Page 6 of Uproot

Our company was started by my father, Scott Kade, and was mostly focused on developing computer hardware up until 10years ago when I started giving my input. Since I took over, I focused on software development, and apps, which took the company to a whole new level. Being a Software Engineer, my passion has made my job never feel like work, because I truly love what I do.

Just last month I was featured on Forbes magazine as one of the top Entrepreneurs of the past decade. I was able to give my employees large bonuses, and was feeling like I had finally accomplished many goals I had set out to achieve. I have big plans for teaming up with the biggest Gaming company in the world, Global Games, to do some amazing things in the next year.

But now I am just trying to keep my head above water and praying I can keep progressing while sorting all of this out. I don't have time to take any significant time off right now when so many things are in motion.

I'm not a man that cowers away from challenges, but man, this situation with my nephew is more of a challenge than it was to earn my first million.

The bell for the elevator rings and I go over to it, knowing it's Helen. She walks off of the elevator wearing a suit and heels, as always, giving me a timid smile.

"Good morning, Sir. Are you and Dragana ready to go?" She asks, stepping into the foyer.

"I'm right here!" Dragana calls out, her heavy accent floating through the hallway as she emerges. She's dragging two big suitcases behind her that look big enough for a month-long trip back to her hometown in Belgrade.

I go to take them from her, "What's the itinerary?" I ask Helen a few minutes later as we all pile into the elevator.

"We will take the company plane into Redland where a driver will take us a few hours' drive from there to a city called, Charlestown. We will pick up our rental vehicles there, and then it's just a forty-minute drive to our rental cabins in Upwood. I rented two cabins that are side-by-side. One is small, so I will stay there, and you, Dragana, and Edison can have the other cabin, which is much bigger," Helen explains.

I scrub a hand down my face, realizing just getting to this place is going to eat up most of the day. "Fine. At least we can work on the way there," I mutter.

We make our way out of the elevator and I stop to talk to the front desk manager one more time before we leave. When we step outside, there is a black SUV waiting at the curb for us. A driver hurries over to take two of the bags from me and bring them to the trunk.

I open the back door for Dragana and help her up so she can get inside, turning my attention back to Helen.

"Our first stop when we arrive needs to be to the UPD jail to speak to Charlie and whatever second-rate public defense attorney they've assigned him. Then we need to goget Edison. According to Sheriff Vaughn he's staying at his teacher's house, is that correct?"

Helen nods, looking up the information on her phone, "Yes Sir. His teacher's name is Selah Lansing. I have her contact information right here."

"Good. Let her know we will be there this evening when we are done with Charlie. I'll have Dragana set up everything that we are bringing at the rental for him. Did you get the clothes and toys for him?" I ask.

"Yes I did. It's all in the trunk already. And I purchased several sizes just like you requested, Sir. Oh, and I also contacted our PR team and they will be on the lookout for any news sprouting up about Charlie. They will handle it and make sure it isn't an issue," she says, smiling proudly.

I nod and motion for her to get into the SUV. I pause for a moment before I climb in, looking up at my building one more time.

I don't know why but I have a strange feeling that things are going to be different the next time I come back here.

But of course that's ridiculous.

I'll do my good deed and find Maria, and do whatever I need to get her life together and ready to step back into her parenting role. I'll keep tabs on her after I come back, and make sure that she isn't screwing everything up with Edison after I leave.

It will all work out the way it's supposed to.

"Coming Sir?" Helen asks, giving me a worried look.

"Yeah. Yeah I am," I say, shaking off my thoughts and climbing in the SUV, shutting the door behind me.

3

Beckett

Ipark my rental SUV outside of Upwood Police Department and look around outside.

On the drive up I was surprised to see how nice it actually is here. I was expecting more of a redneck mountain town, rundown and standing on its last legs, since Charlie has been hiding out here.

But instead I was met with mountain views, a decent looking downtown area, and lots of deer and wildlife roaming around. Most of the people I saw walking around were older, and it makes me wonder who Charlie was even selling to out here. I guess he somehow could have been honest when he said he was only storing the drugs at his house for a dealer in a bigger town.

I already took Dragana and Helen back to our rental cabins so they could get everything set up for Edison's arrival. Helen has her own rental SUV, and I told them to get groceries in town as well. I just want everything to be ready for when we bring Edison there.

I get out of the SUV and am greeted once again by the fresh mountain air, and warm sun. I'm thankful that Charlie at leasthad his life fall apart in an acceptable month to travel here. If I had to come here in Winter when it's likely -500 degrees, I'd be even more pissed off than I am right now to make this trip.

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