Chapter 8
"Well," Barney asked, as he and Charlie returned to work in Charlie's van. "What d'you think?"
"I think you're crazy for wanting to dump the chick," Charlie told him. "But if that's what you want, that's what we'll set her up for. You have pictures of her with some two other guys, and you have pictures of her with me. Tomorrow I'll visit her with my buddy, Randy, and I'll set up a camera on a tripod so it'll take pictures of two of us fucking her at the same time."
"Great!" Barney nodded. "I'll have all the evidence I need to dump her."
Charlie left Barney off on the corner near his building, then drove off. Barney went into the building, took the elevator up to his floor, and got to his desk about five minutes before work was to be resumed.
"Barney," one of the managers called out.
"Mr. Fazio?" Barney asked, looking up.
"Come into my office for a minute, will you?"
"Certainly, sir," Barney nodded, and getting to his feet, smoothing his gray pants, he went into the little glass cubicle Mr. Fazio called his office.
"One of our clients has earned a great sum of money that he hasn't reported to the IRS," Fazio told Barney. "He's entrusted us with the cash, a quarter of a million dollars, but he's being audited, and since we're his accountants, the IRS will be checking on us, as well."
"What can I do to help, sir?" Barney asked.
"I knew I'd be able to depend on you, Barney," Fazio said, tugging at his mustache ends. "I want you to take the cash home with you and put it away somewhere until the investigation is over and then bring it back. Do this, and it means a hefty promotion to you, and a big increase in salary, as well. There's going to be a shake-up in this firm very shortly, and I'll want men around me I can trust."
"I understand," Barney nodded, feeling his heart starting to trip hammer.
This would be his big chance. Let them see how trustworthy he was, and he would soon be earning in excess of a quarter of a million a year, every year. This kind of money, while not peanuts, wasn't worth stealing as far as he was concerned, since he knew he would be able to earn so much more. It would also mean his being able to screw around with as many women as possible, once he dumped Kim. Christ! There was so much luscious pussy out there waiting to be fucked. Why the hell should he be tied down to only one?
"I'll be more than happy to do whatever I can for the firm, Mr. Fazio," Barney said.
"I've had my eye on you ever since you first came here," Fazio told him. "You're a young man with an interesting future, if all goes well. By the way, our client is indirectly associated with certain unsavory elements of the underworld, so it wouldn't be smart to try and run out with the money."
"I wouldn't dream of it, Mr. Fazio," Barney replied.
"Of course not," Fazio smiled. "But I thought I should make you aware of the client. The money's in this briefcase. Take it home with you tonight, Barney."