| Subject: Chapter 1 |
Author:
Mary
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Date Posted: Sunday, July 09, 09:50:18am
In reply to:
Mary
's message, "New Story - Just Knowing" on Sunday, July 09, 09:48:46am
Chapter 1
Michael sat in his office and tried to concentrate as he reviewed the last of the papers from a rather large stack of documents that were before him. It had already been a long and complicated morning and he was going to need a lot more coffee to get through the rest of the demanding day.
Robert sat across from his client and was silent. He had known Michael for years now, and he knew that his enigmatic client was not in a good mood these past days. Not that he could ever remember a time when he would have called Michael happy, mind you. No, when he had met the man – what was it? Nine? Or Ten years ago now? – he had been truly afraid of the look that burned in the man’s powerful eyes. He had been zealous about his privacy, demanding as no other client had ever been.
Robert, being a very successful and private Investment Broker had already built an elite clientele that demanded a unique level of discretion when Michael had approached him. While the source of his client’s funds could sometimes be in question, Robert never bothered with such trivialities. He merely performed his function to an optimal level and kept his clients quite satisfied and wealthy.
He remembered back to the first time that he met Michael. It was high season on the coast in Argentina. He had been contacted by Michael weeks before the actual meeting. And while Robert was used to the usual precautions taken by his clients, Michael’s guardedness and unease had surpassed any to date. He had refused to meet at his house, instead opting to meet downtown in a fairly crowded restaurant. Michael had never shown up that afternoon and Robert assumed that the man had changed his mind. It wouldn’t have been the first time it happened but he hated to have his time wasted.
Assuming his trip was over, Robert returned to his hotel and started to pack. Later that evening there was a call from the front desk that a package had been left for him. He retrieved the package and inside was only a note with an address and a time he was to be there.
He arrived at the address went into the office building to find a woman at the desk that directed him to the Penthouse. There he finally found Michael. The man was impeccably dressed and had a full history on Robert, more thorough than any he had ever seen before. It was terrifying what the man had known. But something about him had made Robert almost immediately loyal. There was a sense of integrity about Michael that Robert had not ever seen in any client he had ever known before.
Long into the night they had worked as Michael explained exactly how their relationship was to work, how funds were to be transferred, taxes would be handled, and how Michael anonymity was to be utmost at all points in time. If that aspect of the transaction was ever in question then the investment was to be walked away from immediately. Michael would tolerate no mistakes when it came to his privacy. He didn’t seem to care about the fortune that he was placing in Robert’s hands as much as he cared about making sure that no one could ever trace the money to him.
Robert didn’t actually ‘see’ Michael again in person for three years. But Robert knew that the man was always watching, always leery of what might happen. When Robert made no missteps then finally Michael allowed him access to his home. While Robert would never presume to be the man’s friend, he did feel like there was a bond between them almost an admiration and trust.
Michael’s voice broke him from his musings, “Things seem to be in order.”
“Yes. I did exactly what you asked.” Robert paused to consider his next statement and finally decided to be bold enough to ask. “Michael, I have to ask why. Why would you do this now?”
Michael rubbed a hand over his exhausted and burning eyes and tried to think of a rational answer. But there was no answer that he could give the man, not and be able to keep him safe. Everything had changed with a single message received days ago now. His whole world had tilted on its side and he was still reeling from it. Unable to grasp his normal logical half was adding to his discomfort, he actually yearned for the days in Section when he could turn his feelings off like one might a light switch on the wall.
But that was no longer the case, had not been needed for his existence for quite some time and he knew that was thanks to her. No, he couldn’t think about that now. There was too much to do, and very little time. His every step was critical now.
Michael said the only thing he could, “I can’t tell you.”
Robert sighed, “I understand. But what you are doing is extremely drastic. I have to know that you are really sure.”
Michael nodded in response and stood at the large window overlooking the grounds, trying to keep order to his racing thoughts, trying to keep his sanity in an insane situation. He didn’t have time for this introspection, or for questions.
“Thank you for your services Robert. But I won’t need them anymore.” Michael signed the final papers and handed them over to the other man.
Robert put the papers in his case and rose to take his exit, “If there is ever anything that I can do, you know how to reach me.”
“I know.” Michael quietly replied.
Robert moved to the door and turned, “Are you sure you will be alright?”
Michael sighed and the standard response fell from his lips before he even knew he was going to say it, “I’ll be fine.” With that Robert left.
Michael took a deep breath and with a shaking hand he tried to ignore, grabbed the coffee cup from his desk and went to find Adam. There was still a lot of work to be done on this day.
Her life depended on it, and it might already be far too late to save her.
Mary
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