Chapter 14

Prin received Scott's text. He read it twice and grinned. Whatever Scott had in mind, Prin would be a willing participant. Of that, he was sure.

Before then, he had to get through the day. Not long after the challenging message had come through, Prin had seen Carla from HR come over to Richard's desk. Unfortunately, Prin couldn't hear what they were saying. And besides, he'd had enough of being the sole witness to the Brammin family's comings and goings. He had far better things to focus on now.

Thank you, Elliott. For making it all possible.

Even so, he didn't miss a furious Richard follow Carla into a meeting room. Prin had no hope of focusing on his work as he stared over his laptop screen. Neither of them had bothered to sit down. Carla had done the talking at first. Now Richard had gone a shade of red that Prin didn't think healthy for a man in his mid-fifties.

Prin glanced over at Elliott, who appeared to be blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding around him. From what Prin could make out, Elliott was shopping for new clothes. Presumably, to wear on his holiday.

The meeting room door opened and a shaken Carla came out. Prin watched Richard behind her, pacing up and down like a caged lion. Prin tracked Carla as she crossed the office and stopped at Elliott's desk.

"Elliott," she said. "Your father would like to see you in meeting room three."

"He'll have to wait. I'm busy."

"If I were you, I'd go," Carla said. "Then it's probably best if you come to see me straight afterward."

Now Elliott did look rattled. Prin focused on his laptop screen before Elliott caught his eye.

Hardly daring to lift his head, Prin made out Elliott walking into the meeting room and the door closing. He was grateful that they were soundproofed. Elliott might have deserved whatever came to him but Prin didn't want to witness it.

Even so, curiosity got the better of him and he glanced up. The hand gestures coming from Richard told Prin all he needed to know. Elliott, to his credit, sat with his head bowed.

The others looked across at Prin, who shrugged. Sweat prickled his brow. Suddenly, the door opened and Elliott stormed out. He sat down at his desk and stared at the screen.

Richard soon followed. He stalked past Prin's desk.

"A word," he said, over his shoulder.

Prin thought he might pass out. He had to calmly remind himself that there was no way Richard could know. This had to be something else.

He dutifully followed Richard into a meeting room.

Richard sat down and gestured for Prin to do the same. He perched on the end of a chair trying to look as relaxed as possible and failing miserably.

"Something's happened," Richard said quietly, leaning forward. "We might be losing a member of staff."

"Really?"

Prin hoped to goodness his innocent act convinced Richard. Lying did not come easily to him.

"I can't go into it but Elliott is going to be suspended pending some ridiculous investigation by the twats in HR or the People Team or whatever bullshit they're calling themselves this week. Can you and the others cover his work?"

"Richard—"

"Can you?"

Prin nodded.

"If I find out who is behind this, a few lost dildos will be least of their problems. You can tell them that as well."

"Do you think whatever has happened has come from the team?"

"Fuck knows," Richard said. "I'm not going to stop until I find out though. You can bet on that. All I need from you is an assurance that the work won't go tits up. I don't need that on top of everything else. Do you get me?"

Anxiety gripped Prin so he counted in his head. That was what he'd done when his uncle had torn strips off him and even earlier when kids in the playground had bullied him. When he calmed, he stared Richard in the face.

"Of course," he said.

Richard rubbed his temples. "I don't know. Maybe it's a good thing."

Prin was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. A raging Richard he could handle, but a vulnerable one? He hadn't expected that.

"You must be upset," he managed. "I'm sorry."

Richard sat bolt upright. "It can't be helped. Dinner is going to be interesting tonight. Right, come on, let's get back to it."

Prin followed him back into the main office.

"Oh, Elliott?" Richard called out.

His son spun round. Fury written all over his face.

"You're grounded as well."

"I'm over eighteen."

"Homeless or grounded. Have a think while you clear your desk."

That was the Richard Prin was more familiar with. He even felt a little sorry for the poor lad. Richard got up. He glared at his son for a second more before storming off.

"Are you okay?" Prin asked.

Elliott regarded him like something he'd brought in on the sole of his shoe. "Oh yeah, I'm fucking wonderful. I'm being framed for a crime I didn't commit."

Prin wanted to laugh in his face. He supposed it was far beyond Elliott's capability to actually be honest.

"Then I'm sure the truth will come out eventually," Prin replied.

Elliott looked as though he were about to say something, then decided against it. For a split second, Prin could see a confused little boy pretending to be an adult. He wanted to reach out to him and tell him it would be all right.

"At least I won't have to listen to you knobheads anymore," Elliott muttered.

Prin's sympathy soon passed.

By the time five o'clock came around, Scott still hadn't told Prin where they were meeting. Whatever the night held, Prin had no intention of staying late in the office, so he went home to wait. He also took the opportunity to have a shower, shave and to find the perfect outfit. He wasn't exactly a sharp dresser, but he'd scrubbed up well in a navy shirt and slate chinos.

It had gone six when his phone rang out. He dived across the sofa for it.

Location: The Esplanade Hotel. Report to reception. DO NOT REPLY

Prin shook his head.

"This man is crazy," he said to the empty room.

He took a few more seconds to compose himself before putting his game face on and charging out of the flat.

To whatever awaits me.

The Esplanade Hotel was a short walk from Prin's flat. After one last spritz of his favourite aftershave, the sexy Dior Sauvage, he headed out of the door. Of course, he crept across the hallway. Not quietly enough, however. Jeremy's door swiftly opened, revealing the man himself with a suspicious scowl on his face.

"Twice in one day," Jeremy said. "I am a lucky boy."

"Hi."

Jeremy licked his lips. "And don't you look sexy?"

"I'm going out. In fact, I'd better go."

Jeremy's eyes flitted over Prin. "I presume you're meeting the airhead from this morning."

Prin bristled. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"I'm sorry," Jeremy replied with the fakest of smiles. "How about we go out for drinks soon?"

This was the moment. "We should probably not," Prin replied. "Unless it is just drinks."

Every other time they'd been to a bar together, they'd ended up in bed. Much to Prin's regret the next morning.

Anger flashed across Jeremy's face. "Of course just drinks. I'll be in touch."

He didn't wait for a response. Instead, he slammed the door closed.

That went well.

Prin didn't like to upset people. However, he did feel better for finally putting a stop to his and Jeremy's arrangement.

He ran down the stairs and out into the late summer's evening. He had ten minutes to get to his rendezvous with Scott. He did not want to find out what would happen if he were late.

Or do I?

Luckily, he reached the hotel in seven minutes and relatively sweat-free. As he walked into the reception, he realised Scott hadn't told him the room number.

A test? Fine, I'll play.

Prin walked up to reception.

"Hi," he managed.

"Mr Lum?"

"Well, yes."

"Mr Fitzgerald showed me your picture," the amused receptionist said. "He's in room number three-one-six."

"Thank you."

Prin moved toward the lift he'd spotted when he came in.

"One second, Mr Lum," the receptionist said. "You'll need the code phrase."