by Elaine Meece
Brice didn’t want to let it slip that he had been with Annie and knew about the tires. “Anything happen?”
“Seems someone slashed her tires and then later tried to get in her house.”
“Is Annie all right?”
“The detective said she’s fine. Here’s her number.” She read it off. “Anything particular you need?”
“I need to ask if my pants will be ready by Wednesday.”
“Good. I was about to give you my lecture on no fraternizing with employees. She should be home. I don’t think she gets out a lot. Have you had a chance to look at the material I gave you?”
“Actually, no. I had the boys this weekend. They just left, so I’ll pull it out now.”
“Great. See you in the morning.”
“See you then.” After disconnecting the call, Brice keyed in Annie’s number and let it ring.
“Mr. Jordan.”
“I told you to call me Brice. I heard about what happened?”
“You were with me.”
“I’m talking about someone trying to break into your home.”
“Oh that.”
“Yeah, that. It’s serious. You think it’s the same person who slashed your tires?”
“Detective Tabor thought so.”
“Did you ask your sister about it?”
“I did, but she denied doing it. She swore she wasn’t involved.”
“Would an oath mean anything to her?”
“Hard to believe but it does.”
He chuckled. “I’d like to meet her.”
“I’ll never let that happen. She’s not allowed to meet anyone I work with.”
“How come?”
She hesitated. “I had a very good job with another corporation. I made more money and had a better schedule.”
“Something tells me that she’s the reason you’re not there anymore.”
“Renee slept with the head CEO. In her rant, his wife who held the purse strings wasn’t pleased and fired me.”
“That wasn’t your fault.”
“No, but I knew Renee’s shortcomings and still asked if she could catch a ride to Seattle. He agreed. Somehow, the following week, they hooked up and my job became history. To make it worse, he ended up having to get a restraining order against her.”
“I hope you have a better relationship with your other sister.”
“I do. She’s almost normal.”
He chuckled.
“If you’re calling about your slacks, I’ll pick them up tomorrow.”
“No, I wanted to know if you got your car back and if your sister confessed.” He paused. “So, if your sister wasn’t responsible, who was? And why? Did you spill hot coffee on someone besides me?”
“No. I’m not sure what it’s about. There’s still a chance it’s someone I cut off in traffic unknowingly, and they’re playing out their road-rage.”
After hanging up, Brice pulled his laptop from the computer bag and opened it. Then he pulled up all the Zurtel documents and started reading.
But his thoughts kept drifting to Annie. Then he remembered Cynthia’s remark about management fraternizing with employees.
♦♦♦
Monday morning, Annie stopped by the cleaners on her way to the airstrip. She had a flight to Chicago with their board members attending an aerospace exhibit. Mark would be piloting the flight with Keith, a new copilot.
When she walked into the cleaner, the bell over the door rang. The Asian man looked up. “I found your pants.”
Thank goodness.
She plopped her purse on the counter. “I’m glad you got them back.”
When he hung them up beside her, she stared through the plastic. “These are black not gray. The pants I gave you were gray. The color of an elephant.”
“No elephant fit in pants.”
“That’s not what I said. I said they’re both gray. You’re beating around the bush. That’s what you’re up to.”
The man appeared guilty. “These aren’t the pants?”
“No, for the third or fourth time. These are black. The ones I left were a medium gray. Go look for them.”
The store keeper turned and walked to the back where clothes hung on a rail system that spun the clothes around when he pushed the button. Finally, he returned. “These your pants?”
She studied the gray pants he hung on the rack beside where she stood. “No, they had pleats. I’m positive mine didn’t.”
“You come back tomorrow. I find pants.”
She huffed a breath of frustration his way to emphasize her anger. “Those are my boss’s dress pants. I have to return them on Wednesday.”
The Asian man had a smug look on his face. “I see. You his geisha.”
“It’s not what you think. I spilled coffee on him.”
“See. All your fault. You shouldn’t be so clumsy.”
Annie shook her head and left. What would she tell Brice about his pants?
Next, she stopped at the pawn shop to pick up the gun.
Her phone rang. Before answering, she glanced to see who was calling. “Mrs. Conners.”
“Annie, you were a bridesmaid in my wedding. For Pete’s sake, call me Cynthia. Don’t be so formal.” She paused. “Detective Tabor called me. Are you all right?”
“Yes, no one actually came inside. But I know someone was one my porch. They tried to open my door.”
“I had two similar experiences, and it scared the crap out of me. Especially, the last time when I almost died. But everyone thought I had dreamed it. At least the police believe you. I don’t see how it could be connected to Zurtel.”
“I think the fact that my tires were slashed earlier convinced the police whoever did it wasn’t done with me.”
“Slashing tires sounds like someone is trying to send you a message. Annie, are you in trouble?”
“No,” she signed. She finally confessed about Renee. “Though she denies it, I wouldn’t put it past her.”
“Perhaps, she told a friend about it who decided to seek revenge on Renee’s half. She might not be aware of it.”
Annie hadn’t considered that.
“Would you like to stay with us a few days?”
“No, I’ll be fine.” She didn’t mention the .22 semi-automatic pistol she’d picked up.
“Are you going to be up to the Utah trip?”
“Definitely. I’ve already told my friend I’m coming.”
While driving to the airstrip, Annie considered what Cynthia said. It was a possibility. She parked and hurried to the jet to prepare for the flight.
The flight to Chicago had been uneventful. She liked Mark and Keith. They made a good team. Tristen and Evan had always worked well together, but Evan had an underlying issue. He thought he should’ve been moved up to captain. Instead, they hired Tristen Conners.
After leaving the airstrip, Annie drove to her parents’ home. She entered the house without knocking. “Anyone home?”
“We’re in the kitchen,” her mother shouted.
Her father and Renee sat at the table. Her mother stood at the counter.
“If it isn’t my dear-not-so-generous baby sister,” Renee said. She had dyed her hair blonde, and the dark roots were growing out.
“Your dad’s grilling ribs on the Fourth. Come eat with us,” her mom said.
“I won’t be able to make it. I’m flying to Utah.”
“On a holiday?” her father asked.
“Yes, but I’ll be well compensated for it.”
“That a new purse?” her sister asked, eyeing it.
“Yes, it is. I picked it up at the Kate Spade Store.”
Her mother sighed. “Must be nice to be able to purchase new things for yourself.”
Here it goes with the poor Renee crap.
Renee flashed their mom a smug smile. “She’s got money when it comes to herself.”
“I work really hard. Therefore, I’m entitled to spend money on myself once in a while. You’re n
ot going to make me feel guilty.”
Renee poured gravy on her potatoes. “If you want to be paid back, help get me on at Zurtel. You said a lady might be retiring.”
“Heather isn’t retiring until the end of the year. I don’t have any influence over the human resource department.”
Renee grinned. “You don’t need it when you’re buddies with the owner. You were in her wedding. You must be close.”
“You cost me my last job. I’m not about to risk this one. Find your own damn job.”
“I will. And I’ll start with Zurtel. If they know you’re my sister, I might even score an interview with that new CEO hotty. By the way, your new boss was in the paper. He’s something I could sink my teeth into.”
“Stay away from Zurtel,” Annie warned, her voice sounding harsh. She’d almost said to stay away from Brice.
“I don’t see what harm it can do?” her mother added. “And if she got the job, she’d pay you back every cent she’s borrowed.”
“She’s not qualified for any position at Zurtel,” Annie said.
“You act all hoity toity over your job, but you’re no more than a waitress,” Renee said. “Anyone can do what you do.”
Her father nodded. “I agree. Your college degree was a waste of money. Of course, if you’d gotten something besides an art degree, you might be putting your education to use.”
Her mother and father never acted like this unless Renee was there.
“There’s a lot more to being a flight attendant than serving nuts and drinks, especially in an emergency. I’ve had extensive training. I love my job. It gives me time for my art.”
Her father chuckled. “Have you ever made a dime from art?”
“I’ve done a few commissioned pieces. I actually have a piece being displayed in an art show at a local restaurant. All the artwork is for sale.
Renee laughed smugly. “Remember, artists are usually never famous until after they die.” Someone knocked on the back door. “That’s probably Ronnie.”
Her mother walked over and opened the door. “Come in Ronnie. Care for any dinner?”
The big shaggy headed, unshaven man shook his head. He grunted and mumbled something, then flashed Renee a look. Bold colored tats ran up and down both his arms. He reeked of pot and cigarettes.
Her sister stood from the table and joined him, immediately engaging in a kiss.
Annie’s stomach rolled over. She’d put up with Renee’s outlandish behavior for years. She eyed him suspiciously. Had he been the one who slashed her tires?
Finally, Renee ended the kiss and directed her attention to Annie. “Ronnie, this is my snooty sister, Annie. You know, the one who’s too stingy to loan me the money.”
Ronne flashed her a snarly look and grunted something.
She didn’t say anything social back to him. Why bother? There had probably been cavemen with bigger vocabularies.
“I purchased a nice little .22 semi-automatic at Norcross Pawn Shop this week,” Annie said to her dad.
“With everything happening, you need one,” he replied.
She directed her gaze to Ronnie. “Someone should think twice before messing with my car or house.”
It was doubtable Ronnie picked up on the message she was trying to send. All she’d heard him do was grunt. His IQ probably matched his shoe size.
Was he capable of slashing tires and stalking her?
She wanted him to know that snooping around her house could have serious consequences.
“We’ll be in my room,” Renee announced, then grabbed Ronnie’s hand and guided him from the kitchen.
Her sister’s friends had the same work ethics and attitude as Renee.
Mooch off of family and friends, don’t worry about working because everyone owes me for breathing, I’m so beautiful and smart it’s only a matter of time before my life takes off.
She hated to tell Renee, but her life crashed a long time ago.
“Think this one might go somewhere?” Annie asked her parents. She’d wanted to add besides beneath the covers, but didn’t.
Her father shrugged. “Doubt it. He seems crazy over her, but I’m not sure how Renee feels.”
“Is he crazy enough over Renee to do anything for her?” she asked.
Her father put the paper down. “What are you getting at?”
“Would he try to get even with someone who he thought slighted Renee?”
“You think he slashed your tires?” he asked.
“It’s crossed my mind.”
“I know Renee didn’t have anything to do with that,” her mom added.
“I didn’t say she was involved, but perhaps, he took action without her knowing.”
“I think you’re barking up the wrong tree,” her dad said.
Her parents had never held Renee responsible for anything.
♦♦♦
As Brice arrive home for a late lunch, a Fed-Ex truck pulled up. He wasn’t expecting a delivery. The man carried a Styrofoam ice chest. “Brice Jordan?”
“Yes.”
“Here you go, sir.” The young driver placed it in Brice’s hands and headed back to his truck, then left.
Brice carried the large Styrofoam cooler from an online meat company inside to the kitchen. Baffled by who sent it, he opened the envelope on top and read it.
All the good things in life can be yours. My offer is still open. Kayla Miller.
Brice pulled out the contents of the cooler and found filet mignon and prime rib along with the best cut of rib eyes and T-bones.
He considered sending it back to her, but he wasn’t sure how. He hated seeing all this meat go to waste. But if he kept it, he’d make sure Cynthia knew about it.
An image of the fiery redhaired woman popped in his mind. Not only was she beautiful, she seemed to be a very determined woman. With her persistence, he figured she had influenced one or more of their employees to keep her updated on Zurtel’s progress.
After eating a sandwich and a cup of soup, he headed back to Zurtel. He used to drive home and have lunch with Shea as often as possible. Eating alone depressed him.
Later in his office, he mentioned the steaks to Cynthia.
“Seriously?”
“I would’ve returned them, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. The delivery truck had already gone. I didn’t want that much meat to go to waste.”
Tristen entered his office and walked over to Cynthia. He kissed her cheek. “You don’t look happy.”
She rolled her eyes and blew out a frustrated breath before describing Brice’s gift.
Tristen grinned. “I have a suggestion.”
Brice shifted his weight in his chair. “Shoot.”
“Let’s have a cookout at our home and send Kayla pictures of us enjoying her steaks.”
“I like that.” Cynthia turned to Brice. “Are you willing to share?”
Brice didn’t have a problem with it. “Let’s do it. When?”
Cynthia appeared in thought for a moment. “We get back from Utah on Saturday afternoon. Let’s make it Sunday evening around six. It can be a belated Fourth of July cookout.” She glanced at Tristen. “Are you here to see me?”
“I’m here to speak with Brice.”
“In that case, I’ll get back to my office.” She walked over and gave him a light kiss. “See you at home.”
After Cynthia left, Tristen turned to him. “How would you like to fly us back from Utah?”
“Sure, I’d like that.”
Once Tristen left, Brice concentrated on his new position. He prioritized everything Zurtel had going. MX7 remained at the top of the list. So far, the aircraft engines generated too much heat to be constructed solely from MX7. The engines added the greatest amount of weight to an aircraft. If they couldn’t solve the problem, MX7’s use would be limited.
That night, he planned to study the reports on the simulator tests. Kayla might have gloated a little too much. Clearly, someone in Zurtel’s lab was on her payrol
l.
On his company computer, he pulled up a list of all the employees that worked in the autonomy lab. The list consisted of twenty names, fourteen men and six women.
Four of their top engineers had salaries in the six figures. Would they really risk their careers? Brice decided to focus more on the technicians who were just starting out at base pay.
Brice called a private investigation service he’d used at his last company.
He planned to use the same company to do a little personal work for him also. He wanted to know what kind of man was living with his sons. He had Hayden’s plate numbers. By the time his PI finished investigating Uncle Hayden, Brice would know every aspect of the guy’s life, including the brand of his toothpaste.
If Shea had known Hayden before the divorce then all her bullshit about wanting to experience life on her own was just that⸻bullshit.
♦♦♦
Megan stopped picking beans and grabbed Libby by the arm. “We need to talk.”
Her daughter’s dark hair slipped from under her hat. Her rounded, innocent face turned into a scowl, causing her freckles across her nose to brunch together. Her blue eyes turned icy. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”
“You’re throwing your life away. These people are insane. We have to get out of here.”
“I want to be his bride. This is what I want.”
“You’re only eleven. You don’t have a clue what he’ll do to you once he has you in his bed.”
“Edna said he’ll put a baby in my stomach.”
“You’re a virgin. It will hurt.”
Megan spotted the other women moving closer. “He’s a creepy old man who uses young girls. At home, he’d be arrested as a pervert.”
“Edna said God will prepare a special place for just me in Heaven. You’re jealous that he didn’t pick you.” Hate filled Libby’s eyes. She had been brainwashed by this group.
Her daughter had had a difficult time after her father left them. She hadn’t made many friends in school, but here at Cactus Point, she had been accepted and made to feel special.
Would she ever be able to convince Libby otherwise?
The sun beamed down showering them in a blazing heat. The early July temperatures had already soared into the upper nineties. The dry heat choked her, and her stomach churned with morning sickness. Her fingers ached from pulling beans from the vines. They had to pick them before the sun scorched them.