The Greatest of These by Greg Wendleton (have you read this book .txt) 📗

Chad and Jamie’s son-in-law in Kansas City came out to make a statement that was picked up by the news services.

“We ask that you respect the privacy of our family and that of our brothers and sister. My in-laws are good people. Please remember that they are presumed missing or dead and this is a very trying time for all of us.

There is no evidence pointing to any crime having been committed by Chad and Jamie Wilhite, or their friend and neighbor, Garret Cooper.

Please allow the authorities to sort this out and provide further information. We ask that you not make up the news. We understand your need to report the news. Please do your job and allow us to remain focused on locating our family members.”

The family statement made little impression on the news reporters who wanted to be the news makers.

The acting, co-directors of Wilhite Logistical Consulting released a written statement as well.

“This is a shocking and potentially devastating turn of events for our company. We have been led by Chad Wilhite for the past eight years and have worked hard to create an honorable business that we are all proud of.

My brother, Ryan, and I have been with Chad Wilhite since the beginning and will continue to operate the company in his absence, focusing on his vision of honesty, respect and humanity. We are confident Chad and Jamie will be found safe and the integrity of this company and their own personal reputations will be restored.

Our prayers are also with the family of Garret Cooper, who we know to be a good man, a good friend and a good neighbor.

On behalf of Wilhite Logistical Consulting,

Tyler Andrews

When that statement was read on air, Chad beamed with pride. “Well said boys!”

Jamie whispered, “Can we turn that off?”

Special Agent Presley grabbed the remote control and pushed the off button. Jamie rose from the couch and went down the hall to the master bedroom and closed the door. In the silence of the room, you could hear her crying. Chad buried his head in his hands. I walked over to where he was seated on the couch and sat next to him. I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and he too began to cry.

“This will pass Chad. Remember, you must maintain, Faith, Hope and Love.”

“Yes, and the greatest of these is Love.” Quietly he arose and left our company to join his wife and provide her with the comfort she so desperately needed.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

After eight solid hours of painting the Wilhites and me as thieves, traitors and con artists, the news focus shifted to the COVID Relief bill that the President was pushing his party to get approved. Just like with the earlier reports focused on us, the story was slanted based upon what news outlet you were tuned to. Was there not a network that reported the news any longer? Where was this generation’s Walter Cronkite?

The icing on the cake came for me late in the evening as my employer released a statement that had reignited the fire keeping the story burning.

“After consulting with Garret Cooper’s manager and reviewing his quarterly evaluations, we have decided to terminate his employment with our company effective immediately.

While not directly related to the news stories of today, we have determined that Mr. Cooper has been lax in his efforts with his customers and has exhibited erratic behavior in direct disregard for the high standards we have established for our team members.

No further comment will be made by The Company in regard to this matter.”

That bull shit statement was followed by an even deeper pile of it, describing the wonderful attributes of The Company and their stand on fair treatment and ethics. Oh my word, when it rains, it truly does pour.

Ironically, I felt relieved. I had been living this double life for the past fifteen years and had grown very weary of the juggling and lying I had been doing, especially to Fonda. So, after twenty-five years with The Company, and improving my position by three levels and turning down two promotions in the past five years, I was lax and erratic. I wonder how that statement would fare in a labor law courtroom?

No need to even think about that. I had my 401k that I had begun making maximum contributions to and receiving a five percent match for the past twenty years. I had just over $600,000 in my account the last time I looked at the end of previous year. I also had the maximum vacation and personal time I could carry, despite my ‘missions’ and erratic behavior. The Company would owe me six weeks of pay to cover those two benefits. And, I did have over two million in my newly minted bank account. I just needed to figure out the best way to gain legitimate access to the money.

Scott and Leilani had been amazing. After buying groceries and cooking an amazing breakfast, they had left to attend to business in the early afternoon. They promised to return later with dinner from one of their favorite eateries. They did as promised and the food did not disappoint.

After the news of my firing broke, I went outside on the lanai to be alone with my thoughts. After twenty minutes of moping, Scott came outside. Politely he asked, “Garret, do you mind if sit and chat with you?”

“No sir, please, have a seat.”

“I take it you have concerns about your employment and your future.”

“Yes sir, I do. I think, The Company, just burned me and every bridge I might have had to a new job.”

“If I might be nosy, do you have money set aside?”

Unbeknownst to me, he knew the answers before I could provide them. “Yes sir, I’ve been maxing out my 401k for the last twenty years. There’s over $600,000 in that account. And, I, um, have some other money that I don’t really know how to explain or