The Two Younger Men Complete Collection

“Clay and Jay will be part of this board,” James said.

“That’s true, my friend.”

My friend? No two words could be further from the truth.

In charge of his and Jay’s trusts since their mom and dad’s death, Bill cast the votes for all their shares. But on their thirtieth birthday, which was in less than three weeks, in accordance with the will, Clay and Jay would have complete authority over their own inheritance and would no longer need Bill to be their trustee.

“Unfortunately, James, they cannot remain,” Bill said with a grin. “They are management. And since we are discussing executive bonuses, it’s best they leave.” He stood and came over to their side of the table. Shaking their hands, he winked. “I’ll make sure you get compensated very well, boys.”

“Like they will even care about a bonus, Bill.” James glared at him. “Clay and Jay own fifty-two percent of this company, and on their birthday they will have the right to sit at this table as much as any of the rest of us, including you. More even.”

“They’re my nephews, not yours. Now have a seat with the rest of the board while I take a moment to speak with them out in the hallway alone.”

James didn’t move but remained standing in obvious defiance.

Not wanting to make things more difficult between the two men, Clay motioned to his brother that they should leave. Jay nodded that he agreed.

Bill followed them out the door. He placed his hands on their shoulders. “James is a troublemaker, boys, but I can handle him. You really did do good work on this. Let’s meet at nine tomorrow morning and talk about how we plan on tackling this possible discrepancy you’ve uncovered.”

“You’ve got your hands full with that acquisition of Hammerstein Steel,” Jay said. “Clay and I can put everything together on this.”

Bill smiled. “I know you can, but this is very sensitive information that we can’t let get out. It could really hurt our stock price if it did. Like I said to James, I know the perfect accounting firm that we need. They are very discreet.”

“Aren’t all forensic accounting firms supposed to be discreet?” Clay was used to his uncle being so hands-on with whatever he and Jay did.

“Boys, I made a promise to your parents and your aunt, my lovely Caroline.” Bill’s face darkened whenever he mentioned the name of his late wife. “And I mean to keep it. You are my responsibility.”

“We appreciate all you’ve done for us,” Jay said, “but Clay and I are grown men.”

He agreed. “We really can take care of ourselves, Uncle Bill.”

“I know you can, but this is a Fortune 500 company and the waters are filled with sharks. Trust me, boys. I will make sure that you are protected, no matter what.”

Chapter Two

Isabella Clemens walked into Gibbs Worldwide Investments with two co-workers, Tom and Lyle. This was her six-month anniversary with the accounting firm and her first big assignment. She was excited and nervous.

Tom was their lead. He walked up to the receptionist.

“How may I help you?”

“We have an appointment with your CEO, Mr. Moody,” he told her in his take-charge tone. “We’re from MKJ Accounting.”

Tom and Lyle didn’t intimidate Izzy, though it was obvious they still didn’t respect her. A forty-two-year-old divorced woman entering the high-powered accounting industry for the first time had to be quite the shock. She’d started at the firm as a temp, but when Mr. Jenkins—the J in MKJ—had spoken to his friend, her favorite professor during grad school, everything changed. Mr. Jenkins made her permanent to the organization and promoted her to the forensic accounting division.

She smiled to herself, recalling

her second day in the division. Trying to make a good impression with her new co-workers, she’d brought coffee and donuts for Tom and Lyle. Her plan would’ve worked splendidly if she hadn’t gotten her shoe caught on the leg of a chair, causing her to fall and spill the coffee and donuts all over them.

Of course I am a little bit ditzy. Izzy the ditzy.

Tom and Lyle weren’t terrible to work with, though they never sought her expertise or input, always overlooking her.

But they better watch out. I may be ditzy but I’m certainly no dummy.

She meant to make her mark on this assignment to let Mr. Jenkins know he’d made the right decision concerning her.

“Mr. Moody’s office is on the top floor. Take the executive elevators. They are down this hall on the left. His secretary will meet you.”