Free Who Is My Shelter? by Neta Jackson Page B

silence hung heavy in the room.
    â€œYou look awful, Fairbanks,” Henry finally snapped. “What am I supposed to tell people?”
    â€œI had an accident.”
    â€œIt’s not that easy. You missed a couple important meetings last week. Had to make some decisions without you.”
    â€œI know. We can review—”
    â€œAnd what about the meeting with the county board you missed the week before that, the one we scheduled early Monday morning, but, no, you weren’t back from Indiana yet.”
    â€œWe already talked about that, Henry. It won’t happen again.”
    â€œYou bet it won’t!” Henry sucked in a breath. “I asked for an audit.”
    â€œYou what ?” Philip turned from the window and stared at his partner. I saw his left eye had started twitching.
    â€œAsked for an audit. Look, Fairbanks.” Henry stabbed his finger at Philip. “I know what you’ve been doing. Making withdrawals from the business account to cover your little jaunts to the Horseshoe—”
    â€œI covered that withdrawal!”
    â€œYeah, yeah. That last one. But how do I know you haven’t been leaching funds from the business for who-knows-what monkey business?”
    Philip drew himself up as best he could, given his injuries. “I’m half owner of this company, Fenchel. So what if I was short of cash and needed a personal loan? I’m good for it. Every penny.”
    â€œIs that right?” Henry snorted. “Well, let me tell you something. If this audit turns up any irregularities—any at all, Fairbanks! Even one dime!—I’m going to sue you for fraud, for embezzlement, for—”
    â€œHenry. Wait.” Philip shook his head back and forth. “Look, I admit, I’ve made some mistakes. You don’t think I know that? But I’ve got a lot invested in this company. I’m trying to get things straightened out. I just . . . I need some time.”
    â€œTime? We don’t have time! The county board wants to meet again tomorrow with prospective developers about that new construction project. It’s critical. We’re up against two other companies. You gonna be there?”
    Philip seemed to sway slightly and put his hand on the window to steady himself. He had to be exhausted. I spoke up. “The doctor doesn’t want him back at work for at least another week. In fact, we should go. Philip? Maybe you two can talk on the phone about that meeting tomorrow.”
    Philip didn’t look at me, but I knew I’d probably get it for poking my nose into their business. Henry pushed his desk chair back with unnecessary force as he stood up and then leaned forward, stiff armed, knuckles on the desktop. “Tell you what, Fairbanks. There’s another option here. I won’t sue and you can take all the time you need.”
    Philip turned, eyes narrowed, and focused on his partner. “And what’s that?”
    A small smile tipped the corner of Henry Fenchel’s mouth. “A buy-out. I’ll buy out your interest in this company. That should give you enough money to take care of whatever you’ve got going on. Give you time to get things ‘straightened out,’ as you say. But it’d be hands off, Philip. Hands off. Starting today.”
    My mouth nearly dropped open. I saw Philip’s features go hard. “Never!” he hissed between clenched teeth. “I started this company and you are not going to grab it away from me.” He pushed away from the window and strode with effort for the door. Then he turned back and stabbed a finger in Henry’s direction. “I’ll be at that meeting tomorrow, Fenchel. Put that in the bank. Come on, Gabby.”
    I followed him out the door, but behind us Henry yelled, “Get some help, Fairbanks!”

chapter 8

    Philip and I barely spoke on the way home. But as I turned off Lake Shore Drive and onto the frontage road