Page 17 of The Debt

Chapter 11

Archer was in high spirits. After updating the data in the vault, he was on his way home to Springfield and looking forward to hearing Mira’s voice. On his way home he made a few familiar stops to drop of care packages for a few families he’d adopted over the years. One was of a single father who was too disabled to continue working. Mr. Fletcher had been an employee in Archer’s father’s company for many years. The other two families were single mothers who he’d met while assisting with a football program at the local high school.

Although Dunbar Corp had a foundation which assisted a number of people, there were many others overlooked by the system. Moreover, these families were dear to him for one reason or another and he was not an employee of Dunbar Corp.

Archer’s father was not one to insist on his son following his footsteps and getting into the family business. Even before his passing, his father had insisted that he pursue his dreams and if that entailed working in the company, then it would be great. Their relationship had been of such that even from an early age, Archer had made it clear what his interests were and that was technology.

“You are gifted my son, and that needs to have its own wings. You take flight and follow your heart. The company is strong enough to take care of itself. It’s no longer a family business, but a corporation with many shareholders and investors. You do your best to become the best software engineer and make me proud.”

“Yes father.”

Those conversations with his father was what kept Archer grounded. Not only did his father encourage him to take flight, he also taught him humility. He recalled another conversation with his father when he was around thirteen.

“Never think of yourself more highly than the man on the streets. Look,” his father stretched out his arm and pointed to a vein. “See that, we all have the same color liquid running in these, no matter skin color, eye color, religion or status.”

On one occasion while they traveled out of state, his father took him to a slum in New York City. He gave him the same lecture about humility and kindness and told him to never allow their money to make him forget humanity.

“Your education, money, skin color and status doesn’t make you a better human being. How you treat these people,” he’d said, while sweeping his hands around in a circle, “Is what makes you a decent person. You want to make it in life son, you take care of those around you … give back some of the blessings you’ve received.”

What always amazed Archer was how his father would enter these neighborhoods without fear. No one would bother him and no one messed with his car. These were the places which would always be on the news. But his father sought out such places to teach him life lessons while helping the less fortunate. Archer buried those lessons in his heart, following his father’s footsteps.

Every time he made one of his trips to these families, he remembered his father’s lessons. Today was particularly a good day for recalling these times with his dad. He was missing him more today because he would have liked him to meet Mira. She had that same spirit about her that reminded Archer of his father.

After leaving his last family, he anxiously dialed Mira’s number from the car phone. The phone rang several times without an answer. He waited thirty minutes and called again. This time before the first ring completed the line opened.

“Hello,” a gruff voice answered.

He knew immediately who it was and he greeted the man cheerily. “Hello Vasco. May I have a word with Mira?”

“Mira is indisposed at the moment.”

“I see, when will she be free?”

“She won’t be.”

Archer chuckled at the man’s terse tone. “When can I call back?”

“Are you really that naïve?” Vasco remarked. “Did you really think that she was into you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“She played you,” he replied. “It was her job and she played it well.”

“Job?”

“You are really gullible as fuck!” Vasco exclaimed. “Mira is my secret weapon for men like you. Now I know all your dirty little secrets and where you’re hiding that secret of yours.”

“She doesn’t know anything and even if she did, she wouldn’t tell it to you?”

“Are you even listening?” Vasco’s voice was showing his impatience. “Mira’s job is done, she doesn’t need to speak with you or see you again.”

The phone clicked, indicating that Vasco ended the call. Archer gripped the steering wheel tightly as the words of the conversation replayed in his mind. Vasco’s tone told him that he was telling the truth, but Archer’s heart refused to believe it.

He’d known Mira for the better part of two days, in those two days they’d shared more than he’d ever shared with anyone, and it wasn’t business secrets like Vasco was making it out to be. On the contrary, Mira never question him about work. Their conversations revolved around her studies, their past, current affairs, history and many other subjects.

But as he ran through his mind the time they spent together, the morning rushed back to him. He’d let slip where he was going and why. Still, his work was safe as he hadn’t given details about where the vault was located or even a password. He had nothing to worry about in that department. However, the idea that Mira had been a deception was a hard pill to swallow.

Could he believe what Vasco told him? Then again the way he met her, the secrecy about her relationship with Vasco and how she ended up at the hotel. Was he naïve into thinking that this was all fate? Was this orchestrated for her to deceive him into trusting her?

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