The House of Allen

Eleven

Robert made sure to finish his work early today because of his scheduled meeting with Charles.  They had first met when the man moved in at the one bedroom apartment beside the one occupied by Alex and her mother.  He was visiting the Cliffords that day when they heard the sounds of several boxes and their contents toppling over outside.  Curious, Alex and Robert decided to check it out.

There on the stairs was a man of average height with dark hair and pale complexion cursing to himself as he tried to put the several hardcover books back into their boxes.  Robert saw that the man was carrying too much at a time and gave Alex a look that said they should help the poor guy out.  After telling Mrs. Clifford that they would be out to check on something for a bit, the two exited the apartment and approached the man who was still struggling with his boxes.

“Uh, hi?” Alex greeted the man cautiously, in case he started cursing at her as well.  The man jumped a little at the sound of her voice and looked up at the pair standing at the top of the stairs.

“Hi.  Sorry about the noise.  I’m moving in today and, well, I don’t really know anyone who can help me so I’m trying to bring all my stuff in myself.  I’m Charles Maxwell, by the way.” The man sheepishly apologized, while scratching the back of his head.

“Nice to meet you, Charles.  I’m Alexandra Clifford.  You can call me Alex.  I live in that apartment two doors down the hall.  This is my friend Robert Kyle.  We can help you bring your stuff in, just tell us where your apartment is.” Alex offered while Robert approached the man and took two of the four boxes he was trying to carry up the stairs.  

Robert is a tall and well built man almost comparable to star athletes from the local football team.  His physique was the result of intense manual labor in the fields during his youth and maintained by exercising at the gym once he started working a more subdued management post at the Gibson estate after finishing college.  Hauling a few boxes up the stairs of Alex’s apartment building should not be a problem for the man.

“Thank you.  We’re neighbors, actually.  I’m the fourth door down the hall.  I would really appreciate it if you can help me. My car parked up front.  I still have a few more boxes of books and clothes to bring in.”  Charles said as he took the other two boxes and led Alex and Robert towards his apartment.

Soon, the trio was able to bring all of Charles’ stuff into his new apartment.  Robert mainly helped in bringing in the boxes, while Alex helped out in tidying up the place and arranging the furniture.  They then learned that the man just moved into their town on assignment after he was promoted as a chief inspector.  He used to be a detective in the city right after his graduation from university where he got his double degree in crime scene investigation and criminal justice and would be starting his work this Monday.  As they finished setting up the place, Charles shyly thanked the pair, saying that he could buy them food as thanks since he has not yet done his groceries.

“I have a better idea.” Alex exclaimed, and dragged the two men back to the apartment she shared with her mother.  After introducing Charles as their new neighbor to her mother, Alex offered the men some tea as she set about cooking dinner for everyone.

The next day, Robert and Alex accompanied Charles as they showed him everything he needed to know around town, from the Allen, Gibson and the former Clifford Estate now known as the Alarie Town Foods Inc.  The pair also accompanied Charles to do his shopping for groceries, toiletries, etc.  At the end of the day, they stopped by Cathy’s Diner, a small diner run by a former Clifford cook where Alex claims that they served the best spaghetti and meatballs.  Charles did not want to voice out how he thought the spaghetti was phenomenal as the two friends he just met yesterday were in the middle of an argument on whether the spaghetti or chicken was the best dish on the menu.

After learning that Robert is a Certified Public Accountant, Charles has enlisted the man’s help numerous times to analyze some cases that needed a thorough look at the books of certain individuals.  Usually, these cases are only for legal proceedings like divorce agreements where the husband was discovered to be using the joint account to fund a mistress, or small claims for businesses that did not pay their taxes correctly.  Alarie was a very peaceful town, so Robert thought that the business matter Charles was talking about earlier when he dropped by would be the same routine case that needed his opinion. 

Robert made his way to the sorters after locking up his office to pick up the Shine Muscat he was planning to bring to the Cliffords.  One of the perks of being an employee of the Gibson estate was that he gets first dibs at the best quality grapes for dirt cheap, like these Shine Muscats for example.  It was known to be one of the more expensive varieties due to the origin of it.  

A few years ago, if one would like to indulge in some Shine Muscats, one would have to import them from Japan or Korea.  However, the Gibson estate, with the help of their close partners at The House of Allen were able to import this variety and grow it locally.  It is now one of the Gibson estate’s biggest exports aside from their fine wines.  Though the prices for this variety is usually high in the local market, Robert and other employees could get their for just a few bucks, if they are quick enough to get to the sorters where all the bunches that are missing a few grapes or has a bit of discoloration are packed for them to buy.  He has already dropped by earlier after lunch to reserve a few packs for himself and the Cliffords after saying goodbye to his visitors from the House of Allen.

After picking up his grapes, Robert made his way to the exit to log off and finally got on the bus to the other side of town where Charles lived.   

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“So, what do you want from me that was so urgent?” Robert asked, closing the door of Charles’s apartment behind him.

“First of all, you have to promise me that anything that we will talk about inside this room should only be between us and should not come out anywhere else,” Charles said as he motioned the taller man to sit down.

Robert raised his eyebrow at this, urging for the other man to continue.  With the usual divorce or corporate cases, Charles would just usually whip out the manila folder and get down to business of going through the books.  However, the serious look on the detective’s face as he shut the blinds of his apartment and made sure that the door is locked, stated that today’s case was not the usual.  

Charles whipped out a box of menthol cigarettes from his breast pocket and lit it up, before offering Robert one, which the man gratefully accepted, lighting it with the end of Charles’.  As the pair took their first puff, Robert settled into the loveseat, while the other male settled himself on the chair by the small dining nook nearby.  

“So I’m guessing this is not our usual asshole husband who ran away with their family’s life savings scenario?” Robert was the first to break the silence.

“I won’t ask you to come here if that was the case, man.  I do hope it was the usual but no, we have something big on our hands.  Or at least that is what I’m thinking.” Charles answered as he took another puff of his cancer stick.

“I’ve guessed as much.  We usually don’t conduct it under so much secrecy.  So what is it this time that got you so agitated?” Curiosity was quickly taking over Robert as he surveyed Charles from across the room.  The man looked tired with the bags under his eyes much darker than usual, and his skin was paler than usual as if he had purposefully been skipping meals.

“You’ve heard of the drunk guy who was found dead between the Dream Pub and Flower Inn a few weeks ago, right?” Charles watched as Robert nodded in understanding before proceeding. “We found another dead guy by the ditches just a little bit on the outskirts of town.  Only this time, he wasn’t drunk and we also found this in his wallet.” Charles threw a baggie onto the coffee table, which Robert picked up gingerly, aware that what he is seeing is important evidence to a crime his friend is investigating.

“Paul Sullivan.  He was let go from Gibson Estate two days ago by request of Ms. Beatrice herself.  He was a really hard worker, though, so him getting sacked was a surprise to all of us.  I gave him his pay that same afternoon.” Robert shook his head at the knowledge that such a kind and hard working man would be found dead in less than 24 hours after he last saw him.

“There was not a single penny on him when we found his body.  It looks like he was beaten up pretty badly before he died, but the autopsy also revealed that he was on some kind of illegal drug.” the detective elaborated, referring to a small notebook on his hand, while the other shook the ashes from his cigarette on an ashtray.

“You must be mistaken.  Paul would never have drugs.  He’s old and has been taking medicine for his heart.  You know taking illegal drugs would only counter the effects of his medicine.  Besides, he’s got a daughter that he’s putting through college at the local university.” Robert’s statement made Charles c**k his eyebrow.  He has taken a look at the man’s medical records, but hearing about the man’s family made him question his observations about the case so far.

“Could it be that he took the drugs to cope with the fact that he suddenly lost his job?” The detective asked, putting out his cigarette and pulling out his pen from his pocket to jot down more notes on his notebook.

“I remember him telling us that he used to be an alcoholic.  He was also a former employee of the Clifford Farms and he had his drinking problem after it was repossessed by the government and everyone was let go.  Then he was hired by Mr. Gibson after a year and a half and he promised his wife that he will never get into any vices from then on for the sake of their child.  It’s just not him to be doing that.  He was even saying that maybe he should try and get a job at The House of Allen next or maybe something in the local market since his daughter will be graduating next year and he’s saving up to get her dress for the graduation ball.” Robert shook his head.  Something about Paul’s death was not adding up to him, and it seems that his friend was thinking the same thing.  “You did not bring me here just to ask me these things, did you?”

“No, though what you said really gave me some new insights.  I was reading up on the town’s laws since the chief made me do it after we reported that he previously worked at the Gibson Estate and I came upon this rule that was made about ten years ago, after the matters regarding the Clifford Farms were settled.  It says there that the town council has agreed that if ever there was an incident involving anyone that was employed or previously employed within the past 6 months by the remaining two families - Allen and Gibson - then the police can go ahead and investigate the books of these businesses even without warrant.” Charles raised his eyebrow at Robert, who nodded in confirmation.  

“I called you here to enforce my right as the official investigator assigned to this case.  I want all the books of the business and the family itself from today to at least three years back prepared for our investigation.  Also, please keep this a secret from your bosses for now.  That is a personal request from me.  Be careful, Robert.” Charles smiled sheepishly as he handed the ashtray to Robert who finished his cigarette as well.  He knows that the favor he is asking is bigger than the usual ones that Robert had to deal with from him, and could potentially put the man’s job in danger.

“Of course, I will be careful.  It may take a while because I don’t oversee the internal affairs of the family.  I’ll get it ready for you as soon as I can.” Robert confirmed, his heart beating a mile a minute.  It can’t be happening again. And if it is already happening, then he wanted to prevent any more lives from being in danger from the hands of whoever was behind all of this.

The memory was still vivid to Robert.  He had just come home from hanging out with Alex all day at the mansion’s library.  Alex was told to stay out of the way as her parents dealt with the case that her father as accused of and when Robert came after his extracurriculars, the two holed themselves in the library to finish up their homework and read the new Neil Gaiman book that Alex got from the bookstore.

His mother was crying when he got home and when he asked why, his father said that they need to pack up all their belongings because soon, they are going to be asked to move out.  His mother wept that a kind man such as Mr. Clifford could never do such a thing and that was when it dawned on Robert.  

Today was supposed to be the day the court decides on Mr. Clifford’s case.  If he was found guilty, then the estate would be in an unstable position as nobody knows if Mrs. Clifford would be allowed to take over the business and property.  The rumor that was going around the workers was that the government might take interest and drive everyone away from the property.  Robert was still a naive teenage boy that time and he believed on Mr. Clifford’s innocence.  He has spoken with the man a lot during his childhood up to now and he always encouraged him to be curious about things and even gifted him science sets or books for his birthdays.  It was impossible in his eyes for the kind Mr. Clifford to do the things they accuse him of.

Unfortunately, the odds were not in favor of Mr. Clifford and even though there were several gaps in the story, the evidence found were inconclusive and resulted in him being found guilty.  The next day, officers from the government arrived at the estate to inform everyone that they are to leave within the next week because the government will be taking over everything after that period.  The workers were given the option to stay and work for the government and while some of the younger ones did stay, those who held a fierce loyalty for the family decided to leave and find employment elsewhere.  It was their silent protest for the decision made by the court, Robert’s father told him later on.

During that one week period, Robert saw how Mrs. Clifford and Alex sold almost everything in their possession for money.  He thought that they were doing this so that they could start their life elsewhere.  He really could not blame them because if it were him, staying in this town where almost everyone thought that they were related to a criminal would be too painful.  

However, after the one week period was over, his family was surprised when an envelope containing money for their severance pay arrived in their mailbox.  The Cliffords did not sell their possessions in order to have a fresh start.  In the end, they still thought about their workers and made sure that they themselves could get back on track after leaving their homes and their livelihood.  

A few days later, as Robert was walking downtown from a friend's house, he spotted a girl looking like Alex about to enter an apartment building.  Wanting to be sure, he called out to the girl and to his surprise, it was indeed Alex.  He invited her over to Cathy’s Diner where they were able to catch up.  

Apparently, Alex and her mother now live in an apartment that her mother bought under her name for an investment.  Since she was the legal owner, it was not taken from them by the government, however, most of their belongings were taken from them, including their luxury purses, gowns and shoes.  They also froze their bank accounts.  Alex has decided against pursuing university in the city, not wanting to leave her mother alone as Mrs. Clifford has never worked a day in her life before.  She plans to study at the local university instead where Robert was also planning to go for Accountancy.  Alex also mentioned that Mr. Franklin Allen has offered for her to work at The House of Allen Part time so she can earn a bit more for their needs while she finishes up school and for that, she was grateful to her father’s old friend.

As Robert was reminded of the events from over ten years ago, he could not help but feel as if the events from that time were repeating themselves once again.  He does not know why yet, but his gut tells him that he was about to find something big once he gets down to investigating what Charles has asked him to.