face-to-face. To see his expression when I told him about my suspicions. I wanted to see if he got nervous. Would he admit what he had done or what? I just wanted to know, so I got out of the car and went up to the door. I rubbed my palms together, took a deep breath, and then rang the bell.

Moments later Yvonne was standing before me.

“Will, did we have a meeting scheduled that I forgot about?”

“No. I'm here to see Lance.”

“Well, he's not here. He's out on his morning run.”

“Is it all right if I wait?”

“Sure. Come on in. He should be back soon.”

“Thanks.” I entered the house and followed her into the family room.

“Have a seat. Can I get you anything?”

“Nah. I'm good.”

“You sure? I made some mimosas this morning, and my mimosas are kick ass.”

“No. I'm good for now.”

She headed into the kitchen and came back with a glass. She sat, and we talked small talk about me being a father and plenty about Lance's party. The party I no longer wanted to fund. He had stolen thousands, so I didn't owe him shit.

I was just about to take Yvonne up on her mimosa offer when Lance walked in.

“Will, man, what's up? I thought that was your car outside. To what do I owe this honor before ten a.m.?”

“I just need to discuss a little business.”

“On a Saturday?”

“Yes. Is now not a good time?”

“It is, but please spare me ten minutes to shower.”

“Go ahead,” I told him. I could smell the workout on him.

“All right. I'll be back down in a few minutes.”

“Take your time.”

I had all the time he needed, because I wanted to get to the bottom of this.

“Yvonne,” he called out.

“Yes?” she said when she reentered the room from the kitchen.

“Come up and grab me something to change into.”

“What's wrong with yo' hands?” she asked with attitude.

“Yvonne, damn. Why can't you do one thing that I ask you?” he griped.

“Fine, Negro. This is why I can't be a housewife. Too many responsibilities.”

“You don't say that when your ass wanna shop,” Lance retorted. I heard him arguing as they both proceeded up the stairs.

I tried to relax and keep my cool, but I was all over the place. My mind was racing. Thoughts were spinning in my head, and I then wished I had taken Yvonne up on that drink offer. After a couple of drinks, I would have been more relaxed.

I got up, went over to the liquor counter, and poured myself a shot of tequila. After hitting two more shots, I shook off my nerves and told myself that I was ready to hear the truth.

* * *

 

“He knows,” I whispered in the bathroom.

“No. He has no idea.”

“I know he knows,” I continued. I was scared to death that Will had come to say that he knew that Lance and I had been trying to kill him.

“Yvonne, calm down, baby. Calm down. If he thought for one second that we were trying to kill him, he wouldn't be calm and sitting on the sofa. He would have flipped this house upside down by now.”

“Then why is he here? Will has never just shown up without calling or on a Saturday morning.”

He removed his clothes, calm and cool, and I was about to pass out.

“Baby, stop, okay? I know Will. He's not this calm over shit, so if it was something bad, the mood would be hostile. So relax. He's probably here to tell me he make a mistake bringing Lynn on board. Couples can't work together. He's probably here to try to get me to help him get rid of her, without her suspecting he wanted her gone.”

“You think that's all it is?”

He turned on the water in the shower. “Trust me, I know my friend. I've known him for a long time. If he had something ill on his mind, he would not be that pleasant right now.”

“So I shouldn't worry?”

He tested the water and then stepped into the shower. “No. As a matter of fact, go down and make us a couple of drinks, and you know what to do.”

“No, Lance, not now, not in our house. If I give him a dose and he has any pains, aches, or anything, he will know.”

“No he won't. Baby, we are so close to having it all, and I'm tired of waiting, so please just do what I tell you and trust me.”

I stood there and just stared at him. I had a mind to go down and tell Will what Lance was making me do. I was so scared, and Lance was so at ease, and that scared me too. I then wondered whether he would eventually do me the same way. I mean, after we got married and I became entitled to half of his assets, he might take me out.

“Lance, baby, I don't know about this.”

He looked at me. “I knew you'd bitch up. I knew you wasn't down for me.”

“I am, Lance, but I'm just terrified. Giving him the poison in our house puts us at risk, so I say no, Lance. It's not wise.”

“Fine. Just go downstairs, you crazy bitch. I knew I should have done this alone.”

My eyes bulged. “Lance, how can you talk to me that way? I've always done everything you've told me, but you're not using your head, Lance.”

“You think you're smarter than me?” he said in anger. “You acting all scared and shit, but you're not scared when you're spending my money. Yeah, yeah. When your ass wanna go on shopping sprees and shit, you are okay with everything I say,” he roared, and I hoped Will couldn't hear us. Our house was huge, and I was sure he couldn't hear our conversation, but I was so scared he would, I just gave in and told Lance I'd go down and do what he said.

“Thought so. Tell Will I'll be down in ten.”

I took the glass that Lance was handing me, even though I had already had a couple of shots of tequila. I'd never been a soft man, or a raging bull, either, but I'd been raised to handle my business and to take care of those who crossed me, even if I had to handle them with my fists.

He took a sip of his drink and then asked, “So what business is so important that you had to come by on a Saturday?”

I took a drink, let out a breath, and didn't hint at the issue or beat around the bush. I got right to it. “Have you been stealing from me?” My face was serious. There was not a hint of sarcasm or comedy in my voice, so when he laughed, I took offense.

“Stealing? What, me?” He chuckled. “Really? You come to my house and ask me that?”

“Yes, and I want the truth.”

“No. That is crazy. Why would I steal from the company? I make good money. I have no reason to steal. Where would you get an idea like that?” He paused. “So now that your wife is filling my shoes, I'm a thief?”

“Don't, Lance. Don't. This has absolutely nothing to do with Lynn. This is about you and me and the thousands of dollars that are going out to employees who no longer work at our fucking company.”

“Well, it's an oversight by HR. I didn't know we had employees on the payroll who were no longer working for us.” His expression was sincere, yet I didn't believe him.

“So you do the books and you didn't notice that we had checks going out to men who left the company over a year ago?”

“Will, I work in the office, not at the site. How would I or how could I keep track of who's swinging a hammer? I don't know the crew like you do. I couldn't name or even call out the men who you have on-site. It's up to HR to delete them and update the system when they are no longer employed by the company. You know I'm not that stupid.”

“I know you're not stupid, Lance. You are smart, and when you have complete access to our money and determine how it is spent, I find it hard to believe that this is an HR oversight.”

He stood over me. “I'm not stealing.”

I gulp down the rest of my drink and stood to meet his level. “You're not stealing?” I asked again.

“No!” he said in my face.

“Well, if I'm wrong, I apologize. I will get with HR on the matter.”

“Yeah, you do that,” he said, with his jaw clenched.

I headed for the door and then turned to face him. “I hope, for your sake, that you're telling me the truth. This is not over, and if I find out otherwise, I will handle you.”

“Get out of my house.”

“Gladly.”

I left and went to my car. I climbed in and drove out of his circular driveway, but before I could make it to the police station, I had to pull into a gas station. My stomach pains had come back strong, and I was starting to think I had an ulcer and the stress was trying to kill me.

I went into the bathroom and tried to vomit, to no avail, and then I had to do personal business in a public restroom. Sweat poured from my face, and the pain was so sharp and violent, I had to call Lynn. This time the doctor could run any test at all, because the pain was unbearable.

“Baby, are you okay? Where are you? What happened?” Lynn said.

“I need you to come and get me,” I cried through my grunting. I was in so much pain, I could barely speak. After telling her my location, I hung up and moaned like a woman in labor. It was so painful, I could hardly position myself to wipe my own ass. Whatever was going on with me, I wanted it cured.

I managed to make it back to my car, but I slumped over. Finally, I saw my wife pull up, and she had to help me into her SUV.

By the time we made it to the hospital, the pain was so excruciating, I couldn't walk. They had to wheel me in on a gurney. The doctors asked questions that neither I nor Lynn could answer, because I was in too much pain to talk, and all she knew was that I had called her for help.

After they tried to do a simple exam and were unsuccessful, they gave me something to put me to sleep and out of my misery.