Page 91 of The Mastermind
She blushed. “And you look even more handsome than the last time I saw you. The women must be all over you.”
“Just one.”
“Oh, really? I want to meet her. Remington Starke is withonewoman? She must be very special. Did she put a spell on you?” Peggy teased, not knowing there was truth to her question.
Audri had captured me in unexpected ways. If she put a spell on me, I never wanted to break it.
“I’ll introduce her to you soon.”
Peggy returned to her desk. “You should visit more often.”
“I’ll try,” I said. “Is my dad around? I need to talk to him.”
“He hasn’t been in the office for the last two weeks.” She pressed her lips into a tight line and sighed. “He didn’t look well the last time I saw him. I think he’s sick, but when I asked, he said he just needed more sleep. Mallory has been visiting the office more than he has. She and Brian have been attending meetings in his place. I may be stationed at this desk, but I see things. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not fond of your stepfamily.”
“No offense taken. Between you and me, I’m not fond of them either.”
“They’re attending an offsite conference right now in place of your dad. Is there anything I can do to help you?”
Peggy had been here a long time and had been loyal to my mom. I could trust her.
“Can you email me a list of dates and times when Mallory came by? I still own a portion of this company, even if I’m not around much. I want to make sure Mom’s legacy stays intact. I want this company to survive, you know what I mean?”
“I certainly do, young man.” She straightened her posture. “I’m so thrilled you’re back. I should’ve reached out to you earlier, but I wasn’t sure how involved you wanted to be with the company. Your dad’s relationship with you declined after your mom’s death. His marriage to you-know-who didn’t help much. Don’t get me started on her son.” She rolled her eyes. “Can you believe he told me to get him coffee? Thenerve.”
“Did you?”
“Of course not. I told him if he wanted me to get him coffee, I was leaving and not coming back. He can do all the administrative work himself or explain to all the board members why they can’t get a flight, a hotel, or rent a damn car. I’m valuable, and he needs to respect me.” She huffed out a breath.
I smiled, understanding exactly why Mom appreciated Peggy. She knew where she stood with everyone, and she did her job well. She demanded respect and gave it back in return. I appreciated employees like her.
“I would love to have seen his reaction.”
Peggy huffed out an annoyed breath. “It’s not worth it.”
I lowered my voice. “Off the top of your head, can you tell me if the company is suffering or doing well? I don’t have access to all the financials, and even if I did, it would take a while for me to sift through them.”
“Not well at all,” she whispered. “I had to interrupt one of their meetings when a vendor arrived looking for Brian and overheard they were looking for a buyer. Maybe you can reach out to some of the board members.”
“I’ll do that, thank you.” I could easily find out from the board members, even though I didn’t attend any board meetings, I kept tabs on each one of them. It could be time for me to use what I knew about them to get what I needed. The loyal members would offer truthful information without me having to do anything.
“I’ll get you her schedule soon.”
“Thank you for your time, Peggy.” I patted her shoulder. “I’m going to head out now. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need something.” I gave her my private number and headed to see my dad.
Memories passed through my brain as I drove back to my old home. I cherished the moments when my mom had been around. When she died, my happiness died too.
Did I resent my father for not being there for me? Yes. Most children would. Circumstances had taught me a profound lesson—I couldn’t depend on anyone but myself for my happiness and self-worth.
Looking back, it surprised me that I had made millions of dollars as a teenager. There were ways to hide money under life insurances, scholarships, funds, and other investments—I’d learned a lot from my parents. I wished my mom knew she had made me a millionaire before I turned eighteen. Though I had money back then, it couldn’t buy me what I had desperately wanted and needed: love and family. I had been alone, and the dark welcomed me. In the darkness, I couldn’t see what I was missing.
I pulled into the driveway, got out, and used the spare key I knew was under the third plant pot. I entered the house, and it was dark. There was a security system, but my dad never used it. The house was in a posh neighborhood, and most didn’t even lock their doors, which I thought was obscene. After all, someone like me could enter the home with an agenda. The curtains were drawn closed, and the entire house was silent.
Hearing sounds of a TV show, I walked toward the den. My father was lying on the recliner asleep. He looked frail and a lot older than the last time I’d seen him. Four bottles of medication sat on the table with several bottles of Gatorade. I glanced at the medication. What ailments did he have?
Shifting, he groaned, and his eyes slit open. “Peggy? Something wrong at the office?” His eyeglasses, which were on his shoulder, slid to the floor.
I picked them up and placed them on the side table. “I’m not Peggy.”