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Jude looked up from his laptop when he heard the elevator and then saw a small cluster of 20s somethings coming down the hall on the other side of the glass wall that formed half the conference room he was sitting in.
He scanned their faces quickly, not seeing the one he wanted before returning to his work. He had just finished another email to one of the team sponsors when he heard the knock on the conference room door to see both the secretary who had shown him to the room almost an hour ago as well as the woman who was the very reason he was here.
“Mr. Kinkade, this is Ms. Tierney to help you open your account as you requested,” the secretary introduced the woman.
Ms. Tierney was tall, only a few inches shy of 6 feet in her heels and her shoulder length hair was the same soft dark natural blonde Gideon had under all the product he used. And even under her professional suit like skirt Jude could see the athletic frame that ran in the family. As did the calculating look in her eyes.
Even if the investigator hadn’t identified her, he would know she was Gideon sister, they looked too alike.
If you knew what to look for.
“Ms. Tierney, please take a seat,” Jude asked, gesturing to the empty seats around the table.
“Mr. Kinkade. I understand you requested me specifically,” She asked as she took a seat a few spots away from Jude as Jude nodded in response to the question.
“I’ll be back in a moment with some fresh water,” the secretary asked looking between the two before vanishing, the door slowly closing as they did.
“I was told you’re interested in opening an investment account with us. Do you know what kind of account and how much-“ Ms. Tierney started to say as she opened the folder she had come in with.
“I will be opening an account with your firm. All the details are on this paper,” Jude stated as he held up a sheet of paper before setting it aside, “but we both know that’s not why I’m here. Because you know who I am correct, Laura.”
Ms. Tierney, Laura, leaned back and closed the folder as she looked over at Jude, “I do, I know exactly who you are Mr. Kinkade. You’re the man who can’t take a hint. You would think someone smart enough to run a major league Basketball team would be smart enough to know what half a dozen rejected letters means.”
“I do know what it means. Which is why Gideon isn’t here with me,” Jude took note of Laura’s hands flinching at the name, “because I won’t do that to him. Knowing you won’t see him was…hard enough,” Jude stated, trying to keep his tone level.
“Then why are you here? Because if you think just showing up will somehow change my mind, you’re wrong Mr. Kinkade. I have no intention of meeting with him,” Laura stated clearly, her tone icy.
“As I said, I won’t be forcing a meet between you two,” Jude stated, pausing as he realized Laura’s shoulders relaxed, barely, at the statement. “I’m here because I want to know why. Why don’t you want to see your brother,” he asked.
Laura didn’t answer right away, long enough for the new pitcher of water and a glass for Laura to be brought but finally she did speak, to ask a question.
“My family is catholic, did you know that?” Laura asked as she looked at Jude.
“It was a catholic agency that placed you after, after you were removed from your last foster home,” Jude responded, mentally reviewing the file for anything else that might give him answers, “you were 7 at the time correct.”
“Yes. My family is devout, we’re not perfect but we do our best. And do you know the first time I saw my brother? There was a story about a religious basketball player caught sleeping with hookers making it around the parish. I was disgusted by it and then I saw the photo that went with the story and saw just who ‘Zero’ was. I don’t follow basketball enough to have seen him before,” Laura’s voice was laced with barely controlled anger.
“That…that was not Gideon’s best moment, no,” Jude admitted with a nod before he sat up straighter, “Catholic. Am I also a reason, because we’re both men?” he asked.
Laura shook her head at the question, “no. That is one thing my family and the church don’t see eye to eye on. So, no. I don’t have a problem with my brother being with you, Mr. Kinkade. Part of me does wonder if it’s just another PR game and he’s using you. But then you’re just as likely to be using him back so it’s not really my business. But I won’t be another person he uses for his image or game he plays,” Laura stated clearly.
Jude couldn’t stop himself from laughing a bit at that, shaking his head when Laura looked at him strangely, “Gideon and I found you almost two years ago. But he didn’t want to reach out because he didn’t want to unleash the press or fans on you, almost no one even knows he has a sister. If they knew…he didn’t want that for you. Which is why the letters came from me,” Jude explained.
“I wish I could believe you. But I don’t know if I can. All I see is a man who uses. Religion, women, men, just tools he uses. I won’t be next. Now will you be investing or not,” Laura asked as she opened her folder again.
Jude just leaned back and watched her for a long moment before leaning forward and sliding the paper he’d gotten out earlier toward her, “here are the details. Is there any additional information you need?” he asked.
Laura looked it over before nodding, “this should be everything we need, if we need anything more someone will be in touch,” she stated before standing, “Good evening and enjoy Boston Mr. Kinkade,” she added before leaving.
Jude watched with a frown.