“GET ME A DOUBLE WHISKY NEAT.” It was only 11:30 in the morning, but Kayn needed a drink and probably a lot more before this day was over.
Arriving in the overnight mail was an envelope to his attention marked Personal & Confidential with a return address of the Fraser Lake Penitentiary stamped on the face; he knew only one person at that address, Dr. Albert Morton.
Sitting at the bar Kayn thought back many years ago when he first met Albert Morton, a man of honor, of regard and duty who had taken Kayn into his circle; introducing him to affluence, power and authority; an environment Kayn had long considered himself deprived of. Kayn did not like thinking of those moments; he had always conducted his life justifying his actions by the ends justify the means. Albert Morton represents a time in Kayn’s life while he was climbing the ladder. He had been successful eliminating all others he had passed on his ascent to the top; all but Albert Morton.
Kayn looked up at the bartender with only an order to “leave the bottle”.
Within a few months of meeting Albert he had found a part time job for Kayn in the research department at the University. Working closely together Kayn began to comprehend the extent of Albert’s authority; a respected Professor of Political Science, his work at the University anchored at the intersections of law, politics and policy, specializing in crime/punishment and political psychology. His published works had been on display in the Libraries throughout the Universities across the country.
For three years Kayn dedicated each moment he had when not at the Bank, to the University and the Professors. He studied precedents, sat in the lecture halls, delivered coffee, dry-cleaning, returned telephone calls, anything that would give him presence. After a year, Kayn became part of their alumni, trusted and honored with their confidence.
After losing his wife to Alzheimer’s, Albert volunteered at homeless shelters in his spare time; giving legal support and advise to many families. He knew not to cross the line, for that fact, he wrote and drew the line for the Volunteer Policy Manual at the Shelters. But, he allowed one woman to cross over.
He had been at the Shelter the day Alyssa walked through the doors. She was different from the others; unfamiliar to the others she remained alone attempting to guard her physical bruising. Albert approached her and asked if she would like a coffee. Alyssa accepted Albert’s offer and joined him at his desk. He enjoyed her English accent and as she spoke he tried to imagine the circumstances that took place to force her into this unknown environment. Alyssa was a woman of grace and refinement. Still unaware of the circumstances, Albert had already concluded that the person responsible for this should be jailed.
Using any excuse he visited her at the shelter daily. He was able to review her file confirming that she was not from within the City, but on the outskirts. A police check confirmed that she was neither wanted nor lost; she needed shelter and protection. The interview summary by the staff reported that her bruising and scars were the responsibility of her husband; yet she chose not to press charges. This was a common resolve of most of the women and children that arrived at the shelter, always taking responsibility for their state.
Alyssa immediately started volunteering to assist the staff with all their duties; she was comforting to the children, to their mothers, she helped serve meals and then tidy up after. She was given a position in the infirmary where, at this time, there were four infants in the adjacent nursery. Alyssa adored taking care of the babies; staying with them twenty-four hours a day. At the end of each day Albert stopped in so they could share a coffee and hear of each other’s day. The staff looked the other way, thinking that their growing friendship was therapeutic for both of them.
Their friendship grew over the months; they shared companionship.
Alyssa had found a small furnished apartment near the shelter. She began gaining confidence in herself, her future life and her growing partnership with Albert. She never spoke of her past life and Albert chose not to prod. They met for the occasional lunch and dinner at neighborhood eateries, but preferring to sit in the comfort of Alyssa’s apartment relishing in each other’s daily successes.
Albert was used to forgetting lecture notes and texts at Alyssa’s apartment, where he would work into the wee hours of the morning as she slept.
While working in the nursery, she was called to the phone.
“I’m so sorry to bother you Alyssa, but I have forgotten my lecture notes on the kitchen table. Can I send someone to pick them up? I would not bother you with this, but I do need them for this afternoons lecture.”
“Of course Albert." I do have to go home at lunch; would it be possible for someone to meet me there?”
“Certainly, I will arrange it. Thank you so much Alyssa. I’ll see you later. Should I make dinner reservations?”
“No, let’s eat in tonight.”
“Perfect”
The door bell rang and Alyssa picked up the envelope containing Albert’s notes, unlocked the door and opened it to see Kayn standing there.
“Hello Mother... so you are the captivating secret that has captured our Professor Morton’s heart.”
Alyssa, stunned at Kayn’s presence, clung onto the door frame for support. She had not spoken to Kayn in several years. As he had promised when he left the family ranch, he would not return; forwarding no address to the family. Looking at him now exuding such confidence within himself she could not help but be pleased. Yet looking into his eyes they were no longer the young innocent boy who relished in her stories of England; these eyes were his fathers, full of distrust and hate.
“Hello Kayn, would you like to come in?’
Kayn swallowed the bile that had found its way into his throat, wanting to explode with rage; this woman disgusted him, he could no longer think of her as his Mother. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his focus, but his repulsion was apparent.
“I would prefer not Mother, but I don’t have a choice. If you could do your utmost to hasten this moment I would be eternally grateful.”
“Kayn, it is so good to see you. I had no idea you were working with Albert. What a wonderful mentor he would be for you.”
“Mother, let’s not waste time with pretense. Unless I am mistaken you are still a married woman, are you not? How dare you shame me in such a display of wantonness. I am ordering you to stop seeing Albert Morton; if you chose to continue this immorality I will do everything in my power to eradicate you and him.”
“Kayn, I left your father months ago. Albert has given me the names of some family Lawyers that I could possibly use to start proceeding for a divorce.”
He stood motionless, showing no interest in her reasons.
“Kayn, you left home for similar reasons, why is it okay for you, but not for me; I could not take one more minute of that mans brutality. I had no one to turn to Kayn. Albert is my dear friend; he has shown me understanding and support.”
A long silence filled the room. Kayn moved toward Alyssa, removed the envelope from her hand, turned and left the apartment.
Alyssa sat down and wept.
_____________________________
Kayn’s rage overtook logic.
How dare she; she is my mother, she has no right, she forced me to live in that environment for many years until I was broken into many pieces, now she wants my sympathy. I swear I will not forgive her and I will take my revenge.
Albert was waiting in the lecture hall when Kayn walked in.
“Everything go okay Kayn?”
Kayn looked at Albert, looking for any indication that he had spoken with Alyssa and knew of their meeting… nothing.
“Everything went fine.”
“Good, now that you have met Alyssa, perhaps we can all get together for lunch. I know you will enjoy her Kayn.”
“Sure Albert, just give me a date.”
Kayn excused himself not being able to continue this facade.
In the coming months he had been successful in turning down several invitations from Albert to join them for lunch.
Alyssa’s presence at the University was common place. She would wait for Albert in his office or she would wander the grounds of the University enjoying the interaction with both Professors and students.
Albert continued to work with Kayn showing no knowledge of his relationship with Alyssa.
Their growing relationship infuriated Kayn and as he promised his mother, he set out to seek his revenge.
Kayn’s position at the Bank had expanded to a corner office where he was assigned to investment/portfolios.
He created a fictitious financial empire in the name of Dr. Albert Morton; with holdings throughout the world. With the Bank holding trust securities for the University, it allowed Kayn access to their holdings. He started a paper trail in the name of Albert Morton to secure substantial funding for research and travel. He filed fraudulent requisitions, reimbursement vouchers and commenced money transfers to Albert Morton’s holdings.
This continued for several months, with the University continuing to support the requisitions from Dr. Morton, authorizing the Bank to supply full reimbursement. With accumulative asset transfers to Dr. Albert Morton now exceeding one million dollars, the audit review committee asked to meet with the University Chancellor.
Albert Morton was called to the Chancellor’s office where he was asked for full disclosure. Reviewing the complexity of the charges for all these months, Albert could only offer his full denial of any knowledge of the transfers. He was placed on a leave of absence from the University and told to retain a lawyer.
Within a week his bank accounts, securities, home and vehicle were all frozen.
Albert moved into Alyssa’s apartment. He could not understand what was happening to him. Alyssa knew Albert could not have had anything to do with this. Her heart was breaking each day watching Albert finding the strength to defend himself. His associates no longer called giving him support; nor did anyone from the University return his calls. She kept asking Albert to think of who would do such a thing to him. He had no answer. He conducted his life as an example to others, in conduct, in ethics, in morality; he cherished the principles of the law, but at this time his vulnerability gave way to having no defense for himself.
Alyssa had been given notice at the Shelter that they were forced to cut back staff and she would be let go at the end of the week. She understood the real reasons and truly was not disappointed leaving the Shelter. Since all that had conspired with Albert, the environment at the Shelter for her had gone from welcoming to defensive. Almost finishing her last shift she was called to the phone.
“Hello”
“Hello Mother, this is your son.”
“What would you like Kayn.”
“I am curious, have you come forth with Albert, apprising him of the truth as to who you really are.”
“No, he has had too many other urgent matters pressing on him. My situation will wait.”
“Oh I think that very unwise Mother. You see what is happening to Albert is anything but disengaged from you.”
“Kayn, what are you talking about?”
“Well Mother I am really not at liberty to talk to you about it, in fact, I really don’t know the full extent of Albert’s demise, but I assure you he has only you to thank for his ruin.”
With those words their connection was terminated.
Albert arrived at the apartment after 10:00 that evening, having been with his counsel all day. Alyssa wished there was another time to burden him with this, but did not want to deprive him of this information that may be of help to him.
Albert sat there listening to the trail of events and is subsequent slide into this nightmare, continually trying to separate his personal feelings to those he had taught for all these years, so that he could follow the web of tactical brilliance laid out by Kayn. For a moment he remembered all the afternoons in his office where he and Kayn had entertained themselves with very challenging games of Chess. Looking at the multitude of strategic fibers and avenues set into play by Kayn in the filtering and laundering of all these trust funds, it all took on greater significance.
Albert knowing Kayn in some respects better than Kayn, knew where he would be at 6:30 the next morning and was waiting. He wasted no time apprising Kayn of his newly found knowledge and swore that Kayn would not be successful in his mandate and promised to take immediate steps to have Kayn removed from his employment at the University. But by this time several of the Trustees were the benefactors of sizable grants in favor of their Departments, all of course anonymous but each paper trail lead back to the Bank.
It would take another two years to have Albert’s defense heard in a Court of Law. A multitude of arguments were recorded, but very little proof and evidence could be substantiated.
Kayn waited in the balcony that day for the verdict; Guilty. Standing to leave he only turned back once, to see Alyssa weeping, her face lowered into her hands. Kayn left the Court House feeling vindicated of his actions.
_______________________
Kayn’s attention was brought back when the bartender asked if there would be anything else. Kayn shook his head indicating nothing, stood, leaving the money for his tab on the counter. He looked at his watch surprised that it was already 3:00 p.m. He had agreed to meet Irene at her apartment later that afternoon so that they could finalize their trip to Miami. He was not at all thrilled looking forward to spending time with her children, but without tackling and meeting them head on, their dislike for him would only get worse and certainly call an end to his relationship with their mother. He found Irene comfortable, she demanded very little of him and gave so much of herself.
He returned to his office and proceeded to open up his mail.
Albert Morton always a man of few words wrote in impeccable penmanship.
Kayn:
It is with great comfort that I am writing to inform you that I am being released from Fraser Lake in precisely two weeks time. I have completed my full term in the facility earning an honest salary working in the library. In this environment I have had the time to research various arguments and precedents over the past many years of my incarceration. I have no doubt you comprehend the full understanding of my words to you now.
My biggest regret was the passing of Alyssa. She honored our friendship throughout the years and it will always be my biggest regret not being with her during her last moments.
I personally have no regard for you, but she did, as your Mother.
I look forward to our next encounter Kayn.
Albert Morton
Kayn folded the letter placing it back inside the envelope, rose and opened his wall safe, inserting the document inside and mechanically closing the door. He emerged from his office not addressing his secretary, moved towards the elevator lobby and disappeared behind closed doors. At this moment he could not gather together a semblance of authority.
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