Page 26 of Ace of Swords

Chapter Nine

The cleaning crew wasmilling around the office when I arrived, but aside from them, everyone had gone home. I was glad for that. I didn’t need anyone else knowing about my suspicions other than Marcus.

I’d called him soon after Tatiana screeched out of the parking lot. He agreed to meet me at the office. If anyone knew about Sergio’s businesses, it was him. He’d been Sergio’s right hand man since the early days and knew things inside and out. He had no formal education, but Sergio was loyal to him and treated him like a son. He managed the books for Sergio’s initial businesses, while I took on the new ventures.

Our styles were very different, and if I was being honest, Marcus really wasn’t up to the task. That’s why I was so enthusiastic when Sergio promised to give me more responsibility. I really thought I could take the operation to the next level. But now I wasn’t sure if I had any future at this company.

I started laying out the files I’d retrieved earlier in the day, preparing to show Marcus the relevant data blips that were so alarming. He strode in and immediately sat in the chair across from my desk, putting up his feet. I was galled by his informality, and frankly I wasn’t used to having anyone else in my office, but I tamped down those feeling in the interest of efficiency. “Marcus, thanks for coming so quickly.”

“I couldn't sit around knowing there was a problem,” he said. “Bring me up on the details.”

Quickly I explained to him the inconsistencies I’d found. I showed him the dummy vendor names, pointing out that LD Petrol was a real vendor while LDPetroleumwas just a front. I couldn’t trace where that money had gone, but it wasn’t being used to fuel Sergio’s trucks. I went down the list of other fake vendors I’d found, searching Marcus’s face to make sure he understood the nature of the con. He was grim.

“Marcus, you know the man better than I do. I haven’t picked up any signals that he’s not an ethical businessman, but I’m realizing lately that I may not be picking upeverysignal that comes my way.”Tatiana.“You’ve been by his side for years. I know he trusts you and you, him. What do you think? Is it possible he’s behind this?”

He was quiet for a long time. It was making me uncomfortable. Had I made a mistake laying out my hunch to Marcus? Would he act like Tatiana, out of loyalty? Or could he be objective and help me crack this puzzle?

Marcus took his feet off my desk and sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees and holding his head in his hands. He started to laugh bitterly. “Man, I hate to say it, but absolutely. Ever since the old days Sergio hasn’t been afraid to cut corners to turn a profit or outbid a competitor. Can I see him squirreling away money illegally, in secret? Of course I can.”

Relief rushed through me. I wasn’t imagining things. I hadn’t falsely accused Sergio to Tatiana.

I was right.

“But I have to say, Rolland, I never imagined a dick move from you like this. I mean, where’s your loyalty?” His words didn’t match his demeanor. He was speaking to me calmly but he was clearly accusing me of something.

“Dick move? How? We’re responsible for the information we provide to the CPA. If the IRS–”

Marcus cut me off mid-sentence. “I understand going after some sweet ass, believe me, I see what you see. Tatiana isfine.But you’re really planning to betray Sergio just so you can be with her? There are other fish in the sea, Rolland.” On the surface it sounded like friendly advice, but his tone was threatening. And what did he know about Tatiana and me?

I swallowed the uneasy knot stuck in my throat. “You’re mistaken, Marcus. You clearly have the wrong impression.”

“I got a pretty good impression at Tatiana’s graduation party. Your hand up her dress and her tits hanging out. I don’t think I misinterpreted that, Rolland. Seems pretty black and white to me.”

The slamming door that night. Someonedidsee us.

Sweat pooled down my spine. “What happened with Tatiana has nothing to do with this. It’s two completely separate things,” I started to explain. “Sergio–”

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