She got off work two hours earlier, walked a few blocks from her office building then took a taxi to the address where her father's former secretary worked. It had taken Melissa several weeks of convincing her to meet and help her with any information about the company that can be helpful. She called when she got to the building to confirm their meeting place.
"Hallo I'm here."
"Come up to the procurement office at the fifth floor. If anyone asks say your company sent you about some document don't say who your going to meet with, I'll be waiting." Melissa looked at the phone that had gone silent and wondered why the lady was being mysterious.
She went into the building, luckily everyone was busy on their computers closing up for the day they didn't notice her. The elevator opened at the fifth floor, Melissa looked around for the familiar face but she didn't see her.
"Follow me...." Someone whispered to her eye. When Melissa turned she saw the lady's back walk out the staircase door. She held her bag tightly and followed, took the stairs up two floors and followed the lady to the office. She opened the door, whispered some words, nodded at the person inside then invited her in. She had sent her secretary to direct Melissa to the office.
"Melissa how are come in have a sit." She invited as soon as Melissa walked in.
"Thank you." Melissa joined her on the sofa, it was a modern furnished office with a floor to ceiling grass window.
"Would you like anything to drink?"
"No thank you. I'm here to talk about....."
"I know why you here but I don't think I can be of any help to you. I worked for your father for several years but I was fired a few weeks before his accident, I'm afraid I don't have much information that can be helpful."
"Fired? Why would my dad fire you when he was out of the country with mum at the time." Her dad had trusted her as his secretary, they had worked together since he started the company.
"Your dad's partner Mr Steven was the one who fired me. Mr White was suspicious of his business dealings and we were investigating him. He had contracted a new client whom he didn't want your dad to know about. Several employees had come to me to complain on how they were being treated by the new client when handling his shipment. I informed your dad about the shady transactions. When Mr Steven found out they set me up and had me fired to get rid of me." She took a sip of coffee then placed the cup back on the coffee table.
"Your saying Diana's dad is involved in illegal businesses? What kind of business and how did he set you up?"
"They were using the company's vehicles to transport illegal merchandise we suspected they were trafficking drugs but I'm not sure. Nothing was confirmed as far as I know. To get me out of the company, he paid someone to approach me, we hooked up went on several dates then claimed I was giving out companies secrets to our competitor, when they poached some of our clients with the information his hired goon got from my files. We lost some minor contracts but that did not affect the company's financially. I gave your dad some contact he went to investigate, can't tell you what he found out."
"Why did my dad let him fire you?"
"He did not know about it, I was waiting for him to get back so I could talk to him about my termination only to hear of the fatal accident."
"Do you have any documents about their last transactions?"
"They took all the documents I had when they fired me and my laptop was stolen so all my backup documents were lost. Melissa you have to be careful, no one should know about this meeting."
"Was the company in any financial crisis or did dad have any bank loans that he failed to pay?" Melissa asked, it was the main reason she need to meet with her father's former secretary.
"Non that I know of, the company was doing well and was planning to expand. I was surprised when I heard about the company's bankruptcy."
"I was not able to do anything back then but now I'll do all I can to get the truth. If you have any information or anyone who can help please tell me."
"Like I said you should be very careful they are powerful and dangerous people, if they find out you are seeking information they will come after you and the people close to you. Take this folder, look for this man he may help you." Melissa took the folder. "That is his schedule for the weekend this month don't call, go look for him in person. He was your dad's last contact and might have information that can help you in your investigation."
"Thank you so much ma'am but how do I know him without any picture to guide me?"
"Go to that place at that exact time and you will find him, no one should know about this conversation."
"Thank you for making time to meet me."
Melissa left the office and took the stairs down to the first floor. It was tiring but she couldn't risk anyone knowing about the meeting. Everyone was getting off work so no one paid any attention to her.
Walking out of the building she took a taxi back to her work place to pick some of the material she needed to work on. She always felt like someone was watching her when at the office but looking around she didn't see anyone suspicious. She felt scared walking to the packing lot and almost tripped and fell on her high heels. The sound of her heels was the only sound in the dimly lit corridor but luckily the driver was waiting to take her home.
She got in the car and checked the file, she was a step closer to her mission. If the man I question has any documents from her father then she would get the evidence to prosecute Mr Steven her godfather, she only had to find a way to meet with the man.