“Good, because I want to spend the day with you. Anything in particular you’d like to do?” I ask, hoping it includes her naked breasts.
“We can wander up into the park and enjoy a nice, casual walk. We can pack a picnic and enjoy nature?”
I play with her nipple as I lie next to her. “This is pretty natural.”
“We do this very well.” She smiles, and my heart soars. “But I think we should get out and enjoy the day.”
“That’s fine, but I want a breakfast scramble first, and I definitely need some more coffee.”
“I saw the guys hooking up your espresso machine yesterday. We should be able to make that work, although I hope you know how.”
“It’s the same one I have at home. I’ll show you.”
She gets out of bed and begins to walk away. “I’ll race you downstairs.”
She slips into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and she’s out the door before I can get out of bed.
I dress, and as I round the corner to the kitchen a few minutes later, I hear Leilani and Corrine talking.
“There were six chickens with their necks broken this morning,” Leilani tells her.
“Six? Are you sure?”
“One of them was our best egg producer. She had large eggs.” Leilani is audibly upset. She begins to cry. “Why would anyone hurt the chickens?”
I walk in, and Leilani is whimpering on Corrine’s shoulder.
“Leilani, I heard the end of the conversation. Would another animal do that?”
She straightens. “We used to get wild pigs, but we hunted those off the property. If it was another animal, they would have eaten the chickens. This is different. Poor things. They’re just loud when you go near them. They work like dogs, really.”
I pull a cup from the shelf and prepare a double espresso. “I think we need to talk about this with Brian. Let me call him.” I pull my cellphone from my pocket and step out of the kitchen.
Brian answers on the first ring.
“Can you please come to the kitchen? Leilani is upset. It seems someone has broken the necks of several of her chickens.”
“I’m on my way.”
I look out the back window to the pool house and see Brian walking out the door toward us.
“Leilani, can you point us to where you found the chickens this morning?”
She nods and wipes her nose with a napkin. “They’re next to the garage on the west side.”
Brian and I look at each other. That’s the same spot we discussed last night. We leave Leilani in Corrine’s capable hands and walk over to the garage. It’s not hard to miss the dead chickens.
“Do you see any footprints?” I ask.
Brian shakes his head. “No.” He pushes the oleander bushes back, and we see an area that could be where someone hid, but we can’t be sure.
“What do you think?”
He looks out over the neighbors’ property. We can only see the sloping of a driveway and can’t be sure anyone is home. He pushes through the dense plants, and the branches crackle and some pop. “I don’t know if they came through. They’d have to be pretty small.”
“You don’t think it could’ve been the boys playing hide and seek that left that spot in the bushes?”
He shakes his head. “They’re never out of our sight. We’re too nervous with the pool and the cliffs.”
“Makes sense.” The boys wouldn’t hurt the chickens, but it needed to be asked.
Brian studies the area and takes a lot of pictures. “I’m going to send these off to Jim and get his opinion.”
I nod. After Brian’s done, we walk along the side of the house, circling to the front door. When we get inside, he sends the photos to Jim, and we go to the library to call him.
“Jim Adelson.”
“Jim, it’s Jackson and Brian.”
“I’m just going through the pictures. Tell me what I’m looking at.”
Brian walks him through the photos as I listen. He’s efficient and clear in his description.
“What do you think, Jackson?” Jim asks.
“It does seem strange that this is the same spot where we had the trespassing. But the cameras didn’t catch anything.”
“I agree,” Brian says.
Brian and Jackson talk about the cameras and the invisible fence. They determine they may have a short in the fence. “I’ll work with the grounds crew to look at where it could be.”
Brian heads out, and I continue talking to Jim. “We sent Corrine here to be safe. If she’s in more danger here than she is back in San Francisco, I’ll move her back.”
“Killing the chickens and leaving their carcasses behind is disturbing. Let’s see where the guys land after we research a little more. Then we’ll figure out if we need to do something else with Corrine.”
“I don’t want to alarm her.”
“Agreed.”
We disconnect the call, and I sit back in my chair. I’m almost ready to cancel my flight home tonight when Corrine walks in.
“What did you learn?” she asks.
“Not much. Last night we had someone trespass, but the floodlights went on, and we figured the culprit was scared away. It showed us that the system was working.”
“But now?”
“The dead chickens are a concern. Brian and his team will look into finding the dead spot in the fence and shore that up. I’m contemplating remaining here.”
She sits down in my lap. “You know I’d love it if you stayed, but I think given that we have Brian and the small team here, we’re fine. You have to work back in San Francisco. You need to get the solar film out to customers before Hydro does.”
This woman is completely amazing. She won’t show me any fear, and she’s focused on the company’s bottom line.
“I know, but I don’t want to leave you vulnerable.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll move back to the downstairs bedroom so I’m not so far away from everyone else.”
“Should we have Brian and his family move into the main house?” I ask.
“No, I think that would be counterproductive. Brian has a great set up in the pool house, and we’d upset the boys’ routines.”
“Then do you think Brian needs help?” I ask the question more for myself than Corrine.
“That’s something only he can answer, but I have to believe we’re a little paranoid because of everything that happened in San Francisco.”
“Okay, I guess you’re right.” I kiss her softly. “I’m hungry. Is Leilani able to make the scramble?”
“She’s just waiting for you. You also need to show her how to use that fancy machine you got.”
We walk back into the kitchen. Leilani’s eyes are still puffy and red-rimmed, but she’s in a happy mood. “I’m sorry, Mr. Graham. I’m not usually quite so emotional about the chickens on the estate.”
“That’s okay. I heard you say one was your best egg producer.”
“She was, yes. But we still have several others. We won’t go hungry.”
She places a steaming bowl of rice and eggs with all the fixings in front of me.
“You know,” I tell her. “I came back just for this breakfast.”
She beams. “Ms. Woods knows the recipe for when you’re both back in San Francisco.”
“I could never make it as good as you do,” Corrine says with her mouth full.
“It doesn’t take much talent. If you can scramble an egg, you can certainly build the marinade, cut the green onions, and dice up the SPAM. If you can’t, we’ll start some cooking lessons.”
“I’d be up for that. I’d like to learn to make your kalua pork, too.”
“I can’t be giving all my secrets away. You may not come back to visit.”
“We’ll be back. The weather is too nice not to come,” I assure her.
“I’ll have a picnic lunch ready for you in about an hour.”
“Sounds perfect. Thank you.”
After breakfast, Corrine and I mov
e to the lanai to drink more coffee and prepare for our afternoon together.
Chapter 31
Corrine
Jackson left as planned after a late dinner. As I close the door behind him, I touch my neck, looking for my necklace and talisman, but it isn’t there. I took it off when I showered up in the master bathroom. I need to go get it. Right now, I’m just feeling too lazy.
I settle in to read my book. After a little while, my cell phone pings.
Jackson: Be sure to text me when you wake up. Sweet dreams, my love. Miss you already.
I miss him, too. And I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’ve moved back to the downstairs bedroom, and I feel safer here. An hour or so later, I turn off the light, but I struggle to sleep alone. I’ve always been a bad sleeper, but I do sleep well with him. I watch the clock hit two, and then it’s three. I try reading again, but nothing catches my interest. I keep thinking about where Jackson is in the air, and now he should be close to landing.
I take my tablet out and pull up Netflix, searching for something to listen to while I fall asleep. I settle on Dawson’s Creek from the late ‘90s. I’ve seen it before, but I’m hoping I can listen and fall asleep.
My mind is still active. It just bounces from one subject to another.
Bobby and Collette.
What a move back to Houston would look like.
Leaving Gabby behind.
Jackson my boss.
Jackson my lover.
I keep returning to the trespasser. They walked on the property despite all the preventative measures, and Brian and Jackson were here. In the back of my mind, I worry that they’ll be back, and Jackson won’t be here to protect me. I know the trespasser didn’t know Jackson was here, but there was a lot of activity over the weekend, and it didn’t stop them.
Eventually, I fall asleep, but I wake before six.
Me: Good morning. How are you feeling?
Jackson: Missing you. I just got into the office.
Me: Enjoy your day. Talk to you later.
I make my way to the kichen, and Leilani is offering eggs, but I think the scramble is too much. “Can I have some fruit—maybe a few slices of pineapple and whatever you have? With toast and coffee?”
“Of course. How does tuna poke sound for lunch today?”
“Yummy.” Tuna poke is one of my favorites, and I’m sure Leilani’s is absolutely fantastic.
“Any requests for dinner?” She busies herself around the kitchen, chopping pineapple and mango. When she offers me fresh coconut, I nod enthusiastically.
I haven’t had anything she’s made that hasn’t been outstanding.
“Something healthy?” I offer. I’m going to gain forty pounds at this rate.
“I’ll come up with something. Are you okay with fish twice a day?”
“Without a doubt.”
“The guys went fishing, and I have a dozen mahi-mahi filets we can throw on the grill tonight.”
“Sounds fantastic.” My mouth is already watering.
“I’ll need to roast the chickens, but I can’t bring myself to do it yet.”
Mo, one of the groundskeepers, is inside getting coffee and listens to her. “You hated Gigi.”
“Who is Gigi?” I ask.
“She was the egg-laying hen,” Leilani explains. “She was mean as a wild boar on a hunt, but that didn’t mean I wanted her dead.”
She begins to weep again. I reach for her hand. “I’m really sorry.”
“I swear, I don’t know why I’m so upset. Mo’s right. She was a mean bird, but I always rationalized that I wouldn’t be happy if someone was taking all my hard work either.”
After I’ve eaten my pineapple, coconut, and a few slices of mango, I take my toast and coffee into the library.
I check in with Ms. Day. She’s managing. She wouldn’t be a great fit to replace me permanently, but for now, she’s taking care of the phones and Jackson’s schedule okay.
Before I know it, Leilani brings my tuna poke lunch in. I feel bad I’m not eating with the rest of the staff, but I’ll lose the team in California in a few hours, and the team back east is already gone for the day.
I call Jackson just after 7:00 p.m. his time. He sounds beat. “How did it go today?”
“Good enough. I’ve been reminded I’m getting old.”
I laugh. “We’re going to have to put you out to pasture at thirty-two?”
He laughs. “I like that you always make me laugh and call me on my shit.”
“Isn’t that in my job description?”
“The line ‘Duties as assigned’ fits perfectly.”
“How much longer are you sticking around at the office?” I ask.
“I have two more things to accomplish, but I may try to get them done later. I didn’t sleep well on the plane.”
“I didn’t sleep well last night without you either.”
“I hope that means that you’re considering moving into my apartment when you return.”
“I don’t know yet. It’s tempting, but it’s also scary.”
“I promise to put the whips and chains away,” he teases.
“Damn it, I was hoping they were there to stay.”
“You’re such a tease.”
“When have I ever told you no?” I ask.
He doesn’t respond, and I realize he’s thinking about the first time we came back from Hawaii, and I moved home.
“I mean sexually,” I add.
“You’re going to give me a hard-on,” he warns.
“I’m sure I can give you a better reason to have a hard-on.”
“I’m going to go home and rub one off while I look at the naughty pics you sent me. Then I’m going to get some sleep and be back in the office by five.”
“Wow, you’re ambitious.”
He chuckles.
“Have a good night,” I say in my sultry voice.
Chapter 32
Corrine
I’ve searched everywhere for the necklace. Turns out it wasn’t in the bathroom like I thought. Where the hell did I put it? I took it off to shower, and then I moved from the master bedroom downstairs, and I’ve checked both places. No one really ventures down to my room, so I’m positive I tucked it somewhere safe. But I can’t find it, and I’m mad at myself for not being able to remember where I put the damn thing.
My cell phone rings, distracting me from my frustration. The number’s blocked, and usually, I don’t answer blocked calls because they’re just trying to sell me something. But for some reason, this time I do.
“Hello?” I say with disdain.
“Corrine, this is Nate Lancaster.”
Oh crap. Backpedal quick. “Hey, Nate. Thanks for getting back to me.”
“No problem. I’m a little slow these days.” He sounds depressed, and I don’t blame him.
“I’m really sorry about Cecelia.” I take a deep breath, not sure if he wants condolences, but I decide it’s the right thing, and I need to manage my own grief. “I worked with her on the Lancaster Foundation. She was a visionary and an inspirational woman. I loved working with her and miss her terribly.”
He doesn’t respond, and I’m sure I’ve caused him pain. Finally, I hear his voice again. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear that today. I miss Cecelia so much.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Anyway,” he says. “How can I help you?”
“I was calling because Jackson was approached by Mason to host the next poker event,” I explain. “I think it’s just an excuse to make Jackson spend a bunch of the money he won last time, but also let everyone see what he won, since I have a feeling he was gloating.”
Nate laughs out loud. “You know Jackson far too well. He was gloating. I think it’s a great idea and thankfully it’s not in Vegas. I love the Shangri-la, but I can’t go there right now.”
“Well, the Halona Moana may be the perfect place then.” I walk him through the players who seem interested, the guest list, an
d the plans for the weekend, which people may extend through the week, if they’re able.
We then discuss the plan for rooms and my backups if I need them.
Nate laughs. “I like the way you think.”
“We thought having dealers from the Shangri-la would be wise. They’re more experienced, plus they’re aware this isn’t a game that needs to get out to the tabloids. I’ve spoken with Gillian, and she’s willing to help us manage the game and the guests.”
“Great.” He talks about a few other minor details and gives me some additional player ideas if we need them. “When are you thinking—date wise?” he asks.
“The estate is undergoing renovations, and I’ve ordered some new beds and linens so everyone will be comfortable. We think everything should be done in the next month, but we’re pushing for Memorial Day weekend to be safe and also give people a better reason to fly so far. We thought we might put you and the girls up in the second master suite. And I have a place for your nanny, if you want to bring her.”
“Actually, your timing is perfect. That weekend my sister-in-law is taking the girls on a weekend trip, so it would be just me. Is that okay?”
“Of course. I thought I would send you the invite for approval. And I’m happy to run menus by you and timelines, if you’d like. I don’t want you to feel like I’m overtaking your party.”
Nate releases a big sigh. “No, this is perfect. Cecelia took care of a lot of this with Gillian, so I’m glad you’re willing to take it on. Just do me a favor and make sure Jackson has some Mitchner’s. I’ve become rather fond of that for our games at the Shangri-la. If you can’t find it easily, reach out to Jonathan Best, and he’ll tell you where to find it.”
“No problem. I think I have your email address.” I recite it to Nate. “You should see an invite soon.”
“Yes, that’s my email. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“Thanks, Nate.”
I hang up and quickly put together what I think the invitation should say. Then I send it off to Nate.
Royally Flushed: Tech Billionaires Page 25
