by Ciana Stone
“Uh.” Dianne shuffled through her notes. “Yeah, that’s it. We contacted all three companies. Two referred us to their attorneys. We have the names and numbers. The third just refused to talk to us at all.”
“Okay,” Chance made a note, “assign someone from legal to talk to the attorneys. If all three situations were settled out of court, we need to talk to the parties involved in the negotiations. Also, bird-dog the big cheese at each of the companies. See if you can wear them down.”
“Now,” she turned to Steve, “what’ve you got on Holling?”
Steve cleared his throat nervously. “Chance, this is…well, I don’t know how to say this—”
“Just spit it out.”
“Well, there’s a good possibility that Holling is involved. He has connections with one of the construction companies. The owner and Holling are involved in some kind of wood preservative factory. The other two aren’t tied directly to Holling, but they are connected with one of his close business associates.”
“You have a name for this associate?”
“Actually…” he cleared his throat again. “Actually, I do. It’s Maurice Davenport.”
Chance leaned back in her chair and looked over at Wyatt. He didn’t speak but his dark eyes made contact with hers. She looked at him for a moment then straightened up. “Okay, fine. I want someone on it. I want to know how connected he and Holling are—if they’ve had recent contact, the usual. Also, and this is the most important, not to mention the missing element. What’s the point? If Holling and Davenport are indeed trying to block construction of the casino, what’s in it for them?”
Steve finished jotting down notes and looked up at her. “We had a thought about that. We need to get someone on the inside—in the Holling’s camp. Research came up with an interesting bit of information. Seems that Holling’s son Greg is a notorious womanizer, sees himself as some sort of world-class ladies’ man. If we can play that angle maybe we can get one of the women to get in tight with him—you know, play the role that she’s against the Indians and all for good old ‘white America’ and all that.”
“That’s a good idea. And I know just the person.”
Everyone in the room looked at her and she smiled. “Me.”
“No!” Wyatt spoke for the first time.
Chance’s boss, Rich, who had until now listened quietly, agreed with Wyatt. “He’s right. You’re not the one, Chance. Not only are you too close to the situation but there’s also a very good possibility that they’re already on to you.”
“I disagree,” she said as she stood up. “All anyone knows is that I’m a reporter who’s been nosing around.”
“And asking about Wyatt,” Rich pointed out.
“That’s easy to explain,” she argued. “His father is a prominent figure in this scenario. And since Wyatt and I have known each other for a long time I was simply playing on that relationship to get on the inside and get information.”
“That’s just it.” Rich walked over to stand in front of her desk. “You and he have known each other a long time. That’s what’ll give you away, show where your sympathies lie.”
Chance laughed and sat back down. “Oh, I don’t think so. And neither will anyone else who happened to witness our little reunion. As far as anyone around there knows, Wyatt’s hated the ground I walk on for quite some time. So, you see, I’m in the perfect position to go on the inside. I can play on that antagonism everyone thinks exists.”
Rich turned and looked at Wyatt. “If you have any control at all in this, please speak up because I’m not getting anywhere.”
Wyatt looked at Chance. “It’s too dangerous. If they find out…well, I don’t know what they might do.”
“What can they do? Don’t forget, I’m Maurice Davenport’s only daughter. If he and Holling are in bed together there’s no way Holling is going to hurt me. Besides, I have to do this.”
He opened his mouth to speak but she held up her hand. “I need to, Wyatt. Please don’t fight me on this.”
After a moment he held up his hands as if in surrender. “Okay, play it your way.”
She smiled and turned to Rich. “So? Anything else?”
He shook his head and reclaimed his seat. “All right, we’ll move on this. We’ll play both sides, interviewing the locals and the Indians—make it look like we’re impartial. But we can’t drag this out, Chance, so if you’re going in then do it fast.”
“You got it,” she replied, and looked around at the other people. “Okay, you know what needs to be done. Get everyone moving. I want reports in twenty-four hours. Call me on my cell. I’ll have the computer with me and you can download what you have. Dianne, get me a schedule printed of when everyone’s going to arrive and where they’ll be and their individual assignments. If you can’t get me on the cell, call Wyatt or his father. I’ll leave the numbers on my desk.”
Dianne nodded, and giving Wyatt one last smile, left the room. The others followed behind her. Rich stopped at the door and turned back to look at Chance. “You do realize that if you’re right this could ruin your father.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I know.”
“Okay.” He shrugged then looked at Wyatt. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Wolfe.”
“Same here,” Wyatt replied.
Rich left and Wyatt walked over to Chance. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Well, if I don’t, I always have my guardian angel to fall back on. He’s never let anything hurt me yet.”
He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, but never a guardian angel.”
She laughed and hugged him. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”
* * * * *
Iris Waters pulled up in front of the hotel and parked the rented car. She stopped at the desk. The clerk looked at her and broke into a wide smile.
“Yes, may I help you?” he asked, giving her figure an appreciative once-over.
“Iris Waters,” she said in a deep husky voice. “I believe you have a reservation for me.”
The man checked his reservations and beamed at her as he slid a guest information card toward her. “Yes, Miss Waters, if you’ll please fill this out.”
Iris quickly filled out the card and placed her American Express card on top of it. The clerk ran her card through the machine and returned it to her along with a room key. “Room 201, Miss Waters. May I have someone help you with your luggage?”
“That won’t be necessary.” Iris gave him a smile. “Thanks all the same.”
She turned and walked to the elevator, noticing the clerk still watching her as she stepped inside and turned around. She smiled, more to herself than to him. His reaction was typical. Men were attracted to her like moths to a flame.
Iris checked her watch as the elevator doors opened on the second floor. She she had plenty of time to bathe and change before her date.
Thoughts about the upcoming evening brought a smile to her face. Greg Holling was handsome, wealthy and most importantly, easy to control. All of that combined to make him an ideal temporary companion.
As soon as she let herself into the room, she tossed her suitcase on the bed and stripped off her clothes, letting them fall randomly to the floor as she made her way into the bathroom.
Her own reflection in the mirror caught her attention. She smiled as she looked at herself. Gone was the tall, gangly teenager with the limp black hair and bushy eyebrows. That girl had vanished years ago. In her place was a striking woman of five-feet eight-inches with dark auburn hair that curled loosely to her shoulders.
She turned one way then the other, admiring herself. Even her own mother would be hard pressed to recognize her. The cosmetic surgeon had done wonders on her nose, shortening and narrowing it to classic lines. Her breasts were now what men drooled over, the kind of breasts one would see in a pin-up.
Blowing herself a kiss, she turned on the water in the shower.
Twenty minutes later she emerged, skin flushed from the hot water and eyes glistening with excitement.
She went into the bedroom to get her cosmetics case, thinking about what was to come. She had prepared for this almost her entire life. In fact, her very existence centered around the plan she had set in motion. Now it was time to initiate the next phase. She smiled coldly as she went over her plans in her mind and pulled a thick file from her briefcase.
A photograph that was paper-clipped to the inside cover drew her eyes to it. She studied the man’s face, admiring the strong lines and black penetrating eyes. This was a man she could go for in a big way. He was the kind of man who was a match for her and that was something she had looked for all her life.
There was a distinct possibility that he would have to be sacrificed in order to see her scheme to completion. She hoped it would work out so that she could keep him, but if it didn’t, she could bear the loss. Nothing could stand in the way of her getting what she wanted most. Revenge.
“Let’s just hope you make it through,” she said to the picture. “Then I’ll show you all kinds of new tricks.”
Thoughts of what she would do with him make her pulse race. She smiled and blew the picture a kiss just before she returned the file to her briefcase and locked it. With cosmetics case in hand she returned to the bathroom.
As she was putting the finishing touches on her hair, a knock sounded at the door. Wearing only a towel, she answered it.
Greg Holling smiled licentiously as he saw her and she returned the smile, stepping to one side. “Come in,” she invited in a seductive tone.
He stepped inside the room, pushing the door closed with one hand as he reached for her with the other. Iris chuckled and let him pull the towel away. His hands roamed over her body and she felt him harden against her as they embraced. “God, I’ve missed you,” he murmured against the side of her neck.
“Ummm,” she purred, slithering against him and imagining him to be the man in the picture. “Me, too.”
He steered her toward the bed, fumbling with the buttons on his shirt at the same time. Iris let him push her back on the bed and looked up at him slyly. She knew him well. If she let him have what he wanted now she would be giving up her advantage.
Just as he reached for the button of his slacks she sat up, moving his hands away and tracing her fingers across his stomach. “Slow down, lover. We have all night.”
Greg moaned as she leaned forward and licked his stomach but didn’t argue. Iris smiled and pulled him down beside her. “What have you been doing, darling?”
He shrugged and reached for her breasts. She let him fondle her without protest but lightly pushed him away when he tried to roll over on her. “Come on, baby. I’ve been thinking about your pussy all day.”
“Slow down, stud,” she teased him. “I need a little time to warm up. Let’s talk. You know how excited it makes me to hear about your little adventures.”
Greg smiled and lay back, putting his hands behind his head. Iris unfastened his slacks and eased them down around his knees, then climbed on top of him, straddling his body so that her wet sex rubbed against his erection. “Now, tell me absolutely everything,” she cooed.
He reached up and squeezed her breasts, toying with them as he talked. Iris listening attentively, filing away every detail in her mind. By the time Greg finished she was filled with excitement. He was doing exactly what she wanted him to do.
“Darling, I’m so proud of you,” she cooed as she reached down to stroke him. “You see how right I was now, don’t you?”
“Yes,” he groaned, pressing up against her.
“And you will continue to do as I ask, won’t you?” she asked, evading his attempt to penetrate her.
“Yes!” he rasped in frustration. “Baby, I need it now!”
Iris smiled and rubbed his engorged staff against her. “Darling, listen to me. This is important. Everything is in place now. All we have to do is follow the plan and soon we will have everything we ever dreamed of.”
“Everything?” He looked up at her. “Are you forgetting about my father?”
Iris laughed. “Lover, your father is nothing. Leave that to me. When the dust settles you’ll be in control of the Holling empire and Winston will be worm food.”
Greg smiled excitedly. “How?” he asked. “How are you going to do it?”
“Leave everything to me, honey.” She leaned down to lick his lips. “I have everything under control. Just do as I tell you and I promise you’ll find yourself one of the most powerful and influential men in this country.”
“And you’ll be by my side,” he rasped, grabbing her hips and trying to ram inside her.
Iris smiled and sat up, running her hands down her own body and sighing in pleasure. “Oh, Greg, it will be perfect. Just perfect.”
She rose up enough to guide his erection inside her. He groaned as she slid down the length of him and she smiled. Oh, yes, she thought triumphantly, everything’s perfect. Soon I’ll have it all—very soon.
* * * * *
Chance closed her briefcase and looked around the room. All of her bags were packed and ready. She picked up a couple and carried them into the living area. Wyatt was standing in front of the window with his hands jammed in his pockets.
“Everything okay?” she asked as she put the bags down.
He turned and looked at her. “Fine. Need some help?”
“I can manage,” she replied and walked over to him. “We still have a little time before our flight. Want something to eat?”
He shook his head. “No, thanks. So, when is this lawyer supposed to show up?”
“Mr. Horton, my attorney, contacted her and she said she’d be there tomorrow,” Chance answered. “He paid her base fee and gave her some background information. She’s supposed to call when she gets in. He gave her your number and your father’s. She’ll probably want to meet with you before she speaks to the council.”
“And will you be there?”
“Probably not. I want to get up with Greg Holling and see what I can get going. I have to find out as much as I can, as quick as I can because we need evidence if we’re going to take this thing to court. Besides, as far as she knows she was hired by someone named Daven Porter. I don’t want her to find out who I am until I’m sure Maurice isn’t involved.”
Wyatt nodded and made no comment. Chance was quiet for a moment then touched his arm. “What’s wrong?”
“I still don’t like the idea of you being around Holling. You don’t know what he’s like.”
She blew out her breath and looked up at him. “Nothing’s going to happen. Besides, we’ve been over and over this and you agreed.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
She smiled and looped her arms around his neck. “I’m kind of glad you don’t, to tell you the truth.”
His eyes widened slightly. “You’re glad?”
“Yes. It shows you care.”
Wyatt took her chin in his fingers and tilted her head back. “You know I do.”
“I guess I’m still a little unsure,” she said softly as she searched his eyes. “I still feel like I’m going to wake up and find out this is all a dream and that you still think I’m the rich witch of the west.”
Wyatt’s face hardened and his hands moved to grip her arms. “I meant what I said—and I don’t lie.”
“I know.” She winced at the strength of his grip. “That hurts.”
He loosened his hold on her and rubbed her arms lightly. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She reached up and stroked her hand through his long hair. “I do believe you. I just feel like it’s too good to be true, that’s all. It’s kind of hard to accept when the one thing you’ve wish for all your life suddenly comes true.”
“You might not think that after a little while. I’m not the easiest person to live with.”
Chance laughed and hugged him. “You never were. But I think I’ll man
age.”
“There won’t be any fancy cars or trips to the Bahamas or catered meals. I’m not rich and I don’t want your money.”
“Neither do I. Look, I told you, I don’t care about the money. The people on the reservation can have all of my trust for all I care. I don’t need it. All I want is you.”
Wyatt held her tightly, burying his face in her hair. “I want this to work, Chance.”
“It will,” she whispered determinedly. “I promise.”
“Is that a guarantee?” he asked as he pulled back and looked down at her.
“Yes, it is,” she said adamantly. “Don’t you remember? I believe in fairy tales and happily ever after—and that’s what we’re going to have.”
Wyatt smiled at her lovingly. “Well, let’s just hope there are no dragons or monsters in this fairy tale of yours.”
She laughed and hugged him. “Nope, just a big bad wolf.”
* * * * *
Wyatt pulled up in front of his father’s house and parked the Jeep. John Wolfe walked out on the porch as Wyatt got out. “That attorney called,” he said as Wyatt walked up to the front steps. “Said she’d appreciate if someone picked her up at her hotel since she doesn’t know her way around.”
“What time?”
John held the door open for him. “In an hour or so. She said she had some calls to make first. You want some dinner?”
“I’ve eaten, thanks.” Wyatt walked into the kitchen. “But a cup of coffee would be good.”
John poured two cups and put them down on the table. “So, what happened in Atlanta?”
Wyatt filled his father in on everything, including Chance’s plans. John listened without interruption then shook his head. “I don’t know about this, son. Getting mixed up with the Holling boy could be dangerous. To begin with he’s liable to recognize the name. Davenport’s not exactly common.”
“Yeah, I know. But she’s not going to be using her real name. And she’s determined to get the goods on him and his father.”
“She is a determined woman.” John looked at Wyatt for a few moments. “So tell me, what’s going on inside you?”
