Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2019 21:13:31 +0000 From: Isuccum Subject: Caleb 57 This work is copyright protected © 2018. You may not copy or reproduce it in anyway whatsoever without the express permission of the owner. Please try and make a donation to Nifty to help them keep this site open and free to use. Caleb Chapter 57 "No, that would be rude. I'll just have to phone Daphne back later." Judy said. "But ..." Caleb started. "No, son, we've waited this long, a few more hours won't make that much difference." Judy silenced Caleb as the phone stopped ringing. "But what if we need to do something straight away?" Sheila asked. "Is this a call about the investigation, Judy?" Duncan asked. "It will be. We don't have our own mobiles." Judy explained. "Right then, as my possible future employee, I'm giving you an order to phone this person back right now. This is more important to all of you than etiquette." Duncan said. "Thank you." Judy said as she pulled the phone out of her bag. It started to ring again before she could dial so she just answered it. "Hello Daphne." There was a pause then Judy pulled the phone away from her ear. "Do you mind if I put the phone on speaker so that Sheila and Caleb can hear as well?" "Of course not! Do you want us to leave?" Sarah said. "No, it's okay now, there's no further need for secrecy." Judy said and put the phone down on the table. Daphne started speaking as soon as Judy told her they were ready. "You'll want to watch the news on BBC1, but I can now tell you that there have been a number of arrests and by the time you see the news, we hope to have arrested all the main culprits. This has turned out to be much bigger than we anticipated which is why it's taken so much longer. I haven't heard all the details but I do know that they have bandied about figures which must total a few million pounds at least. Now listen very carefully, we have not succeeded in keeping your identities secret and you are likely to be besieged by the media and also there is a possibility that there could be some trouble from families of those who have been arrested. The police are already forming a twenty four hour guard to protect you and your house for a few days, but they would prefer it if you could stay away from the house until they can be sure that it is safe to be there. Is there any chance you can collect some things and stay somewhere else?" Daphne asked. "There's every chance. We'll take them to their home right away to get what they need and then bring them back here to stay for as long as it's needed." Sarah said before anyone else could say something. "Sam." Duncan called out. Judy started to protest but Sarah quickly stopped it. "We have enough space here that you could live here without even seeing us for days. Besides, this will be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better." "Keep the phone with you and I'll update you as much as I can. Accept their offer of a place to stay, please. It will make me feel a lot happier. We are trying desperately to get a gagging order on the press so that they can't publish your identities, but we haven't achieved that yet as far as I'm aware." Daphne ended the conversation. Sam came around the corner from the direction of the BBQ. "You called?" "Yes Sam. Please take these people to their house and help them to pack what they need and then bring them back here. Take Thomas with you to keep an eye out. There's a possibility there might be trouble. Oh, and try and get back before the news comes on the telly." Duncan said. "I don't think there is any use in my going. If I could just use the toilet quickly it might be better if I stay here." Sheila said. "I'll take you." Caleb jumped up and began to wheel Sheila inside. "Use the one off my study, it's a bigger room." Sarah said. "Natasha please show them." Sam moved off to get Thomas and bring the car round to the front again. By the time he had done that, Caleb had finished helping Sheila and left her in the care of Natasha and her mum. "Thomas, you'll drive me in my car and follow Sam. It might be helpful to have a bit more load space and an extra person if there is trouble." Duncan said and fished his keys out of his pocket. Duncan had already planned to have Thomas or Sam drive him home after the dinner so that he could enjoy some alcohol with their guests. Thomas had driven his own car to Duncan's house and then chauffeured Duncan to Sarah's house in Duncan's car; leaving his own car at Duncan's house. It was all quiet at the Matthew's home and Duncan suggested that Judy and Caleb begin packing what they need and just pass the cases and bags to one of them to put into the cars. Both Caleb and Judy went to Sheila's room first and began packing what they thought she'd need for a few days. That filled two suitcases which Duncan took off them and waited for the next lot to come from their own rooms. When Caleb came out of the house with the last bag he thought he'd need, he noticed that Thomas was standing guard at the roadside while Duncan and Sam packed the bags away. They had just finished when a police car arrived and the officer got out. "Good evening ma'am, hello Caleb, I hope this means you are going somewhere for the night?" Sergeant Sean Meyers said. "Hi, you're the constable that was with Inspector Clarke, aren't you?" Caleb said. "Yes, but I'm a sergeant now. When I heard who it was that needed our help, I volunteered because I knew I'd be able to recognise you and be sure we were protecting the right people." Sean said. "Oh, of course. You brought the box to Caleb. Thank you for your help." Judy said. "And yes we are moving out for a bit." "Good. It would be helpful if we could have a contact phone number, just in case we need to get in touch." Sean asked. "You can have mine and my sister's numbers. They'll be staying at my sister's house so ring her first and then me if you can't get an answer from her." Duncan pulled his wallet out and, opening it, he took out two business cards and handed them over to Sean. "This is my sister's number and the other is mine." Duncan said, pointing out the obvious as he handed the two cards over. "Thank you. As soon as you're gone, we will park a marked police car in your driveway and that should help deter any, would be, troublemakers." Sean said. "I hope you've taken your magic box with you. If things get bad here, it would be a shame for that to get damaged or stolen." "Thanks, sergeant, but I haven't so you'll have to look after the house very well." Caleb said. "We can wait a minute or two more. Go and get it." Duncan said. Caleb scurried back inside and quickly returned carrying the small box and some magnets. Duncan gave the order to be off and they were on their way back to Natasha's house. Once they were at the house, their bags were carried in and placed in the rooms they were going to use. They got themselves comfortable in the lounge with the television on but muted. That way they could still talk with each other and also be ready as soon as the news started. While they were talking, Duncan asked Caleb, "That box the sergeant was talking about. Is that the same box that had the evidence in it?" "Yes it is. Sorry, I didn't think of that when I went back to get it." Caleb said. "Don't be sorry, dear. Unlocking that box, freed Nat from the torment which she has suffered for several years." Sarah said. "Would you mind showing us how you solved it because I believe it stumped some others?" Duncan asked. "I'll let you have a try first if you like." Caleb offered. He went off to the annex to get the box. All of his stuff had just been moved straight into the dressing room in the annex. When Caleb returned with the box, Natasha asked, "Can I see it first please?" Caleb passed the box to her and she spent a short while looking at it. Turning it over and around and running her fingers over its smooth surface. "It's beautiful. But it hid a lot of ugliness." Natasha shuddered visibly and handed the box back. "I'm sorry, has it upset you?" Caleb asked. "A little bit. I think it just reminded me of the bad things that happened" Natasha said. "Perhaps I should just throw it away." Caleb said. "No! Don't do that. Like mum said, opening that box opened my life for me. I want you to keep it and feel proud that it was the solving of that box that gave someone their life back." Natasha said. Caleb passed the box to Duncan. Duncan looked at it quite closely and then said, "I remember during the trial they said you had to use magnets to unlock the box and that the pattern of the marquetry showed how. Did you bring some magnets with you?" "Yes I did." Caleb grinned a little sheepishly as he answered. He had already got them out of his pocket and was holding them in his hand. He leaned forward and held his open hand out to Duncan with four magnets resting on his palm. Duncan took the magnets and began to examine the box. He moved his fingers as he tried to work out the instructions from the patterns in the inlay. He hadn't got very far when Sarah turned the sound back on as the news began. Everyone remained silent during the introduction music and then the announcer said, "We start our broadcast tonight with some breaking news. In a series of co-ordinated moves across three counties today the police have arrested more than forty people suspected of being involved in one of the biggest fraud cases in this country. Those arrested are alleged to have defrauded the NHS of millions of pounds over at least five years. These people are suspected of using the personal information of a number of deceased persons to claim benefits and the costs of NHS funded private medical treatments. We have been prevented from revealing the identity of these people and also the names of those they used to commit the offences. We can reveal that there is at least one living person who has been denied the benefits and medical assistance they should have got in order for the fraudsters to use that person's identity to obtain funds for themselves. We can also reveal that amongst those arrested are two directors of private medical concerns which are used by the NHS to help cover the back log on surgeries and treatments. Also amongst those arrested, are: three surgeons and two physicians, as well as a cabinet member of the Essex County Council. More details will be made known as soon as we are given permission to publish them. The minister of health has this to say:" The report switched to a shot of the Minister of Health talking to a press briefing, "This discovery has come as a big shock to all of us. It has revealed that there are a number of areas in the NHS accounting system that need to be looked at closely and tightened up. We will also be looking at how we can try and claw back some of the funds that have been misappropriated by these people. But more than that, we will be urgently looking at what can be done to help those who have been deprived of the medical care and treatment they were and are entitled to but which they have been tricked out of. I want to assure all those who are found to have fallen victim to these criminals' greed that, they will be helped in whatever way we can; and that whatever is deemed necessary to make recompense for what they have suffered will happen." The news cast moved on to other items of news and Sarah muted the sound again. "Wow! I think you might just find you get a big enough compensation package that you will not need to work anymore." Duncan said. "We have a good lawyer on retainer. I will contact him tomorrow and the company will pick up the bill. If he can't win a big pay-out for you, nobody can." "Actually we already have a lawyer. He helped us when the boys found that box you are playing with. I believe he is willing to help us pro-bono." Judy said. "You mean Ezra Rabinowitz?" Duncan asked. "Yes, he's a good man." Judy said. "Well, I'm meaning the partner in the law firm who advised Ezra on his pro-bono case. It's their practice which we have on retainer. I'll speak to them in the morning and we'll come to some arrangement. One way or another, you'll get to keep every penny they can get for you." Duncan said. "I hope they seize some of the assets of these guys when they're found to be guilty. I'm sorry that might mean that their families suffer a bit but you have already suffered a lot." Sarah said. When Thomas drove Duncan home he asked, "We saw on the news about that NHS fraud. Is that disabled girl there tonight the one that was mentioned on the news?" "Thomas, you and Sam, must keep tonight's activities secret for now. Don't reveal them to anyone, not even to your mother. There is a fear that some of the families of those who have been arrested will try to do something to that family because as far as we know it, she is the only living person who has been a victim of those criminals. Something said out of place could mean that they come to more harm and they've had it hard enough already. Also the mother is probably going to start working for us and her role will indirectly affect both yours and Sam's work." Duncan told him. "Thank you; I'll give Sam a call as soon as we get to your place. It will be better than waiting till I get back to him." Thomas said. "Don't worry, I'll give him a call now." Duncan said and pulled his mobile out. After explaining to Sam the need to keep things secret for the protection of the Matthews, he asked Thomas, "Have you got plans for tomorrow?" "Because Sarah needed us tonight we had planned to go for a good lunch tomorrow, but now I think she might still need us tomorrow as well." Thomas said. "No, don't worry about that. I'll be there tomorrow if they need an extra car or driver." Duncan told Thomas. "Thank you. I'm so glad we got to work for you guys. You're good to us. There's not many bosses who would let bi twins into your homes and near your family members." Thomas said. "You get that from us because you have earned our trust. Enjoy yourselves tomorrow and we'll see you on Monday." Duncan said. Thomas parked Duncan's car in his garage and then went to get into his own car to travel back to Sarah's house to collect Sam who should have finished tidying up for Sarah by the time Thomas got back. As he was opening his door, Duncan walked over to him. He held out something in his hand and said, "You guys have a good day tomorrow." He pressed five twenty pound notes into Thomas' hand. "No Sir, we don't need this. It'll be just us and a couple of friends. But thank you." Thomas tried to refuse Duncan's gift. "I'm sure you don't need it. But I want you to have it as compensation for our screwing your weekend up. By the way, I believe that young lad is also bi and has a boyfriend." "Can I ask a personal question, Duncan?" Thomas asked. "You can ask, but I may not answer it." Duncan said. "Did you get that box open?" "Not without that Caleb showing me how it works. He's a bright lad that boy. And you know something else, he didn't show any delight that he had one over on me. It didn't even seem to register with him. He amazes me more every time I learn something more of him." "Yeah, Sam said the way he got his sister in and out of the car was amazing too. And when he was talking to us it was like talking to an equal not someone who's just become a teenager." Thomas said. "That whole family is amazing if half of what I've heard about them is true." Duncan said. "All the more reason to keep shtum about what's gone on tonight." "Don't worry, we'll not be talking out of turn. I only met those people tonight and I don't know all what they've been through, but I do know that money has been tight and they've not enjoyed what most of us take for granted. Yet they seem to be happy and always thinking of others. I hope these events will mean that they get a better life from here on." Thomas said. He got into his car and started the engine. Back at Natasha's house, Sam had been busy cleaning up and getting things put away. Caleb had discovered they had a lift in the main part of the house so Sheila could get up to the next level where she and Judy would have rooms to use. Natasha and her mother worked together to make up the two beds for them while Judy helped Sheila get ready for bed. They didn't have a wet-floor shower, nor a suitable seat to put in the shower so Judy had to give Sheila a sponge bath. With nothing for him to do, Caleb went in search of a drink and found Sam just finishing up in the kitchen. Sam showed him where to find glasses and which fridge had the water in it. As Caleb was getting his water, Sam asked him, "Are you really only thirteen years old?" "I'm closer to fourteen now. Why?" Caleb asked. "It's just that most boys your age couldn't even lift someone of your sister's size let alone help her in and out of a car. I mean, it's not like you're a big person for your age." Sam said. "Well, I've had to learn to do it, I guess. It has been over two years since the accident." Caleb said. "Two years of those bastards who were already earning more than your mum stealing what should've come to you guys. I hope you get a good compensation deal out them." Sam said. "Well if they can just do something to help Sheila to get more movement and make her more comfortable that will be great." Caleb said. "So have you really not had steak for two years?" Sam asked. "We'll mum's had to take work where she could work the hours I was at home to look after Sheila so there hasn't been a lot money for things like that. We've mostly had chicken and sausages." Caleb said. "Doesn't that upset you?" Sam asked. "No, there's been times I've wished for something better, but it doesn't upset me. Now, though, that we know about those shits who've had our money, I'm fucking angry." Caleb said. "I'm not surprised. But you've got good friends in Duncan and Sarah. Tom and I are so lucky to be employed by them. They're so good to all their staff." Sam told Caleb. "You don't look that old either, how did you come to work for them?" "We came to them for work experience when we were still in school. It took Duncan about two days to realise that we were willing to try just about anything and that it was unlikely that either of us would consider university. So he told us that when we finished school to come back and remind him that he would look to see if there were any vacancies we might be able to fill. So that's what we did. As it happens they didn't have any vacancies in the business then, so he took us on to work at his house. He taught us both to drive. How to be waiters. How to garden and all sorts of other things. And now as twenty year olds, we are their employees who get treated more like friends. We'll do almost anything for those two people. When he discovered that we are both bi it didn't bother either him or Sarah one bit. It did bother Sarah's husband, though, but he's gone now." Sam explained. "I know. That box I had to go back for is the one that had the evidence of what Nat's dad was doing to her." Caleb said. "And now you're helping her learn that it can be fun." Sam said. "In a way. I'm just trying to be a good friend because she needs one right now." Caleb said. "I think I better get back to them before they send out a search party for me. Thanks for the chat." "Anytime guy. It's been fun talking to you. I hope we get to see you again." Sam said and Caleb went back into the main part of the house. He went up to the first floor and said goodnight to Sheila and his mum and Sarah and then he and Natasha moved off to the annex. Please write to me and let me know what you think of my story. Write to me at isuccum@protonmail.ch