Chapter 7: The Business Dinner

Casey POV

"You look incredible."

Casey stumbles when he sees Heather step out of the car. The dress looks better on her than he imagined. And he had imagined it a lot.

"Well, I suppose I have you to thank for that. This dress and everything, it's too much. You shouldn't have," Heather shyly thanks him.

"You deserve it. I wanted to do something after you had to endure meeting my father and the way he treated you. Plus, all work you have been doing for our investigation on top of your regular work should be rewarded somehow," Casey cannot stop his rambling justification as he continues to stare at the vision in front of him.

"I appreciate it, but I wasn't looking for a reward. I just want to find whoever is stealing from the company," Heather responds with a blush coloring her cheeks.

"Well, then I guess we should get inside and meet with Mr. O'Brien. Hopefully, we will get the answers we want." Heather loops her arm through his.

Casey leads them into Cafe Angelique, the most expensive French restaurant in Boston. Mr. O'Brien has very particular tastes that Casey is willing to indulge in to get what he wants from the man.

"I hope you like French food. I forgot to ask," Casey leans in to say as they walk through the door.

"I've never had much of a chance to try it, but I'm not picky. By the way, after you were so complimentary of how I look this evening, I should tell you that you look very handsome," Heather comments as she brushes the lapel of his jacket with her hand.

"Please don't feel obligated to compliment me," Casey responds to Heather, wanting her to feel comfortable enough with him to be genuine.

"I don't. It's the truth." Heather says with a smile making Casey's heart skip a beat.

As they enter the lobby of the restaurant, Casey can see the most beautiful blush overtake Heather's face. Before he has a chance to lose himself anymore he hears Peter O'Brien calling his name.

"Casey! How wonderful it is to see you again! And even better to see this lovely woman you brought with you," Peter loudly states, clearly already inebriated.

"Mr. O'Brien it is good to see you as well. This is Heather Winters, she is a rising star in our accounting department. I brought her to help with any of the particulars in regards to your next investment with Sullivan Solutions," Casey introduces Heather while also placing himself between her and Mr. O'Brien.

"You sound very confident that I will be investing in your father's company," Mr. O'Brien says with a laugh.

"Well you have been our largest and most consistent investor for the last decade, It seems like a pretty safe bet that it won't be changing now. Especially considering how much you've benefited financially from your relationship with Sullivan Solutions," Casey responds with confidence.

They are seated at the table and Casey makes sure to order a bottle of Mr. O'Brien's favorite wine, also the most expensive. They order and keep the conversation light until halfway through their meals when Peter O'Brien turns the conversation to business and focuses on Heather.

"So, Heather, how much of an investment am I making this time, and what return am I going to get on that investment?" Peter asks as places his arms on the table to lean closer to her.

"Mr. O'Brien, I think-"

"Please, call me Peter," Peter quickly interrupts Heather.

"Peter, I think we can be quite confident that you will get a strong return on your investment. However, I think the more important aspect is that your investment will be going to a major project on renewable energy resources. This is guaranteed to be a project that will make headlines and generate more interest in Sullivan Solutions. I have noticed that several of the projects that you have invested in in the past did not yield positive results and ended up costing you money," Heather nails the pitch while also guiding Peter to the topic of the fake projects.

"That is the cost of doing business, sweetheart. You can't win them all," Peter brashly replies while slurring his words.

Casey clenches his fist under the table. He wants to step in and stop Pete from insulting Heather, but he needs to keep the investor happy. The man has also finished two bottles of wine on his own as Casey and Heather have kept themselves to a single drink. Casey hopes the alcohol will loosen Pete's lips so that they can get the information they need. However, all it has done so far is make Pete more insulting and misogynistic. Thankfully, Heather can take care of herself.

"Mr. O'Brien, I understand the inherent risk with investments, but I am surprised you are so nonchalant about losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the last couple of years without seeing any record of how the money was spent. It is not even about failed projects, but about projects that never occurred. Doesn't that worry you?" Heather defends herself while also trying to goad Peter into giving up account information to protect his pride.

"I don't know what you are talking about darling. I just know my losses fall within a margin of error. The rest of the information doesn't matter to me," Peter is blase in his response as he finishes another glass of wine.

"But you do have that information, don't you? It would be awfully irresponsible if you didn't. I think you are far too smart for that," Heather tries playing to his ego to get a better response.

Casey worries that Heather is laying it on a little too thick, but Pete is loving it and her. His gaze is firmly locked on her cleavage as Heather leans towards him, and is not paying attention to the information he is sharing.

"Of course, I have all the records! I am even smarter than you could imagine and I would never let someone pull one over on me. And if they tried I would destroy them. That is what a man does," Peter boasts and brags and does not notice that he has spilled wine on himself.

"I knew you were too smart to be taken advantage of. What you have accomplished is so impressive. Do you think I could see your records of all your investments with Sullivan Solutions? It would help with preparations for our next project together," Heather continues to stroke his ego and drags her fingers across his arm while asking for the information they need.

"Oh dear, I don't know. Those are my personal records," Peter hesitatingly says as he draws away from Heather.

"I'm only asking for the records connected to the business dealings with our company. Plus, I think it would help Casey to learn more about how to properly treat his most important investors. He is the future of Sullivan Solutions and he wants to make sure that he maintains a strong relationship with you. That way the two of you can have a profitable partnership in the future," Heather tries appealing to Peter's hope for future earnings.

"I like the sound of that! Liam has always been so demanding about keeping me as a silent investor. I want to be a partner! I want my name next to the Sullivan name in the paper and they tout our success," Peter pushes for his own benefit.

Casey is incredibly impressed with how Heather has handled Peter. The man is one of the biggest investors in the company, and Heather is in complete control. Peter doesn't even know why they want his records, but he is willing to hand them over. Heather has also gotten him to agree to expand his investment with Sullivan Solutions. Casey knows he would not have been half as successful if it had been up to him.

"Well, Casey can make that happen once he is CEO. Can't you, Casey?" Heather asks slyly, winking at him when Peter's back is turned.

Casey was starting to wonder if he was even needed at the table anymore, but it seems that this is his moment.

"Definitely. A true partnership," Casey solidifies his commitment with a handshake.

"Well, alright then. Let me have the files sent to Casey's office and we can count that as the first step in our partnership," Peter agrees.

"That sounds great, Pete. I will also have my office send over a celebratory case of your favorite wine as well to commemorate our arrangement," Casey offers.

"Perfect! Well, this has been a most enjoyable dinner, but I have to take my leave. I have a special lady waiting for me. Sorry to disappoint you, sweets," Peter slurs as he stumbles to get up as he leers at Heather once more.

"I'm not surprised you are a taken man Mr. O'Brien. I will have to find a way to survive," Heather politely says while stepping out of Peter's reach as he tries to grab her.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you, Pete. I will keep a look out for those files," Casey says, getting between Peter and Heather, and reminding Peter of what he promised.

"They are already sent, Casey. Hopefully, they will benefit you and our future partnership," Peter assures Casey.

"I'm sure they will, Mr. O'Brien," Casey replies.

Casey and Heather walk out with Mr. O'Brien and see him stumble into his town car with the help of his driver. Once he is gone they look at each other.

"I can't believe that worked," Casey says in shock.

"Neither can I. Did he really send the files?" Heather asks with hope in her voice.

Casey takes out his phone and sees the email waiting in his inbox with a large attachment.

"It's here. What do you say we go to the office now and see if these records identify our culprit."