The next day as promised Markus found the details for the companies mentioned.
"Well most of them are gone out of work or bankrupt," said Alex going through them.
"Don't you think it's hard to believe how some companies fall down suddenly?" asked Paul, looking at me.
"You mean the top ten firms listed?"
"Yes, Ben. They were well-reputed those days and were a stable business," said Paul.
"Do you mean they were all planned by Alexander?" I asked.
"If you check the finance reports, you can see they all had gone downhill after the corporation with them,"
"So you think it's an underhand attack?"
"Yes"
But the main issue was most of the companies were closed and any of the employees are unwilling to talk. But there must be someone who did all these to help Alexander senior.
"I guess we need to find out find out that person who is the middle man," said Liam after thinking for a while.
"Do you suspect anyone? as you were close to him" asked Paul.
"Hmm... if I remember correctly, he had about five lawyers and a financial advisor,"
"You mean that Zach guy?" asked Maverick.
"Hm yes. How did you know?" asked Liam a bit surprised.
"Grandfather used to talk with him for hours about deals and stuff, that I had overheard when I was small."
"Do you think he's still there?"
"Don't know. But one thing is for sure, he can make those lawyers bend any law to get whatever grandfather wanted,"
"So we have to find out about this Zach. Do you have any photos or anything about him?" asked Paul hopefully.
"Sorry to get your hopes up. I have never met him or ever talked to him,"
"That means it's going to be like finding a needle in a haystack," said Alex leaning back on his chair.
We went on thinking of what to do or to find any leads to get to know who this person could be. Zach must be the middleman who handled all the deals, being sure to get things right. Maybe he had changed his name by now or living in another country with a whole new identity.
"Oh Markus, you came at the right time," said Liam.
"What can I help you with sir?"
"Do you think you can find out about people from a photo?"
"Hmm... we might be able to"
"See if you can find out about the man on the far left," said Liam taking out a photo from his wallet/
"This is?" asked Maverick.
"An old photo I had kept with me. That day grandfather had a big gathering with everyone important to him. And I kind of know everyone except this guy,"
"I will try my best, but please give me two days," said Markus looking at Ben.
"Is there anything you want to discuss with me?" I asked as I saw him looking at me.
"Yes sir. I found something suspicious,"
"May I know what it is?"
"I think there is someone manipulating the budgeting department,"
"Hmm... I guess you can double-check the hidden cameras and get back to me, this time I won't be merciful," said Alex.
After a few incidents, we had prepared in advance with special monitoring systems throughout the building. Hope we can find out who is responsible this time. But the punishment will be severe.
"ok boys time to take a break," said Alex after calling his team to look into the office matter.
The girls had gone out for a little shopping spree leaving us to do whatever we like. And I know Alex is the happiest to have a boy's day out.
"Hi, Benny let's go surfing?"
"Are you sure, you want to lose?" I asked him teasing him.
"Well, we will see about that. Maverick, Liam do you wanna join?"
"Hmm, why not I haven't done it in years though," said Liam getting ready for the challenge.
"What about you?" I asked Maverick, who was looking a bit uncertain.
"I have never surfed before, so I think it's better I leave out," he said looking at us.
"Oh... I know, Benny, you can teach him?" said Alex.
"Can he?" asked Maverick.
"He is the one who taught me,"
With that in view, I agreed to teach Maverick how to surf. I don't know how long we spent in the water till we heard a shout from Meg.
"Guys, didn't I tell you not to have fun without me,"
"Sorry babe," said Alex making a comic face at her.
"Well your punishment is you guys will not get what food we bought," she said making the other girls giggle.
"Honey you will miss out on your favorite snack," said Sarah adding fun.
"Oh really, then it's a problem. Alex, you planned this do you have to find a solution," I said putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Meg my dear, if you win we guys won't have what you bought, but if I win you have to share them with us," said Alex, who knew he can win anyway.
"Agreed. Let me get changed and come,"
As expected after three rounds, Alex won two to one.
"You need more training my Miss Tomboy," he said teasing Meg.
"Oh really, wait till I get you next you next time Mr," she went on running around to hit him.
"You need a good trainer to beat me,"
"Wait till I catch you. You...."
"OH!!!..... Miss tomboy is out of words... COOL!!!!"
"Miss TomBoy?" asked Liam looking at me.
"That's the name Alex gave her the first day we met these two girls. And on the spot he nicknamed her Miss Tom boy, she had curly short hair," I explained.
"OK you two, come back. Meg weren't you hungry a while ago?" shouted Sarah getting ready the food on the table.
"Coming, mommy...."
Which made us all laugh and get ready for our lunch.