Beck And Call

by Abby Gordon

  "Allen, let him in,” Keith called out.

  Mark strode in as the door bounced off the wall from the force of his anger.

  "Keith, what the hell do you think you're doing?” he came forward and pounded the desk with a fist. “You don't go around dismissing senior officers and half your Programming Division! My God! I'm getting calls from the papers wanting to know if MC is going under."

  Keith glanced at Paul.

  "That's what we didn't think of,” he murmured.

  "I would say so,” the lawyer nodded.

  "Mark, thank you for telling me. Call a press conference in the lobby at two. Tell reporters only that MC is not going under but there was a major internal shake-up. Tell them I will address them personally. I will read a brief statement and not take any questions."

  "My God,” Mark stared. “You're serious. You really fired Duncan, Steve, and the others on the frivolous whining of a few women.” He sank down into the chair Hester had vacated. “Keith, you can't just..."

  "Yes, I can,” he replied. “And I just did. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated by MC's CEO, nor by any MC employee,” he added for emphasis. “If you can't deal with that, you may resign."

  "Resign? Why would I need to resign?” Mark was stunned. “What have I been accused of?” He glared. “Let me guess, Serena told you about what happened a year and a half ago. Well, let me tell you, she's about as cold a fish as they come. I wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole, let alone put my cock into an iceberg like her!"

  Inhaling sharply, Keith's body tensed like a cobra ready to strike. With each word Mark uttered, the expression on the CEO's face became deadlier.

  "Oh, shit,” muttered Paul, half-rising from his seat.

  Keith's eyes didn't leave Mark's.

  "What did you do to Serena?” The ice in his voice dropped the temperature in the room several degrees. “When?"

  "We stayed late going over a few things while eating and then she pushed me away!” He was all righteous fury and indignation. “I showed her a thing or two."

  Keith clenched his jaw so hard he was amazed he didn't break it. Fury at what Mark had probably done to Serena boiled through him, along with the glaring betrayal of his young cousin.

  "What did you do to Serena?” Keith repeated. Had he heard correctly? Mark had hurt Serena? His Serena? Sweet Jesus! This was why she'd said her safe word! He struggled to think, to breathe. “Where were you? What did you do? When was this?"

  "Hey, when a man buys a woman dinner, he doesn't deserve the brush-off she gave me!” Mark smirked. “She didn't understand that. She kept saying it wasn't right, workplace and everything...yada, yada, yada, so I explained it to her.” He shrugged. “Some women have to have that lesson whipped into them.” He scowled. “The bitch scratched my face! So I smacked her across the—"

  "Keith!” Paul shouted, barely catching Keith as he lunged across the desk. “Shit, Mark! When they passed out brains, what the hell were you doing? Playing tag on the playground? Are you completely clueless?” He struggled to hold Keith. “Get the hell out of here!"

  "No!” Keith raged, pulling away from Paul. His finger savagely jabbed at the intercom. “Allen, I need you in here."

  The door opened and the broad-shouldered man appeared.

  "Yes, sir?"

  "How far back does the security camera footage go?"

  One dark brow went up, but that was the only reaction.

  "Since 9-11, boss."

  "Have someone pull up security near Mark's office for April two years ago,” Keith told him, ignoring Paul's startled glance. “After hours. They're looking for Serena going into and out of his office."

  "You got it,” Allen nodded, raising his radio to pass on the directions. “All six of them are on it."

  Keith looked at Paul.

  "Any legal issues?"

  "Only if you touch him."

  "You can be such a downer, you know that?"

  Allen was keeping an eye on Mark.

  "Why haven't you been able to keep an assistant for more than a few months since Serena? And why are they all blond with light eyes like her?"

  "Because they can't do their jobs. As for their looks,” he shrugged. “I'm just a guy enjoying the view.” He smirked. “And some of them had nice mountains and valleys if you get..."

  Paul grabbed hold of Keith's arm again.

  "Dammit, will you listen to me?” he hissed in his ear. “You can't touch the sonuvabitch! You got that? Let Allen toss his ass out... “

  "He hurt Serena,” growled Keith.

  "Yeah, I got that. Now calm down until we get proof."

  "And then I can rip his head off?” Keith suggested, forcing his muscles to relax.

  "Not quite,” Paul drawled. “Never knew you had this violent streak in you. At least around non-relatives."

  "Thought I'd try something new."

  Paul groaned and glanced at Allen.

  "Any idea how long it could take them?"

  "My team will be quick and thorough,” Allen assured him.

  "Is it standard procedure to keep security logs like that?” Paul wondered, keeping one eye on Keith.

  "We're in a target-rich environment,” Allen replied. “Kidnappers, terrorists, pissed off employees,” he finished with a pointed look.

  "Rent-a-cop,” Mark glared.

  "Not hardly,” Keith replied with a short laugh. “Allen was Special Ops and has a black belt in two disciplines. If you want to take him on, be my guest. I'll go ahead and call the paramedics. Or maybe just the ME to collect your dead ass."

  Allen gave Mark a tight smile.

  "Everyone in this building likes Serena. If you hurt her, I'm going to need my entire team to get you out alive. And to be honest with you, asshole,” Allen leaned forward and dropped his voice. “I'm not sure if they'll fight too hard to protect you."

  Sneering, Mark gave them a derisive look.

  "You aren't men. You're a bunch of pussies who don't—"

  "Real men don't treat women the way you do, scumbag,” the security chief told him. The radio in Allen's hand squawked. “Yeah?” he asked, pushing a button. “Andrea, you're on speaker. What ya got?"

  "I have Serena going into Mark's office at seven,” a woman's voice replied. “A delivery of food ten minutes later. Just after eight, Serena comes running out the door.” Obscenities filled the air. “Oh, shit! Boss, her turtleneck is ripped down the front and he's coming after her with his belt."

  "Save that to a separate file. Make two copies for the police,” Keith ordered as Paul's hands tightened on his arms. “And tell the cops we have another one for them."

  "Yes, sir!"

  "Pussies,” Mark snarled as Allen stepped toward him.

  Keith struggled to control his anger.

  "Get this sonuvabitch out of my office. Same thing as the rest. Mark, you're fired. And if I see you near Penny, God alone can help you."

  "Oh, shit,” breathed Allen. “I forgot this P.O.S. was engaged to your cousin. No wonder you're pissed. Let's get you out of here, asshole,” he grabbed Mark's shirt.

  Allen quickly pulled the man out of the office. Keith fell into his chair in frustration and despair.

  "You need Serena here,” Paul said quietly. “The police are going to want her side of the story."

  Nodding, Keith just stared at a spot on the wall. Taking the initiative, Paul pulled out his cell phone.

  "Claire, it's Paul. Serena is needed back in the office. Would you be able to contact her? It's an emergency.” He nodded. “Thank you."

  "She's doing it?” Keith whispered.

  "Yes, although I think she nearly hung up on me.” Paul lips thinned. “It's a personal matter."

  "Want to talk about it?” Keith muttered. “It seems as if nearly everyone else's personal life has been discussed."

  "Not now, thanks. Unless you want to talk about yours?” Paul gave him a studied look. “Your reaction was a bit much for a CEO finding out someone might ha
ve assaulted his assistant. You and your family are not what most would call close, not even Penny. You only suffer their presence for public appearances like your grandmother's balls. So what's the real reason?” Keith just looked at him. Paul shrugged and shook his head. “Hey, if you don't want to talk, that's fine. You can probably guess my situation with Claire."

  Relenting, Keith nodded and briefly explained the weekend. Paul's eyes widened.

  "You better hope she falls in line with this or you're screwed. And not in a good way. Especially after everything that's gone down so far."

  "Yeah, I know,” Keith muttered. But he hadn't known! Serena had been attacked just down the hall and he hadn't known. Keith frowned, trying to remember recent conversations. There'd been several opportunities, he realized. “Dear God,” he breathed. “That's why she wanted me to tell Penny about how Mark treated her and Claire."

  "What about Claire?” Paul leaned forward, his voice sharp. “What has Mark done to Claire? She's never said anything to me!"

  "His attitude toward her, Serena, and apparently other women. Serena wanted me to talk to Penny about it.” Keith worked his jaw and clenched his fingers into fists. “If I'd only pushed a little, asked the right questions, she might have told me what had happened."

  "Any hints over the weekend?"

  "Yeah,” he whispered, eyes haunted. “Tom left a strap in my playroom a few months ago. She saw it, assuming I meant to use it, and said her safe word."

  "Oh, shit,” Paul inhaled sharply.

  "Yeah,” Keith nodded. “Dammit! If I'd pushed..."

  Keith's phone rang.

  "Private line,” he murmured. “It's probably Penny.” With obvious reluctance he picked up the receiver, but smiled when he recognized the voice. “Serena. I know, but things came up. I don't know if you want to bring Debbie back, but I need you back as soon as possible. Thank you.” He hung up and looked at Paul. “One stroke of good luck. They just finished lunch around the corner. Debbie's getting a cab back to the brownstone and Serena's on her way here now.'

  "This could be very hard for her,” Paul said cautiously. “I don't know how much about her personal life you know, but she's been through a hard time the last few years."

  "I know about her grandfather's failing health and death this past summer,” Keith replied carefully. “I think she said something about an ex-boyfriend a couple years ago.” He nodded slightly. “I don't know that much about her personal life and I understand her preference to keep certain things private. We all have our little secrets.” He met Paul's gaze in understanding. “However, this directly affects the company."

  "And your cousin?” Paul added.

  "Oh, shit!” Keith grimaced. “I really don't want to think about that right now. Penny thinks Mark hung the fucking moon! How the hell am I supposed to explain this to her? Not to mention that I've no fucking way of explaining how all this could have been going on under my nose and I didn't have a clue!” He stood and paced over to the window. “I think I have learned more in one week about my employees than I have the past twelve years! It's fucking nuts! There has to be a reason for all of it. Someone is behind all this."

  Paul frowned. “Are you thinking conspiracy?"

  "Hester said it. She came from one of my father's companies to make sure I ran mine the way a MacLauren should,” he said quietly, finally giving voice to his thoughts. “Duncan and Mark also came over from my father's company."

  "You're thinking sabotage,” Paul murmured. “But why?"

  "No idea,” he admitted. “Unless you want to count envy—I made something of myself without their help. Or anger that I didn't fall flat on my face and come running back with my tail tucked between my legs."

  "As if,” snorted the lawyer who had been with Keith from the beginning.

  "I feel as if I've got to start allover again,” Keith muttered. “I'm going to have to weed out anyone who came over from ML and..."

  "Take it easy,” Paul cautioned. “Not all of them are assholes. Some of them genuinely prefer working for you than for your father and brothers. MacLauren Limited has had a high turnover rate the past ten years."

  Someone knocked on the door.

  "Come in,” Keith sighed.

  A man and woman entered.

  "Mr. MacLauren,” the man asked. At Keith's nod, leather wallets were opened and badges displayed. “Detectives Sanders and Erickson. Have you called your assistant?"

  "Yes. She's on her way in. I'm sorry, Detective. This entire thing has gone way beyond what I...” he shook his head. “Mondays need to be banished, don't they?"

  "In many ways,” the man nodded. “Personally, I'd prefer if assholes like we've dealt with today were put away on a remote island."

  "However,” the woman added, glancing at her partner, “we have to get both sides and let the courts decide."

  "I understand,” Keith nodded. “Do you see a lot of this?"

  "A lot of harassment?” the man questioned. Keith nodded. “More than I'd like. We don't see too many people at your level taking action the way you have.” He gave Keith a wondering look. “It's both refreshing and disturbing."

  "Disturbing? How?"

  "If more CEOs did what you did, Erickson and I would be out of a job all too soon.” Sanders grimaced.

  "Maybe this will start something,” Keith murmured. “No woman should go through what they did. I can't believe it went on so long without me having a clue.” He clenched his jaw. “If Serena, my assistant, hadn't brought Debbie in, then I've no idea how long they'd have gotten away with it. I just...,” he shook his head. “There's no excuse. This is my company. I should have seen...,” he exhaled and shook his head again. “I should have seen something. Something that..."

  "Mr. MacLauren, your actions right now, what you're doing,” Erickson leaned forward. “Are more important than you realize. I'll be honest with you,” she smiled slightly. “My younger brother has talked about your company and how innovative you are. But to be honest, your reputation with ladies is less than stellar. So when we got the call to come here, I thought you would try some kind of smoke and mirrors job on us."

  "My father didn't treat my mother very well,” he said simply. “My mother went through hell. I don't want other women going through that."

  Keith's phone rang again.

  "Private line?” Paul guessed when Keith glanced at it and scowled.

  "Yeah,” he nodded, picking up the receiver. “Hello?” His head fell forward. “No, Penny. I realize you think he's a wonderful guy...I didn't accuse him of anything!” he bellowed. “Yes, he just admitted it to me. And he was recorded saying it in front of witnesses.” He shook his head. “No, Serena doesn't want him and neither does Claire...well, for one thing, I don't think either of them like Mark and for another they're both involved with other men.” Sitting down, he rested an elbow on the desk and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Penny, I know this is hard as hell for you. I'm sorry. Mark pulled a fast one on you. Just be glad you found out before you married the guy. I promise that...” His head came up sharply. “What? You still plan on...are you out of your mind?” Swearing, he put the receiver back in the cradle. “She hung up on me."

  "She's taking his side,” Paul observed.

  "Yeah, she won't listen to a word I say. She refuses to leave him."

  "She loves him,” Serena's voice came from the door. “Of course she won't leave him.” Taking off her black trench coat, she draped it over her arm and stepped in. “Hello, Paul,” she smiled. “What's the emergency? It looks like everything's over. And I thought you said on Friday that you weren't going to tell Penny about how Mark behaved?"

  Keith shook his head.

  "I didn't. Something else came up.” He met her puzzled gaze. “You better sit down, Serena. This concerns you. These are Detectives Sanders and Erickson,” he gestured.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Nine

  The only thing Serena could think of was that Keith had s
omehow found out about Master and was going to fire her. Her legs trembled so much she nearly collapsed. Paul was there first only because he was closer. Keith was there in the next breath and the two of them helped her sit down.

  "Concerns me?” she rasped out, eyes wide in her pale face. “How?"

  "Mark was in here, ranting that I couldn't fire half my Programming division and that he was getting calls from the media.” Keith hesitated. “I told him I wouldn't tolerate harassment toward any of my employees and he started talking about a date the two of you went on about a year and a half ago. Apparently he thought since he bought you dinner..."

  "Keith, you're leading the witness,” Paul interrupted, starting the tape recorder. “Serena, tell us what happened when you dated Mark Hammond."

  "We never dated,” she said firmly. “My immediate replacement had just left, about three and a half months, I guess, after I became Keith's assistant. He asked if I could come by after work to review some of the files Hester had sent him.” She bit her bottom lip. “He said since the first one had left so quickly he thought maybe I could help him find someone who could handle the pressure.” She swallowed nervously. “There were nearly two dozen and it was late so he ordered dinner before I came down to his office."

  "Did you see it as dinner on a personal level?” Paul questioned.

  "No, I didn't,” she confirmed in a certain voice. “A former supervisor was asking for my help. That seemed normal and...” She spread her hands slightly in a helpless manner. “Well, business-natured."

  Paul glanced at Keith. This, he realized, was where things could get very sticky.

  "Did you kiss him or lead him on? Do you remember what you were wearing?"

  "I never kissed him or even tried to. I certainly never flirted with him,” she said firmly. “As for what I was wearing?” She frowned, then shook her head. “It was early spring and rainy so I was probably wearing something like a turtleneck or sweater, wool slacks, and boots."

  "All right,” Paul nodded, encouragingly. “What happened after you ate?"

  Keith ground his teeth as she wrapped her arms around her herself. He gripped the armrests so hard his knuckles turned white.