Waking up to core values in a time of crisis

Orfeo changes the terms of the deal

Halfway across town, in a multi-storey parking lot sat a large black SUV. The driver was visible, wearing shades even though the position of the car meant that he was not in direct sunlight. Suited, much like a nightclub bouncer, he regarded the man approaching with very little interest. His only gesture was to thumb to the man to indicate that he should get in the right-hand side. Clearly, someone else was already in the back, invisible through the privacy glass.

The man, wearing a raincoat with a suit underneath, carried a briefcase. He opened the right rear door and climbed in. The driver started the engine and the SUV moved off.

“It is done,” he said to the man sitting beside him.

“Good, Detective Wheeler. Good,” replied the other man. He was thin, rakish, and had a sinister look. There was darkness there. It was unnerving.

“I trust it went according to plan.” The SUV moved down one level of the parking lot.

“Yes,” replied Wheeler. “There was a girl too,” he added. In retrospect, he wasn’t sure why he said that.

“A girl?” questioned the rakish man. He searched Wheeler’s eyes for a moment. “You say it as if it might, . . . “, the man paused for a moment to choose his words deliberately, “. . . complicate matters?”

“No. I just don’t want any comebacks. The job was done, now you release my son.” The SUV went down another level. The driver cruised along the rows of parked cars looking for a new place to park.

“Yes,” replied the rakish man. He pulled out his phone, tapped long fingernails on the screen, opened a photograph and showed it to the man. “Was this the girl?”

“Yes,” replied Wheeler, looking confused. “I don’t understand. Where is my son?”

“He’s safe, and in disguise,” said the rakish man cruelly. “It seems he’s taken a shine to this young lady and we need his services a while longer.”

“What have you done with him, Orfeo?” asked Wheeler, angrily. He was starting to feel out of his depth. This was supposed to be a one job deal and then he was done. One job, one payment. This was getting messy.

Wheeler’s background

Wheeler is a man who has a history with gambling and is in debt, driving him to take advantage of a what he sees as an easy way out. It’s caused conflict in his marriage, and he becomes someone who can be bought. Events start to spiral though. His son is put in danger, and this ultimately becomes the wake-up call.

Switching sides

Wheeler realises he’s made some bad decisions, but understanding where it’s taken him makes him more determined for what he does next. He gets a second chance, from a friend, and this enables him to start acting more in line with a different set of values, including honesty, integrity and empathy.  He feels that he can be his authentic self and be the person he once was.

Why core values are important

I’m sharing this because I believe that values are important in being able to trust someone. If you start to gain an understanding of what values someone else demonstrates when they speak and act, you can figure out how they’re likely to act in future scenarios.

However, as the book demonstrates with Wheeler, someone’s values may change and influence a new pattern of behaviour. The question is, which is more inline with who their authentic self is? And if you believe their values are not their core ones, then what other things in their lives might be driving the way that they act?

Read more about Wheeler

While you’re reflecting about the values demonstrated by people in your life, buy Book 1 to learn more about Wheeler and how he turns his life around. His story also continues in Book 2 and Book 3, with Book 2 delving into the story of him and Raelinn. All three are available On Amazon at the link below in paperback and kindle editions.