Crutchfield glances down at the papers in his hands, his lips pursed. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, son. But Charles Concord was alive and well until two weeks ago. He died of pancreatic cancer."
I blink at him, trying to assess if he's fucking with me or not. My men love to mess with me whenever they get the opportunity. But Crutchfield is a somber son of a bitch. Rarely even cracks a smile, let alone pulls a prank. He's not screwing around.
My father was alive all this time?
What the fuck?
"You just inherited a hell of an estate," Crutchfield says while I'm trying to process the fact that my father has been alive for the last thirty-four years. I don't even know where to begin. My mom didn't talk much about my dad, said he wasn't worth mentioning. He ran out on us when I was a baby, left her with nothing but me. And then, according to her, he died a few months later. All I ever knew was his name. I never looked into him. Didn't see a point in doing it when he was dead and gone.
Apparently, I should have looked if he was alive and well all this time.
"From what I understand, his company is yours now. One of his associates is here to fill you in on the particulars," Crutchfield says. "I imagine you'll be leaving with him today to handle things. I understand from Carlisle that your contract is up soon. We can start the process of getting you discharged as soon as you're ready if that's what you decide. In the meantime, I'm approving leave for you so you can start sorting out what comes next."
"Someone is here to talk to me?" I ask. If they know where to find me, I'm guessing Charles Concord knew too. Has he known all along? And what does Crutchfield mean by an estateand a company? I'm not a businessman. I know fuck all about running a company.
"I put him in the mess hall," Crutchfield says. "Go ahead and talk to him, son. Carlisle can take care of your paperwork once you're finished with Mr. Fox."
I jerk my head in a nod and then salute Crutchfield.
He dismisses me, but I'm already moving before the words leave his lips. My heart pounds against my ribcage hard enough to jar me. My mind is a roar of chaos and confusion. I'm not sure what the fuck is going on, but I intend to find out.
Right now.