by Nancy Adams
As I walked out, I called Mike Davenport. “Got the name of Bennet's mole in the store,” I said when he answered. “Lady named Karen Lang. Bunch of reporters showed up asking questions, and she called Bennet as soon as she got a chance to tell her.”
“Good, thanks. Did you see the manager?”
“Yeah. She came out to talk to the reporters and spouted the party line, Nate Simmons is guilty, yada yada yada. They got pushy, and your security got rid of them for her. She went back to the office, and I'd swear she was crying.”
“Probably was, poor kid. I think she's beginning to believe he might bot be so guilty, after all, but I guess it's hard to admit when you’re wrong. Keep me posted on anything else.”
“Sure will,” I said, and hung up.
I went back to Bennet's place, because it was about time for her to go to work, and I cracked up laughing when I saw the same reporters flocking around her house. She wasn't coming out, and they were yelling their questions through doors and windows. I didn't even try to hear anything she might be saying, over that noise.
I saw Jerry's car pass by, but he didn't stop. I watched the look on his face, and it wasn't a very pleasant one; I'd guess he was counting on all this being nice and quiet and easy, and this wasn't going his way at all! If he'd had the eye patch, he couldn't have looked more sinister than he did at that moment.
At a quarter of two, the front door opened and Donna came out. She pushed through the reporters, shouting, “No comment!” over and over, then got into her car and drove away. The pack tried to follow her, running like dogs after her car. Reporters aren't much better than pirates.
I decided it was time to stalk her for a bit, so I went to my motel room and changed my face around, adding a bigger nose and a mustache, and a quick wig that turned me from gray to blonde. I threw on another shirt, and went back to the store. The reporters were gone, but there were a dozen people standing out front, just talking. I was pretty sure I could guess the topic of the conversation, and when I got out and started to walk past them, I knew I was right.
“Who would have thought a rich man like that would be here training people?” one of the men asked. “The owner of the company, for pity's sake? Come on—sounds to me like he's got a good thing going, coming out to his stores and fording the women to give it up!”
“I don't know,” said a woman. “I met the guy, and if you ask me, the only woman he was interested in was the manager, here. I go to church with her and her family, and he came along once. Trust me, he only had eyes for her.”
I let them run their tongues and went on inside. Karen Lang was on a register, and she and Donna were talking softly, but I pretended not to notice. I went to the automotive section and started looking at motor oil.
Miss Burke came out a moment later from the back, security clone number one right behind her, and walked up to Donna. They whispered for a moment, and then went back toward the office, and I couldn't follow.
I moved over to HBA and picked up some toothpaste and a stick deodorant, stood around there for a few minutes to see if the women came back out. When they didn't after a bit, I decided I'd used this disguise long enough, and checked out. I'd go change and come back later to stalk Donna at work.
Back at the hotel, I went back to my own appearance and then went to grab a bite of lunch. I stopped at a place called Penny's and had a really, phenomenally good ham and cheese sandwich and fries, while I tried to sort out what I knew so far.
My phone rang while I was thinking, and I jumped.
“Tarsikes,” I said.
“It's Mike. Listen, we've decided to leave Karen Lang in the store for now, so don't be surprised if you see her there. We're thinking that if we know who their mole is, we might be able to use it to our advantage down the line, somewhere.”
“Got it.”
“And then there's this other thing. Hold on a moment.” I heard some whispering, and then another voice came on the line. “Mr. Tarsikes, this is Nate Simmons. First, I want to thank you for what you’re doing out there.”
I smiled. “It's my job, Nate.”
“Still, we appreciate it. The other thing is, I got a text message earlier from Katelynn, the manager. It says, 'I believe you. Staying on this side for now. Call me tonight at home.' I haven't responded, but wanted you to be aware of it. If you can find any way to confirm that she's come around...”
“I understand, Nate. No problem, let me see what I can do. I'll call Mike if I get anything.”
“Please,” he said. “I want to believe this is for real, but I can't risk talking to her and finding out she's been tricked or conned into trying to set me up even further.”
“You got it.”
Mike came back on and told me to be careful, and I hung up. The whole thing was getting a bit crazy, in my opinion, but something about the look on Miss Burke's face with the reporters made me think she really was coming around. I remember Mike saying he thought so, too. Maybe she was playing a bit of double agent, herself. That might prove useful, but that guy Jerry made me a little nervous.
I thought about how to check it out, and finally decided to go for a direct route. I picked the phone up off the table and called the store, and asked for the manager.
“This is Katelynn,” she said as she answered.
“Katelynn, my name is John, and I'm a friend of Nate's. I'm in town working on this whole mess, and he just called me to tell me about a text message you sent him. I was wondering if we could meet up?”
She hesitated for a long second. “How are you a friend of his?” she asked cautiously.
“I'm a private investigator,” I said. “I've known him and his family for a long, long time. When they have a problem that requires something serious, they call me in.”
“And you're working on this whole lawsuit case?”
“I am. I already know enough to convince me it's a scam, and I think you've come to believe that, too. Am I right?”
She let out a big sigh. “Yes, I have, and I feel like the lowest, dirtiest rat fink that ever lived. Where and when would you like to meet?”
“You get off in about an hour or so, right? Or can you leave now?”
“I can come now. Just say where.”
“Okay, do you know a place called Penny's? I'm sitting here now, drinking up all their coffee.”
She hesitated another second, and said, “Give me fifteen minutes and I'll be there. Get me a coffee, too, please?”
“You got it.” I hung up, and when the waitress came to refill my cup for the third time, I asked her to bring a second cup for a guest I was expecting.
Katelynn showed up exactly when she said she would, which impressed me. Most people say fifteen minutes, and then don't get there for twenty. She was right on time. I waved to tell her I was who she was looking for, and she slid into the other side of the booth I was in.
I extended my hand and she took it. “John Tarsikes,” I said, and she smiled.
“Katelynn Burke,” she said, “and I suspect you already knew that. How's Nate holding up?”
“He's pretty strong. He'll be doing better if he knows you’re back in his corner.”
She smiled sadly. “I can't believe he doesn't hate me for what I've done. I didn't even let him have a chance to say his side.”
I sat and just watched her for a moment. She was sitting back in the seat, her hands in her lap, head down a bit, but not withdrawn, not trying to hide anything. From body language alone, I was confident that she was being honest with me, and really did believe he was telling the truth, now, but I was curious about why she had doubted him.
“Katelynn, I saw the pictures, so I can see why they would have been a shock to you. I'm curious, though, why you didn't confront him yourself about them?”
She barked a sarcastic laugh. “Because I'm a coward, and don't deserve him. I let myself be led like a dog on this, and I'm so angry I can't see straight, mostly with myself, but I'm mad at Donna, too. She knew how much he m
eans to me, and did this anyway, just to cover her own rear end!”
Yeah, she was back on his side, I was certain of that. I was looking forward to telling him so.
“Katelynn, why have you decided to play double agent?”
She got a determined look on her face. “Two reasons,” she said. “One, I want to burn that little—Donna's butt! And two, my father is her lawyer. Even if I asked him to drop the case now, he wouldn't because of his reputation. I need proof that she's trying to scam him before I go to my Dad. What's that old saying about keeping your enemies closer than your friends?”
I smiled. “Sun Tzu. 'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.' One of my favorites.”
“That's the one. My Dad quotes that all the time.”
“Okay, and on that note, there is something else you need to know. One of your employees is spying on you for Donna. Her name is Karen Lang, and I caught her calling a man who's working with Donna after the reporters were there today.”
She blinked. “You were in the store then?”
It was my turn to laugh. “I've been on and out a couple of times. I look different each time, it's part of my trade. This other man, his name is Jerry Patterson. I'm not sure yet what his involvement is, but he's working with her on this in some fashion. He's also sleeping with her, for what it's worth. Ever heard of him?”
She shook her head. “I don't think so,” she said. “Want me to try to find out anything about him?”
“No, don't let on that you know any of this. The company wants to keep Karen in place.,for now, in case we need a way to feed them false information. Now that you're on board with us, that wouldn’t be as hard to do. I may call you with some things to let slip in front of her.”
“Okay, just let me know. I'll give you my cell number.” She wrote it on an old receipt and I put it into a pocket. It was already in my phone, just in case, but I didn't want her to know that yet. I gave her mine, as well.
“So what else can I do to help?” she asked.
“For now, just let Nate know you still care for him. We need to push this thing through to a conclusion that results in criminal charges, so that others who might get ideas like this will know it isn't wise. He truly loves you, you know.”
She suddenly had tears in her eyes. “I love him, too, but I wouldn't blame him if he hated me, after this. I heard what he said to me in the press conference, and I only hope and pray I can make it up to him, somehow.”
I patted her hand. “Katelynn,” I said gently, “I'm pretty certain you already have.”
“And what will you be doing?”
I smiled and raised my cup in salute to her. “I'll be stalking the people who are out to mess with your happiness, Dear Girl. It's what I do best!”
Nathanael
Chapter Eight
A Second Chance
* * * * *
I was in my office, trying to calm my nerves after the press conference. I knew it had to be done, but it still wasn't easy, at all, and I'd not only put myself out there, I'd had to throw Katelynn out into the public eye, as well. She'd probably never forgive me for that!
It had been nearly an hour since the press conference had ended, and Mike Davenport called to tell me that it was up on CNN's website, and would be added to their news programming on TV before long. I clicked open my browser, and found it. Watching it, I felt like I had done very poorly, but the analysis the anchorman did afterward made me sound like an old pro. I shook my head, and then laid it down on my desk.
I don't know how long I was there like that. No one was bothering me, not even about actual business matters, so it might have been a while. I was trying to blank my mind, let off some of the stress that way, as we'd been taught in the Corps. I suddenly came out of it, when my phone sounded off to let me know I'd had a text message. The message tone was one I had assigned to Katelynn, and I almost hurt myself trying to get it out of my pocket.
I believe you. Staying on this side for now. Call me tonight at home.
I was so shocked that I couldn't quite grasp what she was saying, at first, but when it hit me, I burst into tears. She had somehow come to believe I was telling the truth! Maybe it was the press conference, or maybe it was something else, I didn't care! All I wanted to do was call her right then, but she had said to call her at home later that night.
And then my mind went into it's “but, what if” mode, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was going to try to get me to say something that Donna could use against me. The thought hurt, but with everything going on, I couldn't take the chance of calling her without checking with legal, first.
I called Lawton's number, and his secretary got him on the line.
“Lawton, I just got a text message from Katelynn that says, 'I believe you. Staying on this side for now. Call me tonight at home.' I want to believe it, but I'm nervous about calling her. What do you think?”
“Could be a setup,” he said, “or she might have seen your performance on CNN and come around. If you don't discuss the case with her, I think it would be safe to call and see if you can get a feel for what she's thinking. Let me know in the morning, okay?”
I said I would, and hung up. I was still a little nervous about it, though, so I got up and went to Mike Davenport's office in the security department. When I showed him the message, he didn't say anything, but picked up his phone and dialed a number from memory.
He called John Tarsikes, the private investigator he'd brought in to look into Donna and the case. He told him something about a woman who worked in the store, then passed it to me.
“Mr. Tarsikes,” I said, “this is Nate Simmons. First, I want to thank you for what you’re doing out there.”
“It's my job, Nate,” he said, and I smiled.
“Still, we appreciate it. The other thing is, I got a text message earlier from Katelynn, the manager. It says, 'I believe you. Staying on this side for now. Call me tonight at home.' I haven't responded, but wanted you to be aware of it. If you can find any way to confirm that she's come around...”
“I understand, Nate. No problem, let me see what I can do. I'll call Mike if I get anything.”
“Please,” I said. “I want to believe this is for real, but I can't risk talking to her and finding out she's been tricked or conned into trying to set me up even further.”
He said, “You got it,” and I passed the phone back to Mike. They talked for another minute, and then hung up.
“Trust John,” Mike said. “he's one of the best in the business, and he'll find out what’s going on for you.”
I thanked him, and left his office to go back to my own. The day was going to be even longer, now, as I waited to call Katelynn.
I was back in my office, and trying to do some actual work, when the phone rang on my desk. Only internal staff had my direct line, so I answered immediately.
“Nate,” I said, and Mike's voice came on.
“Just heard from John,” he said. “After we talked to him, he took the bull by the horns and called Katelynn to ask her to meet him, and when he told her he was working for us, she came running. He says he is one hundred percent certain that she does believe in your innocence, and she's playing a double agent role. He says you can trust her completely, and if he says so, then I say so. Like I said, he's the best!”
The relief that flooded through me right then was incredible, and I had tears flowing again as I thanked him and asked him to thank John for me, as well.
The rest of the day went so fast that I was amazed when I saw that it was four o'clock. I got up and went out the front door with a song in my heart. I think it was, “My Girl.”
I got into my car—I had driven the Cobra that day, because it can usually cheer me up from about anything, but it hadn't helped that morning—and headed for home. I didn't even worry about speeding tickets, and wove the car in and out of traffic at about ninety miles an hour, just enjoying the weather and life. If Katelynn was back on my side, I could handle anyth
ing!
I decided to wait until I was sure she'd be home before calling, so I planned it for about six my time. That would make it eight o'clock, her time, and she should be able to talk. I wasn't sure what this would do to her father's representation of Donna in the lawsuit, but I'd worry about that later. I got home, put the car away and went inside, whistling a happy little tune.
Mom was in the kitchen as I entered, and he eyes went wide when she saw me. “Wow,” she said, “what's got you so chipper?” I smiled. “A certain young lady named Katelynn, who has come to believe that I'm innocent. She texted me today and wants me to call her tonight.” Mom's face darkened a bit, but I held up a hand. “Don't worry, I actually considered that she might have been tricked into trying to get to say something stupid, so I talked to Lawton and Mike about it. Mike had his PI check it out, and he called Katelynn and met with her. He says shes definitely back on with me!”
Mom sat there for a moment, and I realized she had tears in her eyes. “Oh, Nathanael, I am so glad! She seems so wonderful, and you can't blame her for having doubts, after seeing those awful pictures.”
“I don't, Mom. If someone had shown me pictures like that of her, I'd probably have been just as taken in, though I'd like to think I would have asked her about it, first. None of that matters, though, if we get through this, and I'm sure we will, now.”
She got up and came around the table to hug me. “Of course we will! We're a family, and she's going to be part of it, too, one day soon. I can feel that!”
I went into Dad's study and found him there, just as I'd figured. I told him what was happening, and he was also happy for me. We talked a bit about the case, and he told me he’d been getting emails and calls all day telling him how great I'd done on the press conference. I thanked him, and then Mom came in and asked what we wanted for dinner.
