Linda S. North - The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars

by Linda S. North

  After seeing the attached card with the First Bloom Florist logo, Ariel pushed the roses away. “Throw them in the garbage.”

  “Aren’t you going to read the card and see for sure who sent them?”

  “I don’t need to read it to know.”

  “Maybe she’s sending them to apologize for her behavior.”

  “Mom, they’re red roses, if you get my meaning.”

  Joanna reached a finger out and stroked one of the blood red petals. “I see they are. Now, tell me what happened.”

  “She wanted me to go to the Moscow Ballet with her so I told her I had a girlfriend. Oh, Mom, it was terrible. She wouldn’t take no for an answer, and even had the nerve to ask me whether I loved Mysha. I told her it was none of her business.” Ariel couldn’t reveal too much since she’d promised she wouldn’t say anything about the proposal.

  “Sweetheart, she’ll have to give up if you show her no interest.” Indicating the roses with a tilt of her head, she added, “I bet that’s the last you hear from her. Other than Ms. O’Shay, how was the tour of Celeste?”

  “It was the most marvelous thing I’ve ever experienced. Celeste is really beautiful. You should see Earth from space—incredible.”

  “The kids will want to hear all about it.”

  “I’ll be over at Mysha’s tonight, but I’ll tell all of you about it tomorrow at dinner.”

  “Are you going to tell Mysha what happened?”

  “Yes. She’ll want to know about the ship, and I’ll tell her everything.” She wouldn’t mention the proposal, of course. “Mysha will go bust her nose.”

  Joanna said dryly, “Not that I approve of those methods, but maybe it would teach Ms. O’Shay a lesson that ‘no’ and ‘I’m dating someone’ are to be taken seriously.”

  Ariel didn’t know why, but she had a gut feeling not even a broken nose would teach Kiernan O’Shay that lesson.

  THE VIEW OUTSIDE Kiernan’s bedroom window was a dismal one of the nearby mountains appearing to her as ominous black giants against the gray smudge of dawn. They served as a fitting backdrop to her dark thoughts. Ariel refused her offer— refused her. Perhaps by Wednesday, she would change her mind. But Kiernan had a sinking feeling Ariel’s mind was made up, and it wouldn’t be what Kiernan wanted.

  She went to her sitting room and over to the desk to check for any messages on her telecom. There were three. Two were from friends, and one was from her uncle. She decided to listen to her uncle’s message first.

  Her uncle’s image filled the screen. His voice was cheery, too cheery for Kiernan. “Hello, my dear. I know you’re out having a wonderful time tonight with that charming young lady, and I’m sure she’s having a wonderful time as well. Please call your old uncle in the morning and share all the details. All the details, that is, that wouldn’t shock your old uncle. I’ll be home all day tomorrow and hope to hear from you soon.”

  Frowning, she muttered, “What is there to tell, Uncle Theodore?”

  “I’M GOING TO bust her nose!” Mysha declared angrily.

  Ariel had arrived at Mysha’s ten minutes earlier, and, after an earth-shattering kiss hello, she sat with Mysha on the sofa and told her about the night before and today’s roses. She had to bite her tongue to keep from telling Mysha the part concerning the business proposition. She now regretted giving her word that she would keep it confidential. Keeping this information from Mysha, and her mother, made her feel dishonest. But, what purpose would it serve to tell them? It would upset her mother and make Mysha even angrier.

  “Yeah, I knew you would say that,” Ariel said dryly. She knew Mysha would never do any such thing because she was really a softy at heart.

  “She had better not send you flowers or try asking you out again.”

  “I made it clear I wasn’t interested, and I’m already taken.” Bestowing a sweet smile on her lover, she added, “You’re my girl. The only one I want.”

  Mysha took her in her arms, kissing her with a big smack on the lips. “Babe, you’re my one-and-only. Ms. Mommy Warbucks O’Shay better stay away from my girl or she’ll need a plastic surgeon—make that a whole team of plastic surgeons to fix her nose.” She placed a brief kiss on Ariel’s nose. “You know, I can’t take you to Moscow for the ballet, but I can show you a good time in Beijing.”

  “Oh, sweetie, you know I would love to go with you, but it wouldn’t be right for me to take off from my job, not with this semester starting soon, and especially since I was off for the summer.”

  Mysha had accepted an invitation to attend the National Society of Social Work Professionals’ yearly workshop and conference scheduled next month in Beijing. She was leading a workshop as well as receiving an award for her published research on outreach to rural populations. The conference was all expenses paid for two weeks, and she could invite a guest.

  “Come on, take a week, or a weekend.”

  “Mysha. You know I can’t.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ll miss you terribly.”

  “But think of all the sweet things we’ll do when you get home to make up for what you missed while away.”

  Mysha’s eyes seemed to spark. “Oh, yeah. Two weeks’ worth of pent up frustration to work through. Sweet indeed. Speaking of something sweet—you want to go out and get an ice cream cone?”

  Ariel said in a seductive tone, “You want something sweet? I’ll give you something sweet.” She proceeded to kiss Mysha thoroughly, making her forget all about going out for ice cream for the better part of the day.

  THE DISPLAY ON the kitchen clock flicked to 6:58 p.m., speeding Ariel’s heart rate with anxiety at the impending telecom call. She tried to ignore the two dozen red roses on the kitchen table that arrived that morning, and were the latest in a string of deliveries every morning since Saturday. She wanted to toss them in the garbage, but her sister wanted them for her bedroom. Ariel agreed she could have them, but she made sure she removed the cards and tore them to pieces before handing the roses over. She never read any of the cards because she didn’t want to know what Kiernan had written, thinking it would upset her. Glancing at the clock, she saw the time was now 6:59. Earlier, she informed her mother she was expecting an important telecom call and wanted privacy, so she would take it in the kitchen instead of the living room. She clicked off the view screen, not wanting to see Kiernan, or have Kiernan see her.

  The telecom trilled, shooting a surge of anxiety through her. She wiped her damp palms on her jeans and said, “Telecom, on.” Her voice shaky from nerves, she answered, “Hello.”

  “Ariel, this is Kiernan.”

  “The answer is no. Please don’t send any more flowers—don’t contact me again.” She promptly disconnected the call and ordered, “Telecom, block last number from caller.”

  Feeling her stomach flutter with nerves, she took a deep breath to calm herself, almost gagging as the scent of roses assailed her nose. Hurriedly snatching the arrangement off the kitchen table, she rushed out to the back porch, opened the garbage can, tossed the roses in, and slammed the lid with a finality she hoped would shut out this whole incident for good.

  NOT EVEN TWO analgesic tablets and the cup of coffee Kiernan was drinking were eliminating her headache. She shouldn’t have come into work today. That would be a first for her. Since she’d taken over as Stellardyne’s president, she had never taken a sick day. She hadn’t managed to fall asleep until the early hours of the morning. Her thoughts played out scenarios to convince Ariel to change her mind. She thought of everything from paying her girlfriend to leave her, talking her mother into interceding, and kidnapping and brainwashing her. She had a hunch the first two wouldn’t work. The last one was one of those crazy ideas one would never act on, similar to imagining what you would like to do to your bitter enemy, if you could get away with it.

  Kelly’s voice came over the deskcom, “Ms. O’Shay—”

  Kiernan flinched and snapped, “I thought I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed.”

 
The deskcom remained silent and Kiernan leaned back in her chair, massaging her temples. Suddenly her office door opened, and Theodore walked in.

  She glared at him and snarled, “I’m not in the mood.”

  He took a seat in the burgundy armchair in front of her desk and studied her. “I take it she said no.”

  “I don’t want to discuss it. Now, if that’s all, I have a headache, and I’m not in the mood for chitchat.”

  “My dear, if it will help, perhaps I should talk to her.”

  “Ha! Oh, yes, that would work. What could you possibly say to persuade her to change her mind?”

  “Ask her what she wants and give it to her.”

  “She doesn’t want me—that’s for damn sure. Nor fifty million a year and her family set up for life.” She took a sip of coffee before saying, “You know what I think? I think she’s crazy. Any other woman would jump at the chance.” But of course, Ariel wasn’t any other woman. She was ‘the’ woman, and Kiernan couldn’t have her.

  “Kiernan, she may change her mind in a week or two when she thinks it over. Don’t lose hope.”

  She shot him a glare. “Lose hope? I’ll probably lose more than hope. I’ll lose Stellardyne, too.”

  “As you said before, there are others who would jump at the chance.”

  “But they wouldn’t be her, and I don’t like to settle for second choice. I hate to be rude—”

  He stood to leave. “Things will be better in a week or two. You’ll see. And we’ll find a candidate—several candidates who will make you forget her.”

  “Whatever,” Kiernan said dismissively, taking another sip of her coffee, as he exited her office.

  Chapter Eight

  THEODORE WATCHED AS his husband took another bite of steak and chewed heartily, clearly enjoying it. Jack was what one would term a meat-and-potatoes man. He detested quiche, sushi, and foods with names he couldn’t pronounce.

  Of course, he indulged Jack by having his chef prepare all of his favorite dishes, which included barbecue ribs, fried chicken, pork chops, meat loaf, and fried catfish. Despite his hearty appetite, Jack maintained a trim and muscular figure.

  “Jack. I have a favor to ask,” Theodore said.

  After swallowing his food and taking a swig of sweet iced tea, Jack said, “Ask away.”

  “I have a fraternity brother, John Woodard—you’ve met him. He contacted me recently and asked if I could find a position for his niece. She was working in security for ConCorp, which as you know, is on the verge of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Her position was cut—”

  “I don’t need another person. Besides, ConCorp is our main competitor, and I would hesitate to hire anyone that had any connection with their security office—in any capacity—not after their involvement in that corporate espionage scandal with Lunaway. Wasn’t it John who represented them in court?”

  “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. John’s involvement with ConCorp is through. ConCorp is all but finished. Besides, there’s a good chance Stellardyne will expand in the next two years. You’ll need the extra personnel—experienced personnel.”

  This caught Jack’s attention. “What do you mean expand?”

  “Let’s say Kiernan has plans that have a good chance of being implemented.” Theodore wasn’t at liberty to disclose the stipulations in Shanna’s will.

  “Travel at the speed of light. If man were supposed to go that fast, God would have made us sunbeams. Kiernan doesn’t have the backing from her trustees to take us in that direction.” Jack went back to eating.

  “Very well. Forgive me for trying to do an old friend a favor— and you a favor as well,” Theodore said, and sighed in disappointment.

  Jack stopped his fork half way to his mouth. “I’ll need her full name and social security number to do a background check.”

  “Her name is Sherry Woodard—and you won’t have to do all the work. I’ll check her background. How about I contact her and have her report to you next Monday?”

  “I’ll have to clean up one of the spare offices and set her up a computer, but I guess that’ll work out.”

  “Thank you, dear heart. I’m sure you won’t regret hiring her.”

  SHERRY WOODARD SAVED her most recent security report, locked her computer, exited her office, and knocked on the office door of her supervisor, Jack Spivik.

  “Come in.”

  She entered the office and stared across the desk at her boss of two weeks. In a serious tone she said, “Mr. Spivik, we have a breach in security. Someone downloaded the specifications for the enhanced hydrogen drive engines.”

  This information had Jack sitting up straight in his chair, unease on his features. “What do you have?”

  “I finished running a check on the computers in engineering—”

  “I thought engineering was Miller’s assignment.”

  “It is, but I finished my assignment early and told him I needed something to do. I volunteered to take engineering.”

  “What did you discover?”

  “The computer used was for a data processor in engineering with no authorization to access the hydrogen drive engine research. It took some work, but further investigation showed another computer accessed this computer for the specific purpose of throwing us off the trail. Two other computers were used, but I managed a trace to the original.”

  “Who’s been downloading who shouldn’t?”

  “Computer number forty-two registered to a Joanna Thorsen.”

  Jack accessed his computer to research the name. “Ah, ha. Here we go. She recently received a promotion to a junior executive position in engineering data processing four weeks ago. Access the records for her e-mail and telecom calls for the past four weeks— make it six weeks. I want you to intercept any e-mail she sends to recipients outside of Stellardyne, and block any attempt to download information to a micro-disc. Ferret out every nook and cranny her computer has for accounts, passwords, whatever.”

  “That might take up to a week since passwords and codes are not easy to decipher.”

  “Work overtime if needed and I’ll pay you a bonus.”

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “She’s selling the information to a competitor is what I’m thinking.”

  “Corporate espionage.”

  “Great work, Sherry.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Spivik. I hope we’re not too late. It would be a shame if con—competitors got their hands on the plans.”

  Jack nodded, while the bitter taste of bile flooded his mouth. He would have Theodore fill Kiernan in on the details—he wasn’t up to taking a one-way trip to Neptune.

  Chapter Nine

  IT WAS EERILY quiet when Ariel walked in the front door— too quiet for a Friday night. The EM wasn’t on and no sounds of two rambunctious siblings wreaking havoc. She hung up her jacket and helmet before listening for sounds of her mother moving about the house. She knew her mother was home because her car was in the driveway. All was silent. “Mom?”

  The squeak of a door opening down the hallway caught Ariel’s attention and a few seconds later her mother appeared with a stricken face, her eyes red and face splotched.

  A chilling fear gripped Ariel. “Mom, what is it—Seth—Leigh—”

  “No, they’re fine. They’re over with their friends.”

  Ariel sighed with relief, but something was clearly wrong, she placed her hands on her mother’s shoulders, studying her closely, and asked concernedly, “Something’s wrong. What is it?”

  Joanna sighed deeply, her voice weary. “Let’s sit down so I can tell you.”

  Ariel followed her over to the sofa, sitting beside her, and regarded her with worry, before asking anxiously, “Mom—what happened?”

  Joanna inhaled, her visage stark and voice shaky. “I’m accused of corporate espionage.”

  Ariel gasped in disbelief. “What!”

  “Someone downloaded the specifications for Stellardyne’s new engines in
to my computer, and they think I’ve done it.”

  “That’s crazy! Why would they think that?”

  “My computer was used, as well as my passwords. That makes me guilty since I’m the only one who has my passwords.”

  “This is some kind of mistake. Someone else has to know them.”

  “Apparently so, but they don’t believe it. I can’t understand why anyone would do that, would download the specifications to my computer.”

  Shaking her head in disbelief, Ariel couldn’t think of a reason either, and then it dawned. “This is Kiernan O’Shay’s doing, to get back at me! That bitch!” Seeing her mom’s befuddled face, Ariel said, “Because I turned her down.”

  Joanna shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe she would do this because you turned her down for a date. That’s ludicrous.”

  “No, Mom, there’s more to it than a date.”

  “What do you mean? She didn’t come on to you, did she?”

  “No, it was nothing like that—unless you put a proposal of marriage in that category.”

  Joanna’s mouth dropped open in shock. “What? You mean she wants you to—marry her?”

  Ariel explained and when she finished, Joanna said, “I can’t believe it. I mean—I can’t believe she would do this to me to get back at you. And this—inheritance thing—sounds like something out of the pages of a Regency romance.” Joanna shook her head. “There must be insanity running in that family.”

  “Ole Granny O’Shay was sure insane. And you know what they say about apples not falling far from the tree.” Frowning, Ariel said, “I’m going to call that bitch up and tell her I’ll go to the news media with this.”

  “Don’t do that, sweetheart. I don’t want this mess in the media. I’ve agreed to a polygraph examination on Wednesday, and the results should be back the next day. I’ve already placed a call to a lawyer who handles these kinds of cases. I have nothing to hide and the test will prove I’m innocent.”

  “Still, I’m going to call and confront her.”

  “Ariel, don’t. For my sake, please don’t.”