Annihilate Me 2: Vol. 1

by Christina Ross

  “Alex?” I said.

  He turned to me with a smile and kissed me on the forehead. “Are you feeling better?”

  “Yes.”

  “I love you,” he said.

  “I love you, too.”

  “Are you ready?”

  I scrutinized his face and saw something dark in his eyes that concerned me. It looked as if he was about to go to war. “What am I getting ready for? What are you up to?”

  He held out his hand to me, and I took it.

  “Last night you asked me if I trusted you,” he said. “So now, I need to know if you trust me.”

  “You know that I do.”

  “Then let’s go and see what I’m up to,” he said.

  * * *

  In the lobby, Tank was waiting for us just outside the elevator. Usually, Alex greeted his best friend with good-natured small talk, but this morning, he only nodded at Tank as the three of us crossed the lobby toward the tall, double set of glass doors that were at the opposite end of the cavernous space. Through the wall of windows to my left, I saw the reporters at the same moment they saw us leaving the elevator and coming toward them.

  And then, they swarmed.

  Time seemed to slow. Cutter was outside, and he was trying to keep the crowd back when they pressed forward. Max likely was in the car, ready to drive us away whenever Alex was finished saying whatever it was that he wanted to say.

  “Just stand by my side,” he said to me. “That’s all I ask you to do.”

  “Anything you want,” I said.

  There were times when I consulted Alex on his business, and there were times when I knew that it was best for me to just trust his instincts and hang back. Given the heat that was coming off him—and how wronged he’d been in the Post this morning—I knew this was one of those times, and I had a gut feeling about what was about to come. So, I just stroked my hand against the low of his back in a gesture of support as we followed Tank through the doors, into the warm sunshine, and onto the sidewalk.

  The moment we were through the doors, mayhem ensued as a flurry of questions accosted us from every angle. Alex ignored the questions. “When you’re ready,” he said to the crowd, “I’d like to make a statement. But there will be no questions. So, you can take my statement, or we can leave. It’s your choice, but decide now.”

  The crowd grew silent.

  “Last night, we lost one of the great champions of this city in a freak accident many of us are still trying to understand while we grieve. I’m not sure that many of us will ever comprehend the tragedy that happened last night—or how it happened. But I do know this—Audric Dufort wasn’t just a great businessman whose efforts literally changed this city’s landscape, but, at his core, he also was a great man. To some of you, that must seem either like a cliché or hyperbole—it’s neither. Through his charitable contributions alone—most of which were never made public because Audric wasn’t interested in that kind of publicity—he helped hundreds of thousands of people, not only here in Manhattan and throughout its boroughs, but also around the world, particularly in his native country of France. Over the ensuing days and weeks, I’m certain that many will come forward with their own stories about Audric’s quiet philanthropy, and how they loved him and appreciated him because of how he helped them. I’m happy to step aside and let them have that moment because they and Audric deserve it. But here’s my story.”

  When he paused, the rapid sound of cameras going off around us sounded to me like a mass clicking of light switches being turned on and off in a rush of expectation.

  “Audric was a great friend of my father’s. Because of that, I knew him from the day I was born. In a way, he was like an uncle to me, especially because my father and Audric enjoyed many prosperous deals together, and they remained close until my father and mother died at my father’s hand. It was about a month after I’d taken control of Wenn that I really came to know Audric and his son Henri, because it was then that Audric sensed that I needed him most. I remember the day that he called and asked me to lunch. I was overwhelmed at the time—some of you will remember that my first wife, Diana, died in a car accident not long after I took over Wenn. What Audric revealed to me over that lunch was a kindness that I’ll never forget. He made it clear to me that he would always be available to me. That I could lean on him, shoot ideas by him, and ask him questions—which I did. Repeatedly. He made me believe that with some effort, a lot of hard work, and a bit of guidance from him when I asked for it, that I could successfully take over my father’s company despite the odds that were stacked against me. That’s the kind of person Audric Dufort was. He was wonderful, he was kind, he was my teacher, and most of all, he was my friend. What I want people to remember today and going forward, is that this city—and the world—just got a whole lot smaller with Audric Dufort’s passing. I’ve read the papers this morning, and with the exception of one particular front-page story, the outpouring of respect has been humbling. So, thank you for that. I appreciate that, and I’m sure that his son, Henri, appreciates your generosity and kindness. Audric Dufort came to this country with nothing. But even with every odd against him, he built an empire, and once he’d made it, he helped the citizens of this country who had helped him succeed. I hope that those who loved him as much as I did will come forward with all of your own stories. And in an effort to be fair and balanced, I hope that the press will run with them. But I have to address one thing before I leave here today, and that’s this morning’s grotesque, insensitive, aberrant story that ran in the Post. It crosses a line even I never thought that particular paper was capable of crossing.”

  With a quick turn of his head, Alex faced the same short, middle-aged photographer I remembered from last night’s party. I recognized him on sight as the man who had taken our photographs throughout the night. When Alex locked eyes with him and with his peers turning to face him, the man took a step back and lowered his camera to his side.

  Alex shoved a finger in his direction. “What you and your paper did with this morning’s edition of your bullshit rag is nothing if not a sorry bastardization of a great man. You should be ashamed of yourself. You were there last night. You not only saw what happened, but you recorded it with your own camera without once bothering to help any of us that were shouting for help. You know for a fact that Audric’s wheelchair malfunctioned—you saw it with your own eyes. And yet you dare to show yourself here this morning despite your total lack of respect for a man who tragically lost his life. So, let me tell you something, you sonofabitch. I can take whatever you want to dish out to me and my company, but how dare you and your shit paper exploit a man whose presence in this city was nothing if not positive and good? What I’m about to say to you I want on the record. Is everyone listening? Good. Please find a creative way to print or broadcast these words, because they won’t be pleasant. Go fuck yourself, you sorry little bastard. Right now, you’re surrounded by some of the best in the business, and yet you dare to stand alongside them as if you’ve walked the path they walked to become a real reporter. The rest of your colleagues know better. They’ve seen what you’ve printed now and in the past. They’ve heard me. And my guess is that they will print or broadcast an edited version of what I’ve just said to you, which is well earned. Meanwhile, in petty retaliation, your paper will likely run another cover story on me that says something like ‘WENN HAS CRACKED! INVESTORS IN DOUBT!’ We’ll see if I’m right about that—even though I already know that I am. But so be it. In the spirit of that knowledge, I’ll say it again, motherfucker. Fuck you and your paper. I hope you rot in hell for what you did to my friend.”

  With that, Alex took my hand and faced the rest of the reporters. “To the rest of you, I can’t tell you how appreciative I am that you have honored Audric in the way that you have. I’m humbled by it and grateful for it, as I’m sure his son is. Please continue to remember Audric with kindness, meaning, and sensitivity. As the scope of his philanthropy becomes public, you will soon see th
at he deserves it. Some of you might be curious enough to dig into his life on your own, and to see exactly the kind of impact he had here in Manhattan and around the world. If you do that, I think that you’ll be stunned. That’s all for today. Thank you very much for listening.”

  “Mr. Wenn,” somebody called.

  But Alex was finished, so, with a slight tug on my hand, we started to move toward the car that was waiting for us at the curbside. Cutter led the way and Tank took up the rear. Usually, the press crushed us when Alex spoke publicly. Perhaps out of respect for what Alex had just said, they seemed to be hanging back, which wasn’t at all like them. Usually, they rushed forward.

  But this time, they didn’t.

  As we moved forward, I became aware of two things—some were taking photographs of us as we got into the limousine, but others were turning to photograph the reporter from the Post. He looked even smaller to me than he had last night, and his face had gone pale in the presence of the truth.

  Cutter stayed behind for crowd control. Tank moved forward and held open our door, and eventually all of us got inside without incident. The moment Tank shut his door, everything went silent and the car sped into traffic. I moved closer to Alex and put my hand on his thigh. I gave him time to let his anger subside as we moved down Fifth toward the Wenn Enterprises Building.

  “I’ve never seen you like that before,” I said.

  Alex didn’t turn to me when he spoke. Instead, he just kept looking straight ahead when he answered. “That’s because you’ve never seen me deal with the death and betrayal of a loved one. But now you have. Now you know what I’m like when I’m crossed on that level.” He looked at me, and there was something in his piercing blue eyes that suggested that he’d just seen a terrible darkness before sharply pulling away from it. “It’s probably for the best that you haven’t seen me that aggressive. I’m sorry if I went too far.”

  “I thought that you were magnificent.”

  “It was Audric who was magnificent.”

  I didn’t respond.

  Ahead of us, the Wenn Enterprises Building loomed into sight.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  When we arrived at Wenn, we entered the building and crossed the lobby to the bank of elevators at the opposite end. Alex pressed the call button, we waited a moment for the doors to open, and when they did, we stepped inside.

  “I received a text from Ann before we left,” he said. “Something about Singapore. I need to see her.”

  I shot him a look, but I didn’t say what I was thinking, if only because of what he’d just gone through. Our SlimPhone was manufactured in Singapore.

  “Do you need me to come with you?”

  “I know you plan on seeing Blackwell. If I need you, I’ll call you on your cell as soon as I do. I don’t know what this is about. It might be nothing. Go and see Barbara—she’s a cauldron of information, and will already have an idea of how people are responding to the Post story. Would you mind having flowers sent to Henri? White roses—many of them. I’ll write a personal note to him, and you can do the same if you want.”

  “Of course I will.”

  He shook his head and took a breath. “I’m sorry if I’m tense, Jennifer.”

  “You have every reason to be,” I said. “Just know that I’m here for you. Last night was too much for anyone to absorb. Alex, if you need the day to yourself, just say it. I understand. You need to absorb this. I can disappear until later tonight if you need to spend the day with work and with your own thoughts. Someone once said to me that our work saves us. You might just need to work.”

  “Why would I refuse you when I need you most?”

  “Then I’m here for you—whenever you need me.”

  With one fluid motion, he turned to me, held my face in his hands, and kissed me with such meaning, I could feel all of his frustration, loss, disappointment, and anger course through my body, only it was filtered through me with love. Our kiss lingered, and what passed between us were all the feelings one would only share with a lover. The kiss was that raw. The palms of his hands were that hot. I gave myself over to him and tried to absorb of much of his pain and his anger as I could, if only to take it all away from him so he wouldn’t hurt any longer—even though I knew that was impossible.

  “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said in my ear. “I’d be lost without you today. And so many other days. You’re my anchor. If you weren’t at my side today, I probably would have punched that reporter in the face. And where would that have gotten me?”

  “In jail,” I said, trying me best to lift the moment if only to bring the best of him back to me. “Where would I have found the spare change to bail you out? Do they take a credit card at the police department?”

  He managed to smile at that, and then he moved in for another kiss. I closed my eyes when our lips met—more tenderly this time—and I could feel that he wasn’t quite here with me even though he was trying to be. He was that overwhelmed. That shaken and that sad. I didn’t know what to do other than to be there for him, but increasingly, it felt as if he just needed some time alone, which I understood.

  The elevator started to slow as it reached the forty-seventh floor. When the door slid open, Alex only gave me a promise that he’d see me soon before he stepped out.

  And then he was gone—and when he went, my heart followed.

  * * *

  When I arrived at Blackwell’s office, she was poised over her desk, her black bob hanging over one side of her face, and she had each of the city’s newspapers spread out in front of her. The one that she had clutched in her hand was the Post.

  It was no surprise to me that her hand was trembling with rage.

  “I’ve heard of yellow journalism,” she said when she looked up at me as I entered the room. “But this has nothing but the stink of urine all over it. How dare they do this to Alex and to you—not to mention to Audric’s memory, and also to Henri. Poor Henri. I’m so angry after reading this that I want to throttle someone. I want to tar and feather the bastard who took these photos—and then I want to set him on fire.”

  “Please do.”

  “I’ve known Audric and Henri longer than I’ve known Alex. They were and are the very best this city has to offer, and that paper dares to do this to them? After what they have done for people? Not on my watch. I’ve already got Robert in PR working on demanding a retraction. Our legal team is assisting him. Indirectly, they have accused Alex of not saving that man’s life, which is libelous. I’m out for blood. But more than anything, I’m devastated.”

  “I think we all are.”

  She held up the cover of the Post—and I was once again faced with my own startled expression, now fodder for the entire city to mull over and judge, and through the Post’s popular website, the world at large would do the same since this would indeed become national news. “They’re going to pay for this,” Blackwell said. “You’ll see.”

  “I hope that they do.”

  “You look exhausted,” she said when her gaze swept over me.

  “I am.”

  She motioned toward the chair in front of me. “Sit there,” she said. “I should have noticed it the moment you entered my office. I’m so sorry for what happened to all of you last night. Would you like coffee? Margaret would be happy to get you a fresh cup.”

  “I appreciate that, but I’ve already thrown up once this morning. A solid dose of caffeine on an empty stomach would probably only make me sick again.”

  “Are you all right now?”

  “Still a bit queasy.”

  “It will pass soon. The anger won’t, but the nausea will. You’ll see.”

  The truth was that I felt miserable, but I was trying my best to not let it show. Nobody needed to be concerned about my stomach issues now, so I just pushed through them because they were meaningless in the face of what had happened.

  “I assume the press were waiting for Alex and you when you left your apartment this mor
ning?” Blackwell said.

  “They were.”

  “Of course they were. Like bees to a hive. What happened?”

  I took the seat opposite her, waited for her to sit down, and then told her what Alex had said to the crowd when we left our apartment.

  Blackwell waved her hand. “Another reason I love that boy.”

  “Agreed.”

  “That tribute to Audric came from your husband’s heart. So did the fury he unleashed on the sonofabitch who took the photos. Are you concerned about what he said to him?”

  “Not at all. That coward deserved it. Alex tried to save Audric. So did I, but neither of us could make it in time. People witnessed it. The city will take his side.”

  “Alex knew exactly what he was doing this morning. From the sounds of it, he properly celebrated his friend, and then he called out the enemy. While I wish it was Audric the press was focusing on in today’s blogs, tonight’s broadcasts, and tomorrow’s papers, I’m afraid, that after what Alex said to the press this morning, Audric will get only a passing mention. Not that that’s a bad thing. For the most part, that scrawny reporter from the Post will be vilified, as will the paper itself. In a sense, that will actually honor Audric.”

  “I wish you could have seen Alex, Barbara. He spoke so eloquently. What he had to say about Audric was beautiful and touching. When he was finished talking about Audric’s impact on his own life, he said that he hoped that others would come forward with their own stories, and spread them to anyone who would listen. I think that they will. As we come closer to the day that Audric is buried, the stories about his philanthropy will only increase. After what Alex said, I believe in that, especially because so much of what Audric did for this city was done anonymously.” I paused. “I never knew Audric until last night. I had no idea how close he and Alex were.”