Diamond in the Rough

Chapter 1 Friday, February 4th Over the phone, a demonic voice hissed in a deep throaty tone slowly and calmly, “Yes, you will do as I say. Otherwise I'll ruin you.” The thief whispered sheepishly in response, “I can't steal more. They'll start to notice.” The fiend yelled, “Don't even think of defying me! I will make sure you are locked away for a long time if you do. Just steal the diamonds and mail them immediately!” “A new batch won’t be ready until Tuesday. I can’t steal any today.” Angrily the demon yelled, “I’m in Chicago this weekend. If I find out you are lying to me. It will be the end of your career.” The thief sweated nervously at the thought of losing a good paying job. “I’m not lying.” Click. The crook heard the silence of a dead line. Sunday, February 6th Dan White, owner of White Industries, parked his silver Lexus on the side street by his company located in an affluent suburb of Chicago. On a Sunday, no one would be present to observe his actions. He unlocked the backdoor that faced a residential area. He entered and walked with determination down the freshly painted hallway. Even without turning on the lights, the stark white walls reflected enough light for him to find his way past the reception area, and through the laboratory door. He was pleased to see that the space had been left clean and organized by his faithful staff. He hated the thought that he was suspicious of one of them. He weighed the manmade diamonds he had started preparing on the previous Friday evening. In a notepad atop the black slate bench, he tallied the yield for the batch of precious stones. After completing the calculations, he had his answer. One of his employees was stealing diamonds, and he was determined to find out whom. He left the building feeling disgusted. He was about to lock the back door, when he felt a solid blow to the back of his head. When he fell to the ground, the wind was knocked out of him. Too weak to stand or turn, he endured the painful bludgeoning over the rest of his body. Although half conscious, he heard the culprit open the door to White Industries and go inside. He never saw the perpetrator’s face. Saturday, March 5th Stormy Gallagher took a break from law school for a weekend to fly to Chicago for her Aunt Doris and Uncle Dan’s fortieth wedding anniversary party. The planned celebration was almost cancelled as a result of the brutal beating of her uncle outside his work one month ago. Stormy heard her name mentioned as she approached the archway leading into the kitchen. She stopped when she heard roars of laughter and refrained from entering. She peeked through the doorway to see her extended family congregated around the long tiled breakfast bar. Her cousin Debbie was directing a story to Kathy, the new wife of her cousin David, “This is when Stormy first realized the elastic on her brand new underwear was shot. Without any other warning, her undies fell to her ankles as she was trying to look so demure in her new floor length skirt.” Stormy was irritated. She knew what would come next. Debbie would be, yet again, reenacting one of Stormy's most embarrassing teen moments. She decided that she would put an end to the mockery by entering the room. Debbie glanced at Stormy and ignored her presence by continuing. Stormy put the dishes she was carrying on the counter, turned to face the audience, and crossed her arms in disgust. All the family members who were listening were howling with laughter. Debbie continued, “Then, she tripped over the flower pot.” Debbie reenacted the fall in slow motion. She landed on her stomach and rolled over to her side, teetering as she twisted onto her back. She dramatically lay on the floor flopping around imitating Stormy trying to stand like a lady, straightening her long skirt, and tossing the underwear in a bush. Stormy couldn't take it any longer. She shot daggers at her favorite cousin, “I've seen enough! I mean this happened when I was 16 years old! It's been 13 years! When am I going to live this down?” Dan White had been waiting patiently for the opportunity to pull aside his favorite niece, Stormy. He found her in the kitchen, in a state, from being badgered by her family. “If you're through picking on Stormy, I'd like her to join me for a drink in my study?” Stormy's brother Joe snickered, “You better hide any pots you have lying around, Uncle Dan.” Stormy commented in her defense as she followed her uncle, “I don’t buy cheap underwear anymore.” Stormy was surprised by her uncle’s request. His study was usually off limits to the younger generation. They entered the room. Uncle Dan marched to the bar cart. A slight limp was the only remnant of the violent assault that caused him to be hospitalized for three weeks. The police still had no suspects. He poured both of them a glass of his coveted single malt scotch. After seating themselves in the comfortable, burgundy leather chairs, the conversation started lightly even though Uncle Dan knew it wouldn't end that way. “How does it feel dealing with the Chicago winter after living in San Diego for two and a half years?” Stormy shivered, shook her curly shoulder length blond hair, and replied, “It's nice visiting here and spending time with the family, but frankly I don’t miss this weather.” Stormy could tell by the uneasy expression on her uncle's face and the anxiousness in his voice that this conversation was more than just idle chitchat. Suddenly she realized his green eyes that typically sparkled when he smiled dulled with trepidation. His once vital presence diminished, as evidenced by his graying, somewhat thinner hair and the rounded slope of his shoulders. Uncle Dan sank back into his chair, grabbed his drink from atop the side table and savored the first sip of his scotch. He collected his thoughts, rose, and walked across the dark wood floors to the large picture window. He stared blankly out not appreciating his breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. Stormy was becoming concerned, because her uncle was typically relaxed and fun loving. His silence was curious. She had never seen him so tense. The senseless attack had made him a changed man. Finally, Uncle Dan turned to face her and sighed, “I have a huge request of you.” Stormy's sky blue eyes widened, in wonder of what he was about to propose. She nodded, “What's wrong Uncle Dan? You can ask me anything.”