Chapter 4: money, power, silence

By the time Ray walked out of the police station, the sun had set, so he decided to head home.

He got home and turned on his television.

“News happening at the moment” A black female reported, speaking from the other end of the screen.

“The state police have discovered an affiliation between our very own elite valley tech limited and a Mafia gangster, Ricky Fernando…”

Ray didn't let the reporter finish before hitting the power off button.

His suitcase slipped from his hand as he sank into the cushion.

“Rick is driving at something…why is he so quick to throw me under the bus” he muttered.

Massaging his creased forehead. Lazily.

By the time it was morning, his eyes were all swollen. “At least no nightmares today” he spoke into the mirror.

As he brushed his teeth.

Aside from the eyes that trailed him and the stares from his employees.

The morning started…quiet… almost too quiet.

Like nothing happened yesterday.

The smell of the coffee Frank prepared smelled richer this morning.

Even the diffuser in His office seemed to be diffusing the fresh rose scent generously today.

The day was almost perfect until 11pm.

Calls started coming in nonstop from different companies, investors, and clients, seeking the withdrawal of contracts and investments.

At first, Ray tried to handle it himself but eventually transferred the calls to his administrative team.

He returned to his home early.

Luckily none of the angry investors or clients had come personally.

“I want all this to go away” he spoke into his phone as he alighted at his modern family duplex.

“Ok, sir” the person on the other end of the phone responded.

He felt his head spin from trying to keep things together at the office.

Trying to act like he had everything under control… when he didn't.

He stood under the shower head as warm water ran through his body, letting his hands rest on the wall.

“What would Jake advise me to do if he were here?” He whispered.

His bath lasted for about an hour.

By the time he walked out, his phone was buzzing from calls from the man he had called earlier.

“I was in the bathroom” Ray spoke lazily into his phone.

“I'm already on my way, Boss,” the man on the other end of the phone replied.

Ray ended the call.

10 minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

He spoke into a small mouthpiece,” Come in and shut the door”

George stood next to him on the 2 seater cushion in the sitting room.

“Speak George,” Ray uttered lazily.

“I was able to find some bad eggs in the state police, the detective happens to be one of them so the case is sorted out”

Ray nodded.

“What about Rick, why is he trying to pull me down with him? ” Ray asked.

“Sir, he has another accomplice and he's trying to protect them”

Ray sat up, “continue”

“You are the only one who can provide the police with a copy of his activities and history on the website, you can uncover the identity of his accomplice because you built it, that website is too sophisticated to be breached by anyone else”

“He knows, I won't because I will try to protect the company so his letting the police and the public focus more on me instead of his accomplice” Ray interjected.

“Exactly Sir” George nodded.

“But with a little negotiation, the detective has promised to make Rick take all the fall”

Ray nodded.

The next morning, Ray got his administrative team into the conference room.

“How can we sort the online saga” Ray's hair was styled to one side, his face expressionless as always.

A long pause followed… nobody said anything, nobody was willing to be the first to annoy Mr Raymond.

“Say something” Ray smacked his palm hard on the table.

The team almost jumped out of their seats.

Frank raised his quivering finger, “Sir, if I may?”

He nodded, turning his head away.

“If we can provide proof that we have no partnership with Rick, all this will go away” he paused after each word as though he was trying to weigh the effect.

“If we do that, two things happen, either the Internet begins to generate controversial theories which will still make us lose investors or the Internet stops talking about us and that's bad for business”

Another pause followed… this time longer.

Frank raised his hand again.

“Is he the only one I pay here?” he roared, His eyes darkened with rage.

The PRO raised her hand, “Sir, we need something to distract and lure them in more”.

Ray's eyes pierced through her skin.

Her knees buckled.

“Frank, go ahead” he motioned towards his secretary, ignoring the lady.

“Sir, please do not be offended by what I'm about to say” he cleared his throat.

Ray's brows arched.

“Sir, the investor and clients are looking to invest in another new tech company”

He paused, feeling the weight of the words on his chest.

“This tech company is owned by your ex”

He darted his gaze away from Ray's.

“Continue “ Ray's voice, ordered flatly

“If there's a way to get Jake back on our team, at least for 2 months, we will be able to change the topic of discourse online and also prevent the investors from leaving”

“Why do you think this will work?” Ray asked.

“Well, the website was built around the time of your divorce, everyone might be seeing you as a controversial businessman now but with Jake in the picture you'd become the forgiving partner”

Another beat of silence followed.

Your idea is trash” Ray added, almost bored.

Frank's head almost fell out of his head as he bowed and pleaded for mercy.

He made to leave “This meeting is over”

The door handle twisted and the nerdy intern from the driveway walked in battling to balance the tray of coffee and bun in his hands.