Deception at Dusk

By Gwendolyn Taitt - Relf

A white-collar crime novel with multiple unforeseeable twists, turns and surprises.

His medical career was thriving, he lives among the crème de la crème elite of the professional world.

Arrogance plus an attitude of entitlement were understatements, he loved flaunting his success and selfish lifestyle.

One morning his inflated ego takes a bizarre turn, when he finds himself the target of a raid by federal agents. They ascended upon his medical office unannounced, like a swarm of bees, following an undisclosed two-year investigation.
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• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667873893

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Dr. Matthew Grayson loved the way his Sutor Mantellassi Italian shoes felt on his feet. He equally loved the sound they made on the marble floors in his mansion. In his mind it confirmed that he was successful, with all the trappings that his money afforded him. This daily routine made him smile every morning. He paused at the riser, before descending the grand imperial staircase, and he dialed his girlfriend Viviana Goswami’s cellphone number once again. Not surprisingly, but once again the voice mail answered; this ongoing merry-go-round was starting to irritate him.

Vivi, as she was affectionately referred to, was angry when they left each other a few nights ago. Heaven forbid, it has been four days, surely she cannot still be upset, Matthew said to himself.

Her quick temper has become a regular visitor in our relationship; the outburst always brings confusion and complication into every dynamic. She continues to refuse couples counseling, insisting that everyone is wrong except her. Matthew continued thinking about their alliance.

I often find myself wondering how much longer I should invest time trying to make our relationship work, Matthew thought to himself.

Although she was the first sincere relationship he had in many years, he did not know if he genuinely loved her or if it was lust. He was not sure if the depths of his feelings were enough to justify this fluctuating, irregular connection that he had with Viviana.

Geeezzz, how I wish things were the way they were when we first met. I still remember like it was yesterday, seeing her photograph and reading her profile on Forever Love. That was a dating, match-making website for successful professionals.

Our first meeting at the new Cappuccino Shop in the fashion village was magical. I recall the exact spot where she was peering inside of a couture shop window. She wore cocoa leather pants, a silk marocain blouse, and kitten-heel boots. She was stunning.

Matthew continued down memory lane. I was a mixture of excitement and jitters, as I walked toward her and introduced myself. Her confidence and intelligence were extremely attractive and the first few years our relationship was loving. Vivi was so funny and fun to be around; I was thrilled to meet someone with a passion for life. We have so many common interests in growing our medical businesses, expanding investment portfolios, and traveling the world. I knew, beyond any doubt, that it was fate that we met, Matthew recalled with a measure of sadness and a loud sigh.

His cellphone rang, interrupting his deep thoughts, as he walked through the long corridor, toward the door to his five-car garage.

Hello!

It was his office manager, Heather Tillman.

Hi Heather, what is my schedule like this morning? he inquired.

Heather reminded the doctor that he had three new patients, which would require extra time.

I will be right in, I am trying to decide which car I should drive, Dr. Grayson said with an arrogant laugh.

Heather responded with her usual bogus amusement and rolling her eyes toward the other end of the phone.

See you in a few minutes, the doctor said, but as he was about to hang up, a voice in the background asked, Is that the doctor on the phone?

Heather put her hand over the receiver and acknowledged Sunny Asgarian, the bookkeeper, walking up behind her.

I need to speak with the doctor, please, Sunny stated.

Heather removed her hand from the mouthpiece of the phone to inform Dr. Grayson. She handed the phone to Sunny, before walking around her desk to sit down and finish sifting through solicitation emails.

Good morning, Dr. Grayson, I need to talk to you about a few invoices that Viviana Goswami, submitted to insurance companies, Sunny said.

Once again, I cannot make her understand how basic insurance deductibles work. Despite the word ‘deductible’ and its basic concepts, she either does not understand or refuses to cooperate. Sunny was becoming aggravated.

The entire staff has repeatedly explained to her that most insurance companies have deductibles. As you know, doctor, if the deductibles are not met, the insurance company will not pay. But she insists on sending the insurance company the entire invoice, which she creates and often double bills. Sunny was trying to be calm.

I have a few in my hand, where she used wrong medical codes. Most recently she has been using Dr. Fillmore’s TIN number, when she does invoices for you. This is baffling, Sunny continued.

As you know Dr. Fillmore died years ago, and he had no affiliation with this medical practice. I am baffled. I am overwhelmingly baffled by her unorthodox medical billing process. I have asked over and over, and emailed her, about where did she get his TIN and why does she use it? But she evades, ignores, and changes the subject. The amounts of money have increased, and I fear an audit will highlight a succession. Which I will not be able to explain, because I have no idea what she is doing or why. To date she has yet to follow the terms of any insurance providers, according to my formal training. She comes into the office in the evening and will reverse my work. Sunny could not hide her emotion.

I am your bookkeeper, and I do not authorize what she is doing. I have shared these challenges with you, multiple times, doctor. It’s quite frustrating. There are laws that must be followed, and I have not and will not sign off on anything that she is linked to. Sunny was beside herself.

Calm down, Sunny. You are always hysterical for no reason! It’s not that big of a deal, you have your methods, and she has hers, she is just trying to help, Dr. Grayson replied.

Pardon me, doctor, I am not being hysterical! Sunny shouted. Viviana is creating a financial train wreck and I am raising a red flag and reporting it to you. Perhaps I am confused about my role here. Can you and I sit down and review what exactly is my responsibility here? Sunny asked.

Sunny, you are blowing this completely out of proportion. I am sure there is a simple explanation and an even more straightforward resolution to your concerns, Dr. Grayson replied.

It feels like I am being dismissed when I mention issues. I mean, is she replacing me? Sunny asked.

No, no, no, you are not being replaced! I will speak to her and define her role more clearly. It will be fine, just relax, there is nothing complex here.

After hanging up the phone Sunny looked at Heather, pursed her lips, and threw up her hands in disbelief.

Well, that was another predictable conversation, she said to Heather. It may be time for me to find another job. Heather, this is insanity around here. Dr. Grayson just lets Viviana do whatever she wants. I am beyond frustrated.

What did he say this time? asked Heather.

The usual, that I am overreacting and, he will speak to her; and this time he said that I was being ‘hysterical.’ Can you believe him? she asked.

Seriously, calling a woman hysterical is a confirmation that he is detached from the times. This is not 1940. Actually, I think he is afraid of Viviana. It’s easier to hold me at bay than to deal with her, Sunny said jokingly, yet seriously.

Ahahaha, I am in complete agreement with you on that point, he is certainly afraid of her! Heather said with a loud laugh.

Well, she is quite interesting, Sunny joined in the humor. He has a weird taste in love interests.

Ahahahaha. The ladies continued to make jokes and laugh.

Back at the mansion, Dr. Grayson took a deep breath and let out a loud sigh, as he hung up the phone with Sunny and proceeded to the garage.

Doctor, doctor, a voice could be heard from the hallway behind Grayson. It was Magdalena, Dr. Grayson’s live-in housekeeper. You forgot your coffee, she yelled.

The doctor, without looking her way or saying a word, rudely dismissed her with a wave of his right hand and continued walking toward his automobiles. He had become irked, following his conversation with Sunny. He knew he should pay closer attention to accounting activities, but Vivi’s efforts were bringing in more revenue. Why would I question what she is doing? he thought. I should have Viviana give Sunny a lesson; that sounds like a much better idea, he said under his breath.

Magdalena turned around and returned to the kitchen, muttering to herself. What a bad-mannered jerk, I don’t know why I put up his boorish behavior. She drank the coffee herself and decided that today would be the perfect day, to prepare a nice breakfast for herself and Juan, the groundskeeper. She stepped out on the rear patio and waved at Juan; he was busy working, and it took a few minutes for him to see her. Come on in the coffee, is hot, she yelled! I am making us some nice cheesy potatoes, fried eggs, and crispy bacon. Juan was always happy to sit down to a hardy meal; but he enjoyed Magdalena even more, because she made him laugh with her comedic sense of humor.

Gracias, gracias, he replied as he entered the back door. He made his way to the half-bath, to wash his hands, before sitting at the dining nook next to the bay window.

Is the doctor gone? he timidly asked, with a laugh.

Yes, yes, Magdalena replied, waving her hand in a dismissive manner. His majesty, the pompous-ass king has left the castle. He already flipped me off, she said with an exuberant laugh and a dance around the room. Bahahaha, it is o.k. because I put starch in his underpants, he will itch all day, Magdalena added.

Juan laughed so hard that he spit his coffee, and started speaking Spanish: Sin almidón, sin almidón he declared, no starch, no starch. Bahahaha!!!

Yes, I put a big cup of starch in the wash, Bahahaha!

Juan could hardly drink the hot brew for the laughter. The breakfast was delicious, and Magdalena was a good cook. Juan was getting filled to the brim; he and Magdalena sat chatting and enjoying their savory meal. He shared with her about the deer that ate the tulips on the south side of property.

Oh Magdalena, it’s bad today. The deer broke through the fence and ate much of the plants. I am driving to the nursery to buy sage and lavender to plant in that area, Juan shared.

Well, don’t let the king know about it, he’ll have Bambi run out of town, Magdalena commented with a loud laugh.

Oh no, oh no, not Bambi! Juan was choking with laughter. I will fix it before he comes home.

Visiting deer was a major problem for everyone who lived in the area. They caused the biggest challenge for nurturing the landscape, for every gardener. Juan was excellent at his job; other homeowners tried to hire him away from Dr. Grayson many times. But Juan was loyal to his employer and loved working on the estate.

Meanwhile Grayson stood for a moment in the doorway, enjoying the view of his four cars and one SUV, perfectly detailed, glistening like diamonds without any light.

He whispered to himself, Which one of these beautiful chariots shall I drive today? in a very arrogant and snide kind of way. He walked toward the red Carrera Porsche, opened the door, got inside, buckled his seatbelt, looked into the rear-view mirror, and said out loud, You are one handsome, successful SOB, as he turned over the engine. The purr of that motor was like music to his ears. Awwww, he stated as he slowly backed out of the garage. Let us go down to the valley and take care of the little people, shall we? he asked himself in jest.

Matthew looked back at his home when he turned the car toward the curb. He purchased his 8,000 square foot Mediterranean-style home six years ago. It sat high on a hill overlooking the valley, and on a clear night, you can see the lights of the cities in the distance. It was an easy sell for the realtor when Matthew cast his eyes on the stately amenities. Once he signed on the dotted line, and the keys were in his possession, he could not resist blowing his own horn to his friends and family about his achievements. The movie theater, elevator, music, and cigar rooms—and of course the Olympic-size pool—were proof of his sweeping prosperity.

It was all vastly different from his humble beginnings in the Midwest. Today they label it food insecurity, Matthew thought. I just remember my sister and I being hungry, and time after time, we had no heat in harsh brutal winters. During the unforgiving summer heat, we would spend time together in the mall, where it was cool and comfortable. His thoughts lingered.

"The vendors in the food court accepted food stamp debit cards, and their mom was able to purchase them a cheap meal on hot days.

He could not wait to escape and live the life he always believed that he deserved, and he never looked back. He never visited his hometown, nor did he help anyone where he grew up to achieve their dreams, once he was financially secure. Instead, he pretended that his life was always affluent, and he became haughty and conceited. He never showed compassion or concern for anyone with a need. He would look the other way, when he happened upon a homeless individual, and he had no empathy for the disadvantaged.

Grayson shook off the thoughts of his meager childhood. Thinking about his history was depressing, and he disliked it when those memories found their way into his mind.

He returned his focus to the present and drove off the stately property.

The day was perfect, the sun was warm and embracing, and the rays seemed to dance on the shine of the car. One more time he tried calling Viviana. He reached for the voice command button and stated, Hey Siri, please dial Vivi’s cellphone number. The phone rang the usual three times before her voicemail greeting came on. Ugh, Matthew thought aloud, this woman is driving me crazy. Just a few days ago she was incredibly loving, attentive, and positive, and that part of her personality is completely addictive. I beat myself up for not standing up and drawing a line in the sand about her unpredictable childish behavior. She gets upset over the most irrelevant things, he thought to himself.

Slowly descending the long driveway, he turned right onto the avenue that ran adjacent to the picturesque hillsides. The area was draped with enchanting wildflowers, the most vivid purple dome aster, delicate Queen Anne lace, and striking blue cornflowers. The magnificent crepe myrtle trees, coupled with the bold and majestic host of columnar trees, all stood tall with alert upward-pointing branches. Navigating past the enormous homes was like a fairytale: Each one was filled with a successful individual, thriving in the tech industry, real estate, professional sports, and a few of Hollywood’s show biz best. He was thrilled knowing that he qualified to live in the same neighborhood as other giants in their prospective fields. He approached the interstate, picking up speed, making his way down the hill to the office. It was a 20-minute ride that was occasionally plagued with heavy traffic or lane closures for roadside workers. But this morning the traffic gods were on his side: It was smooth sailing.

The parking lot of the office was filling up, but Dr. Grayson, was able to secure two spaces at the corner of his office. He loved those spaces because everyone in his office could see his car. He backed into the parking spot, parking across the dividing line to prevent any other car from being too close to him. The employees snickered when the office manager muttered, Massive Ego just arrived.

If anyone is playing on social media, shopping online, or engaged in any personal text, please put it away. I do not want to hear Dr. Grayson’s complaints today, thank you, Heather blurted out. The employees groaned, as they put away their playthings, but they also knew how draconian their boss could be.

Dr. Grayson often disregarded state and federal employment laws in his approach and communication methods with his employees. He was extremely strict about employee productivity, and he became annoyed when the employees were on their personal cellphones. He did not understand coffee breaks, a time when employees were on a workplace recess. He was known for pounding on restroom doors when he believed an employee had been in there too long. He expected everyone to be at his beck and call, whether it was their lunch time or not. Heather informed him multiple times that he was breaking the law, but his high-and-mighty attitude dismissed her cautioning every single time. She documented each incident in an ongoing chronicle in each employee’s personnel file, for their protection.

Grayson never showed appreciation for them. He refused the suggestion of team-building