Draining his glass, he made a decision. He would be flying to New York to talk to James Starr about the CD. While there he was going to contact another friend of his, a private detective. He was tired of living with this mystery. He was going to get some answers once and for all.
CHAPTER 26
Bev could have flown to Chicago without the airplane transporting her because she was floating on air. Why shouldn’t she be? Her sister was doing well, her business was thriving, and she was in love. Ray would be arriving in a few days and she was giddy with excitement. Throughout their blossoming relationship, she had been on his turf. Now the tables would be turned. She wanted to introduce him to her town, Chi Town, not to mention what she wanted to do to him and with him. Bev gave a wicked grin at that thought.
As for the other matter, that had been taken care of in a manner that she never would have expected. Ray had called her from New York, where he had reported that his friend James had served as an intermediary and had taken the CD to the proper authorities.
“He didn’t interject our names or Dana’s,” Ray told her. “We’ll just be known as sources. They’ll probably confiscate Mitch’s computer, wherever that is, to verify that he actually wrote the entries, but that’s not the best news that I’ve got to tell you.”
He teased her and told her to tell him that she loved him and that he was the smartest man in the world before he would reveal the rest. Laughingly, Bev had complied.
“Just as I suspected, Stark Enterprises was already under investigation and warrants had been prepared. Ironically, the same day that James turned the CD over to the authorities, Russell Ingram and his cronies were arrested.”
“What!” Bev was surprised.
“Yep.” Ray sounded relieved. “And that’s not the best part.”
“Don’t you dare try to tease me again,” Bev warned him.
“All right then, I can tell you that Renee Ingram was included in the roundup.”
“No!” Bev squealed excitedly.
Ray chuckled at her reaction. “It was alleged that she was privy to her husband’s activities and had assisted in the laundering of money for the drug cartel.”
Bev was amused at Ray’s formal description of Renee’s activities. It made him sound like the lawyer that he was, but no matter how it was put, Renee and her husband were getting what they deserved. She felt sorry for the couple’s young son, but she wasted no pity on his parents.
“The newspapers here are having a field day describing the opulent lifestyle that Russell and Renee lived. Hell, they’re in their thirties and own four houses. One newspaper said that a vase in one of their homes cost enough to feed a small country.”
“I’m not surprised,” Bev sniffed. “I could tell by her jewelry that Renee was flamboyant.”
Ray could hear plenty of attitude in her statement. “Uh-huh, it seems that I remember your being her biggest fan when you first met her.”
“I did fall for her act at first,” Bev admitted, “just like you did, but you can’t deny that it was her jewelry that helped bring her down. Grandy always told us that you don’t have to flaunt your wealth. It’s simply a tool with which you can help others and then you can enjoy the rest.”
Ray told her that he would scan some of the articles about the arrest and e-mail them to her. Bev was eager to see them.
“I can’t wait to call my sister and tell her about Renee’s arrest.”
“It sounds like the two of you are really getting along.” Ray thought back to when he and Dana had driven into Stillwaters, and marveled at the difference in the relationship between the sisters then and now.
“We’re becoming good friends.” Bev didn’t try to conceal the catch in her voice. “If anything good has come out of what Renee Ingram did, that was it. But I’m still a little confused.
Did the information on the CD help bring the cartel down or not?”
“James turned the CD in about an hour before the arrest, so everything was in motion before they got Mitch’s information. But I’m sure that it will only make their case stronger.”
“Then we won’t have to worry about some drug dealers coming after us because we snitched, huh?” Bev said it in jest, but it had been an underlying concern.
Ray recognized that concern. “No, baby, we don’t, and if anybody thinks that they could come and harm you they will have to come through me.”
Bev melted like a stick of butter. “It sounds like I have my very own special Hercules.”
Ray had reassured her that she did. He then went on to tell her all of the ways that he would perform like the strong man until Bev was drenched with desire. Even as she sat in her office thinking about what he had said, she could feel her body growing warm. When Janice knocked on the door briefly and entered the room, the look on Bev’s face must have said it all.
“What are you doing in here?” Janice looked at her suspiciously. “And what put that smile on your face? Oops, excuse me, I know what.” She placed the papers she had brought with her on the desk and crossed her arms. “Or should I say who.”
Bev nodded for her to take a seat. “Ray and I are doing pretty well, thank you very much, and he’s supposed to come visit me in a few days.”
“I can see that you’re excited.” Janice smiled at her fondly. “I’m so glad for you. Ray seems like a nice guy, and you deserve the love of a good man in your life.”
“Thanks, Janice. That’s good of you to say.”
“I mean it. I wish you the best.” Janice got up and headed for the door. Opening it, she turned back to Bev. “Oh, I do have one little bit of advice for you, though.”
Bev looked up and noted the twinkle in her assistant’s eyes. She braced herself. “What is it?”
“Don’t mess it up.” She managed to shut the door before the balled-up wad of paper that Bev tossed hit her.
* * *
Ray watched from a distance as Thad shot a scene in his latest film. Since he was on the East Coast, he had called Thad and made plans to fly to Virginia to catch up on the film’s progress. He would be staying overnight, providing him with the opportunity to visit with the Stewarts and to see his goddaughter before heading to Chicago.
The past week had been anxiety-ridden. The detective that he had hired was looking into the Colton Cameron matter, and Ray was anxious about what he might uncover. If the news delivered to him confirmed his suspicions in any way that Colton might have transformed into Moody Lake, then what would he do? He had to come up with a Plan B. Meanwhile, his visit with Thad and Darnell, culminating with his upcoming weekend with Bev, was much needed. He felt better merely being there.
The director ended the scene and called it a wrap for the day. Thad sauntered over to where Ray was sitting. The two men hugged.
“It’s good seeing you.” Thad flashed his trademark dimples.
“Looks like you’re headed for another Oscar nomination.” Ray liked the work that he had seen.
“You can tell that from one scene that took four takes?” Thad sniggered, unimpressed by the compliment. “But thanks anyway. Come on, let’s go.” He nodded toward the direction of his trailer and started walking. Ray followed.
“Are you going to go see the dailies?”
“Are you kidding? I’m dead on my feet. The only place that I’m going is to get some rest. They’ll send them over to me. You can watch them with me if you’d like.”
“I’ll pass. I just dropped by to see you at work, and visit with Darnell and the baby.”
Thad came to a dead stop, effectively halting Ray’s steps. Ray gave him a shrug that silently asked him what was up.
“Man, I have known you since I was seven years old. You’re as close to me as my own blood sisters, and you’re going to stand there and lie to me about why you’re here?”
Ray tried to be offended. “What? I did come here to see you guys.”
“Yeah, and—” Thad lifted a brow, waiting.
“And I’m here!” Ray knew
that Thad had seen right through him. He usually did.
“Man, you’ve got something else on your mind and you know it, so spit it out.” He resumed walking. So did a tight-lipped Ray. “Is it about business, or is it personal?”
Ray glanced at him, but remained silent.
“Come on, man, I’m tired. So ask me what you want to ask me or tell me what you want me to know.”
Ray felt defensive. “You’re such a know-it-all.”
“Obviously not, because I don’t know what’s on your mind.”
Thad had always been intuitive, a little too much for Ray’s taste. But he was right. Ray wanted to tell him about his dilemma with Colton Cameron and Moody Lake so badly that he ached, but he couldn’t put him in the middle of what could be a minefield. Besides, Thad’s wife was involved, and if he thought that she was in danger of being hurt in any way then he would go ballistic. No, it was best if Thad was left out of this. But he could try another tactic.
“If I ask you something, you’ve got to promise me that you won’t share what we talked about with Darnell, okay?”
“Hmmm.” Thad looked unsure. “I don’t know about that. It depends on what it is.”
Spotting a couple of chairs that had been placed under a nearby tree, Ray guided Thad over to them and they sat down. Thad looked at him and waited.
“I want to ask you if Darnell has ever talked to you about her father.”
If Thad was surprised by the question he didn’t show it. “Yes, she has. She even has a picture of him that she’s showed me.”
“Do you mind telling me what she said?”
“When she was pregnant with Nia, she used to talk about how she wished that she’d had a dad when she was growing up and that she was glad that she could give our baby one.” He smiled at the memory. “And when the baby was born, I remember her saying that she wished that her father could have seen Nia.”
“She really missed having one, didn’t she?” He could identify. His own father had died when he was four years old. He had felt the same way when he was growing up.
Thad nodded. “But she would never tell Bev that. Darnell feels that she’s being disloyal when she says something like that. She doesn’t want Bev to feel that she wasn’t enough. She would cut out her heart before she’d hurt her mother.”
“So would I.” That made two things that Darnell and he had in common.
“Is that all that you had to ask me?” Thad stood, joined by Ray. Once again, they started toward the trailer. “Ray, you know that Colton Cameron was a man who was loved by his family, but the man is dead. Don’t let him reach out from the grave and spoil what you can have with Bev. She’s got to let him go one day. Don’t you be the one to resurrect him.”
Ray thought about Thad’s prophetic words as he was waved inside the trailer. How many times had he told himself the very same thing, but like a stubborn fool he hadn’t listened. He prayed that he had not made the mistake of his life.
* * *
“So you and my daughter had a good time?” Bev scooted up in bed and placed pillows behind her back for support. She stretched, enjoying the feel of her body after the good loving that Ray had lavished on her most of the night and into the early morning.
He had arrived yesterday afternoon. She had picked him up at the airport and they had been sequestered in her home since they walked through the door. After they finally came up for air, Ray had begun telling her about his visit with Thad and Darnell. For the first time since he’d known her, Darnell and he had sat and talked for hours.
“It was the longest conversation that I’ve ever had with her.” Ray lay on his side facing Bev. “I really don’t remember a time when the two of us were in the room together and Thad wasn’t there as some sort of buffer. But Thad conked out on us and when Darnell and I started talking and playing with the baby, one subject led to another and pretty soon we were talking about a little bit of everything. I really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed her.” It was obvious that he was pleased, and so was Bev.
“She’s an amazing woman.” Bev had never been shy about praising her only child. She was intelligent, generous, talented, and kind, add to that beautiful, and what more could any mother want? “Her father would have been so proud of her.”
Her words were met with silence. Sensing a shift in Ray’s mood, Bev glanced down at him to find him toying with the blanket. Catching himself, he looked up at her with a crooked smile.
“Hey, I’m hungry. You gave me quite a workout.”
“Touché.” Bev tossed him a wink.
“What do you say that we go out on this town of yours and find some food for me to eat?”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
Scooting up beside her, Ray gave Bev a quick kiss before she scrambled out of the bed. “I’ve got dibs on the shower.” She padded naked toward the bathroom, still amazed at how uninhibited she felt when she was with Ray.
“You know, I was thinking about a long, hot bath myself.” Ray crossed his hands behind his head and enjoyed the view from the rear.
Bev turned and met his shining eyes. “I like the sound of that.”
A few minutes later the two of them were relaxing in her garden tub, her back now supported by Ray’s ample chest. The water was soothing and she felt nearly boneless. She liked this feeling of being in love. It had been long in coming, and she was enjoying every minute of it.
“It’s a wonder that I don’t go out of business, I’m taking so much time off to enjoy myself.” Bev gave a long, satisfied sigh.
“That’s the advantage of being your own boss.” Ray felt just as relaxed as Bev. “We’ve worked hard all of our lives so that we could enjoy the fruits of our labor.” He tweaked her breast. “And I’m sure enjoying this fruit.”
As usual, Bev’s body ignited at his touch. “I think I’ll take a sample of the forbidden.” Turning, she slid onto his member and groaned with pleasure at the perfect fit.
That was the way that Bev felt about Ray—they were perfect together. The rest of the weekend she shared her favorite haunts with him, from museums to blues club. When they weren’t on the go, they spent much of their time together talking, and there was a lot to talk about.
Both of the Ingrams had been indicted on numerous charges. In addition, Russell had been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Ray noted silently that Moody Lake’s name wasn’t among the suspected victims. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. However, Bev had an entirely different concern.
“If information from the CD is introduced as evidence, do you think that they’ll reveal Renee’s affair with Mitch?” She and Ray were strolling hand-in-hand along Lake Michigan.
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t see why that would be relevant to the case. This is about drug trafficking. I doubt if anybody cares about her extracurricular activities. Why?”
“I was thinking about Dana, and how she feels like such a loser when it comes to picking men. She knows that he was lacking in ethics because of his illegal activities, but I don’t want her to know that he really didn’t love her. That wouldn’t make her feel any better.”
Ray hugged her to him. “You’re such a good big sister.” He gave her a kiss on her temple. “Dana is lucky to have you.”
“And I’m lucky to have her, too.”
Bev had kept her sister abreast of the Ingrams’ legal difficulties, and Dana had decided not to press charges against Renee. Based on the charges already levied against her, if she was found guilty the woman and her husband would be going to jail for a very long time. That’s all that Dana wanted. Bev had been relieved that Dana had also made the decision not to share the circumstances regarding her fall with the other family members. There was no point in doing so. As far as her mother and the others were concerned, Dana’s injuries had been the result of an accident. Case closed.
Bev was proud of her sister. She was making a remarkable recovery under the loving care of their mother and the other family members. Her ne
gative opinion of the Stillwaters family had completely changed, so much so that she had decided to sublet her condo in L.A. and stay in town with her family for a while.
“Dana has come home in more ways than one.” Bev hooked her arm around Ray’s waist. “I couldn’t be happier.”
“That’s all I want,” Ray assured her. If she was happy, he was happy. His only hope was that it would last.
CHAPTER 27
Bev inhaled deeply as she sat on the patio outside of Ray’s bedroom in Tiburon. She loved it here. The scenery was spectacular. The environment was invigorating, and she had always loved the weather in California, especially up here. It could get cool without getting too cold and it could get warm without getting too hot. The San Francisco Bay was nature at its best. Bev exhaled. As far as she was concerned, it contributed to making the weather in the Bay Area nearly perfect.
Adjusting her sunglasses on her face, she closed her eyes and sank deeper into the cushioned lounge chair on which she was relaxing. Life was good.
Ray had been right when he had said that a long-distance relationship between them could work. It had been four weeks from the day that he had arrived in Chicago to spend his first weekend with her, and they had become quite the frequent flyers. The miles were racking up.
As the mother of Darnell Cameron she had experienced the sort of life of which others could only dream. There had been premieres and parties, strolls down the red carpet, and front row seats at concerts and films all over the world. After Thad became her son-in-law there was more of the same.
Ray was part of that glamorous life. Attending social events to wheel and deal was part of his job, but she wasn’t impressed by the glitz, and neither was he. They were both familiar with the giant egos in the entertainment industry, as well as the phonies and the hangers-on that inhabited its outer fringes. She and Ray attended only the events that were necessary. Their favorite pastime was to meet in Chicago or in Tiburon and simply enjoy being together.
They found plenty to do wherever they were. Earlier that day they had gone hiking on Mount Tam, after having toured Angel Island yesterday. Bev loved Ray’s sense of adventure. Putting it plainly, she simply loved the man.
Still Waters... Page 23
