Stallion Magic

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “Good night, Frederick,” she said, cutting him off.

  As she turned to sit, Noah moved back into the room. He didn’t miss the sudden strain that seemed to paint the four walls. “Are you here in the morning?” he asked, directing his question at Frederick.

  The man nodded. “Of course. Catherine needs me, and I would never leave her hanging.” He tossed her a quick look.

  “I need to speak to you both about my trip,” Noah said.

  “Exactly where is it you went, anyway?” Frederick asked.

  Noah barely shrugged his shoulders as his eyes met the look Catherine was giving him. He didn’t bother to answer the question. “We’ll talk in the morning,” he said, his gaze still locked on Catherine’s face.

  He gave Frederick a dismissive glance, his eyes not lingering long enough to focus. “Catherine, I want to do rounds with Mr. Bishop. It shouldn’t take too long.”

  She nodded. “I’ll be in my office when you’re done,” she said, returning her attention to the stream of paperwork before her.

  Both men retreated from the room at the same time. Out in the hallway, Frederick turned abruptly, waving an index finger in Noah’s face.

  “I don’t know what kind of games you’re playing, Stallion but...”

  Noah’s movement was unexpected as he took a quick step in the other man’s direction, pushing him hard against the wall. He’d just drawn back his arm, his fist raised, when Bishop interrupted the moment.

  “Everything okay here, son?”

  Noah’s face was rigid, his muscles taut, his teeth clenched tightly. Anger flooded his spirit, and he was suddenly stunned by it. He stepped back, dropping his arm down to his side, his hand still clenched in a tight ball. He cleared his throat. “Yes, sir,” he finally said. “We’re good.”

  Frederick’s eyes were wide, something like fear seeping from his stare. Without saying a word, he pushed his way past Noah, hurrying down the hall and out of sight.

  Chapter 11

  Since leaving the office, Noah and Catherine had barely spoken to each other, both seemingly lost in their own thoughts. Without giving it a second thought, Catherine instructed the driver to take them to the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill. The Columbus Circle restaurant was one of her favorites and she’d promised to take Noah since he’d first arrived in New York. Needing someplace familiar to ease her nerves, she didn’t bother to ask if he was interested in going or not, just hoping he wouldn’t be disappointed by her choice.

  After being seated, she ordered a bottle of wine, and when he deferred the menu choices to her, she added enough platters of sushi and sashimi to feed a small army.

  Noah eyed her with a raised brow as she threw back her first glass of wine, quickly refilling it with her second. “You look like you need to talk,” he said. He reached for the bottle and filled his own glass.

  Catherine met his gaze, tears teasing her eyes. “Why is this happening? I am this close—” she gestured with her thumb and forefinger “—to seeing one of my biggest dreams accomplished and I suddenly feel like all my hard work is about to blow up into pieces.” She sighed deeply.

  “I’m sorry. I know it’s a lot to deal with but you’re going to be fine, Cat. Baby, you’re one of the strongest women I know. No matter what happens, you’ll turn this around. And I’ll be right there with you. You won’t have to face any of this alone.”

  She nodded. A single tear escaped past her lashes. She swiped at her face with the back of her left hand as she reached for his hand with her right. They entwined their fingers tightly together. Catherine held on to his as if letting go was not an option.

  “So,” Noah started, “you still haven’t told me everything that happened today.”

  She shrugged. “There’s really not much else to tell. You got all the details about the bomb threat, and Frederick spilled the news about the email threats.”

  Noah nodded. “I read them.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know who would want to hurt me.”

  “What do you know about Frederick?” Noah asked, his tone hardening.

  She eyed him curiously. “Frederick? Why would you ask me...?” Her voice faded, her words failing as she noted the look on Noah’s face.

  “Because I don’t trust him and I think his obsession with you isn’t healthy.”

  “Now you sound like Marvin.”

  “Marvin told me he had concerns about him also.”

  “I think Marvin overreacts. You, too. Frederick and I have always been good friends. I’ve never had any reason to doubt him. He’s been good for the business, so why wouldn’t I trust him?”

  Noah nodded. This time he poured a second glass of wine, taking a large swallow. “I think Frederick is responsible for the emails. I think he’s been trying to scare you on purpose so that you would depend on him more.”

  Catherine’s look was incredulous. “That’s ridiculous. He wouldn’t...” She paused while her eyes skated rapidly from side to side. “Do you really think he would do that to me?”

  “Everything I uncovered in Texas says he’s good for it.”

  She slowly shook her head. “I don’t believe this.”

  “I called in a favor from a friend with the Secret Service. Everything he uncovered points to Frederick. But there’s more and it’s worse.”

  Catherine fell back against her seat. From the expression on his face she was suddenly afraid to ask what he’d learned. She pulled a hand to her mouth, her anxiety level quickly rising. “Do I need to call my attorneys?” she questioned.

  Noah blew a deep breath. “I’ve already spoken to them. The team will meet with us in the morning.”

  “It’s that bad?”

  Noah nodded. “My friend Kendrick says that the feds will try to keep it as quiet as they can. But it’s not good, Cat, and you need to be prepared.”

  “What is it?” She leaned forward in her seat.

  For the next thirty minutes, Noah repeated everything Kendrick Boudreaux had relayed to him. He told her how they suspected her planes were being used to smuggle contraband back and forth across the Mexican border. He explained how pilots Frederick had contracted were known traffickers wanted by the FBI. He informed her that aircraft she had believed grounded for repairs were, in fact, being used to transport young women and girls for the purpose of prostitution. The affront list was lengthy. By the time Noah was done Catherine sat sobbing over her sushi, shock registering over her entire body.

  Noah tossed his cloth napkin to the table, sliding out of the booth they sat in. He moved to her side of the table and sat next to her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. He held her close as she clutched the front of his shirt, her tears staining the starched fabric. He held her until her sobs shifted to a low sniffle.

  “I’m going to kill him. In fact, the minute I leave here, I’m going to go tell him exactly what I think about him,” she snapped. “And then I’m going to wring his neck!”

  “You can’t.”

  “What do you mean I can’t? Because I have every intention of telling him what a lowlife piece of scum he is.”

  Noah nodded. “I understand how you feel, Cat, but until Kendrick, the FBI and the CIA execute their plan tomorrow we can’t let on that we know anything. We can’t afford to spook him or any of the people he might be associated with.”

  Catherine rolled her eyes. Her jaw tightened with rage. “Fine,” she said, sounding only somewhat convincing. “But keep him away from me tomorrow. Until they come for him, keep him as far from me as you can.”

  “There’s one more thing,” Noah said, meeting her eyes evenly. “They are going to want to talk to you tomorrow. To see if you had any prior knowledge of what was going on.”

  Her gaze narrowed substantially. “Why does that sound so ominous?”

  “Your attorney will be with you and he’ll advise you all the way. Just answer their questions honestly and there shouldn’t be any problems.”

  “Why are you saying t
hat like they think I had something to do with all this mess?”

  “I’m saying that the investigation into Fly High and its management team is just beginning. Everyone is a suspect.”

  Catherine shook her head, anger replacing the hurt that she’d been feeling. “I don’t deserve this,” she said, reaching for the wine bottle. “I don’t deserve this and I will not let Frederick and whatever he screwed up ruin what I’ve worked all these years to build!”

  * * *

  Neither Noah nor Catherine could sleep. Both tossed and turned for most of the night. At some ungodly hour in the early part of the morning, Noah threw his legs off the side of the mattress and rose from the bed. Catherine was nowhere to be found. He walked through each room of the home looking for her. He checked his cell phone but there were no new messages. He dialed her number, but she didn’t answer his call and there was no note anywhere in sight. He could only begin to imagine where she’d disappeared.

  Moving to stare out the expanse of windows, he didn’t even know where to begin to look for her. New York was her city, not his, and she could have been anywhere. He thought for a brief moment before sending her a quick text message. Then he called the security office at Fly High. Bishop answered on the second ring.

  “Mr. Bishop, it’s Noah Stallion. I was looking for Cat. Is she in her office by chance?”

  “No. No, sir. I haven’t seen her since you two left earlier. Nothing’s wrong, is there?”

  Noah could almost see the old man shaking his head with concern. “No, sir, Mr. Bishop. She’s just anxious about the IPO offering next week.”

  “That little girl doesn’t get enough rest. You need to help her get some rest.”

  “I’m trying, sir. I really am.”

  The old man said something else but Noah didn’t hear him, the sound of the front door opening and then closing catching his attention. “Mr. Bishop, I found her. Thank you. I’m sure I’ll see you before your shift ends,” he said as he disconnected the call.

  He called her name. “Are you okay?”

  Catherine moved into the room where he stood. She was dressed in a black sweat suit, the hood pulled up over her head. Her eyes were swollen from crying and her cheeks were tinged red. She met his stare and watched as the concern lifted off his shoulders. She suddenly felt horrible for having let him worry about her.

  “Hey, I’m sorry. I should have left you a note.”

  Noah nodded. “No problem. You’re a big girl. I know you can take care of yourself.”

  She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “Twenty-four hours ago I would have agreed with you.”

  He smiled. “I was worried but only because I know you’re worried. I hate to see you so stressed.”

  She took a deep breath. “I might be going to jail for something I didn’t do. I have every reason to be stressed.”

  “You won’t be going to jail, Cat.”

  “You don’t know that, Noah. You don’t know what’s going to happen with this investigation. Because neither one of us knows exactly what Frederick has or hasn’t done. And as the president and CEO of this company I should have known what was going on with my business. The fact that something was going on under my watch doesn’t look good. Isn’t that right?”

  Noah took a deep breath. “You’re right about one thing. We don’t know what Frederick has done. But we do know that you haven’t done anything wrong. And I know that I’m not going to let anything happen to you. That I promise you.”

  “How can you promise me that?”

  A pregnant pause swelled full and thick between them before Noah finally spoke again. “Because I love you. I love you, Cat, and I will do whatever I have to do to protect you.”

  He moved in her direction, taking four quick steps to her side. Catherine lifted her gaze to stare into his. The look he was giving her was soul deep, the connection between them fraught with a feeling of contentment she’d never known before. She stepped into his outstretched arms, the mettle of her spirit feeling like it had found its way home.

  “I love you, baby,” Noah said as he tightened his embrace. “I love you very much.”

  Catherine nestled herself closer against him, looping her arms around his back. She snuggled her face against his chest. “I love you, too, Noah Stallion. I love you more than you know.”

  * * *

  Kendrick Boudreaux and a team of federal agents were waiting in the Fly High lobby when Catherine and Noah entered the building. Catherine tensed, and Noah pressed a hand to the small of her back, his touch easing the strain that pulled at her spirit. Noah made the introductions.

  “Thank you for coming, Agent Boudreaux,” she said. “Whatever you need from me, just ask. You can trust that everyone here will be completely transparent.”

  Kendrick nodded. “We appreciate that. Your legal team is already talking with two of our agents. I know they have some questions for you but first I need to ensure that you understand your rights,” he said.

  Catherine nodded. “I do. My attorney briefed me earlier.”

  “We just want to make sure we have all the facts, Ms. Moore.”

  “Please, Noah said you two are almost like family. You can call me Cat.”

  Kendrick smiled. “I don’t want you to worry, Cat. We’re going to get this cleared up and be out of your way before you know it.”

  She smiled, desperately wanting to believe the man.

  Kendrick tossed a quick glance down to his wristwatch. “What time do you expect Mr. Ross?” he asked.

  “He should be here any minute now,” Noah answered.

  “You two should go on up to the conference room then,” Kendrick said. “We’ll handle it all from here.”

  * * *

  It was almost an hour later before Frederick marched into the conference room, escorted by Kendrick and two other well-dressed agents. He looked flustered, clearly miffed by what was going on. His gaze snapped left and then right before resting on Catherine’s face. She met his stare, glaring in his direction before shifting her eyes away. She nodded her head at the man interrogating her, answering whatever question it was that he had just asked.

  “Would someone please tell me what’s going on?” Frederick snapped. “Catherine? Why are there federal agents crawling through the building?”

  Catherine suddenly jumped from her seat, her index finger waving vehemently as her body snapped toward him. She shouted, “Because you and your dirty dealings brought them to my door! That’s why they’re here. They’re here to clear my name and the name of my company and until that happens we will welcome them with open arms.”

  Noah moved between the two, using his body to block her view of the man. He could only imagine what might happen if Frederick got too close to her, getting a visual of Catherine tearing the man’s eyes out. Just the sight of him had her raging.

  Frederick bristled. The color drained from his face, and he broke out into a cold sweat. He opened his mouth to speak then closed it, saying nothing at all.

  Kendrick interjected, gesturing toward Catherine to retake her seat. “Mr. Ross, please, if you’ll just take a seat. We have a few questions for you.”

  Frederick dropped into a cushioned chair. He was visibly shaking, his hands quivering as he clutched them together in his lap. He stole another glance toward Catherine out of the corner of his eye.

  “Mr. Ross, we found a laptop computer locked in the lower drawer of your desk. Is that a personal computer or a business computer, sir?”

  “You were in my desk?”

  “Is it company property, sir, or personal property?”

  “It’s...umm...well...it’s...” he stammered.

  Kendrick repeated the question, his voice rising slightly.

  “It belongs to Fly High,” Frederick finally muttered.

  Kendrick nodded. “Does anyone else have a key to your desk besides you, sir?”

  Frederick shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t think...Why are you asking me these questions?”


  Kendrick smiled. “We’re just trying to get to the bottom of some things, sir. Are you the only one with access to that laptop, Mr. Ross?”

  Frederick’s gaze skated across the faces staring back at him. “I need to speak with our attorneys,” he said.

  Kendrick nodded. “Are you invoking your right to council, Mr. Ross?”

  He nodded. “It’s my right,” he said emphatically.

  “Yes, it is,” Kendrick said.

  He tilted his head at one of the other agents, his eyebrows raised. The other man crossed the room, seeming to pull a pair of handcuffs out of thin air. Frederick’s eyes widened.

  “Mr. Ross, you are under arrest,” Kendrick said. “You’ve been read your rights and we’ll let the record show you’ve requested legal representation.”

  Frederick sputtered. “I... But...Catherine...please!”

  Catherine shook her head, folding her arms across her chest. Her face was blank, no hint of emotion painting her expression.

  The company’s senior attorney rose from her seat beside Catherine. She was a tall, leggy brunette who bore an amazing resemblance to Angelina Jolie. She moved to Frederick’s side. “Mr. Ross, have your attorney contact me, please. I’ll need to discuss the terms of your dismissal.”

  “My dismissal?”

  “Fly High has optioned the morals clause in your employment contract, finding you in violation. Your employment has subsequently been terminated without prejudice.”

  Before Frederick could respond, the FBI agent pushed him toward the door and out of the room.

  Catherine shook her head, relief finally seeping from her eyes.

  Kendrick nodded at Noah, a wide smile on his face. “Your girl has some fire in her.” He chuckled softly. “I hate to think what might have happened if she’d gotten her hands on him.”

  Noah laughed with him. “You don’t know the half of it,” he whispered back.

  Catherine tossed both men a harsh look, finding nothing at all to laugh about. “What was the deal with the computer you asked him about?” she asked, spinning around in her seat.

  “It’s the computer that was used to send you threatening messages,” Kendrick answered.