by Emery, Lynn
“My grandchildren need stability.” Joe put down his glass. “Frankly, son, I admit I was worried. First you and Shauntelle divorced when the girls were so young.”
“We didn’t think staying together was best, Dad.” Alex repeated the same defense he’d made years earlier.
“I know, I know. Your mother and I made a sacrifice. Times are different now.” Joe waved a hand. “we were pretty miserable for the last ten years of our marriage. I can understand your decision.”
“At last,” Alex said with a slight smile.
“I wasn’t that bad,” Joe replied squinting at him. “But you know how I feel about a man’s duty to his children.”
“Yes,” Alex said quickly in hopes of heading off the now familiar lecture.
“You need a woman who can be maternal and a good influence. Shauntelle is a wonderful mother. But the right stepmother is important.” Joe shook a finger in the air.
“For sure. Felicia has been a second mom to me,” Alex mumbled. He glanced at his father with a twinkle in his eye. Felicia was seven years older than Alex.
“I heard that,” Joe snapped. “My situation is different. You kids were grown when we got married. Tia and Nia are still babies.”
“I know what you’re saying.” Alex grew serious again. “That’s what bothered me. Not that I think Lanessa is a bad influence.”
“Harumph!” Joe cocked one busy eyebrow at him.
“I mean it,” Alex insisted. He looked off at the late evening sky. “She’s kind and generous. Lanessa has never been a woman I wouldn’t want my kids to be around.”
“Except for the drinking and so on,” Joe put in.
“Of course,” Alex agreed. Yet his mind was not on the negative at that moment. “It took courage for her to get her life back together. In a lot of ways she’s a great role model for the girls.”
Images of Lanessa entertaining the girls with funny stories came to him. Despite their efforts not to like her, Tia and Nia had warmed up to her. Lanessa had lured them closer with her lovely smile.
“Son, you’ve still got it bad for the lady.” Joe picked up his glass again and drank from it. “I can see it in your face.”
Alex blinked back to his surroundings. Sentimentality was a foolish indulgence. Lanessa had made her choice, as before.
“It’s really over this time,” Alex said mustering all the conviction he could. “Okay so maybe I wish it wasn’t so. But we’re too far apart in some important ways.”
Joe wore a wise expression. “I know how it is. Sometimes you meet a woman who sets your body and soul on fire.”
“Lanessa… It just won’t work.” Alex sat back against the green and white-striped cushion.
“If you say so.”
They sat without speaking for a long while, two men who understood. Alex felt comforted by his father’s sympathetic silence. He could always count on Joe to be a source of quiet strength. Alex knew his mother would still be talking, telling him what he should do. No doubt Yvonne had his future all mapped out. Not Joe. As stubborn and imposing as he could be, Joe had never been domineering with his children.
“Hi all,” Felicia trilled. She came from inside the house through the glass doors carrying a glass of water. “Alex, it’s wonderful to see you.” Her curvy figure was accentuated by the biking shorts and cropped T-shirt.
“Hi. How was the workout?” Alex asked.
“Grueling.” Felicia grimaced for only a few seconds before her cheerful expression returned. She bent down and kissed Joe’s forehead. “Hello, lord and master.”
“Very funny,” Joe replied. His expression softened in a special way despite his words.
“Yeah, yeah.” She glanced from Joe to Alex. “Why the long faces? The atmosphere is downright morbid.” She plopped down in a chair next to Joe.
“Alex and his girlfriend went pf-fft,” Joe said in a low voice. “I’m trying to cheer him up.”
“Oh right. You’re a real bundle of sunshine,” Felicia quipped.
“Smart mouth,” Joe grumbled.
Felicia waved a hand at him. She turned to Alex. “Too bad about you and Lanessa.”
“Thanks.” Alex was ready to change the subject. He was beginning to feel like the object of their pity. “How is the real estate game?”
“At least she’s only part-time now.” Joe squinted at her. “Don’t know why she wants to work at all.”
“In a few years I’ll be your pretty, decorative young wife. Right now I’m making my own money,” Felicia tossed back. “And business is great.”
“You’re a dynamite saleswoman.” Alex grinned at his father who glared at him.
“Don’t encourage her,” Joe said in an undertone.
“Thanks, son.” Felicia chuckled. “I do okay.”
“She’s doing better than okay. Felicia makes as much as some folks selling full-time.” Joe had grudging pride in his voice.
“Which is the reason he only complains every other day,” Felicia said.
Alex laughed at their back and forth. Felicia knew his father well. Joe did not care about the money. He had more than enough. What impressed Joe was the achievement.
“Speaking of land prices, you were asking me about Metoyer a couple of weeks ago.” Joe turned back to Alex. “Felicia says he turned down a great offer.”
“I didn’t know you handled rural acres,” Alex said to Felicia.
“We have branches in six parishes. We’re short of staff in the St. James office,” Felicia replied. “What’s your interest in the bad boy of Acadiana?”
“He’s dating Shauntelle and one of Lanessa’s good friends. Mr. Metoyer is telling them both they’re the only one.” Alex shook his head.
“That’s his usual game, sorry to say.” Felicia shrugged.
“And Lanessa thinks he’s hooked up with a company she’s dealing with. She thinks he’s up to no good.” Alex frowned.
“Metoyer is always up to no good,” Felicia retorted.
“She’d better be careful. That family can be like angry yellow-jackets when you shake their nest,” Joe cautioned.
“Sounds like you have firsthand knowledge,” Alex said.
“I had a contract fifteen years ago with the city of Lafayette.”
“Yeah, you designed and built a recreation center.” Alex remembered how proud his father had been to finish the job. “That building is a work of art.”
“I won the bid instead of his father, Phillip.” Joe’s expression was sour. “The man tried to spread rumors I was under investigation by the state fire marshal for shoddy work.”
“You’re kidding.” Alex glanced at his father. “I don’t remember any such talk.”
“It was a dirty whisper campaign. Besides, you were more interested in girls and basketball back then.” Joe shrugged. “Oh he was undercover, but I traced it to him and his brothers.”
“So how did you fight back?” Alex asked.
“I have my own weight to throw around.” Joe stuck his chest out.
Felicia leaned forward. “He hates to say so, but your grandfather pitched in to help him kick butt.” She smiled at Joe. “My big strong husband called his daddy.”
“I had my own resources,” Joe put in sharply. Then he lifted a shoulder. “Poppa did make a few phone calls though.”
“If I’m ever in trouble, I’d want Poppa Victor on my side.” Alex nodded. Despite his seventy-nine years, Poppa Victor was still a force.
“That old man is like a pit bull and stubborn as hell when you cross him.” Joe spoke with a trace of affection.
“Gee, Alex, who does that remind us of?”
“What did I tell you about that smart mouth?” Joe laughed when she blew a kiss at him in response.
“Guess I should break this news to Shauntelle.” Alex could see no other way though he wanted one. He had another thought. “Dad, you said the Metoyers are vindictive.”
“I said they were low-down s-o-bs willing to stoop real low to get their way. Vindictive is too
kind a word. They’re—“
“I get the point,” Alex broke in. “Maybe I better warn Lanessa to back off.”
“She’d better not take them on. Or she’ll need a whole army of men like Poppa Victor and more.” Felicia was somber now. “Charles ruined a guy down in St. James who opposed a zoning change. He’s bad news.”
“What did he do?” Alex felt a stab of anxiety. Felicia had a trace of fear in her voice.
“He financed a competitor who sold cheap policies and undercut his prices. The man’s insurance business almost went under. It still hasn’t bounced back.” Felicia shook her head. “So unless she has to, advise her to back off.”
“Yeah…” Alex rubbed his jaw. “Guess I’ll have to call her,” he said softly.
Part of him tried to pretend it was a necessary evil. Another part of him looked forward to hearing her voice. After all, he told his practical intellectual side, he had to warn her. He was big enough to put their differences aside and tell her about Metoyer. Felicia had given him important information. The sooner he called the better. Alex was in a much better mood for the rest of the day.
***
“You idiot!” Dawson spluttered. He was so angry his voice stopped and only his mouth worked.
“I’m not going to take that from you. My father—” Ken shot from his chair.
Dawson threw down his Mont Blanc pen onto the desk. His mask of southern gentility vanished because of rage. “Your father can kiss my—“
“Gentlemen, please.” Charles Metoyer stepped between them. “Unless the walls of this office are sound proof, half the city will hear you.”
They were in Dawson’s office in the Paxton-Waite headquarters. Caine stepped back and seemed to struggle for control for several seconds. He turned his back to stare out the window. When he faced them again, he was calmer. Ken still huffed with wrath.
“I know what I’m doing,” Ken said.
“You’re incompetent.” Dawson’s voice was like a surgical blade. “The only reason you’ve gotten this far in your so-called career is because of your father.”
Ken’s face drained of color. “Sure, try to convince yourself I’m no threat.”
“If you were judged based on your merits, you’d be down in the mail room,” Dawson said.
“You’re a washed up old man,” Ken yelled. “I’ve been making you look good!”
“You?” Dawson barked out guttural sound that was supposed to be a laugh. “What a joke.”
“Shut up both of you!” Charles broke in. He left the office and went out into the hall. After looking both ways, he came back inside and closed the door. “Your secretary is out there.”
“These walls are thick. The most she heard was raised voices.” Dawson sat down. “And she’s discreet.”
Ken stood at the edge of Dawson’s desk. “You’re through.”
“Going to have me fired?” Dawson looked up at him.
Ken wore a sneer. “I’ve had concerns about you from the beginning. The board will listen, especially in light of the cost overruns.”
“Dawson is the only one that can make this deal work.” Charles put in. He spoke as though trying to reason with a child. “You might as well burn a couple of millions bucks. And then there are the risks we’ve taken.”
“Ken hasn’t taken any risks, Charles.” Dawson looked at Ken with contempt curling his thin lips.
“Listen, you know how jumpy Orin Blanchard is,” Charles continued. “He set the stage, made the introductions and now he’s scared spitless. He won’t even meet with us in private.”
“Three of his pals just plead guilty in another case to avoid long federal sentences.” Dawson wore a cold smile. “He helped them with ‘introductions’, too. So it’s not all in his imagination.”
“They were careless.” Charles shrugged.
“And what about you two?” Dawson shot back.
“My problem with Yasmin is a minor setback.” Charles did not seem disturbed.
“A vengeful woman can be deadly. Especially one close to a powerful state senator.” Dawson stared at him hard.
“After a few days she’ll calm down.” Charles smiled with confidence. “We have something quite special.”
“Really? And did you know Lanessa Thomas is one of her closest friends?” Dawson sat forward in his chair.
“I don’t see it as a problem.” Charles wore a frown that betrayed his words. “Yasmin doesn’t know anything important.”
“She knows enough!” Dawson said.
“Damn it, I wish I’d known before…” Charles rubbed his jaw.
Dawson turned his ire back to Ken. “And you decide to use your masculine charm on Ms. Thomas. If she’s as smart as I think, she’ll be suspicious.”
“It’s just another contract to her. She likes money and success. I can give her both,” Hargrove said.
Dawson gazed at them in turn. “I see. You both have such power over women that I shouldn’t worry.”
“Now look—” Charles spoke first.
“A multi-million dollar venture hangs on the sex appeal of two egotistical fools,” Dawson cut him off sharply. He stood up. “Lanessa Thomas has been digging into the operation of Paxton-Waite. She’s been asking questions very quietly. No doubt Ms. Thomas has used her considerable research skills to assemble quite a file.”
“How do you know all this?” Charles had lost the relaxed pose. He sat forward.
“I have sources,” Dawson said in a deceptively mild tone.
Charles exchanged a glance with Ken. By the worried expressions on both their faces, it seemed Dawson’s message was understood.
“You had her followed?” Hargrove tugged at his collar.
Dawson ignored his question. “The plant needs to be up and running by November. Months of planning could go right down the drain because of your bumbling.”
“Your contacts in Thailand are desperate for those components. They won’t back out.” Charles said.
“Desperate and ruthless. Going to prison for arms dealing is the least of our worries!” Dawson tossed out the words like a bomb. From their expressions, he’d hit home.
Ken blinked rapidly. “We’re not dealing in guns. Th-they couldn’t prove that.”
“The Commerce Department investigators will figure it out in no time. So don’t kid yourself.” Dawson paced back and forth.
“Listen, let’s just settle down. We’re getting paranoid. Lanessa Thomas is never going find out anything.” Charles waved a hand in the air. He sat back again. “Think about it. She’d have to know just where to look. We’ve got the goods going through at least five legitimate overseas buyers.”
“How much did you tell your girlfriend?” Dawson gazed at him.
“Nothing. She thinks I’m interested in doing business in the Caribbean.” Charles lifted a shoulder.
“Lanessa won’t care as long as she’s making lots of money and has access to power. I know what she wants,” Ken said.
Dawson shook his head slowly. “You two really can’t think past your zippers. Our plant will produce toxic waste byproducts. Lanessa Thomas worked at the legislature.”
“So what?” Ken’s dark brows drew together.
“Ms. Thomas knows the regs like the back of her hand. And she’s wondering why we’re being so closed-mouth.” Dawson stared off. “I could see that when we had our last meeting with her.”
“We followed the procedures and notified the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources. We went beyond what we had to do.”
“Even local officials are satisfied. Having my contacts down in the parish helped,” Charles added.
Ken sat down and crossed his legs. “So once she finds out we’re legal, she’ll concentrate on getting paid.”
“Right. Let her follow a false trail.” Charles nodded his agreement with Ken.
“It doesn’t matter why she starts to dig. What matters is what she’ll find out.” Dawson appeared far from rea
ssured.
“I really think you’re going overboard, Caine.” Ken had regained his cocksure attitude. “Let’s forget all this paranoid speculation. The sooner we get the plant operating, the sooner our profits shoot up.”
“I agree,” Charles added. “Yasmin is no threat. She’ll listen to me. And Lanessa will get tired of stumbling into dead ends.”
“I intend to keep her mind on other things,” Ken added with a smile. “My reformed party girl will see nothing but dollar signs when I get through.”
Dawson looked at the two men with a stony expression. “Too much is at stake here. We’ve got to deal with MS. Thomas.”
Charles looked back at him through narrowed eyes. “When you say deal with her you mean?”
“Make sure she’s in no position to hurt us, period. Her father has friends in high places. If she starts talking to the wrong people…” Dawson wore a fierce look.
Ken’s mouth went slack with fear. “You can’t mean murder,” he said in a strangled whisper.
Charles studied Dawson. “You surprise me. That Ivy League exterior hides it well.”
“Must you gentlemen be so theatrical?” Dawson smiled. He’d resumed his upper-class southern manner. “No I have a better plan.”
***
Lanessa arrived at the Fine and Mellow Café ten minutes late. The popular jazz bar and restaurant was in the heart of old downtown Baton Rouge. Yasmin had suggested they meet for lunch since it was close to her office. Lanessa found her seated upstairs at a table with a view of the Mississippi River.
“Hey girl.” Lanessa gave her an affectionate pat then sat down. “Whew! Sorry I’m late. Got caught up reading some very interesting stuff.”
“Really?” Yasmin did not look at her.
“Yes. And you’ll be happy to know I’ve got a solid lead on what Chucky boy is up to. You were right. Franklin Enterprises is the key.”
“It’s just a small computer hardware firm. Nothing really important. They had modest sales last year.” Yasmin fiddled with the straw in her soft drink glass.
Lanessa nodded. “But things are looking up these days. Charles buys out the former owners, right? Then he kicks production into high gear making widget doo-hickies called…”
“K-chips,” Yasmin put in.
