“Yes. Sorry, and you are?” I ask, perplexed. I’m not in the mood for games this morning. I just wanna find out what Lawrence wants and go back to bed.
“It’s Tabitha Thomas from News Weekly. I’m interested in getting a statement from you regarding the arrest of Brightlight’s CEO Harold Brimstone last night. Do you wish to make a comment?”
Suddenly, I feel light headed and out of breath. “Pardon? Can you repeat what you just said, please?”
“Harold Brimstone was arrested in LA last night under suspicion of embezzlement from your company.”
I drop the phone, staring at it as it lies face up on the kitchen counter. I can hear the reporter saying my name, but it sounds very far away. Uncle Harry, embezzling, from me. What the hell? I shake my head, trying to gather some composure. I pick up my phone again.
“Tabitha was it?”
“Yes, Tabitha Thomas. News Weekly.”
“Okay. Tabitha, at this stage I have to say no comment. A representative from Brightlight Industries will make a public statement later today. That is all I have to say right now. Thank you.” I push end and hang up.
Putting my hands down on the kitchen counter to brace myself, I take a few deep breaths; inhale and exhale. There is one good thing about that phone call; at least I now have some idea what Lawrence was calling me about. I want to wake Brax up to tell him, but after the day we had yesterday, I think it’s better just to let him sleep. I’ll tell him about all of this when I know more, and I’ve spoken to my lawyer.
Making an extra strong coffee with the mandatory three spoons of sugar, I grab my phone and walk into the living room, sitting down in my window seat that I love so much. I sit sideways parallel to the window, pulling my legs up and digging them under the cushions. This is my favorite place in the whole apartment, and I’m sitting here because I don’t know what Lawrence is going to tell me.
I punch in the number, and he answers after one ring.
“Lawrence, it’s Elle Halliwell.”
“Elle! Have you seen the news? Have you had any reporters contact you yet?” He’s talking a million miles an hour. He’s a good man, but he’s always been rather excitable.
“Yes. I’ve just had a delightful phone call from News Weekly wanting a statement from me regarding Harry’s apparent arrest. Is it true?” I ask, my voice sounding higher than it should be. Must be from the shock.
“Indeed. It seems Harry Brimstone was arrested late last night, and is sitting in an LA county jail right now awaiting a bail hearing.”
I shake my head. “Wow! I couldn’t believe it when the reporter told me. What happened?”
“The details aren’t clear right now, but it appears there is evidence that he has been misappropriating Brightlight funds for some time, and a witness recently came forward who was willing to testify,” he continues to explain.
“An employee?” I ask. It’s a huge step for someone to be brave enough to go up against the CEO, especially someone like Uncle Harry.
“So it seems. Their identity is being kept secret for their protection, but it appears that an anonymous tip came in a few days ago and the feds acted on it straight away due to its high profile and the amount of money involved.”
I take a deep breath, not really wanting to hear his answer. “How much, Lawrence? Are we in trouble here?”
“No, dear. Not at all. We’re talking around ten million dollars, small change in terms of Brightlight’s finances, which is probably why it went undetected for so long.” I can tell he has a smile on his face, knowing that the company’s okay.
Lawrence was my father’s lawyer, so he’s known me for many years now. He also knows how important Brightlight is to me, now more than ever.
“Thanks, Lawrence. I kind of needed to hear that, for peace of mind more than anything else. So, what do I need to do?” I’m curious as to what this means for me. I’m in no way ready to step up and take the helm of the company.
“Well, the Board of Directors have called an extraordinary meeting for tonight. They know you cannot attend, but they may need to conference call you. I expect that they’ll want you as the incoming CEO.”
I knew this was coming. It’s what I was destined to do after all, but somehow this new development hasn’t filled me with joy.
“I don’t want that, Lawrence. I’m not ready,” I implore. This was supposed to happen in two or three years’ time, not now. Especially not now.
“Sorry, Elle, but there is no one else to step in. We might be able to start the recruitment process for another acting CEO, but not right now. We need you to steer Brightlight through this crisis.” I take a deep breath and allow Lawrence’s words to sink in. There is no one else.
“No, Lawrence. I’m the majority stakeholder, and what I want is for the Chief Financial Officer to be put in as acting CEO for the foreseeable future. He has been there since the beginning with my father, and he’s the only other person I trust there other than you,” I say, sighing quietly.
Just when I get my world straightened out and going well, something happens to tilt it on its axis once again.
“As you wish,” he acquiesces.
“And tell the board that they can contact me by phone this evening if any of them have a problem with that. We will need to prepare a statement about Uncle Harry…”
“Elle, it’s all being taken care of. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, alright?”
“Yes, Lawrence. Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you to be honest.”
“Let’s hope you’ll never have to know, Elle. Take care,” he adds before hanging up.
I place my forehead on my now bent knees. Glancing out my front window I notice a couple of news vans parked up opposite my building.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
My pounding head reminds me that I need water, food, Advil, and Brax. I can’t help but smile. Brax let loose last night. Coming face to face with Sylvia really rocked him. He didn’t have any time to prepare himself, or me for that matter, and I could tell from the look in his eyes that he needed an escape. Fortunately, his escape this time was found in the bottom of a Jack Daniel’s bottle, and a night of body shots and drunken couch sex with me.
Thinking about Brax lying in bed wearing nothing but a sheet has me launching myself off the love seat. First, I check the apartment door is locked, then I open up the security console by the door to make sure the building’s door locks remain on for the day. I don’t want any reporters getting an idea to come into the building, trying to accost me or my tenants. When I reach the kitchen, I pour two glasses of cold water and grab the Advil out of the cupboard before heading to find Brax.