One thing Marissa liked about Mr. Feranand was that he liked the little people as well as the big people. He didn’t mind meeting and talking with someone like Marissa and giving her a fair price for her gems. She knew he could get a larger supply of gems and gold from other companies, but he liked dealing with individuals.
They sat down and the waiter took their drink order. Mr. Feranand always asked for the best wine in the house for them. They looked over the menu as the waiter brought the wine over and poured each of them a glass. After they took a sip of the wine, they ordered their dinners.
“Are you still chairman of the board of directors for Feranand Diamonds?” Marissa asked. She hadn’t heard any news about the company since she left Heartland Diamonds.
“Yes. Still chairman,” he replied with a smile.
“How much of the market do you have now?”
“We still take up to twenty-five percent of the market. However, our competitor, De Beers, is moving up to twenty-seven percent.”
“Do you know if Heartland Diamonds is still operating a business or are they completely done?”
“No, they’re not in operation. Heartland’s CEO, Mr. Simpson, has tried to talk to my sons about buying our diamonds again, but we’ve refused to have anything to do with them. We couldn’t understand why they stopped buying from us, and it hurt our business for a while. Then when you told me you were suspicious that they were smuggling diamonds, we knew why we lost their business.”
“I was horrified that Mr. Simpson would smuggle in the diamonds instead of going through proper channels. That’s why I mentioned it to you.”
“Yes, and you were correct. After a discreet investigation, I called the US Attorney General’s office. I didn’t reveal where I got my information, I only told them what we found in our investigation. Tell me, Marissa, this place where you’re digging for sapphires and gold, are there any mining companies there?”
“No, not that I see. I don’t think a company can come in and mine. The claims are for individuals only.”
“That’s too bad. I’d like to set up a mining operation there and hire you to manage it.”
“If you could do it, I’d love to manage it for you,” Marissa said.
“Well, I think I’ll check into that and see what I can find out. Even if not there, maybe another location along that stretch where I could set something up. Of course, it would have to produce enough minerals to make it worthwhile for us to invest the money in it.”
“Yes, and I’m not sure how much of the area has been mined already and what companies have at one point owned land there. It might be worth checking into though. I’ll do some research too and keep my ears open in case I hear anything.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Mr. Feranand smiled at her. “Now, getting back to your gems. I’m prepared to give you two thousand, three hundred and fifty dollars for the sapphires, and two thousand dollars for the gold. What do you think of those prices?”
Marissa was speechless. She looked at Mr. Feranand, and her mouth dropped open, then she clamped it shut. “Um, I…I think that’s great, if you think it’s worth that much?”
“I wouldn’t have made the offer if I didn’t think it was worth it.”
“Well…I…I’m… You caught me off guard here. You’ve made my day!” Marissa said excitedly.
“Great, my dear. When we get back to the Hilton, I’ll write you the check.”
* * * *
Riley went over to see Casey as he promised Marissa he’d do. He knocked on her door, and waited patiently
Casey opened the door. “Hello, Sheriff. What can I do for you?”
“Are you alone, Casey?” he asked.
“Yes. Rod will be home at five.” She glanced nervously out the door.
“Can I come in and talk with you?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess.” She opened the door wider to let him in. “Have a seat,” she said as she went over and sat on the edge of the chair.
“Casey, the police department has been called here several times because of fights, and I know that you’ve been to the emergency room a few times. I’m here because there is someone in the community who’s concerned for your well-being. It seems you’re showing classic signs of being involved in an abusive relationship. Is Rod beating on you or trying to hurt you physically, in any way?”
“No,” she blurted out quickly. “No. He’s not hurting me.” But she refused to meet Riley’s gaze.
“There are places you can go to get help. You can get out of this situation. If you ever need to or decide you want to, here’s a business card from someone that works in community services. They will help you to get out of the relationship and get yourself relocated and in a better environment.”
“No, that’s okay. I don’t need it. Please keep it,” Casey said fearfully, her gaze darting around the room.
“How often does he hit you?” Riley asked gently. He could see the tears forming in her eyes. “Remember, someone must care about you, or they wouldn’t have asked me to come and talk to you.”
“Um, he only gets mean when he’s been drinking heavily.” She kept her gaze on the floor.
“Which is about every night, isn’t it? We see him at the Coyote Bar getting into fights with the Fergusons.”
“He really gets riled with them, Sheriff. Isn’t there anything you can do to get the Fergusons to leave here?”
“We’ve been arresting them for bar room brawls. Is this why Rod’s been hitting you?”
Casey nodded slightly and wrapped her arms around herself. “But next week it’ll be something else that sets him off,” she admitted.
“You don’t need to put up with this, you know that.”
“What can I do? If I try to get away, he’ll come and drag me back here. My parents won’t let me in their home now, and my best friend won’t let me live with her because Rod’s threatened her,” Casey said tearfully.
“Here, Casey, call these people,” Riley said as he got up and walked over to hand her the card. “They will help you. But you have to take the first step. One of these times, he will put you in the hospital, or worse yet, kill you.”
After he left, he was amazed at how Marissa had tagged that situation so accurately. He wondered where she had gone. She hadn’t been home in the past two days, and no one seemed to know where she took off to. If she didn’t show up by tomorrow, he would put an MPR out on her. He was worried about her.
He stopped off at Dave and Cindy’s. “Did Marissa say where she was going?”
“No. She just said she needed to take two days off for some personal business she had to attend to,” Cindy said.
“Did you guys think to ask her?” Riley asked, irritated.
“No. She’s a very private person. We find that when we ask her questions she doesn’t want to answer, she resorts to ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers and becomes evasive. So we let her tell us what she wants and we don’t push her. Why, are you concerned about her?”
“Yes, I’m concerned. She’s been the victim of abuse, and I…” His words trailed off as he realized what he had just blurted out. Damn.
“We thought so too. But she doesn’t talk about her past, and we don’t push her.”
“Okay, thanks.” Riley walked out of the store and headed back to the office.
Riley looked up the phone number of the retired sheriff who was now a private investigator. He called Len Conley but got his answering machine.
“This is Len Conley of Conley’s Investigative Services. I’m on an assignment right now, but I’ll call you back as soon as I return. Please leave your name and number.”
“Len, it’s Riley. I have something I need you to check up on. Call me when you get a chance.” Riley hung up the phone.
He left the office and stopped over at Heidi’s. He knocked on the door, and Dan answered it.
“Hi, Dan. Is your mom here?”
“Yeah, come on in.” Dan hollered out, “Mom, the sheriff is here.”
Heidi came out of the kitchen. “Hi. What’s up, Riley?” She smiled at him.
“Just wondering if you knew where Marissa went.”
“Um, no. I don’t. Why? Is she missing?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping she mentioned something to you.”
“No, sorry. I wish I could help,” Heidi said with concern in her voice. “You don’t think she was abducted, do you?”
“Well, she asked for a few days off work, and her car is gone, so it looks like she left on her own volition.”
“She’s supposed to go with us tomorrow morning to the Annual Waffle House event at Mill Creek Restaurant, so maybe she’ll be back tonight.”
“Okay. If I don’t see or hear from her by tomorrow’s event, I’ll put out an MPR. I hope nothing has happened to her or her ex-husband got to her,” Riley said.
“Yeah, now that I think about it, I’m concerned too. I’ll try calling her. I’ll let you know if I’m able to reach her.”
“Thanks, Heidi,”
Riley left Heidi’s place and drove out to the dig site, but he didn’t see Campbell or Marissa at either location. He drove back to the office and sat at his desk mulling over where she could have gone.
He looked up Heartland Diamonds to see if he could find out any information. There was a lot of gossip posted on the web about Mark seeing different women, and despite the fact that the business was no longer operational, he appeared to be living the high life. Riley wasn’t sure how much of the information was actually true. But he wondered why Marissa had come back here with nothing while Mark seemed to be doing quite well.
Chapter 14
Marissa pulled into her driveway at eight Friday night. Exhausted, she walked into her house and went to the kitchen to get something to eat before falling into bed. As she sat at the table eating, her cellphone rang. She picked it up and looked, and it was Heidi’s number.
“Hey, Heidi. What’s happening?”
“Where have you been? Riley’s been over looking for you, convinced something happened to you.”
“Oh, I’m fine. I went to Nevada for two days, that’s all.”
“What’s in Nevada?”
“Some business I had to attend to.”
“Oh, okay. Are we still on for tomorrow morning for the Annual Waffle House event at the Mill Creek Restaurant?”
“Yes, I told Riley we’d be there at nine in the morning.”
“Is he going to meet us there?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Is that okay with you?”
“Sure, that’s fine. Maybe you should go with him instead of tagging along with me and the kids.”
“Nonsense. We’ll have fun together.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you outside Mill Creek Restaurant then. I’m glad you’re home and you’re okay.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Marissa had just finished eating when someone knocked at her door. “Aw, man, I want to go to bed,” she muttered to herself.
She opened her door, and Riley stood on the other side of it.
“Hi, Riley. I heard you’ve been looking for me.” Marissa yawned.
“Yeah, I wondered if something happened to you.”
“No. I just had some business to take care of.”
“Anything to do with Heartland Diamonds?”
“No.”
“I’ve got some extra time, so why don’t we sit out here on the porch, and you can tell me about your trip?”
“I’m very tired, Riley. It’s been a long two days. Can’t we table it for another day?”
“I was worried about you, Marissa.” Riley rubbed his chin.
“I know. I’m sorry. I should have told someone I was going to Nevada for two days. But really, it’s no one’s business, not even yours.”
“And I told you we don’t operate that way here. You don’t live in isolation around here. Everyone is concerned for each other.”
Marissa opened the screen door, walked out, and sat down in a lawn chair. Riley followed her and sat down in the other chair.
“I went to Nevada to see a client I sell my sapphires to. He chooses to remain anonymous, and I have to meet him on his terms.”
“What terms is that?”
“We meet at a fancy hotel, I show him the gems, he goes somewhere and comes up with a price. Later, we meet for dinner and have a glass of wine together, then he gives me what he will pay for the gems.”
“Marissa, that throws up all sorts of red flags.” His soothing voice probed further as he lifted an eyebrow.
“Well, it shouldn’t. He’s a perfect gentleman and well respected in the industry. Everything is on the up-and-up. He gives me the best prices. I now have money to replace the furnace.”
“Who is this person?” Riley asked.
“I’m sorry, I can’t reveal anything about him.”
“Not even his name?” His eyebrows rose.
“No. Sorry, that’s the way he operates.”
“Is he famous or well-known?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
“Forgive me if I’m a little suspicious of this man. You place your trust only in him, and yet he wants to be completely anonymous.” Riley spread his hands.
“He’s been my friend for over ten years now. He’s done nothing to cause me alarm, distrust, or disillusionment,” she said defensively.
“Marissa, I hope you can reach the point where you feel the same way about me. That you can place your complete trust in me and know that I would never cause you to be alarmed about anything or feel disillusioned about anything. I hope you can believe that.” His voice was soft.
“It’s hard for me, Riley, but I’m starting to let down my guard more and more. It takes time.” Marissa spoke in a broken whisper.
Riley stood up as if he was going to leave. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt a beautiful person like you...emotionally or physically,” Riley said as he moved his face up close to hers, staring at her lips.
Finally, his lips brushed hers, and a wonderful sensation went down to the very core of her. He pulled her into his embrace as he kissed her. She had sensations that she’d never known existed. His lips were hot on hers, and then they left her lips and traveled her jawline to her neck. The wetness of his kisses left her shivering inside. She felt her own heat; her panties were getting moist. She didn’t want be attracted to this man, but she was.
She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted any other man. She had spent many nights wondering what it would be like to be in his arms, being kissed, loved, and adored. His hand cupped her breast, and a jolt of electricity surged through her veins. She so wanted to trust this man. She wanted him to take her to bed, and she wanted to wake up in the morning beside him.
His hands slid down her sides to the hemline of her top. He slipped them under the top and roamed back up to her breasts. She was squirming as she moved closer to him, to drink in his scent and to feel his body in close contact with hers; she wanted to feel his heat. God, she wanted him, and she wanted him badly.
A shrill ringing startled them both. Riley broke away from her abruptly. “Sorry, Marissa. I have to answer this call.” He snapped his cellphone open and said, “McCade.” After a few moments pause, he said, “Yes, okay, I’m on my way.” He snapped the cellphone shut and looked at Marissa. “There’s another fight going on at the Coyote Bar with the Ferguson boys, and they need additional re-enforcement.” Riley smiled down at her, then gave her another heated kiss before turning to walk to his cruiser. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Be sure to save me a seat if you get there first.”
“Okay…Riley.” Marissa could barely speak. She had wanted his kisses more than she really wanted to admit. She had wanted him, badly. How would she have handled it? She didn’t want him to see her scars. She didn’t want to see the look of disgust on his face once she showed him her scars.
Oh my God, I almost did it. I almost gave in completely to him. How am I going to keep this from happening again?
&n
bsp; She knew she was falling for him. She was beginning to trust him and believe in him, and that scared the hell out of her. He was so gentle with her, so tender and sensitive. Was it so he could get her to bed, or did he really have feelings for her?
Falling for him was quite different from any kind of commitment with him. She wished she could just enjoy the courtship without all these doubts and questions. He said he wanted her to trust him. He said he’d never abuse her. She really wanted to trust him. I’m so scared. What if I get into a relationship with him and he becomes abusive?
* * * *
Riley walked into the Coyote Bar where there was a free-for-all going on. Everyone was throwing punches, and there was blood everywhere. Riley saw Rod, Casey’s significant other, over at one end, taking a punch at one of the Ferguson boys. Riley walked over. “That’s right, Rod, take your punches out on someone your own size, instead of a little bitty woman.”
“What the fuck you talking about, man?” Rod said, alcohol reeking from him.
Riley used that stunned moment to grab Rod’s arm and swing it around, then he grabbed his other arm and handcuffed his wrists together.
“Nice one. Thanks, Sheriff,” Joe Ferguson said as he brought his fist up to punch Rod, but Riley caught the fist with his hand.
Riley whipped Joe’s hand around and cuffed it. Then he grabbed Ferguson’s other hand, yanked it around, and cuffed it before Ferguson had time to react.
“Ah shit, Sheriff. You arresting me again?” Joe asked.
“Yes, for disorderly conduct.” Riley shoved Joe over near Rod, then helped his deputies subdue everyone.
“Told ya it was like the damn wild west here,” his deputy with the black eye said.
“Yeah, and they are all about to spend a few hours in the same cell together,” Riley snarled. After the men involved in the fight were handcuffed, Riley said, “Okay, let’s go pay the hospital a visit, then we’ll all go to the station and have a nice little chat, shall we?”
Blue as Sapphires Page 15
