Page 26 of The Billion Dollar Bet

Chapter 18

Something bothered Barry. Was it possible that someone else got a hold of that recording and sent it to Cassie? Before confronting Carter about breaking the confidentiality of their private conversations, and for the fucked up move against Devin, he would have to prove that the message was indeed sent by him.

Barry took over his family’s business two years after completing college. He wasn’t text book brilliant but he’d learned a lot during the eight years he worked in the company that gave him what many referred to as street smarts. Unlike Devin, Barry had to start at the entry level position and work his way to the top for two years – the next six as Managing Director. He had to prove that he was ready to lead before the board approved him. Therefore, he was confronted with many situations that called for his kind of street smarts. What he learned from those situations was that everything wasn’t always the way it seemed.

Another thing he learned was that there were always two sides to every story and that evidence trounced hearsay any day. What he knew was that the bet was made at Jorge’s mansion. Someone else could have overheard the conversation and recorded it in their phone.

Seeking the services of someone he knew who owed him a favor was the quickest way to solve this. When he’d listened to the file on Cassie’s phone, Barry took note of the mobile company. He knew someone who worked there that he’d helped out a few times. He didn’t hesitate to call in that favor.

While he awaited a response from his friend, he went back to office for a meeting. He’d left Cassie’s at around two o’clock and arrived at the office half hour later. His meeting lasted just over an hour which meant it was about four when he had some free time to call Carter to hear his version. But first he called Devin. His secretary answered.

She recognized his voice from the countless times he’d spoken to Devin through the office line. “Mr. Lennox, Mr. McCarthy is flying to London this afternoon.”

“Did he have a meeting there?”

“No Sir. He said it was personal, but he’d be back in a couple of days.”

That wasn’t good. Barry knew that Devin wasn’t pursuing this because Carter told Cassie what was going on. Had Cassie been white Carter would never have sent her that file. That was what Devin was thinking and perhaps he was wrong.

“Is he flying commercial?” he asked, knowing there was a company jet. He just wasn’t sure if Devin was authorized to use it yet … even though he owned the darn thing.

“No Sir. You do know he is the CEO … he will be in three days. It’s just a technicality now.”

“Thanks Mara.”

“Have a good day Mr. Lennox.”

Barry was about to dial Devin’s cell phone when his own phone rang. It was his friend from the mobile network. Earlier, he’d given him Cassie’s cell phone information and asked him to unencrypt the message. His friend was reluctant at first, telling him that people blocked their numbers for privacy reasons.

“It could be life or death Roy. You owe me.”

“Alright, since you said life or death situation, I will do it this once.”

Now he was once again on the phone with Roy and the news was somewhat of a shocker. He was not surprised that Carter did not send that message but the number Roy gave him completely blew his mind.

As soon as the conversation with Roy ended, Barry called Devin’s cell phone once more. This time he answered. Barry feared telling him who actually sent that message. Even he could not decipher it, but he had no choice now that Devin was bent on confronting Carter.

“What’s up Barry?” Devin asked when he opened the line.

“It wasn’t Carter,” Barry blurted out.

“Who else would do something like that?”

“Look Devin, I talked to Cassie and she understands everything. Talk to her man. She loves you.”

“You haven’t answered my question. Who sent that message?”

“It doesn’t matter now. Turn the jet around and come back before you do something you’ll regret.”

Devin snickered. “You’re only trying to save your friend. Talk to you later.”

“Devin wait!”

“Stop wasting my time, Barry.”

“It was Troy … unless someone else used his phone. But you know how he is with his gadgets. What I don’t understand is, why’d he do something like that?”

There was a moment’s silence before Devin responded. “Are you sure about this?”

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