"Mr. Waters, Ms. Sullivan is here."
Jerome Waters looked up and pinned Kat with a pair of silver-blue eyes. His hair, white as snow and perfectly cut, capped an unlined face. Kat wondered about his age, and whether he had some plastic surgery. Crazy. Her head was filled with crazy thoughts.
"Come in, Ms. Sullivan."
His voice was deep, inviting.
Come in, said the spider to the fly...
She squashed the insane thoughts racing around her brain.
Her feet felt leaden as they skimmed the carpet. A wall of windows gave her a clear view of Tarrytown and the surrounding area. Tall buildings and New York City's skyline, could be seen in the distance.
Jerome Waters didn't rise to greet her, choosing to remain behind his massive desk. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers under his chin studying her with his crystal-blue eyes.
Okay, he's sizing me up. I don't blame him ... after all, why should he trust me?
"Have a seat, Ms. Sullivan,” he drew out her name and pointed to a large club chair near his desk.
Kat walked over and eased into it.
"I thought you'd look different."
She angled her head in his direction. “Why?"
He shrugged then pulled his chair forward until it was right under his desk. “You're a clothing designer, aren't you?"
"Yes,” she crossed one leg over the other, in an effort to get comfortable. The large, leather club chair had big grommets, which traveled down either side of the arms. Kat felt lost in it. When she glanced in Waters’ direction, she swore he had a sly look to his eyes—as though he sensed her discomfort. He seemed pleased.
The bastard.
She gave herself a mental shake. That's what she called Jared. But Jared wasn't Waters. When Jared looked at her, his dark, golden-flecked eyes were warm. Waters’ crystal-blue eyes were ... icy.
She let go of a breath. “I designed the lingerie for your future daughter-in-law, Arnya."
He smiled thinly, but didn't say anything. Finally, after a few seconds, he spoke. “I just thought you'd be dressed, well, a little more, how shall we say it..."
Kat lifted one brow in his direction. “Bohemian?"
He laughed. “Right. ‘Bohemian.’ I had something else in mind, but if I said it to you, Ms. Sullivan, I'd have a harassment suit on my hands. Now days,” he held his hands open in front of him, palms out. “You can't say a damn thing to a woman without getting slapped with a lawsuit."
She returned his thin smile. “I'd say these are better days, then, wouldn't you?"
He shook his head. “Touché. Now. You're here to discuss MegaMart is that it?"
"Yes. I am."
Waters cocked his head. “And just how do I know you're not a ... spy ... secretly working for them?"
She sat up straighter. “You don't. But trust me when I say, I'm no spy. I'm here strictly on business. I need to know what happened between you and Jared Martin. I need to know, because,” her throat got tight. She swallowed around a lump. “My hometown is at stake."
Waters stood and walked over to the wall of windows at the other end of his office. “So, he's going to buy up your town, too, is that it?"
"Precisely."
Waters turned around and walked over to her. He stood right by her chair. Kat didn't move a muscle. She looked up and met his look squarely. “Martin tried to blackmail me,” he told her. “I begged him, literally begged him to raise the price of my products just a few cents because the price of resin went up. My expenses were higher. He told me, the only way the price of Plasticmate products would go up is if he decided to raise it and ... he would get the profit."
Kat's heart pounded. Her palms grew moist. She wiped them on her skirt and shifted in the chair.
"When I refused, he threatened me with blackmail. He had only one problem..."
"Which was?"
"I know something about his family that no one else does. You see, we used to get along. I made money and so did MegaMart ... until Martin got greedy. He pushed me, threatened to ... well, all I can say is, I pushed back. I told him I'd go public with the skeletons hanging in his family's closet."
Kat rose to her feet and folded her arms across her chest. No way was she going to carry on a conversation by looking up at him. It was too ... disconcerting. But her curiosity was piqued. She had to know more!
"What's his secret, Mr. Waters?
"What's it worth to you, Ms. Sullivan?” He smiled, revealing a mouth full of white, even teeth. She thought that smile would dazzle someone else, but for her, it seemed ... feral.
She dropped her hands to her sides. “What do you mean?"
He moved closer. She backed up a step, but his hand shot out and grabbed her arm. “I mean, what will you give me if I tell you what Martin hides from the world?"
Kat looked down at his hand. She managed to pry his fingers lose and stepped away from him.
"You're a beautiful woman, Ms. Sullivan, surely a beautiful woman like you has a few uh, favors, she can bestow on a man like me."
Kat felt sick. Waters stood there, like a strutting peacock with his plumage raised. Did he think she was impressed by the likes of him?
She squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “I bestow no favors on anyone, Mr. Waters. You can either tell me what I want to know or ... not.” She grabbed her bag from the chair and slung it across her shoulder. Then she walked to the door. Waters’ low laugh floated toward her.
"It was worth a try."
She turned and faced him.
"Martin's father is a Looney-tune. They've got him locked away someplace."
Kat felt a bead of sweat trickle down between her breasts.
"He's crazy, Ms. Sullivan. Out of his mind. And that's what Jared Martin keeps hidden from the world."
She blew out a breath. “Thank you for the information.” Kat kept her voice even, how, she didn't know, but she managed to keep it steady.
"If you ever decide to change your mind, I'm here,” he told her.
Kat took a deep breath, let it out. “How about you?” she asked. “What are you hiding, Mr. Waters?"
He narrowed his eyes. “What in hell is that supposed to mean?"
Kat shrugged, appearing unconcerned, but inside, she was a mess. All she wanted to do was get the hell out of there. “It's been my experience that when someone pushes someone else—like you pushed MegaMart—they tend to push back, to use your earlier words."
"So?"
Again, she shrugged, appearing innocent. “So ... maybe, just maybe, MegaMart had something on you, too."
Seconds went by, Waters didn't say a word. Then he strode toward the desk and wrote something on a pad, ripping it from the binding when he finished scribbling. He walked over to her and held it in his outstretched hand. “This is where they keep their nutty relative. Supposedly, the daughter keeps an eye on him and Jared Martin has a watchdog posted to guard against unwanted visitors."
Kat reached for the paper, but he snatched it back. “Are you sure you don't want to change your mind? I'm a very vigorous ... lover.” Her drew out the word ‘lover.'
"I'm sure you are,” Kat said evenly. She glanced at the pictures on his desk and spotted a photo of an attractive older woman, surrounded by three younger women.
"Your wife?” Kat angled her chin toward his desk, her eyes landing on the photo of the older woman.
Waters glanced back and looked at the pictures. “Yes. My wife.” His voice grew tight.
Kat walked up to him and snatched the paper from his hands. “It's very evident to me, Mr. Waters, what Martin blackmailed you with.” She looked him right in the eye. “I take it I'm not the first one you've ... asked for favors."
He shook his head and smiled thinly. “Touché again, Ms. Sullivan."
"Exactly."
Kat opened the door and strode out of his office. The ‘phony-fresh’ odor of Corporate America assailed her nostrils once more as she made her way down the hall an
d into the reception area.
She didn't stop until she got to her car.
Kat started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
Fifteen minutes later, she drove off the highway at the closest exit. She pulled over to the side of the road, and got out of the car....
...and deposited the contents of her stomach in the bushes nearby.
* * * *
Luckily, the Riverdale Nursing Home wasn't too far from Plasticmate's Headquarters. Kat made the drive in an hour, and pulled into the parking lot at two that afternoon. The early July day proved hot and humid. Kat walked up the steps of the facility, feeling hot, tired and out of sorts.
But she had to see. She had to find out if what Waters told her was true. She had to know if Jared's father was ... insane. She shuddered just thinking about it. No wonder Sam Martin had vanished. The stockholders of MegaMart wouldn't condone a crazy old man running their corporation. Moreover, Jared's family certainly didn't need any undue media attention.
It would ruin their family ... and their business.
She hurried up the steps and sailed through the front door, stopping at the reception area. There, a nurse greeted her.
"I'd like to see...” Kat stopped. If she said Sam Martin, would they let her in? If Jared kept this a guarded family secret, he surely wouldn't allow just anyone in to see his father. Her mind raced. What was the sister's name?
Dawn!
"I'd like to see ... Dawn Martin, please. I'm her friend, Kat.” Kat prayed that Jared might have mentioned something to Dawn about her, and hopefully, something good, but after their last intense argument, Kat realized that the only thing on her side in that minute was ... luck.
The nurse behind the desk smiled. “All right. Let me just call up there and she if she's free."
Kat waited for what seemed like an indeterminate amount of time. She plopped down in a chair in the lobby and drummed her fingers on the arm until she saw the nurse return.
"Ms. Martin said to come up."
Kat let go of a breath. “Where, uh, am I going, exactly?"
"Third floor. Room three sixteen."
"Thank you.” Kat hurried toward an elevator. She hit the ‘up’ button and a few seconds later, the elevator whisked her to the third floor.
She found room three sixteen, and a burly man sitting on a chair outside the door. He stood when she approached. “I'm here to see Ms. Martin. I'm Kat Sullivan, her ... friend."
"Right. She said you could come in."
The big man opened the door. Kat scooted by him and walked in, feeling his watchful eyes bore into her back. Immediately after she entered the room, that familiar odor of sickness hit her. She squashed her urge to turn around and flee and continued advancing into the room.
An old man sat in a wheelchair by the windows. A nurse sat by him. As Kat made her way over to him, the nurse looked up at her.
"Hi,” she smiled, causing Kat to stop her approach. The nurse had the same dark hair and eyes as Jared, but her face was a classic oval. Pretty, Kat thought, so pretty...
"Jared's spoke about you often. I'm Dawn."
Kat swallowed hard as Dawn met her halfway. She stuck out her hand. Kat reached for it and gave it a shake.
"It's nice of you to come and visit. I, uh, only wish Jared were here ... you just missed him."
Kat sagged against the bed.
Dawn's arm snaked out. “Are you okay?"
Kat smiled thinly. “It was a long drive. I'm just ... a little tired."
"Of course you are. Come on ... sit down. Visit with us for a while."
Kat felt her stomach lurch. Jared had just been there! And now, she would be meeting his crazy father. This was too much, she had to get out, she had to...
"I wish you knew my father,” Dawn said softly. “He was a really great guy. A hard worker. And community-minded.” She smiled at Kat. “He keeps drifting in and out of time. He goes from the present to the past constantly. I think it's odd that he keeps talking about his school days. He keeps saying how he hated math and yet, he was a whiz with numbers."
Kat managed to speak. “Sometimes, people love numbers, they just hate to study.” Kat looked over at Sam. “May I see him?"
"Of course.” Dawn led her over to Sam's chair and squatted next to him. “Dad,” she shook him. His eyes opened. “Dad, this is Kat ... Jared's girl."
Jared's girl...
Dawn's words floated around her, acting like a balm to her nerves. Jared's girl. It had such a nice sound to it.
"She's come to visit, Dad.” She motioned Kat to come closer.
"Hello, Mr. Martin."
Sam gazed up at her. “You know my boy?"
Dawn's eyes grew as wide as her smile.
Kat swallowed. “Yes sir, I know your boy."
"He's a good boy, my boy. Loves gym. Gym..."
Kat shook her head and glanced at Dawn. “Who's Jim?"
Dawn smiled and got to her feet. “He means, gym, as in physical education. My brother was big into sports growing up. Still is."
Kat suddenly remembered Jared's skill with a soccer ball.
"My boy loves you."
Kat stilled. At the same time, her heart raced.
"I, uh ... I..."
"My boy...” Sam's eyes grew heavy, his head dropped to his chest.
Dawn looked at Kat. “Would you mind waiting outside for just a few minutes, Kat? I need to get him into bed. Jared usually helps when he's here, but today, I have to rely on one of the staff."
"No problem. I'll just be right outside."
Dawn smiled. “Jeffrey will keep you company."
Kat left the room and ran headlong into Jeffrey. She bounced against his large, muscled frame. Soon, an orderly came down the hall. He entered Sam's room and shut the door behind him.
"Some say that Mr. Sam is nuts."
Kat shot Jeffrey a look.
"He's not nuts, he's ... just sick is all."
"I'm sure,” she murmured.
"That Alzheimer's Miss Dawn says he's got, well, that did him in you know."
Kat's mouth hung open. Alzheimer's! Sam Martin wasn't crazy he was ... sick ... just like Jeffrey said.
"You've known Mr. Martin long, Jeffrey?"
"I've been working for the Martins since I was eighteen. They're nice folks. Always were. It's a shame what happened to Mr. Sam."
Yes, she thought.
A damn shame.
* * * *
An hour later, Kat bid farewell to Dawn. Sam had slept peacefully while she and Dawn chatted. Her heart ached to see him in his curled, fetal position.
"It's been hard on all of us, but I think Jared really took it the worst. My father got sick, and Jared had to assume all his responsibilities at MegaMart. The stockholders were breathing down our necks. Someone had to take over for my father, and that someone was Jared."
"He didn't want to?” Kat asked.
"No, he had his own dreams.” Dawn grinned. “He wanted to be a gym teacher. My brother loves kids. That's really what he wanted, you know, to teach physical education at this special school for autistic kids."
Kat recalled how he treated Allie. Her eyes stung traitorously.
"But ... things change. And Jared did his duty, or, what he thinks was his duty."
"Your father would be proud,” came out of Kat's mouth.
"Yes, he would. To know that Jared's doing such a great job at MegaMart."
Kat's heart lurched at the mention of MegaMart.
Dawn glanced at her watch. “As much as I loved meeting you Kat, and, by the way, I loved the nightshirt! It's beautiful."
So, Kat thought, he really didn't give it to the blonde!
"I'm glad."
"Anyway, you should get going. You'll hit traffic if you don't. Jared would kill me if he knew I'd kept you too long, but I really enjoyed our time together."
Guilt. It hit Kat hard. What would Dawn think of her if she knew Kat's only reason in coming was to find out if Sam Martin was
nuts? And now that she met Dawn and knew Sam's real problem, she felt even worse.
"I'll tell Jared he missed you, Kat. He'll..."
"No!” Kat's eyes grew wide. Realizing she shouted, she lowered her voice. “I mean, you don't have to mention I was here. He might get upset ... knowing that ... he missed me. I don't want him upset."
Dawn shook her head. “He's lucky to have you. You really care about him, don't you?"
She had to leave ... fast!
"Y-yes, I care. About ... well, him.” Kat stuck out her hand. “Goodbye Dawn."
Dawn grabbed it and shook it. Then she leaned over and kissed Kat on the cheek.
"I'm going to love having you for a sister-in-law."
Kat's feet couldn't move fast enough as she ran down the hall to the elevators. She punched the ‘down’ button and climbed aboard when the doors opened. Grateful to be alone, she sagged against the wall and gripped the railing.
I'm going to love having you for a sister-in-law.
When the elevator doors opened, Kat rushed outside. The warm air hit her face. Her skin grew clammy. She made her way to her car, and got in, grateful for the cool air that hit her when she put on the air conditioning.
Jared's secret. His father had Alzheimer's. To Jared and his family, Sam Martin was a sick man. To the rest of the world, he'd be viewed as ... crazy. She could use that ... she could use Jared's father as a weapon in her fight for Summerville.
It could be her trump card, her ace-in-the-hole.
She gripped the steering wheel and rested her head against the back of her hands.
All she had to do now was silence that little voice in her head—the one that kept telling her it wasn't right. To use a sick old man as a pawn, had to be the lowest of the low.
Kat wondered how she let herself sink that far.
She continued to think about that as she made her way back to Long Island and Summerville.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Fourteen
Jared pulled the Jag into the parking lot of the Pink Lily at nine o'clock that evening. He felt bone-tired, hungry, and had a burning, aching need to see Kat. First things first. He'd grab a bite, then take a shower and wash the travel dust from his skin. Then he'd call Kat.
There had to be some way to resolve their differences. After seeing his father, he realized that the only thing that mattered was ... Kat. He had given his life over to MegaMart, had kept Sam Martin's dream of quality merchandise at discount prices alive. Now, like Dawn said, it was time for his dream. That dream was Kat.
KISS Page 17