The House of Allen

Five

“So that is where we produce our crops.  Now up ahead here, we have our greenhouse where we produce our fruits and vegetables, most notably the tomatoes for which our company is famous for.” Alex rattled off, opening the door leading to the greenhouse as Levi followed close behind her.  He did not expect the estate to be this big, and he was slightly wishing that he could have worn some more comfortable shoes if he knew that he would be walking so much today. 

“Hey, Alex!  Hey, brother!” A voice called out to the pair, making Levi turn his head to the direction where it came from.  There he saw Erwin, his younger brother, in a soiled tartan shirt tucked into some worn out pants waving at them both while flashing his bunny smile.

“Erwin?  What are you doing here?” Levi said in a surprised tone as he approached his brother who was holding on to a basket full of Roma tomatoes.

“Didn’t you know?  He’s working here on his off time when he does not have anything to do for med school.” Alex explained as another male carrying an even larger basket of tomatoes approached them.

“Hey Alex!  How’s the morning rounds so far?” The man greeted, eyeing Levi curiously from where he stood beside Erwin who was back to filling his basket with more tomatoes.

“No issues so far.  The pest issues out in the field have been resolved now, thank goodness.” Alex explained, as Erwin and the man beside him nodded in understanding.  “By the way, this is Levi.  He’s Erwin’s brother.  He’ll be starting here today and helping me out in management.  As you all know, he’ll be taking over the entire business soon, so he’s starting his training here with us.  Levi, this is Ben.  He takes care of everything here in the greenhouse.  If you have any specific questions like how come the tomatoes we grow are so darn big, he’s the one you should ask about it.” Alex tapped Ben on the shoulder, as the man wiped his hand on his tartan shirt and extended it for Levi to shake.

“Nice to meet you, man.” Levi awkwardly took the offered hand and shook it briefly.

“Excuse me, but you’re Mr. Allen’s eldest son, right?” A meek voice interjected from behind them as everyone turned around to see who spoke up.

“Y-yes, sir.  I’m Levi.” Levi smiled as he extended his hand out which the older man took into his soil-covered ones and shook profusely.

“It’s so nice to meet you, sir.  I am very much indebted to your father.  If he did not give me this job, my child would have been taken away from me.  You are just as handsome as I expected, even more handsome than your brother here.” The older man said as Levi tried but failed to retrieve his hand from his grasp.

“Hey, Grant!  Say that again and I will never help you win another round of pool against the Gibson employees ever.” Erwin exclaimed, making everyone laugh.  The older man just grinned at Erwin and excused himself from the group.  Levi wordlessly reached out for the towel hanging around Erwin’s shoulders and wiped off the dirt from his hands as much as he could.

“Alex, I have an idea.  Why don’t we invite Levi to drink with us this Friday.  That way he can warm up to the workers here.” Erwin piped in, grimacing at how his brother had stained his towel that he was using to wipe up his sweat.

“Great idea, Erwin.  What do you say about that, Levi?  That way you wouldn’t be so awkward towards everybody.” Everybody turned to him expectantly.

“Y-yeah, sure.” There was nothing Levi could do but agree, no matter how much he does not want to be around the type of people working at the family’s estate, it is essential for him to know them if he were to take over the business soon and if interacting with some uncivilized workers was what it takes, then so be it.

“Great, we usually have our drinks at the pub downtown.  You and Alex can go together after you finish up at the office.” Ben smiled and Levi thought that the other man’s smile was so wide, it was almost boxy.

---

“Levi, would it be alright if I leave you here to lock up?  I have to leave early today to meet someone.” Alex asked as she packed up for the day.

“Sure, I can manage.  What’s up?”  It has already been a few days since Levi started and the two have gotten into a pretty good working relationship at the office, despite the man’s aversion to anything that has to do with going out into the field.

“I just have a meeting with our family’s new lawyer this afternoon and I don’t want to be late.” Alex answered shortly as she stepped out of the office, giving Levi a quick wave of goodbye which the male returned with questions filling his head as to why his coworker’s family would need a lawyer.

After clocking out, Alex hailed a passing taxi which brought her towards the Burton law office situated in the business center near the town square.  After paying the driver, Alex then took the side entrance that led to the reception of the law office where she was served some tea by the receptionist and told to wait while the person she was supposed to meet finishes up on his current meeting.  Minutes later, a broad-shouldered man, holding a manila folder on one of his hands came striding into the room.  Upon seeing Alex who was making herself busy by reading a magazine by the coffee table, he approached her, making the latter look up to his towering figure. 

“Miss Alex Clifford?” The man asked, to which the woman confirmed by nodding.

“I’m Tristan Burton.  I’ll be your new lawyer for your father’s case.” The tall man offered Alex his hand which she shook. “Why don’t we go into my office so we can have our discussion in private?” Tristan said, leading the way into a hallway with doors on each side of them which Alex assumed were all either meeting rooms or private offices.  Tristan stopped at the third door to his left, and opened the door motioning for Alex to step inside.

“So, how have you and your mother been doing, Miss Clifford?” Tristan asked, after the both had taken their seats at opposite sides of the table.

“We get by.  As you probably know, I work at the Allen business as the manager there and my mom is working at the post office.” Alex answered with a shrug, knowing that this is just formality in order for her to feel more comfortable with the man sitting in front of her.

“I hope you will keep doing well, Miss Clifford.  Now, on to our most important topic for today.” Tristan clapped his hands, opening the manila folder he was holding earlier.  “As you know, my dad has already retired so I’ll be taking over this case from now on.  I’ve been reviewing documents about this case since he handed it over to me, and I must say that basing it off of just the storyline and your father’s personality, I am certain that this is a frame-up.”  Tristan stated, making Alex eye him hopefully.

“Isn’t it?  My dad would never do those things.” Alex said, a little too eagerly.

“I agree, Miss Clifford.  However, as a lawyer, I cannot just bring them to reopen this case based on just what we think is right.  I am in no way saying that you and your family should just give up, Miss Clifford but what I need to have them reopen the trials for this is evidence or even a witness that would prove that your father was innocent.”  Tristan stated in a business-like manner, making Alex avert her gaze from the man.  At least, this was better than their lawyer before who was almost close to giving up.  Having Tristan as their new lawyer who still believed that there could be something done was enough.  “I’m sorry, Miss Clifford but that is the process.  If we cannot present them with something new, they would still think that your father is guilty.”  Tristan continued solemnly, reaching out and patting Alex’s hand in comfort.

“Thank you for still believing in us, sir.” Alex said, finally looking up.

“I know my father was close to giving up on this case before, but I am not him.  Please trust me on this.  I will do anything in my power to get you father out of there, Miss Clifford.” Tristan answered, a light of determination could be seen in his eyes.

---

“Give me a rundown.” Charles said, as soon as he stepped out of his car and approached the area that had been closed off by the police.

“Victim was found lifeless and with several bruises all over his face and body in the alleyway between the Dream Pub and Flower Inn.  Victim is male, approximately in his mid-thirties.  Estimated time of death is around half-past two in the morning.  Some witnesses claimed that they last saw the victim talking with two other men outside of the Jupiter Pub a few blocks away from here and they seemed to be in some sort of argument.” The young apprentice detective relayed as they followed Charles to where the body of the victim still lay.

“Anything else I need to know?” Charles asked, pinching his nose as the stench of the dead body and sewage reached his nose.

“According to the witnesses, the victim was heavily drunk when they saw him arguing with the two men.” The apprentice supplied, pinching their nose as well.

“Sir, we found this on the victim’s coat pocket.” One of the first responders approached Charles, handing him a small crumpled up envelope with a few banknotes and with the words ‘severance pay’ written on one side.

“Hmm, seems like he has been laid off or resigned from his job which would explain why the victim was drinking.” Charles contemplated, handing the envelope back to the police officer to be kept as evidence.

“Not to be that guy, sir.  But this may be passed off as another drunken fight.” The detective apprentice said, and Charles, despite him wanting to get to the bottom of things could not help but internally agree.