Changing Seasons

The last to arrive was Bethann our HR Director. Daley's demeanor changed as he looked at the faces in the room. Instead of looking at him, I turned towards Kandon allowing my eyes to translate the message loud and clear. I warned him in the beginning. I told him there would be no mercy if he had anything to do with it.

“Gentlemen and ladies.” Bethann greeted.

“Afternoon.”

“Hi, Mrs. Bethann.”

“H-Hey guys. How is…” Daley tried to start a round of small talk.

I held up my hand to stop whatever stupid shit was about to come out of his mouth. “Save the small talk. The floor is yours to tell us what you spent the money you stole on. Oh, and I dare you to lie.” He flinched and cleared his throat.

“Chill, Paxton. Let...” Kandon tried to defend his son-in-law, but Kameron cut him off.

“You aren’t his daddy and he’s not a child. Speak, Daley.” He stuck his chest out daring Kandon to test him. Guess that ass whooping worked. His scars were slowly healing.

The battle of the egos had begun.

Daley shifted while Bethann sat quiet, pen ready. “Umm, I’m unsure why I am here. Have I done something?”

I hated liars and apparently Bethann did so as well from the exaggerated roll of her eyes. “Listen, Daley, cut the shit.” I flipped open the folder and laid out all the evidence Jacolby found. “In case any of you are wondering why Ms. Jefferson is here that’s because she’s a forensic accountant. Finding four million dollars is a part of what she does.”

“Really, Paxton? You didn’t think I could handle this on my own?” Kandon and his damn feelings were getting on my nerves.

“No. No, I didn’t because if you did, we wouldn’t be here in the first place. Like I was saying. These are bank statements from the company credit cards and debit cards we entrusted to you. See anything that looks out of the ordinary? Purchases that are against company policy?”

Daley’s eyes scanned the document. He thought no one saw his eyes turn into saucers or twitch when he glanced at the specific highlighted areas. “N-No, I don’t see anything out of the ordinary? Are you sure these are my purchases? From my card?” He glanced at Kandon to help him. I gave my best glare to Kandon daring him to speak a word.

My fingers drummed on the table waiting for Daley to tell the truth. I hated what he represented. He had that ‘help a brotha out’ mentality, which was cool. I had no problem helping the next black man achieve his dreams. None at all. My problem was the ignorance and snake behavior behind it.

You help only to have them stab you in the back. He thought my brother would come to his rescue and get him out of this because of their family ties. I can guarantee he figured his father-in-law wouldn’t allow him to take the fall alone. A slap on the wrist with promises to never do it again. Nah, he was four million dollars wrong.

Begrudgingly I let Jacolby’s hand go and stood rolling up my sleeves. “Daley, you’ve known me for a while, right? You’re very familiar with how I operate and the sense of pride we have for the company that has been in our family for generations.” I leaned over the table placing him and me face to face. “Am I a nice guy?” His eyes skirted around to the faces in the room. I clenched my fist tight to prevent myself from caving in his chest.

Nothing felt more disrespectful than a man refusing to look you in the eye. Had he been one of Kandon Reid Sr.'s sons, he’d know firsthand that his eye aversion wasn’t tolerated.

“Don’t look at them. Look at me. Tell me, am I a nice guy?” He glanced at Bethann. “Yo, why are looking at everyone else but me? I asked you a question. Am I a nice guy?”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he answered with a shaky voice. “Ye-Yes. You’re a n-nice guy.”

Standing and shoving my hands in my pocket, I winked at him, “Good answer. I’d like to think I’m a very nice guy if I say so myself.”

“Man, get to the point,” Kandon barked.

Now that pissed me off. “Fine. Daley, you’re fired, and we’ll be pressing charges.”

He gasped. “What? I haven’t done anything. You can’t fire me. Kandon, man, seriously? How can you allow him to do this?”

With an open hand, I slammed my palm on the table causing Bethann to yelp. “Allow me to do this? Tell me, did you not think we wouldn't find out about your secret hotel stays? The jewelry and lingerie purchases? Huh? Tell me, did he permit you to use the card for your free will?” My chest rose up and down as I fumed with anger.

Daley sat quietly with his eyes on everything but me. “Not only do we have the receipts and statements, but we also obtained camera footage of you and Ms. Loraine Kottle. You wined and dined the broad on our dime. You’re a brave nigga to cheat on my niece but to also spoil your mistress on our dime...that’s some cold shit.”

I didn’t think his eyes could balloon wider than they were. “Please. Please don’t tell Brianna. She’s pregnant, and we’re past the first trimester this time. Please don’t…”

“Was Bri in your thoughts while you were out cheating? It doesn’t even matter. Bethann has your papers.” I motioned for them to leave. “Oh, one last thing.” He turned towards me with misty eyes. “1258 Brickell Avenue. Your whore house,” His jaw dropped. “You have five days to get out of the house. Leave the vehicles as well. You can place all the keys on the counter. Did you think I’d allow you to continue to live in luxury off our dime?” I kept pacing to keep from putting my hands on him. To keep things professional, I’d let him think he got away without getting touched but I had plans for him as soon as he stepped off company property.

He was going to pay for the pain and suffering he caused my niece.

“How am I supposed to take care of my family? Come on man. I was going to pay it back. I even set up payment arrangements.” He begged with tears running down his face. His performance didn’t move me.