Meanwhile, Jane went back to her rocking chair and pulled the quilt around her. She just wanted a few more minutes to think. As more tears threatened, she forced her mind to think about the week, and the next week, and the next month. She had to get back to the business of advancing her career.
Instead she only thought about her baby. And about Jason.
And about the life she would never have with him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The morning of the big presentation came with great fanfare. The Talbot Toys executive floor was decorated with banners and balloons wishing “good luck.” In anticipation of success, a large buffet lunch and a huge cake had been ordered for a celebration.
All the chinks in the CARL project had been hammered out. All the little problems that had mysteriously surfaced had been handled. There was nothing left but to demonstrate with confidence the merits of the project.
Jason had been in contact with Jane briefly, checking on details for the presentation. Actually he wanted to make sure that she was okay. The discovery that she had lost their child years ago had shocked and saddened him but his concern now was for her. He had never seen her as upset as she had been that day in her apartment. His heart hurt for her.
Since then, she had been polite and professional with him. He knew she wasn’t ready to continue the conversation. That would change tonight. After the meeting, the schmoozing, the party, he would take Jane back to his place. They would have a long talk about their past.
And their future. He couldn’t wait.
Sitting at his desk, Jason reviewed the agenda for the morning. Impulsively, he fingered the small box in his pocket, smiling to himself. Today was the day. He would ask Jane to be his forever and finally slip that diamond ring on her finger. A light knock on the door startled him.
“Boss, there’s a server here with some legal documents for you, “ Shelly said, peeking in the office.
“Send him in,” Jason said thinking that the legal department probably had papers for him. Signing the receipt and dismissing the server, he opened the envelope. He sat stunned, not moving. He couldn’t have moved if he’d wanted to. There in front of him were papers with the heading “Divorce Settlement.” Glancing down he saw the papers were intended to dissolve the marriage of Jane Elizabeth Kendall Collins and Jason Robert Collins, the cause being irreconcilable differences.
As if in a dream, he looked through the papers, noticing Jane was not asking for anything, except his signature. He looked at his desk calendar—the three months were over. Their secret marriage was over. He felt as if a knife had stabbed him in the chest.
Fury filled Jason. How could he have been so gullible? She had lain in his arms, loved him tenderly. Had it all been a joke? She had professed her love for him so sincerely. Was it all a big lie? Maybe that little visit from Ed had not been the innocent meeting that she had said.
No, this was Jane, not some villain. He had never known her to be so calculating, so devious. He put his elbow on his desk and put his fist to his chin thinking. Maybe losing their baby had been too much for her to remember. She was still grieving over it. If she had sent divorce papers, it was because she really wanted a divorce. No matter how gut wrenching it was to Jason, he had to admit that nothing, absolutely nothing would change the fact that he loved her. If she wanted a divorce, then that was what he’d give her.
So, just as he had done his whole life, he gave Jane what she wanted. He signed the papers.
The offices at Patterson Marketing Agency were buzzing. The CARL team was gathering all the marketing materials to be taken to the small auditorium at the Talbot building. At the threat of theft, Jane had two guards watching everything being packed up. It gave her a satisfaction that they would be made public now.
However, her thoughts had shifted. She no longer sought the promotion that this job would give her. She was doing it for Jason. She wanted to succeed for him, for all the hard work he had invested into CARL. She wanted him to succeed. Jane sighed. Even knowing that he was having a baby with someone else, even knowing that CARL was the only thing between them now, she wanted his success.
A messenger from Talbot Toys knocked on Jane’s door. Accepting the envelope, she sat at her desk, not knowing what kind of information she would find in the envelope. The words “Divorce Settlement” caused her eyes to immediately blur.
Sally entered Jane’s office with a fresh cup of coffee. “Jane, what is it? You’re not having a relapse from the other day, are you?”
All the color had run out of Jane’s face. She sat there motionless with tears streaming down her face. Quietly, she said, “I . . . I just got some bad news that’s all. Could I have a moment alone, Sally? Please?”
Not wanting to leave her stricken boss she said, “Are you sure?” Sally would stay close in case she needed to call 911.
Jane gave a weak nod and watched Sally leave. Lowering her head on her desk she realized that she should have expected this. Business had always come first with Jason. He merely had wanted her until her job with CARL was completed. Dana had been right.
In addition, he was going to be making a life with another woman and their child. Of course he was sending divorce papers?
Jane swiftly lifted her head to see the calendar. Three months. The three-month marriage was over. Well, actually the seven-year and three-month marriage was over. She had given her heart to him, again, and now it was over. The hurt was too much to bear, harder than when they parted seven years earlier.
Jane laid her head on her desk and wept.
The meeting was scheduled for eleven sharp. All parties were assembled in the small auditorium. Jane had set up her media presentation next to the platform set for the Talbot Toy Company.
After crying alone in her office for a while, Jane pulled herself back together. She had refused to see anyone, including Ed. She wanted to fix her face, review her notes, and get on with the job of showcasing CARL, what she was paid to do.
Just before eleven, Jane took a seat on the first row, left side, to wait for her turn to be called. At eleven on the dot, the double doors in the back opened and in walked the Japanese delegation along with the executives of Talbot Toys. Jane would not look up. Why did she think this wouldn’t be hard? Ever so slightly, she looked up to find Jason. He looked so good in his navy blue Armani suit and turquoise blue silk tie. So handsome. She had even helped him buy that outfit a few weeks ago specifically for this meeting. She felt a large lump in her throat. His eyes were determined, purposeful. He handled the foreign visitors with ease. So classy, so sophisticated was her soon-to-be ex-husband. Unexpectedly, Jason’s eyes met hers. They were hard. She couldn’t bear to look so she looked down at her notes.
Jason began his presentation with the grace and elegance of the professional businessman that he was. He was witty. He was charming. He was knowledgeable. He even spoke to CARL in Japanese eliciting CARL’s response in Japanese. The delegation was enchanted.
Everything was going without a hitch. Then Jason paused. Taking a breath, he said, “And now, we’d like to present to you our media campaign designed by the Patterson Marketing Agency of New York. Miss Jane Kendall, marketing specialist, will present. Miss Kendall.” Without looking at her, he yielded the floor to polite applause.
This was a big moment for Jane. She knew it. She stood, straightened her shoulders, smiled, and walked to the front, next to her materials. Her presentation was met with smiles and laughs as the commercials for CARL were shown. Getting to demographics she explained how the toy would be targeted to markets all over the world.
Impressive was the only word that Jason allowed himself to think. He knew all the materials backwards and forwards, but the sincere way that Jane presented it made her seem like a trusted friend, someone to listen to, not a slick salesman only out for a buck. The delegation sensed it. They were smart enough to know. When Jane’s presentation ended, the applause became cheers. Jason knew that the delegation was hooked.
A
fter the meeting, the delegation was left in the auditorium to discuss the proposal, while the others went to a small reception room. Nerves were on edge as the alcohol flowed freely. Jason grabbed a vodka to take the edge off. As he saw Jane, his eyes narrowed and he swallowed hard.
Jane stayed on her side of the room drinking her wine. She could feel his eyes on her but didn’t look. She stopped sipping and began gulping. Not more than ten minutes later, the Japanese delegation returned, all smiles. The head of the delegation, Mr. Hiroshi, approached Jason, bowing slightly and smiling.
“Mr. Collins. We were most impressed with the CARL. We have no doubt that it will be successful. We extend to you our sincere invitation for you and your team to grace us with your presence at our exposition.”
Cheers went up all over the room. Jason practically shook Mr. Hiroshi’s hand off thanking him several times.
“We must congratulate you not only on your incredible invention but the way it will be marketed. Could I please meet the young woman that moved us so?”
Jason tried to be calm. “Of course.” Finding Jane, Jason called and motioned for her to come over. “Mr. Hiroshi, may I present Miss Jane Kendall.”
Mr. Hiroshi bowed slightly. “Ah, Miss Kendall, that was an excellent presentation.”
Jane smiled and said, “Thank you, Mr. Hiroshi.”
“Mr. Collins, you are a very wise man to employ such a masterful storyteller. Her gift favors your company.”
“Yes, she is a masterful storyteller.” Jason could not help using sarcasm.
“And you, Mr. Collins, are a man who knows how to handle business,” Jane could not help to add under her breath.
“As it serves my purpose.” Jason took another swig of his vodka.
“To the exclusion of all else,” Jane said as she gulped her wine.
Sensing a little tension between the two, Mr. Hiroshi decided to speak again. “All our previous information about the CARL project seems to have been faulty. The unit works very well and is no danger to children.”
Jason looked puzzled. “Where did you get your information?”
Mr. Hiroshi continued. “ Months ago we began getting pieces of information saying the CARL product was dangerous. We saw terrible drawings of the prototype portrayed as a monster. We heard of the unit smoking and malfunctioning. We saw video of CARL scaring young children and mothers. We heard from an attorney that it would be in our best interest to pass on CARL. We could not be more pleased to be wrong.”
But something was wrong here. Jason counted to ten, took another drink, and then turned to Jane. “Miss Kendall, do you have any idea how Mr. Hiroshi got hold of the ‘monster’ pictures?”
Shocked, Jane said, “What? Of course not.”
“The last time I saw the ‘monster’ pictures, they were in your office. What did you do with them? Send them on to Japan?”
“I resent your implication. You know that I would never do something like that!”
“Do I? I thought I did know you, but I was wrong.”
“Well, I was wrong about you, too. All that talk about love was a lie. You were using me again. Why? To get a good presentation? Well, I hope I did you proud. You’ll never have to see me again, ever.”
“Exactly what you wanted. However, I’m surprised you didn’t want any money to go along with the divorce.”
Mr. Hiroshi was politely standing by watching the exchange, not knowing what to do. Talbot Toys and Patterson Agency employees were not so polite. They gathered around and collectively gasped when the word “divorce” was mentioned.
Jane’s head was exploding. “What are you saying? That I’d be greedy enough to take part of your company, your precious company? You really don’t know me very well. I don’t need anyone to make me rich if that’s what I want.”
Burning with fury Jason asked, “What do you want? I’ve never been able to figure that out.”
Hurt filled Jane’s face. She looked at Jason with huge blue eyes and spoke quietly. “I don’t want anything from you. I’ll give you the divorce like you want and hand off the CARL account to someone else at the agency.” Jane turned to walk away as everyone around quickly dispersed as if they hadn’t heard to entire personal conversation.
Jason grabbed her arm. “Just a minute. You’re the one that wants the divorce. And I’ve got to tell you you’re timing is really lousy, having the papers delivered to me the morning of the biggest meeting of my life!”
Before Jane could reply, Ed made his way through the room and walked to Jane’s side. “Jane, dear. Is he bothering you? I’m sure that after today you need not have anything to do with him.”
Mr. Hiroshi quietly said, “Excuse me.” No one was listening to him.
Jason let a few choice words for Ed stream from his mouth before saying, “I don’t think you’re needed here, Simpson.”
Ed put his arm protectively around Jane. “Jane, I believe the papers were all in order. Did you sign them yet?”
A light clicked on in Jane’s mind. “Ed, did you send those divorce papers?”
“Of course. You said three months. Now, what shall we do for dinner this evening to celebrate?” Ed began massaging Jane’s neck. “I’d like to show you what a real man is like,” he whispered.
That did it. Jason flew towards Ed. Several of the men held him back.
“Oh, and congratulations are in order for you and Dana on your blessed event,” Ed gloated.
“What blessed event? . . . Oh.”
A light was clicking in Jason’s head as well. He now understood something that Jane had been trying to tell him a few days earlier. “Simpson, even you should know that there could be no baby without sex.” Directing his comment to Jane he continued, “Dana and I never slept together.” Jane looked puzzled and embarrassed.
“Excuse. I really must say something.” Mr. Hiroshi tried again to get Jason’s attention.
“Mr. Hiroshi.” Jason stood tall, straightening his jacket and tie. “My apologies for this little scene. It’s completely unprofessional and uncalled for.”
Pointing to Ed, Mr. Hiroshi said, “This man. I have heard his voice before. He is the attorney that advised us. He is not complementary of the CARL project.”
“Is that right?” Jason calmly walked over to face Ed. “So, Simpson. You’re the one that’s been sabotaging my company, and Jane’s.”
“That’s ridiculous. Why would I want to do that? Why would I want to hurt Jane in any way? Unlike you, I might add.”
“For the money, of course. Who’s paying you, Simpson? Another toy company, a distributor, an electronics firm?”
“You’re nuts, Collins. Just because I got the girl, you want to take it out on me.”
“You had access to the CARL files and materials in Janie’s office. Is that why you went to her apartment that night? You couldn’t find what you were looking for in her office and thought she might have taken it home?”
“Mr. Hiroshi is mistaken. I’ve never spoken to him in my life.”
“Oh, no mistake, sir. You’re lovely companion said you were most reliable in issues of the law and business.”
Jason looked at Mr. Hiroshi. “What companion would that be, Mr. Hiroshi,” Jason asked.
“The lovely American that flies into Tokyo with her airline. She is most knowledgeable of the toy industry and suggested that we speak to her attorney friend.”
“Dana,” Jason hissed. How could he have been so blind? The reason she continued to pursue him was for information. Undoubtedly she was working for another company. “Who are you and Dana working for, Simpson?”
“I don’t have to tell you anything, Collins.”
Jason walked closer to him shoving him with his body. “I’ve worked my whole life for this opportunity with CARL, and I’ll be damned if I’ll let some two-bit lawyer and his partner take it away from me. I’ll ask you again. Who are you working for? Tell me.”
“Back off, Collins.”
“You know, I might be p
ersuaded to back off and just let the cops handle this if only you had left Jane out of it. But you didn’t. And as much as CARL and Talbot Toys mean to me, they are nothing compared to how much she means to me. I love her, Simpson. Something I doubt your sorry butt would recognize. So, you see, I have to hit you.” And then Jason actually smiled.
“Don’t even think of striking me! I’ll sue the pants off you!”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot. You’re a lawyer. Well, do you know what I think about your type of lawyer?” Then Jason balled his hand into a fist and let it fly, connecting with Ed’s right cheek, sending him crashing into the crowd of people gathered and then falling to the floor. “Somebody call the cops.” And then looking around he said, “Where did Jane go?”
Sally was standing next to Jason and said, “She left.”
Aggravated, he cursed under his breath. “When? Where did she go?”
“I don’t know, Mr. Collins. You go find her. We’ll keep an eye on this idiot.” Sally placed her foot on Ed’s chest, anchoring him to the floor. “And don’t worry about any lawsuit. We’ll all testify on your behalf on the grounds of provocation. Now, go.”
As Jason left, Vincent wandered over to Sally, smiling. “Okay, so tell me.”
Sally gave him a little grin and said, “One year as a secretary for a very good attorney, Baton Rouge.”
Ed made a whimpering sound from the floor. Sally pushed her foot harder. “Oh, shut up. This is your lucky day. I was going to wear my stilettos.”
Smiling, Vincent was enchanted. That is some woman. He planned then and there to get to know her.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Tom was dusting off his camera lenses when his doorbell rang. He crossed the living room of his casually decorated flat in the SoHo section of Manhattan to find a disheveled Jane waiting outside his door. When she looked up to her brother’s concerned face, tears began to fall. She collapsed into him and he wrapped his arms around her, knowing that this probably had something to do with Jason Collins.
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