Kak’s secretary called Beckett over to the cake. There were two nearly-identical cakes with white frosting and little sugar flowers. She cut a piece from the corner of the closest cake and handed it to Beckett. “We didn’t know what kind of cake you like, so we got one of each. This one’s chocolate.”
“Thanks, Pat. I’m sure they’re both fine.”
“Mr. Kak wanted to be here, but he was called away.”
“I’m sure.”
No sooner did Beckett put fork to cake, than Wilson came over and tried to shake his hand. “Everett, it’s been good having you here.” Wilson held his hands up to quiet the crowd. “People, people, quiet. I’d like to thank each of you for coming to help us give Everett a warm send off, though I suspect many of you just came for the free cake.” Everyone laughed uncomfortably.
“‘Everett’?” Molly whispered into Beckett’s ear. “Bet he doesn’t know your last name either!”
Wilson continued. “Still, now that we have you, I’d like to say a few words about Everett. Everett was the kind of employee I’ve always felt we needed more of around here. He was hard-working, dedicated and prompt.”
“Unlike the rest of you,” Corbin whispered to Molly.
“I keep telling George that we should hire more married men like Everett. They’re more responsible. I guess they learn to follow orders from their wives!” Wilson smiled, but the audience remained silent. “One thing I have to say, though, is I am disappointed you’re leaving us so soon. We like our employees to stay at least two years. That way we know they have plenty of time to learn about what we do. Of course, we don’t want employees staying too long either, do we? Ellen, where are you? There you are. How many years have you been with us?”
“Six,” an icy voice responded from the crowd.
“That’s a lot more than Everett. Still, we enjoyed having you here and getting to know you, Everett. Let me propose a toast.” Wilson lifted his glass of punch. He was one of only five people in the room to get punch before he began speaking. “To Everett Beckett, good luck with the new job.”
Everyone clapped.
Beckett set down his cake. “Thank you Mr. Wilson, thank you everyone. There are probably many things I could say at a time like this to reflect upon my time here. Today, however, I’m thinking of the future. So let me just say that I profited greatly from my time here and that each of you enriched me more than you will ever know. Thank you all.”
The clapping began again.
Corbin scanned the crowd for any reactions. No one seemed to grasp Beckett’s double meaning, except Molly, who had a strange look on her face. Corbin felt uneasy.
Corbin returned to the office while Beckett remained in the conference room wishing people well. Molly soon appeared at his door.
“‘Profit greatly’? That’s subtle. I would love to have been there when he returned to the office this afternoon. I can see it now. ‘Gee, Becks, good to see ya. How’d it go?’” She pointed at Corbin. “That’s you, in case you haven’t guessed.”
“I figured.”
“Then he says to you. ‘Hey, Corb,’ or whatever he calls you, ‘guess what you’re an accessory to?’ Then you said something like. ‘Doh! I wish I’d listened to Molly when she warned me about you.’” She smacked her forehead with her palm. “How’m I doing so far?” she asked with a big grin.
“Very vivid imagination.”
Just then Beckett appeared at the door. “Still think I’m not here, Molly?”
“Oh, you’re here now, but that’s not the issue. Where were you all day? That’s the question.”
“Are you here to quiz me or say goodbye?”
Molly shrugged her shoulders. “No need to quiz you; I’ll get what I need out of Corbin. As for goodbyes, I don’t like them. I prefer ‘get the hell outs.’ See ya round, Beckers.” She left.
Now it was Beckett’s turn to laugh.
“You got all your stuff?” Corbin asked, scanning the office.
Beckett looked over the few personal items remaining on his desk. “I think so.”
Corbin closed the door before handing Beckett a cell phone. “Keep this. It’s a prepaid phone. It’s untraceable. There’s one number in memory; it belongs to this phone.” Corbin held up a second phone. “If you need to reach me, call that number. When you call, the caller ID will light up and I’ll see you called. Don’t leave a message. I’ll call you back that evening after 10:00 pm, got it?”
Beckett nodded.
“Same thing if I need to reach you. I’ll call, but won’t leave a message. I set your phone to flash red when you miss a call. When you see that, plan on calling me that night after ten.”
Beckett nodded again.
“Never use that phone except to call this phone. Understand? Never.”
“Got it.”
“When we talk, don’t say anything incriminating or I’ll hang up right away.”
“Understood.”
“When we get the stuff, I’ll give you a call and tell you where to meet.”
“Check.”
“Any questions?” Corbin asked.
“Nope. You’ve covered it all.”
“Good work today.”
“Thanks. I still don’t feel right about it, but I’ll get over it. And I have to give you credit, you’re one heck of a criminal. It’s a good thing for the rest of us that few criminals can scheme like you can.”
“I think I’m flattered.”
“I meant it in a good way.” Beckett put the last of his belongings into a duffel bag. He looked around the office. His phone rang. “Hello.”
“Small conference,” came Kak’s voice. The line disconnected.
“What do you think? Should I see Kak or should I skip out the door?”
“And pass up your last chance at enlightenment?”
Beckett laughed. He picked up his bag. “You know how to reach me,” Beckett said, tapping the prepaid phone.
“I do.”
“It’s been interesting. Make us rich.”
The two friends shook hands, then Beckett headed home.
Chapter 13
Corbin sat on his ivory carpet. He had moved his coffee table near the balcony door and now leaned his back against the couch. To his right, beyond the island countertop, was his kitchen. The Philadelphia packets were spread out before him. He counted again, but still came up short.
“Son of a bitch!” Corbin picked up the phone and called Alvarez.
“Yo.”
“Vez, we’re one wallet short.”
“What?! Holy shit!”
“Check your pockets. Check your car. Check everywhere you might have been,” Corbin commanded.
“Whoa, whoa, hold on,” Alvarez protested. “I couldn’t have lost one. I never opened the bag after I took it from him.”
“When was that?”
“The train station in Philly.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, one hundred percent. We walked to the train station. He sat down. I took the duffel bag. It never left my sight after that until I gave it to you, and I never opened it.”
“Think back carefully. . did you lose a wallet anywhere along the way?”
“No. Your system was perfect. He took the wallets from the bags and handed them to me. I did my thing. I handed them back to him, and he stuck them back into the plastic bags as I watched. We would have known right away if we lost a wallet.”
“Did you see him put the plastic bags into the duffel bag? Is it possible he dropped one somewhere along the way?”
“No. He put every one into the bag. Everything was always closed before we moved on from the spot.” Alvarez waited for Corbin to speak. The silence was oppressive.
“Shit!” Corbin exclaimed.
“What are you thinking?” Alvarez asked.
“I’m thinking he kept one. If you didn’t lose it, and he couldn’t have lost it, then the disappearance has to be intentional.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He wants to keep one to hold over us,” Corbin said angrily.