“Negative, Mr. Galloway. As of this time, you are not under arrest, only because throughout the investigation your name was never brought up. We have every reason to believe you weren’t aware of what was happening.”
I swallowed hard. Arrest? I thought I was tough, but this wasn't even in the same neighborhood that I was thinking.
“However, if there was to become proof that you were involved in any way, shape or form, I will be bringing you in as well.”
The agents motioned for Robert to come to them and he slowly stood up from his chair and looked at me.
“How could you do this, Robert? People trusted us with their money.”
He didn't shake his head to confirm, only had a look on his face of shame. The look confirmed any doubt I had.
“I knew when we were doing it, it was wrong, but your father and I aren't getting any younger, and we have so much debt, so very much.” He put his head down. “You get accustomed to a certain lifestyle and the thought of not having it was very difficult to fathom.”
The agents placed cuffs on Robert. “We have six agents who will stay here while your employees get their personal effects and leave. It will be locked up until further notice. Absolutely nothing will be leaving this office with the exception of personal things.”
“Okay.” I had no leg to stand on and argue.
They led Robert out of the conference room and I watched as he walked down the hall. Our employees were looking at him and then me, trying to figure out what was going on.
I made the announcement as the agent instructed and pointed to the remaining agents who were in the office. I loosened my Roberto Cavalli silk tie as I began to talk. “Everyone, please don’t panic. Please get your personal belongings and once I figure everything out, I will be in touch with each and every one of you to update you and make sure you are paid for your work,” I said sternly, not sure why the comment came out of my mouth. I had no way of actually following through on that statement.
I wasn't much liked at the office, and most people tolerated me strictly because I was a Galloway. They weren't going to want to cross me, but I doubted they took serious anything that was leaving my mouth. They probably assumed I was just as involved as Robert and my father. I found myself feeling like I had been punched in the gut, but unsure of the reason why.
My secretary stood up beside me. “I will help in any way I can,” Gayle said.
“Thank you.”
Gayle had known me for as long as I had worked at Galloway Investors. I knew it was going to be just as hard for her as it was for me.
My father had done a lot of things wrong, more than I care to remember—but this—this is something that didn’t just affect him.
I just hoped I could make good on my promise. It would be the first time in my life I had done something for someone else.
Pretty sad, wasn’t it?
As soon as the two agents took Robert out of the office and I advised the staff to pack up, I went back into my office and called my mother.
She answered on the second ring, “You aren’t going to believe what just happened.” I slammed my hand down on my dark timeworn, leather-topped wooden desk out of frustration. My desk alone could have paid a month’s salary for some of our employees.
“I already know…”
“Did you know this was happening?” I asked her at my wits’ end.
“I had my suspicions. Your father had always looked for a way around things, or a way to benefit him. But no, I didn’t know they were going to shut down the company.”
“Why didn't you warn me? Or at least tell me what you were thinking?”
“You wouldn't have listened to me… that job was your bread and butter. Hell, you hardly check on me in the first place, always up your father’s ass. You think me telling you would have made any difference or made you quit?”
I growled to myself. She was right and I loathed being wrong.
“That’s what I thought,” she said. “I knew they had been investigating for a while. My father would be so disappointed. I’m sure he is turning over in his grave.”
Galloway Investors was my grandfather’s company. After he passed, my father pushed for it to be renamed under a new LLC and grew it to what it had become. Or lack thereof, I gather. My mother hated what he was doing, and so did my aunt, Rhonda. But as he was a master at manipulation, he convinced Mom it would help him make a good living to support his family. She ended up bending.
“Do you know if they have found him yet?”
“I don’t. I expect he will call me from jail. I don't know who else he would call to help him, other than you. He sure wouldn’t call Wyatt.”
“I don’t want to hear from him either. I want to punch him in the jaw or strangle him. Or both. I have been working my life away for him and he did this….”
She let out a little laugh that got my attention. “You haven't been working your life away, Son. You have wined, dined, and entertained and made a damn good living doing it. But you didn't work your ass off. You wouldn't know where to start if you had to do that.”
I wanted to tell her she was being a hard-ass, throwing me under the bus. My mother had never been a hard worker either, had always been privileged.
I realized she was going to feel like I had a part of this.
I’m not going to lie and say I
