by Roy Glenn
“Did you give her the information she asked for, Mrs. Daniels?”
“Oh, yes. Yes I did, but after I gave it to her, I thought about the fact that you said that Mr. Mason would call, and it’s been bothering me all day. So, I called to make sure that I had done the right thing.”
“That’s quite all right, Mrs. Daniels. I understand your concern, and you’re right, you can’t be too careful these days. I spoke with Mr. Mason about your case yesterday. Olivia Wayne is one of his best operatives, and he assures me that she’ll do an excellent job for you.”
“That’s good to know, Mr. Douglas. I don’t mean to be a problem, but as I said, I’ve been thinking about it all day, and it’s been bothering me so I had to call and make sure that she was working for you like she said.”
“Not a problem at all, Mrs. Daniels. In fact, anytime you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call. If I’m not available, I’m sure Janise or one of our other associates will be able to answer any questions you may have.”
“That’s also very good to know. Tell me, Mr. Douglas, do you extend the same service to all your clients?”
“Of course I do, Mrs. Daniels. We like all of our clients to feel like their important to us, because they are.”
“And here I was thinking I was getting some special treatment from you because you found me attractive.”
Marcus let out a little laugh. He was intrigued by her obvious flirtation. “No, Mrs. Daniels, no special treatment, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t find you to be an attractive woman,” Marcus told Panthea, and was somewhat surprised at himself for saying it.
Mrs. Daniels wasn’t the first client who tried to flirt with him. However, there was something about Panthea Daniels that had his attention. Since she had left his office the previous day, Marcus had been thinking about her. Panthea was a tall attractive woman, with beautiful dark skin, a smile that had brightened his office and eyes that seemed to dance when she spoke to him.
Yes, Marcus was definitely intrigued by Panthea Daniels. Just the type of woman to make him forget about Carmen Taylor.
“Because you are a very attractive woman, Mrs. Daniels,” he continued.
“Please. Call me Panthea.”
“Okay, I think you are a very attractive woman, Panthea.”
“May I call you, Marcus?”
“You may.”
“Good. I just want you to know that I find you to be a very attractive man.”
“Thank you.”
“So, tell me, Marcus, do you have plans for this evening?”
“As a matter of fact, I don’t. What did you have in mind?”
“Well, since you don’t have plans, I was wondering if you would like to meet me for dinner?”
“I would be honored,” Marcus told Panthea and it was on.
At eight that evening, Marcus met Panthea at Nakato Japanese Restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road.
Nakato was actually three Japanese restaurants in one. The place was divided into a large, comfortable dining room for sit-down meals. A quiet sushi bar and a hibachi bar where some of the best Samurai chefs wield fast knives for their guests’ amusement. A Japanese garden set the tone for the subdued, traditional atmosphere. Panthea ordered the Surf & Turf, which consisted of petite filet mignon and prawn shrimp. Marcus had the steamed Maine lobster & filet mignon.
They engaged in a fair amount of uncomfortable getting acquainted conversation over drinks, appetizers and their meals. He talked about his practice and some of his big cases, which naturally led to a discussion about the Ferguson case and eventually led to Carmen Taylor.
“So what was it like to date somebody famous?” Panthea asked him.
“Well, Carmen was famous in a different kind of way,” Marcus answered.
“What do you mean by that?”
“When we would go out, there would always be somebody who recognized her, but could never think of how they knew her.”
“I imagine that could get a little old after a while.”
“It did, but I was able to live through it.”
“So are you two still seeing each other?”
“No, I mean yes.”
Panthea laughed. “Which is it, yes or no? It can’t be both.”
“The thing is that Carmen is doing some modeling in Paris right now.”
“I see.” Panthea smiled and Marcus got weak.
“So, technically we are still seeing each other, but you know, we don’t because you know—”
“I know. It’s that whole Atlantic Ocean thing that keeps you apart.”
“Beautiful and smart,” Marcus commented.
“Wait. It gets so much better with time,” Panthea flirted.
“I’d be very interested to see,” Marcus said and touched her hand.
Marcus looked into Panthea’s eyes, and she beamed the smile that he was becoming fond of. Marcus signaled for their waiter and ordered another round of drinks.
“Are you from here originally, Marcus?” Panthea asked.
“No, I’m from New York.”
“How did you get to Atlanta?”
“I fell in love with this city while I was in law school and used to come down here for Freaknic.”
“I heard those used to get pretty wild.”
“I was living here and practicing by the time it really got out of control, but yeah, Freaknic used to shut this city down,” Marcus said of the black college spring break festival that once took place in Atlanta. “What about you, Panthea? Where are you from?”
Panthea paused for a second before she smiled and said, “Houston. I moved here eight years ago.”
“You and your husband come here together?”
“No. Scott was one of the first people I met when I moved here. He was a different man then. I’d never had a man treat me the way Scott did. He was so sweet and attentive, and he had a way of making me feel like I was the only woman in the world. He swept me off my feet.” Panthea laughed.
“What’s funny?” Marcus asked.
“It’s just funny how I went from passionately in love, to having dinner with my very handsome divorce lawyer.”
“I’m not your lawyer. I don’t handle divorce cases, so I’m just the man you invited to have dinner with you.”
“Yes, that’s right. You’re a criminal attorney. The big murder trials are your thing.”
“Right.”
“I already told you I was a big fan of yours.”
“I know. You said you used to watch me on the news every night,” Marcus said and tried to look flattered. He noticed Panthea looking at him and realized her expression had changed.
“What?” he asked.
“You don’t wanna know,” Panthea said and quickly looked away.
“Yes, I do,” Marcus said, pressing her.
“No. You’ll think I really am a stalker.”
“You already told me stalking is unwanted attention.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I’m saying you should just tell me and let me be the judge of whether you have stalking potential or not.”
Panthea looked at Marcus and tried to decide how honest she was going to be. Then she smiled. “I was alone a lot of those nights when I used to see you on television. By the way, you are so much better looking in person, and my God, I thought you were fine then.”
“Thank you. I don’t know where you think all this flattery is going to get you, but keep it up, I like the sound of it.”
“I like the sound of that sexy voice of yours,” Panthea cooed. “Anyway, as I said, I was alone a lot of those nights. Scott was expanding his business and there were a lot of late nights for him and lonely nights for me.” Panthea paused and her head dropped a little. “I guess that’s when it really began.”
“What really began?”
“Us losing interest in each other sexually.” Panthea looked up at Marcus. “When I said us, I meant my husband and I,” she clarified quickly.
&n
bsp; “I understood what you meant,” Marcus assured her and he also understood the innuendo behind her feeling the need to clarify it.
“Good. Now let me tell you this before I chicken out.”
“Why don’t you just say it,” Marcus encouraged.
“After I would watch you on television, I used to fantasize about you taking me. And sometimes those thoughts would lead me to—other things of let’s say a more physical nature, which I’d rather not go into detail about.” Panthea smiled. “There. I said it.”
“Yes, you did.”
Marcus looked at his beautiful dinner companion and marveled at her directness. Panthea was aggressive, and he liked that about her. She wanted him. Panthea was making that crystal clear, and that made him want her even more.
“I don’t mind telling you Marcus that I’m a very physical woman. That was a very important part of our lives, and now it’s gone,” Panthea said sadly. “It wasn't always like that. When I first got here from Texas, my God, Scott was all over me, all the time.”
“That’s how my ex-wife and I used to be.”
“Tell me about her.”
“My wife Randa was a wonderful woman. She was beautiful, intelligent and she had so much energy, if you know what I mean.”
“I do. What made her your ex-wife?”
“Sure you wanna hear this?”
“Sure you wanna tell me?”
“No.”
“Oh then, I definitely wanna hear it,” Panthea said playfully.
“Okay. This is how a typical day started out for Randa and I. The alarm went off, and we’d have sex.”
Panthea smiled. “I used to like it in the morning, too. I think it makes the day go so much better," she purred. “I’m sorry Marcus, go on.”
“We showered together, and she cooked breakfast while I got ready to go to the office.”
“Would you do it in the shower sometimes too?”
“Most of the time. Anyway, that day started out like any other.”
Panthea wanted to ask Marcus if his ex-wife would meet him so they could have sex for lunch like she used to do with Scott, but Marcus continued before she could get it out.
“I had a meeting with a client that afternoon, and I left the paper at home. I called Randa to see if she could bring me the papers, and we could have lunch together.”
Panthea started to ask her question then, but she had a feeling where the story was going and decided to keep it to herself.
“But she didn’t answer the phone and I needed those papers, so I went home to get them. When I got home her Benz was in the driveway. I got the papers I needed and was about to leave when I heard a noise upstairs. I went to the bedroom and opened the door. There she was. My wife Randa. Pulling her hair out, riding some mans dick.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I am too.”
“But you seem to be dealing with it well. I mean you’re able to talk about it.”
“Suddenly I feel very comfortable talking to you,” Marcus said.
“That makes me happy, Marcus. I want to make you happy,” Panthea said softly and then glanced at her watch. “Look at the time. I really should be going.”
Marcus looked at his watch. It was almost ten o’clock. “It is getting late,” he agreed and called for the check, wondering if his story had anything to do with Panthea’s sudden need to leave. You think? He thought as he stared at her.
“Yes, and I am a married woman, you know.”
Once Marcus paid the check, he walked Panthea to her car. She walked along side him wondering what size shoe he wore. When she got to her car, Panthea unlocked the door and got in. Then Panthea rolled down the window, and she and Marcus talked at the car for the next hour or so, until she attempted to drag herself away.
“I have to go so I can be home, looking disgusted when my husband gets there. That’s not the way I want this evening to end, but unless Scott suddenly decided to move out, that is precisely what I’m going to do.” She wasn't happy about leaving, and it showed in her expression.
“What's wrong?” Marcus asked.
Panthea took a deep breath and got out of the car. “I'm not ready to go yet,” Panthea replied.
“Then why are you?”
“Because I have to. I wouldn't do you like that.”
“Then why did you get out of the car?”
“Because I don't want to go.” She laughed.
“Well, if that's the case, I'll make it easy for you. I'll say good night. I enjoyed my evening, Panthea.”
“So did I. I just hate that it has to end,” she said, as she leaned against the car.
He wanted to say that it didn’t have to end. Marcus wanted to be with Panthea, and she wanted to be with him. They both choose the polite option.
“But I have to go,” Panthea said and got back in the car. “I’ve never cheated on my husband, Marcus.” She started the car. “Except with you, inside my mind,” she said and drove off before Marcus could say anything.
6
Olivia sat in the lobby of Marcus’s office building waiting for Garrett to arrive. He was impressed when Olivia called him the night before and told him that she had pictures and information on Scott Daniels that she wanted to share with Marcus. Garrett told her to meet him at Marcus’s office at ten o'clock the next morning. Olivia wanted to go by herself, so she could meet Marcus and establish a working relationship with him.
She looked at her watch. It was ten-twenty. “Why black folks can’t ever be on time?”
Olivia grabbed her purse and started walking toward the elevator. Once on Marcus’s floor, Olivia spotted the receptionist. She made her way over to the desk.
“Good morning,” the receptionist said when Olivia approached the counter. “How can I help you today?” the woman said nonchalantly.
“My name is Olivia Wayne. I’m an associate of Garrett Mason. I’m supposed to meet him here to see Marcus Douglas.”
“Mr. Mason isn’t here, and he doesn’t have an appointment this morning. What is it in reference to?”
“Scott Daniels.”
“If you would have a seat, I’ll see if I can get somebody to help you.”
“Thank you,” Olivia said and took a seat in the waiting area.
She took out her cell phone and called Garrett. It went straight to voice mail. Olivia picked up a magazine, cursed Garrett again for being late and began flipping pages.
A few minutes later the receptionist told Olivia that Marcus was in a meeting, but somebody would be with her shortly. When Olivia looked up and saw Garrett getting off the elevator, it was eleven o'clock. She looked on as Garrett approached the receptionist. Suddenly the woman had sprang to life.
“Good morning, Mr. Mason,” the now bubbly receptionist said.
“Good morning, Angela,” Garrett said and signed in. “Is Mr. Douglas available?”
“You know he’s never too busy to see you,” she cooed.
“I was meeting an associate,” Garrett said and looked around. “Nevermind, there she is,” he said and waved Olivia over. “I’ll see you later, Angela.”
Garrett started walking as soon as Olivia got to him. As they walked down the hall, Olivia said, “You’re late.”
“Got a late start this morning.”
“Late night?”
“No. Just slow getting started this morning.”
“And you’re cell phone was off. I don’t like to be late,” Olivia complained. “I didn’t wanna be late and make a bad impression.”
“We’re not late.”
“We’re not?”
“You have to have an appointment to be late,” Garrett informed his associate as he entered Marcus’s inner office.
“But you said—”
“Good morning, Janise.”
“Good morning, Garrett,” Janise said and stood up.
“Is he in?”
“He has a client, but I’ll let him know you’re here. And you must be Olivia Wayne,”
Janise said and came from behind her desk. “I was just on my way to get you, Ms. Wayne.”
Yeah, sure you were. Olivia extended her hand. “Olivia, please.”
“I’m Janise Bond, Mr. Douglas’s assistant,” she said and shook Olivia’s hand. “Garrett, why don’t you and Ms. Wayne have a seat in the conference room? I’ll let Marcus know you’re waiting.”
“Thanks, Janise,” Garrett said as Olivia followed him to the conference room. It wasn’t too long before Marcus joined them.
“How’s it going, Garrett?” Marcus asked as soon as he came in the room. Once he shook Garrett’s hand, he turned to Olivia. “And you must be Ms. Wayne.”
Olivia extended her hand. “Olivia, please.”
“Olivia it is then. Garrett tells me good things about you. Please have a seat.”
“We’re not going to take up a lot of your time, Marcus. I wanted to introduce the two of you. Give you a chance to establish a reporting system.”
“Right,” Marcus said and turned to Olivia. “So, I assume Garrett has told you about the case.”
“He has. And actually, I have pictures and some information for you,” Olivia said, holding up an envelope.
“Really. I like the way this one works, Garrett.”
“What I tell you,” Garrett said proudly.
“Show me what you got?” Marcus said, reaching for the envelope. Marcus took out the pictures.
“I’ve attached a complete report and all the pictures are time stamped, of course.”
“Of course,” Marcus said as he took out the pictures.
“That is Scott Daniels,” Olivia said and took out her notes. “That’s a shot of him entering the Oceanaire Seafood Room. That next one is of him having lunch with a woman. The next is of them entering the Ritz Carlton together, entering and leaving the elevator and next is a good night kiss at her car and there’s one of her entering a condo on North Avenue. The rest are just general shots of them all hugged up with each other. I’ve tentatively identified the female as Abril Arrington.”
“Tentatively? Why tentatively?”
“I say tentative because of the way I identified her,” Olivia answered.
“How was that?” Marcus asked.
“I followed the woman after she left the restaurant to the condos. She went to the mailbox, trashed the junk mail, and then I followed her to her building and watched which unit she went in. Once I had the address, I went back to the trashcan at the mailbox and went though the items until I found the ones that matched the unit she went in.”
