Spring Tides

by Jill Allyson Keene

  “Absolutely. You can count on me.”

  She stood. “Let’s make this appointment time our regular weekly meeting. Thank you for your candor, and I look forward to working with you.” She offered her hand. John rose and took her hand. As they shook, she said, “Now, unfortunately, I’m late for a meeting across town.”

  “Certainly. I’ll see you this weekend with the family. You’re taking your security with you, right?”

  She walked him to the door. “I can’t shake them. They follow me everywhere.”

  Messages delivered. And a point in her column for keeping potential enemies close.

  She gathered her things, and Len escorted her to the waiting car. On the ride to her next meeting, she let the butterflies in her stomach have their way. It was no use fighting it. Every time she thought of Finn, her body reacted. Only this time, nerves danced through her system for a different reason.

  Along with the man himself, she was meeting his mother and sister. Taking over Winslow Holdings seemed easier at this point. The Callahan family was society with a capital S. And she was expected to hold her own. The thought terrified her. Fortunately, she ran out of time to dwell on anything. She arrived at her destination; everyone was waiting for her. Dammit.

  Chapter Twenty

  “The thing of it is, Meg, I really liked them.”

  She struggled to find words to describe lunch with Finn’s family. She and Megan had just finished a calorie fest at Salem Willows, the two-hundred-year-old amusement park, and situated on the water of Salem Harbor.

  Noises from the carousel and arcade filtered through the willow trees as she and Meg sat on swings watching the fishing boats come in. An easy breeze brought along the smell of Chinese food, saltwater taffy, and popcorn.

  “Why do you sound surprised? Did you think his relatives would be evil? Only you get that distinction in this little soap opera.” Meg laughed at her own joke.

  “They were nice people. They filled me in on the ins and outs. I found out which florists are well liked, which catering company is considered cutting edge, and they also told me who gets drunk at these society events and has to be secretly escorted out.”

  Meg pushed herself higher on the swing. “Just like the pub; you gotta help the drunks save face.”

  “Mmm-hmm. They were great about everything. Elaine looked over the binder Conroy gave me from Serena. Apparently she had most everything in place for the event. They gave me some tips on hostessing and told me I should be myself.”

  “Again, why does that surprise you? You aren’t a cretin. I’ve managed to enjoy your company for over twenty years.”

  “Thanks for putting up with me all these years. Yours is a ringing endorsement. Now I won’t worry about being an idiot at the ball this weekend.” Bev pushed harder to match Megan’s swing. “You could be my plus-one this weekend.”

  “No way.”

  “Why not?” Bev heard the whine in her voice. But she really needed a friendly face in the crowd.

  “Several reasons, actually: Because you’ll feel better about this if you do it alone. You won’t really be alone because your family, such as they are, will be there. And, finally, I’m covering the bar that night. And if you need another reason, it’s because you should ask the lawyer to be your plus-one.”

  She considered for a second. The idea had warmth spreading through her. She shook her head. “I can’t do that. I’m not uninterested, but we’re stuck in this crazy situation. He might not be interested in me, though. His mother’s and sister’s handbags match their shoes. He’s used to women who know how to do that. And you should have seen his ex in his office that day. She and I are polar opposites.”

  “I doubt he isn’t interested. All men are interested in you. But I am intrigued you seem into him. It isn’t your style.”

  “I appreciate there is an attraction between us. I’d consider taking it to the next level, but it’s his job to be around me.” She was taken aback by Meg’s laughter. “Glad this amuses you, Murphy.”

  “You want to take things to the next level?”

  “I am open to a monogamous, sexual relationship with a man I admire and find outrageously sexy. So, yes, that is the level I am interested in.” She gripped the chains of the swing.

  “You don’t do next level.”

  “Well, I was never into casual sex before I met him, but now it’s starting to appeal.”

  “No, not your style either. You’ve had relationships, but this feels different to me. It seems like this could be the real thing. In your other relationships, you’ve always bailed before it gets too serious.”

  “I don’t do serious. In my opinion, it doesn’t work. But none of this helps me with Finn.”

  “You need to pull out all the stops here. I think you should seduce him.”

  “I haven’t considered. Maybe I will. Though I don’t need to complicate things, but I can’t shake this idea if he and I scratch this itch, then we can move on without all the tension. It would be one less distraction.”

  “I’m your friend when I tell you you are crazy. You can’t steer this like you do your ship. The men you’ve known let you take the helm, but he isn’t a pushover, and something tells me he wants more from you than you’re willing to give. You want to put him in a safe slot in your life and control it. But that isn’t going to work. It never does.”

  “I’ll think about it.” She wanted to say Meg was being unfair. But she wasn’t. Bev knew she had a tendency to keep things at a distance.

  “Listen, I haven’t been a very good friend recently. I wanted to meet you down here instead of in Boston because I hate that this has become all about me.” She stole a sideways glance at Meg. “I miss ‘us’ and the way it used to be.”

  “We aren’t in the same positions anymore, babe. Get used to it. I’m not going anywhere. You need my best-friend skills, so I don’t worry you’re going to leave me for a tennis partner named Muffy anytime soon.” Meg snorted. “But I get it. And I appreciate the apology, but it isn’t necessary. We deal. That’s what we do. So what is it you’re looking for?”

  “A little normal.” she slowed the swing. “A little gossip would be nice to get out of my own head. Like what’s happening with you?” Meg was right. They would always be okay, but she wanted her friend to know she loved her.

  Meg stopped swinging. “My dad is still crazy, complaining about how my mother does the billing and she chooses too many high-end ingredients for the restaurant. But he secretly loves it. Oh, and Mary Kathleen is pregnant again.”

  “That’s wonderful!”

  “It is if you don’t mind turning into an Irish Catholic cliché, which apparently my sister doesn’t.” Meg shook her head. “She’s ecstatic, and it’s her fourth. I don’t know how they do it. I’m really happy for them.”

  “What about you, Murphy? Give me some info.”

  “I didn’t want to tell you, but I have a blind date this weekend. So get it over with, Winslow.”

  “What?”

  “Mocking me for going on a blind date.”

  “I wouldn’t.” She raised her hand. “Scout’s honor.”

  “You would but you’re too worried I’m upset over your recent neglect, so you’re going easy on me. So to save you from asking, his name is Michael. He owns a sustainable farm in Newton and delivers veggies to the restaurant every Tuesday. Apparently he asked Mary about me. I don’t remember seeing him or meeting him because most Tuesdays I’m at the Chamber of Commerce meetings. But I guess he liked my looks.”

  She toed her friend’s leg. “That sounds promising.”

  “We’ll see,” Megan said. “Now you’ve been filled in. So back to you.”

  “What?”

  “Seriously, Bev, what are you going to do about all this?” She waved her arm in a circle.

  She didn’t ask what Megan meant

  “I’m doing the best I can right now. I’m a week in, and the stock is rebounding. I haven’t destroyed any of my gr
andfather’s plans already in place. I’m doing what he wanted me to do.” She sighed. Suddenly the energy drained from her body. It was exhausting.

  “I’m not talking about the company. I’m talking about you. Someone tried to blow you up. Someone sent a note threatening to kill you.”

  “Not much I can do about it. I’m staying with my security detail. I’m following orders.” She jerked her head at Len, who currently sat on a nearby bench, observing the area. Her ever-present guard noticed everything.

  “It must be killing you, too,” Meg said. “All of this structure has to be wearing you down.”

  “This is leading somewhere. Skip to the part where you solve my problems for me.” She poked her friend in the arm.

  “It might not solve all of them, but I think you should take control of the things you can.” Meg stretched her legs in front of her. “I think you miss the water.”

  “I do. Too much.” She stared out across the bay and felt a longing she couldn’t articulate. She wouldn’t cry right now. Instead, she said, “It’s crazy how much you get me, Murphy.”

  Meg tapped her nose. “Twenty years, remember?”

  “So what’s the suggestion?”

  “Schedule some time for you. You can’t run Atlantic Charters, but you can take a boat out. You’re a billionaire, for Pete’s sake. That has to be worth something. You probably own ten boats you don’t know about.”

  “Good point. I can do that. It helps clear my head.”

  “Once again, I know.”

  “All right, smarty. What else?”

  “The apartment and the mansion and the office…”

  “What about them? I have to live with them for an entire year.”

  “You don’t need to keep them a shrine to Reginald. I mean, I’ve seen the apartment.” Meg wrinkled her nose. “It’s a hot mess.”

  “It isn’t my taste, but I don’t think most people would call it ‘a mess,’ Meg. It was probably all the rage in the 80s. Chrome and leather was classy back then.”

  “It’s temporary.”

  “A year is not temporary.” Meg waved away her protest. “You shouldn't have to live where you aren’t comfortable. Why not do what most women in your position would do.”

  “I’ll bite. What would most women do?”

  “Hire a decorator, darling.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “My source tells me the lawyer is the problem.”

  The little roach couldn’t seem to control his shaking voice. That thought brought a bit of pleasure to this farce of a meeting.

  “Does your source have a suggestion?”

  “They say if Finn Callahan is out of the way, Beverly would be more amenable to sharing the wealth, so to speak.” He twisted the ring on his finger in a nervous ritual. “They think Callahan is keeping her on the straight and narrow,”

  “That won’t do. We need her off kilter. If we believe your source, this arrangement ends in a year. I don’t want to wait long. I’ve tried to do this your way, but I’m losing my patience.”

  “We can’t kill her. The money would go to the mother.”

  “I don’t want to kill anyone if I can help it. I enjoy the added benefit of making Beverly suffer, though. If all goes according to my plan, we will find a way to make the transfer of monies neat and tidy. We need more information on the non-disclosed portion of the will so we can find a way to entrap her.”

  “I’m working on it,” the roach whined. “My source, who is driven solely by cash, doles out information as he sees fit.”

  “Keeping your source’s identity a secret won’t save you if this goes badly.” The threat hung for a moment. “For now, pay your source what they want, but get the information we need.”

  “What are you going to do about the lawyer?” The little bug swallowed hard. “You aren’t going to kill him, are you?”

  “Your weakness astounds me. You want the money but are not willing to make the necessary sacrifices.”

  “I thought we were trying for neat?”

  “For now, we stay on task. I’ll send her a little message with the suggestion she find new counsel. It will solve two issues. One, the bitch will be looking over her shoulder and not focused on her job. If she fails at Winslow Holdings, it only serves our purposes. She might want to surrender. She’d be motivated to find a way to get out of the will. We will be there to help her find a way.”

  “What’s the second issue?”

  “With Finn Callahan out of the picture, we can practically handpick her next attorney. One who will be made to see it’s in his or her best interest to work for our interests.” The sick laughter rang out again.

  “What if your message doesn’t work?”

  “If she doesn’t get this message, I’m more than ready with another. But don’t worry about it. I don’t intend to be subtle.”

  ****

  Joe closed the door to the modular building that now housed the Atlantic Charters offices. He scratched his head with one hand and fished for the keys in his worn jeans pockets with the other. The wind was up, and the ache in his old bones told him showers were headed their way.

  His Bevie was off doing what she had to do, so he was doing what could to help. If she were here, she’d be worrying enough about the weather for both of them. Joe liked he eased some of her burden. She was at that fancy party tonight. Her mother driving up to Maine to see her. He was a bachelor for the evening, and he was glad of it. He liked being useful, but he wasn’t into parties.

  Still, the office work was a bitch. He’d be glad when the intern started, and he could get back on the water—bad weather or not. Didn’t much matter, he thought as he locked the door. The weather wouldn’t affect business. They weren’t officially open for another month. Pre-season they called it.

  Cold, wet tourists looking for humpback or pilot whales, not realizing the temperature drops twenty degrees between shore and open ocean. Even when you tell ’em, they don’t listen, Joe shook his head.

  He limped along the narrow walkway through the marina. His nose told him Murphy’s Publick House was serving the fresh catch, and Joe intended to settle himself at the bar with a beer and enjoy it.

  The sun had almost completely set, casting the marina in shadows. Two figures moved from the main sidewalk toward him. Probably lost. As the two forms emerged from the darkness, a pinprick of fear rattled in his gut. They were mean-looking bastards, but that didn’t mean nothing to Joe. People looked one way and could act another. They were big, muscular, and stupid looking. Probably trying to find work. He decided to get their measure.

  “Help you, fellas?” Joe asked and took his time reaching in his pocket for his keys. He let each key squeeze between his fingers. He might not need it, but the keys would make a nice weapon. Joe landed in his share of fistfights in his time. Fighting dirty didn’t bother him.

  Finally, the bigger one answered. “Yeah, we’re looking for the guy who runs Atlantic Charters.”

  “You found him. I’m Joe. You two need work?”

  The shorter guy snorted out a laugh. “Nah, we already got a job.” He paused. “We got a message for the lady who owns the place.”

  “What’s that?” Joe asked.

  “You can tell her if you wake up.”

  Joe didn’t see the blow coming but felt the searing pain explode in his temple, knocking him to his knees. He tried to shake his head clear and pull himself up. That’s when he noticed the shorter one carried a baseball bat. He swung it playfully, barely missing Joe, taunting him.

  “Don’t worry, old man, we aren’t supposed to kill you, but this is gonna hurt. Bad.” Joe felt fury well up from his gut as he tried to get purchase on his keys again. He wasn’t going down without a fight.

  It’s the last thought he had.

  ****

  Beverly glided down the stone stairs. Stunning. Finn appreciated how the shimmery column of the silver dress fit her curves, how her auburn hair swept back and framed her lovely face. Jes
us, he was practically panting.

  As her attorney, he didn’t need to be at the charity ball three hours from home on a Saturday night. As Finn Callahan, attorney at law, accepting invitations to events like this one was required. Plus it was a great cause, and he enjoyed a party. And what a party it was.

  The band played standards under soft twinkle lights beneath a gauzy, white tent. The black-and-white dance floor was as busy as the food stations. The spring air blew a welcome breeze, so his tux didn’t suffocate him. He eavesdropped on other guests to hear the feedback. She was killing it. She was also killing him. He wanted her desperately.

  At the precise moment he decided to chuck it all and sweep her inside her home and make love to her, his sister Kate sidled up to him.

  “Hey, Kate, I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “I’m always at this one. It’s a great cause.” Kate gestured in Beverly’s direction. “She’s holding court like she was born to it. Were it not for the fact she is so nice and straightforward, I’d be jealous of the way that dress fits her.”

  He was jealous of the dress itself. He’d like to be that close to the woman inside it.

  “What’s eating you tonight?” she asked.

  “Nothing. Why?” He leveled his voice. He wasn’t discussing his love life with his little sister.

  “You like her, don’t you?”

  He stepped back. “I’m not doing this with you,”

  “You don’t need to do or say anything, big brother. I know all. You and your client are attracted to each other. Why aren’t you dancing with her?”

  “I’m her lawyer.”

  “So?”

  “It isn’t appropriate.”

  Kate slapped a hand on one hip. “Since when are you such a tight ass?”

  He noted the white dress with lace sleeves. His sister’s sandy-brown hair, almost identical to the color of his own hair, fell in loose waves around her shoulders. “You look beautiful, Katie.”

  “I know. Don’t change the subject.”

  He threw an arm around his sister. “OK. I’m being a tight ass because she deserves the best. And I can’t dance with her and be the best attorney.”