PRESENT DAY

Inspector Julius Kpodo was known as a nice guy who somehow always got his man. He was a most unusual figure, not imposing yet unflappable, with average height and no outstanding features yet with a presence that was inexplicably commanding. He was one of those guys who bucked every trend so admirably that it was easy to respect him. His unusual ability to solve the unsolvable meant that he was the one the police went to when a case got cold. His six Officer of the Year awards only lended credence to the outstanding work he was known for.

So naturally, he was woken up from his sleep when the body of Marcus Malcolm Glazer was found. He was one of five case officers on this when Kane went missing ten years ago, and he was the only one left today.

Julius’ assistant, Mary, brought in the envelope he’d requested. He opened it and started reading through the eight papers it contained. When he got to the last page, he frowned. Something looked off. He’d spent all morning reading through the old case files and had been bored to death with memos, contracts, pay stubs and every other document on Kane’s dealings. He’d read every last word, seen every last figure and had mocked Kane’s signature each time he saw it.

Why would he sign away his entire net worth to an employee? Sure, no one knew his family, if he had any at all, but there had to be someone closer that could be his next of kin. Why her? What was so special about Carol Benton?

Mary came back in. “Sir, there’s a Mrs. Benton here to see you.”

“Ah, yes, send her in please, Mary.”

Mary acknowledged what he said, but she noticed his look and figured to ask, “Sir, you have that frown you get when you’re stuck on something.”

“Yes. Why would anyone sign away their entire life’s work to an employee?”

“Hmm. Maybe she was his long lost child or something? Or they had some kind of arrangement? I’ve seen movies where stuff like that happened, so it must be possible.”

“Hmm. Possible, but when was the last time you heard of any of those happening in real life?”

“Hey, you asked for my opinion, that’s my opinion. I’m just a secretary, you know.”

“Some days, I’m quite sure you’re my mother, but what do I know?”

Mary slapped his hand as he laughed. They’d worked together for more than fifteen years, and though that time, they’d seen each other through so much that they’d become more like family than boss and secretary. She shook her head and turned to leave as she said. “I’ll send in Mrs. Benton now.”

*****

TEN YEARS AGO

Carol could never get used to Marvel Mansion but then again, no one could. No one built homes like that nowadays, but this one was like none other no matter what period of time you were in. It conjured the image of an art museum, but it had the feel of an island getaway. She thought it reminded her of Stark’s home in Iron Man 2. He may have had the humble look of a monk, but Kane was an opulent man.

 As she walked through the main hall, with its ridiculously high ceiling and walls of white that flowed into each other like a giant tent, she saw that the door to the study was open. Rather than go inside, she went to the telecom button on the opposite wall. She knew the rules:  no one entered any part of the house unless they were invited. Kane had gotten someone’s job offer at a food factory rescinded because they went into his kitchen uninvited, and she was not about to suffer a worse fate.

Right before she got to the wall, Stella came out of the study and was about to head upstairs when she saw her. “So this is what happens when you blow up, eh? You won’t even come over to see how a sister’s doing.”

Carol went over and gave her a big hug. Stella had about six to seven inches on her, so she had to be on the tip of her toes to get the full effect. “Oh Stella, you know how it is. Besides, why would you need anyone to check up on you when you have the man himself keeping you busy all day?”

“Still, at least call and know if I’m dead or alive. Ever since you started booking your own clients, we’ve never seen you here.”

They came out of the hug, and Carol asked, “We?”

Stella would’ve blushed if she could, but being the black beauty she was, no evidence of red could ever form on her face even if it was paid to. Still, Carol was the only person who had that effect on her, and she looked away slightly before responding, “Well, you know what I mean.”

Carol looked at her, then raised both eyebrows, clearly amused. “I’ll be sure to check on you, Stella. Now, you summoned me to come see him.”

“Summoned? You make it sound like you’re a common peasant.”

“Am I not, though? I serve at the pleasure of both Marcus Glazer and his darker twin, Kane.”

“You really don’t know how special you are, do you, Carol?”

Now Carol really looked perplexed. She thought this was all just banter, but Stella didn’t seem to be joking. “You might have to tell me, Stella. Cos I thought we were just talking.”

Stella shook her head. “Malcolm’s in a meeting with the president of Coal Sails Oil. They are going under and he’s buying their assets for him and his sister.”

“Marcus Glazer has a sister? How come no one knows?”

“Only three people know. Malcolm, myself, and now, you.”

“Why would you tell me this?”

“Come with me. Let’s show you just who you are in this organization.”

*****

PRESENT DAY

Goosman was frantically packing up whatever he valued into a big hand luggage. He knew since the day he’d spoken with Tembo Gardner that his days were numbered. The fact that Tembo had not offed him as soon as he confessed his sins did not mean that a change of heart was impossible. If anything, it was only a stay of execution that bought him just enough time to skedaddle.

His girlfriend was packing too, but she had no idea why they were making this choice. All she knew was that Seth had not been the same since that day at the juice bar. She’d ran up the bill pretty high and spent all the money he gave her, but rather than rail at her like he normally did, he seemed too mentally occupied to even care. Then five days later, here they were, packing up like they were about to become fugitives. She’d tried to get an explanation, but his panicky mood was enough reason to know just how serious this was.

Goosman knew he’d need a go bag at some point, but he’d gotten complacent after the Glazer job. He’d made so much money that he figured he’d never need one. He’d also curried the favor of some powerful people on account of the odd missions he took here and there when he got bored. He was good enough to be hired, but not to be expensive. He also had no ties to anyone who mattered, so he was easily disposable if it came to it. But he was too cheap to get rid off, and that’s how he’d survived in a literal cutthroat business. So he’d never had a go bag at the ready, and the only thing he was ruing more than that decision was the choice to bring Alma along.

The bitch was over here packing like they were going on a damn vacation. What a bimbo! How did he allow her beautiful feet and otherwise regular features to fool him into taking him with her?

“Girl, stop packing goddamn shoes! Just take a few clothes and leave the rest. We can buy new ones later.”

“Do you know how expensive these are? I’m not leaving any of them!”

“I know how expensive they are, bitch, my money bought them! We could die any moment and you’re over here fussing over some damn shoes? The people who I work with are dangerous, and there’s every chance they could come here and kill us! We have to go. We will buy new stuff, just pack one or two things.”

“Since you won’t tell me who these people are, I might as well take my time to pack. Cos if they do come here and kill you, I won’t say a word. I will let them kill your dumbass and I will walk away and never snitch.”

Air barely passed over those last words she spoke before a loud bang was heard, followed by a giant thud and a pool of blood on the floor.

Goosman looked up, and it was clear that his fate had been sealed. He raised his hands in a plea for mercy and was denied the chance to get any words out by the assailants, who put a bag over his head and carried him away.

*****

TEN YEARS AGO

Stella went upstairs with Carol, into the one place only she was ever allowed: Kane’s bedroom. Carol was hesitant to enter, but Stella assured her it was okay. Stella ended up having to literally pull her into the room, shut the door behind her and then tell her, “You in now, so if it wasn’t okay, you would’ve broken the rule already. Trust me, you’re good.”

Carol chose to trust Stella and wandered around the room, amazed at the detail that went into every object in there. The chandeliers, the artwork, the sculptures along the walls, even the vanities were top-notch quality. There were some brands of clothes and perfumes in here that she’d never even seen before, and some she could only dream of touching. This room was paradise.

Stella let her drool over the room and the items in it for a while, and then took her hand. They went up to what looked like the mirror above one of the dressers, and slid it far left. There was absolutely no way of knowing that that mirror concealed a vault, and Carol now felt even more uncomfortable than she did before.

Stella sensed that, and touched her shoulder. “Don’t be nervous, girl, I got you.”

Stella then entered the code to the vault, opened it, and pulled out an envelope from it. “Malcolm was waiting till after his conversation with you to show you this. It was meant to be a present, but I want you to understand the position you’re in before you go in to see him.”

She handed Carol the envelope. “Open it.”

“Stella, I could be in major trouble for even being in here, now you want me to read stuff I have no business knowing exists?”

Stella remained unmoved, so Carol opened the envelope and pulled out the document in it. She saw the header and immediately tried to put it back in. “Nope. Nope, I’m not reading this. Whatever setup you’re trying to get me in, I don’t want any parts of it.”

Stella just laughed as Carol tried putting the document back in, which irritated Carol. “I thought you were my girl. I thought I had your back. I’ve been nothing but nice to you, and now you want to set me up? Fuck you, girl.”

Stella took her hands and held firm. “Are you done freaking out yet?”

Carol now looked confused. Stella was acting very confident and didn’t even look like she was trying to hide. She knew the rules. Why was she not freaking out? “Stella, what’s really going on here? Why do you have me here, looking at stuff I shouldn’t be looking at?”

Stella looked her squarely in the face and said to her, “I know about you and the son of the Oracle of God.”

Hmmm, Stella’s definitely up to something. What could it be?