Just Me

by Graysen Morgen

  “Your motives…the bar…” Cassidy wasn’t sure if she should even say anything.

  “It’s not like I’m asking you to sleep with me Cassidy. In fact, I’ve never asked you to sleep with me.” Ian replied as she swallowed some of her wine.

  “Oh please…you were cruising that bar, twice I might add!” Cassidy tried not to make a scene. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the nervous frustration was obvious.

  “Touché.” Ian smiled with a raised eyebrow. “So what are you going to do, out me now? The big bad Wiley is a woman seeking woman for casual sex.” She drank some more of her wine and stared at the woman across from her. Cassidy’s eyes were bugging out of her head, she was scared to death and Ian knew it.

  “I…I would never…” Cassidy's hand shook as she brought the wine glass to her mouth. Drink, swallow, drink, swallow. God get me out of here! What the hell was I thinking? She’s going to tear me to pieces!

  “It’s okay Cassidy, I’m only giving you a hard time. That person…that was a side of me I hope you never see again.” Ian seemed very serious. When Cassidy looked up she met bright blue eyes that seemed to hold her. She wasn’t sure what to say back to this woman.

  “I…don’t…I barely know you…I mean…”

  “Lets start over. I’m Ian Leland Wiley, I don’t frequent bars for women, anymore, and I’m really sorry, if I had known you worked for Wiley Steel I never would’ve subjected you to that side of me, ever.”

  “Okay, so what now?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Where do we go from here, you’re my…my boss…Ian.” It tore Ian’s heart in two when Cassidy spoke her name. Why am I so captivated by you?

  “Well, yes, you’re right. I’m glad we’ve cleared things up between us. I should definitely change the subject to business, but I don’t want to talk business with you. That's not why I invited you, and that’s not how we met.”

  “Okay, what do we talk about then?” I can’t believe I am sitting here having this conversation with you. You’re my boss and I think you’re the most gorgeous woman I have ever met. But, you’re definitely complicated, that’s for sure.

  “How long have you worked for Wiley Steel? How did you get into logistics? Where did you go to college? What’s your degree in? Tell me about you, Cassidy.” Ian poured herself another glass of wine, willing it to douse the fire between her legs.

  By the end of their dinner Ian knew everything about Cassidy, and Cassidy knew nothing about Ian. Ian paid the bill and offered to walk Cassidy to her car. When Cassidy pushed the button to unlock her SUV Ian grabbed her hand, Cassidy turned around to face her, inches from her wet lips. There were standing face to face, Cassidy could see Ian’s eyes twinkle in the moonlight, she felt dizzy as the blood in her head went south. My god she’s going to kiss me!

  “I had a nice evening Miss Harland. I’m glad we were able to get past everything and start over.” Ian was trying not to fumble her words. Don’t kiss her, for god’s sake she’s an employee don’t kiss her!

  “Thank you for inviting me, I enjoyed it.” Cassidy swallowed hard enough for Ian to hear it.

  “Goodbye.” Ian smiled, let go of her hand, and turned towards the hotel that sat across the road from the restaurant.

  Chapter 9

  The private jet landed shakily on the recently plowed and salted runway, then turned left to taxi towards the private hanger. Ian could see the black luxury car with limo tinted windows idling next to the open bay door. The salt and pepper haired man stood next to the car, formally dressed as usual in his black cut away style tuxedo with a black vest and a black ascot. He was watching the plane as it rolled to a stop close by. The blond grabbed her briefcase that was sitting next to her and retrieved her luggage from the over head compartment. She proceeded down the staircase, Giles met her at the bottom to carry her suitcase.

  “Good Morning Miss Wiley.” His lips formed a smiled. The Englishman still carried his accent, although he’d lived in the States for almost thirty years. “How was your trip?” Ian looked up at him as she slid into the car. He could see the frustration in her deep blue eyes, when she didn’t answer he shut the door and walked around to the driver side.

  Ian sat quietly in the back, staring at the trees and melting snow banks along the short ride back up the mountain.

  “Giles, stop at the cemetery please.” He was a little concerned, Ian hadn’t gone anywhere near the cemetery since the funeral, she even made him avoid that road at all cost when he drove her anywhere.

  “Would you like me to stop at a flower shop first Miss Wiley?” He didn’t want to speak, but he knew she needed guidance, especially now.

  “Yes, please.” He turned down a side road and stopped outside of a small family owned florist. “Take my Visa Giles, get a combination of yellow orchids and pink carnations.” He returned to the car fifteen minutes later and handed the bouquet to her when she opened the door.

  Minutes later the black car cleared the iron gate and proceeded to the left. A large marble statue stood by itself, lightly covered by a thin layer of snow. When the car stopped, Ian got out on her own and shut the door. Giles got out and stood next to the car, he watched her walk slowly through the snow covered path and stop in front of the famous Bernini ‘Apollo and Daphne’ statue. Ian bent down and wiped the snow from the inscription. She wiped the tears from her eyes again before she leaned forward and pressed her lips to the cold marble. Then she stood up, turned around and walked back down the path towards the car. Giles was waiting with a small package of tissue, she took them from him and threw her arms around his neck. He held her tightly, clearly knowing he was all the young woman had left in her life. She quietly whispered…“Thank you Giles.” He almost thought he imagined it as she let go of him and slid into the car, wiping her eyes again, this time using the soft tissues.Leland and Lorraine Wiley, two loving souls that lived together, passed together, now exist beyond our imagination together. Ian felt the tears run down her face as she read it. She continued to lean forward, squatting with her hand on the statue. She laid the flowers against the marble. "I wish you were here dad, I don’t know if I can do this alone. God, I have been so mad at you for leaving me like this, I’m not ready dad." She used her free hand to wipe the tears. "I miss you both so much. I’ve needed you more than ever lately mom, you were always there to offer the advice that dad shied away from. I’m so sorry I never told both of you when I had the chance, I was a coward. I’m sure you know now, if you’re really watching me like Giles says you are. Oh boy, if that’s true I really am sorry for the things you’ve witnessed since you’ve been gone. I told you I’m not strong enough to do this." A gust of cold wind sent chills up her spine. "I promise from here on I’ll do my best for you both, you deserve that and so much more, mom and dad. I love you both dearly and miss you more everyday."

  ~ ~ ~

  Friday night Ian found herself sitting at the familiar Snow Drift ski lodge bar. The bartender had brought her usual to her as she sat on the corner of the square bar. She finished the glass and ordered another while she contemplated going after the tall blond sitting across from her. When the malignant bartender returned with her second glass she quickly slung it back and set the glass down on the bar with a loud thud. Not tonight Wiley, it’s time to move on. Her mind drifted to the ‘one that got away’. She shook the memory from her head, pulled her keys from her pocket and left the bar…alone.

  ~ ~ ~

  Monday morning the blond rushed down the stairs, tossed her dark blue suit jacket neatly on the chair by the foyer and walked into the kitchen. Giles waited for her to sit, taking in the crème colored blouse she was wearing and the dark blue pants. He smiled, straightened his ascot and walked over to her.

  “May I get you anything Miss Wiley?” He waited, silently counting as she picked up the crossword puzzle of the newspaper, that and the funnies section being the only parts she’d read. The young woman reminded Giles of her father more and more ever
yday.

  “Mimosa and a piece of white toast.” He shook his head and walked out of the kitchen with her breakfast, a large glass of chocolate milk and pumpkin pancakes. She ignored the man when he set the food down, then began to eat contently. Then she sat the paper aside and called him into the dining room.

  “I have an important decision to make today Giles.” He nodded. “I know dad never talked about the business with you, he relied on that twit of an assistant for everything.”

  “I take it you don’t take kindly to Mr. Higginbotham?” He stood like any other English butler, his hands behind his back and his attention directly on her until she cleared her plate.

  “No, he’s a snake in the grass, I know he’s up to something, I just can’t prove it.”

  “I see.” He took her dirty dishes to the kitchen and loaded them in the dishwasher. She was putting her jacket on when he came out of the kitchen.

  “Shall we leave now Miss Wiley?” He went down the hall and pulled the keys from the wall in the study. “I’ll need to take you in the Land Rover today. It seems they forgot to pave our road and driveway this morning.”

  “It’s okay Giles, I’ll drive myself today, I’m going to need to run some errands this afternoon anyway.”

  “Only if you’re sure Miss Wiley, it’s very out of sorts for you to drive yourself to the office.” She took a deep breath and sighed. She knew he was right, Giles always drove her father to the office, then came home to see to the house until her mother was ready to go out. Her father had only bought the land rover because he sometimes felt like driving himself if he wasn’t going to work.

  “You’re right, let’s go.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Ian sat behind her gigantic mahogany desk staring at her laptop screen. She’d been engrossed for three hours now, searching website after website for a professional and very discreet account auditing firm. Auditing the books was by far her last resort, and at this point, that’s all she had left. She closed the window and brought up Wiley Steel production logs any time Frasier decided to rear his ugly head. Something about that man made her skin crawl. You may have fooled my father, what am I saying, I’m sure he was on to you, you stupid ignoramus. I just can’t seem to find the file he had on you, either way, I know you have something to do with this. That was all she needed. Ian picked up her cell phone and dialed a number from the website on her computer.

  “Good afternoon, thank you for calling Acco Consulting Firm, how may I direct your call?” Ian was staring at the website at the Bio’s of the upper management for the company. She was surprised to see that the offices were located in the Grand Junction area, she was expecting Denver or Colorado Springs.

  “Yes ma’am, may I speak with Larry Maxwell, please?” The woman on the other end sounded a little confused.

  “May I ask who’s calling ma’am?”

  “Ian Wiley.” She let out the nervous breath that she’d been holding. God I hate this. A minute later a deep voice came on the line.

  “Good afternoon, this is Larry Maxwell.”

  “Mr. Maxwell, this is Ian Wiley, of Wiley Steel Corporation.”

  “It’s a pleasure to speak with you Miss Wiley, what can I do for you?” She tapped her pen on the edge of the file folder laying the desk by the computer.

  “Before I get started, I need you to understand that has to be very discreet. No one may know that I contacted you.”

  “Yes ma’am, all of our business deals are completely confidential.”

  “I believe my company is in need of an account audit.”

  “Okay, please specify the reason for the audit, what makes you think your accounts need to be audited?”

  “Please understand Mr. Maxwell, this is my very last recourse. I do not want to do this.”

  “I understand, who does?” He smiled through the phone trying to console her.

  “I believe I may have a corrupt employee.”

  “Okay, go on.” He was taking notes.

  “We have a few account deals that mysteriously never made it to production. I know this probably sounds a little off, but I know there is no reason for the deals to be rejected. I’ve pulled all of the accounts and reports and I can’t seem to find out what happened. I’m going to start making calls tomorrow to the account holding companies and other steel corporations to find out if we were undersold, and if so, who got the bid on the deals.”

  “It sounds like you know what direction to go in Miss Wiley, why would you need to audit your accounts?”

  “Because I need to know how long this has been going on and who’s behind it. I also need to see if they’ve taken anything other than a few million dollar deals, if you know what I mean.”

  “Yes ma’am, I think I can definitely help you determine whether or not your records and accounts add up.”

  “Thank you, I’ll need this done as soon as possible, are you available to start tomorrow?”

  “I won't be there personally, but I will send you one of my best account managers. Give me your fax number and I’ll send over the paperwork for you to sign, in the meantime, I’ll check her schedule real quick.” Ian gave him the number. Light sounds of Rod Stewart played when he put her back on hold. The music stopped.I hope I’m doing the right thing. I don’t know what else to do, if I let this continue and I’m right, then whoever is doing this will wipe us out, slowly but surely. She signed the paper and sent it back to him. He charged the five thousand dollar fee to her personal Visa card while she waited.

  “Okay Miss Wiley, I have everything taken care of, Katrina Sylvan will be there…what is the location that I should send her to?”

  “I’m sorry, the corporate offices are located in Aspen, it’s a two and a half hour trip from the production plant there.”

  “That’s not a problem, she should be there around ten a.m.”

  “Mr. Maxwell, please give her my cell number and have her stay in the hotel, she will need to contact me when she’s ready to meet and I’ll have my driver come get her. I cannot let the directors or my assistant in the offices know why she’s there.”

  “Yes ma’am, I’ll let her know.”

  “Thank you again.” She hung up.

  Chapter 10

  The black car pulled up in front of the Aspen Grand Hotel, Ian saw a woman standing by the doors in a black skirt suit and a black overcoat. Her sandy colored hair was shoulder length. I know I’ve seen her before. The woman slid into the car next to Ian when Giles opened the door. Her brown eyes grew large and her eyebrows disappeared into her hair line. She looked scared to death. The blond was nervous and thought for sure she’d seen this woman sometime somewhere. She extended her hand.

  “Hi, I’m Ian Wiley.” The other woman returned the gesture unsteadily.

  It’s her, oh my god! Holy Shit! “Uh…I’m Katrina Sylvan, it’s nice to meet you Miss Wiley.” Ian smiled softly and nodded.

  “I hope you’ve been briefed on my situation.” Giles started the car and continued to drive around town as Ian had instructed him to do.

  “Larry…uh…Mr. Maxwell gave me the details. It may help me out if you explain exactly what you are looking for though.”

  “Basically, I have a few major deals that didn’t go through and I’m trying to find out why, and if there have been any others. I purchased a laptop for you to use, I’ve downloaded all of our account information to it. I have a stack of thirty disks that are also in that case.” She pointed at the black leather laptop case on the floor. “Those disks contain all of the deals that were drawn up at the corporate office, all of the deals that went into production, and all of the logistics regarding those deals for the past five years.” At the word logistics the sandy haired woman sitting next to Ian cringed. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

  “This is going to be a lot of work.”

  “I know, trust me, I’ve been over all of this a hundred times and I still can’t come to a conclusion, but I do have a hypothesis. That’s why you’re here, to
either prove me right, or I hope, prove me wrong. Anyway, while you’re doing all of this I’ll be making some very serious phone calls. One way or another I will find out what’s going on.” I really do hope that we were just underbid, but deep down my gut is telling me otherwise. “I’ve arranged everything so that there’s no need for you to go to the corporate offices, everything is on that computer. If it’s not, tell me what it is and I’ll get it for you. None of my staff knows about this audit, and it will remain that way. You have my personal cell number, please call me if you need anything.” The car pulled back up at the hotel and the sandy haired woman stepped out.

  “Again, thank you Miss Sylvan, I hope you are able to help me out.”

  “I’ll do my best Miss Wiley.” Giles shut the door and went back around to the front. He’d heard the entire conversation, but like hundreds of others that he’d witnessed from her father, he would keep this a secret and not speak to her about it.

  ~ ~ ~

  Trina went back to her hotel room with the case and contemplated calling her boss and backing out of the assignment. She’d known it was a well respected corporation that needed a very private account audit. He never told her the company name or the name of the person she would be meeting. Her hands shook as she fumbled with the key card and opened the door. She set the case down by the small desk and went into the bathroom area, she quickly splashed cold water on her face. Please don’t let Cassidy be involved in this. She dried her face and went back over to the desk, she removed the laptop and plugged the battery cord into the wall. She desperately wanted to call Cassidy and tell her everything, but she knew she signed a protection oath, just like a lawyer or a therapist, she was unable to disclose any information about her assignments to anyone, especially an employee of the company she was working for.