Chapter 2
First time meetings she hated, that not knowing the client and then uncomfortable silence annoyed her. This situation was really bizzare to her because $10,000,000 were missing and no one noticed until now? It was just something that didn't add up. This investigation was going to be long and hard. She pulled out a few cds that she couldnt get through her day without and headed to meet with her new clients. She was sure that they werent going to be very pleased with her being there, the fact that she had in mind that someone close to them, someone they trusted had taken advantage of them was a hard pill to swallow. Either way, someone would be punished and that person would be brought to justice, she was going to make sure of it.
Entering this pink building made her smile. It looked like someone had taken Pepto Bysmul and painted the walls with it. The thought of it made her stomach turn, but she continued to go inside the office and meet with the receptionist who was listening to Tim McGraw and not missing a single lyric.
"I'm Red Ambert. I have a meeting with..." She began looking through her papers trying to find the contact name but failing to find it.
"The guys from NSYNC, they are expecting you. Go upstairs, second door to the right. That's the game room, they'll meet you there. By the way, I'm Vicki." She said with a smile extending her hand. Red shook her hand, noticed no sparks and was glad to that she was an innocent.
"Thank you, Vicki." She said. Here goes nothing.
"They are nice guys. You have nothing to worry about Lance will do most of the talking. He's more into the business aspect of his career than the others." She informed Red.
Red nodded and headed upstairs to find people laughing and people telling stories. Happy go lucky guys, she thought. As she sat down and just observed her surroundings, no one seemed to noticed she was in the room setting up for her meeting until Lance heard a pen drop and a mumble.
"Are you lost? Because you cant be here." He snotted at her.
"I am setting up for a meeting with the guys from NSYNC. Can you tell them I'm here?" Red simply said. More laughter erupted and expeculative looks were thrown in her direction. "What's so funny?"
"Are you Red?" Lance asked in disbelieve.
"Do I know you?" She shot back. She remembered names not faces, she was taken by surprise when he just stood still not knowing what to answer.
"I dont think so. I'm Lance." He smiled offering her his hand. All color left her face and the word embarrassment wouldn't even begin to describe what she was feeling at the moment. Play it cool, she thought. A spark of energy went through her hand, they both looked at eash other. Sexual tension, she thought.
"Was that believable? I was taking some acting classes and I usually joke around with my clients. Are the other guys joining us for the meeting?" She asked clearing her throat.
"Yes, but we were told the meeting wasnt until 1pm." He responded.
"I was told noon...I can go to lunch and come back if that's more convinient for you guys?" Always know the client is always right and accomodate the client, was key for good business.
She was wearing an amulet, he noticed. For protection? For luck? Strange how he could tell people apart, it was something he had picked up on his way to stardom.
"Nonsense, stay we can order something for you to eat. Do you eat meat?" He asked. She nodded. "Great, how about some chinese food?"
"That works. One thing that I need from you and the other guys, check books, bank statements and credit card bills. Anything sort of record that shows money coming in and out of your business and personal accounts. That will get me started, today though, during this meeting it's all about introducing myself and what my plan to help you guys. It will only take about an hour." She finished saying. She looked up and saw that he was looking at her intensively. "Something wrong?" He couldn't be, she thought to herself.
"Um...I rather not say. I'll be back." He was walking out of the room when he heard her call his name. That sounds so good if she only screamed it a little bit louder, he thought.
"I might as well let you know right now, I don't get involve with clients so if you please dont give me that look you just gave me ever again, I will appreciated." She sat back reading a document that seemed far more interesting than the shock look on his face.
An hour later, she was finishing her food with a shock Lance sitting accross from her. Everyone had brought all the information and documents she requested. Once she finished her eggroll, she wiped her hands clean and began mentally preparing for this meeting.
"Are we ready to begin?" She asked. The group nodded and she smiled." I know you guys are missing some money and that's exactly why I am here. I have work in this business for just a year and I have helped many people save money at the same time find money they didn't even know they had. Our firm specializes in loss prevention. Now I understand that you guys have a close relationship with everyone you work with, as of right now, you will trust no one." Lance frown and she continued. "I'm just saying anybody could've done this and now it's the time to find out who took the money, where did the money went and why. From now on whenever you do a deposit, do it yourself unless you have direct deposit. Check your balance daily and most of all observe people any odd behaivior. Anything you can think off call me." She handed out her business card to everyone. "I think that pretty much covers it. Oh I forgot one more thing, like I said to Lance earlier I'm here to work. I don't date my clients. Looks, unimportant calls in the middle of the night, any sort of thing like that will be most unappreciated. Trust me when I say that I will give this account to Cindy Bell in a heartbeat and she is a real bitch compared to me, so don't temp me."
She gathered her things and the documents that she needed and was heading out the door, when someone called her name.
"I don't know what that client did to you but I can assure you Lance is not like that." JC replied.
"I'm sure he's not. I'm no position to find out if he is or isn't." She turned but was intrigued.
" She's probably a lesbian or bi." Chris joked. "Any girl would love to be with Lance! He's the best thing to come out of Mississipi since Elvis." Joey shot out.
"I'm not a lesbian or bi. And as far as Lance being the greatest thing to come out of Mississippi, I pass on the chance of finding out." She looked at her watch.
"Lance, Lance he's da man if he cant do it no one can!" Justin said making her smile as she walked out the door.
These were the most successful group in the world and they are a bunch of nutcases. I am supposed to keep it cool while these 5 spaws of satan actually help me figure this out? I should have myself committed. She kept thinking, not paying attention, she ran right into a tall dark figure. Falling back and hitting her head and passing out.
"What the fuck was that?" Lance asked running towards Ronnie.
"I ran into this girl and she passed out. Call 911." Ronnie said trying not to move her.
"If she hated us before, she going to hate us now." Chris said as he saw what was going on.
