Unraveled

Unraveled, Chapter 17 - Debriefing

Mia dialed her phone before heading to GB Consulting’s office.  She heard the call pick up and the greeting from the familiar deep voice.

“Hello, Mia.  What’s the status?”

“I’m meeting with Powers now at Buchanan’s office.”

“Do you have any update on the results?  We heard some things may have become messy in D.C.”

“I’ll know more in a few minutes.”

“Get the package.  Get rid of the courier.  Buchanan will help.”

James strutted into the conference room where he originally met Mia Tyler.  George was standing at the head of the table, and Mia was next to him on far side facing the door.  He felt every reason for confidence.  For as much time and travel as was necessary, he was able to hunt down the funds and retrieve the package as Mia had hired him to do.

“Should we be expecting good news?” George asked as he walked over to greet James with a handshake and a hand on his shoulder.  He looked over at Mia with a beaming smile and said, “Can I pick ‘em or what?”  George had his shirt sleeves rolled up.  He had traded his military fatigues for business suits, but he still placed a modicum of comfort over business convention.

Mia nodded graciously and extended her hands, as if she was inviting something.  She had dressed down a bit for this meeting.  The heels were gone and the pantsuit was tailored but not as fitted as the skirt and sheer blouse that James was accustomed to seeing her wear.

James was carrying a package under his left arm when he entered the conference room.  He reached across his body with his right hand and grabbed the package.  He slid it across the table where it came it a stop immediately before Mia.  Mia picked it up and inspected the exterior.  James figured she was checking for a fresh seal to see if he had looked at it.  However, she did not ask.

George turned a dial on the wall next to the light switches.  The glass walls of the conference turned a frosted opaque giving the trio privacy from the rest of the office.

“Was that what you were looking for?” James asked.

“I’ll check in a moment,” Mia replied.  “So what happened in D.C.?”

James rolled a chair from the table and sat down.  He put his arms out, palms up, and shook his head.

Mia got up from her chair.  She was slowly pacing back and forth behind the conference table.  “Where is the money?”

James reached into the pocket on his shirt and retrieved a folded slip of paper.  He slid it across the table where it came to rest in front of the package.  Mia reached over and picked it up.  She unfolded the paper and inspected the series of numbers written on it.

“This isn’t our account.  Is it our bank?” she asked.

James nodded.

Mia sat down and reached into the computer bag on the floor beneath her seat.  She pulled the computer out, opened it and started it up.  She logged into the bank account with the password on the slip of paper.  The bank was located in Switzerland.  The account contained the amount of funds Mia originally claimed lost to QR Capital minus James’ fee. 

“The amount is rather exact,” Mia said, conveying suspicion.  “Was that what you found or what you took?”

“I gave you what you asked for, minus my fee.”

Mia understood that the question would not be answered.  “Did you get it from Roosevelt?” she asked.

“That also doesn’t matter.  All you need to know is that I traced the funds and retrieved for you what you lost.”