“The bastard is deluded.” Monica initiated the kiss this time. “But after we talk to Wesley, I’m sure he’ll set Truman straight.”
“I’m going to be there, too.”
“Thank you, but that’s not necessary.” She ran her hands up his bare back beneath his shirt.
“I think it is.” He nuzzled her neck.
“It’ll probably be during the day.” She pressed herself against him.
“I figured that. I’ll just take an early or late lunch.” He palmed her behind.
“You’re pretty determined to get involved, aren’t you?” She reached for his belt.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I love you.” He snaked his hand inside her shorts.
“I could get used to someone having my back.” She unsnapped his jeans and went to work on his zipper.
“Good, because I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered in her ear.
“I can think of someplace in particular I’d like to take you right now.” She gave him a gentle squeeze.
“Yeah?” He smiled, his eyes darkening. “Am I going to like it?”
She licked her top lip. “I guarantee it.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
She squealed as he scooped her up in his arms and headed for the bedroom.
Chapter 27
“He did what?” Wesley sounded incredulous, but he couldn’t have been surprised, considering what a womanizer Truman was and how deep his obsession with Charlize Theron ran. Everyone in front of the boss’ desk stood grim-faced and expectant.
“He hasn’t gotten physical with anyone except me, as far as we know,” Monica replied. “But he’s made some of the other women uncomfortable. Right, Dani?”
“Right. He stares at us like he knows what we look like with nothing on. It creeps me out.”
“He even does it to me,” Kelsey added. “And he stared at Jo’s butt when she came by one evening to have dinner with me. Luckily for him, she didn’t see it. The woman’s a black belt. She’s dangerous even when she’s not armed.”
Flipper snickered. “Only a crazy man, or one with a death wish, would mess with Jo.”
“You know it,” Kelsey agreed, her admiration and affection evident.
“If Truman doesn’t knock it off, he’ll have to answer to us, too,” Evan warned as Cosby nodded.
Wesley ran a careless hand through his hair. “That won’t be necessary, guys. I’ll talk to him. And ladies, you have my apologies. I promise you won’t have to worry about this again.”
When they all trooped out of the office, Jonquille Thompson, the human resources director, stayed seated and shook his head.
“I know I don’t have to tell you this, but I will anyway. You need to leash your friend ASAP before we end up defending ourselves against sexual harassment claims. I mean, Monica Sims of all people!”
“I hear you,” Wesley replied. “I knew Truman was fixated on her, and I tried to discourage him. I hoped at some point he’d get bored and move on. And ogling those other women! I bet he did that to bolster his bad-boy reputation. Although why he’s so proud of that I’ll never know.”
“How does someone who runs a nationwide grocery chain get away with that kind of crap? His lawyers must be awfully good, or his people are afraid of him or just naive.”
“I don’t think he soils his own bed, if you know what I mean.”
Jonquille looked puzzled. “You’re not like that. So tell me again why you’re friends with him.”
“Our families have been joined at the hip for years. Truman’s the closest thing I have to a brother. He obviously has his faults, but he does a lot of good, too. He supports charitable causes like the Wounded Warrior Project, the American Cancer Society, and the ASPCA, not to mention what he’s done for the aquarium already and wants to do in the future.”
“If you’d like, I’ll sit in on the conversation and be the bad cop. I should be there regardless as a witness in case we ever need evidence that you did all you could to stop his inappropriate behavior.”
“Yeah, okay.” Wesley leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling for a moment as if he expected to find solace there. “I’ll call him and set something up.”
* * * *
Truman had left town and failed to answer Wesley’s calls and texts for almost a week. While the billionaire sent a brief message saying he was busy with work and would call when he had time, Wesley would’ve bet his inheritance his friend was avoiding him.
Finally, they arranged to connect via FaceTime. After some initial small talk, Jonquille launched into his spiel. When he’d finished, Truman said nothing for a few long moments, and Wesley gave the HR director a nervous look.
“Bro, you still there?” Wesley prompted.
“I’m here. So obviously Monica complained. That’s not a huge surprise. Who else?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Jonquille replied. “The point is, you created a hostile work environment for our female employees. Plus, you offended some of the men who work for and volunteer with us.”
“Damn. I’m a real reprobate, aren’t I?”
“C’mon, Truman. You had to know you’d crossed the line,” Wesley scolded. “Even if you didn’t, which I don’t believe for a minute, ignorance is not a defense.”
“Hey, I was just being me. You know how I am, dude.”
“That excuse isn’t going to fly, with me or a judge. Honestly, I thought you had more sense than to act like that in my workplace or anybody else’s, for that matter. I thought I could trust you. I’m really disappointed in you, old friend, and I need you to take this seriously.”
“I guess I won’t be coming back there, then, if I can’t be trusted to behave.”
“You know you’re welcome here anytime as long as you act appropriately. That should go without saying.”
“Good, because I plan to fly in to Gulf Shore in a couple weeks to talk to you about that 4-D theater proposal.”
“You’re still interested?”
“Of course. Unless you’d rather I not be involved.”
“No, I definitely still want your help. I need your help.” Jonquille shot Wesley a disapproving look, which he ignored.
“Good, because I’m really jazzed about that project.”
“Me, too. Let me know when you’re coming down again, okay, Truman?”
“All right, man. Talk to you later.”
Chapter 28
As Flipper played in the water with GSA’s oldest dolphins, he happened to look up and see a stunning redhead leaning on the railing, watching them. He hoped she didn’t leave before he had a chance to talk to her. Fins and Flukes rolled to their backs, and he rubbed their bellies. Then he swam with them for about fifteen minutes before climbing out of the pool. He checked to see whether the woman still stood there, and she did. Pleased, he padded over to her.
“Hi there.” He offered his most winning grin. “I’m Flipper O’Riley. I see you’re interested in my two best girls. If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer them.”
She didn’t return his smile. “What were you doing with them exactly?”
“We’re launching our swim with the dolphins program soon, so I’m training them to interact with people in the water.”
She gave him a withering look. “I was afraid of that.”
An alarm sounded in the back of his brain. “I take it you don’t approve.”
“No, I don’t. There’s a reason conservationists call them dolphin fondling programs. They’re crassly commercial and exploitive. These are wild animals, not lap dogs. You’re depriving them of their freedom and putting them at risk of disease or mistreatment, purely for entertainment and financial gain.”
She’d spoken in a low voice, yet her words still packed a punch. But Flipper wasn’t about to give this woman the satisfaction of getting a rise out of him.
“Wow. And I bet you think I kick puppies and take candy away from children, too.”
She allowed him
a half-smile. “You asked, I answered.”
“True enough. What you need to understand, though, is that those two are rescued dolphins who can’t be released back into the Gulf because their teeth are too worn down from age. It’s highly unlikely they’d be able to hunt, so they’d either starve or become beggars.”
“Then why not allow them to live out their lives here with as much dignity as possible?”
“I promise you, they get the very best care and a whole lot of love. If I thought the swim program could harm them in any way, I wouldn’t let them, or any of our other dolphins, participate in it.”
“I find it hard to believe Wesley Coffey, Jr. would go along with that. Not when these types of interactions are such cash cows.”
“Wesley’s priority, like mine and everyone else’s at this facility, is the safety and well-being of our animals. Have you ever met him, talked with him?”
“I’ve tried to set up a meeting, but he’s always ‘too busy.’ Clearly, he’s ducking me, which makes me wonder what he has to hide.”
Flipper’s mental alarm clanged so loudly it made his head ache. “What’s your name?”
“Tara Langley. I’m the cofounder of SWADS. That’s short for Stop Whale and Dolphin Suffering.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of you.” His tone had become frostier than the frozen foods aisle at the grocery store, but he didn’t care. “I read all the letters you sent, even the unsigned ones. In fact, we recently turned over one note to the police because my boss, Kenshin Hamasaki, didn’t like its threatening tone.”
“What are you talking about?” She appeared genuinely dismayed. “While we did send some signed correspondence expressing our concern for your captive dolphins, my organization doesn’t send anonymous letters. We’re not cowards who hide in the dark. And we don’t make threats. We state our opposition and then work toward solutions. We want what’s best for the animals, just like you say you do.”
“The envelope was postmarked Orlando. Isn’t that where you’re based?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean it came from us. Was it handwritten or typed?”
“Typed, why?”
“If it was handwritten, I could’ve looked it over to see if I recognized the penmanship.” When Flipper smirked, she bristled. “What? You don’t believe me?”
“I can’t see you incriminating one of your own.”
“Well, Mr. O’Riley, that’s where you’re wrong. As a matter of fact, I’ll be more than happy to call the police and offer my full cooperation in their investigation.”
“You do that. Ask for Detective Joanna Tompkins. I’d give you her number, but obviously I don’t have my phone on me.” He slapped his palms on his wet suit where his pants pockets would be, drawing her gaze down his body. She flushed and jerked her gaze back to his.
“I’ll look it up.” Tara pulled out her phone and made a note. “Now if you’ll excuse me, there are other things here I need to see.”
“Such as?”
“The rest of the dolphin habitat, for starters. And then the rehabilitation wing. I understand there’s a viewing window where I can watch those stranded pilot whales you brought in.”
“Yes. And you might as well stop by Manatee Haven and check out Tully and Tillie, too. Or are cetaceans the only marine mammals you care about?”
She frowned at him. “There’s no reason to be nasty. I’m not here to make trouble.”
“Good. Then you won’t mind if one of my assistant trainers accompanies you.”
“By all means, have me followed if it makes you feel better. I’ll even stand here while you find someone to shadow me.” She smiled fully for the first time, and her dimples winked into view, mesmerizing him. He stared until her voice broke the spell.
“Mr. O’Riley?”
“What?” He felt light-headed. Strange. And exhilarated, too.
“Are you okay?”
“Uh, yeah. Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” He shook his head to try to clear it as he headed to another part of the habitat where Trisha Day worked with Echo and Neptune. “Where’s Tyler?” he asked.
“In the trainers’ office doing reports. What’s wrong? You look dazed. Did you hit your head or something?”
“I’m fine. While I get him, keep an eye on that redhead waiting by the main pool, okay? She’s from SWADS, the cofounder, in fact.”
“Oh, jeez. Is she causing a problem?”
“No, and I won’t give her a chance to, either.”
Flipper walked away and returned a few minutes later with Tyler Knight in tow. As they drew close enough for him to get a good look at Tara, Tyler’s eyes widened and he stopped in his tracks.
“That’s not at all how I pictured her,” he whispered. “Damn, she’s hot.”
Flipper feigned disinterest. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“You sick or something?” Tyler palmed his boss’ forehead as if checking for a fever, and Flipper shook him off in irritation.
“Just remember who she is. That’ll wilt your hard-on in a hurry.”
“Hey, man, I’ve got a girlfriend I’m nuts about, remember?” Tyler protested. “But yeah, it’s too bad she’s from SWADS, which is a ridiculous name, by the way. You two would make a cute couple.”
Flipper elbowed Tyler in the side with more force than he’d intended. “Bite your tongue.”
As they approached, Tara’s lips upturned in a half-smile that had Flipper wondering what she was thinking. When they joined her at the rail, he introduced her to Tyler, then turned to leave.
“It was so nice meeting you, Mr. O’Riley.” Her too-sweet tone piqued his irritation. Two could play at this game.
“Likewise. Enjoy the rest of your day at Gulf Shore Aquarium. Just by walking through our gates today, you’re helping us care for these magnificent animals.”
* * * *
Given the strident tactics of some animal activists, anyone might’ve expected Tara to be unpleasant. But she easily could’ve charmed Tyler if he hadn’t been on his guard. She asked questions, and he braced himself for an argument as he answered, but she merely listened and nodded or asked for a further explanation.
“So tell me, Mr. Knight—”
“Please, call me Tyler.”
“Okay then, Tyler, how’d you get into this line of work?”
“Same as everybody else, I suppose. I’ve been fascinated by dolphins since I first saw them body surfing in our boat wake when I was a kid. They look at you as if they’re seeing right into your soul.”
When she merely stared at him, he shifted in discomfort.
“I know how that must sound, but I’m not into New Age nonsense,” Tyler continued. “Dolphins don’t have spiritual healing powers, and they’re not ethically and intellectually superior beings with a metaphysical message. I’m just a guy who loves these animals and, for whatever reason, feels a genuine connection with them. I wouldn’t hurt them for the world.”
“I have no doubt you and the other trainers have good intentions, but why can’t you see that keeping them in an artificial setting, no matter how much you dress it up, harms their psyche?”
“I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree. But that doesn’t mean we have to be disagreeable.”
“Is that what I’m being? Disagreeable?”
“No, as a matter of fact you’re surprisingly likable.”
Tara laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment, whether you intend one or not.”
“You should. But I have to confess, I still don’t trust you. I’ve had too many negative experiences with animal rights activists over the years. As have Flipper and all the other folks here.”
“I understand. Some people don’t know how to make their point without demonizing anyone who doesn’t fall in line. But that works both ways, you know.”
“I’m sure it does.”
They stood in companionable silence for a few moments, watching Echo and Neptune respond to Trisha’s hand signals.
“Tel
l me about Flipper,” Tara requested, surprising Tyler.
“Flipper the dolphin or Flipper the head trainer?”
Her lips quirked. “The trainer.”
“What would you like to know?”
“Is he good at his job?”
“He’s the best. I’ve learned a lot from him, as have the other assistant trainers.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but he has a certain beach bum air about him.”
Tyler laughed. “I can’t wait to tell him you said that.”
Tara flushed. “Please don’t. He’ll take it as an insult, and I really didn’t mean it that way.”
“Actually, I think it’ll amuse him. Flipper’s an intelligent, responsible, hard-working guy with great instincts when it comes to animals, but a lot of people underestimate him because of the sun-streaked, shaggy hair, the beard stubble, and the laid-back way he acts. He’s absolutely qualified to be in the position he’s in. Don’t worry about that.”
“Point taken. What else can you tell me?”
“His bio’s on the GSA Web site. Same for me and the other trainers.”
“I’ll check those out. But I’m looking for information of…a more personal nature.”
“Ah.” Tyler nodded, thinking he had her figured out. She wasn’t so different from all the others seduced by his boss’ charm and good looks. “He’s single, if that’s what you’re asking. Never been married. No kids. No girlfriend at the moment that I know of.”
The half-smile returned to her face. “What makes you think that information is of interest to me?”
“Because that’s usually the first thing most women want to know about Flipper.”
“I’m not exactly most women.”
“No, you’re definitely not.” Tyler narrowed his eyes. “Then why all the questions?”
“Just trying to size up the competition, so to speak.”
“Uh-huh. More like dig up dirt, you mean. Information is ammunition, isn’t that how it works?”
“We’ve been having such a nice conversation. No need to be cynical.”
He shrugged. “Comes with the territory. Is there anything else you want to see at Dolphin Inlet? If not, let’s go whale watching.”
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