Shadow of Secrets

by Kacie Clement

  3

  Dressed in a sleek tan linen business suit with matching four-inch Jimmy Choo heels, Emma holding a cup of hot coffee walked out to sit on her garden patio. Taking a sip of her coffee, she looked down at the list she was preparing for the day. Heels, check. Notepad, check, Pens, check. New bag, check. Everything seemed in order, "Now if I can get through the first day without being judged as my father's daughter. Get it together, Emma", she told herself, "This is your chance to prove you're a competent businesswoman on your terms." Taking another sip of coffee, she checked her phone, when her thoughts of her father crossed her mind, well dad, hasn't called yet this morning, so that is a good thing, maybe he won't be to upset when I call him tonight. Missing Amelia's presence, she regretted having to take her best friend to the airport for her flight back to New York last night. Glancing at her watch, "It's time for me to start my new job." Walking out her door with keys in hand, she smiled, seeing the Beetle there waiting for her. "I'm beginning to like this car, she needs a name, maybe I call her Sargent Pepper since I'm a member of the Lonely Heart Club." With that, she got in the car, lowered the top, put on her gigantic white sunglasses, and drove the Beetle to the Green Touch Renewables office building in downtown Flagstaff. Raising the roof, she locked Sgt. Pepper, giving her a pat on the door. "Wish me luck; I may need it today."

  Stopping at the reception desk, she explained to the young girl staffing the counter, "Good morning; I have a meeting with Mr. Stevenson at nine on the 10th floor. My name is Emma Graystone." The receptionist quickly checking her list responded with great haste while handing Emma a visitor's badge, "You will need to visit Human Resources on the third floor to get your permanent building pass before the end of the day, from the elevator, take a left, a right and another left, and you will find their offices. The elevator is over there". With that, she answered the business phone, turning away from Emma.

  Pushing the button in the elevator for the 10th floor, shaking her head, Emma thought, Lord, I hope not everyone talks that fast here. I will not be able to find a thing in this building. Exiting the elevator, Emma walked across the hall to the meeting room filled with five men, thinking, Wonderful, I seem to be the only woman on this team; this should be overwhelmingly interesting.

  Walking into the room, Emma extended her hand to the first gentleman closest to the doorway. Holding her hand out, "Hello, I am Emma Graystone, your consultant for the Navajo Project." Martin eyed Emma from the heels of her Jimmy Choo’s to the top of her blond head. Emma raising her eyebrow, heard Martin Stevenson respond quickly, "Emma, so nice to meet you" Shaking her hand, his first thought was, "This should be easy, daddy sent the rich little girl, and with those expensive Jimmy Choo heels, she will spend most of her time having her nails done."

  He continued, "I'm Martin Stevenson, chair of the Navajo Project, here, let me introduce you to the others." Still holding her hand, Martin began to lead her further into the room. "Gentleman, I want to introduce you to Emma Graystone, our newest consultant and team member, she will be heading the administrative work of this team." Emma raised her eyebrows in surprise and glanced at Martin in wonderment. Martin smiled at her while continuing the introductions, "Emma, this is Steve Hopkins, our financial advisor, Westley Bentley, our legal advisor, Jackson Thomas, our technical advisor and Grayson Blackfeather, our representative from the Navajo Nation who works with the Office of Environmental Review." Now, let's all take a seat and get started." Martin began leading Emma to the end of the table while pointing to an empty chair next to his. Emma, catching Jack Thomas and Grayson Blackfeather looking at each other and smiling as if they were mocking her, Emma pulled her hand away from Martin and took a seat at the table directly across from Grayson Blackfeather. She smiled at Grayson while thinking, "Damn! That man is striking, and that hair is every woman's dream. Wait, does he have all that beauty tied back with a raggedy piece of leather?" Smiling while trying to remember the name of the movie her and Amelia's just saw last Saturday night. The one with the gray shades. "Whew, get a hold of yourself girl, pay attention, that last thing you need in your life is a man right now, Oh, but the things he could do with that ragged piece of leather." Grayson with just a raise of an eyebrow, suddenly made Emma blush. With that, she pulled her notepad and pen out of her bag, ready to listen and take notes.

  Martin walking to a whiteboard that hung on the wall began to explain the project. "Here, you will see the dimensions of the current Navajo Nation that encompasses Arizona." Circling the area on the map that was on the board, he continued, "We intend to place a wind farm of 25 turbines in the southern region here. Each of those turbines will be its own Limited Liability Company, each with an individual 20-year power purchase agreement. When that 20-year timeline hits, the Navajo Government will gain 100 percent of the ownership guaranteeing a high rate of return to invest in the expansion of their community services. Grayson has completed the environmental study required, but as I understand it, is there any test which hasn’t been completed? Grayson answered, "Soil testing, due to the mining history, but that is more for my office than the project." "Fine" Martin responded, "Moving on, I know everyone wanted to look over the Purchase Power Agreements one last time, but Westley had a chance to get those signed last night at the last minute, so we are moving forward. The concrete is due to be poured tomorrow morning." looking down at his I-pad, he asked, Jack, "You're figuring a week from tomorrow correct for the cement to be set so we can begin the installation of the turbines?" Jack looked up with a brilliant smile and with a wink at Grayson, his best friend, replied, "If everything sets right and is dry, we should be able to start on schedule." Jack looked down at his phone to make sure he hadn't missed a call from his wife. Thinking back to how his day had begun, he recalled his wife experiencing pain, "I sure hope this baby comes quick. Three kids and we’re at the halfway mark to the goalpost for six total kids." Chuckling to himself, he again turned his attention back to Martin and the meeting.

  "It's action time Gentleman, and of course you too Emma." "I've arranged lunch at the Club and have two cars waiting at the entrance. Now if there are no further questions, I have arranged for Jack, Grayson, and Emma to ride in one car, and Steve and Westley to ride with me. Jack, you can update Emma on the construction phase of the project." With that, Martin looked towards Westley and Steven and continued saying, "You two ride with me, and I will fill you in on Emma's role in the project." Emma looking at Martin in surprise, stating "My role?" Smiling, Martin said while turning for the door, "Oh yes, I just finished your job description over the weekend, we can go over it tomorrow morning. I meant to tell you your office won't be ready to move into until tomorrow morning, with the required redecorating. If we can meet here again tomorrow at eight am we can get you started."

  With that, Martin, Westley, and Steven walked out of the room. Jack and Grayson came around the table with Jackson holding his arm out towards Emma, "Ready for some lunch Madam?" Emma standing up, bypassed the arm Jack held out. "Damn girl," Jack said with laughter looking down from his 6-foot 5-inch muscle-bound frame, "Without those spiky things on your feet, do you even hit five-foot?" Emma was facing Jack and looking straight up into his eyes, turning her ice blue eyes cold, said, "I am five foot one thank you very much. I'm famished, now does this Club serve wine? Well, are you coming or not?" Emma turned quickly, walking through the door with a smile; she rather liked this Jack character. Seeing the elevator door open, Emma immediately entered, turned, and gave a little wave as the elevator doors closed.

  Jack heaving in laughter pulled on Grayson's arm leading him to the elevator, Jack with a wink at Grayson said, "She may be little, but I bet there's a fire under that little bouncing ponytail of hers."

  "Looks more like trouble, than anything else," Grayson said with a stern look in his eyes. Jack bursting again with uncontrollable laughter, looked at Grayson as they exited the elevator, "You are out of your element, dude, I know that look! Oh, this is going to be fun to watch." Grayson responded
with a dirty look and walked out the door to the waiting black limo.

  Martin, Westley and Steven's car had already left for the Forest Highlands Country Club. Pouring himself a glass of bourbon, then handing the bottle to Westley with a sneer, Martin began the conversation, "So gentleman, what do you think of our new business consultant?"

  Steven was holding his glass out to Westley to fill, said: "She doesn't look like a threat, Westley what do you think?" Westley was taking a drink of his bourbon, smiled and replied, "I think given time I could tap that." The others responded with laughter. "Just to be sure she stays out of the way." Martin began, "Steven, I want you to keep her otherwise occupied with paperwork till this project is complete." "Got it, I can do that easily, it might be better if I show her the new office and set the standards," Steven replied confidently. " could keep her busy," Weston added to the conversation as their car pulled up to the curb of the Club. Walking into the club, Steve laughing looked at Westley with a wink saying, "I bet you could keep little Ms. Graystone busy; we know how you like your liquor, women, and nightlife. I don't know where you find the time for all you're, shall I say activities?"

  Opening the door to the waiting black limo, Grayson let Jack get seated first and then crawled his 6-foot frame into his seat. He looked up to find Emma looking over her chilled flute of Champagne at him. "A glass of Champagne, Mr. Blackfeather, or may I call you Grayson.". Looking over towards Jack, she asked, "May I call you Jack?" Brightening the limo with his smile, Jack replied, "You can call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dinner." Emma and Jack broke out in a fit of giggles, "Ahem," Grayson roared, "Think I could have a glass of that Champagne?"

  Jack turned his gaze toward the window, laughing loudly. Emma slowly poured Grayson a flute of Champagne, handing it to him as the limo was pulling up to the curb. Jack opened the door to exit the car, "Let's eat guys." Emma setting her flute down in the drink holder, raising her eyebrows to look at Grayson asked, "Ready?" Grayson downing his glass of Champagne, in one drink, set his glass down, and replied, "Yea, as ready as I can be." With that, they exited the car and walked to the door of the Club, which Emma quickly opened and politely held open for both Jack and Grayson to enter with a sly smile on her face.

  Entering the Forest Highlands Country Club, the three latecomers found Martin, Westley, and Steve sitting at a long table with windows the same length overlooking the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateaus. Emma seated herself in a chair that would provide her with a beautiful view of the majestic Plateaus. "This is beautiful," she commented as the waitress came to take her order. "I would like the Lamb please and do you carry Screaming Eagle?" "Yes, Ma’am." the waitress replied. Emma proceeded to place her drink order saying, "I will take a glass of that too please, actually I will take a glass now and a fresh one with my lunch, thank you."

  Upon overhearing that question, Martin, Westley, and Steve all turned in shock towards Emma. Jack laughed loudly, saying, "Screaming Eagle? What is that? A new drink? Are we going to have to carry you back to the car?" Emma giggled, "No Jack, its wine, actually it's a red cabernet sauvignon made in the Napa Valley in California. I think I will be able to walk out just fine after lunch."

  Steve moving close to Martins' ear, whispers, "Screaming Eagle? That is the most expensive wine in the world. We better not take her on too many business dinners; she will eat into our profits. Oh, this girl is going to be so easy to control, she is just a blond little cupcake." Martin smiled in agreement, and Westley turned to give Steve a wink. "I like cupcakes," he said with a snicker.

  Just finishing their dinners, they suddenly heard a cell phone ringtone going loudly off at their table. Jack grabbed for his phone, spilling his beer. "Hello, hello, I am here. Yes, I am on my way. What do you mean my mom is not there? We can't bring the kids with, yes, yes I am leaving now." Jack hung up his phone with a look of utter fear. "Grayson, my mother did get here in time, can you watch the kids?" Emma giggling, "Jack, I don't think you can even drive, how about I watch the kids and Grayson can take you and your wife to the hospital." Grabbing her bag and standing, she faced Martin, "Looks like we have a baby on the way, so if you will excuse us."

  Wishing Jack good luck, Steve looking concerned turned to Martin, "She has some sass behind her. Sure you are not underestimating her Martin?" Martin sneered while replying, "Don't worry she will be easy to keep busy, don't forget we have a meeting tonight with our investor, you will understand then. That is our only concern for today; he will want to know everything is in order, now let's have another drink".

  After interrupting the driver's lunch, they all jumped into the black limo for the drive to Jack's home. Grayson instructed the driver of Jacks address and the need to hurry. Grayson turned to Emma, "You sure you're going to be okay with the girls? Gracie is three and likes Barney, so turn the TV on any cartoon channel. Hope she is eighteen months and can be a bit of a handful. But I know you can handle this. I will come back as soon as I can." Emma smiled nervously, "Sure, I got this; you just help Jack to keep breathing." Turning towards the window, Emma thought "I can do this, after all, I had a nanny, and she didn't seem to have a hard time, I will just be a nanny for a few hours." Grayson's blue Dodge Ram was currently sitting in Jack's driveway when they arrived — pushing the automatic start button on his key fob the truck started. Jacks wife, Jenny was coming out the door as they were exiting the car. Bending over with another labor pain, Jack ran up beside her. Jenny grabbed his arm firmly and screamed, "WEVE GOT TO GO NOW JACK."

  Grayson held the car door open, and Emma stood at the door, watching them race out of the driveway and to the hospital. With a sudden fear encompassing her, Emma thought, Well, here goes! Nanny time.

  Emma entered the house to find Gracie watching TV and singing and dancing with whatever was blaring out of the TV. Looking around, she saw a chubby little girl, with her precious chocolate skin covered in spaghetti sauce. "Hi Hope, I'm Emma, looks like you are eating Spaghetti for lunch. Good choice, one of my favorites". Hope looked up at Emma gave her an innocent smile and proceeded to throw a handful of spaghetti at Emma hitting her square in the chest. "Oh, shit" Emma exclaimed looking at the spaghetti noodles and sauce on the front of her expensive tan linen suit. Emma, who was covering her mouth in horror, watched Hope laugh and take a drink from her sippy cup.

  Emma was pointing her finger at the little girl explaining, "You know Hope, this suit cost me three thousand dollars, I don't think that this sauce is going to come out. That is not the nicest way to say hello." Emma turned to find some paper towels to wipe the sauce off her suit. A little voice behind her started screaming, "Down, down, want down! Down." Emma thinking this can't be happening to me looked at the little girl sitting in a highchair with sauce all over her hands and face. "If you think I am picking you up like that Hope, you have another thing coming." With that, Emma quickly found a clean dishrag, ran it under warm water, and smiled nervously at Hope as she walked to the highchair. Emma started to clean Hopes hands and face, being sure not to let her further ruin her suit.

  Picking Hope up out of the highchair, Hope with the strength of an adult female, grabbed her ponytail and gave it a big pull. Hard enough to break the hairband holding back her long blond hair which fell to the middle of her back. Emma wrinkled her nose, "What is that god awful smell." Looking at Hope, it was clear where the smell was originating. Emma panicked for a moment and moved to hold Hope out at arm's length "Diaper, I have to change a diaper, I have never changed a diaper much less seen one, well, here goes." Quickly looking around, Emma saw a diaper changing table across the room. After carefully setting Hope on the changing table, Emma undressed Hope down to her diaper, "This doesn't look too hard."

  She opened the diaper to take it off and started gagging, "Oh my god, how do you do all that for such a little girl'. Trying not to vomit, she tore half the remaining wipes from the nearby container and proceeded to clean her behind. Grabbing a clean diaper, she looked at it somewhat confused, "
The one I took off didn't look this small. These must be the sticky tabs." After three tries, Emma finally got the diaper under Hopes little behind. Pulling the front up, she started attaching the sticky pads towards the back of the diaper. Pushing the hair away from her face, she nearly jumped through the ceiling when she heard Gracie scream "Grandma." Setting Hope down on the floor to toddle or whatever toddlers do, Emma turned to see a woman no taller than her, round as a bowling ball with a large afro surrounding her face, holding Grace in her arms. Pushing the hair out of her face again and straightening her stained suit, Emma held out her hand, "Hello, I'm Emma Graystone. I work with your son Jack.” The woman let out a deep musical belly laugh. "Well hello Ms. Emma, most people call me Jessie, I see Hope has had Spaghetti again for lunch." Let me get Hope here laid down for her afternoon nap and I will fix you a tall glass of Ice-Tea." Emma watched in awe as Jessie turned and headed up the stairs to the bedrooms. Sinking into the nearest chair, glancing at Grace once again dancing and singing to the kids' show on the tv, she could not remember when she had ever felt so grateful to be laughed at in her life."

  Jessie coming back down the stairs, walked into the kitchen and began to fill two glasses with ice. Opening the door of the fridge to retrieve the Iced Tea Jesse asked, "Would you like a slice of lemon Emma." "Yes, please," Emma responded. Handing Emma her ice-tea, Jessie slid her round body into the chair across from Emma's. "Now you said you worked with Jack, but you have an accent. You are not from around his area, are you?" Emma smiled while saying, "No, I'm not. I am from Alpine New Jersey." Jessie taking a drink of her tea looked at the spaghetti stain on Emma's suit and said, "I don't think Hope's sauce is going to come out of that suit, you haven't had much experience with kid's, have you?" Emma, who was looking sheepish, responded, "I had a nanny growing up." Patting Emma's hand gently. Jesse smiled while asking, "Now, how good are you at playing Gin?" Emma smiled, "I'm very good at Gin, do you have a deck of cards?"