The Chauffeur

by A. P. Hallmark

  “Keep it up, little girl,” he hisses, grabbing my ass as I step around him.

  “You are such a tease,” I say, kissing his lips before he has a chance to shut the door. I smile when he scoffs.

  “I need you to take care of this,” he growls, pulling me against his erection.

  “Do you want to go for a little drive before we go inside?”

  “I would love nothing better, but I don’t want to lose our reservation. I want you so bad right now,” he says against my ear. “I bet you’re soaked, aren’t you?” In my incoherency, all I can do is close my eyes at his seductive words and nod my head.

  “I want you right here, in front of God and everybody,” he continues. “Do you want me to lift the back of your dress and fuck you?” Like an idiot, I nod again, and behind the security of the passenger door, he lifts the back of my dress, slipping his finger inside me. When he slowly pulls it out to suck on it, my eyes open to see two valet attendants watching. Although they can’t see anything, they know.

  “Let’s get inside,” he says, pulling me by my hand. Like a giddy school girl, I skip.

  Once we enter the restaurant, we’re escorted to a private room, and I’m startled by a collective “Surprise!”

  I look around to see all my friends standing with champagne flutes in their hands. Toasting me.

  “What is this?” I ask, most definitely surprised.

  Carl and Grace make their way around the table to stand next to me.

  “April,” Grace begins, “everyone is here to congratulate you on your new professorship. We’re all so proud of you.”

  “Here’s to April!” Carl says, handing me a flute of champagne. I stare at it, then Emily, who’s eyes are huge, and then Rita. I raise the glass to my friends and then to my lips, taking a small sip, I set the glass down and turn to smile up at Jason.

  “You brat,” I say, lightly punching his arm.

  “That’s right,” he whispers.

  “Thank you, everyone. I’m very excited about my new adventure and Grace … Carl, you know I couldn’t have, or wouldn’t have, done this without you. So, thank you for that needed push.” As I look around the room at the smiling faces, my gaze meets the familiar one of Paul. I walk around the table and throw my arms around him. It’s the first time I’ve seen him since Roger’s service.

  “I’m so sorry, Paul,” I say, tears pooling in my eyes. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “It’s good to see you too, April. I’m so proud of you. Although you were perfect at the community center, you will excel at the university level. You are destined to teach.”

  “Thank you. How are you doing?” I can clearly see the sadness that he’s wearing like a blanket. His eyes are tired, with dark circles, from lack of sleep no doubt.

  “One day at a time. But I was wondering if I could meet with you and Jason some time. I’d like to talk to you both about what happened. Is that all right?” he asks, looking at me then at Jason.

  “I’ll set it up with Jason and give you a call to let you know when.”

  “I look forward to it. Now, congratulations and go celebrate,” he says, kissing my cheek, guiding me back to my place next to Jason.

  “Please take your seats so we can order,” Carl says, and everyone does as he instructs. When two servers enter the room with carts of wine, they begin to pour—starting with me. I can see tonight will be a test to my acting abilities.

  ~.~

  The following Wednesday, Paul comes to the office at Rowe Enterprises to meet with Jason and me. After Sue announces his arrival, we make ourselves comfortable at the conference table.

  “Thanks for meeting with me, Jason,” Paul begins.

  “No problem, Paul. What’s going on?” Jason replies warily.

  “Well, I was hoping you would tell me what happened that day. To Roger, I mean.”

  I can tell Jason is warring with himself on whether he would share the information with Paul or not. When he shifts his crossed right leg with his left, I know he’s not sure what he wants to do.

  “You’re entitled to know what happened, but if you leak any of this information, it could mean grave consequences for all of us—including you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. You have my assurance that I won’t say a word. I just need to know what happened to him.”

  After Jason stares directly into Paul’s eyes, contemplating, he gets up, paces and then walks to the massive window that looks out over the city.

  “Paul, you and I have a history, and you know that. It’s because of that history, I’m reluctant to put my trust in you,” Jason finally admits, turning to look at Paul again.

  “What do you mean?” Paul asks blankly, shocked at Jason’s words.

  “What do you mean, ‘what do you mean’? You slept with Amanda, Paul. You know, my girlfriend in college? How can I trust you with this information now when you didn’t respect my relationship then?”

  Paul walks across the room to stand in front of Jason. “But I didn’t sleep with Amanda. I didn’t sleep with any women in college. I was gay, even then. I had a boyfriend. We were afraid to come out. Amanda knew, and she let us hide behind the rumors. So, no, it wasn’t me. I tried to tell you I didn’t do it, but you wouldn’t believe me, and she refused to tell you the truth. It was Brian Williams who slept with her.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me back then that it was him?”

  “I thought you might go after him. Amanda said you had a violent temper.”

  “Wow,” is all Jason can say. “I suppose I might’ve. All these years I thought it was you.”

  “So, will you tell me about Roger? Please? I need to know,” Paul begs.

  “Come on, let’s sit down,” Jason says, guiding Paul back to the table.

  “We have reason to believe that the plane was sabotaged,” Jason says.

  “What? Who? How?” he asks, his wide huge with shock.

  “That’s information I can’t divulge. Both the FAA and the Feds are investigating.”

  “So, Roger was murdered,” Paul says, hanging his head. I reach over and wrap my arm around his shoulder, hoping I can console him.

  “It appears so.”

  “But you know who, don’t you? I know you do.” He sits up with renewed vigor. “If there is anything I can do to help, I need you to call me. Anything. I never told Roger, and I will regret every single day that I didn’t tell him. I wanted to, but I was scared.”

  “If there’s anything I can think of that you can help with, I’ll give you a call, all right?” Jason says.

  “I may be gay, Jason, but I’m still a man. I know how to throw a punch,” he says with conviction.

  I look Jason’s way, and he has that look in his eyes. He has a plan.

  “Um, Paul, I may have an idea.”

  “Anything,” he says, his eyes wide with excitement.

  “Do you think you still have your women-wooing skills?” I know right away what Jason’s thinking.

  “What do you have in mind?” Paul asks with a furrowed brow.

  “We have a suspect, and I thought you might be able to worm your way into her heart to gain her trust. Is that something you’re interested in?”

  “Do I need to worm my way into her bed as well?”

  “Not necessarily,” Jason says. “What if you just charm her? Women love a challenge and if you make yourself irresistible to her, the more you keep her at arm’s length, the more she’ll want you. Only give her enough to keep her interested.”

  “Jason, what a perfect plan! Paul can get close to her and milk her for information.”

  “I’ll do it!” Paul says, jumping up from his seat.

  We spend the rest of the morning formulating a plan of attack. It’s fortunate that Kate’s charity event is coming up; it offers an excellent opportunity to introduce Paul to Kathryn. Jason calls Sue into his office. “Please purchase a table for ten to the Arts and Science Initiative gala.”

  “Are you crazy?”
she shouts.

  Jason smirks at Sue’s outburst. “All of the Rowes will want to attend this particular event. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

  We’ll pretend to be oblivious of Kate’s involvement in the explosion and Paul will start working his magic on Kate. I know it will work; one because Paul is incredibly handsome and debonair, and two, Kate is a sexual female. It shouldn’t take long for Paul to wend his way into Kate’s heart.

  ~.~

  “Garrett,” I say when I enter the kitchen at the main house. “I need to go into town tomorrow morning for an appointment. Jason and Kyle are busy with meetings, and I was wondering if you’d drive in with me. It should only take an hour or so.” I glance at Rita.

  “Sure, April. I’d be happy to take you, just let me know when and I’ll be there,” he says as he walks out the back door.

  “You going to the doctor’s?” Rita asks. I nod my head slightly, reaching for a banana.

  “Yes, I need more proof than a boxed test, you know? I don’t want to say anything to Jason until I’m positive.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. What time is your appointment? I’ll have Garrett ready for you,” she asks, wiping her wet hands on a towel as she walks over to her calendar hanging on the wall.

  “It’s at ten thirty. I’ll drive, and will meet him out front around nine thirty if that’s all right?” I say as I walk out the door to meet Jason at the garage. We don’t take the Maybach anymore as Carl won’t let me drive anyone around until this is resolved. I ride with Jason in his car to the office, where he and Grace keep me busy with menial tasks.

  Once we arrive, Carl calls me into his office and asks me to sit in on the last round of interviews for Roger’s replacement. I think it’s mainly to see if I recognize anyone from the plant or if I consider them as suspicious.

  In the end, Carl decides to hire a mutual friend of Paul and Roger’s. We all felt it beneficial that Clay Dawson runs in Paul’s circle. It gives him a familiarity that will work to his advantage. Plus, Carl thought Roger would appreciate having a friend sit in his chair.

  “Welcome aboard, Clay. Let’s take you around and introduce you to the team.”

  Everyone welcomes Clay warmly, and the introduction to Sue is a little bit poignant since they were both so close to Roger. I grin at the look on Clay’s face when he learns that two of Carl’s female employees are girlfriends of his two sons.

  “All right, Clay. You go with Kyle, and I’ll see you at eight o’clock tomorrow. Glad you’re here, son,” Carl says, leaving Jason’s office.

  “Let’s get you hooked up with parking and entry keys. We have a corporate dining room, and a few other floors to introduce to you. We might as well get started.”

  After everyone leaves Jason’s office, I take the opportunity to tell him that I won’t be in the office tomorrow until after lunch because of an appointment.

  “Who’s taking you?” he asks immediately.

  “Garrett. I’ve already made arrangements with him, so don’t worry,” I say, placing my hands on both his upper arms.

  “What is this appointment? Where is it?” he continues to interrogate.

  “It’s for a routine visit, silly. It won’t take long and as soon as I drop Garrett off, I —”

  “No,” he says, interrupting me. “I want him to drive you, that way he can drop you off here directly after your appointment, okay? I don’t want you on the road alone.”

  “All right, if that’s what you want. I should be back by noon. Do you want to have lunch with me?” I ask, raising up on my toes for a kiss.

  “I would love to,” he replies, returning my kiss. “Dad asked me if you wouldn’t mind helping him out today by filing some personal documents for him. This is a big deal. He doesn’t have just anyone do it. I’m proud that he trusts you, April,” he says, holding my face in his hands then kissing the tip of my nose.

  “I would love to help,” I say, turning to leave the office. “See you around handsome.”

  ~.~

  The following morning, after Jason leaves for the office, I jump in the shower, and I’m a nervous wreck. This is it. I’ll get a definite answer. Am I pregnant or not? If I am, I’ll tell Jason, and we’ll work it out together.

  Garrett meets me at the bottom of my stairs and escorts me to the car, opening the door for me. Once we’re inside and settled, he looks over at me.

  “Rita said this is a doctor’s appointment?” he asks with uneasiness in his voice.

  “Yep,” I answer, clicking my seatbelt.

  “Are you sick?”

  “No, it’s just a regular checkup. Nothing to worry about,” I answer, noticing the concern on his face. “Seriously, Garrett, it’s just one of those necessary girly visits.”

  When I see his facial expression change to relief, I feel a lot better.

  After he drops me off at the front door, the test takes no time at all.

  I’m pregnant.

  In a daze, I walk out of the doctor’s office. Hearing the doctor say it out loud hit me like a brick. I think even a feather would knock me on my ass.

  “I’m pregnant,” I whisper out loud. With Jason’s baby. A son could be growing inside me. Suddenly, everything makes sense. We’ve made a little person, and I can’t wait to tell him.

  As expected, Garrett is waiting for me in the lobby and holds the door open for me, and I head for the car. “You’re taking me to the office, right?”

  “April?” When I turn to face him, Garrett is held by a large man in a black hoodie that we saw on the security tape.

  “Take care of yourself,” he manages to say before he’s hit on the head with a club of some sort. My scream is muffled by a cloth being shoved in my mouth.

  I look around me while attempting to escape, but when an arm tightens around my neck, the air is blocked from my lungs. As soon as the door slides open to the van waiting at the curb, and I’m shoved inside. Gathering my wits, I get on all fours and scurry toward the door, but I’m grabbed by the hair and pulled back inside. My heart stops when I’m turned toward the figure sitting in the corner—Robin. She’s the last thing I see before being smacked so hard, my head nearly twists off my neck.

  “Jason …” I whisper before my view fades to black.

  Chapter 22

  ~Jason~

  “Hello, Helen,” my father says to the weary-looking woman known as Kathryn’s mother.

  “Hello, asshole.” My father and I look at each other and chuckle.

  “That’s a nice look on you, Helen,” my mother says.

  Helen looks entirely different without her finely coiffed hair, makeup, and couture dresses. Today she has her hair in a ponytail and is wearing jeans, a plaid button-down, and a pair of salmon-colored dollar store flip flops.

  “What do you want, Grace?” Helen demands spitefully, smirking at my mother. “Isn’t it enough I have to smell these two but that cheap perfume you wear will suffocate all of us.”

  This interrogation is going to take a while, so I pull out my phone and text April that I won’t be able to have lunch with her today. I want her to know she can go straight home, where I know she’ll be safe.

  “My god but you have a mouth on you,” my mother says in a sweet, kind voice. “Besides, my handsome son gave me this perfume when he went to France. A trip that he took your daughter on if memory serves.” She turns to me and shakes her head. “You sure lowered your standards in hooking up with that one, Jason.” I shrug in acquiescence.

  “What do you want?” Helen asks, sitting down hard on her cot.

  “I want information, and I want the truth,” my father demands, walking the five steps to stand in front of her.

  “I have nothing for you,” she says, sitting back against the wall, crossing her arms.

  “Why was the plant in Romeoville so important to you?”

  “What plant?” she answers flippantly.

  “Okay, Helen, I’ll play along,” he replies sarcastically. “The plant that Jas
on bought.”

  I stand off to the side watching and listening as my father does his thing when my mother pushes a cart laden with food into the center of the room.

  “Don’t mind me, dear,” she says sweetly to my father. “I thought I would make us some lunch while you play with Helen.”

  “Thank you, love. I’m starving,” he beams back at her while rubbing his stomach.

  I try hard not to laugh as my mother, with dramatic flair, sets the table complete with tablecloth, napkins, and fine china. I help by opening a bottle of wine, and while pouring, I look over at Helen and smile, winking at her.

  “Helen?” my father begins again, snapping his fingers in her face. “Focus, Helen.”

  Oh, she’s focused all right—on the cart full of food.

  “Go to hell, Carl. You think you know, but you have no idea who you’re messing with,” she says hatefully.

  “What’s for lunch mom? I’m hungry too,” I ask, removing the metal domes from our plates.

  “Oh, just something I whipped up—nothing special: Sirloin steak, twice baked potato and tossed salad for you and your father, grilled salmon and wild rice pilaf for me and a toasted creamy peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich and a side of fruit for Helen,” Mom explains.

  I lift my plate under my nose and inhale the delicious aroma of beef.

  “Oh, you made Helen your special PB&J?”

  “Here you go Helen,” my mother says deviously, holding out a disposable plate with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with a sliced apple.

  “Oh, now, Helen, don’t be that way,” my mother says when Helen refuses to take the plate. “I slaved making this for you. There’s no need to be rude. Here, I’ll place it on the bed, and you can eat it whenever you want, how’s that?”

  The three of us take our seats, take our wine glasses to each other and take a sip. We then remove the covers from our plates.

  The aroma fills the room, and even I can’t resist digging into my steak. I peek at Helen through my lashes as I chew my food offering her a polite smile.

  “Grace, dear, you’ve outdone yourself. This steak is a perfect medium rare, just the way I like it,” Dad says, slicing off another bite of beef. “Mmm, the sautéed mushrooms are the perfect touch.”