by Lynn Emery
“I have to say you hid it well, man.” Marcus tried to feel anger, but sadness filled him.
“You started changing when old man Summers filled your head. Driving around like you own the damn world. I asked you to come in business with me and you turned up your nose.”
“What are you talking about? That insurance scam wouldn’t have worked.”
“It didn’t just start with Nicole and you know it. A year ago I could have closed a big contract to consult with one of your customers. What did you say?”
“So, I’m supposed to let you use me? I don’t think so. The friendship test goes two ways. Instead of carrying a grudge you could have understood where I wanted to be in life.”
“Uh-huh,” Shaun grunted. “Look where ass kissin’ and loyalty got you. Good thing I’ve got some real friends on the hook.”
They stared at each other for at least sixty seconds. Neither heard the steady thudding bass of hip-hop music coming from the speakers of Shaun’s sound system. Marcus heard a click-clack in his head as pieces fell into place.
“Like Olandon?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“I’ve got lots of friends, man. Forget it. You’re trippin’ these days.” Shaun turned away.
“Tell me about the business deals with your real friends. Another thing, I didn’t mention a theft ring operating out of Summers Security.” Marcus stood very still as he stared at Shaun.
“Why else would you mention the police being at your office all day?” Shaun snatched his bottle of beer off the table and took a long pull from it.
“I didn’t.”
“Then Aliyah must have said something. I don’t know and don’t care.” Shaun went to a stack of compact discs on a shelf. He shuffled them, studying each one. “Look, I was having a quiet evening. Take that drama out when you leave.”
“Thought you didn’t see much of Aliyah.” Marcus took two steps closer to him.
Shaun faced him again. “Don’t come in my house challenging me. Time to go.”
“All right. Tell ya girl Aliyah I said hello.” Marcus jerked a thumb in the direction of Shaun’s bedroom down the hall.
Shaun nodded to the front door. “When you’re ready to be real again, gimme a call.”
Marcus slammed the door hard as he left. “Damn! You messed up.”
Not that he’d expected Shaun to tell him anything. Marcus drove home trying to figure out at what point he and his only close friend had become enemies. Shaun’s accusations that he’d sold out buzzed around in his head like angry yellow jackets. More than once Marcus started to turn his car around and go make things right with Shaun. Or at least give it a try. Still, not even guilt could banish the troublesome feeling that Olandon’s name on the list of suspects was no coincidence.
She forced herself to go on with the staff meeting even though her heart wasn’t in it. Nicole issued instructions and made decisions. She even managed a short pep talk before the staff left. Once the door to her office closed, Nicole slumped in her chair and closed her eyes. She opened them again at the sound of a male voice outside her door. Cat came in a few minutes later.
“UPS just delivered the new Dell server,” Cat said. “Andre is all excited. You’d think Santa just delivered his Christmas toys.”
“At least somebody is happy.” Nicole stared out the window again.
Cat dropped a stack of mail into Nicole’s in basket. “Hey, he’s got this new neat program to help catch hackers. I’m thinking maybe I could start helping him. I took computer courses at the community college.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I like the idea of turning the tables on those little chumps.” Cat leaned over her. “You heard me?”
“Yes.” Nicole couldn’t work up interest in anything at the moment.
“Snap to it, boss lady. We’ve got work to do.” Cat turned Nicole’s chair around until she faced the desk.
“I’m taking a break.” Nicole tried to swivel back, but Cat stopped her.
“Break over. I wanna see that smart aleck lady that tells everybody where they can go and what they can kiss.” Cat crossed her arms.
“My mother would say good riddance to her.” Nicole’s eyes felt gritty and dry. She squeezed them shut. Too little sleep.
Cat sat on the edge of Nicole’s desk. “You want to quit?”
Nicole let the question roll around in her mind for a while. Quit, she mused. She tried on the notion and found it didn’t fit.
“No, I’m not going to quit.”
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about.” Cat slapped her hands together and grinned.
“Here, you can send these off.”
Nicole handed Cat a stack of letters she’d signed. She sorted through mail left unread for several days. Together they cleared Nicole’s desk. Cat helped Nicole prioritize the phone calls she needed to return.
“Sorry to just drop in.” Kelli Caldwell peered around the half open door. “I was in the neighborhood.”
“Hi, Ms. Caldwell. I’ll get y’all something to drink,” Cat said.
“I’ve got sodas in the refrigerator, Cat. Thanks anyway.” Nicole waved her friend in. “Good to see a friendly face.”
Kelli sat down and waited until the door closed behind Cat. She gazed at Nicole with a critical eye. “How are you?”
“Getting better. Don’t tell me, everyone has already written my obituary in this business.” Nicole raised an eyebrow.
“A few,” Kelli admitted.
“Well, like the old saying goes, I’ll go down fighting.” Nicole tried for a smile and didn’t make it.
“Lost any contracts yet?” Kelli crossed her legs.
Nicole sprang from her chair to relieve nervous energy. She walked to the window then back to her desk. “Two that were up for renewal. We’re not in trouble yet. If he weren’t already dead, I’d strangle Uncle Hosea.”
“He must have known you could run this company.”
“No, this is his revenge for all the times I kicked his shins as a kid,” Nicole retorted.
“So, you’re going to kick him again by making it work,” Kelli teased.
Nicole paused. “What?”
“Come on, you like the idea of giving folks the finger, in a manner of speaking.” Kelli fussed over a wrinkle in her red skirt. “I wouldn’t try it literally, though. Bad for business.”
Nicole dropped into her chair again. “I need to run this company for my own reasons, not to show my parents or even Uncle Hosea. And not to impress Marcus,” she murmured.
Kelli glanced up at her sharply. “I agree, since you mentioned it. Listen, I’ve been debating whether to tell you something. I hate repeating gossip, but…” Her voice trailed off as she fidgeted.
“Yes, Marcus and I are lovers. Is that what you’re getting at?” Nicole tilted her head to one side.
“Oh, crap!” Kelli chewed the red lipstick from her bottom lip.
“I haven’t let it affect the business.” Nicole knew her family wouldn’t buy the argument.
“Rumors are circulating that Hosea had promised to sell out to Marcus. When Hosea died and left Summers Security to you…well, some people are saying Marcus might have orchestrated these problems as payback.” Kelli grimaced as though the words hurt as they came out.
Nicole stared at her for several seconds, then laughed. “I can’t get angry because that’s just downright stupid. Marcus has as much to lose by destroying Summers Security.”
“I hear he’s been quietly recruiting customers.”
“Even if I thought Marcus would stab me in the back, which I don’t, it still doesn’t make sense.” Nicole got up and paced again.
“Tell you the truth, I don’t believe the rumors,” Kelli said.
“Thank you,” said Nicole.
“Course he could be taking advantage of an opportunity that happens to fit his plans.” Kelli dipped her head to one side as though ducking when Nicole shot a heated glance her way. “Or not,” she muttered.
; “I don’t believe it for one minute.”
“Then ask him.”
“I will.”
“Let me know what he says. You might not be objective.” Kelli pointed a forefinger at her.
“I have a highly developed sense of smell when it comes to bull,” Nicole snapped. She sat down hard.
Kelli held up both palms. “Okay, okay. Change of subject. I had a similar series of unfortunate events when I started out.”
“A crime wave started by your own employees?” Nicole clenched her teeth.
“My niche is a bit different, true.”
“For sure,” Nicole said. Kelli’s firm specialized in bodyguards for celebrities and special events such as music concerts.
“One of my guys had a hot affair with the wife of a famous NFL tight end—who shall remain nameless,” Kelli added quickly when Nicole leaned forward eagerly.
“Aw c’mon, a little dirt will take my mind off my own troubles,” Nicole urged.
“The point is I had to clean up my good name. Well, the name of my company anyway.”
“Easy. One affair with a client’s wife is nothing.” Nicole waved away her example as trivial.
“Oh yeah? They conspired to steal money and paintings from the husband’s equally wealthy celebrity pals. Got away with six burglaries, too.”
“Building up their nest egg so they could be together.” Nicole was interested now.
“Uh-huh. Her hubby was no dumb jock, had a solid prenuptial agreement. If the Mrs. left him she got zip. Except for the felony thing I’d have been sympathetic. Her husband was an arrogant jerk.”
“I had one of those,” Nicole retorted.
Kelli laughed. “Anyway, I helped the cops clean up nice and neat. The customers who knew got called first with a complete report. Honesty is the best policy.”
“I agree. I’ve been open with the clients who have called so far. Painful, but the best way.” Nicole winced just thinking about some of her conversations.
“Folks might still bail out on contracts, but you’ll have a better rep than if you lie. Not good for a security firm.” Kelli stood. “I see you’re ahead of me.”
“Yes, Marcus and I—” Nicole broke off when she thought of him. Maybe that mysterious smile hid something sinister.
“I’d say you need to have a little talk with the man. If only to prove the gossip is wrong,” Kelli said.
“Yeah.” Nicole tapped her Mont Blanc pen on the edge of her desk.
Kelli’s digital cell phone made a chirping sound. She read the number and made a call. “Hi, Moesha. It’s me.” Her expression turned harsh as she listened. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”
“No, you won’t. Your office is at least twenty-five minutes away in good traffic. We both know Houston doesn’t have good traffic,” Nicole joked.
“Trust me, I’m going to get there fast. One of my customers was robbed two weeks ago. Your police officers think it’s connected.” Kelli sprang from her chair.
“Dayna is not my police officer. And what are you talking about?” Nicole stood and walked around her desk.
“Girlfriend, seems your larceny bug is contagious.” Kelli pursed her lips.
“I don’t understand.”
“Several of your part-timers also work for us.”
Nicole blinked at her hard. “Damn.”
“Damn is right. How widespread is this thing, anyway? Better go.” Kelli swung her purse over one shoulder and strode out.
“Call me. I don’t care how late it is,” Nicole yelled after her.
“Okay,” Kelli shouted back without breaking her stride.
Russell stepped aside to avoid a collision as he stepped into Nicole’s office. “Geez, Kelli! You’re moving like something is on fire,” he said.
“I hope not,” she replied, and kept going.
“What’s going on with her?” Russell nodded in the direction Kelli had gone.
“Something urgent came up at her office.” Nicole decided not to give him any more ammunition than he already had. “I’m really busy getting ready for the board meeting, Russell.”
“I’ll bet. As it happens, so am I.”
“Then why are you here?” Nicole sat at her desk and sorted through her notes.
“Give it up. Marcus is considering supporting me. He implied as much in so many words,” he added when Nicole glowered at him.
“Bull.”
“I’ll overlook that crude outburst. You’re under tremendous stress. Bye.” Russell smirked at her for a few seconds before he walked out.
“The next person who comes in here will suffer, I swear!”
Nicole got up and slammed her door shut. After ten minutes of fuming, she punched Marcus’s four-digit office extension. After four rings his voice mail came on. His smooth baritone voice stirred hot images. She shoved them aside and left a curt message.
Aliyah crossed her legs and gazed at him. Marcus had to admire her nerve. She didn’t even twitch when he laid out his accusation. He ignored the muted buzz of his desk phone.
“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.” Aliyah’s slick smile dared him to prove otherwise.
“Sure you do. You’ve been talking to Shaun.”
“I hadn’t seen him for months before we bumped into each other out in the hall that day.” She spoke with the ease of someone comfortable with lying.
“Shaun is probably coaching you on how to skin Russell of everything he owns. I know my old buddy. Maybe Shaun even set it up for you to meet Russell.” Marcus didn’t have all the angles figured just yet. By the cunning light in her eyes, Aliyah could tell as much.
“I know a lot of prominent people. I met Russ at a charity brunch. I’m big on giving to the poor, you know.” Aliyah brushed back her hair. “I’m sure you know I’m from the ’hood, too.”
“Shaun mentioned it.”
“Which is why we should stick together.” Aliyah nodded as though her argument spoke for itself. “Look, we’re all after the same thing. We’re out of the ghetto and we don’t want to go back.”
“Yeah, but we’ve got different means of moving up.” Marcus stared at her steadily.
“Not so different. I notice you and Nicole have gotten tight.” Aliyah raised her perfectly shaped auburn eyebrows.
“I plan to have my own, not marry it.” Marcus gave her a wry smile.
“I feel ya. Go your own way.” Aliyah lifted a shoulder.
“I’m being real.” Marcus didn’t really care if she believed him or not. In fact, it was better if she didn’t.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, all right?”
“All right.” Marcus doubted Aliyah had the capacity, but he assumed a listening position. He would cull through her mixture of lies and half-truths later.
“I did pump Shaun for information on Russell when I found out he knew you. He held out. You know how Shaun is.”
“Yeah, I know how Shaun is,” Marcus said in a dry tone.
Aliyah went on as though she hadn’t noticed his cynical response. She smiled. “I let him think he was being slick. Actually he told me enough to work with. I’m that good.”
“Russell isn’t exactly a challenge,” Marcus replied.
“True, but his sister is a real bitch and he listens to her.” Aliyah’s lips curved down in a resentful expression.
“Might be hard to change years of habit. Jolene knows how to handle her little brother.” Marcus was careful to keep his voice casual.
“So do I.” Aliyah stood and walked around the desk until she stood before Marcus. “I’m carrying a concealed weapon.”
He gazed up at her. Aliyah was pretty, he had to admit. The apple green sleeveless knit tank dress molded to her curves. If a man wasn’t paying close attention to the ravenous gleam in her light brown eyes, he’d get sucked in. Russell Summers would be just the type Aliyah would target—rich and clueless. Even better, he was used to being controlled by iron-willed women. Marcus needed to keep Aliyah ta
lking.
“I’ll bet,” he answered with the hint of a smile.
She nudged his chair until it swiveled around so that he faced her. Then she placed a hand on each of his shoulders. “You and me could clean up. There’s no reason we can’t have it all. Shaun thinks he’s hot stuff. He’s gonna slip up soon.”
“Slip up how?” Marcus tensed, though he kept his cool outward pose.
“Just a gut feeling. I mean if Shaun is so shrewd, why isn’t he rich by now? Now, you’re a smart one. You’re working from the inside out and getting paid a big salary in the process.”
“Shaun has a different approach to getting ahead is all.”
“Bet you didn’t know he makes fun of you. Says you’re a chump working for chumps.” Aliyah eased down onto his lap and hooked an arm around his neck.
“Is that right?” Marcus let his expression tighten.
She nodded slowly as she leaned her face close to his. “But we can show him how it’s done,” she murmured.
Marcus had had his fill of her. Far from being alluring, he found Aliyah contemptible. He’d grown up around predators. Designer clothes and expensive cologne couldn’t disguise what she was.
“We’ve had this conversation. I’m not looking for a partner.” Marcus pushed her from his lap and stood.
Aliyah’s eyes only gleamed brighter. “Hard core. You’ve still got enough ghetto in you to make life interesting.”
“Work on your technique. I’m not Russell.” Still holding her arm, he pulled her toward the door. It swung open before he’d taken two steps.
“You’ve been back in the office for over an hour, so answer your damn phone,” Nicole said. She came to a halt and stared at his hand on Aliyah’s arm.
Russell pushed past Nicole from behind. He blinked rapidly when he saw Aliyah. “Honey, what are you doing in here?”
She smiled at Nicole before letting her gaze slide to Russell. “Baby, you know I’m still not used to this place. I took a wrong turn. Marcus was nice enough to tolerate the intrusion.”
Marcus managed to force a smile. “I was about to show her a shortcut to Russell’s office.”