Pay Up and Die Page 3

  “Michael, my gosh. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I guess so. I have a mean headache and, well, my nose is broken pretty bad. The doctor at the hospital said I was lucky to have been out cold because he had to adjust my nose back from the side of my face practically. He said I would have screamed and fought him if I were conscious. I just can’t believe that somebody got killed. In this town. And I was right there. It still makes me sick and scares the crap out of me to think about it.”

  “Why didn’t you call me from the hospital? And how did you get home just now?”

  “Well, I had no identification on me and I didn’t have my phone. So the police waited for the hospital to release me before bringing me home. They urged me to call you but I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Let me get you an ice pack and you can call out from work today.” Stephanie got up and scrambled around the kitchen as she spoke. “I can get the kids off to school and then take care of you.”

  “Steph, stop. I’m okay. Besides I have to go in today for that big training session on loan recoveries. Derrick said it was mandatory and I don’t want him to have any reasons to decline our loan request, you know, besides the fact that I don’t make enough money and we are already leveraged to the hilt, and that we have bad credit scores, and everything else. Steph, I have to go to work today. I’ll be okay.”

  Before she could protest two little people were standing behind Michael. The kids were both rubbing sleep out of their eyes and squinting from the bright sunshine filling the kitchen. “What’s all the noise about?” asked Andrew. His brown hair disheveled and sticking up in the back.

  “Daddy, what’s wrong with your face?” exclaimed Allison. Her pajamas were all bunched up over one leg and she had a long blond hair wisped over her face. She ran up to Michael and jumped onto his lap.

  “Daddy’s okay.” He flinched to catch the little girl. “I just, fell, um, last night when I went for a run. Um, that’s why I always tell you to make sure you tie your shoelaces before you run off.” He glanced at Stephanie and she pursed her lips at him for telling the lie even though she agreed it was better that the kids didn’t know what really happened.

  Michael stood up and kissed Allison on the cheek before putting her down. He turned and headed for the stairs.

  “I’m going to shower and head to work. I’m already running late and Murph needs a ride again so, you know, I gotta get going.” He walked up the steps and the kids and Stephanie just stood and stared at the staircase.

  Stephanie sighed and the kids turned around to look at her in unison. “So, what do you kiddies want to take to school for lunch today?”

  Chapter 6

  Derrick Graves opened his office door and observed the cubicles surrounding the area. He overheard one employee talking on the phone and heard another one typing away at their keyboard. He was satisfied that his people came in early and got right to work. It meant he was a true leader, inspiring hard work and dedication. But nobody started as early as Derrick did every day.

  He glanced across the floor and noticed two employees talking in the coffee alcove. So he made his way over to greet them.

  “Good morning, Jessica. Bob. How are you both doing this morning?” Derrick helped himself to a black coffee as he spoke.

  “Awesome, Mr. Graves. And you?” asked Jessica. She wore a smart business dress suit. Navy with a bright white blouse. Derrick always found Jessica very attractive even though she was a little plump in certain places.

  “I’m wonderful today. Thanks for asking. How are those slides coming along for the board meeting, Bob?” He blew on the hot coffee to cool it off a bit. Then before he took a careful sip, he asked, “Do you need me to look them over and help you with the verbiage?”

  “I got it all covered, Mr. Graves. Locked, cocked and ready to rock,” boasted Bob. Bob was a typical office kiss-up. His body was bursting at the seams of his gray pinstripe suit from all the hours in the gym. Bob tended to overdo it on the cologne so that you smelled him coming before you ever saw him. Still, Derrick liked his performance on the job.

  “Excellent. If you two keep this up then my day can only go down from here. See you later.” Derrick backed up as he waved goodbye to both of them. He pivoted on his heels and headed back to his office.

  Inside, he closed his office door and looked himself over in the mirror hung behind the door. He leaned closer to check out his hairline. He felt that it was receding just a tad but it was only perceptible to him. He turned his head from side to side to see how well that hair gel was covering up the silvery streaks along his temples. Not bad. But he still didn’t like it. He was only forty-two but the premature aging went along with his high-strung corporate job at the bank. Twenty years of service and schmoozing all the right board members. He was counting on that promotion to CEO which the Board was set to vote on soon. Hadn’t he done all they asked in order to secure the coveted spot? Years of volunteering for more responsibility with no extra money. Performing as a team player and mentoring some really subpar employees along the way. Weekends. Holidays. Client dinners with officious characters in order to secure their business. Now he would reap the rewards of his intense efforts.

  He looked down the mirror at his suit, turning first to the left and then to the right to ensure the creases looked crisp and that his shirt tails were tucked evenly in the back. Flawless. He had to be in order to get to where he was, and ultimately, where he desired to go.

  The phone rang and stirred him out of his primp session. He huffed and put his coffee down on the end of the huge polished desk. Derrick reached over the green banker’s lamp to answer the phone. “Graves,” he said with power and confidence.

  “Hello, dear. How is everything this morning?” Derrick’s wife Rachel breathily cooed into his ear. “Is my Big CEO having a good day so far?”

  “Hey, sweetheart. Everything is tip top so far today. How are the kids doing?” He walked the phone cord around the black leather chair and plopped in behind his laptop.

  “Oh, yes, I am doing well. Thanks so much for asking. The girls got off to school on time.” Rachel sassed him playfully.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. You know I care about how you are doing too. I just assumed you were already doing fine by the sexy tone of your voice. Forgive a poor, old overworked soul for the oversight, will you?” Derrick played back. “Did Madison take that form that I signed and left for her on the hutch in the foyer?” Madison was their oldest daughter, by three minutes and twelve seconds over her twin sister Chloe. Both girls were his precious little apples with their pin-straight brown hair. Even though Chloe was “younger” she was already missing one of her front teeth, whereas the other seven year old, Madison, still had all her baby teeth.

  “Well I might have to spank you later for it, but I’ll forgive you for now. Madison grabbed the form on her way out. What time will you be home for dinner tonight? Or is it going to be another long day?” Rachel pouted into the receiver.

  Derrick closed his eyes to envision his beautiful wife with her glowing complexion and long, silky brown hair resting on her shoulders. She was a little petite but he preferred that because he was a bit shorter than most guys. He bit his upper lip thinking about her pointy little chin and full lips. And those cheekbones. She was drop dead gorgeous.

  “I don’t think I will be too late tonight, honey. I might have to wrap up some prep work for the big board meeting coming up but probably not too late tonight. I love you. I’ll see you and the girls later.”

  He gently hung up the phone after he heard Rachel smack her lips in that loud, kissing sound she used to say goodbye. He loved that quirk. It was so Rachel.

  Derrick looked from the phone to his laptop. Back to work, he told himself. He had to focus on collecting those outstanding defaulted loans. The bank mandated bad debts as a number one priority towards shoring up their bottom line. And he had already gotten rid of nearly one million dollar’s worth of bad paper. The Board was very apprecia
tive of his efforts thus far and intimated that his progress could provide a boost in their final decision for CEO. Derrick reviewed his ledger and started to work on more aggressive measures to impress the Board. He wanted this promotion bad. He deserved it. He knew this promotion would catapult his income to a whole new level. He would really be able to take care of Rachel and the girls. Trips to the spa, vacations on the islands, a private jet. Now he would prove why he was the right man for the job.

  Chapter 7

  Michael pulled up in front of a smallish brick cape with black shutters. As he put the car in park the engine whined and the RPM needle spun wildly. Damn transmission, he lamented. The car was an older compact car without the modern bells and whistles that come in new cars these days. But they just didn’t have enough money to take on a new monthly payment. And their rainy day funds were depleted between Allison’s treatments and the stove needing to be replaced and the roof that had to be repaired and Andrew’s braces. He sighed. The dollars just leaked out of his wallet and into all his creditor’s pockets. Michael glanced towards the house to see if Murph was coming yet when he caught a glimpse of himself in the rear view mirror. He looked horrible. His face actually looked worse than it felt and it felt pretty damn bad. His eyes and nose were reminiscent of those cheesy boxing movies from the late 70’s and early 80’s.

  Murph was trotting down the lawn from his front door. He was a manly, man. His handshakes were like getting caught in a bear trap. He was still slim and lean with plenty of muscle even though he was a bit older than Michael. Murph was his nickname. His full name was John Murphy. He was an Army Ranger back in the 80’s. He saw lots of action working covert operations for Reagan and Bush 41 in places that weren’t talked about on the news or in the papers. He was a great guy with a funny edge to his personality. Michael really liked him once they met at a church fundraiser. Several months ago Murph’s company moved into Michael’s office complex so now they got the chance to commute together once in a while.

  Murph opened the door and dropped into the passenger seat. “Thanks for picking me up again today.” He pulled the door shut. “The car should be fixed by the end of the week. Whoa,” he shouted when he saw Michael’s face. “What the shit? I hope the other guy looks worse than you do.” Murph liked to razz.

  Michael looked down at his own lap while he smiled. “Get it all out now so I can decide if I want to drive you in or not.”

  “Okay. No need to get your panties in a knot, sweetheart. But it would be interesting to hear this story. I need more fodder for poker night ball-busting.” Murph leaned against the passenger window, propping up his bald head on his fist. His blue eyes were surrounded by wrinkles and laugh lines which made him appear slightly older than he really was. His square jaw set as he listened with undivided attention.

  “You’ll never believe it even when I tell you,” Michael said as he pulled away from the curb. “I witnessed a murder last night and this was my going away prize.

  “Do tell, do tell. And do not leave out any details because this is going to require some popcorn.”

  “I’m not kidding around, Murph. This is no joke. That’s what really happened.”

  “You are something else, Wright. You expect me to believe a horse shit tale like that and then you get all sour on me?”

  Michael turned right and waited for the light at the intersection on Madison. “I went out late for a run last night and some guy crashes into the park, like crashes his car, into the park shrubs. And then some Terminator ape comes and starts to beat the piss out of him. I tried to break it up and next thing I knew I woke up in the emergency room.”

  Murph laughed out loud. “Hold on. What you’re saying is meek Mikey went third-man-in on a brawl? Nice. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  Michael smiled and turned at the light. “Nobody did. Not even me. It was some kind of adrenaline dump or something. I just reacted to what I saw without thinking about it.”

  “Impressive. So you said someone got murdered? Was it the old Michael who watches chick flicks with his old lady and takes long walks on the beach?” Murph turned up the sarcasm and ribbing to level ten. He pulled an apple out of his lunch bag and took an obnoxiously loud bite of it.

  “Ha-ha. Very funny, Murph. I watch those movies so my wife will sleep with me again someday, unlike you.” He glanced in Murph’s direction and then returned his gaze to the road. “The big guy killed the little guy who crashed into the park. Nobody knows why he did it or who he was. I didn’t have time to find out myself when the big guy knocked me out.”

  “You didn’t see his face or anything?”

  “No, it happened so fast. I literally jumped on him and he head-butted me and that was all she wrote.”

  Murph tossed the half-eaten apple core out the window. He wiped his sticky hand on his chinos and looked at Michael. “So why are you going to work today? Shouldn’t you call in sick and go see a shrink or something? This is pretty earth shattering stuff for a white collar dude like yourself.”

  “Now you sound like Steph.”

  “Brains and beauty. You chose well, Mikey.”

  “I have to go in today. We have a big meeting about the corporate initiatives and all that junk. It’s mandatory and I need my boss’ help on a loan for Allison’s treatment. So, you know, playing through the pain.” Michael pulled into the office parking lot and looked for an empty space.

  Murph patted his shoulder as he parked the car. “You’re a good father, Mikey. Allison is lucky to have you.”

  “If she were so lucky, her father would have the money to get her better. And he probably wouldn’t have gotten her sick to begin with.”

  They got out and started to walk towards the building. Murph couldn’t help himself. “Hey don’t beat yourself up so bad. Leave that to the Terminator,” he said in full Austrian accent. They both laughed.

  Chapter 8

  Michael arrived at the meeting a minute before it was set to start. The conference room was mostly filled already but he located a spot towards the front of the room. He figured it wouldn’t hurt his chances for the loan approval to sit in the front so Derrick would see him. As he approached the chair Derrick nodded at him. Michael noticed that the look in Derrick’s eyes was somehow different, maybe distant. He wasn’t sure what to make of it but tried not to read too much into his perceptions. Maybe Derrick was a bit taken aback by Michael’s facial injuries. Michael was glad he didn’t ask what happened. The only thing he had accomplished all morning was explaining to everyone who saw him about last night’s event. Although it would have been far simpler and quicker if he could have done it all at once rather than individually.

  “Get ready for the show,” Bob whispered to Michael as he sat down. Bob was always trying too hard to be the rah-rah guy and this little display of over-exuberance was just par for the course. Michael smiled back at Bob, “Uh-huh.” Bob started nodding his head like he was head-banging at a heavy metal concert. Michael fought the urge to roll his eyes.

  “Okay, let’s get started. We have a full agenda today so we’ll jump right in. I appreciate everyone arriving in a timely fashion.” Derrick paused briefly for effect and then continued at the lectern. “Now, as many of you are already aware, the Board has requested that we tighten our belts, not only decreasing expenditures but also recovering potentially defaulted loans due the bank.” He paced to the projection screen and clicked to a new slide which graphically summarized the losses. “We have done a good job recovering almost one million dollars in outstanding loans but we have a long way to go. Unfortunately, previous senior management authorized ill-advised loan approvals for thousands of individuals and businesses that were not solvent enough to earn an approval in today’s market. So, we will clean up the mess and show corporate that this team is the juggernaut that can be counted on to deliver results. Any questions so far?” Derrick surveyed the faces in the room. All his people looked attentive and focused which fired him up. He loved these folks because
they followed his lead and were dedicated employees. On most levels, he really liked them as individuals as well. He genuinely enjoyed working with his team.

  “No? Good. Let’s continue.” Derrick moved to another slide which highlighted the largest outstanding loans that were closest to defaulting and next to each dollar amount was the client name and an indication as to whether the entity was a business or an individual. Most names on the list were individuals.

  Michael jotted notes down as Derrick spoke. He found himself preoccupied with the events from last night. He couldn’t forget it even if he tried as his face throbbed like a thumb that was slammed in a door. He had already popped several pills to take the edge off but they barely made a dent in his suffering. He wished he had gotten a prescription for real painkillers when he was in the emergency room. But he was so foggy at the time and overwhelmed that it never occurred to him. He looked around the table at his co-workers. Marcia Humphrey was wearing a bright red blouse and it seemed to do something to Michael. It drew his gaze like it meant something to him. He shook it off and turned his attention back to Derrick’s presentation. A moment later he looked back at Marcia’s blouse. He almost felt drawn to it. Then he realized he was staring at her and Marcia leaned forward, exposing some cleavage. His eyes met hers and she appeared to be taunting him in a flirtatious way. She must have thought he was staring at her tits. Embarrassed, he smiled at her and quickly looked back at the slide show.

  “The recovery letters and phone calls have worked to a point but it is going to take some deep digging to recover the next batch of loans. We will need to increase our tactics to include veiled threats and implied consequences of a more extreme nature in order to hit our goals.” Derrick looked down at his notes and then observed the faces in the room. He noticed that two people in the back right of the room were whispering to each other. “Is there a question, Wilson?”