An Embezzlement Story
by
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Bix was glad he didn't have to spend any more time wondering when Charlie would get in. Might as well face this thing head on. A minute later he could hear Charlie sweet-talking Midge. He opened the door to his office. "Charlie, come in, grab a chair." Charlie hung an arm over Bix's shoulder like he always did, only this time Bix felt funny about it. "You're looking well, Charlie." He did look good, tanned and fit. "So are you, Bix. Nicky must be taking good care of you. Hey, how can you get any work done with this one on the wall?" Charlie was looking at the little Renoir. "She's a little too fat, don't you think?" "Cut it out, Charlie. Sit down. We need to talk." Charlie pulled a chair up and leaned back. "Gee, it's great to be back in the good old U.S.A! You know what I miss? Good old New York bagels! Do you think Midge can get us some? Hey, that Midge is a looker! You should see what I have working for me in Zurich! Mademoiselle DeMornay. She's sixty if she's a day." "Charlie, Harry and I are confused about what you said about a mole and your concern about a secret meeting." Charlie sat up. "Christ, you didn't tell Harry what I said, did you?" "You didn't tell me not to. I told him I thought it was a joke. What is this all about, Charlie?" "Nothing, really. I just heard that there was a secret meeting and I wondered what it was all about, that's all." "Harry--and I--are worried about this "mole" business. You're an officer of the company and you shouldn't be spying on your fellow officers." "Then there was a secret meeting!" "I didn't say that. But if you really have somebody here telling you what he or she thinks is happening, you're skating on thin ice, my friend." "Hey, Bix, whoa. I didn't think it was any big deal. I'm way over in Zurich--not exactly next door--and sometimes I think I'm not getting the whole picture here, that's all.' "Then you really do have a mole? Who is it?" "Bix boy, hold on. I have to have my sources. Doesn't everybody?" "No, Charlie. You report directly to the boss. What do you think he'll feel about this?" "You don't think Harry told Cole?" "No, I don't think so, Charlie. Charlie, you're putting me in a bad position here. I told Harry you were joking." "I was, Bix, in a way." "I don't like that 'in a way', Charlie." "I can explain it all, Bix. It's nothing. What are you doing for lunch? Shall we drop in on the good old Bull and Bear?" "Sure, Charlie." "I'll pick you up at noon." "Will do, Charlie." "Good old Bix. I knew I could count on you. We go way back, right?" "Right, Charlie." After Charlie left, Bix looked out the window. It certainly seemed like the "mole" story had some truth in it. But why? And why was Charlie not told about the meeting? They must think that there's a possibility that Charlie had something to do with the missing money. The intercom buzzed and brought him out of his disturbing thoughts.
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About the Book
Bix Bixby and Charlie Cashen grew up together in Adamsport, Massachusetts, a town about thirty miles south of Boston on Cape Cod Bay. Charlie is the only son of wealthy parents, but Bix’s father died when he was a little boy so he was raised by his mother, his grandmother, and a dedicated nanny who stayed with the family. In spite of the differences in their family fortunes, the two boys became best friends. They went through grade school and high school together and both went to Harvard and Harvard Business School. They both married their high school sweethearts, the two prettiest girls in their class who were also the best of friends. Then they were both hired by the same company, Amalgamated Metals, and both rose in the ranks to become vice presidents. When Charlie became a suspect of embezzling money from the company, Bix set out to exonerate his friend. This is a business detective story wrapped in romance and the heartwarming story of a lifelong friendship.
About the Author
W.B. "Bud" Holton was born in 1925 and raised in Pelham Manor, New York. He served in the U.S. Navy for three years, being honorably discharged after World War II. He then went on to work in marketing and sales for Yale and Towne where he became general manager of Towne before starting two companies of his own. He was still working in 1997, when he had a paralyzing stroke that almost killed him. He slowly improved and was able to write and walk with a cane. He became bored watching TV and decided to write a book. This is his first novel. Holton is married and has four grown children, all successful in their fields, and two grandsons. He lives with his wife Mary Macneil Holton in Pelham, New York.