The Hidden Truth

Chapter Nineteen: Business Trip

The next several days are a blur. I still couldn't believe that Justice had to intervene when I had the situation under control. Despite that, I was thankful for the national holiday break on Monday. So when Tuesday rolled around I decided to inform Larry that it's best if the guys don't come over for at least a week or so. I briefly explained to him about the circumstances surrounding my unexpected guest at the house while trying not to reveal the real reason the guys should not be seen around me right now. It would be an unpleasant experience for me if Justice were to pull any rabbits out of his hat again like he did with Andrea.

Work seems to be the only time I have to myself so I try to use it wisely to think. Unfortunately, my mind is so wrapped around the havoc Justice is causing that when my boss called me into his office on Thursday afternoon, I thought for sure he was going to fire me or reprimand me for having my head in the clouds this entire week.

"Michael, I have a trip coming up this weekend and I need someone with your expertise. I heard that you have the gift of persuasion and it would be useful in this situation. Would you like to join me?"

"Where is this trip to, and what exactly do you need me to do?"

Jose turns to the man dressed in a suit standing next to him as he says, "See Frank, this is why I like this kid. He gets right down to business, no questions asked." Turning back to me he sits up and leans over his desk as he writes down something on a piece of paper. He then hands it to me and says, "Details are on that paper. We leave tomorrow evening at five. I'll give you the day off to get ready but pack light, I don't want to be held up at the airport for too long."

On the piece of paper were vague instructions of what he wanted me to do along with an address and nothing more. Clearly he's looking for something but against informing me of what exactly he is searching for. I look up at Jose as I say, "Got it sir."

Turning to the man next to him again he says, "Frank, be sure to tell Mr. Lucas that Michael will be paid double for this weekend."

"Yes, sir." is all the man replies before leaving the room.

Turning his attention back to me he then says, "Thank you. That will be all, you may return to your previous task."

Walking out of his office I couldn't help but be thrilled with the chance to go back to Hawaii even more so to the orphanage where I believe my sister is held. However, last time I was there Carol didn't seem pleased to see me. Well at least that's the impression I got from her. Then again that whole situation did seem weird in the first place. Maybe I was reading her wrong. Either way I knew enough about the woman to know that she would be an obstacle if I didn't find a way of keeping her at bay.

After I got home from work I thought it would be best to see if Justice had anything to help in his bag of tricks. I knew well enough that if I didn't I'd never hear the end of it anyway. I sit at the table rolling the bottom of a water bottle around as I try to think of how I want to word everything to him. A few minutes later he walks in and tosses his keys on the table before taking a seat in the chair where Andrea used to sit, disrupting my train of thought. I'm sure he only did that to irritate me but nonetheless I say, "There's plenty of other places at the table do you really have to sit there?"

Leaning on the table with his elbow he replies, "Does it matter where I sit so long as it's a chair?"

He had a point. Many times in the past he would sit on the table just to spite me. He and I were raised differently in that aspect. I was taught that chairs are for sitting in whereas in his household he was allowed to sit anywhere he wanted. As far as manners and etiquette went his family had none. I shake my head. Living under his family's roof was a disgrace. I just hope that Carol hasn't taught my sister any bad habits in her care.