Steal Me (Longshadows Book 1)

by Natalia Banks

  “What’s up?” Griffin asked, not needing to explain how he knew.

  Lorraine smiled and looked around, the beautiful New York spring the perfect background for a less-than-perfect scenario. “That guy, Ki Fong, on the board of directors, in charge of project development — ”

  “Yeah. Good man, Fong. Tries hard.”

  “Is he a good man? Do you trust him?”

  Griffin thought about it, brows cramping. “I have … until now. Why?”

  “He came to me today, thinks Jeannie might not be on the up-and-up, as it were, like she’s cheating you or something.”

  “Cheating him, you mean.”

  “Yeah,” Lorraine had to admit, “there was some element of that, like he felt she was shutting him out.”

  Griffin nodded. “But, that is her job, after all.”

  “Yes, he said that, too.”

  Griffin chuckled. “It’s the nature of the beast. Ki’s job is to pitch things, Jeannie’s job is to say no. If she can’t say no, she brings it to me. She’s like my firewall, and Ki’s like my crusader. It’s a balance between the two of them that makes Phoenix Enterprises work the way it does.” Something about that remark registered in the back of Lorraine’s brain, though she wasn't sure why and didn't have time to reason it out.

  “And Jeannie,” Lorraine said, “and that accountant, they’re … they’re kosher?”

  Griffin chuckled. “Not sure if Dennis Douglass would describe himself that way, but he’s saved me a ton of money on taxes. And he runs a tight ship, far as I know.”

  “Far as you know,” Lorraine said. “But how long has it been since you’ve checked into it?”

  Griffin’s chuckle melted away. “We have our quarterly meetings, but I suppose a fresh review of the facts wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

  Lorraine smiled. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”

  Chapter 8

  Lorraine waited by the entrance to the Central Park Zoo, glancing around with increasing nervousness. The gentle spring breeze carried a light pine scent, but it brought Lorraine no peace, no comfort. She didn’t really know the man she was there to meet and she knew it was an odd request to meet outside the office and that could have all kinds of odd consequences. But, the more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that the meeting should take place somewhere out of earshot of anybody at Phoenix Enterprises.

  I only hope I can really trust him, Lorraine thought in those long, doubting moments. Who knows what this guy’s got cooking on his own. He casts so much shade on Jeannie, it almost seems like it’s because he’s got something of his own to hide.

  Strangers walked past her, only a few casting glances at her as they entered or exited the zoo. It wasn’t unusual for an attractive woman to get glances like that in New York, especially in the Park, but it only brought Lorraine’s attention to the fact that, in full corporate mode, she might have been slightly overdressed for the park.

  And it also meant that maybe, just maybe, she was being watched.

  Ki Fong approached her slowly, also glancing around. He gets it, Lorraine thought, spotting him in a red hoodie pulled over his face and blue jeans, the opposite of his sharply dressed office persona.

  “Missus Phoenix,” he said when he was close enough. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

  Lorraine shook her head and started strolling into the zoo, Ki following her casual stride. “Ki, you mentioned the other day something about Jeannie … ”

  “That’s right. And that’s why you wanted to meet way out here?”

  “Yeah. I think you might be right about her, and I think that accountant Dennis Douglass could be in bed with her … in more ways than one.”

  “You think they’re doin’ it?”

  “Uh, yeah, Ki, that’s what I think. But, I don’t care about that, it’s the company that I’m worried about. They’ve got these shell corporations — ”

  “Pshshshshffffft,” Ki said with a contemptuous sneer. “More than they can count; Infinity, Westmorland, Borough Holdings … ”

  “Westmorland? I don’t remember going over that one with Jeannie and Dennis.”

  This caught Ki’s attention. “Oh yeah? Big shock. I wonder if Mr. Phoenix knows about it.”

  Lorraine didn’t need to think about that for long. “I’ll ask him. Jeannie and Dennis gave me a profile, but I’m beginning to think it’s woefully inadequate, if you know what I mean.”

  “I do.”

  “Can you get me a more … thorough file, the complete company profile?”

  Ki looked around as they walked past the grizzly bears. “I think I can get my hands on that.”

  “Great, Ki, that’s perfect, just what I’d hoped. I knew right away you were the man to work with.”

  Ki shrugged. “Can’t say it isn’t nice to get some recognition. Why don’t you send me the profile they gave you, I’ll fill in the blanks. We’ll compare notes when I’m done?”

  Lorraine gave it a quick review. “Sure, that sounds okay, I’ll send you a copy.”

  “Right, right.” Ki nodded, glancing around. “This is good, this is very good, finally gonna get some action in that place.”

  Lorraine glanced at Ki as they approached the monkey cages. The little long-tailed spider monkeys screeched at them from their little prison. Lorraine said, “I know you’ve had a hard time of it at Phoenix Enterprises, Ki, but this isn’t just your way to break out of your own personal monkey cage, either.”

  “No, of course not. I admit, it’s been frustrating, but it’s been a lot worse to see that snake Jeannie Gallagher slithering around the halls of power, at least our halls. Our company’s not about power, y’know, it’s about doing something good with that power, something positive.”

  Lorraine smiled. “I can see why Griffin took you on in the first place.”

  Ki smiled back. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Mrs. Phoenix, but … right back at ‘cha.”

  “Lorraine,” that booming, familiar voice said from the other end of the phone line, “it’s Albert!”

  Lorraine glanced around the streets of Brooklyn from the back of a hired Lincoln Town Car. “Of course, Albert, I’ve got your name on my contact list! How are you, how’s Carmen?”

  “She’s just great, misses you terribly.”

  “Amidst all that hustle of a gubernatorial campaign?”

  Albert huffed. “I think that makes her yearn even more for the old days, the quiet life.”

  “Well, she can say goodbye to that if … when you win that race.”

  “From your lips,” Albert said. “And speaking of that, thanks for the coverage during your press conference. I wanted to contact you earlier, but as you say, I’ve been busy.”

  “Not to worry, Albert. I was almost afraid I’d said too much, pulled your campaign into another one of my shit storms.”

  Albert burst out with a surprised chuckle. “Your shit storms are driving my political career, Lorraine!”

  “That’s your business, Al, not mine.”

  Albert’s laughter died down. “True enough. Say, what do you think about a little visit? I’ve got some campaigning to do among some of the other senators, I’m popping by almost every state in the union. Y’know, sit-downs, handshakes, but we’d hate to miss seeing you while we’re in town.”

  Lorraine didn’t have to think long to remember Albert’s original position in the library crisis, to throw the whole thing under the bus for his own personal reasons. Then he was ready to fire Lorraine just for sending that open letter to The Denver Post.

  But, it had been years and Albert had sacrificed his marriage, changed his world in a number of ways. Lorraine couldn’t manage to hold anything against him and she did want to see her old friend and former boss Carmen, especially if it meant not having to go all the way back to Denver.

  Lorraine didn’t like to go back.

  “That sounds great, Al. When can we expect you?”

  “This weekend, actually. We’ll call
when we settle into our suites at the Waldorf.”

  “The Waldorf,” Lorraine said, “classy.”

  She could feel Albert smile on the other end of the line. “I am a candidate for governor of the great state of Colorado, after all.”

  After all, Lorraine smiled.

  Sally Devonshire seemed genuinely enthusiastic though in that little Skype window on Lorraine’s laptop, it was hard to tell. “We’ve heard all about it, of course.”

  Lorraine was prepared for the usual skepticism. “I don’t want you to worry — ”

  “Worry?” Sally repeated. “Why ever would we worry?”

  Lorraine wasn’t sure how to respond, leaning closer to the monitor to make sure she recognized her mother’s face. “No real reason,” Lorraine said slowly. “Jeremy’s a little uptight about it.”

  Sally waved them off. “Your friend Jeremy was always a bit high-strung, dear, I wouldn’t pay it any mind. Maybe he should take a vacation or something.”

  Larry leaned in on his side of the Skype connection. “We could visit, see you two and take care of the kids … get two birds stoned at once.”

  Lorraine repeated, “Get two birds — ?” But it didn’t bear pursuing. Instead, Sally said, “Dear, we think it’s great, what you’re doing. I mean, what you did with the library, that was more than most people accomplish in a lifetime, and everything since, well … ” Lorraine knew what her mother was referring to; how well she married, her lovely daughter, her success with Ashe. Lorraine didn’t care to correct Sally, even if she was anxious to be considered on her own merits and not merely as Griffin Phoenix’s woman.

  “What your mother’s trying to say,” Larry interrupted, “is that maybe we could join the family business.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “I’m an accountant, your mom is —- ” Sally glared at him and Larry corrected himself, resisting old temptations. “Your mother is in real estate. It doesn’t take rocket appliances to see that maybe we could set up one of your learning centers right here in Denver.”

  “Denver,” Lorraine repeated, “really?”

  “Of course dear,” Sally said. “Lincoln Park, Lower Downtown, plenty of areas that could benefit from such a thing.”

  Lorraine wanted to believe that her parents had only the best intentions. She wanted to believe that. “I suppose that’s true. We’re working on our pilot program up here in New York. But there’s some question about our real estate holdings here.”

  “Some question? Dear, with real estate, you either own it or you don’t.”

  “It’s just taking a little time to get the information together. Phoenix Enterprises turns out to be a real labyrinth.”

  Sally and Larry glanced at one another, but said nothing, turning instead to Lorraine. Larry said, “We can handle it, babe. A couple permits, your mother’s got plenty of inventory … ” Sally glared at him and Lorraine knew for sure what her mother’s true motives were.

  This is a career move for her, Lorraine knew, sell some property. No wonder she’s so supportive.

  But she chose not to push it. It was easier to say simply, “I’ll talk to Griffin, see what he thinks.”

  “I thought this was your project,” Sally said. “I mean, you’re not the bashful little girl you were when you lived here in Denver. You’ve blossomed, dear.”

  “That’s sweet of you to say, Mom. But, it’s still under the auspices of Phoenix Enterprises. And he’s my husband; we’re equals, we make these decisions together.”

  “Equals,” Sally said, “we really have come a long way. Okay, dear, let us know.”

  “I will, Mom,” Lorraine said, forcing a smile just for as long as it took to wind up the conversation.

  Chapter 9

  The Coney Island boardwalk was crowded, cheerful families smiling and shrieking. The air was thick with the salty Atlantic breeze, but even that couldn’t wipe away the hot, buttery scent of fresh popcorn or the savory smell of those world-famous hot dogs, sizzling and succulent.

  The rides jangle on either side of the crowded boardwalk, not far from the midway.

  The Cyclone roller coaster was fast and rickety, and while like nothing close to the kind of danger the Phoenix family had faced, it was still enough to make Lorraine’s blood rush in her veins. The view of Brooklyn spread out from the coasters highest peaks before throwing her and Ashe downward, only to loop up again. Griffin and Kayla watched from the side, Kayla shrieking with delight.

  A short time later, Lorraine stood with Griffin, Ashe and Kayla in line for Deno’s Wonder Wheel, the largest Ferris Wheel in the world by its own proclamation.

  “It’s nice to get out,” Lorraine said, the sun warm on her cheeks.

  “Family time,” Griffin said, cradling Kayla in his arms. “I hope Jeremy’s having fun, wherever he is.”

  Lorraine sighed, “Yeah, I’m a little worried about Jeremy. I think since the shooting he’s become withdrawn, y’know? I feel like I came out of my shell, but then he crawled right into his.”

  Griffin nodded. “He’ll be fine. If you wanna give him a few weeks off, tell him we’ll send him anywhere he wants to go, on the house.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure, full pay, too. He deserves it. Maybe we could fly your folks out for a few weeks.”

  “Wow, Grif, they … they had the same idea.”

  Griffin shrugged. “Only makes sense. I want the kids to know their grandparents, they're the only ones they’ve got.” Lorraine couldn’t ignore the sadness in Griffin’s face, but he abandoned it quickly and Lorraine didn’t want to linger on the subject.

  “Y’know, my folks mentioned that they might be interested in setting up a learning center in Denver.”

  Griffin gave it some thought. “That’s not a bad idea. We should be overseeing the pilot center though, don’t you think?”

  “Definitely, yes.”

  Griffin paused, leaning toward her just a bit more closely to gauge her response. “Unless you’d like to go out and do the pilot in Denver? It would be a lot easier to get the land, I’d think. And you could spend more time with your folks, your mom — ”

  “No, I … I think for the good of the project that we should launch it in a … a more high-profile state.”

  “Like New York.”

  “New York, California, um, the Moon, just about anywhere.” They shared a chuckle, Kayla shrieked, and something else caught Lorraine’s attention. Ashe was still near the vending machine, but he wasn’t alone.

  Lorraine muttered, “Mrs. B.?”

  Griffin looked over. “What?”

  Lorraine recognized the small, bent body, the graying hair, the twinkly smile. She and Griffin broke out of the line at once and crossed directly toward them. As soon as she was within arm’s reach, Lorraine pulled Ashe back, crossing her arms protectively over his chest.

  Lorraine demanded, “What are you doing here?”

  Marion Beemish stammered a bit, pointing into the crowd behind her. “I have a young ward on the tilt-a-whirl. I was waiting for him when I saw Ashe here and I just had to say hi.”

  “So now you have,” Lorraine said.

  “My dear Mrs. Phoenix,” Mrs. B, said, “I’m so sorry for the way things turned out between us. I hope you realize I was only trying to protect Mr. Griffin and Ashe here. But, I can see how very wrong I was.”

  “That’s good of you to say,” Griffin said, no joy or warmth in his tone.

  “Thank you, Mr. Phoenix. And may I say you’re looking well, you both are. And imagine my joy to hear Ashe being so … so talkative! I’m glad to hear the rumors are true.”

  “Rumors,” Griffin said, “what rumors?”

  Missus B. just smiled. “You both are quite famous or you were. Everybody was saying all manner of things.”

  Lorraine asked, “Such as?”

  “Just that things were going so well, my dear, that’s all.” Missus B. smiled again. “I know you don’t trust me, I don’t ask that. But, I would hop
e we could meet as friends under such … random circumstances.”

  Lorraine couldn’t refrain from asking, “Are they random?”

  “You don't think I’m …. I’m following you? My dear, I can hardly walk anymore!”

  “Where’s this ward of yours?” Lorraine snapped back. “I’d like to meet him.”

  “It’s all right,” Griffin said, one arm around Ashe’s shoulder, the other around Lorraine’s. “Nice bumping into you, Mrs. B.”

  “Mister Phoenix, Ashe … Mrs. Phoenix.” Missus B. stood there while Griffin led his family away.

  Lorraine said, “Why did you do that? I want to meet that kid!”

  “You really think that old lady’s following us around?”

  “I don’t think she’s some helpless old lady, Griffin, no.” After a skeptical moment, she had to admit, “But, I suppose it could easily be a coincidence.”

  “They do happen, Lorraine.” After a few steps, he cautioned her, “Best we keep that in mind.”

  After dinner that night, Griffin spent some time with baby Kayla who was fussy, while Lorraine saw Ashe to bed. He pulled up the bed covers and gazed out the window as Lorraine came in.

  “Everything good?”

  “Fine thank you, Lorraine.”

  “Ready for bed?”

  “If I can sleep.”

  “Why not? What’s wrong?”

  “I’m just thinking about my new play. I’m not sure what to write, except for the library story, the shooting — ”

  “No, Ashe.”

  “But, it would be such a great play, with the shooting and everything — ”

  “There are lots of good stories out there to tell, Ashe. You’ll find the right one.”

  “What if I already have?”

  “Then keep looking, you’ll find another.”

  “But … why? You wouldn’t let them make a movie of it either.”

  “Because … because I did what I’d set out to do, to help the library. It wasn’t about me, Ashe, it was never supposed to be about me. The more it’s about me, the less it is about the library.”