by Silla Webb
“So, Carly, did I hear Savannah say you’re expecting?” I swear you can see steam roll from her ears. Her chest rises and falls roughly as she draws in a deep breath, and a red mask blankets her face. Her eyes draw into small slits as she shoots daggers across the table at Drew.
“Carly, don’t be rude. He just asked a simple question.” I scold her. Don’t know what has her bloomers knotted up, but damn she’s bitchy.
“Yes, I’m expecting. If you’ll excuse me, I think I need some air.” She springs up quickly from the chair and makes her way out the front door. Josh and Drew chuckle in synchronization and I’m confused at what they find so humorous.
“Did I miss a punch line? What’s so funny?” I ask looking from Josh to Drew.
“You’re sister is a dumbass bitch, that’s what’s so funny.” Josh says pointedly.
“Josh, please don’t use language in front of the kids. I know that Carly can be a bit abrasive, but I’ve failed to miss the issue that’s caused all of the friction tonight. So enlighten me, what have I missed?” I plead, but Josh ignores me stabbing at the pot roast with his fork. “Drew?” I look over to Drew who can’t seem to stop smiling, laughter still vibrating from his lips.
“It’s nothing to worry your sweet little head with, sweetie.” Drew replies. I drop it at that, because obviously whatever issue Carly has with Drew, it has to be business related. I’m sure I’ll catch Josh’s wrath for my boldness, so I remain quiet while I eat, listening to the kids babble on with Josh and Drew about their day of building couch forts.
Carly comes back inside just as the guys take off to Josh’s office for drinks. After the kids have hurried upstairs to play, Carly helps me clear the table then we clean the kitchen. She is eerily quiet, with tension rolling off of her in waves. “Carly, are you okay? You didn’t seem pleased to see Drew here. Is there something I need to know?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You sure? You acted like you had seen a ghost when you saw him. What was that about?”
“Oh that? Nothing, I was just shocked when I heard the kids call him Uncle, is all. He and Josh aren’t related, are they?” She asks eyeing me suspiciously.
“No, oh gosh no, Carly.” I laugh. “Josh and Drew went to school together. Been best friends for years. What is it about Drew that has you all stirred up? Is he a business competitor?” Carly remains silent for a few seconds, until I nudge her shoulder pulling her from thought.
“Savannah, how long has Josh worked for American Heritage Coal Company?” She asks, her voice laced with suspense and concern, as she works around me loading the dish washer.
“Since before we met. Drew really is harmless. Anytime I need something when Josh is out of town, he’s the one I call. He’s family.”
“Just be careful, Savannah. I’ve seen a totally different side of Drew, one you don’t want to cross.”
“Carly, are you always so suspicious of everyone? You don’t get along with Josh, now you have it out for Drew too? Josh, I get; he’s an ass. Yes, he’s my husband but even I despise him. But Drew is a good man. Try to look past the rough exterior and see inside of people’s hearts.”
Typical Carly. Never willing to give a person the benefit of the doubt. First impressions are everything to her and she forms her opinions of others too quickly.
“Masks, Savannah. Everyone covers up their ugliness with a mask. It’s the secrets that lie beneath the surface that you have to worry about.”
Chapter 11
Holy frickin’ hell.
The last person I expected to see in Savannah’s house, having supper with her family was Drew friggin’ Varney. Shock, anger and anxiety grips my chest knowing that this vile, disgusting man has infiltrated my family for years, spinning his web of lies only to gain what he feels belongs to him.
I knew when I met Josh there was something about him that didn’t sit right with me and now the picture is becoming clearer. What terrifies me the most is that Savannah is oblivious to the evil that she surrounds herself with. I fear for her and the kids because I have no idea what lengths Drew will go to obtain the Simon Energy Empire. But seeing him here makes me question how long his plan has been plotted.
Listening to Drew spew bullshit from his mouth about “purchasing” Daddy’s partnership in Dalton Trucking, and trying to “submerge himself deeper in the coal business” causes bile to raise in my throat and my skin to crawl. He has naïve, little Savannah hook line and sinker, hanging onto his every word. I shove the food around on my plate as the nausea flips and swirls around in my stomach. I have no appetite sitting mere feet away from this dick. I want to reach across the table, and jab a fork in his jugular then watch the blood spray from his throat. Just hearing his voice vibrate through the room sends tremors up my spine.
When everyone has finished eating, Josh and Drew retreat to Josh’s office for drinks. The glint of evil that flickers in Drew’s eye as he passes by me tells me that deep inside of that twisted mind of his, he is laughing heinously because he has duped my family. But it won’t take long before the tables are turned.
As we clean the kitchen, Savannah is chattering away wildly about everything going on in her life. She skips frantically from one conversation to the next, never missing a beat. Before she gets too far gone into that chaotic mind of hers, I try to offer her a word of caution where Drew is concerned. She finds humor in the situation, laughing at me as I tell her that Drew is up to no good. She doesn’t see the same sinister bastard that I see. For now, I’ll let her believe what she wants to believe. I want to protect Savannah, Brailee and Braden from all of their impending fear, but I have to tread lightly.
I don’t want her memory of Daddy to be tainted like mine has been. I want her to be able to hang on to every beautiful memory of Daddy, holding them close to her heart, cherishing them forever. I lost that right when I opened that oak chest of Pandora’s Box. Now, my memory of Daddy is tarnished with dark lies, and spattered blood. The secrets that Daddy harbored are now mine to keep and I pray to the Heavens above that I can protect Savannah from the burden of Daddy’s past.
I was woken up in the middle of the night by a call from the Superintendent at Black Ridge, one of the feeder mines of Simon Energy. I was confused why he would call and wake me up at four in the morning just because the belt had malfunctioned, but he insisted that it was urgent that I came by the mines. After getting dressed quickly, I cussed, spit and spattered at Todd the entire drive over to Black Ridge. The damn ass warmers in the Camaro simply couldn’t warm me up fast enough this morning and I was in such a rush that I didn’t have time to grab any coffee. I’m not used to the fierce Kentucky winters any longer and this winter specifically has been frigid. Living in South Carolina the last seven years spoiled me. After suffering the nipping winds, the bitter cold and the nasty snow that blankets the ground I’m questioning why the hell this company can’t be ran from the tropical heaven I once called home.
I walk into the small metal trailer office and find Todd, Darren and frickin’ Colton sittin’ around the desk cussin’ back and forth. When they realize my presence, they all sit up a little straighter and silence falls around the room.
“It’s four thirty in the damn mornin’, fellas. Don’t sit there with your mouths opened staring at me. What the hell is so important that one of you jackasses couldn’t handle?” I look back and forth to the three men waiting for an answer but Colton is the only one with a pair big enough to reply. Hell, I’m five foot three and one-hundred thirty pounds. Not much to fear for big burly men if you ask me.
“Mornin’ Boss.” He gives a curt nod. “Got an issue with the belt, thought you might be interested in hearin’ ‘bout it.”
“An issue with the belt? Am I supposed to know what that means? Spell it out for me and save my patience, please.” I snap at him. Todd finally finds the courage to speak and once he explains the situation in detail, I understand the urgency.
The conveyor belt that runs coal from undergro
und pulling the black Diamonds outside to the coal pile came off track, so operations were shut down for the night until maintenance could repair the belt. Initially, they thought the side panels of the conveyor belt may have come off which caused the belt to slip off the rollers. They called maintenance in to repair the belt, but it was his final conclusion that this was another attack of sabotage at Black Ridge mines. First, the D9 Dozer was destroyed when sugar was found in the gas tank.
“Apparently, the panels were removed only to make it appear that the conveyor belt slipped off the rollers, but over three hundred feet of the belt had been cut. To add salt to the wound, the extra supply of belt that we keep on hand, has been destroyed as well. A clearly evident sign of sabotage.” Colton states as he rocks the chair back and forth on the hind legs with his hands laced behind his head.
“Todd, I need you to call the state police so we can make a report.”
“Boss, you sure we need to involve the authorities just yet?”
“Todd, do you understand the severity of the matter? This is the second time Black Ridge has been under attack of sabotage in less than three months. It always happens in the middle of the night. This is costing Simon Energy millions of dollars. I’m done playing games. Make the call now, or perhaps since you’re the Superintendent you can explain all the sabotage happening at YOUR mines?” I yell at him, swallowing the bitter cold air into my lungs. He winces at my statement then hangs his head low before he settles on his next choice of words.
“Boss, I work days. Darren here is the man of the night. But I can speak for each of the men here at Black Ridge. None of ‘em would destroy company property. Think long and hard about it, Boss. They know this kinda destruction is gonna shut us down a few days. Ain’t none of us can afford to lose pay. I agree that someone’s sabotagin’ the mines, but it ain’t none of my men.”
“I appreciate your input, Todd. Until I have the asshole by his balls, every employee at Black Ridge will be under a microscope.” Todd hangs his head low then picks up the phone calling the KSP. While we wait for the Kentucky State Police to arrive, I talk with Darren and Todd about the mines. Colton remains silent in the corner, taking in the conversation, his eyes never leaving me. I ask them if anything has seemed out of the ordinary or if there has been any reports of strangers meddling around the surface, but neither of them have any information to offer.
“Todd, you need to call Platinum Security this morning and have them send extra officers over from seven PM to seven AM. I don’t want anyone entering Black Ridge without their company I.D. So relay the information to your men that carrying their company I.D. is a requirement. I know we’ve been a bit lax with that lately, but we have to take every precaution necessary to protect Simon Energy and our miners.” He shakes his head then scratches a reminder down on a post it.
When KSP finally arrive nearly an hour after Todd called them, they take a report from each of us, before assessing the damage and collecting any evidence they find imperative to the investigation. Colton disappeared shortly after they took his statement and I’m thankful for his absence. I’m not even sure why the hell he was here.
“Ms. Simon, is there anyone you can think of who may be seeking revenge against you or Simon Energy?”
“I honestly can’t pinpoint anyone specific because I simply have no proof to back any accusations.”
“I understand. If you think of anything, please give me a call.” He replies handing me his business card.
My patience are wearing thin and exhaustion is setting in. The small tin trailer office at Black Ridge is disgusting. Every surface is coated in a black dusting of soot and the smell of sulfur that lingers in the air causes my stomach to roll with nausea. Once the KSP has finished collecting evidence and taking the report, I confirm with Todd that extra security has been added for night shift at Black Ridge before leaving.
Day break welcomes the soft blue morning sky as snow flurries dance through the air. I drive with caution because these winding country roads rarely see any salt treatment and the roads are slicker than snot. I glance in my rearview mirror and notice a black SUV riding too close for comfort. I’m only doing five under the speed limit, so I continue to drive cautiously, keeping a close eye on the vehicle. The SUV continues to follow me for several miles. Speeding closer towards me, riding my ass then backing off. The windows are blacked out with tint and I can’t make out the driver. I try to remain focused on the road, but the close proximity of the elusive vehicle has my nerves on end. Suddenly, the SUV comes zooming past me in a curve, riding mere inches from the side of my car. I lock up the breaks terrified that the vehicle may crash into me. Just as they pass, my car fish tails across the slick ice, turning the Camaro sideways in the road. The SUV flies up the road, the only sight I see is the faint glare of the tail lights lighting up as the driver hugs the curve ahead. I cling to the steering wheel for dear life, frozen in panic and fear. I don’t even know how long I sit clutched to the steering wheel. This country road is often less traveled and thankfully this is one of the mornings that traffic is light. A tap on the window startles me and I jump in the seat, bumping my head on the headrest as I look up to see a man standing beside the car peering inside. I press the window button just enough to reveal my eyes to the Good Samaritan.
“Little lady, you alright?” The older man asks through a cold, white breath as he peeks through the crack in the window. I try to find my voice to speak, but it comes out small and raspy. I clear my throat and grip the steering wheel tighter to hide my shaking hands.
“Yes sir, just slid on the ice. Got a little shook up is all. Thanks for checking on me.” I nod, trying to force a weak smile.
“Well, just take it a little slower and watch for black ice now. Be safe.” He turns and walks back to his truck which is behind my car. I drag in a long deep breath as I straighten the wheel, then releasing my foot from the brake and slowly pressing the gas.
When I get to the mines, I’m still rattled and shaken from nearly being ran into the ditch. I quickly make my way to my office, closing the door behind me. I make a strong pot of coffee before stepping into the private restroom. I need just a few minutes completely alone to pull myself together and the more closed doors I can put between myself and everyone else, the safer I’ll feel. There’s a gnawing anxiety creeping through my chest, and my breathing is so erratic and jumpy. I turn the faucet on, letting the cold water run briefly before splashing the brisk liquid against my face. Pulling in a few ragged breaths, I concentrate on my breathing and try to slow my racing heart.
When the panic attack subsides, I walk back into my office but nearly jump out of my own damn body when I see Colton sitting in front of my desk. He has his left elbow on the arm of the chair, balancing his head on the tips of his fingers as he flips a pen back and forth between against his thigh boringly.
“Holy shit.” I shriek, grabbing my chest. “What the hell are you doing in here?” I flop down lifelessly in the chair, bracing my elbows on the top of the desk as bite at the tips of my fingers. My hands are trembling still, and I just can’t stow the jitters that wrack my body.
“Damn, didn’t mean to scare you. I was just on my way home and wanted to see what you’re thinkin’ about that shit over at Black Ridge.” I stare at Colton trying to concentrate on what he’s saying, but all I hear is booming echoes pounding through my ears. “Carly Jo, you alright?” He shouts across the desk. I flinch at his voice and stare back at him behind wild eyes. Scrubbing my hands up my face, I release a long sigh.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to space out on you. What were you saying?” He cocks his head to the side looking at me with confusion written all over his dark brown eyes.
“Black Ridge. Was wonderin’ what you think’s goin’ on over there.” I nod, trying to hang on to his every word, but my concentration is stuck on the side of the road about five miles back. “You sure you’re alright? You’re awfully pale.” He asks me, clearly concerned by my dazed reaction.
/> “Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep much.” I lie, but what else is there to tell, really? I don’t know what the hell happened on my way to work this morning and there is no point in bringing it to anybody’s attention if it’s nothing of significance. “Ah, Black Ridge. Has to be sabotage. Just not sure who, why, or how. By the way, why were you there this morning?”
“Todd called me after maintenance had discovered that all of the belt was screwed with. I went over to see how much damage there was, and told him it would be best to let you know immediately what had happened.” He bounces his knee up and down, looking anywhere but at me as he speaks. “The destruction happenin’ at Black Ridge has to be an inside job, Carly Jo; someone who has underground access. Now we just gotta find out who the corrupt bastard is.” I nod, chewing on the bottom of my lip remaining silent, letting his words soak in. Something in my gut tells me that this is connected to Drew. But I can’t share that information with just anyone, especially Colton because that will just open up an entire debacle of questioning. Too many lies and secrets to expose and considering our strained awkwardness at the moment, I think some secrets are best left unsaid.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I hear him question, but I’m drawn into a deep daze, thousands of thoughts swirling around in my mind. “Carly Jo?” He raises his voice a little louder, snapping me from my trance.
“What?” I stare at him in confusion.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I’m talkin’ to ya, but you’re off in space.”
“Sorry, just a lot on my mind.” I look down, wringing my clammy hands together. “I’m meeting with my attorney this week. I’ll fill her in on the accident and see if she can start a private investigation.” I shrug one shoulder as I shuffle some papers around on my desk trying to appear unaffected by the thick tension that is swirling about the room. I look up and catch Colton piercing me with a hard stare, but not one that evokes anger, or hatred. His eyes are sad and troubled. My heart constricts and I hold my breath as a state of panic washes over me.