by Donna Hill
“True. But I don’t think there’s a jury in this country that will convict Harrison based on the evidence collected to date.”
Momentarily they lapsed into silence. The waiter appeared with their order.
“There’s something else that I wanted to talk with you about, Khen,” Sean said, changing topics. He hesitated. “Well?”
“I had the strangest conversation today with Justin.”
Khendra looked at him curiously. She pushed a wayward strand of hair away from her face. “Justin, strange? What a contradiction in terms.” She slipped a forkful of pasta salad into her mouth.
“Believe me.” He paused briefly. “Justin is contemplating giving up his practice and devoting all his energies to advocacy and public speaking.”
Khendra’s eyes widened, the fork that she held suspended between the plate and her mouth. “What? I don’t believe it.”
Sean shook his head. “It’s the same thing I said. But he was very adamant.”
“What is he going to do with the firm? I mean, what about the cases, the staff…?”
Sean held up his hand. “This is the clincher. He wants us to buy him out and take over.”
Khendra sat in open-mouthed astonishment. Her fork clinked against the china plate. She tried to absorb what she’d been told. How many years had she and Sean talked about starting their own practice? But they’d been too loyal to Justin to pull up stakes? And now he was handing them their dream on a silver platter. It was almost too good to be true.
Khendra straightened in her seat. “How long have we known Justin?”
“About eight years.”
“Right. And knowing Justin, he never does anything on the spur of the moment and without a real strong reason.” She took a deep breath. “There’s more to this than he’s telling.”
“I didn’t want to say anything, but that’s what I was thinking.”
“What do you think it is?” she asked.
“I wish I knew.”
Khendra smiled coyly, her eyebrow arched. “Don’t you think it’s up to us to find out?”
Sean saw the spark in her eyes and knew that those wheels were turning a mile a minute. “What are you thinking, Khen? I know that look.” He peered at her from beneath heavy black lashes.
“I say we need to do some investigating on our own. As much as I would love for us to have our own practice, I want to be sure it’s for all the right reasons.”
“Agreed. What do you want to do?”
Khendra reached across the table and took her husband’s hand in hers, running her fingertip languidly along his palm. Sean felt himself instantly harden at her touch. She leaned enticingly forward, giving him the barest glimpse of the swell of her breasts. Her normally husky voice lowered another octave. “Why don’t we take a long lunch and discuss this further…at home?”
Sean grinned devilishly, his eyes darkening to a smoky sable. He leaned across the table to place a titillating kiss on Khendra’s moist lips. “That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”
Justin finally had a free minute to return Vaughn’s phone call. Just anticipating hearing her voice brought a warm smile to his lips. These past few weeks had changed him deeply. Vaughn was like some wild dream come true. He knew he’d have to take his time to convince her to cross those walls she’d erected. Instinctively he knew she’d been burned before, and she was right to be cautious. What woman wouldn’t be, given the circumstances of their meeting?
He smiled. Everything was going to work out; he could feel it. He reached across his desk and pulled the phone closer. He dialed her number. Waiting, he leaned back and put his feet up on the desk. He patted the breast pocket of his jacket. The tickets were in place. He’d had to twist a few arms and call in a few favors to get his hands on them. But he knew it would be worth it. The concert and then a late dinner tonight, he mused, listening to the ringing on the other end.
Vaughn stared at the phone. It was her private line. It was probably her father again, wanting to add more fuel to the fire. She sighed heavily.
Justin frowned. Maybe she’d stepped out, he concluded. He leaned over to return the receiver to the cradle when he heard Vaughn’s voice. He snatched the phone back.
“Vaughn. Hello. It’s Justin.”
Vaughn squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe it would have been better if it had been her father on the other end. She wasn’t ready to talk with Justin. She was still too torn.
“Justin…hello. I really can’t talk right now. I was on my way out to a press conference.” She swallowed and ordered her heart to slow down. Oh, Justin. She gripped the phone. Since her conversation with her father and her momentary flash of rebellion, she’d had some time to think things through. She’d come to a decision.
“No problem. I won’t keep you. I wanted to entice you to a night of music and great food. I have two tickets to the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts. There’s a jazz concert there tonight with all of the favorites. The list is incredible. Then I thought we’d have a late dinner at the Strawberry Café. How does that sound? I can’t wait to see you again,” he ended on a husky note.
“It, it sounds wonderful, Justin. But I really can’t…not tonight.” She straightened her shoulders and forced a tone of airiness into her voice. “You wouldn’t believe the kind of day I’ve been having. I won’t be any good to anyone, including myself, by the end of this day. I’d probably fall asleep.”
“What’s wrong, Vaughn?” he asked bluntly. “And don’t tell me it’s the job. You’ve been doing this for years. It’s second nature. What’s the real reason you don’t want to see me tonight? More second thoughts?”
He was too good at seeing through her, she thought miserably, even over the phone. “Justin, listen,” she began. “Believe me, I’d love to spend the evening with you.” You don’t know how much. “But circumstances…won’t permit it.”
Justin’s jaw clenched so hard his head began to hurt. What was he going to have to do to get her to trust him, to let go? What had happened to her to make her so wary? He knew that he wanted Vaughn in his life, especially with the turn that it was about to take. But he wasn’t sure he had the patience or the endurance to give what it was going to take to get through to her. Maybe it wasn’t worth the effort.
Justin let out a long-held breath. “Fine,” he expelled. “If that’s what you want. Call me…when you have some time. Goodbye, Vaughn.”
Vaughn heard the dial tone hum in her ear. She looked up to the ceiling, clutching the phone to her breasts. Her eyes stung. “It’s best this way, Justin,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Justin slammed his fist against his desk and sprang from his seat, spinning it in a circle in the process. Recklessly, he raked his fingers through his close-cropped hair. Never had any woman made him so crazy! He spun away from the window, his face a mask of confused anger. Something had happened. Something or someone had gotten to her to make her do a 360 in less than twenty-four hours. He pressed his lips together. He was never one to just give up, not when it came to something he wanted. Vaughn was that something. She was the key, and he had no intention of letting her slip through his fingers. No matter what she said.
Simone had just returned to her dorm room after her last class for the day. It was nearly three o’clock. She wanted to place her call to Mr. Montgomery’s office before it got too late. She tossed her knapsack onto her bed and snatched up the business card from her nightstand.
Quickly she said a silent prayer and then dialed.
“Montgomery, Phillips and Michaels,” answered the polished voice.
Simone took a deep breath. “Yes, good afternoon. My name is Simone Rivers. I’m a student at Spelman.”
“Yes?” Barbara inquired tersely. She had a desk full of work to complete before the end of the day and she wanted to get home at a reasonable hour.
“Mr. Montgomery had a speaking engagement here at the college several months ago,” she stated quickly, sensing the woma
n’s impatience. “He said he’d be looking for interns this summer. I’d like to apply for an internship with the firm.”
Barbara frowned. “Why would you want to come all the way from Atlanta to D.C. for an internship?” she asked skeptically.
“I was very impressed with Mr. Montgomery’s presentation, and I have similar advocacy interests. I feel this internship would be an excellent opportunity.”
Barbara smiled indulgently. “I see. Well, Mr. Montgomery has to clear all internships. You’ll have to mail in your qualifications and he’ll be in touch with you.”
Simone’s faced beamed with delight. “Yes!” she mouthed silently, shooting a fist through the air. “May I fax my information to you? That would be a lot quicker.”
Barbara’s smile broadened. She liked the girl’s tenacity. “That’d be fine. Take down this number.”
Simone quickly jotted it down and repeated it back. “I’ll send it right over,” Simone said eagerly.
“Be sure to include a contact number. Either I or one of the paralegals will call you when we receive your information.”
“Thank you. Oh, I’m sorry, who am I speaking with?”
“Barbara Crenshaw.”
“Thank you for your time, Ms. Crenshaw. I look forward to hearing from you.”
“You’re welcome,” Barbara said, returning the receiver to its cradle. She wondered what this young lady had to offer. Heaven knew they could use an extra hand around the office, especially if Khendra and Sean were going to be wrapped up in that Harrison mess. Most of the para-legals were still in school and only worked part-time. And the only one who showed any real promise was Chad Rushmore. The corner of her wide mouth lifted in a grin. Now, that was a young man who was going places, she thought. When the fax came in, she’d pass it on to him and let him give his impressions. There was no point in troubling Justin if there was no reason to show interest in Simone. She did seem quite determined, Barbara thought, returning her attention to her work. They’d just have to see.
Chad breezed into the office after picking up a set of transcripts just as the fax machine was spitting out the last page of Simone’s internship package.
“Chad,” Barbara greeted, “I’m glad you’re back. I have something I want you to look over before I pass it along to Mr. Montgomery.”
“Sure. What is it?” Chad stepped up to Barbara’s desk, deposited his package, and took the curled pages. “A résumé?”
“Actually, it’s an internship request. I got a call this afternoon from this young lady. She sounds promising. And her qualifications are outstanding.”
Chad nodded as he skimmed the pages. She was impressive. Top of her class, outstanding recommendations from her professors, previous experience in a law firm. “I say, forget the internship, let’s hire her!” he grinned, flashing even white teeth. At twenty-two, Chad had really come into his own. Gone was the lanky, uncoordinated boy of his youth. In his place was a six-foot-two, smooth-as-silk young man who knew where he was going.
Barbara watched him as he ran over the details of Simone’s application. He’d come far in the three years he’d been with the firm. She remembered the day he’d arrived as an intern: uncertain, introverted, and a lousy dresser, she remembered with wry amusement. Now, looking at Chad, she wished she was fifteen years younger. Any young lady lucky enough to land Chad Rushmore would be one happy woman. The man was gorgeous.
“You have my vote, Barb,” Chad said, looking up from the papers. He handed them back and leaned his thigh against her desk. “Are you going to pass it on to the big boss?”
“She certainly looks like she has potential. I’ll add your recommendation to mine and see what he says.”
“Good. Listen, I have some briefs to review. I’ll be buried in my office for the next couple of hours. Then I’m cutting out. Anything you need from me?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. I’d really appreciate it if you could call this young lady back and let her know we received her information. She may have some questions about the internship program that you could answer, firsthand,” she qualified with a knowing smile.
“No problem,” he grinned, remembering his own early days as an intern.
Barbara jotted down the number and handed it to Chad. “Thanks. I’ll take care of it right away.” He waved and strutted off to his office.
Barbara jotted down some notes about Simone, added Chad’s comments, and headed for Justin’s office.
Barbara arrived at Justin’s door just as he was preparing to leave. “Oh, Mr. Montgomery, I didn’t realize you’d be leaving so early. I’ll just leave this on your desk.”
“What is it?” Justin asked distractedly, slipping his arms into his coat.
“An application for an internship for the summer. The young woman seems extremely well qualified,” she added.
“Fine. Just leave it. I’ll take a look at it tomorrow.”
Barbara noted the hard lines around Justin’s mouth and the firm set of his jaw. “Is everything okay, Mr. Montgomery?”
Justin shot her a quick glance, grabbed his briefcase, and walked toward the door. “It will be,” he said, snatching open the door. “It will be,” he repeated under his breath.
“How long has she been in there?” Crystal asked Tess.
Tess sighed. “For the past couple of hours. She told me to hold all calls and she hasn’t opened her door when I knocked.”
Crystal frowned. She’d gotten wind of the fact that Vaughn’s father had been on the premises earlier and she knew how Elliott Hamilton had the ability to unravel Vaughn with just a look. She wondered what bombshell he’d dropped today.
“You continue to hold her calls, Tess. I’m sure she’s just swamped with work and doesn’t want to be disturbed. You know how single-minded Vaughn can be when she gets her teeth into something.” Crystal smiled. “I’ll check on her.”
Vaughn heard a light knock on her door. She couldn’t continue to avoid her staff for the rest of the day. Slowly she got up and opened the door.
“Come on in,” Vaughn said, straining to sound cheerful.
Crystal stepped in and spun around to face Vaughn. “You want to tell me why you’ve been locked up in your office for the entire afternoon?” Her eyes swept across the office. “And…who are those flowers from?”
A quick call to Vaughn’s office prior to Justin’s departure had confirmed that she was still there. He raced through the streets of D.C. and took I-95 to Richmond. If he didn’t catch her at the office, he’d wait for her at her townhouse. One way or the other, he and Vaughn were going to talk. Today.
Chapter 7
Vaughn crossed the office, mindful of keeping her back to Crystal. How could she face her closest friend and tell her how weak, how spineless, she really was? How could she tell her that the woman who thousands admired for her strength and determination was no more than an overgrown daddy’s girl? Slowly Vaughn turned around, her face a portrait of despair.
“Vaughn!” Crystal cried in alarm. “What is it?” She quickly crossed the room and stood in front of her friend. “Tell me. It can’t be that bad.”
Vaughn expelled a shaky laugh. “Oh, believe me, it’s worse.” Vaughn sat down behind her desk and took a deep breath. Crystal remained standing until the full impact of what Vaughn had revealed forced her to sit down.
“You and Justin Montgomery?” Crystal asked incredulously. She shook her head in bewilderment. “This is so unlike you, Vaughn, to just…leap into something.”
Vaughn shot her a derisive look. Crystal held up her hands in defense. “Listen, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong. Believe me. The Lord only knows I wish I could meet someone who could rock my world.” She smiled warmly. “He must be one helluva man to win you over.” Vividly Crystal recalled the anguish Vaughn had suffered through after the ending of her affair with Paul Lawrence. Paul had repeatedly professed his love for her, but Vaughn had opened her heart only to find out that he’d used her feelings for him to g
ain entrée into all the right circles, to attain favors and win supporters. Once he’d been elected to office, he’d dropped Vaughn like the plague. Crystal didn’t think Vaughn would ever recover from that humiliation and hurt. Maybe this Justin Montgomery was just the medicine she needed. He was damn sure fine enough, Crystal thought, with a pang of remembrance from the night of the fund-raiser.
Vaughn felt her cheeks flame. “Yeah,” she admitted softly. “He certainly is.”
“But the thing that really has my head swimming is that Elliott had you followed. I mean, I know he has his ways, but this is going over the limit, even for him. You can’t just sit back and let him do this to you…father or not,” she added adamantly.
“That’s what I’ve been wrestling with all afternoon, Crystal.” She sighed heavily. “I’ve allowed my father to manipulate me for so long it’s become second nature.” She stood up, folding her arms tightly in front of her. “Except for buying the townhouse, I can’t remember the last time I made an independent decision which didn’t cause such a furor I didn’t hear the end of it for months.”
“But this is different, Vaughn…you know it is. This isn’t about some purchase, or deciding what campaign strategy to use. This is about your life and what you want to do with it.”
Vaughn’s dark, troubled eyes met Crystal’s. Crystal stood up and rounded the desk to stand next to Vaughn. “You know you have the strength. You know you have the determination. You’ve proved it time and time again in your career. Now, use those same qualities for your personal salvation. Vaughn,” she pleaded, “if you allow your father to do this to you, to take away your happiness, you’ll never know if you and Justin were meant to be. Don’t you think you deserve to find out?”
By degrees the shroud that had covered her spirit was lifted. Vaughn felt a sweet release in the realization that for once in her life, she truly did have the power to make changes. If she backed down now, she knew she’d regret it for the rest of her life. And she’d never earn her father’s respect, or her own.