CHAPTER THREE: JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED HOT

'A theft in the company?' George asked again to confirm that he heard correctly what he was told.

'Yes sir. We are bringing her up to your office sir.'

'Beautiful.' He said replacing the receiver.

'What happened?' Gary asked curiously.

'A thief has been caught in my company and it is a she.'

'A woman? No it can't be true.' Gary said in disappointment

'What do you mean "it can't be true"? Is it only men that are criminally minded?' George asked incredulously. 'You're a lawyer and you should know better.'

'I'm not disputing that women also are criminals, but for such to happen close to your nose, the woman must have been an expert.' Gary defended himself.

'No one takes what belongs to me and goes Scot free, I'll make a scape goat out of her. She would regret ever touching whatever she must have taken.' George swore.

'Take it easy man, don't transfer aggression to this person. Let's hear her story first.' Gary pleaded.

'We're not on this same page concerning this matter Gary. I'm pissed off already and this happens, even if it's only a spoon she took, I'll make her pay for the rest of her. I'll make an example of the people I want to get rid of in the society of her.'

'Come on George! This is getting too far. Give her a benefit of doubt first.' Gary said.

At the ssme time, George's secretary came in.

'Sir, the head of security and a woman are here to see you.' She informed George.

'Let them in Tracy.' George ordered.

George sat up and placed his elbows on the table giving a picture of a predator ready to attack his prey at any time.

'Sir,' the head of security greeted.

'Bill, what happened?' He asked calmly while he turned to Tracy who waited to know what was going on. 'Tracy, please close the door after you.'

Embarrassed, Tracy quietly left the office. 'Now I'm all hears.' Still in his calm voice, he turned his attention to Bill.

'Sir, a report was made that some money got missing some days ago in the safe in cashier's office, when we checked all the cameras, we saw her. But she has been absent from work until this morning when she casually strolled in as if nothing happened. We decided to apprehend her and here we are sir.' Bill narrated his story.

'Madam, is it true you took money from cashier's safe?' George still in his calm voice, asked the woman.

She lowered her head in shame as she muttered an answer. 'Yes sir.'

'You said what?' George asked putting his hand behind his ear.

The woman looked up with tears in her eyes. 'My husband needed an urgent surgery and all I had, I deposited but the doctor would not commence the surgery unless I brought at least half of the money. I couldn't look and allow my husband to die, so I took the money with the intention of telling the cashier before he would discover. But on getting to the hospital, I couldn't come back to office because my husband was immediately wheeled into the theater.'

'Because your husband needed surgery, you stole my money?'

'No sir, that was not the intention.' The woman pleaded.

'Then what was the intention when you took the money without anyone's knowledge?' Gary asked the woman.

This time, she was sobbing. 'I..I tr...ied to speak to my colleagues, bu..but none had anything close to the money to borrow me. I was desperate sir. Please forgive me.'

'I should forgive you?' George asked quietly standing up from his seat and walked slowly to the woman. She looked at him and was afraid seeing the cold and determined expression on George's face. She kept mute. 'Answer me woman!' He shouted and the woman involuntarily shivered and took a step back. 'Yes sir.' She responded with a shaking voice.

'And if I forgive you, how would I get my money back?'

'I I mean you will be deducting the money from my salary sir.'

'Then you must be a fool to think after catching you, you'll still be in the employment of this company.' He said dangerously. 'I only wanted to know the motive behind your stealing as my friend advised me. Now that I know, I will do you a favor by not calling the police to handcuff you. But my lawyer and head of security will hand you over to police. And I promise you, you will spend a long time there before you'll gain your freedom.'

'Mr. Isaac, please forgive me. I'll pay you your money just give me time sir.' She pleaded again. She looked at Gary who she saw a little compassion on his face. 'Please sir, help me beg my boss, I don't want my husband to die.' She cried.

'Bill, please take her away.' George said going back to his seat. Gary wanted to say something but changed his mind. Knowing his friend George, would not listen to voice of reasoning in his present mood. He nodded to Bill to take the woman away before he turned to George. 'Are you okay?'

George looked at him with blank expression. 'Sure I'm okay. Anything else?'

'I just want to know your state of mind before I set out to meet those people.' He pointed his hand towards the door indicating Bill and the woman. 'Yeah, you should meet up with them and get back to me later. Make sure justice is served hot to her .'

'Your wish is my command.' Gary said with a smile and walked out.

George felt tired suddenly and put his head in his hands. He sighed. His grandfather first and this woman, when would he have peace and rest from the people around him? He cringed inwardly.