by Amanda Uhl
I pushed my chair back and stood up, nearly knocking Seth over in the process. “That’s…that’s crazy talk.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Why would Charlie want to take over Reynolds? He doesn’t stay in any one place for long. He told me so.”
I had been slowly inching toward the door, hoping to make my escape, but Seth moved in front of me, blocking my exit. “Don’t tell me you’re like all the other hens in the office, bowled over by the rooster’s charm.”
“Of course not.”
“Good, then don’t be naïve. You’ve looked at the numbers. You can see for yourself we’re spending money like crazy. Where’s it all going?”
Seth resumed his pacing, talking almost to himself. “Charlie has some kind of strange hold on Larry. I don’t know what it is…but I wouldn’t be surprised if all that money is going straight into the asshole’s pocket.”
I wanted to ignore Seth’s accusations about Charlie. But Charlie did seem to have an in with Larry, and Larry trusted him. Suddenly, the name Euroknight, Inc., popped into my head. Could Charlie be the front man for the company? He seemed to know an awful lot about Reynolds’s operations. And when I had asked him, he refused to reveal his sources.
“You know something, don’t you?” Seth had stopped pacing again long enough to notice my preoccupation. He crossed over to where I stood and leaned in toward me, his breath warm on my face, gray eyes beseeching. “Val, please. I know you’re still angry, but you have to believe me. That snake charmer is not what he seems. He’s slowly draining Reynolds dry. My stepdad’s not in any state to make good decisions. If there’s something you know…some tidbit…and it can help save the company, you need to tell me.”
I sighed. I didn’t know who to trust, but I knew I’d feel guilty if it turned out Seth was right, and I had withheld critical information. Plus, Charlie had told me to tell Seth what he wanted to know. “All right, all right. I’ll tell you. But this could be nothing.” I pointed a hand at his chair on the other side of the desk. “And you have to promise to sit and listen.” I enjoyed ordering Seth around for a change.
In a flash, he was back in his seat, pen in hand. “Okay, I’m listening. What do you know?”
I pulled out the latest sales numbers from the folder and pointed out a few of the vendors who had received large payments, including the amount of money funneling into Euroknight’s coffers. “I’d have to check to be certain, but I don’t think we had these vendors last year. And we’ve been spending a lot of money with them. Small amounts, mind you. But over the course of the year, they’ve added up to more than a million dollars.”
Across from me, Seth’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Excellent job. You’re amazing. My stepdad obviously has no idea what Charlie is doing. I knew you would find something to incriminate the bastard.”
“Seth, I’m not saying that Charlie is fronting any of these companies. Not at all. I mean we started using Euroknight, for instance, long before he got here.” I swallowed. Why did I feel like a traitor for incriminating Charlie? I didn’t owe the man anything. You did cry on his shoulder, and he’s treated you to a meal more than once. My alter ego insisted on pointing out the truth, but I blocked her out so I could consider the facts.
I took a deep breath. “I’ll admit, since you asked me to look closely at our expenses, I do find it odd that we have spent so much, so fast with these newer vendors.”
“You’re exactly right. It is odd. And I’m telling you, Charlie Solanger is odd, too. I’d bet money he’s behind Euroknight or one of the others. You’re my witness, Val. I’m going to hire a private investigator to do some digging. If all of these vendors are up and up, no one will be the wiser. But if there’s something deceptive going on, I’m going to find out what it is so we can put a stop to it.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” I said hesitantly. “Maybe you should ask Julie about the vendors and the expenses first. She could have signed off on them.”
“Okay, I will. But if Julie doesn’t know them, I’m having them investigated. And when I get the evidence I need, I’m going to need you to back me up.”
Seth gazed at me across the desk, his expression calm and voice ringing with conviction. “Despite our history or what you might think of me, I know you love this company. I hope I can count on you to support me when the truth comes out.”
“If you have proof Charlie’s stealing money from Reynolds and selling trade secrets…I’ll support you,” I said.
“Thank you. I knew I could count on you to do the right thing.”
Seth pushed his chair back and rose in one fluid motion. He came from around the desk, a triumphant smile on his face. For a brief moment, I was transported back in time. Seth and Deirdre had signed a big deal to a client Larry had been after all year. They were set to earn a large commission as a result. It was only much later, after the pair had fled to California, I learned Seth made all kinds of concessions to gain the business. Stuff he was not supposed to do, like pay a large portion of the customer’s advertising budget.
“When this is all over, I’ll find a way to repay you. You won’t be sorry.”
It came to me then. Larry hadn’t been thrilled when he learned how Seth had signed the new business. I suspected I would be equally disappointed when the dust had settled, and I learned the truth…whatever it was.
Chapter Seventeen
“You think Charlie’s a good guy?” I asked Bernie. I had taken a detour past her cube after leaving Seth’s office. “I mean I know you think he’s hot and all, but don’t let that sway you. I’m talking about character. Do you think he’s aboveboard and honest or does it seem like he’s…hiding something?”
“Isn’t everyone?”
“Well…I guess, I mean, no. I’m not hiding anything.”
Bernie raised her eyebrows. “Says the girl who hasn’t told her current boyfriend about her former fiancé.”
Zing. “Okay. Point taken. So what do you think Charlie’s hiding?”
“To tell you the truth, Val, I haven’t given it a lot of thought. Why are you worried about Charlie?” Her forehead creased. “Is he harassing you?”
“Oh no. Nothing like that. I…I mean, I know everyone seems to like him and all. But what do we really know about him?”
Bernie shrugged. “He’s rich, good-looking, has a girlfriend.”
“He…he what?”
“Let’s just say he doesn’t need to work. He’s connected. His family’s filthy rich.”
“Yeah, I know all that. I meant…Charlie has a girlfriend?”
Bernie shrugged. “That’s what he told me. She lives in London. It’s a long-distance relationship. I guess they met on an airplane. She’s a flight attendant.”
“When did he tell you all this?”
Bernie wrinkled her nose. “The first day we met him, remember? I invited him for drinks after work. Anyway, I made it clear I was interested in getting to know him better, and he told me, nicely, that he was seeing someone. We ended up in the mall. That’s the night George and I fought at the Q Hall, remember?”
He had a girlfriend. Why hadn’t I thought of that before? Of course he had a girlfriend. Probably more than one. It shouldn’t bother me. But it did.
“Are you okay? You look a little pale.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m fine.”
“Good, ’cause there’s something I need to tell you. I know you wanted me to help George plan the store’s grand opening but something’s come up and I…I can’t.”
“Oh no. What’s the matter? Have you told George?”
“Yeah, I’ve told him. He was fine. We both decided it’s probably better this way anyway. You know with the rumors…and all…”
“I hope you’re not bowing out because of that stupid prank caller. Honestly, Bernie, I didn’t believe him for a moment.”
My eyes met Bernie’s across her desk. I wanted her to know I trusted her. She looked down at her unpainted nails. I had
never seen them without polish. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine.” She clasped her hands together. “Ah hell, Val, you have a great guy in George. He cares about you. But you need to be the one by his side, advising and helping him pull this business off the ground, not me. He’s going to need your help. He’s got a lot of responsibility he’s juggling.”
“Yes, I know. I’ve been helping him. It’s…so much is going on right now with my job. And George seems to listen to your ideas for the shop better than mine anyway. I’ve so appreciated your stepping in for me.”
“I know, and I’d like to help you more. I really would. But…George needs you. He needs to know he can count on you. That you’re there for him. This is a big gamble he’s taking, and he can’t do it properly without you by his side.”
I studied her flushed cheeks. Bernie cared about George and me. It was in her words and tone and all over her concerned face.
What’s more, Bernie was right. I’d been neglecting George for the soap opera that was Reynolds and a pair of sinful blue eyes. Shame on me.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me it was past noon, I needed sustenance. My breakfast of grapefruit and skinny vanilla latte wasn’t cutting it. “Listen, Bernie. You’re right. I’ve been so preoccupied, but I’ll make it up to George. Thanks for your concern and keeping me honest. I have to get to my meeting. Talk more later?”
Bernie nodded and I left. When I glanced back, she was still staring after me, her eyes big and soulful.
Charlie was on the phone when I got to his office. He had removed his tie and had his shirt slightly open at the collar. Whoever he was talking with must have known him well because he tossed his head back and let out a hearty laugh as he motioned me to sit. Was he talking to the flight attendant? I recognized the sour feeling in the pit of my stomach. I had experienced it often enough whenever I saw Seth with Deirdre in the weeks after I caught them in bed together. I hated the emotion then, and it didn’t feel any better now. How was it possible I felt envious of a woman I had never met for a man I wasn’t even dating?
“I’ve got company. Gotta run. I’ll call you later.” Charlie hung up and smiled at me from the other side of his desk. “That was a friend of mine. Got some great news.”
“Let me guess, she’s coming to visit.”
Charlie looked at me strangely. “Who’s coming to visit?”
“Your flight attendant.”
“My what?”
I couldn’t help it. I rolled my eyes. “Your girlfriend who lives in London.”
Charlie’s expression cleared, and he grinned. “Oh, Melissa. Yeah. No, wasn’t her.”
So Melissa was her name. Now if I only had a face to go with it. Or a brain. My alter ego mocked me. I needed to get a grip on my emotions and fast. I was practically an engaged woman. I had no business being jealous. Still I needed to know. “Who was that on the phone?”
“A family friend who happens to be a trademark attorney.”
The way Charlie said “family friend,” I knew right away it was a woman. An angry green giant was sitting on my heart. What did I care if Charlie had a whole passel of girlfriends? He was not my boyfriend, he was my boss. He could have as many girlfriends as he wanted. I had George.
“Have you eaten yet?”
I shook my head.
“I didn’t think so. You look like you’re in pain. C’mon, we’ll discuss what I need to tell you over lunch.”
He took me to a classy Italian restaurant and harassed me until I ordered “something more substantial than a salad.” I was grateful for his pushiness when our food came, and I tasted the most heavenly chicken fettuccini. Perhaps it was the week of dieting, but I had a strong urge to lick my plate clean. The only thing that stopped me were the other customers, and Charlie, who was absorbed in his lasagna across from me.
“What’d you want to talk to me about?” I asked.
Charlie wiped his mouth with his napkin. He took his time answering, which made me curious about what he would say. I strained to hear him in the crowded restaurant. “Two things. One is business and the other personal.”
“Okay,” I said. “What’s the personal?”
Charlie held up his hand. “That comes last. First business. The family friend I was talking to is one of the best trademark lawyers across the country. She procured the name “The Friendly Paint” for Reynolds. We can move ahead with our marketing campaign.”
I knew the lawyer would be a she. My brain stalled out, and I missed a whole other sentence or two.
“Do you agree?”
“With what?”
“To accompany me to look at paint colors.”
“Oh, yeah, sure. When?”
“Next Wednesday.”
I shrugged. I could handle looking at paint with Charlie. I was handling this lunch just fine, wasn’t I? “Okay.”
Charlie sat back, a satisfied expression on his face. “Good, because I really need a second opinion. I think our New York designers will have a better sense of current color trends than those in Cleveland.”
“New York? Wait, will I need to go to New York?”
Charlie quirked an eyebrow. “Have you been listening to anything I’ve been telling you? I need you to make the trip to New York with me so you can hear for yourself and help me decide. The color palette we choose is a critical marketing decision. I want your advice.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry about booking travel. I’ve got it covered. Be sure to pack for a couple of days.”
I tried to calm my racing heart. “How long are we staying?”
Charlie smiled at me. Across the table, his eyes glinted. “Through Saturday. I need to check on a few business interests while I’m there.”
Why did I feel like I was planning an illicit affair? George would not be happy if I weren’t around to help him at this critical time.
“Charlie, I’m not sure I’ll be able to go…four days is a long time. I mean, I could spare a night, but George and I have a lot to do to get ready for the Spice Boys’ launch. That’s coming up in August. He needs me right now.”
“That brings me to the personal topic.” Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. He sighed.
“What?”
“I don’t quite know how to say this.”
“Just say it.”
“You want another ice tea?”
“No, I’m good. Spit it out.”
Charlie stretched his hands above his head, cracking his neck in the progress. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”
“It’s only one thirty.”
“Yeah, I know. Listen, ever since Saturday night I’ve been debating if I should say anything. I figured you and George would talk and get the situation…ironed out.”
“We did talk.”
“You told George about the anonymous phone call, and he confessed?”
“No, he didn’t confess. There was nothing to confess. That was obviously someone’s idea of a sick joke.”
“That’s what I thought.” He rubbed a hand across his forehead.
“What? You think George is having an affair?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know what to think.”
I stared at Charlie across the table. What did he know? “Out with it. Why would you think George is having an affair?”
He opened his mouth. He shut it again. “God, this is harder than I thought.”
“Did you see Charlie and Bernie together?”
Charlie frowned. “No.”
My breath came out in a rush. I hadn’t even known I had been holding it until that moment. Heated anger rushed to my defense. I stood, fists clenched by my side, food forgotten. “That’s what I thought. George told me he’s not having an affair, and I believe him. Bernie’s concerned about George and me. But that’s all it is.”
I needed air. I headed for the exit, back rigid. When Charlie spoke, his words hit me like a ton of bricks. “Elias was not at the game.”
“What?” Wh
y had George lied to me? My body froze. I had the urge to fling the restaurant door open and flee, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. I needed to know the truth. I turned and headed back to the table.
Charlie spoke, his tone even. “I saw Elias at the Q Hall shortly before you showed up. He was not with George at a basketball game. He was three sheets to the wind.”
The room spun madly. I managed to lean against the nearest wall. When I passed out, I wanted to have something at my back. Strong arms grabbed me. “Are you okay?”
Would I be okay? Slowly, the black spots I was seeing faded. If Elias was not at the game, and Bernie was home in bed, who had been with George?
“I’m sorry. I debated for some time if I should tell you. You were so convinced George was telling the truth. And I figured maybe he’d make a full confession. When he didn’t, I felt I needed to say something. I didn’t want you to learn the hard way.”
He was speaking from experience. I remembered the night Charlie told me about his ex-fiancée and the scandal at Panache Jewelers, and I shared with him the story of Seth and Deidre’s betrayal.
I nodded, stepping away from his arms. My head had stopped swimming. “I still can’t believe George was with another woman. There must be some logical explanation. Who would he have been with? I know it wasn’t Bernie. She was home in bed.”
A picture of Bernie as I’d last seen her rose in my head. Bernie knew. That’s why she’d been distressed. She had seen George with another woman, or he’d told her something.
And then the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. And I did pass out, right there in the middle of the restaurant.
Chapter Eighteen
When I awoke, I was surrounded by two waiters and a naked lady on a cloud. I blinked and the lady turned out to be a painting of an angel on the ceiling. Was it a replica of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel? A pair of deep blue eyes peered into mine. The rich scent of Dark Water flooded my senses. I smiled. Then I remembered.
Charlie must have caught me when I fell because I was half lying on his lap instead of the hard floor. I lifted my head and struggled to move, but he held me in place. “Thank God. Stay still. Take your time. No need to get up.” Worry lines, as my mother liked to call them, creased his forehead.