The bad boy the lambrian.., p.15
The Bad Boy (The Lambrianus), page 15
‘Do sit down Jamie and I will have Lewis bring us some coffee, or do you prefer tea?’ she drawled as she sat in her oversized wingback chesterfield leather chair opposite him. She’d had it made specially oversized so it looked more like a throne. She was dressed in a bright red two-piece skirt suit with matching shoes, her face immaculately made-up as usual.
‘Coffee please, Mrs Gold. I must say, your house is amazing,’ he gushed.
‘Thank you dear, we do our best.’ Julie waited patiently while Jamie went on to thank her again. He had come to see her today, trying to make an impression but had failed dismally. His off-the-peg suit looked tired and worn, and his once-white shirt had been washed so many times it was a more off-white. His briefcase looked battered and had seen better days and his shoes were scuffed. If he had got up this morning thinking he would don his best clothes to impress her, she didn’t want to think about what he wore on other days.
Lewis brought in the silver tray with its china coffee pot and cups. Julie waited while he poured the coffee and left the room before saying, ‘Well, Jamie, I think it’s time we got down to business.’
Taking a sip from his small china cup, Jamie nodded. Putting the cup down, he opened his briefcase and took out folders of paperwork. ‘I’ve brought you some examples of just how much money we can help you make. Cryptocurrency is the only way forward these days, I can assure you of that.’ Julie listened patiently as Jamie reeled off his perfectly practiced speech. ‘So, Mrs Gold, how much were you looking to invest?’ he asked eagerly.
This was the moment Julie had waited for. She had her own speech in mind, but not one he was expecting. ‘Nothing really Jamie,’ Julie answered nonchalantly and instantly watched the smile drop from Jamie’s confused face.
His brows furrowed and his eyes darted around the room as he tried to think of something to say. ‘Well, I was under the impression that you wanted to invest in cryptocurrency. The shares are doing very well, and you could double your money in no time,’ he stammered.
Now the smile disappeared from Julie’s face. ‘Sonny, do I look like I need to double my money?’ Julie gestured around her home. ‘But what I do want is your services.’
Again, Jamie looked at Julie, confused, clearly not knowing what to say.
‘My sources reveal that with the clients you have acquired, you have been helping yourself to some of their profits. I presume you’ve told them it’s commission or something, but that doesn’t interest me,’ she scoffed.
Wide eyed, Jamie stared at her and his cheeks flushed pink. He was about to speak but Julie held her hand up to stop him. ‘You’ve given your speech and I have sat here patiently and listened, and now it’s my turn. You’ve been stealing your clients’ money Jamie. In fact, you have been a very naughty boy in general.’ Julie wagged her long red fingernail in his face and grinned.
Jamie’s face burnt with embarrassment, and he reached for his coffee cup. His mouth felt dry, and his heart pounded in his chest. He wasn’t sure whether to stand up and leave or proclaim his innocence. He wondered whether she was just testing him and decided to do the latter. ‘I assure you Mrs Gold, everything the company does is legal and above board. We have all our clients’ best interests at heart.’
‘Your company does, Jamie love,’ Julie drawled, ‘but you don’t. You’ve hit hard times recently, because according to my paperwork, you’ve only been scamming these people for a few months. You’ve impressed them with your honesty and so why should they question you now? Well, they will Jamie, because I’ve been emptying their accounts and you’re going to help me cover my tracks. You are their trusted broker, and I’m sure a well-practiced thief like yourself will come up with something to excuse their losses. The clients you are dealing with have more money than they know what to do with and cryptocurrency is the new kid on the block. They want to experiment with it just to be fashionable. Personally, I’ve had to work hard for every penny and I know exactly where my money goes. I’m not greedy Jamie; you will get your share for your hard work and maybe… just maybe… you will get your girlfriend back.’ Julie reached to the side of her chair and picked up her own portfolio and placed it on the table between them.
Jamie looked at her, flabbergasted. This old woman in front of him was as crafty as a fox. She’d played him and he had fallen for it. Mentally, he cursed her. How did she know all of this? He reached for the folder and opened it. Inside were fake statements he had sent to his clients. Intrigued, he looked up at Julie’s poker face as she took out her gold cigarette holder and lit a cigarette. Jamie watched her blow the smoke into the air and then looked down again at the paperwork. Alongside each statement he had sent out to his clients informing them of their good fortune was his own encrypted statement showing exactly how much he’d stolen off them.
‘Thieves should never keep records of their booty Jamie. That kind of bravado puts you behind bars,’ Julie commented as she saw Jamie pale before her eyes.
Swallowing hard and moistening his lips, he spoke in a hushed whisper. ‘How did you get these?’
‘My husband taught me a couple of things which I’ve never forgotten. Number one is to never write anything down that could incriminate you. Number two, never trust anyone or anything, sometimes not even your own judgement. And number three, never presume people won’t find out what you’ve done. Cover your back.’
Beaten and frightened, Jamie looked Julie squarely in the eyes. ‘What do you want from me Mrs Gold? My boss will expect me to walk away from this meeting with some kind of investment from you, we both know that. I can’t go back empty handed.’
‘The bottom-line, Jamie love, is what lengths will you go to to save your neck? Lewis!’ Julie shouted. Instantly, Lewis came into the room and stood beside Julie. ‘Do you have your mobile handy?’
Julie had already told Lewis of her plan and he’d been on hand waiting for her call. Holding up his mobile, she nodded at Jamie. ‘The number that is already typed in is your boss’s, Mr Noakes. People like me with money to burn get his direct mobile number if needed. Now, I can either call him and say I have made a preliminary million-pound investment for the time being, and I am happy with the service provided. Or I could tell him you’re a thief, embezzler and that I have documented proof. I could tell him how I am going to let the whole world know just what his company does with their clients’ money. And of course, you would never get a job as a stockbroker again. Christ, you’d be behind bars, Jamie.’
Jamie looked up at Lewis holding the mobile. He could see there was a number typed in, but he didn’t recognise it. Realising his whole career had just gone up in smoke, he cursed himself for being so stupid! ‘What do you want, Mrs Gold?’
‘What I want is for you to carry on doing what you’re doing, but for me. You can take a percentage of your stolen booty, but I get the lion’s share.’ Julie held up her own piece of paper. ‘But not for these paltry amounts. This isn’t worth the effort. You ripped off a multi-millionaire for 300 quid? What the fuck, are you crazy? He’d probably spend more than that on a bottle of wine. You have to learn to think big, Jamie love. Also, I want you to get hold of other clients, the way you have these ones,’ Julie drawled. ‘So, find me some more Jamie. From each client, you take 100,000 pounds. You can have twenty-five for your trouble. I am sure that would stop your sofa surfing and impress that girlfriend of yours. After all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend,’ Julie laughed.
‘A hundred thousand each time? Are you crazy? That would be picked up in no time. Someone would notice those kind of losses… surely?’ Julie could already see the greed in his eyes, and she knew she had him hooked.
‘All I want is to carry on as you are, Jamie. Nothing has changed, but we get richer, and they get poorer.’
Jamie’s brows furrowed as he tried taking in what Julie was saying. ‘So, all I have to do is carry on informing them of their investments using the company name as their broker, but we take more, a bloody lot more, which is a risk and I get 25,000?’
‘You got it, Jamie love. Your signature is on everything, as it is now, plus you will find more clients for us to steal off and you’re going to live like a lord.’
‘But why me, Mrs Gold? There are lots of brokers out there.’ Jamie spied her suspiciously. This sounded too good to be true.
‘Because most of the other thieves in your game are more experienced and more subtle. You are sloppy, but you will learn with me at your side.’
‘What about the investment my boss is expecting, Mrs Gold? Are you going to put any investment his way?’
‘As I’ve already told you, I will give you a million pounds and a glowing reference to Mr Noakes for helping me.’
‘Very well, I’ll do it.’
Julie looked up at Lewis and smiled, while Lewis pressed the button on his mobile. Instantly, Mr Noakes answered. Julie left it on loudspeaker for Jamie to hear.
‘Mr Noakes, I just wanted to thank you personally for sending that nice Jamie chap. He couldn’t speak highly enough of you and for everything you have taught him. I am investing a preliminary million pounds. I appreciate it’s not much, but, as a woman on my own, I’m a little unsure of these things. I am sure you understand, being a man of the world. I would like Jamie to be my hands-on broker. I feel I know him already. Thank you Mr Noakes. Oh, and I will be sure to tell my friends about your excellent company.’ Julie looked up and smiled at Jamie. Mr Noakes gushed and Julie could tell he was almost wetting himself at all the influential clients she could put his way – and she genuinely intended to. Because this way, she could rob them blind!
Once Mr Noakes had assured Julie that Jamie would be on-hand night and day, she ended the call. ‘The million I am giving you Jamie, is without your 25,000. You don’t rob off me, got it? I’m sure, Jamie love, you’re going to be in for a big promotion and even get a better office if your boss thinks you can pull this off. So, you’re on your way up already,’ Julie laughed.
Jamie was mentally calculating what he could do with the money and yes, this old woman was right. Anyone dealing with influential clients wouldn’t be stuck in a junior’s office. They would have their own office with their name on the door. Jamie sat back, very pleased with himself. What Mrs Gold was asking of him was no more than he had already been doing, just on a bigger scale.
Once Julie had waved him off, she turned to Lewis and smiled.
‘Not bad for a morning’s work, eh Lewis? As his client, I am now putting all my trust in Jamie and his company. He’s signing the statements and he’s the one who will go to prison for embezzlement. The million I have given him is what I have already stolen off his clients. Sooner or later people are going to want answers, and he is the one they will turn to. He was too greedy and too quick to say yes to the deal Lewis. He will end up going to prison, because who is going to think an old lady like me could think of such a thing!’ Julie let out a loud cackle.
‘You’re merciless Julie Gold, you know that, don’t you?’ Lewis laughed. ‘Bloody merciless!’
15
FAMILY WARS
‘Blimey Adam, your face looks like it’s been run over by a steam train. What happened?’ As Julie sat down to dinner in the restaurant above the nightclub, she couldn’t help but notice Adam’s bruised, swollen face.
‘You know what it’s like Julie, these things happen.’ Adam laughed it off and shrugged.
Spying him curiously, Julie looked around the table at Katie, Scarlet and Diana. ‘Is anyone else going to say anything, or am I the only one that’s noticed?’ Julie prompted.
Glancing at Adam and then back at Julie, Scarlet grinned. ‘Of course we’ve noticed, we were just being polite and not pointing out the obvious, Julie!’
Julie reached over and stroked Adam’s cheek. ‘I suppose it won’t be so bad once the swelling’s gone down. Just as well the lighting’s dim.’
Scarlet laughed and brushed it off. ‘It’s not the first fight he’s been in Julie. He will heal and be as beautiful and vain as ever.’
‘Unless,’ Katie chimed in, ‘he’s found a woman who wrestles him to the ground.’ Everyone around the table laughed and chinked their wine glasses together.
‘Or maybe some crazy, jealous Italian that wants him out of the way.’ Julie’s sarcasm dripped from her tongue as she looked over her glass at Katie.
A frown crossed Diana’s face. ‘That’s a bit deep Mum, considering there are mainly Italians sat around the table. What do you know that we don’t?’ She laughed, trying to break the nervous tension. Suddenly, everyone had stopped what they were doing and was looking at Julie.
‘A lot,’ answered Julie, and letting out a sigh and painting her usual smile on her face, she grinned. This was not the time for what she had to say, but deep inside, her blood boiled with what she knew. Julie wondered about Adam’s beaten, swollen face. She couldn’t wait to get him on his own; she needed to know what had happened.
Eventually, the food and chatter flowed, and everyone seemed happy again. Julie watched them all and laughed at their jokes, wondering if they had all put her outburst down to her senility. But she knew better.
‘Why don’t we all go up to my flat and have our coffees, and then we’re freeing this table and we can talk for longer,’ Adam suggested. Secretly, he hated being in the spotlight. He could see the usual diners nudging and whispering to each other about his swollen face and wanted to leave.
Scarlet beamed. She loved having all the family together. ‘What a good idea. And I know it’s clean because I sent the cleaners up there this afternoon and there were no stray female bodies occupying it. Come on everyone, let’s go kick our shoes off and relax.’ Even though it was Adam’s flat, Scarlet led the way.
‘What about you, Diana? Can you spare us some more of your time?’
Diana cast a furtive glance towards Julie. Even though she did have an early start, she knew her mum had something on her mind. ‘Yep, I’m in for a late night. After all, I call the shots now. They will call if I’m needed.’ She gave her mum a crafty wink and followed the others upstairs to the flat.
Pleased with Diana’s decision, Scarlet beckoned the waitress over. ‘Send some champagne up to Adam’s flat will you dear? Oh and some nibbles just in case.’ Turning towards the others, she cocked her head and grinned. ‘I know he has plenty of other alcohol up there because I got it restocked!’
‘For God’s sake, Scarlet, you sound like his mother. Come on,’ laughed Katie and linked her arm through Scarlet’s and Adam’s.
In no time, they were all in the lavishly decorated apartment above the nightclub. Scarlet kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the leather sofa. ‘Come on Adam, play host. There are thirsty women in here!’
Julie looked up at Adam from her chair. ‘Is four the most women you’ve had in here at one time Adam?’ she laughed. They all turned to face him as he poured the drinks and noticed the slightly pink blush to his cheeks, then they all burst out laughing.
‘Oh my God, he’s had orgies up here! You dirty bugger. Okay, I bet it’s a first having so many old birds up here – and don’t answer that,’ she warned, while wagging her long red fingernail at him.
As usual when they were all together, they reminisced about the good old days. While Scarlet and Katie gossiped, Julie stood up. ‘Come on Adam, I’ll help you get some more ice for these drinks.’ Adam dutifully followed her to the kitchen.
‘I saw that Jamie guy and everything is sorted there. Come around tomorrow and I will fill you in.’ She winked. ‘So tell me, how did you get a beating Adam?’
‘Greedy dealers Julie and greedy suppliers. It happens.’ He shrugged and opened the freezer box so that no one could hear their conversation, although with all the laughter coming from the lounge, he doubted they could anyway.
‘You have had the same satisfied dealers and suppliers for years Adam, why has it gone tits up now?’
‘Someone else muscling in. I believe they killed, or at least tried to kill, my old, regular lot. Thankfully, they managed to warn Scarlet, but when I got to my office in the casino these men were already there waiting.’
‘I know your dealings are a closed book, Adam, and your delivery dates too. That really doesn’t add up, unless someone tipped them off?’
‘I found it strange, but it’s a shitty business Julie and you can’t trust anyone, can you?’
‘You could trust the suppliers you had Adam. After all, they tipped you off, didn’t they?’
Frowning, Adam looked Julie squarely in the face. ‘You have a point there Julie. I haven’t really had a lot of time to think about it. What with that and then coming here tonight.’
‘Watch your back Adam, and keep your enemies close. Take nothing for granted.’
Before he could answer, Katie popped her head around the door. ‘For crying out loud you two. I thought you had gone to Switzerland to get that ice.’ Swaying slightly and making her way back to the lounge, Katie flopped back in her seat beside Diana who was slightly tipsy herself and held her glass up for Adam to fill.
Adam sat watching them all laugh and crack jokes, but mentally he was pondering Julie’s words. It had definitely been a warning.
‘This is a lovely get together,’ Katie mused. ‘I wish I didn’t have to leave tomorrow; it’s been lovely, and tonight is the icing on the cake. Oh well,’ she sighed, ‘back to Italy and Chris tomorrow. But you will all come and see me soon, won’t you?’ Katie asked hopefully.
