The Hidden Truth

Chapter Seventeen: The Plot Thickens

Three weeks later Ray is the first person to show up at my house on a Friday night, two hours early for cards. Of course I had to question him. “ Why are you so early?”

“This couldn't wait another minute.”

The urgency in his voice had me on edge. After moving aside to allow him in I checked out the door to make sure he wasn't followed. With information that couldn't wait another minute I couldn't be too careful. Usher him to the kitchen for us to sit at the table and chat. That's when he started spilling everything he knew.

“Usually Jose keeps everything on every employee that ever worked for the company but for some reason there isn't a single file on Robert Morgan.” 

“Ray,  what exactly are you trying to say?”

“I'm telling you that when I went to look up the records on Robert there weren't any. It's as if he never worked for the company at all but I know for a fact he did.”

“Is there any way of finding out any information about him?” I ask.

My lack of technology skills don't exactly favor me in this position. When I was in school every time I had to do something involving the computers it would break on me. I always either avoided it or conned another kid into helping me.

“Unfortunately other than the administration building for the courthouse, no. However I have a stepdaughter that can get a hold of them if you want me to ask her?”

I figured as long as she can keep the secret of who the person is, all the help I can get is good. Besides if she can find out my mother's maiden name without having to know who or why he's asking the better. “Is she reliable?”

“Michael, she does these kinds of things for a living.To reassure you I'll have her meet with you first then you can decide whether you want to continue.” 

“When?” I ask.

“Since we have a few hours to kill I can call her right now if you like?”

“Call her!” I say. I didn't mean to sound pushy but it was an extreme emergency that I met this woman right away and possibly got things rolling. 

Fifteen minutes after he hangs up the phone a little red two-door coupe pulls into my driveway. As the woman gets out she looks vaguely familiar. It isn't until I open the door that I recognize who she is instantly. I greet her none too friendly as I move aside to allow her into my home. She hesitates before entering, probably unsure whether I'm still mad at her or not. I try not to allow our differences to get in my path as it looks like I may need her help once again. 

I'm surprised that Ray didn't mention the fact that Andrea was his stepdaughter. The whole time that both of them were in my home neither of them acted as if they never knew each other and it confuses me why.  At that point I decided to watch what I said to him. If he thought he was going to be slick he was dead wrong. 

“So does this mean that I'm welcome in your home again?”

 I didn't want Ray to find out that I kicked her out of my house twice nor what the fight was all about so I say, “For now I suppose.”

“For what it matters I am tru--” I stopped her with a flip of my hand before she could even say anything more. I didn't want that whole conversation to come out while Ray is still here. “We'll discuss it later.” 

Just then there is a knock at the door. I answered it, surprised to see Larry. He also showed up early. I was curious why these two showed up earlier than everybody else but I knew Larry usually always showed up a few minutes before everybody else did. At that moment Larry and Ray both retired to the kitchen to transform it back into a poker room. Andrea and I walk down the hall to my bedroom.  Once inside she tried yet again to apologize to me but I stopped her immediately. “The only thing I want to know is why you didn't tell me that Ray was your stepfather?”