At Last

by JM Dragon

  Dee looked at her wristwatch and saw it was already seven. When she drove her car, she arrived at work within fifteen minutes. Now that she had to walk, it was going to take at least thirty minutes if she took the short cuts, but most likely forty.

  Sure enough, it was seven forty when she arrived at the lab. Gene wasn’t there. Dee headed for the desk in hopes that Gene might have left her a message. No amount of shuffling the papers around found anything of the kind.

  “Damn.” Then she flicked a finger to her temple. No negative thoughts here, this is our good place. She reached for her lab coat and began her usual routine.

  †

  Felix scratched his head, gazing at the marked digital panel on the side door and ground his teeth. This was a first. Vandalism maybe, but then why did the man do it when people were here or about to be? Who would want to get inside, especially now, they didn’t have that much stock to pilfer? The dull tone of his pager had him reaching for it from his belt. He read the short message. Then pressed the cancel button.

  He looked around the area particularly in the direction of the perimeter fence and noted that if a person were agile enough, they could easily climb over it. Larry’s description didn’t indicate that. He walked over to the general area Larry had said the person ran and looked for any obvious clues as to who it could be. Kids, maybe on a dare. Then he saw a corner of the fence bent back. Ah. He inspected the fence and found that the wire had been cut. This was more than a trivial exploit.

  The pager sprang into action again and he frowned before he glanced at the message and cancelled it. He gave the area one more look and then headed back to the factory building.

  When Felix arrived on the main factory floor, Stan called him over and he headed in that direction.

  “Whatever Charlie did, he did good because we have supplies. Want me to get them out to the areas?”

  Felix pondered the question; it should be a simple yes, except there might be some prioritizing.

  “I’m going to have to check upstairs. Give me half an hour. The boss wants to see me anyway.” He headed up the mezzanine steps and within a minute was knocking on Ms. Desrosiers’ door. There was a curt “enter” and Felix cringed, thinking that her tone didn’t sound good.

  “You paged me, Ms. Desrosiers?” he said the second he entered the room.

  “I did twice but you didn’t come immediately. Where have you been?”

  Felix saw a hint of steel in the gaze and knew a lie wasn’t going to cut it. He walked closer to the desk where she sat in a chair in front of it. “Larry mentioned that there appeared to be a would-be intruder at the side entrance. I was checking it out.”

  “What did you find?” Her tone was cool and her gaze intent.

  “There does appear to be some minor damage to the lock and I found a hole in the fence that has been deliberately cut.” He watched her expression change to incredulity.

  “I thought Larry must be wrong. We’ve never had any vandalism or theft that I know of. Do we need to alert the police?”

  Gene stood and walked around the desk. Not a tall woman she was about an inch shorter than Felix. He guessed she was probably about five-five. She wasn’t what he’d call attractive either. Her jaw was too square and her nose crooked, but she did have a flawless complexion. One would never think she was in her forties.

  “Felix, did you hear me?”

  “Sorry. I’m going to make some inquiries tonight, after work. Could be a teenage prankster…generally Desrosiers is well thought of in town.” Felix rubbed his nose. “I’d rather keep it low key at the moment if you don’t mind?”

  “I agree, but you will let me know if there is a problem. Larry mentioned you didn’t want me to know.” Desrosiers sighed. “Why is that?”

  Larry was going to get an earful at lunch for this. “I didn’t want you to know until I knew the facts.” He looked at his hands. “You have enough on your plate right now. Besides it’s my job to ensure the security of the plant.” A hand rested on his arm startling him.

  “Thank you for watching my back and our employees. I don’t think I’ve thanked you enough for all the years you have supported the business and our family.”

  “You’re welcome, Ms. Desrosiers,” he gruffly replied. Felix knew his cheeks were red because they burnt like hell. Praise was something he’d rather hear second hand than face to face. It was his job after all.

  There was a hurried knock on the door. Ms. Desrosiers muttered, “enter,” and it opened.

  “Gene, I’m sorry about last night…Dad? Oh, I’m sorry.”

  Felix looked at his daughter and noted that she must take after him for her cheeks were flaming.

  “Your father was telling me about a possible intruder or would-be intruder. He’s handling it.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Desrosiers,” Felix nodded. “Yes, nothing to worry your pretty head about, Dee. Oh, there was something else, Ms. Desrosiers. We’ve received the goods from the suppliers who are backing us. Do we have a priority list?”

  “Yes. Sutter’s,” Gene and Dee said in unison.

  Felix’s eyes opened wide at the unison reply. “Right, do you need me for anything else?”

  “No, thank you, Felix. Keep me informed if you have production problems.”

  He nodded and left the room with a wink at his daughter. Outside the door his expression became puzzled. What did Dee mean she was sorry about last night? When did she see the boss after hours? He slowly made his way back to more familiar territory, the art of making superb perfume.

  †

  Gene watched Felix leave, and he appeared perplexed. The question was why—the intruder, the order of business, or his daughter. Definitely a puzzle and one she doubted she would find out about. Her mind switched immediately to Dee when she spoke.

  “I’m sorry, Gene, I shouldn’t have interrupted your meeting with my Dad.”

  “You didn’t, you knocked, and I asked you to enter. Anyway, you mentioned you were sorry about last night?”

  Dee stood inches from her and she could hear Dee’s uneven breathing, mirroring her own she guessed. Her expression was pensive and that stung, she wanted Dee to always be happy. It mattered more to her than her own happiness. Accepting last night that they were intertwined, whatever made Dee happy made her own world a happier place.

  “My aunt and her partner turned up as you know. You met my Aunt Alice at Maxali’s.”

  “I did, yes. Do they make a habit of turning up at that time of the evening during the working week?” Gene realized what she said and held her hands up. “Sorry, it’s none of my business.”

  There were a few moments of silence as they gazed at each other before Gene gave a slight smile. At this moment she had no reference point. Her heart was thumping so hard it hurt, and her brain…well that was a mess too.

  “Gene?”

  The quiet words resonated profoundly as she sucked in a deep breath, ignoring the fact that Dee probably saw it. “Yes?”

  Dee closed the gap between them and placed a finger on Gene’s lips. Speech became impossible, not because of the finger but the constriction in her throat. Dee’s touch seared her in such a way that the blood travelling through Gene’s veins was at a boiling point.

  “I want it to be your business, Gene.” Then a miracle happened, and Dee dropped her hand and their lips touched.

  An explosion of senses coursed through Gene as she met every kiss eagerly. Their mouths opened, and tongues entwined, and she was lost in the mutual exploration. Gene’s hands, which had been dormant, awoke and grasped as much of Dee as possible. Every curve made an indelible imprint on her brain. If this were all she shared with Dee it would be etched in her memory forever.

  In the midst of their passion the phone rang. It was a distraction for later, but for now all that mattered was Dee, whom she held in her arms. The ringing continued.

  “You need to answer that Gene. We are at work after all.” Dee pulled away and smiled.

  Just
like that, Dee understood. In the turmoil of Gene’s life, be it bad or in this case good, Dee always said the right things.

  Cupping Dee’s face Gene whispered, “You cooked dinner last night, is the invitation still open for tonight maybe?” Holding her breath Gene kissed the side of Dee’s mouth.

  “Thank god. I thought I’d be eating the chicken all weekend.”

  Gene could feel her body hum at the response. Nothing that was going to happen to her in the future mattered more than that moment. “Then I shall be there.”

  The phone was still ringing. “I think they want you to answer that, Gene.”

  Reluctantly walking over to retrieve the evil instrument that stopped their closeness, Gene barked into the receiver, “What?”

  Dee chuckled, blowing her a kiss, and left the room.

  “Oh, sorry, is this a bad time?”

  Gene raised her gaze heavenward. Darn right it was. “No.”

  “I need to see you with Quinn. She will be here in half an hour, is that okay?”

  “Yes. Do I need to worry, Charles?”

  There was a chuckle at the end of the line. “Nope, you are going to love this one, it will make your day.”

  Gene acknowledged his words and gave some banal response. When the call ended, she grinned.

  “Oh, I don’t think so, Charles, I already know whom I love, whom I always have, and nothing can trump that.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Gene looked at the clock on the wall in Charles’ office area and smiled. In less than ten hours she would be with Dee, alone for dinner. Yesterday she had been fearful of the event and a part of her had been relieved when she had to dip out. Now anything that stood in the way wasn’t welcome big time.

  “Charles, I thought you said Quinn would be here by now?” She drummed her fingernails on the chair arm.

  “Sorry, Gene, she promised.”

  The phone rang, Charles snatched it and his worried expression turned to a smile. Oh, so she’s arrived. Gene stood and walked over to the window that was a quarter of the size of the one in her office but showed a partial view of the lawn area. Her parents had insisted a lawn needed to be part of the employees’ environment. Years ago, when her dad was alive, every six months they had family get-togethers on the area, BBQs, challenges like a rope pull, and there had even been a mini soccer match. Why had she let that lapse? Grief maybe, but generally her shyness.

  “Gene, Quinn is in reception, I’ll go get her. Be back in a few minutes.”

  As the door closed behind him, she sighed heavily. In the space of less than a week her life had simply disintegrated before her eyes. Until this morning, her life had been in free fall toward disaster, now Dee had thrown her a lifeline, but at what cost? She was reflecting on that when the door opened and Charles entered with Quinn.

  “Good morning, Gene, sorry I was a few minutes late. I needed to make a call. I’m hoping to have a result before we are finished here.” She sat in the chair next to Gene and Charles took his seat opposite them.

  “Well in that case, Quinn, do you care to share?” Charles asked.

  “As I mentioned on the phone, a colleague of mine with links to the Driscol’s, found that the youngest and only daughter is interested in meeting the person behind the Desrosiers perfumes and possibly to have a tour of the factory.

  “Who is this person?” Gene asked. Christine had mentioned getting more involved with social media, but it had gone over her head.

  “Samantha Driscol, apparently, yet to be confirmed, has thousands of twitter followers and could be influential on consumers taking the brand.”

  “How can this help us in our present situation?”

  Charles frowned and looked at Quinn.

  “You are the dog’s breakfast right now, Gene, and I’m trying my best to help but I don’t see the love.” Quinn threw up her hands.

  Gene put a hand to her forehead and massaged it. A headache at that moment was not required. “I appreciate your continued defense of our products, but why?”

  “Truthfully, I had no idea and was ready to feed you to the wolves, until I met Charles.” She gave him a wink. “He explained about the town, the people, and how much Desrosiers is the town.” Gene watched as Quinn hesitated before she spoke again. “I have a few contacts and made them. Frankly if I had the money, I’d invest in you if this was a public company.”

  Gene frowned. Was it as easy as making the family company public? That was something that hadn’t entered her head. Besides, in the current conditions, who would invest and take on Desrosiers’ debts?

  “Thank you, Quinn. I’m sorry if I don’t act or sound pleased with your help and continued support, but I’m being blown from one pillar to another. It’s difficult to accept even good news right now.”

  Quinn gave a tight smile. “Yep, I’m sure it is. Look—” Her phone rang, and she held up a finger. “I need to take this.” She stood, and Gene watched her features relax into a genuine smile. “Hey, Tay, what’s the verdict?” She opened the door and left the room.

  Charles gave her an apologetic look.

  “It’s okay, Charles, I don’t think she’s being rude. Perhaps this is the call that might help us. What do you make of her suggestion about a public company?”

  “If you can find the backers it might work out. Henderson went public two years before we shut down, the shareholders wanted a less expensive operation, and he had no choice but to accede to their demands.”

  “I never knew that. I only met John Henderson and his father once. I was twelve and they came for a garden party at the house. They seemed nice at the time, John was fifteen but shy. I remember because it was a month before my mother died and she loved having garden parties.” Gene bit the bottom of her lip. Tears welled at the memory of her mother, the pain felt as fresh today as it had over thirty years ago.

  “John was out of his depth, he was a musician not a logger. He took over when his dad had a sudden heart attack, and he did his best, but it wasn’t his forte. He did what was right for him, not the town in the end.” Gene watched as Charles looked down at the desk stacked with files.

  “I think if it’s possible we can do both with Desrosiers.”

  The door opened, and Quinn came back inside her expression blank. She sat in the chair vacated earlier.

  “Well?” Charles asked.

  “My research friend Tay is the absolute best, but I’ve told you that before.” Quinn smiled. “Samantha Driscol is indeed one of the current darlings of Twitter. Apparently two years ago she launched a clothing line with a friend and it’s making millions. She’s an advocate of empowering women in business and is environmentally conscious. If she likes what she sees here, I think you might get the Driscol money to bail you out.”

  Gene’s heart pounded at the news and was grateful when Charles jumped out of his chair and went to give Quinn a bear hug.

  “You are the best, Quinn Merchant, dinner at my place tonight, I think. Cause for celebration don’t you think, Gene?”

  The words seemed to go over her head. Gene’s thoughts were on the possibility of saving her company, Grady, and her personal fortune at the forefront.

  “Yes, I think I see that light at the end of the tunnel that everyone talks about. Thank you, Quinn.” Gene stood and held out her hand and it was taken in a strong grip. “I need to make some calls. Shall we have lunch in my office at one and confirm the position then?”

  “Sure, my colleague at Sutter’s is due to confirm Samantha’s itinerary this morning. I’ll chase him up by eleven if he hasn’t called.”

  Gene nodded to Charles and left the room with the door closing behind her. She noted the corridor was empty and brushed away the tears she had held at bay when Quinn gave the news. It wasn’t set in stone and might not come to fruition, but it was a lifeline. Now to find out if they were environmentally friendly enough to convince someone like Samantha Driscol.

  †

  Dee had no terms of reference for what
to do about her feelings for Gene other than that she knew she loved her. If she thought hard about it, she always had. Acting on her feelings especially when Gene was the boss had been the main obstacle but not the only one. No, the bigger problem was her parents. They never knew but she had seen and heard the bitter discussion on the day of her seventh birthday party. Her innocent world had been tarnished and she could never get that innocence back. She’d kept her parents happy by not having friends. It was the only way to prevent them knowing she was like her aunt in her sexual orientation. Keeping the secret from not only her parents, but also from Alice and Max had been trying. The cost to her and maybe Gene was wasted years, lost love, and experiences. The only thing that had kept her going was knowing that for five days of the week she spent hours with Gene, up close and alone in the research lab. In reality, she probably spent more time with Gene that way than if they had been a married couple with different careers. Laughing at the thought, she picked up the log for the day. Nothing out of the ordinary. Working here with Gene and being an integral part of her life had been enough until now. Closing her eyes, she recalled their kisses and smiled. Now, wow, there were so many incredible opportunities for them both in the future even if Desrosiers fell.

  “Damn.” A single word summed up what was nagging away in the back of her head—parents.

  She withdrew her cell from her pocket and pressed a short code. Moments later it was answered.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Dee, hi love, is there a problem?” Her mom’s edgy tone surprised her.

  “No, I was just wondering if you had time to have lunch with me today? Say twelve thirty.”

  “Well, yes. Yes, that would be wonderful, where?”

  Oh… “You can choose.” That works.

  Her mom hesitated then said in a louder than normal voice. “Maxali’s, I hear they have beautiful things on the menu for lunch.”