Chapter Fifty-four
Father And Daughter
11:47 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Business Vicinage...
Kim drove the Corvette to the valet parking of the Sphinx Corporation Third Branch Office. A young man ran around the front of the red car and opened the door for her. He smiled at her.
"Welcome back, Ms. Griffin."
"Thank you." Kim handed him the key to the car as she stepped out of the vehicle and straightened her pant suit. The young man got in and drove the vehicle away to park it as Kim looked up at the massive building before her. She entered the main lobby and went up to Level 150 and then walked to Cathy's desk. The secretary wasn't there.
Kimberly's view...
Cathy must have gone home for the evening. I thought I worked long hours; Corporate life's harsh, working twelve to fourteen hours a day and seven days a week. I guess that's one good thing about being a Life Closer, I get to set my own hours.
I make my way to my father's office as I have no idea why he wanted to see me now and this late. It could have waited till tomorrow morning. I knock on the door, but no one replies, and after about a minute, I walk back to Cathy's desk, pick up a pad, and start to write a message.
End Kimberly's view...
"Good evening," a male voice said from behind her.
Kim turned, seeing the Head of Security. "Orthos, isn't it?"
"Yes." He bowed his head in greeting. "Are you here to see the Chairman?"
"I am," she answered. "But since you're here, my father said I could speak with you about my mom."
He nodded his head several times. "Yes, a terrible case. One I inherited. I'll be happy to go over the file with you. Call my secretary, and she'll set up a meeting."
"Thank you. Have you seen my father?"
"No. For now, follow me." He started down the hall toward the office. "The Chairman called and told me he would be stepping out for a few minutes and that he would be right back." Orthos patted the folders under his left arm. "I came to deliver these for your father." They entered the Chairman's office, and Orthos walked around to the front of the desk, laid the folders down, and opened the top one. He couldn't help but grin, but then he regained his composure and looked to her. "The Chairman won't mind if you wait for him here. I'm going back to my office." Orthos paused at the door. "Do tell him I brought him more folders courtesy of the Second Branch Office."
He opened the door and left then dialed his cell. "The Vice President, please." Orthos paused, waiting. "Kimberly Griffin is here and as per your instructions, I laid the latest files on the Chairman's desk in front of her." His grin returned. "Yes, I believe she will notice. She has about fifteen minutes before the Chairman returns. She will see."
In the Chairman's office...
Kimberly's view...
I don't want to wait any longer. I want to go home. I glance at the folders Orthos placed on the desk, see the open one, notice a note on the top paper, and read the upside down message. It's a skill I picked up long ago in high school.
"Chairman, here are a few more folders from when you were Janus and over security for me. Signed the Vice President."
I gasp. Janus is my father? I pick up the folders, turn them around, and skim through them, and see that they're reports from Janus. I collapse back in my chair. My father can't be the Janus I'm after, but if he is, that would mean he ordered my mom's death or killed her himself.
I close the folder, turn it back around, and place it on the desk. I pause, contemplating if I should put it back as I found it, decide to do so, and open the top folder, exposing the note. I lose the cool demeanor of a Closer. My father can't be Janus, and he couldn't have killed my mom. It's a lie. Theresa was his wife, and he wouldn't have hurt her.
End Kimberly's view...
The door opened, and Mr. Griffin walked in, reading over a H.H.C. he had uploaded with all the information he'd uncovered so far on his youngest daughter. He didn't notice Kim when he first walked in; he had been debating all day if he should tell Kim she might have a sister. He peered up from the H.H.C. and paused half way in.
"Kimberly, I didn't know you were here."
Kimberly's view...
I stand, searching his face for the answers to my grim questions. Is he Janus? Did he kill my mom?
End Kimberly's view...
"This is so unexpected. Have you been here long?" Mr. Griffin questioned as he walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. Kim recoiled from his touch, so he stepped back, puzzled by her more than usual coldness, and questioned her, "What's wrong?"
She answered calmly, "Nothing." Kim eyed him with disdain.
Mr. Griffin looked at her for a few more seconds, then went to his desk, and asked, "What do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Today makes it three times this month."
"What do you mean?" she asked. "I received a message from you to come see you, and the message stated there was something you wanted to discuss with me."
"I didn't send you a message," Mr. Griffin replied.
Kimberly's view...
"No matter, I have some questions I thought you might help me with."
I sit, controlling my anger. What will I do if it's true? Will I kill my own father?
My tone puts him on edge, and he asks, "What kind of questions?"
"They're about mom." I watch his expression, his unwavering eyes.
"Oh." He leans back in his chair and tells me, "Go ahead. Ask."
"Have you ever heard of someone called Janus?"
His eyes dilate as he answers, "Janus. Hmm... No, I don't think I know anyone by that name."
He lied to me! I fist my hands as I ask, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
I control my anger again. "I want to ask this person a few questions about mom." I open my purse and glance at the PPK inside.
He shrugs. "Sorry, I can't help you."
I give him one more chance as I ask, "Are you sure?"
Mr. Griffin's view...
What does she know? I remember a conversation I had with Orthos. Did she discover something I over looked?
Kimberly's view...
He's family, so I give him a third chance and ask, "Are you sure you don't know anyone by that name?"
Mr. Griffin's view...
I gamble she doesn't, and I answer, "Yes, why?" I watch her shift her gaze from me to my desk, so I look down and see the new folders, and then I notice the note. I read it to myself, "Chairman, here are a few more folders from when you were Janus and over security for me. Signed the Vice President."
The Vice President? Did he orchestrate this?
I look to my daughter as my heart pounds, and I notice her expression darkens to the killer look of the Phoenix. She removes her gun from her purse and screws the silencer on as I ask, "What are you doing?"
Kimberly's view...
"I'm going to get to the truth," I tell him as I aim for his heart, choking back uncertainty and heartache. "Why did you kill mom?"