Level 3

Ordinary, there was nothing special about this day. A few altocumulus cloud bands were congregating off to the west but the blue still kept them in check. Playing among the white lines, the seagulls hopped from car to car threatening each in turn with the fate they left for statues in the parks: Roused now and then by a by passer returning to their transport to be on their way. If it had been any other day Amanda would have probably felt at peace on the top deck to the parking garage. A moments peace away from the hustle and bustle of the adjacent offices, but today, she knew was different. No one was willingly going to take the blame and rot away in prison for the sake of the other two conspirators. Today someone would die, and she had to choose.
Neither of them had seen it. Neither of them ever dared to look long and hard enough to see the inner turmoil of her mind. They had enough to worry about engaged in blackmail then if she was one hundred percent behind them or not. Four years of insider trading, altering numbers, and Ponzi schemes. And now the Security and Exchange Commission were hot on their heels. They needed her support, her advice, her reckoning. But with each need she realized more and more that they needed her. Far more then she needed either one of them. Of course she would require one of them. Two people were necessary to carry out what had to happen, just one of them though. The real question became, for her, which one? Which one presented the greatest return in this messy business? That was what was haunting her daily. Now she only a single hour left of seclusion on this rooftop to figure it all out. When the cars pulled up the calm she felt now would be gone and the time would come.
She ruffled out her dark burgundy skirt and thought for the first time today, well probably in the year, that maybe the Manolo Blahnik heels were not the best choice for this. Dareon had always liked these shoes, but then again, Dareon had always liked everything about her. He was without a doubt a terrific investor, and without his interest in Amanda he would probably never have been here. He was too eager for an adventure. He had hoped that if this deal worked out they could, I don’t know, somehow leave it all together. She had found that notion enticing but not enough. Dareon was nice, Dareon was sweet, Dareon was funny, but Dareon was a romantic. He was too into the idea of a family, summers at the lake house. He wanted kids; Amanda wanted no such things for her life. Except when she was around him, then it seemed to change. But he was controllable, very able in business, perfect to help her to the top. She could live with Dareon.
Isaac was a different kind of animal. Irrational, energetic, passionate, very passionate; when he wanted something he got it. Armani, Versace, it didn’t matter; they were all going to be his. The Security and Exchange Commission would have knocked down Isaac’s door long ago if his network of fake files and faux contacts hadn’t been so thick. Everyone beyond the three of them enjoyed blissful anonymity except from him and one or two Amanda had happened to bring in. While not directly working the deals Isaac made all the moves. He presented a challenge, an uncontrollable force to be reckoned with. Whether in the board room where he was directing full partners with puppet strings about their day, or the bedroom where he seemed to really come alive, he controlled the tempo. Amanda wasn’t sure she wanted to be controlled anymore but Isaac’s abilities would skyrocket her to her final goals.
It had been a difficult decision to make. Clearly each man had their advantages but in the end one would have to fall. It was sad really to see such a gem of a man fall this way but Amanda had to be strong.
The silver pick-up she had been waiting for pulled up the last of the ramps and pulled into a spot next to the blue Porsche waiting for its owner to exit the building. Dareon stepped out heavily on the concrete. You could see the weight of the circumstance was heavily burdened on broad shoulders. He hadn’t even taken the time to dress for work, standing there in blue jeans and a grey t-shirt. It would only serve to make it all more believable.
“Hey,” he said solemnly to the ground. He pulled a tan jacket out of the truck and began to walk over.
From over shoulder came a burst of sound, “Well here are the two faces I was hoping to see.” Resplendent as always Isaac walked forward and kissed Amanda on the cheek. She found the public display in front of another a bit much, but it could just as easily be interpreted as friendly so she shook it off.
“How’s it going Isaac, I just pulled up. I was hoping we could go over a few of the SEC’s Examiners notes here. I mean this wasn’t an SK-7 they sent in here.”
“I know. It was Gerald Kruger, so what? The guy has a reputation for finding everything, and I mean everything, but here there isn’t anything to find. I have them so wrapped up in paperwork it will be six months before Kruger realizes he is chasing a paper circle.” Isaac placed a reassuring hand onto Dareon’s shoulder. “He’d be lucky to hall me in for not properly disposing my batteries by the end of the year.”
“It still concerns us Isaac.” She put in to keep the conversation going. “Just how deep are we if he does somehow manage to come up with the right answers?”
Shrugging Isaac said “well in that case stripes have always looked good on your figure Mandy.”
“It’s not a joke.” Dareon blurted out. “You do realize we are looking at possibly consecutive 20 year sentences if something doesn’t break our way.”
If Isaac didn’t watch it he was going to lose Dareon. A quick turn of the keys and he would be off, leaving everything unfinished; or worse, as he was physically capable of choosing for her. She needed to calm the situation and quickly before it got out of her hands. A brush of Dareon’s arm, “we can work this out. The three of use are very capable of making sure this doesn’t go beyond what it is.”
An understanding and longing look crossed his face just then, reminding Amanda just how much she enjoyed their times together. Despite their closeness she knew what needed to be done. It hurt knowing that safe feeling she felt whenever he held her would be gone but one of them must fall. She wished she had not spent so much time in his comfort, it only made it harder.
“Look let’s just all relax and take a break from this non-sense.” Isaac popped open the trunk to his 911 and pulled out a six pack of beer. He handed two of them out deftly picking each in turn to make sure the right one went to the right person and Amanda knew the time had come. Dareon grabbed the nearest one, popped and swallowed. It was almost done, the deed at least. It took everything she had at that point to do the same with her own and wait for it all to be over with. Isaac opened his own and drank deeply. Everyone there needed the refreshment for their own ease. The calm that came before the storm lasted for a few short minutes as they sipped in silent understanding. Knowing what came next would hurt one of them more than the rest.
In that moment a sudden change came over Dareon’s face. Sadness deeper then she could ever explain. He understood what was taking place in that moment. He reached for her, hands out in a gesture that seemed to signify both longing and guilt. Did he understand? Did she? Amanda finally did, she knew exactly what time had come. The proper files had been neatly placed in the proper spot and everyone here now knew their role. The body would be moved to the desk and the container of pills neatly spilled out next to the name plate. As the light started to fade she wondered why she hadn’t realized it would hurt this much.