Shelter During the Storm

by Smith, Stephanie Jean

  “Are you going to do it before or after you take her to bed?”

  Michael rubbed his chin as if he were considering the ramifications of both scenarios. Jenna was so stubborn, especially when it concerns her family. “Maybe during sex. Jenna has the tendency of falling asleep afterwards."

  Mack leaned forward on Mike’s desk, poking him in the chest with his finger. “You better watch it buddy, you’re letting your dick run your brain, and that’s unhealthy for our investigation. I understand you got this itch that needs to be scratched. Think about something, we haven’t considered that Jenna might have wanted her sister dead. Maybe she gets a bigger piece of the family pie now that her sister’s out of the picture.”

  If Mack wanted to piss Michael off he found the right mark, “Mack you know damn well that Jenna didn’t have anything to do with her sister’s death. You were with me when I informed her about her sister’s death for Christ's sake. Jenna fell apart, there’s no way she could fake that level of emotion.”

  Mack held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, I’m playing the Devil’s advocate. I’m just saying partner, there’s a lot we don’t know about the Tierney family. Like I said before, fucking the murder victim’s sister is unhealthy for our case.”

  ***

  Chapter 6

  Jenna sat in the lawyer’s office dreading the turn of events, she already knew what was in Laura’s will. Connie was sitting next to her wondering why she was there and her parents were on the other side of the table waiting expectantly. Laura’s lawyer, John Phillips droned on and on until he actually got to the bequeathment section of Laura's will.

  “To my beloved sister Jenna Tierney I leave my personal documents, I know she’ll do the right thing. To my good friend Connie Jacobs I leave my company ‘The Purple Feather’ may she enjoy the pleasure of being the boss. I also ask that my dear friend take over as CEO for the Cabbage Patch Foundation. To my parents I leave my stock in the family business in accordance with the Tierney Family Trust. All of my personal savings and retirement funds will be donated equally to the Cabbage Patch Home for Girls and the Cabbage Patch Foundation. My property and all other personal items are to be sold and donated to the YWC. All of jewelry, I leave to my sister, Jenna Tierney.”

  Not five minutes after the Will was read, all hell broke loose. Jenna could feel the anger and rage simmering in her parents. Her father looked like a blow frog about to explode while her mother sat there with her mouth open as if she’d taken her last breath. Jenna got up and hugged Connie, “congratulations Connie I’m sure you’ll do a great job.” Jenna shook the lawyer’s hand, and before she could leave, he told her to wait.

  “Ms. Tierney, I have something for you.”

  Mr. Phillips handed her a large black brief case. On closer inspection, it was decidedly feminine and had Laura’s initials plated in gold. “Thank you!” Jenna knew if she didn’t hurry, she would witness the eruption.

  “What in the hell is going on here?” Jim Tierney was angry about the proceedings and wanted an explanation. “You mean to tell me the only thing Laura left us is the family stock. We would have gotten that stock back anyway under the terms of the trust.”

  Mr. Phillips adjusted his glasses before speaking, Jim Tierney is a powerful man and he didn’t want to make him angrier if he could help it. “Yes sir, those were the only provisions for you in Miss Tierney’s will.”

  Valencia had a hard time taking this all in, “you mean my daughter didn’t leave us anything, this is absurd. Laura’s trust fund alone is worth millions. What about Jenna, she didn’t even leave her sister any money?”

  “I didn’t want Laura’s money; you forget that I have a trust fund of my own which is quite sufficient. Laura’s money will go a long way to help troubled teens and rape victims. I loved my sister and all the money in the world can never replace her.” Jenna left the lawyer’s office, and Connie was right on her heels.

  Connie was at a loss for words, no one had ever given her anything. “Jenna I’m sorry Laura’s didn’t give you the store, I’m sure it was a mistake.”

  Jenna put her arm around Connie’s shoulder and gave her a loving hug. “Connie you love ‘The Purple Feather and Laura wanted you to have the store. There was no mistake, could you imagine me trying to run the store. I don’t know what half the party favors are, I’m not a sales person, but I need you to keep my toy chest updated.”

  ***

  Jenna had a terrible feeling that something nasty was headed her way; on her third day back at work, she could feel the undercurrents. Samantha was nowhere to be found, and Justin summoned her to his office for an impromptu meeting. Justin was not alone in his office, Jenna recognized the “The Hatchet” from human resources. Belinda Jones took immense pleasure in firing people and Jenna realized that today was no exception.

  Justin stood up and welcomed Jenna, “please come in and have a seat. This is hardest things I’ve ever had to do Jenna. I’m sorry to say that we have to let you go, your services are no longer needed at the bank.”

  Jenna wasn’t surprised; she felt something had been coming to a boil for a long time. “Save it Justin, where’s my paperwork.”

  Belinda pulled Jenna’s paperwork out of a folder on her desk. “The company is being exceedingly generous with your severance package; we’re paying two year’s salary, plus medical. If you sign the offer today, I can have your severance check available within a week.”

  Belinda’s false sincerity was grating on her nerves. “I’ll have my lawyer look at this first. Are we done here? Am I allowed to take the pictures off my desk, or will they be sent to me?”

  Justin was troubled by the whole thing, the last thing he wants to do is let Jenna go. He was hoping for an opportunity to know her better, of course now that he was no longer her boss, she might entertain the idea of a relationship with him. “Jenna, of course you can take your pictures or whatever belongs to you, but I do require your ID badge, emergency cards, and your company credit card.”

  Jenna wasn’t angry with Justin; at least he was sensitive in this situation, an emotion totally lost on Belinda Jones. “I appreciate that Justin. The only items on my desk that belong to me are my personal pictures, and I’ll be on my way.” Jenna left Justin’s office without a backward glance; she grabbed the framed pictures off her desk and left her office forever.

  Jenna still couldn’t figure out what happened to Samantha, she hadn’t seen her all day. Jenna pulled her cell phone out of her purse; sure enough, there were several messages from Samantha. She returned her call immediately as she walked out the front doors making eye contact with everyone. She may have been fired, but she was leaving with her head held high. “Samantha where in the hell are you?”

  “I’m at the curb waiting for you; I just got fired 30 minutes ago.”

  Jenna scanned the street until she saw Samantha's SUV on the corner. "I just got fired too! She walked to the corner and got into Samantha’s vehicle. She looked over at Samantha who was silent as she pulled away from the curb into traffic. “Now what?”

  “I’m hungry let’s go eat.”

  Jenna couldn’t believe her ears, they were just fired, and Samantha wanted to go eat. “Why not, I’m feeling hungry myself? Where do you want go, it’s still a little early for lunch.”

  “Let’s go to Village Inn, breakfast sounds good, plus I feel like bitching. It’s a good thing I didn’t have any personal items at my desk. They wouldn’t even let me take anything but my purse.”

  “Justin was very understanding; he let me leave with my photos as if he could stop me.”

  Samantha smirked to herself, “that’s because he’s still looking to get in your panties.”

  “Girl, please, Michael said something to that effect that day you and Justin came over my house. As if I would want Mr. Uptight, I find the thought of Justin touching me totally repugnant.”

  “Especially now since you’re riding Michael’s big dick.”

  “Damn skippy, I k
now several women who would kill to keep Michael in their beds, and I’m no exception. My car is parked under the interstate, drop me off and I’ll meet you at Village Inn. We need to start planning for our future.”

  Village Inn had a few patrons, which was a plus for Jenna who could eat a horse. Samantha was waiting for her at a booth in the far back corner. She thought it rather funny that they were out of work, but they weren't upset. Jenna took a seat across from Samantha. “We just got fired Sam, but neither one of us is upset. We're waiting to eat breakfast as if nothing happened.”

  Samantha looked up from her menu. “If you’re honest it was just a matter of time before we quit, we were ready to leave. Between the two of us, we have over twenty-two years of contingency planning, disaster recovery, and emergency management experience. With the connections, we have in Omaha, and the surrounding cities we could open our own consulting firm.”

  “That’s an excellent idea I would be willing to finance that endeavor.”

  Samantha frowned at Jenna, “No way chick! I understand you have money, but I’m not willing to let you finance our new business. I will be an equal partner, or there's no deal. I have my severance package, 401k, a couple of retirement funds, plus my savings.”

  Jenna couldn’t believe how stubborn Samantha could be, but she had to respect her wishes. “Okay let’s get down to brass tax. We probably wouldn’t have to fund this all ourselves; the best way to build a company is to borrow someone else’s money. Let’s draft a business plan, I’ll have my lawyer check it out, then we can start applying for business loans.” Jenna held out her hand for Samantha to shake, “What do you say partner are you in or out?”

  Samantha shook Jenna’s hand, realizing that she was going to be an entrepreneur “I’m in it for the long haul. Now let’s get to work, I also think this calls for Margarita tonight, hell it’s not as if we have to be anywhere tomorrow.”

  ***

  Chapter 7

  It was early in the evening when Michael stopped by Jenna’s house. He knocked on the door as gales of laughter came out of nowhere. It was obvious that Jenna is home and not alone. What’s she doing throwing a party or something? After the third knock, someone other than Jenna opened the door. It was the good looking black woman he met last week, Samantha something or other. “Hello, is Jenna home?”

  Samantha opened the door to let Detective Johnson in, “come on in detective, you’re just in time to join our little party.” Samantha whistled aloud has Detective Johnson walked by. Not only did he have a perfect body, but he smelled good too. “Jenna your detective is here.”

  Michael had never been given the once over so thoroughly before. He could tell that Samantha was smashed. What was she doing drinking like this on a weekday? People usually saved drinking for the weekend. He decided to go looking for Jenna, where was she. He found her in the kitchen mixing up a pitcher of something, probably Margarita. “Hey Jenna.”

  Jenna almost dropped the pitcher of Margarita she just mixed up. “Michael I didn't expect to see you.”

  Oh shit, Jenna was fast becoming drunk too. “Samantha let me in; here let me take that for you.” Michael grabbed the pitcher out of Jenna’s hands and followed her back to the living room. “Uh what are you ladies celebrating?”

  Both Jenna and Samantha held their glasses up, waiting for a refill. Michael would make a darned good waiter, especially if he were naked. Uhmm, maybe he’d make a better sex slave. Jenna was the first to answer his question. “We both got fired today, and we’re celebrating our new partnership.” Jenna took a sip of her drink and leaned back in her chair.

  “I’m sorry honey, did that punk Pickard at least tell you why?”

  Samantha totally ignored his question. “There you go Jen he called you honey, you’re definitely in a relationship.”

  Michael looked back at Jenna who was turning a bright shade of red. “Was there any doubt that we’re in a relationship?” Michael’s husky voice became deeper. “I thought I told you and showed you on several occasions that your ass belongs to me.”

  “You tell her Mike, get your woman in check. Let her know what time it is, oh my God I think I’m going to be sick.” Samantha sat her glass on the table and ran down the hall covering her mouth.

  “You didn’t answer my question.” Michael stood in front of Jenna waiting for a response.

  Jenna sat her glass down on the table and crossed her hands over her breasts, covering them from Michael’s prying eyes. She was aroused, her nipples were erect, and her pussy was creaming. “You didn’t tell me why you stopped by.”

  Michael reached downed and uncrossed Jenna’s arms. “You can’t hide yourself from me; your nipples were erect the moment I poured your drink. Do you want to tell me what you’re thinking about?” Michael fingers caressed Jenna’s breasts giving additional attention to the nipples.

  Jenna’s blood went from simmering to red hot in a matter of seconds, her alcohol haze turned sensual. “Why are you teasing me like this with Samantha just down the hall?”

  “Don’t get upset baby. I just wanted to let you know that if there is any doubt in your mind, we are certainly in a relationship. Now give me a kiss and I’ll tell you why I came over.” Michael swooped down dragging Jenna out of her chair into his arms, kissing her as if he hadn’t seen her for a month. “Open your mouth I want to taste you.”

  “Oh Michael you make me so hot, just thinking about you make the blood rush straight to my clit.” Jenna returned Michael’s kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Could you two please cut it out, this room is so full of sexual tension I could cut it with a knife.” Samantha ignored Jenna and Michael as she adjusted the pillow before lying on the sofa.

  Jenna immediately left Michael’s arms to check on Samantha. “Are you okay? Do you want me to get a hot towel for your head?”

  Jenna left the room leaving Samantha and Michael alone. Samantha’s eyes were closed, but she began talking to Michael. “Jenna cares about you, and if you hurt her, I will personally kick your ass.”

  “I care about her too, and I don’t plan to hurt her.” Before Michael could say anything, else Jenna came back carrying a wet hand towel for Samantha's head.

  Jenna placed the towel on Samantha’s forehead and then she joined Michael in the dining room. “Okay Michael, tell me why you stopped by, is it something regarding Laura’s case?”

  Michael lifted Jenna’s right hand and brought it to his lips. “First of all tell me what happened at work today.”

  Jenna pulled her hand from Michael’s embrace and sat across from him at the dining room table. “Justin called me into his office; when I entered his office an HR representative was waiting to lower the boom.”

  “What reason did they give for firing you and Samantha?”

  “We weren’t given a reason, other than our services were no longer required. Then we when to Village Inn eating everything in sight. We made some initial plans for our own consulting firm. Then we decided to celebrate with Margarita night. I think today was kind of a mixed blessing I feel as if I’ve been freed from prison, but I don’t like the way in which it was done.”

  “Whatever you and Samantha decide to do I know you two will be successful. The reason I came by tonight was to ask questions about your family. How did Laura feel about your parents?”

  Jenna was surprised at how quickly Michael became all business. She wasn’t able to switch gears so quickly and found the whole experience frustrating. She didn’t get angry though, Michael still had a job to do. “Like me Laura despised our parents; however, unlike me, she used her power with the company to punish them for denying her rape fourteen years ago.”

  “What did she do to punish them? I mean what power did she possess to hurt your parents?”

  “Oh she didn’t hurt them physically. If Mom or Dad gave a shit about either of us, it would have surfaced way before now. My parents had a conniption when Laura opened ‘The Purple Feather’, everything is abo
ut image with them, at least outward appearances. In addition, sometimes Laura would use her vote on the board to vote against whatever Dad wanted. This probably pissed him off more than her store. I think they had children to carry on the family business.

  Let me give you the family history so you’ll understand. The Henderson Company was established in the late 1800’s; it started as a bank then it branched out into development and research. During The Great Depression while other companies went out of business, The Henderson Company expanded at a geometric rate. At that time, banking was less than 5% of the business; it had many government contracts and everything was pressing full speed ahead.

  My great-grandfather Milton Henderson was getting on in years, and he wanted to make sure his legacy would be well protected. His only son was killed in the WWII, so that left his daughter to carry on. From all accounts, Grandmother was not going to be auctioned off. She knew marriage was expected of her, but she wanted something out of the deal. Grandmother was an artist, and she wanted a year in Paris to study at the University of Paris or most people know it as The Sorbonne.”

  Michael could see the fiery woman who would certainly be Jenna’s grandmother dictating to her father making demands. “What did your great-grandfather do? Did he knuckle down to her demands? I'm guessing that he made some demands of his own.”

  Jenna looked at Michael’s face; he was intrigued with the history of her family business. He was plainly in the right profession, a natural detective. “You’re right my great-grandfather did make some counter demands. He proposed that she marry a man of his choosing and present him with a grandchild before she departed for Paris. Gwyneth Larice Henderson was married to James Campbell Tierney two months later; she presented him with a son James Campbell Tierney II, exactly nine months to the date of their wedding. Per her arrangement with her father, she left for Paris three months after the birth of her son. To her father’s surprise she stayed there for two years, and when she came back she presented her husband with a daughter.”