Amber, Dave & Wayne: The Secret Behind the Deal
When a simple business question turns into a dangerous mystery…
Amber: “Dave, are you still doing business with Wayne?”
Dave: “Why are you asking me that?”
Amber: “Because I want to know. Is that a problem?”
Dave: “It depends on why you want to know.”
Amber: “There doesn’t have to be a reason behind every question, Dave. I asked you something simple.”
Dave: “Simple questions usually have simple answers. You’re making this sound like there’s something else going on.”
Amber: “Maybe I just want to understand what kind of business you’re involved in.”
Dave: “You already know I do business with a lot of people.”
Amber: “I’m not asking about everybody. I’m asking about Wayne.”
Dave: “Yes. I still have business dealings with Wayne.”
Amber: “So nothing has changed?”
Dave: “Not that I’m aware of. Why?”
Amber: “Because I heard some things, and I wanted to hear it from you.”
Dave: “What exactly did you hear?”
Amber: “That depends. Are you going to tell me the truth if I ask?”
Dave: “Amber, I’m always going to tell you the truth.”
Amber: “Then tell me what kind of business you and Wayne are doing.”
Dave: “It’s business. Contracts, investments, opportunities. Nothing you need to worry about.”
Amber: “Nothing I need to worry about?”
Dave: “That’s what I said.”
Amber: “Then why do you look uncomfortable?”
Dave: “I don’t look uncomfortable.”
Amber: “You do.”
Dave: “Maybe because you’re staring at me like you already know something.”
Amber: “Maybe I know more than you think.”
Dave: “What does that mean?”
Amber: “It means Wayne has a history. And I have a history. Sometimes those two things can become a problem when people start doing business together.”
Dave: “Your past has nothing to do with my business decisions.”
Amber: “I never said it did.”
Dave: “You’re implying it.”
Amber: “I’m asking questions.”
Dave: “About Wayne.”
Amber: “Yes, about Wayne.”
Dave: “Then ask him.”
Amber: “I’m asking you because you’re the person I trust.”
Dave: “Then trust me.”
Amber: “I do. But trust doesn’t mean I stop asking questions when something feels wrong.”
Dave: “What feels wrong?”
Amber: “The timing.”
Dave: “What timing?”
Amber: “Everything happening with Wayne lately. The business. The conversations. The way people suddenly seem interested in things that happened in my past.”
Dave: “Who told you people were interested in your past?”
Amber: “Nobody had to tell me.”
Dave: “Amber, be careful.”
Amber: “Careful about what?”
Dave: “About digging into things that might create problems you don’t need.”
Amber: “That sounds like a warning.”
Dave: “It’s advice.”
Amber: “From you?”
Dave: “From someone who knows how complicated business can get.”
Amber: “Or from someone who knows something I don’t.”
Dave: “What are you trying to say?”
Amber: “I’m trying to understand whether Wayne is doing business with you because of business, or whether there’s another reason.”
Dave: “There is always a reason people do business together. Money. Opportunity. Mutual benefit.”
Amber: “And secrets?”
Dave: “Secrets?”
Amber: “Yes. Secrets.”
Dave: “What secrets would there be?”
Amber: “You tell me.”
Dave: “I don’t know what you think you’re talking about.”
Amber: “Then let me ask you directly. Has Wayne ever talked to you about me?”
Dave: “About you?”
Amber: “Yes.”
Dave: “Why would he?”
Amber: “That’s what I’m asking.”
Dave: “Wayne and I talk about business.”
Amber: “Only business?”
Dave: “As far as I’m concerned.”
Amber: “That wasn’t my question.”
Dave: “Amber, you’re pushing this conversation somewhere it doesn’t need to go.”
Amber: “Maybe because there’s somewhere it needs to go.”
Dave: “What are you afraid you’re going to find out?”
Amber: “I’m not afraid.”
Dave: “Then what?”
Amber: “I’m worried.”
Dave: “About Wayne?”
Amber: “About what Wayne knows.”
Dave: “What does Wayne know?”
Amber: “That’s exactly what I want to find out.”
Dave: “Amber, what does your past have to do with Wayne?”
Amber: “You really want me to say it?”
Dave: “If you’re going to bring it up, then yes.”
Amber: “Wayne knows things about me that I never told you.”
Dave: “What kind of things?”
Amber: “Things I wanted to leave behind.”
Dave: “And you think he’s using them against you?”
Amber: “I don’t know.”
Dave: “Has he threatened you?”
Amber: “No.”
Dave: “Has he confronted you?”
Amber: “Not directly.”
Dave: “Then why are you worried?”
Amber: “Because people don’t keep information for no reason.”
Dave: “That’s not necessarily true.”
Amber: “It is when the person holding the information is Wayne.”
Dave: “You don’t trust him.”
Amber: “I never said that.”
Dave: “You didn’t have to.”
The Evelyn Question
Amber: “Dave, answer one more question.”
Dave: “Go ahead.”
Amber: “Has Wayne ever mentioned Evelyn?”
Dave: “Why are you asking about Evelyn?”
Amber: “Because you hesitated.”
Dave: “That doesn’t mean anything.”
Amber: “It means something to me.”
Dave: “Evelyn has nothing to do with this.”
Amber: “Then why did you react like that?”
Dave: “Because I don’t understand why you’re connecting Evelyn to Wayne.”
Amber: “Maybe because I heard there was a business deal involving her.”
Dave: “Who told you that?”
Amber: “Does it matter?”
Dave: “Yes, it matters.”
Amber: “Why?”
Dave: “Because rumors can destroy relationships and businesses before anyone even knows the truth.”
Amber: “So there was a deal.”
Dave: “I didn’t say that.”
Amber: “You didn’t have to.”
Dave: “Amber, listen to me. There are things happening behind the scenes that you don’t understand.”
Amber: “Then explain them.”
Dave: “I can’t explain everything.”
Amber: “Why not?”
Dave: “Because some business matters aren’t mine to discuss.”
Amber: “Is that because of Evelyn?”
Dave: “Stop.”
Amber: “Why?”
Dave: “Because you’re getting too close to something you don’t fully understand.”
Amber: “Or maybe I’m finally asking the right questions.”
Dave: “You think you’re protecting yourself.”
Amber: “I am protecting myself.”
Dave: “Then don’t let Wayne know how much you suspect.”
Amber: “Why?”
Dave: “Because if he realizes you’re asking questions, he may start asking questions too.”
Amber: “About me?”
Dave: “About everything.”
Amber: “Including my past?”
Dave: “Especially your past.”
Amber: “So he really does know something.”
Dave: “I didn’t say that.”
Amber: “But you didn’t deny it.”
Dave: “Amber, there are people who know pieces of your story. That doesn’t mean they know everything.”
Amber: “What does Wayne know?”
Dave: “I don’t know.”
Amber: “Do you believe him?”
Dave: “I believe people until they give me a reason not to.”
Amber: “And has Wayne given you a reason?”
Dave: “That’s complicated.”
Amber: “Everything with you sudden