Wealth (free and completed)

Chapter 8 - Corruption

Janus

My last interaction with Valerie bothered me. In my effort to make our interactions more familial, it became more awkward. At least, that was what I felt in my end. Yet, I was glad I was there for her. Something was wrong, but she did not want to open up yet. She thought that I believed her when she said that she was okay. She was not.

I could remember how my cheeks hurt from keeping that jolly smile while I tried to match her with someone from work. It would be for the better if she started dating someone else. While we were not blood-related, my thoughts about her should not go beyond a certain point. At least, that was how I saw it. She probably saw me as a big brother, someone she could confide in – not that bully Joseph or the flighty Rafael. Emilie did not seem like someone who had ever been a big sister to her, either. To think that I envied people with siblings, biological or not.

“Sir, what do you think of this design?” my assistant, Tara, asked.

I had been sending emails and texts to the police officers in charge of the investigation. I had to admit that even at work, my mind was preoccupied with the disappointing turn of events. I thought that a suspect would have been nabbed by now. However, I had not seen anything close, and the Sangster siblings continued with their aimless lives.

Mr. Sangster – my father – did not adopt Valerie. It was an intentional decision that I could never understand. She was the best one among the four. Of course, a part of me was shamefully relieved that she was not my legal sister.

“Put it right here, Tara. Let me see it more closely.”

We were already working on SangFord, hoping that the leather business would provide more quality products while earning profits. My bio dad’s decision to provide high-quality products for young professionals and those in the lower middle class was admirable; I had to admit. Being assigned to this line was just the right thing. Among the siblings, I was the one who knew first hand what it was like to live in near utter poverty. Of course, I thought I was merely lucky to get into college at some point.

Tara was merely the messenger. The design came from Andrew, the guy I tried to match with Valerie. He was about his age, twenty-four, young and promising. He also seemed like a gentleman who would not scare Val. I felt almost paternal, although I was only a couple of years older. I knew that some people thought I got the job because I was the heir, since most did not know I was offered this job months ago. However, the arrangement between the company I worked for, Tristan James Designs, was another thing entirely. It was not precisely nepotism, but I felt that it might as well be if I was not careful.

The leather backpack was nothing new. You would find it in most catalogs now. However, we were using authentic leather. We needed to profit and still sell this leather to the middle classes. Andrew also put extra zippers and pockets for a more organized look. Not only that, the bag has extra folds inside that could be stretched to accommodate up to a 15” laptop without losing the luxurious look.

“Ask Mr. Simon to come to me,” I told Tara, hoping my friendly tone took the edge of the order. I didn’t think I would ever get used to being anybody’s boss.

“Okay, sir,” she smiled back.

A nervous-looking Andrew entered my office. I asked him to sit across from me. So, he did. I studied the younger man objectively. I told Valerie that he was an attractive man, with his brown hair and brown eyes. He was about Rafael’s height and build.

“Well, you did a great job, Andrew. I just need you to give me a breakdown of your proposed budget for manufacturing this bag.”

He audibly exhaled. He looked so openly relieved that I had to chuckle.

“Sir, I thought you were going to tell me how awful it is. The last time anyone ever called me to their office was to tell me how horrible the design was and how talentless I was.”

“Surely you have been called for praise, at some point? I’ve seen your portfolio. A lot of your work made it to the final cut.”

“While that’s true, sir. Whenever my former bosses see my work is good enough, they just let it process. They never tell me anything.”

“Not a thank you.”

He shook his head.

“W-well,” I sighed. “That’s pretty awful.”

“Oh, you don’t know, sir. I mean – you probably really don’t know what with you being -,” he stopped there, looking pale.

“You mean because I’m a Sangster?”

He gulped and nodded, bowing his head to avoid my gaze. I felt sorry for him. I also felt sorry for myself. What were people really saying about me?

“Mr. Simon, I only recently found out that I’m a Sangster, not that it should be your business. However, I could probably use you to start clearing my name. Yes, I feel fortunate about being in my position. The connection with SangFord helps this company but also helps Sangster Leathers. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.”

“I – I am sorry, sir.”

“It’s okay,” I said through gritted teeth. I reminded myself that it was not Andrew’s fault. It was the way the world was primed to think. Just as I was thinking of possible corruption in the investigative team, I was also suspected of being part of a different part of corruption. Perhaps I should start framing a copy of my diploma and hang it on the wall behind me. Yeah, there. I’d given myself something to do to alleviate my position.

“By the way, are you still interested in meeting my sister?”

Seeing the look on Andrew’s face, I continued, “Yeah, she’s not really my sister, but she needs to get out sometimes. What do you think?”

“Well, sir, I’ve seen her pictures in the papers. I may sound like a stalker, but yeah, I find her attractive based on what I’ve seen. I would be happy to get to know her.”

“You know that she’s in a wheelchair, right? Do you have space for that in your car?”

“Yes, of course. I know. I think she’s brave. Yes, I have space,” he answered quickly. Eagerly, but not in a creepy way. He seemed eager, like a child about to meet his hero or crush. Or both. Valerie was like a superheroine to me, too, even during the little time I had known her so far. She could have wallowed in self-pity or gone into drugs like Rafael or Emilie. She could have been rough, covering up her edges, like Joseph. Here I was, acting like a shrink for my father’s wards.

“Well, would you like to meet her here first? I think both of you would be more comfortable with that.”

He agreed. A broad, genuine grin was on his face.

***

“I should not be dating when dad’s murder has not been solved,” Valerie protested, her hands folded in front of her. From time to time, she would squeeze one hand with the other. It seemed like she was comforting herself. Then, she would hold the controls of her wheelchair to continue navigating.

“Well, it would not be a date yet. Just hang out with us,” I assured her, walking behind her wheelchair while we explored the garden. She did not want to be pushed. She would rather operate her wheelchair herself, and I got that. I understood the need for independence. She did not know that I was getting too protective of her. I would be willing to do anything for her. Arranging a date with Andrew was just one of the things I would and could do. I hoped she would smile all the time.

“Okay, I guess. But no promises. I might or might not like this Andrew,” she shuddered a little.

“Fair enough.”

“Why is it that you’re trying so hard to give me away?”

“Give you away?”

“Yeah, it’s almost like you took the role of both of my dead fathers.”

“No. It’s not that.”

I could not tell her that I was afraid I liked her more than I should, drawn to her more than I should be, and afraid that she had a compelling presence because we might be related by blood. Perhaps, the titillation of the possibility made it all too attractive. I hope that was not the case.

“Then, what is it?”

“I’m,” I began, wanting to tell her that I was afraid we were getting too close. “just concerned that you spend too much time at home. It’s not healthy. I could have arranged for you to go out with a girlfriend or two, but I know guys better than girls. Then, there’s Andrew at work. He has a crush on you.”

“You know that’s creepy, right, Janus? The man has a crush on me and he has not even met me. He’s read newspapers and possibly even tabloids with me on them. Watched me on television. Don’t you think that’s a little nuts?”

The way she said it made me think that maybe I was nuts. How well did I know Andrew, anyway? Oh, well. They could talk in the office. Get to know each other. She needed to leave the house. She was so pale.

Valerie and I continued to chatter about several other things. She seemed more at ease than when I went to her room that evening. Outside, under the bright sun, she appeared to be more lively. It was the personality that I first detected from her, even when she was supposed to be grieving at the wake. Valerie was not the melancholy sort, despite her circumstances. It did not change the fact that something was still niggling at the back of her mind. She chose to push it away, brush it off.

Then, we saw the elderly butler walking briskly toward us.

“Mr. Sangster, one of the detectives is here,” Randall said.

“Oh, okay. We’re just here. If she’s fine with us talking while walking, tell her to see us in the gardens.

It was the weekend. The Sangster siblings were inside the house. The garden seemed like it could provide us with more privacy.

Soon enough, a detective with a soft caramel complexion and hair tied in a bun approached us. Of course. It was Shawna Williams.

“Good afternoon, detective,” Valerie and I said at about the same time.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Sangster and Miss Matthews.”

“Well, I’m just giving you a little update. The investigation has been closed,” she said. Her eyes revealed the depth of her disappointment.

“Why?” demanded Valerie.

The detective sighed heavily, taking out a little bit of her frustration.

“I suspect someone’s corrupt in the department. Someone got paid,” she said, shaking her head. Her hands were on her waist while she looked at her shoes or whatever else was there. The grass? Yeah, but I knew what she was feeling. I did not know Mr. Sangster, my biological dad, that well, but I could feel rage for him. From what I knew about him, his only problem was that he did not know how to keep away from married women. Otherwise, he was an outstanding guy.

“B-but this isn’t over, right?” Valerie asked.

“I cannot investigate this without drawing the ire of the other detectives, but my eyes will remain peeled. I suspect, however, that you two will get more information from here inside.”

“You suspect it’s an inside job?” I inquired, although I had the same suspicion.

“It seems so. Nobody else was here in that house when it happened. This mansion is separated from the next house by a few kilometers. I thought perhaps it might have been an accident. But, hush money? Someone’s afraid to be found out. Anyway, I need to go. Please tell me if you hear or see anything,” she said, sauntering off.

“We will,” I called out.

Valerie looked up at me, her eyes pleading.

“I’m here, Val,” I assured her. “We’ll find out who killed dad.”