Family Business

Fear and Loathing

Wednesday May 22nd 2019 6pm
Prudence sat behind her desk, in her office are her sister, Tanya, Director of Human Resources Holly Stewart, Security Director Bob Appletree.
It was two minutes since the police officers left. Within her tough exterior Prudence is hurting. She hates the way Gretchen gets under her skin, the hurtful nickname Roly-Poly Prudence, which amuses many relatives also jealous of her success, the snide remarks, the intimidation and humiliation. Prudence subconsciously rolls her right hand into a weak closed fist, in many ways she would love to punch her however her parents always warned her that the pen was mightier than the sword. She looks at her pathetic fist with the realisation that if she tried something like that she would come out the worse and would be playing into Gretchen's hands. She done her best to stay out of her way and didn't attend any extended family events. The extra stress of having to worry about her was not worth it. From a young age Gretchen never liked her, Prudence was the well behaved smart diligent girl, Gretchen too was smart but wild and a trouble maker. Even before they were teenagers Gretchen called her Little Miss Goody Goody Two Shoes. Gretchens father and Prudence's mother were brother and sister. Gretchen's mother was jealous of the success of her in-laws.

"From now on, no walk-in visits, appointment only and security will be asking for ID!" states Bob "I think we need to get cracking on this policy".

Prudence nods her head in agreement. The policy officer suggested HR interview everyone in the office or ask people to come forward if they knew information. Prudence and Rosamund preferred the latter, they didn't want to make a big deal of it.

Tanya and Rosamund glanced at each other as they monitored the deep whistly inhalation noises travelling through Prudence's nose. They both worry about her health.

"If you can draft up the communication for staff Tanya" requests Prudence "I will review before sending. It really baffles me how she knew I went to school with Nicola, someone here or elsewhere must know both Nicola and Gretchen and know I'm related to that horrible creature".

"And don't forget what the police officer said it could be possible that she waited for a time I wasn't here so it's quite probable it's someone in here!". states Rosamund

Prudence removes her glasses and scratches the right side of her nose the thoughts that Gretchen has a spy in her business scares her. "We need to find that person. She is so manipulative and conniving she would easily have someone do something to me". Prudence feels her blood pressure rise "The cheek of that so-and-so to waltz in here, threaten, belittle and humiliate me, it's not going to be tolerated!"

Wednesday May 22nd 2019 6pm Bowers Motel

Richie hangs his hands in the palm of his hands in frustration at the actions of Gretchen. "HOW CAN YOU BE SO STUPID!!"

Gretchen cracked open a can of IPA, taking a huge gulp "I'm sick of this waiting, we could fucking snatched her weeks ago in her house, could have snatched her on the road this morning but no. She slams the can on the cheap MDF table causing it to spill over.

Richie turns away from her and stares out the window looking out at his truck "How many times have we told you-"

"Yeah yeah yeah heard it all!" She interrupts. "Well I have to keep telling you Gretchen, her neighbourhood has security surveillance, everyone would see us on the highway and this little stunt of yours, cops probably looking for you"

Gretchen grunts with annoyance and impatience "I DON'T CARE!! DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY ARE GOING TO JAIL ME FOR SCARING LARDASS? GET REAL"

"That's not the point Gretchen" Richie turns around his face burning with rage "Because of your actions today" pointing his finger at Grechen as she looks away in contempt "We will have her a short while when first thing the cops will do is say "Go check out that Gretchen McClure!"

Gretchen opens her box of cigarettes on the table and places one in her mouth and lights up "YOUR THE STUPID ONE RICHIE, FIRST THING COPS WILL DO IS ASK HAD SHE ANY ENEMIES AND FIRST THING DOZY ROSIE WILL SAY YEAH GRETCHEN MCCLURE, SO IF I DON'T GIVE A FUCK NEITHER SHOULD YOU, WE'LL BE OUT OF COUNTRY WITH HER MONEY SO FUCK THEM!"

Richie pulls a chair around to beside Gretchen on the table, he sits himself down beside her and sandwiches her right hand gently in between his left and right hands "Babe, we just need her medicines, clothes and good to go. We've done all the hard work, we have the passports, we have the plane, the pilot and the path sorted, we are almost there. Please, Please, Please promise me no more spooking Prudence, we owe some nasty people some money for helping us procure a lot of this, if we mess up now we are in a lot of trouble!!. I can't understate this"