Family Business

Vigilance

2PM Monday May 27th Sternwood Hospitality & Financial Services.

Prudence is a ball of anger. Her face burned with anger, so much so that Rosamund reminded her of her blood pressure. In her office are her sister, Tanya, Human resources Director Holly Stewart, Head of Security Geoff Winters, two police officers and Barry Lee, the owner of 'The Happy Dry Cleaner'.

Prudence runs her right hand through her hair in frustration "How can someone just waltz in steal my property without been asked for ID."

"I am so sorry, I will pay, please let me pay" pleads an embarrassed Barry Lee.

Prudence glares at him, the only sound breaking the awkward silence are the whistly deep breathing sounds from Prudence's nose. She tugs at her light grey suit jacket "You have no idea how much these costs, she points at the video of the lady from the CCTV on her computer screen "look at her, she's so poorly dressed!! that in itself is a give away its not me, how stupid!!"

Barry steeples his hands together "I have fired him, I will pay".

Prudence extends out her hands "Of course your going to pay" her voice quivered with anger.

One of the police officers intercedes, Officer Martinez "Mam, let me assure you we will do everything to get to the bottom of this, please be vigilant of your financial transactions, contact your banks as this maybe someone impersonating you.

Prudence shuts her eyes and sighs, she extends out her hands "I really don't have time for this, how long will it take to find this woman".

"It depends" advises Officer Martinez, Prudence sighs again "Mam, do you think it's possible someone from within this organisation or former employee have made this lady aware that your dry cleaning is sent there.

Holly intersects "Don't worry, I will have my department go through current and former colleagues with fine tooth comb. Her tone determined.

"Officer" asks Rosamund "What about Gretchen and the social media post, surely they are linked, it can't be consequence.

Officer Martinez closes up his notebook "She's not at her residence and she hasn't picked up her phone in days".

Prudence stares at Rosamund with open mouth, she lets off a wheezy gasp "She's clearly up to something, she rolls her right palm into a soft fist and weekly taps it off her desk "She has to be found".

"Mam, we're doing everything we can to find her, please contact us if you hear anything and if she comes in contact with you let us know".

Prudence rolls up both hands into her meek fists "Well whatever her little charade is, she is going to feel the full force of the law and my expensive but excellent legal team."

"Mam, we'll be in touch and please rest assured we're doing everything but please be vigilant and security conscious". The police officers leave along side Barry Lee who could not have ran out any quicker.

Prudence massages her burning checks with her hands, her head throbs, her lips pressed tight with tension.

Rosamund a mix of emotions, anger too, how dare people treat her baby sister like this, fear, that something sinister was going to happen and worry that somebody internal was out to get them. "We really need to see have we got a mole in here, there is too much happening to be a coincidence now!".

Holly nods in agreement "We will get onto this straight away, we can't take any chances."

Tanya waited for the others to leave the office. She is anxious, she needs to get something off her chest.

She watches as Prudence adjusts her glasses on her nose "Prudence, I just want to say, It's not me!"

Prudence frowns behind her glasses and extends out her hands "what do you mean, what's not you?"

"I'm not the mole, I wouldn't do anything like that. I just want you to know!".

Prudence releases a small half smile "Tanya, I know it isn't you, but I'm going to depend on you to be my eyes and ears on the floor, If anyone is disgruntled or just despises me, I'll need you to tell me".