Chapter 9

[Authors Note: A reader wrote to admonish me for writing a scene in Chapter 8 that had many inaccuracies within it. These are his comments so you know that the California and LAPD an LAFD are not slugs. I apologize to those from California and LA but remember this story is fictional. The reader wrote in his first note:

"I'm disappointed on the story track with the police dispatch and emergency response. This is absolutely NOT an accurate representation of the Hollywood Division of the LAPD, nor the the LAFD, which is responsible for paramedic service and in Hollywood. Nor is it an accurate example of L.A. County Sheriff's and Fire Dept.
responsible for West Hollywood, or Beverly Hills PD and Fire. Since I was on a Fire/Paramedic rig in that area for 35 years and two days, I just had to call you out. You've gutted a good part of a good story for me."

The second note:

" ... but your characterization of the DMV office..."

And the third:

"And the third thing, all 911 calls in the Los Angeles Basin from mobile phones go the the California Highway Patrol. They have about 20 dispatchers on duty at any one time. From there, the call is transferred to the proper agency.

Hardline 911 calls are automatically routed by the phone company's computer to the agency covering the call originating area. In the case of the LAPD (Hollywood), there are between 20 and 30 dispatchers on duty at any one time. Any and all calls for medical aid are immediately transferred to the LAFD dispatch center where there are
between 15 and 25 dispatchers on duty at any onetime, where the PD dispatcher will stay on the line for more information once the medical response is dispatched. This is how it is, and has been for over thirty years in Los Angeles."

At least I had an accurate description of the DMV, but that was easy, they are the same everywhere.]

The alarm on my cell phone brought me to consciousness. We had a great time last night and I was paying for it. I made it to the toilet, and then came back to the bed to wake the girls. Neither wanted any part of waking up. It took several attempts, but they both finally got up and dressed to work out.

They didn't want to stretch, and then didn't want to walk fast or jog. I had to keep cajoling them to keep their motion up and to get into the mood. I became the dictator, the tormentor, the demon, and finally the badass Drill Sergeant. We made it through the workout, didn't stop for breakfast, and went straight to the shower.

They both became cuddly and wanted a lot more loving while we became awake and alert. You have to love two full-size beauties in the shower. They had all the parts to make a guy like me lust after them.

We dressed and went downstairs for a quick breakfast. Yori and Michi were there watching us. I told Yori that I was going to go in soon because my big boss was going to visit. He nodded, understanding that I liked to be in early anyway.

I told him, "I want to take my Escape today. I don't want him to think that I'm being extravagant and living beyond my means." I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to take the BMW. I really liked that car and I could buy two of them and still have money left over since I sold my condo.

I parked in the 'Boss' spot at seven fifteen. No one else was around, so I got ready to enter the building. Two of the roving guards were upon us and checked my ID. I told the two that they were doing a good job and entered the building.

I made both pots of coffee in the downstairs break room, and then went to my office. I booted my PC and logged into the corporate e-mail. There was nothing of any importance, so I opened another window on the second monitor and brought up my list of items I needed to accomplish to get this office in shape. All the goals had been met, and mostly exceeded, so far. We still had to see if the success could be sustained. The one area I was still unsure of was the decorator; Alec was a loose cannon. She did what she wanted when she wanted, but had been everywhere at once so far. I hoped she would slow down for a second so that we could communicate. I still didn't have a space segregated for her to say it was her home base.

Yori was quietly sitting, reading one of his books, when we heard a crash at the front of the building.

We both jumped up and I ran to the front to see what was happening. A Chevy Suburban was halfway into the building, almost laying on its side. The airbags were still inflated, so we didn't know the condition of the driver.

I used the receptionist's phone and called 911. I reported a car losing control and crashing into the building with unknown injuries. They said they were immediately dispatching someone.

I tried to open the driver's door and couldn't. I went to the other side and was able to pull that door open and push the airbags out of the way. The driver was still unconscious, but it was a good thing in this case, as he had a shoulder holster with a handgun. I pulled it out and stuck it in my waist at my back. I tried to release the guy, but couldn't, and someone in the back came over the seat, swinging at me as I began trying to back out of the car. I blocked the punch and pushed the guy back. That gave me enough momentum to back out of the car and look at who was swinging at me.

I hollered for Yori, but I saw he was in some kind of wrestling match with a guy wielding a knife when I looked up.

Fuck it; I pulled the pistol I had taken from the driver, made sure there was a round in the chamber, and I fired the pistol when the guy attacking Yori backed up to lunge at him again. It was a lucky shot since it hit the guy in the forehead. Yori was instantly on his feet and coming toward me. He was pointing, and I looked to see another guy with some kind of short rifle that he was bringing up. I pointed the pistol at the guy and began pulling the trigger. What do I know about squeezing a trigger? Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. I stopped firing when the man with the short rifle fell over. Fuck! I was shaking like a leaf in a heavy storm.

I was holding the pistol in both hands, swiveling from side to side to make sure there were no more threats. I needed the bathroom to pee and probably throw up.

Yori took the pistol from my hands and told me to sit down. He went through the car to make sure there was no other threat. The driver was coming out of it, but we were also being hailed by the cops who had arrived. I went to the side door and around to the front, where I told the cops the bad guys were inside. That's when I saw the big Lincoln laying on its side. I ran to it and found the senior partner trying to get out of his seatbelt. I told him to stay still and let the paramedics get him out to make sure he didn't have any injuries.

He told me to check the driver, but there was no need. The guy's head was at a severe angle. He didn't have his seatbelt on when the Chevy Suburban hit the Lincoln. I checked his pulse, but there was none. I was climbing down from the Lincoln when the paramedics arrived. I pointed at my boss inside the car and they were instantly working on getting him out.

Four more cop cars arrived, and then two unmarked cars and the same crime scene van from yesterday showed up. This was becoming the place to be in the morning.

Cops were trying to climb over the Suburban that had crashed into the building. I told them to go around to the side door and go in that way. Some listened; others continued to try to get into the building through a sliver of light.

Yori said he hadn't fired a shot when he was approached. I hollered at the detective that I had done the shooting and would come in as soon as I knew my boss was alright.

"Where ae my walking guards?"

Two uniformed men came to my side, and said, "We saw them coming and tried to get out of the way. The Lincoln pulled into the yard, and then the Suburban just barreled into them, glanced off, and drove into the doorway. We didn't know what to do, so we just stayed out of the way while you were fighting with them inside. I think we did what we were supposed to do. We called 911 as soon as the two vehicles crashed and you must have called right after." I watched as the woman security company owner drove up and parked. She ran to her two men to make sure they were okay, and then came to me.

I told her, "All is well so far. I have to go inside to face the inquisition, but it should be fine. Keep your men on site for their statements, okay?"

She nodded and hugged me. "You poor man; you come here to help your company and you are overwhelmed by people trying to steal from them. Are you single? We have to get together if you are."

I wanted to laugh as this was an enlarged version of Jules. She even had some Oriental features.

My boss was being checked out by the paramedics, and finally convinced them that he was okay. The man was upset. Although he didn't really know the driver, he wanted to find out if the man had a family and see what he could do.

I brought the senior partner into the building by the side door and took him to my office. He was in a half-dressed state after the paramedics had been checking him out. He went to the restroom to clean up, and came out looking as if nothing had happened. I poured him a mug of coffee and pointed at the pastries. He smiled and pulled a sheet from the roll of paper towels, and carried both coffee and a sweet roll toward my office. He sat in one of the chairs next to Yori at the table, and said, "Christ, Johnson, you were always so mellow and energetic in Florida. Who would believe you could be at the heart of all this shit?"

I almost laughed at the man's vulgarity. Kelly did laugh, and commented, "Why don't you tell us how you really feel." That made the man laugh.

I went to get myself a cup of coffee, and made a mug of tea for Yori. I brought cream and sugar with me, but he smiled and told me he didn't use either.

The boss was relaxing and told me, "I knew you were in trouble when you kept calling me. You never call; we call you to tell you how wonderful you are. This has been horrible. I hope it gets better."

"Talk to Kelly and Yori for a minute so that I can go see if we can get that car out of our lobby."

The crime scene people were getting the guy I shot out of the back seat. A detective had the short rifle on the floor along with a couple of pistols that I had no idea where they came from. A detective asked, "Are you the one who shot the guy in the back seat?"

I nodded and he asked, "Where's the gun you used?"

I was blank, as I had shot without thinking and...

I went to my office and asked Yori, "Where's the gun I used on the guy who was in the back seat of the Suburban?"

He got up and came with me. He showed the detective the gun that he explained he had taken from me after I had eliminated the threat. It was evident that the detective realized the threat we had experienced and the emotions I was experiencing.

He took my statement while I watched the CSI people doing what they do. When a wrecker began dragging the Suburban out, I felt relief with each foot the vehicle was out of the building.

I watched the tow truck load the vehicle onto a flatbed and drive away. I looked at my BMW and it was still unscratched. That was somewhat of a relief.

The boss' rental Limo was done for, as was the driver. The Suburban was finished in this life, as were some of its occupants.

Rebecca motioned me to her when I walked into the lobby. She gathered me into her arms and hugged me when I rounded the corner to her area. It wasn't anything sexy or even overly friendly, but purely caring for her fellow man. It was something to remember.

I pulled back and looked at her. I smiled and kissed her on the forehead. It must have been the right thing to do, since I heard her sob as I left the area.

I sat heavily in my big chair when I got back to my office. I looked at Kelly and wondered if she was okay. I turned to Yori and looked at him. This morning had been crazy. He had to be affected. The police were gone, and no one, at least, suspected us of any wrongdoing.

I had a business to run. I should get to it.

It was then I realized the senior partner was here somewhere, recovering from a horrible experience. I went out to Rebecca and she said she thought that he might have been transported to the hospital. I didn't think so and went into the real estate office.

The man was sitting with the salespeople surrounding him, as he told stories of his past experiences. I smiled at how he was enjoying being the focus of what was happening in the new sales room, instead of the horrors that occurred just a short time ago.

I walked in smiling. He sat up straight and smiled back, communicating that he was okay. I suggested, "How about a couple of you salespeople take the boss to the development you like so much and show him around. Bring him back so that I can take him to lunch. Be back by noon."

The salespeople were excited to take the senior partner of their company to their hunting grounds. I could only hope the man could sell something with them all watching.

Kelly was in a good mood, and told me, "You need to plan a celebration to declare that you are now in charge and everything before means nothing."

"Well, sweet cheeks," I chuckled, and thought 'I'm sure they are sweet cheeks'. 'Set it up, Kelly. Call Jules and ask if we can have it out at the house. I'd love everyone to meet the women in my life."

My secretary was instantly on the phone. I had no idea that she could be in contact with Jules or Katie so quickly.

My focus turned back to an immediate need for repairing the front of the building. Julio had sent some laborers over to clean up the debris and he had a couple of carpenters begin constructing a temporary door. A heavy plastic tarp had been tacked up to cover the opening to keep the air conditioning in. You had to step around the carpenters and go between the flaps to enter or exit; primitive, but workable. We would have to tear more area down to do this right, and have bricklayers come to make it look like it did. Maybe I should use this as an excuse to start the new building. We will probably need the space, but I'd rather wait until the office was doing some consistent big business. I'd have to talk to the boss and get his take at lunch.

I asked Kelly, "Will you relieve Rebecca for lunch today? I want to take her, Ginger, and Connie to lunch with the big boss. Those three are the ones who helped me get this place working so fast. If you would, make reservations for us at Johnny's, of course. Where else would we go? Twelve thirty would be a good time. Try one o'clock if they're full. Now I have to hope the salespeople bring him back on time."

Another thought popped into my head. I wondered if he brought his wife along on this trip. I then realized that I didn't know if the man was even married. I really never was much for office gossip, even when I visited other offices and attended meetings. I didn't pay much attention to others' personal circumstances. This place was unique in that the girls I knew were friends and acquaintances with the two women I was living with. A lot of it had to do with their LGBT lifestyles, but I was finding out that even some hard core lesbians enjoy flirting on their bi side. Better than half of the females in my office seemed to be lesbian or bi, and even the straight ones seemed to lean toward other women.

I wondered about the men in the office. The only one I would suspect was Jimmy, and that wasn't really fair and only because he was short, thin, and almost pretty. He had hair as long as Katie and didn't ever seem to be distracted by Delores, and she was a babe. I didn't have a clue as to her persuasion.

There really wasn't anything important when I attacked my e-mails. The home office was still working on a way to announce the departure of two partners. I was sure everything would be disclosed over time, but no one wanted to admit they had ignored obvious signs of misappropriation. Nepotism isn't necessarily a bad thing, unless the kid is a thief, a very smart thief in this case.

I gave the guy's scams a thought, and tried to visualize him doing most of the same things to really pump the business up and bring in so much that he could scam false invoices even more. The company would see great sales and decent, but not outstanding, profits. You could perpetuate skimming from the company forever and be patted on the back while doing it.

I made a quick tour of the building to check on everyone's mood. I asked Ginger and Connie to go to lunch with Rebecca, me and the boss while I did that. The new title office was trying to get organized and create files for the properties that were ready to close. We should be in good shape by the end of next week since we were getting an experienced crew.

There were two men sitting with Yori when I went back to my office. They both stood when I entered and introduced themselves as LAPD detectives. They both showed me their ID and asked if they could ask me a few questions. I checked the time and saw that we had about an hour before I would be leaving for lunch.

The two men had me tell them about how I came about coming out here. They then asked how I had discovered the problems with Daryl Bennington. They should probably have been talking to Connie, but I described how everything had come about. I explained that was why Yori was with me, as a friend had been apprehensive that Bennington could have others who shared in his greed and would want to take some revenge. The men from this morning were hired to eliminate me, although that wouldn't get Daryl out jail in Florida. They disclosed that the surviving man admitted the man who had hired them was the partner who called and asked me to destroy accounting records. They advised that he had been arrested back in Indianapolis where the home office was located.

Yori carefully listened to what the detectives were saying, and I knew he would report back to Dai later. I wonder if the people Hideki had researching the company and Bennington had come up with anything else. The detectives thanked me for being open about the company problems, and left close to noon. I told Yori, "I want you to remain at the office while I go out. If there still is a danger, it would be here, although I think we've probably seen the end of this." He just smiled.

I asked Kelly, "Will you do the Subway thing again? Rebecca has a company credit card, so use that. The bill will probably be around two hundred, but I don't think the company will mind. We can probably buy lunch daily as long as we're bringing sales in."

The boss had returned and heard what I had asked Kelly to do. He was in agreement with me, and was going to give Kelly his order. I held my hand up, "You get to eat lunch at my special lunch place with three people who helped me make this place begin to work."

The man smiled and said, "Well, let me use the restroom and wash up a little."

Before he left my office, I asked, "I don't know if you're married, and is your wife with you if you are?"

He laughed and said, "Yes to all of those questions. She's enjoying having some kind of facial with the movie stars today."

That gave me an idea and I called Jules while he was using the bathroom. "My boss is in town for the problems we have been having and for a meeting tomorrow. He's here with his wife, and I wanted to ask if we could invite them to supper this evening."

Jules didn't even think about it and said that would be wonderful. I told her that I would call her as soon as I had an answer from the boss. Jules told me that Hideki and Nobuko had returned early and could join us as well. Now that would be impressive.

When the boss returned, I asked him, "Would you and your wife enjoy a special meal at my home this evening. It is a special place that you will be really impressed with. It is such a good story that I'll try to tell it to you over time."

He told me, "That would be great. I'll get another car and driver, so we'll be there if you give me the address. Is about seven good?"

"Any time after six will be good. You can enjoy a drink before dinner. You'll love the house." I called Jules so she could direct the cooks and maybe to call Hideki. I wondered at his quick return as he had said he would be out of town for at least four or five days.

I gathered Ginger, Connie, and Rebecca along with the boss, and took them out to the BMW. We drove down the street and pulled into a spot a car was backing out of. The hostess greeted me with, "Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. We have your table ready for you."

The boss asked if I was already that regular here. I had to explain the place was convenient, private, wonderful food, and remarkably affordable. This was the perfect businessman's restaurant.

I described all that the three women with us had done in helping me push past the problems that I encountered, and for being knowledgeable within the business community, during our lunch. The three had used their contacts to gain information and people to help me restart the office. I told the partner the real estate secretary, Gimger, and Connie were a major part of our office restart, but that all three women deserved a lot of credit.

You could tell the senior partner was feeling very pleased with what he had seen so far. I asked Connie to let him hear from her and the auditors directly about what had been found so that he would understand the scope of what we had been dealing with. I complimented him on his ability to be in that accident this morning and being so fresh this afternoon. He told me, "I'll probably be stiff and sore in the morning, but I can get a massage and be ready for the meeting I'm attending. This meeting could affect you and this office, since we are attempting to negotiate for a large block of land that could be several developments. We thought it might stimulate sales out here, but I think you've already found the problem."

I asked the partner, "I want you to consider us erecting a new building for our office. We have other property to put our construction yard on. Should we spend the money to rebuild the front of the building, or should we go ahead and build the planned new building?"

He said, "Go ahead review the plans we had drawn for this new office while the partners make a decision. I'll let you know soon."

Kelly greeted us when we returned to the office, and told me, "You should go to the real estate office. They are having a problem."

Shoot, I didn't need problems with the boss in town. The two of us rushed down the hall to the sales area and were surprised to see everyone happily eating Subways and being very loud. Matt stood up and said, "We may beat our best day today, Brad. The guys at the two developments have sold eight inventory homes this morning. Hear that? They sold eight homes this morning. We are very quickly going to run out of inventory. Alec, the crazy decorator has already hired another decorator to work with her, and asked where her office was. Where do you want her? I still have room, and there will be room upstairs when the auditors leave."

The senior partner had his arm around my shoulders as he said with a grin, "You should have a major crisis like this every day. This is wonderful. It's not even the weekend and you are selling more than the rest of the country, even Florida."

The very short cute saleswoman who had been on the job only four days came in the door at that moment, waving contracts. She was saying, "I have a deal on a listing, and a fair offer on another. I'm going to be swimming in commissions. I have to call the listing customer with this offer. I'll bet he takes it. Oh, and both buyers look good on paper."

I got a squeeze on the shoulder as the excitement level was going up. The senior partner went over to Ginger, the sales secretary, and told her, "You heard how Brad described at lunch how important you were in helping to get this sales office back in shape. The company will show their thanks. I thank you."