Endangered: A Delecoeur Mystery #1

by Harte, Jenna

  “Pleased to meet you,” Max said shaking Chas' hand. It seemed impossible to Max that Julia would have a child as old as Chas. Had it really been that long since they'd been teenaged star-crossed lovers? He looked a lot like Julia, except for the blue eyes, Max noted. But the self-important attitude by which he carried himself left no doubt that he was Julia's son.

  “The pleasure is mine. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Chas is launching his own consulting business,” Julia said.

  “What sort of consulting?” Max asked.

  “High tech security systems.”

  “You know a lot about technology, don't you Max?” Julia said.

  Max realized the purpose of the dinner was less about Julia and more about helping Chas. Networking was the way business worked, so Max didn’t mind. He was always on the lookout for new talent he could mentor. While Madeleine’s philanthropy ran towards animal conservation and the environment, Max’s was a non-profit that encouraged entrepreneurship in young people. It was his way of repaying the debt to the recluse businessman whose investment helped launch his business.

  “Mother.” Chas hissed. “She’s always a networker.”

  “Not a problem,” Max said. “I’d be interested in seeing your business plan and offer any advice I can.”

  “I'd appreciate that.”

  ~~~

  “We understand you are back from a trip to Africa.” Julia said when they were seated for dinner.

  “About six months ago,” Madeleine said.

  “She just published a series of articles on the trip,” Max added. “In fact, she’s speaking at a conference in San Francisco starting tomorrow.”

  “Oh, how exciting. You know I admire that in a person… being an expert at something,” Julia said.

  “I read your articles.” Chas said.

  “You did?” Julia asked surprised.

  “Yes, mother, I did.” Turning back to Madeleine he said. “I’m always surprised at the economic problems of Africa considering so many valuable resources come from there.”

  “The wealth is not shared,” Max stated.

  “I was curious,” Chas continued. “Was it dangerous to remove all those animal traps. Aren’t poachers like drug dealers; willing to kill to protect their goods?”

  “In this case no. These traps were not to catch animals for their parts such as elephant tusks or gorilla hands,” Madeleine answered.

  “They were hunting for food?” Chas asked.

  “Yes but-”

  “To feed their families? You stopped them from feeding their families?” Julia asked looking horrified by the thought. Max knew better. Julia wouldn't lose a moment of sleep worrying about starving people in Africa.

  “Yes,” Madeleine said simply.

  "By removing the traps, aren't you forcing famine on people? Are people less important than animals?" This time Julia’s statement took an accusatory tone.

  “Mother,” Chas warned.

  “No, it's all right,” Madeleine said. Putting her fork down she turned to Julia, “It's not a matter of who is more important. People need to exist in harmony with nature. What are they going to do when they have hunted all the animals? I don't advocate letting people go hungry, but there are alternatives that involve economic and political change."

  Max sat back to watch and admire his wife. He enjoyed it when she spoke about her work. She did so with the same passion and conviction that she did everything else.

  “In the meantime people are hungry,” Julia said.

  “And they will be even more hungry when there are no animals left.”

  “Really now, do you think it's possible for a few people to hunt all the animals?"

  “For goodness sake Mother, she’s an expert on this.”

  “It's not only possible, it’s already happened. One of the leading biodiversity experts at Harvard predicts twenty percent of the species still in existence today will be gone by 2020. I’m not talking about obscure animals either. I’m talking about animals like the gorilla and elephants. All things on earth exist in balance with all others, except humans. And the inability to recognize that and learn to live by the rules of nature could lead to our own demise. It certainly leads to famine and economic hardship."

  “I thought extinction was a natural part of the world order. It happened to the dinosaurs without human help. And really, humans are a part of the order of things. Perhaps nature is taking its course.”

  “That is true if the natural course of things is to destroy ourselves. I don’t believe that. We may have dominion, but not the right of domination. In the United States alone we consume about thirty-three percent of the world’s resources even though we make up less than five percent of the world population. And we export that idea of consumption around the world. The world can’t sustain that. We see the truth of that in places like the Rain Forest and Africa.” Madeleine took a breath. “I’m sorry. I can get carried away sometimes.”

  Max reached under the table to squeeze her knee. He never wanted her to be sorry for expressing her beliefs, particularly to someone like Julia who, as far as he was concerned was goading Madeleine.

  Julia started to say something, but her quick jump suggested that Chas had kicked her under the table.

  “I don’t know how you find time for it all, Madeleine.” Julia finally said. “When I was married, it took all my time to be a corporate wife.”

  “What do you do now?” Madeleine asked picking up her fork to resume eating.

  “Well it's funny that you asked. I've been writing. I actually just sent a book proposal to a publisher in New York.”

  “Really, what’s your book about?” Max asked.

  Chas rolled his eyes. “Mother, they aren’t interested in your bodice ripper.”

  “It's not a bodice ripper,” she argued. “But, it’s not a meaningful piece like what you write, Madeleine. That’s why I had to go back to my maiden name. Chas was worried I’d ruin the Newcomb name.”

  “I’d love to read it,” Madeleine said.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, I would. All writing is difficult and a labor of love regardless of the content.”

  “I’m sure Madeleine doesn’t read romance novels,” Chas said.

  "I've read a few," Madeleine said. Max covered his grin by wiping his mouth with a napkin. While his wife was a respected journalist, her reading preference had no literary value at all. Her requirements for a book were simple; romance and sex. That was something else he'd grown to appreciate about her.

  “If you mean what you said about reading the manuscript, let me get you a copy before you leave tonight.”

  “Can I read it too?” Max asked.

  Chas gaped at Max.

  Max grinned. “You never know what you can learn from a good romance.”

  Chapter Three

  Madeleine’s flight to San Francisco was uneventful. Her talk about her last trip to Kenya to cover a story on bush meat was not. She wondered if Julia had called the young man who dominated the question and answer session, if you could call it that. Instead of questions, he accused her of starving people. She explained the situation to him as she’d done with Julia, but he refused to believe what she told him.

  “Africa was the birthplace of civilization. For millions of years those people have lived on the plants and animals living there. Who are you to stop them from feeding their children as their ancestors did?”

  Madeleine didn’t miss the heat in his eyes although she couldn’t understand the animosity. He looked to be college age, but dressed like a businessman. Most of the participants that were his age wore t-shirts advocating animal rights and environmental protection. But this young man wore a white shirt, red tie and black pants. Corporations were not always happy with the work of environmentalists because it cost them more money to be earth-friendly, but she’d never had such a reaction from a corporate type in her talks before.

  “I don’t want to stop them from fe
eding their children. I want them to learn alternatives that will not only feed their children today, but also their grandchildren tomorrow. Today there are millions more people with much fewer resources and these resources are not infinite; they can be depleted. Experts report over 20 to 50 thousand animals become extinct each year. I’m talking about dolphins, polar bears and gorillas. All are at risk of extinction during your lifetime.”

  He started to challenge her further, but the MC intervened indicating time was up. Madeleine was grateful, as it was clear this was an argument she wouldn’t win. Not that she wasn’t interested in intelligent dialogue about conservation, but this young man wasn’t interested in a dialogue. She couldn’t help but feel his attack was personal although she couldn’t figure out why. She was sure she’d never met him before.

  She packed her notes into her bag and headed out to the main lobby of the convention area. She wanted to find a quiet place to call Max. She turned down a hallway when the young heckler from the seminar blocked her.

  “Do you know that in protecting your animals, you also hurt families right here in the United States? Companies can’t afford to run -”

  "Companies that invest in environmental changes are saving money in the long run. And consumers feel good about doing business with conscientious companies."

  "You wouldn't know this because you grew up and married rich, but it costs money to make those changes and we don't have that kind of money."

  Madeleine bristled at the young man's comment. While she had grown up and married rich, that didn't mean she didn't understand money or business. But instead of defending herself, she chose to respond to his last statement. "Do you own a business? Delecoeur Technology has grants to help businesses make green changes-"

  "You know what you can do with your grant!" The man stepped forward and for the first time Madeleine felt fear at the man's tirade.

  “Mr. ...uh...” He didn’t volunteer his name. “I’m sorry that my work distresses you. I assure you that I don’t advocate letting people suffer. The issue is really too complex to discuss right here, but if you’d like to come to my discussion group tomorrow, I’d be happy to explore it further.”

  “I don’t want to discuss your issues. I want to you to know that your actions are hurting people, causing them to lose jobs and they can’t feed their families-"

  A group of students approached and Madeline silently thanked them for giving her the opportunity to get away from the young man accosting her.

  “I'm sorry you are upset, but there are solutions that work and my goal is to help people learn about and implement those solutions.” Letting the young man know she was done arguing, she turned to the other students. "Did you have a question?"

  “A group of us are going to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge located in the South Bay," a young woman dressed in a 'Life is Good' Shirt and skinny jeans said. "We wanted to see if you want to join us?”

  Thrilled with the opportunity to get away from her heckler, Madeleine agreed to meet them after her last seminar that afternoon.

  ~~~

  Max looked at the clock on his desk. Nearly one. Madeleine would be calling any moment. He set aside Chas’ business portfolio. Chas had potential, particularly with his experience working at Digiteknic, a business in Silicon Valley that Max's company used to subcontract with for electronics parts. Max made a mental note to call Mr. Shaffer the president of Digiteknic to discuss helping it come into compliance with Max' environmental standards so they could resume their business relationship. Going back to Chas, Max decided that the young man needed to work on his business-to-business skills. He was assertive and smart, but cocky, which would put people off.

  “Ms. Devlin is here to see you.” Marie’s voice came over the intercom.

  Max tried to remember if they made an appointment. “Show her in Marie.”

  “I’m sorry to just drop in like this, again,” Julia said as she swept into his office. “I was in the area and thought maybe we could have lunch.”

  Max greeted her with a peck on the cheek. “Actually, I’m waiting for Madeleine to call and was going to have lunch in.”

  “Surely you could spare an hour for a friend…after your call of course.” She smiled sweetly. Max remembered that smile and how many miles she’d gotten out of him with it when he was a young, hormonal teenager.

  His cell phone rang. “That’s Madeleine. Excuse me.” Stepping behind his desk, he picked up the phone and turned his back to Julia for privacy.

  “How’s the conference?”

  “Good. Having that chat with Julia last night was a help.”

  “Got a few anti-environmentalists?”

  “Let's just say there are some people with opposing opinions who aren’t afraid to express them.”

  The tone of Madeleine’s voice concerned him. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, fine. It was a verbal sparring, but he clearly didn’t like my talk or me.”

  “You’re sure?” Max knew that Madeleine's views weren't always popular, but usually it was her views, not her personally people objected to.

  “Yes. I just hope it didn’t deter the others from getting something from my presentation.”

  “I’m sure you were brilliant. How was the flight up?”

  “It was fine. I was sorry to leave you so early though.”

  “You left me with great memory,” he said. “I love it when you wake me up like that.”

  “I could tell.”

  He smiled into the phone as the memory of Madeleine waking him with sensual kisses and caresses came back to him. The silence on the other end of the phone told him Madeleine was thinking the same.

  “How’s Oscar?” she finally asked.

  “He misses you. He likes your breakfasts better than mine.”

  “At least someone likes my cooking.”

  “I love your cooking. I love you,” Max said. “Listen, I left a message with Alan.”

  “Oh, good. I appreciate your taking care of that,” she said.

  “I’m happy to do it.” He turned briefly to see Julia sitting on his couch leafing through a business magazine. “I had hoped to come up tomorrow, but I have some business still and hopefully I can arrange to see Alan, so it may not be until Friday that I can get away. I thought we could go to the vineyard for the weekend.”

  “Great idea.”

  “I’ll make the arrangements.”

  “I’m sorry, Max. I've got another seminar to attend.”

  “I seem to have a date myself,” he said.

  There was a pause. “Let me guess, Julia.”

  “You were always a smart one.”

  “Well, just keep your reminiscing to a minimum.”

  He laughed. “I love you. Stay safe.”

  “I love you too. I’ll call you tonight. Probably about 6:30. I’m going to turn in early.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  ~~~

  “I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty to make a reservation at Chatelain,” Julia said when Max got off the phone. “It turns out you are a regular there. You have your own table.”

  Max’s face colored. It embarrassed him sometimes the favors he got simply because he had money. “It's Madeleine’s favorite restaurant.”

  “Well, I know it won’t be the same with me, but it will give us a chance to catch up.” Julia linked her arm through Max’s as they headed out the office door.

  “You haven’t changed a bit, Julia,” he said.

  “Thank you, Max.”

  Max’s comment wasn’t entirely a compliment. While she still retained her beauty, Julia also retained the annoying habit of controlling everyone around her. Max didn’t mind assertive women. He loved Madeleine’s strength of mind and character. But with Julia, her controlling always left Max feeling like she didn’t trust him to make good choices. When they were young and dating, she always chose where they went and what they did, like she couldn't trust him to creat
e a good date on his own. Of course, he wouldn’t have taken her to Chatelain's if given a choice. It was silly, but it was his and Madeleine’s place. And it was always filled with nosy people, which is why he had his own table in a secluded section of the restaurant.

  "You look happy," Julia said after they ordered their lunch.

  "I am. Very."

  "Good. Not that I'm surprised. You may have had a rough start, but anyone could tell you would become a success." She leaned towards him, laying her hand over his.

  "Thank you."

  "And Madeleine seems terrific."

  Max smiled. Although he had achieved business success prior to meeting Madeleine, he hadn't ever considered himself a success until she'd come into his life. "She is. I never believed in true love and all that fairy tale stuff, but Madeleine proved me wrong." Max pulled his hand away, uncomfortable with Julia's nearness.

  "You don't have children."

  "No," he said not wanting to divulge further into his and Madeleine's private life.

  "That's too bad. I always thought you'd make a wonderful father."

  "I was surprised to hear about Chas," Max said.

  She laughed. "I know what you're thinking. That I'm too self-centered to be a mother. You're probably right, although I tried with Chas."

  "He seems to be doing well."

  "Yes. He gets that from his father. But, as I'm sure you've noticed, he's a little self-centered, which I suppose he gets from me."

  "I hadn't heard about William," Max said.

  "Heart attack."

  "I'm sorry."

  "Yes well, we didn't have what you and Madeleine have. Not that it wasn't good in the beginning, but by the end there really wasn't anything left. He pretty much abandoned Chas and me."

  "I'm sorry for that as well. You're a challenging woman, Julia, but you deserve love and respect."

  She looked surprised by his statement. As if it was the first time anyone had said something kind to her. "Do you ever wonder... about us...if maybe..."

  Max sighed. The truth would bruise her ego, but he couldn't tell her what she wanted to hear. His feelings for Julia had run their course long ago. "That was a long time ago. We've both moved on."