“I will need time to think it over.” Not trusting herself to say more, Emilie rose. “How much time do I have to get back to you?”
“Take a full week,” Owen said as if he were granting her the hugest favor of her life.
Emilie’s head was pounding as she headed back to the office. One week to decide what she wanted to do. That didn’t give her much time to make some life-changing decisions. She’d better start getting those résumés out. On the other hand she was up to her ears with the repositioning of the jam session, and to abandon the project midway seemed so irresponsible.
What to do? What to do? Should she concentrate all of her energies on landing a job fast or should she continue to be a professional and fulfill her obligations?
Zoe had the television on when Emilie walked back into the office. She tore her eyes away and, after taking one look at Emilie’s face, lowered the volume.
“Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine in an hour or two. I just got some unsettling news.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Maybe in a day or so. What’s on the news?”
“It’s just more about the mayor and speculation about who’s stepping in. The city council is going to appoint someone in the interim until an election can be arranged.”
Emilie went into her office closed the door and put her head down. She allowed herself the luxury of a few tears and then pulled herself together. It definitely looked like she would be moving now. But did she want to move to Miami?
Her intercom buzzed. Emilie blew her nose and stabbed a finger at the button.
“Yes, what?”
“Maggie Smith’s on the line.”
Maggie was supposed to be in New York. They weren’t friends. Why was a woman she’d never met or spoken to calling her?
Morbid curiosity prompted Emilie to say, “Put her through.”
“This is Emilie Woodward,” she said into the mouthpiece.
“Emilie, Maggie Smith from WARP. We don’t know each other but I’ve heard that you’ve dated Rowan James and I hoped you could answer a question.”
What a ballsy woman she was. Again curiosity kept Emilie from hanging up.
“What is it you want to know?”
“Well, this is a bit embarrassing, but I’ve been receiving these anonymous e-mails from some obviously disgruntled woman, warning me off white men, specifically Rowan James. I wondered if you’d had the same experience.”
Emilie was so astounded that she couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“Emilie, are you there?”
“Sorry, yes I’m here. I guess I’m just surprised. I’ve had a similar experience and I’m still trying to figure out who’s behind it.”
“Perhaps we should compare these e-mails,” Maggie suggested.
“Perhaps we should. What’s your schedule like?”
“I’m currently in New York, but we could get together when I get back. Tuesday evening would be good.”
New York. Maggie was in New York. And so was Rowan. And Maggie was so rattled that she was making a long-distance call to a woman she didn’t know.
Zoe was signaling to her frantically. Emilie covered the mouthpiece. “What is it?’
“Rowan James is here to see you.”
Maggie on the phone, and now Rowan in person, which meant he was no longer in New York, or he and Maggie had never been together.
“I have to go,” Emilie said. “Tuesday it is, then. Is seven o’clock at the Pink Flamingo good for you?”
“I’m penciling it in my book.”
Rowan didn’t wait for her to ask him in. He was already at her doorway, filling it with his overwhelming presence. A helpless Zoe did an eye roll and shrugged her shoulders
“How are you doing?” Rowan asked, taking the seat across from her. His normally clear blue eyes were red streaked.
“Everything considered, okay. I’m surprised to see you here. I’d heard you’d left for New York,” Emilie said carefully.
“It was a last-minute trip to see my lawyers. Thankfully I got that business accomplished before all hell broke loose. Mayor Rabinowitz’s arrest has all sorts of implications. The FBI’s going to investigate all the companies involved with the casino deal. I felt it was in my best interest to get back here and bring my attorney with me. Derek shouldn’t have to take that heat by himself.”
Could she believe him? Had he really gone to New York to see his attorneys?
“Anything new on the job situation?” he asked.
“Actually yes, I’ve been presented with several options. None that have much appeal to me.”
She explained about the training job, moving overseas or accepting a severance package.
“I’m divorcing myself from any involvement with building the casino,” Rowan shared. “The Seminoles and Landsdale will have to find themselves another developer.”
“Won’t that mean legal implications?”
“Nothing my lawyers can’t handle. It’s a very different project from when I signed on. The construction of the mall is going well and Derek can handle any issues that come up. I have a couple of opportunities in Pittsburgh that I want to pursue so I’m packing it in and heading off in a month or so. I’ll fly into Flamingo Beach when needed.”
The impact of what he’d just said hit her. It left her head reeling. From the very beginning he’d made no secret of wanting to leave Flamingo Beach, but now there was an actual date.
Zoe was at the door waving her hands frantically.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but you might want to see this.”
They followed her out and she pointed to the television screen where Stephen Priddy was being led away in handcuffs. Zoe quickly turned up the volume.
The reporter was rambling on about Priddy providing illegal gifts and campaign donations to Mayor Rabinowitz and others on the city council. In return he got their vote.
“Something about Stephen Priddy always set my teeth on edge,” Rowan mumbled.
“I wonder whether Keith Lightfoot was involved in any of this,” Emilie said out loud.
What she didn’t voice was her concern that Rowan would be the next person to be picked up. He looked tired but didn’t seem at all nervous, not the demeanor of a guilty man.
“I’d be very surprised,” he said, “Keith Lightfoot has a sterling business reputation. He might not have known what Priddy was up to.”
“How could he not?”
“From what I can gather, Priddy was recommended to the tribal council by another party. He came with excellent credentials. The group needed a seasoned chief financial officer to keep things on the up-and-up and that’s why he was hired.”
The phone attached to Rowan’s belt loop rang.
“Excuse me, I’ll have to get this.”
He listened for several seconds, his jaw muscles working.
“Okay, let them know I’ll be right over and I’m bringing my lawyer with me.” Rowan turned back to Emilie. “I have to go. The FBI is looking to speak with me.”
Emilie touched his arm. She wanted to believe he was innocent.
“Let me know how it goes.”
“I will. I’ll call you as soon as this whole bloody thing is over with.”
“I hope it gets over with soon.”
Chapter 21
“I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. Life’s been crazy,” Emilie said when Mack Allen caught her unexpectedly at home. She’d hoped the call was from Rowan. She was worried about him.
Mack’s deep chuckle resonated. “I was beginning to wonder whether you were blowing me off.”
He’d given her the perfect opening.
“Not exactly blowing you off, Mack. I’ve just been so busy. I’m on my way out, meeting a friend in exactly ten minutes.”
A slight exaggeration. Maggie Smith was hardly a friend.
“Is that your diplomatic way of saying you have a date?” Mack asked.
“Not exactly a date. In fa
ct I have so much going on right now I don’t think I’ll be doing much dating. There’s a good chance I’ll be moving.”
“I’m not going to be here much longer, either. You probably heard that plans for building the casino are on hold.”
“Yes, I heard something to that effect. You must be disappointed.”
“I’m upset to be in the middle of a mess. Because of the charges of corruption and bribery, everyone’s under investigation. We contractors have been cooling our heels waiting until this thing clears up.”
“I hope it all works out for you, Mack. You’re a nice man,” Emilie said, ending the call.
Emilie gave a quick glance in the full-length mirror. She’d pulled her hair off her face, securing it back with combs. She was wearing one of those hot retro dresses that were back in style, the hem barely sweeping her knees. Since she was meeting the competition, it didn’t pay to be a frump.
It made more sense to walk over to the Pink Flamingo than to bother taking out her car. Maggie Smith was waiting in the cool interior when Emilie entered. She stood and waved.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet me,” she said with a wide grin.
“How could I not? We seem to have pushed someone’s buttons. I am just as curious as you to discover who that person is.”
So far no hostility. Maggie seemed both warm and welcoming.
Both women sat. Maggie was already sipping on something that looked like water.
“I was thinking of getting an appetizer. Are you interested in sharing one?”
“Yes, I’d like that.”
After the waitress took their order, Maggie opened a manila envelope and withdrew a sheaf of papers. She set them on the table in front of her. “These were all sent to different departments at the radio station. I guess whoever it is wanted to make sure I got the message. They wanted to run me off.” She giggled.
Emilie produced a folder holding copies of the e-mails that Zoe had saved and put them side by side with Maggie’s.
“Mine are nothing compared to yours.”
“I’m a public figure,” Maggie said. “I believe they were trying to ruin my career.”
“We’re dealing with a really nice person here,” Emilie said sarcastically. “Do you have any ideas who might be responsible?”
Maggie shook her head. “I’m so new to town I really haven’t had the time to meet many people.”
“I’m at a loss myself. But someone is interested enough to monitor our comings and goings. My conclusion is that either this person’s a racist or very interested in Rowan herself.”
“How do you feel about him?” Maggie asked, looking at her intently.
It was an intensely personal question and one she wasn’t sure she wanted to discuss with a stranger. She’d been giving it a lot of thought lately and at least she was no longer confused.
“He’s an incredible man,” Emilie said, grateful for the server’s excellent timing with their order.
“I can tell you really like him,” Maggie said, looking at Emilie intently. “What’s the problem? It should be a much easier relationship, anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because interracial relationships can be tough.”
It dawned on Emilie that Maggie didn’t know she was black. It was time to educate her.
“I’m African-American, Maggie.”
Maggie’s eyes almost popped out of her head. “You are kidding. Girl, I would never have guessed.”
“How about you? Do you have feelings for Rowan?” Emilie asked, turning the tables.
Maggie held her gaze. “Rowan’s great to date but not exactly my soul mate. I think he feels the same.”
Hearing it put like that made her feel so much better. One bold question deserved another. “Were you just in New York with him?”
“No, I went to see my family. I had no idea Rowan was even in New York.”
Emilie felt as if a rock had been lifted off her chest. She believed Maggie Smith. What’s more, she liked the woman.
For the remainder of their time together they laughed and joked, finding out they had a great deal in common. If she wasn’t so sure that she’d be leaving Flamingo Beach, Maggie Smith would make a good friend.
Two weeks later, Emilie had turned down the Miami trainer’s position, but was still considering the overseas opportunity. Without a job she would be moving somewhere. The question was where? The good thing was that Tom had agreed to pay her a bonus so that would at least tide her over for a while.
Flamingo Beach was still in shock, reeling from the news of the mayor’s arrest. Since then several other city council members had been indicted. The media was having a field day with the Seminoles, Landsdale and James Morse all under investigation.
In the last few weeks Emilie had had only minimal contact with Rowan, and only because he needed information to pass on to Twenty Cents and Ice Cube. She missed their times together.
Right now she had to focus. This was the night when all of her hard work would come to fruition. She had a lot of people to thank for making We Beach Jammin’ happen. That was the name the advertising company had come up with. Some clever person had shortened it to WBJ and the abbreviation had stuck.
Emilie was particularly pleased that the weather had held up tonight. The rain occurring earlier that evening had cooled things down and a stage and several tents were erected on the property. Hopefully that would minimize any complaints as the jam would still be held outdoors.
Judging by the crowd no one had decided to boycott the event. A sizeable line wound its way around the building and the scalpers selling tickets were having a field day. Emilie hoped that someone at the hotel was keeping track of sales because from the looks of things they were already oversold. People had come from north and south to see the two celebrity rappers, Ice Cube and Twenty Cents, who were the opening act.
The twenty-five finalists had been on-site all afternoon rehearsing and pacing. They had their own tent and the stress level was so high that occasionally someone snapped.
Larry Moorehouse was more excited than she’d ever seen him. Emilie couldn’t figure out whether he’d expected the thing to be a bust. Sure, there had been groaning and grumbling and several had called the D’dawg show complaining that the jam had become a moneymaking opportunity. With the corruption charges fresh in everyone’s mind, Larry and the Flamingo Beach Spa and Resort were being accused of all sorts of ugly things.
Emilie was determined to focus on tonight. Nothing mattered, not the loss of her job, although not much had been said about that lately. That might have something to do with the construction of the casino being placed on hold. Even so, if Tom Burke begged and pleaded she would not be staying on.
“Do we have more folding chairs?” Larry Moorehouse asked, stopping Emilie in her tracks.
Emilie turned him over to Joya and her helpers and went off to make sure security was in place. In addition, the hotel had retained the services of the two police officers, Greg and Lionel, and their patrol cars were parked in the lot.
While the technical crew tested the sound system, Emilie checked with the food and beverage manager, who coordinated with Keanu. They confirmed that every restaurant and café would remain open throughout the event. Outside, the bars and refreshment centers were already doing a brisk business catering to a hungry Saturday-night crowd.
Larry was flagging her down again. “When are our two stars arriving?”
“They’re already here. Ice Cube and Twenty Cents checked in earlier with an entire entourage. Bodyguards, musicians, girlfriends, etc.”
“Do they know what time they’re on?”
“That’s what their managers are for. I got a very long list of requests that the hotel was expected to provide, everything from food and drink preferences to the appropriate temperature in their suites. I’m done.”
Larry’s very long list of volunteers was doing everything from ticket taking to hawking Flamingo Beach souvenirs. So far every
thing seemed organized and if there were flubs they certainly weren’t noticeable. But despite that Emilie felt compelled to walk around and check and recheck.
“I’m going to take another quick look around just to make sure everything’s set,” Emilie said, leaving Larry. “If something urgent comes up, call my cell phone.”
People were swarming through the building now, some she recognized, some she didn’t. In the distance she saw Quen and Chere. When Emilie stopped to say hi to them they exchanged the usual small talk. Eventually Chere curved a finger at her, taking her off to the side.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this,” she said.
“I can’t wait to hear.”
“It’s my girl, Sheena, that’s been sending you nasty e-mails.”
“How did you find out?” Emilie asked, although she wasn’t so sure she wanted to know.
“I had to use Sheena’s computer because mine was broken. There was one of those e-mails right up on her screen. Now don’t you say a word, hear?”
After promising she wouldn’t, Emilie continued on her way. Sheena Grace really was something else. She’d gone to extremes to try to eliminate the competition and move in on Rowan herself. Pathetic creature.
Emilie ran into Maggie, who had her arm through Mack Allen’s. She nodded at them and continued on her way. Mack had told Emilie earlier he would give it one more week in Flamingo Beach and then he was packing it in. Maybe Maggie would help him change his mind.
She couldn’t help noticing the shift in energy. Even the clothing worn to the jam was different, more casual-chic. Around her, couples were holding hands, voices raised excitedly. This was a new dawn in Flamingo Beach and people were here to have a good time, an upscale time. And she was alone; independent had now become lonely. Flamingo Beach was growing up and she wasn’t going to be around to see it blossom into full-fledged adulthood.
“Emilie!” She knew that voice, would recognize it anywhere.
Turning, she spotted Rowan in his usual torn jeans heading her way.
“You are just what the doctor ordered,” he said, spinning her around and sending the ankle-length skirt she wore billowing around her ankles. “I’ve missed you, girl.” He looked exhausted, worn.
Sex on Flamingo Beach Page 19
