Tender Touch

by Emery, Lynn

  “Like hell we are. You little chump-change scribbler! Selling out our community. I saw the article you wrote on black welfare mothers.” Lanessa scoured him with a look of distaste. “You played to every stereotype.”

  “That was a solid piece of journalism— and it was about entitlement programs, not black welfare mothers.” Glenn drew himself up in anger at her words.

  “Just a coincidence everyone you interviewed was black with lots of kids, I guess.”

  “Hey, I go where my information leads.”

  Lanessa gave a grunt of derision. “No wonder we called you the worm-mouth back in grade school. You’d slink around keyholes, and then blackmail people.”

  Glenn sneered at her. “Your baby sister is up to her neck in some shady dealings. The details will make quite a splash when my story hits.”

  Lanessa clutched the fabric of the wool checked jacket he wore until it was balled into her fist. “You listen to me, you little—”

  “And I’m not the only one on it, either. Major investigative reporters are working up stories. I’ll get my own byline outta this one.” Glenn cackled.

  “Not with anything from me you won’t.” Lanessa was breathing hard. She looked desperate as she tried to remember just what she’d said to him.

  “You confirmed what I suspected all along. All I needed was a little bit to tell me where to look next. Thanks for the help.” He pulled free of her grasp.

  “I couldn’t have—” Lanessa pressed her fingertips to her temples.

  “Here, have another drink on me. Best price I ever paid for information.” Glenn walked with a swagger as he went through the exit door leading to the parking lot.

  “Oh, God.” Lanessa clamped a hand over her mouth. She stared glassy-eyed with agony at the rows of liquor bottles on a shelf behind the bar.

  * * *

  “Glad you made it back to see us, Mr. Knight. You folks okay?” The waiter hovered over her shoulder ready to please.

  “Everything is marvelous, perfect.” Jade smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  “Thanks, Charlie. We’re fine.” Damon nodded at him. “So how do you like my suggestion?” He swept a hand around the dining room.

  Jade gazed out the window at the breathtaking view of Georgetown. They were in The Roof Terrace restaurant at the top of the Kennedy Center. Elegant was the best way to describe every detail down to the fresh flowers on their table, a simple arrangement of white carnations with pansies of deep purple. A jazz ensemble was playing a sampling of favorites from the great Miles Davis.

  “Damon, I’ve never had this much fun on vacation. I’m going to think of ways to have you come on my next business trip.” Jade giggled.

  “All I need is a day’s notice, sweetheart.” Damon laughed.

  “The conference was outstanding. I’ve learned so much from the speakers. And the exhibits were the best I’ve seen. My bags are stuffed with great pamphlets. I grabbed up everything I could carry.”

  “I had a chance to spend time with a director and board member from an agency in Chicago called Bright Futures, Inc. Man, the things those men are doing for black kids. I can’t wait to tell Eddie about it.”

  “We’ve had the best of both worlds for the last few days. Thank you for showing me so much of this city. Especially the African-American art galleries and historic sites.” Jade knew she would never forget the joy of strolling hand in hand with him, gazing at art that dazzled them both.

  “I aim to please, ma’am,” Damon said in a smooth voice.

  “Sir, your champagne.” The waiter placed the ice bucket with the bottle on their table. He poured the bubbly liquid into long-stemmed goblets.

  “Damon, I’m speechless.” Jade’s eyes were sparkling with delight.

  “This is a celebration.” Damon took both her hands in his when the waiter was gone. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”

  “I tried hard not to like you that first day we met.” Jade shook her head. “But you didn’t cooperate. You were so sincere about the center and so intriguing— not at all the self-centered upper-class snob I wanted you to be.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you.” Damon grinned.

  Jade lifted a hand to his face. Her fingers brushed his cheek, and then traced the outline of his lips. “Oh—no, indeed. One thing you haven’t done is disappoint me, Damon Knight.”

  Back in Damon’s suite, they undressed each other with tenderness. Their lovemaking was slow. Their bodies moved in concert, matching the throbbing tempo of craving deep within. Damon kissed her, his tongue moving around the soft, sweet inside of her mouth. Then he drew back and looked into her eyes.

  “I love to watch your face when I’m loving you,” he whispered.

  “Damon, kiss me again,” Jade said in between gasps for air.

  She moaned and dug her fingers into the flesh of his back. The hunger for more of him seized her, sending shudders through her hips and thighs. Faster and faster the whole world seemed to go, spinning them both into ecstasy. Later they lay wrapped in a soft cushion of contentment, tired but wide awake.

  “I hate to go home to the real world.” Jade nestled in the bend of his strong arm, her head on his chest. “Let’s run away to a Caribbean island.”

  “I’ll book a flight.” Damon reached for the phone.

  “Stop that! We can’t just take off.” Jade pulled his arm back.

  “What’s to stop us? Listen, we can spend the weekend and head on back to Baton Rouge.” Damon pushed her hand away. “I’ve got a pal who’s a travel agent right here in town. He can make it happen on the Internet and have the tickets here by morning.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, I can’t do that. Bill is expecting me to start getting all those policies and stuff together.” Jade felt alarm tinged with excitement.

  “Look, Bill told you yesterday he didn’t expect you to work this weekend.” Damon’s hand rested on the phone.

  “Ye-es, but...”

  “Then there is no reason we can’t have a long weekend in Barbados.” Damon picked up his wallet. “Here’s the old trusty Gold Card.”

  “But I don’t have clothes for a warm climate. And my swimsuit is at home.” Jade began making a mental list of things she’d need.

  “Then we’ll go shopping once we get there. My friend Harmon and his wife can tell us the best places to go for snorkeling, dining—the works. They spend two weeks there every year, they love it so much.”

  “I’ll need to call my parents and let them know, and where did I put my Visa Gold Card?” Jade sprang from the bed then stood stock still. “This is insane! A crazy impulse.” She gazed at Damon.

  “Then we’ve both lost our minds.” He grinned back at her. He punched in the number on the phone buttons. “Hey, Harmon. Yeah, we’re heading out, but listen...”

  Jade threw both arms over her head and did a dance step. “We’re going to Barbados! Yah, mon.”

  Chapter 11

  “She went where?” Bill Lang spoke in a tight, angry voice. He was the picture of barely contained fury.

  Tavis did not lose his mild expression. “Barbados. His mother would like to strangle Jade for seducing her son into acting so wild.”

  Bill was so incensed he didn't even question why Marlene Knight confided in Tavis. “No wonder I couldn’t get hold of her Friday night. And she left a message that she would take a personal day, which is why she isn’t here.”

  “Right. They left Friday morning and will get back this afternoon.” Tavis examined his neat fingernails. “Bet that was some long weekend.”

  “Damn it, I must have been brain dead to tell her she didn’t have to rush back to work on that stuff Dumaine wants.” Lang slapped the desktop in frustration. He stood up and turned to stare out the window at the scene spread before him.

  “Man, what is it with you? You’re losing focus. The business at hand is getting those policies implemented, remember? We didn’t throw in with our associates to not make money. F
orget Jade.” Tavis gazed at Bill.

  Bill remained silent for several minutes. When he faced Tavis again, his expression was cold and hard. “I don’t need you or anyone else to tell me how to handle my business, personal or otherwise. Mike has been working on gathering everything we need. Dumaine won’t be a problem.”

  “Mike can’t be trusted, Bill. He’s been meeting with Ortego. Has he told you about that?”

  “When? Where?” Bill did not move.

  “I saw him coming out of the City Club Friday right behind the good senator. Now if he doesn’t tell you about it today, then something is up.”

  “So Mike and the good old boys think I’m a fool, think they can set me up.” Bill rubbed his jaw. He seemed excited by the challenge rather than worried.

  “Or let you take the fall while they benefit. It’s been done before. Your name is on those rules and memos.” Tavis sat forward.

  “I won’t go down alone, and I intend to make sure they know it.” Lang paced the length of his office. “No, I’ve got ways to tie them up so tightly to my fate, they won’t dare let me down.”

  Tavis studied him for a few seconds. “But how—”

  Lang held up a palm. “Just let me handle it, okay?”

  “Okay. But remember, I’m in this with you. I don’t want my position in jeopardy. My boss would hang me out to dry if he found out I’ve got an interest in SAMCO.” Tavis stood up and smoothed down his jacket.

  “He won’t,” Lang said with a wave of his hand. “SAMCO has other business holdings that indirectly lead to the nursing homes and hospitals. No way will anyone care enough to track back through the maze of corporate tangle even if they could.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Tavis did not sound completely convinced.

  “Not even Mike knows as much as he thinks he knows,” Lang said. The comer of his mouth lifted, giving him a look of sly satisfaction.

  “Really? Good. Very good.” Tavis nodded with approval. “I was beginning to think...”

  “Tavis, you’ve known me long enough to know I’m no fool. Mike and I have worked together on a lot of things, but I haven’t forgotten who he is and who I am.” Lang sat down in the leather chair behind his desk. “No, indeed.”

  “Carry on, brother. Carry on.” Tavis gave him a firm handshake then left.

  “I will,” Lang said once the door closed behind him. “And my plans include Jade. Damon Knight be damned.”

  * * *

  Kathy wore dark sunglasses. She kept looking over her shoulder. “I don’t like this at all. We’re too out in the open.” She sat across from Glenn Curtis and John Savoie. The roadside Waffle House restaurant was across the river in the small town of Port Allen. The two reporters exchanged a harried glance.

  “Mrs. Lang, it’s okay,” Savoie said. “Listen, you picked out this place because you were sure no one would know you here. Relax.”

  “Why do both of you have to be here? I thought I was just meeting you, Mr. Curtis.” Kathy leaned across the yellow table. “Then you show up with him.”

  “John is an investigative reporter for the Morning Advocate. He needed to hear your story for himself.” Glenn’s expression said he was not happy to be sharing the source. But he had no choice.

  “I know who he is!” Kathy hissed at him. “That’s the only reason I’m still here. In fact, Mr. Savoie, since you’re the reporter with clout at the Morning Advocate, we don’t need him,” she said, jerking a thumb at Glenn.

  “Call me John, ma’am,” the blond-haired man said with an engaging smile. “Since Mrs. Lang is so uncomfortable, maybe we should talk alone.”

  “Hey, hold up,” Glenn protested. “This is my story—”

  “I’ve been developing this for nine months now. You’ll get a shot at the local angle, like I said. But I got most of what I need without you. Mrs. Lang was on my list of key people to contact anyway.”

  “Yeah, but I got you the interview.” Glenn thumped his chest. “Without me, you wouldn’t have gotten this close to Lang.” He glared at Savoie.

  “Listen, you two work out your squabble another day,” Kathy snapped. “Do we talk or do I walk?” She looked from one to the other.

  “Glenn, come here a sec,” Savoie said, tapping Glenn’s arm. When they were a few feet away, he turned his back to the booth where Kathy sat. “Listen, she’s jittery enough as it is. You’ll still get a piece of this. Just take off.”

  Glenn huffed for several seconds. “What choice have I got?” He stomped out of the restaurant.

  Savoie went back to the booth and sat down again. “Now let’s start with what I already know...”

  * * *

  “You just got back from where?” Shaena stared at Jade with an amazed expression. She had stopped by Jade’s condo right after leaving the office. “Here I’m having the usual manic Monday and you’re grinning like a Cheshire cat.”

  “You heard right, sugar, Barbados. Three magical days with Damon.” Jade sank onto her sofa with a sigh. “A dream come true.”

  “You dropped everything at the last moment and flew off to Barbados? Just like that?” Shaena sat down. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Quit looking at me all goo-goo-eyed like I just announced I flew to Jupiter. I can be spontaneous, too.” Jade lifted her nose in the air. She popped up and went into her kitchen. “I’ve got some iced raspberry herbal tea.”

  Shaena followed her. “Fine.” She took the glass and sipped from it. Still dumbfounded, she wandered back into the living room behind Jade. “Have mercy. Tell me everything. I mean everything.”

  “The hotel was beautiful and—”

  “Beach view from the bedroom? King-sized bed, too, I’ll bet.” Shaena gulped in air at Jade’s gleeful nod. “Whoa! Then what?”

  “We ate at an enchanting restaurant called The Boatyard. It’s on the outskirts of Bridgetown.” Jade’s eyes glowed at the memory of holding Damon’s hand across the table, listening to the melodic steel drum band.

  “Skip the G-rated stuff. Get down to the nitty-gritty. What does he like when... you know.”

  “Shaena! I don’t kiss and tell.” Jade smirked at her over the rim of her tea glass.

  “Oh, come on!”

  “Forget it.”

  “Fine. I wasn’t really interested in details anyway.” Shaena affected a tone of disinterest. She relaxed against the back of the love seat.

  “The reverse psychology routine is tired, baby. You’re dying to hear all about it.” Jade eyed her.

  “Ooh, I could strangle you, Jade Pellerin.” Shaena shot her a dirty look. “Just tell me this; did you do it on a secluded, lovely beach?”

  “No way! You’ve been reading too many romance novels,” Jade said with a laugh. “Those folks would have arrested us for sure.”

  “Another fantasy shot down. Seriously though, I think it’s great that you’re so happy.” Shaena beamed at her. “Didn’t I tell you? Giving in to the feeling doesn’t always mean losing out.”

  “Shaena, happy doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. In fact, words fail.” Jade shook her head.

  “And now you’re back to the old grind. I assume you’re going to work tomorrow.” Shaena raised both eyebrows. “I mean, you haven’t quit your job to run off to this island paradise forever—”

  “Do I look like I’ve gone completely nuts? Don’t answer that.” Jade cut her off.

  “I hate to spoil your good mood, but things are getting strange down at the department.” Shaena sat up with a serious expression. She put her empty glass on the end table at her elbow. “How do you mean?”

  “Dumaine is asking all kinds of questions. Computers are being moved around, and all of a sudden none of the attorneys in legal want anything to do with writing rules for Bill Lang.” Shaena ran her fingers through her braids. “I don’t like it one bit, Jade.”

  “Bill told me about Dumaine while we were in D.C. It’s all routine at this point. And as for that other stuff, you’re seeing conspiracies aga
in.” Jade shrugged. She went into the kitchen to get a bowl of nuts and chips.

  “Brad says thing are happening at higher levels, too. A lot of meetings with the purpose kept vague. He’d heard talk that there are serious questions about policies out of your office.”

  “Déjà vu, girl. Like I said before, there is no smoking gun. I’ve tracked everything, and it’s all been done in compliance with rule- making procedures. I wouldn’t be sitting here so cool otherwise.”

  Shaena took a deep breath. “Okay, this is the real reason why I wanted to talk to you away from the office. Brad swore me to secrecy, so don’t repeat this or I’ll deny it.”

  “Check, I’ll swallow poison from my secret ring if they try to get it out of me,” Jade said in a stage whisper.

  “Will you cut that out? Word is Bill has somehow made lots of money from decisions made.” Shaena nodded slowly as the playful expression melted from Jade’s face.

  “I don’t believe it.” Jade tried not to feel uneasy.

  “Only a few real insiders are even willing to whisper this.”

  Several minutes of silence stretched between them as Jade chewed over this new information and Shaena chewed on several snack foods from the bowl. Bill did not seem like the underhanded type. Sure he overdid the charm sometimes, but that was just Jade’s personal preference. Since Nick, men with too much polish did not appeal to her. And after all these were just rumors. Her previous boss had been tainted by false accusations that were never proven. Jade remembered the long hours working with Bill. He was truly dedicated. He could have profited dozens of ways but did not attempt to do so. Despite the whispers, Jade was not convinced.

  “Bill Lang may not be a saint, but if he was that crooked, I’d have smelled a rat by now. Since that last near fiasco, I’ve kept my eyes wide open, sugar.” Jade went to the hall closet for her coat.

  “I hope you’re right, for all our sakes. Every time there’s a shake up, everybody gets hit by the flying shrapnel. The good suffer with the bad.”