Top Dog

“It’s a holding warehouse. Usually, it stores our older supplies as we phase them out. We were eventually going to use it to get an East Coast installment of our company up and running, but the plans always got shoved to the backburner. Apparently, the company used it this time as a holding tank for our newer items until the older ones could be cleared out in our L.A. warehouse.”

“And now it’s all gone,” he said.

“Yes. My business partner, Jack, never took my name off any of the company’s formal documents. I’m the majority stockholder in the company still, and he kept my name on things in case I decided to come back.”

“So you believe Lanie’s father did this,” he said. “Do you have any proof?”

“The detective I talked with has already declared it arson. But the security cameras around the compound had all been disabled, so there is no footage.”

“Of course there isn’t,” he said, sighing.

“I know it was Lanie’s father,” I said. “He’s devolving. He’s willing to do anything to get me to hand over my money

to him.”

“But without proof, we can’t make that accusation in court,” he said.

I pushed my hand through my hair in frustration. “So this asshole just gets away with it? I’m telling you, Luther, at this point I’m ready to just pay him off and get him to leave.”

Luther shook his head. “I’ve already told you, Brian, that’s not a good idea. With guys like this, it will never be enough. You’ll give him a million today, he’ll come back tomorrow for two. No, the only way to make sure he stays away is to go to court and win custody of Lanie legally. Then he has zero recourse against you, and his game is finished.”

“Well, in a few days I’ll have a documented marriage. Where does that put me?” I asked while trying to control my anger.

“You’re getting married?”

“I am.”

“To who?”

“A woman,” I said.

“You know I was kidding about that, right?” he asked. “I didn’t expect you to actually go out and find a wife.”

“Well, I did. If you’re telling me it’s my best shot to get custody, then that’s what I’m doing.”.”

“Brian, if you’re serious and you’re going to get married, that puts you in a really good place,” he said.

“It’s about time you gave me some good news.”

“If you can marry her, get it documented, and prove the fire was caused by him, he’s finished. He’ll never take Lanie from you,” he said.

“Then that’s what we’re going to do. I’ve already talked to my P.I., and I’m having him contact Detective Landry.”

“Ok, and I will make sure to put in a call to the department as well. Keep the pressure on to get this case solved as quickly as possible.”

“Yes. I want all of us working this from every angle. Lanie isn’t going with that man. I’m not going down without a fight. By the time I’m done with that miserable piece of shit, he’s going to be sorry he ever tried to fuck with my family.”

“I’ll get on it. I’ll call your P.I. first. Maybe we can all sit down with the detective and figure out where to go from here. Brian, things are starting to look good.”

“Good. I have to go,” I said.

“I’ll call you when I know something.”

“Thank you Luther.”

I walked out of his office feeling hopeful for the first time in days. Suddenly, my business mind began to kick back into gear. The insurance claim, if they filed it properly, would cover the equipment. But the monthly premiums for the business would skyrocket because of this. The company wouldn’t be able to do anything about it until we could prove it was arson. That would be the only way the insurance company would have mercy on us.

“Hey, Brian. Whatcha got for me?”