Shit, shit, shit... Matt knew he had made the biggest mistake of his life and now the owner of the facilities firm he worked for wanted to see him immediately.
He stood and proceeded towards Dan Connors' office. His mind was racing; there was no way Dan could have found out. As the Accountant and General Manager only Matt ever looked at the detail within the companies transactions and at month end all the accounts balanced.
Matt was sweating and feeling sick as he reluctantly knocked at the door. He reminded himself there was no way Dan ever checked the detailed accounts unless there was an obviously discrepancy in the balance sheets.
Dan looked serious and nodded at the seat as Matt entered. Matt's illusion of safety was shattered immediately, "So I guess the question I need to ask is just how long have you been stealing from me?"
Matt's head began spinning, "What, I have no idea what you are talking about!"
His denials continued, until Dan produced the transaction logs proving a significant amount of money had spent some time in one of Matt's personal accounts before being paid back into the company. He knew the facade was over, he was caught red handed.
"I'm really sorry Dan, I just needed a short term loan until the bridging company came through, otherwise we would have lost the new house Susan had set her heart on. I never really stole it, I paid it back as soon as I could and before month end."
"I don't know what they will class it as Matt, theft I guess or fraud but you could be looking at jail. Even without that you're looking at losing you job; I can't possibly trust you after this."
"Please give me a chance, it was a moment of madness, I've worked for the company almost twenty years and have never thought of doing anything like this before and won't do it again."
Dan stood and looked out the window seemingly in deep contemplation, "You and Susan have been my friends for a long time; I guess that makes this all the more disappointing, did Susan know you did this?"
Matt was surprised by the question. He thought back... it was actually Susan's idea. She was so desperate not to lose the house she suggested it convincing Matt no one could ever find out. Matt thought involving Susan might mean Dan didn't report it to the police but he didn't want to implicate her, after a long pause he said:
"No she didn't, it was my idea."
Dan seemed surprised by Matt's response but let it pass, "I need time to think this through Matt; I'm not sure what to do for the best. Go home, don't come back in the rest of the week, I'll make a decision on Friday.
All the way home, Matt couldn't figure how Dan had found out. No one but him ever looked at the transactions and Dan certainly didn't do detail. His primary concern was about which option Dan would choose. None of them were very appealing, but the shame of a court case and time in prison left him in a blind panic.
He knew Susan wouldn't be expecting him; he looked at their new home as he approached deeply regretting buying the bloody thing in the first place. He suddenly recalled all those stories where a guy comes home early to find his wife having an affair, wouldn't that just cap off a perfect day.
Thankfully Susan was her usually bright sunny and fully clothed self as he walked into the kitchen. He marvelled again at her beauty, just shy of her 40th Birthday her long curly brown hair was pinned up with her fringe resting over a set of deep brown eyes. He preferred her figure now which provided a few more curves and a lot more cleavage since she had their two children. Most of all he loved her smile, a smile he was about to remove for the foreseeable future.
Matt updated Susan with the account of his discussions with Dan and the damning evidence he had.
Susan gasped, "Oh my God... I'm so sorry this is my entire fault, it was my idea!"
Matt shrugged, "I told Dan you didn't know anything about it, it's pointless getting us both into trouble and we need to think about the kids."
Susan thought for a few seconds before asking, "Maybe if I spoke to him and pleaded?"
Matt suggested they just wait. He knew it was going to be the longest three days of his life; they could try the pleading if Dan chose the destruction option. He wondered what he would do in Dan's shoes, they were friends outside of work, often going out and attending parties together, maybe that gave them a slim chance.
Dan texted to say he would come to their home at 7pm on Friday. Both Matt and Susan were sick with anticipation.
Dan arrived exactly on time and was met with a few strained greetings and Susan offering him a beer as usual. Before he could say anything Matt dove in, "I just want to say how very sorry I am Dan. I let you and myself down badly, I understand I've put you in an impossible position and I'll cope with whatever you decide."
Dan gave a strange smile, "I do hope that is true Matt, I do have a proposal for you to consider."
The following silence stretched onwards becoming unbearable, before Dan finally continued, "As well as this issue I have another which I'm wrestling with and I'm hoping I might 'kill two birds with one stone' so to speak. I've been under pressure to seal a major new contract, the customers are extremely family orientated and highly religious. I was in such a panic to get the deal over the line I may have suggested to their Chairman that I was happily married. I never thought they would follow it up or want to meet my wife but seemingly they see that as key part of the deal and building a long term relationship."
"Ok" mused Matt, "and that impacts us how exactly?"
"Well I'd like to... borrow Susan and ask her to pretend to be my wife at least until the contract is sealed."
Matt reacted angrily, "Just exactly what do you mean by 'be your wife'?"
Dan laughed, "Oh nothing inappropriate Matt, just attend a few functions and meetings on my arm. We've been friends for a long time and Susan can play the part far better than anyone else I can get at short notice. There is another factor; Susan is brilliant at engaging and making people feel good. I think she will have them eating out of her hands. If it all goes well we might be able to make it a Client Relationship position within the company. No one at our company really knows Susan so we can keep everything covered up."
Matt grumbled, "I'm not sure if I like that idea that all."
Dan went on, "I would really appreciate this favour from you both. I probably would have asked anyway before your... your error in judgement. We've been out together before as friends so it's not much different to that. The deal would double our turnover Matt, making the company and your job secure. They have a long list of associate companies; if we get this deal over the line the opportunities are endless."
Susan answered first, "Can't you just tell them the truth and I'll come along as the Client Manager for free, it would be easier in the long run."
Dan responded, "I thought that at first, but I'm certain that would lose the contract to our main competitors. Another thing for you both to think about: if you did this for me, well its for us all really; the issue of your theft would go away. No police, no court cases or prison and you stay employed."
Susan could see Matt weighing up the options, "We need time to consider it, we can't decide something like this quickly."
Dan turned to Susan, "Of course, there is a function next Friday but I'll need some notice if you feel you can't go through with it. Can you let me know Monday?"