by Donna Hill
Reese returned to her apartment, bone weary and mentally spent. Her body ached with fatigue and her mind was on overload. All she wanted to do was soak in a hot tub and crawl into bed, keeping the world and reality at bay for at least a week.
She stepped out of her shoes as she entered her foyer and slipped out of her coat. Almost blindly she followed the path to her bedroom and stripped. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the flashing red light of her answering machine. Her heart did a quick uptake as she hoped that it was a message from Max. She pressed the play button and Victoria’s lilting southern drawl filled the room. Reese listened with growing alarm, her fatigue waning like an ebb tide. As soon as the message concluded she called the travel agency and arranged for her flight to Washington. Then she called Victoria.
“I’ll be on the 8:00 a.m. flight into Dulles. Can you meet me? We’ll go together.”
Maxwell looked up from the paperwork strewn across his desk in response to the light knock on his office door. He pressed the balls of his forefinger and his thumb against his tired eyes and massaged them. “Come in.”
“So tomorrow’s the big day, eh, boss,” R.J. said, stepping in and closing the door behind him.
“Yeah. Have a seat, man. I’m glad you could fly down. I wanted all senior management and board members to be here in New York.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He chuckled. “Anything you need me to take care of?”
“No. Not really. I’m just asking that everyone be in the office by 7:00 a.m. I want to be able to put my hands on any given person at any given time.” He smiled.
“You look tired, Max. That pretty lady reporter keepin’ you up at night?”
Maxwell held R.J.’s gaze, not a flicker of emotion was expressed on his face. “Not at all,” he said simply. “She was just doing her job.”
R.J.’s left eyebrow rose a fraction. “Oh. ’Nuff said.” He made a show of checking his watch. “I’m going to be shoving off.”
“What hotel are you checked in to?”
“The Hilton on Sixth.”
Maxwell nodded. “Don’t forget to turn in your receipts before you head back out to the coast,” he ordered, pointing a playful finger at R.J.
“You know I won’t.” He chuckled. “See you in the morning.”
Left alone, Maxwell leaned back in the swivel chair then spun it to face the window. The night sky had begun to fill with twinkling stars. From his vantage point, he could see beyond the towering buildings of the Manhattan skyline.
Tomorrow was his big day. A day when he could see beyond just tomorrow—into the future. Tomorrow he would lead his company into a whole new era. He should be flying high—soaring above the skyscrapers—adrenaline pumping, mind sharp and focused. Tomorrow he should be sharing his success with the woman he loved, and he knew that he would not. The thought caught and lodged in his chest. He never got to tell her he loved her.
Chapter 36
Reese’s flight from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport into Dulles was a half hour late in arriving. She spotted Victoria in a stunning magenta suit with matching purse and shoes anxiously pacing the waiting area as she rushed across the terminal. Suddenly, she stopped short when Victoria turned and saw her.
Since the last time they’d met, their relationship had altered dramatically. They’d gone from wary contenders to possible half sisters. How did she greet this woman; the woman who’d also slept with the man she loved; the woman who’d put her neck on the line to find the truth?
Reese took a short breath and continued across the black-and-white tiled floors. When she reached Victoria, she did what came natural—she wrapped her in an embrace.
For the first few seconds, Victoria was totally taken aback by the effusive greeting. But as Reese’s genuine warmth enfolded her she felt her resistance melt, and without even realizing it she was returning the embrace—and it felt good.
Simultaneously, they both stepped back and looked at each other with new eyes and smiled.
“Hi,” they spoke in unison.
“My car is in the lot. Do you have luggage?”
“No, just my carry-on.”
“Good. We’ll go straight to the hospital.”
“Have you spoken to the doctors today?” Reese asked, sliding into the plush mint-green leather seats of Victoria’s Mercedes Benz.
Victoria angled her head in Reese’s direction as she pulled out of the parking space. “They don’t think she’ll make it through the night.”
They arrived at George Washington University Center in fifteen minutes and were ushered directly to the Intensive Care unit and Celeste’s room. The entire atmosphere had an eerie feeling of finality. The two nurses moved around the motionless patient in silence, checking equipment and vital signs. The only indication that there was life beneath the white sheets was the steady beep of the monitor.
Together they moved closer, bracing either side of the bed. The nurses gave them both smiles of sympathy and left the room.
Celeste looked to weigh no more than ninety pounds. The rate of her deterioration was heartwrenching. Looking down at her frail body, both Reese and Victoria cast aside their anger and resentment. This was not the place to air their individual grievances.
As if sensing their presence, Celeste slowly opened her eyes. She looked from one to the other and her eyes filled. “I’m glad you both came,” she said in a thready whisper. “I know my time is short and I can’t leave this earth without telling you both the truth…”
Maxwell activated the tie-line between himself and his broker Harlan Black and his counterpart in Japan. The opening bell on Wall Street would ring in five minutes.
“We’re set for one hundred thousand shares. Twenty each at the bell,” Harlan stated. “The figures are already running on the NIKKEI boards. That’s bound to be good for us here. Okay, get ready partner, here’s the opening bell. I’ll check back with you shortly.”
As Maxwell watched the stock figures scroll across his television mounted in the wall, he felt as if he’d been running the New York City Marathon. A surge of exhilaration raced through him when he saw M.K. Enterprises move across the screen. Within moments, shouts of joy could be heard throughout the floor. Although each member of M.K. Enterprises was guaranteed one share of common stock, no one except the chosen few knew when this momentous event would take place. There was simply a short memo left in each section the night before advising the staff to gather in the cafeteria at eight o’clock where the television was set and ready.
“Looking good, my friend,” Harlan said, calling back as promised. “Ten thousand shares have already been sold and the floor has only been open for a half hour.” He chuckled, thoroughly pleased. “I’ll keep my eye on things and keep you posted.”
“Thanks, Harlan.”
“No problem. I only travel with the winners. I’ll give you a call in a couple of hours.”
“Sounds good.” Maxwell disconnected the line. A sense of absolute elation filled him. His dreams were finally coming together.
He’d built M.K. Enterprises from scratch. When everything that he’d worked for nearly crumbled under the government’s accusations, he’d pulled himself up, shook off the dust and brought his company into the twenty-first century.
Day by day, he’d begun to let go of the fragile hope that he would somehow reconcile with his mother. He started to let go of the pain inflicted upon him by the lies of his father and the denouncement by his mother. He knew in time the sting of those betrayals would recess to a dark place in his heart, and he would move on. Through determination he’d overcome every other obstacle in his life. He’d overcome that as well. He also knew that in time he would have to get over Reese and he understood that would be the most difficult obstacle he’d ever undertake.
His intercom buzzed, startling him out of his ruminating. He leaned across the desk and pressed the flashing red light.
“Yes, Carmen.”
“Max, Mr. Black is on line two
. He says it’s urgent.”
Maxwell snapped off and connected with Harlan. “Harlan what is it?”
“We’ve got a problem, boss.”
Maxwell’s pulse began to drum in his right temple. “What is it?”
“I’ve been watching the boards. There’s been a lot of activity from a single company, P.H., Inc. I never heard of them and I can’t find out anything about them. They’ve already purchased ten percent of your company’s stock.”
“What?” Maxwell sprung up from his seat.
“You heard me. Looks like you’re going to be in for a fight. Somebody wants in big-time and has the capital to do it.”
“But why would…” He never bothered to ask the question. He already knew the answer. Someone who knew about M.K.’s move into the market had leaked the information and the recipient of that information was going after his company.
His mind began to race. Or was it someone inside? But who? “Raise the price by five dollars per share.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Hang in there, buddy. It’s going to be a long day.” Harlan clicked off.
Maxwell stood in the center of his office taking long, deep breaths. This couldn’t be happening. But Harlan had warned him and everyone connected with the move, that no one was to breathe a word. The threat of a hostile takeover was very real if the information about M.K. Enterprises was leaked too soon.
He ran a frustrated hand across his close-cropped ink-black hair. All he could do was wait. Maybe it was nothing—a fluke—a…
Carmen knocked and came in.
“Sorry Max, but I thought you’d want to see this.” She handed him a copy of Visions Magazine. “It came out last night. I picked up a copy down in the lobby on my break a few minutes ago.”
Maxwell stared down at his high-gloss image, which graced the cover, save for the lead title which read: “Maxwell Knight Electronics Icon: The Real Story.” He felt a deep sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach as if he’d just plunged from the apex of a roller coaster.
“Thank you, Carmen. I’ll take a look at it in a minute,” he said, his calm voice masking the unease he felt but clearly indicating that he wanted to be alone.
“Yes, sir.”
Carmen turned, and just as she was about to open the door Maxwell asked, “Have you read it?”
She bit her lower lip before answering. “Yes I did.”
Maxwell nodded. Staring at the bold black letters that represented his life, he found his way to his desk and sat down.
The story was filled with compassion and an insightfulness that reached way down in his soul and touched him. Reese had found a way to be both factual and passionate in bringing his story to the public. Slowly his anxiety began to wane. He read faster, and then his eyes widened in horror. There, for all the world to see was the announcement of his company entering the market.
The pulse in his temple pounded harder. The sudden heat of fury roared through his taut body. She’d betrayed him. She’d boldly betrayed the trust he’d placed in her. His eyes flew across the words. The article also included the company’s financial position and enormous money-making potential.
A freight train of rage burst through his veins. He threw the magazine on the floor. How could she have done this? The article opened the door to any high-rolling company or individual to get the edge.
Suddenly his eyes narrowed in concentration. What was the name of the company Harlan mentioned? He wracked his brain trying to make the name come back. He rubbed a hand roughly across his face. P.H., Inc.!
He dashed to the phone and dialed Harlan’s number. He answered on the first ring.
“Black here.”
“Harlan, it’s Max. Listen I think I know who’s making the move. Phillip Hart of Visions Magazine.”
“Well, Mr. Hart is still in the game. He just bought another five percent. That brings it to fifteen.”
“Raise the price.”
“I suggest that I set up an offshore account for you immediately. M.K. Enterprises can’t buy chunks of its own stock, but we can set up countermeasures—your dummy company can. Then you simply transfer it back later or buy it back on the block.”
“Do it.”
“How much liquid capital do you have?”
“As much as it takes.”
“I’m on it. I’ll get back to you within the hour.” He paused. “They just bought another five.”
Maxwell’s heart thundered. “Buy twenty shares immediately.”
“Done.”
Maxwell paced, his mind swirling with dangerous thoughts. She’d used him. Just like Victoria’d used him. How much did Hart pay her for the information? How much was it worth to her to turn what he thought they had into the possible ruination of everything he’d worked for?
She’d used her charms, her body, her ability to make him trust her against him. He knew he should have been cautious. He knew he should have listened to his instincts and kept his heart sealed. But he’d believed her lies. He’d fallen victim to her allure and now he was paying for it.
He turned hard, cold eyes on the skyscrapers that loomed toward the cloudless sky. He wouldn’t let her win. He wouldn’t start over again. And when he’d won the game, he would make sure that she paid for her betrayal.
Yet, even as the thought took shape in his mind, his heart was breaking in two.
Reese and Victoria listened in stunned silence as Celeste unraveled the most twisted story of jealousy and obsession.
She told them in macabre detail of how her hatred of Sharlene began and how from that day forward she’d vowed to take away everything that mattered to her.
“When she met and fell in love with Hamilton, I knew I had to have him. In the beginning, it was just to get back at her. But then, I fell in love with him. I wanted him to leave Sharlene, but he said he never would.” Her light brown gaze fell on Victoria. “And then I got pregnant with you. I knew he would leave her then. But he said he wouldn’t. I swore I would tell her if he didn’t leave her. He told me he would continue to see me and take care of you if I promised never to say a word.” She pressed her lips together as a wave of pain shot through her frail form. Breathless she continued, “I felt that if that was the only way I could keep him in my life, I would do as he asked.”
“But…what about Frank? Is he really my father?” Victoria asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
Celeste shut her eyes. “Yes. I always knew he was. I was seeing them both.” She swallowed. “Interracial relationships in the South weren’t looked upon very favorably back then. We kept our relationship a secret, even though Frank wanted to come out in the open with it. When he found out I was pregnant, he was ecstatic, until I told him about Hamilton.”
Reese looked away, unable to meet the pain in Victoria’s green eyes.
“I wanted Hamilton so desperately that I maintained the lie. And he so wanted to keep it a secret that he asked his best friend, Frank, to help him.” She shut her eyes, taking shallow breaths. “Frank loved me so much that he enlisted the help of his sister Faith. Between the three of them, they saw to it that my pregnancy was kept a secret. I was never close to Sharlene so when I moved away it was probably a relief to her. When I had you, Victoria, Faith adopted you and raised you as her own daughter. She was such a loving person and had desperately wanted children but was unable to have any.”
“So you posed as my aunt.”
“Yes.”
Victoria turned way and moved toward the window. “How could you have lived with yourself and your lies for so many years?” she demanded, her voice laced with an unbearable agony.
“There’s more,” she said in response.
Victoria spun around. “What more could you have possibly done?”
Reese felt a hot flush spread through her limbs. Would she admit the awful truth?
“There came a point when I couldn’t live with it anymore.” She paused and took a long breath. “The day before Sharlene and Hamilton died
…I’d borrowed Sharlene’s car…”
Reese and Victoria listened in horror as Celeste told in infinite detail how she’d cut the brake line and emptied the steering fluid just before returning the car. Her eyes clouded over. “I…never thought that Hamilton…would have gotten in the car. He’d…never driven it before.”
“You were responsible for their deaths?” Victoria’s voice escalated to a hysterical pitch. “You murdered them!”
A lead weight settled in the pit of Reese’s stomach. It was true. Her aunt had murdered her parents. But with that awful reality also came a sense of relief. Even though Max’s father had been sent to do the job along with Larry, they had nothing to do with the outcome. Maxwell needed to know that.
“I was responsible for maintaining a cycle of jealousy all these years. I recreated my and Sharlene’s relationship between you and Reese. I let the jealously fester and grow. I relished the fact that you hated Reese so much, simply because she was a product of love between Hamilton and Sharlene.”
“But why? Why, Celeste?” Reese pleaded. “Just because you and my mother had a childhood spat at a birthday party!”
“No. It was much deeper than that. Sharlene was not my real sister.”
“What?” Reese and Victoria blurted in disbelief.
“Your grandfather, Reese, Paul Winston, was married before he married your grandmother April. He was married to my mother, Della. Della never married my father and I don’t even know who he is or was. All I ever knew was Paul. I adored him. I was his special princess. When Della died and he married April, we were a family again. I was the center of their world until Sharlene was born.
“She was their natural child, born out of their love. Day by day I began to take a backseat to Sharlene. I suppose something inside of me snapped the day of the party. I believed that everything that was important to me—my parents—Sharlene had taken away. I was no one, nothing. I didn’t belong. And a part of me died, the human part, and the first time I felt alive again was when I fell in love with Hamilton.”