Temptation and Lies

by Donna Hill

  “We still need to figure out what we’re going to do with my Michelle connection,” Ashley was saying as they left the car and walked into the office.

  “That’s where I think Danielle can play a role.”

  “How?”

  Mia opened her office door; the soft winter white and creams instantly soothed her. Ashley came behind her.

  “I’m thinking that since you obviously cannot be at the event on Friday, in case Michelle is there and recognizes you, Danielle could be a potential candidate.”

  Ashley frowned. “Color me slow. I’m not getting you.”

  Mia grinned. “Sorry, it’s in my head and not making it out of my mouth.” She leaned against the edge of desk and folded her arms. “I want you to contact Michelle. Tell her that you have a friend who would be interested in her offer. You want to bring her by the bar to meet her and see what she thinks. That someone is going to be Danielle. We need her on-site on Friday, and that will be the perfect way to do it. Michael has never met her. There would be no reason for him to suspect anything.”

  A slow smile of understanding moved across Ashley’s mouth. “Gotcha.”

  “I’ll call Danielle and bring her up to speed. You get in touch with Michelle.”

  “I’m on it.” Ashley walked out and went up front.

  Mia went behind her desk and sat down. Maybe this whole mess would come together after all. She dug in her bag and pulled out her cell. The glitches and surprises were seriously attacking her orderly state of mind. She dialed Danielle.

  “Hey, Dani, got a minute?”

  “Just barely. I’m in the middle of a photo shoot. What’s up?”

  “I’m going to need your help to pull this assignment off.”

  “What do you need me to do? Something exciting, I hope.”

  Mia chuckled. “Let’s just say you’ll have to get dressed up and be fabulous.”

  “Right up my alley. Sounds easy.”

  “Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that. I’m going to need you to be available to go with Ashley to meet Michelle at the bar. You’re going to apply for one of the ‘extra income’ positions.”

  “Ohh,” she said, understanding dawning. “When?”

  “Ashley is trying to contact Michelle now. As soon as she can set up a time, I’ll let you know. Obviously, it needs to be sooner rather than later.”

  “No problem. I’ll work it out. Look, I gotta run. Call me.”

  “Thanks, sis.”

  “Of course. Later.”

  With that done, she pulled out her PDA, connected it to her computer and put on her headset. She set her computer and PDA to the communications program that was continuously recording Michael’s phone calls at his office and home in Sag Harbor. Although she had access to both locations at any given time, the past few days and the information that she’d uncovered had been more than she had been prepared to handle. Hearing anything more incriminating moved down on her agenda. However, she was supposed to report her findings to Jean and the last thing she wanted Jean to think was that she was slacking off in her role because of residual feelings that she may still have for Michael.

  The radio frequency grid came up on her screen in two panels—one attached to his office, the other to his home. At the moment, both were flat, meaning that he wasn’t on either phone. She clicked on the Archives link to recover anything recorded in the past five days when she noticed the flat green iridescent line in the second panel on her computer screen. He was on his office phone. She adjusted her headset and pushed up the volume.

  “It’s Mike. I need to make some transfers from here to the Caymans.”

  “When?”

  “Today. You have all the information.”

  “Today?”

  “I think this game has run its course. I want to protect what I’ve gained so far. Then I’m getting out.”

  “Don’t tell me anything you don’t want me to know. That’s our agreement.”

  “Fine. Just get it done, Andy. Okay. Call me when you have it taken care of.”

  “Do you want everything moved?”

  “Everything.”

  “I’ll call you tonight with the confirmation numbers.”

  “Thanks.”

  The call disconnected.

  Slowly, Mia removed the headphones and set them down on the desk. She frowned in concentration. What was he doing? Of course, if he was talking about the Caymans, she knew it had to be a money transfer. He’d also mentioned getting out. Was he getting out of the escort business, taking the money and running?

  Then that voice that was in the back of her head started talking to her. The voice that kept telling her that she still had feelings for Michael. The voice that would whisper to her and tell her that this was all some ugly mistake.

  If he was given enough time and space, maybe he could get away before the law came swooping down on him. It was still hard for her to imagine that when this was all over, Michael would go to jail and she would be responsible for putting him there. It was a weight of guilt that she, deep down in her soul, didn’t want to carry. Maybe if he just had some time, the voice whispered. No one has to know, it urged.

  Mia jumped up from her seat, banishing the urgent whispers from her head. She needed to ground herself, clear those traitorous thoughts from her head. She reached for the phone on her desk and dialed Steven.

  After being told that he was out of the office for the rest of the day, she felt bereft, and she knew herself. When she got in this unattached, disorganized space in her head, she began making mistakes and getting tense.

  She drew in long, slow, deep breaths from her diaphragm and exhaled through her nose, as her tai chi instructor had told her years ago, when she’d taken up the relaxation art. It helped to soothe her, as it did now. After about ten minutes, she could feel her jangled nerves evening out, the racing of her heart beginning to slow and her thoughts starting to line back up. She opened her eyes. Everything was going to be fine. She was going to make this work. She checked her computer again to make sure that she’d saved the file she’d just listened to, then downloaded all the recordings to date on a flash drive ready to hand over to Jean at their next meeting.

  With Cartel business out of the way, she turned her attention to running her business.

  “Hey, Michelle, it’s Ashley. Remember me?”

  “Of course. How are you? Did you make that call like I told you?”

  “Actually, no. And only because I know I’m going to be out of town for a while. But that’s not the reason I called. I got the impression that you sort of have an in with that guy Michael. Well, I want to give a very good friend of mine an opportunity. She could definitely use the extra money. She’s gorgeous and would look good on any man’s arm. I was hoping that you might have some time to meet her, see what you think.”

  Michelle was silent for a moment. “How close is this friend to you? I mean, this is not something that you tell everyone you know. If you can’t be discreet…Look, forget we ever had a conversation. This isn’t cool.”

  “Wait, listen. This woman is cool. I’ve known her since high school. I didn’t give her any details, other than she may have a chance to make some extra money just for looking good for a few hours. She was all for it. But that’s all she knows. You meet her, feel her out. If it seems good to you, then make a decision then.” Ashley held her breath. She couldn’t blow this now.

  “Can you be here at the club around seven tonight?”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Okay. And listen. No more recruits. That’s my job.”

  Ashley’s brow rose. “See you at seven.” She hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief, just as Mia approached.

  “Did you make contact?”

  “Just got off the phone with her.” She explained what had happened and how they had almost lost that connection.

  “Good thinking on your part,” Mia said. “We definitely can’t let her get suspicious or say anything to Michael
.”

  “Exactly. Guess you should give Danielle a call and let her know about tonight. We need to figure out where to meet up.”

  “Here’s her cell number. I spoke with her a while ago and gave her a heads-up. She’s actually on location right now. Leave a message on her voice mail. Makes more sense for you to call with particulars than me.”

  “True.” She took the number. “I’ll call her in a little.”

  “Okay. I’m going to run over to check on the venue for tomorrow night. When I get back, we’ll go over the final punch list. If you can touch base with the videographer and the lighting people to let them know we want to do a run-through tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., that would be great.”

  “I’m on it.”

  Mia returned to her office, grabbed her bag and tote then headed out.

  Ashley had arranged to meet Danielle on Chelsea Piers at six-thirty to go over the strategy. They were best friends since high school. They both attended Boys & Girls High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, and now both of them worked for Mia’s firm. Neither of them were married or currently involved. And they needed the extra income to get out of debt and breathe a little easier.

  Once their stories were in sync, they headed over to the Last Call Bar & Grill.

  As usual, Danielle was totally the fashion diva. Her naturally wavy hair fell in soft cascades around her face, over her shoulders and halfway down her back. She was a solid size 10, full and curvy, and she kept her body encased in only the best. Today she wore an M. Preston two-piece pantsuit in crimson, with bold bulky silver jewelry at her throat and wrist. A silky white camisole peeked out from the top of the jacket. And to complete the ensemble, she wore a pair of black alligator ankle boots.

  When Ashley saw her, she was amazed at how stunning Danielle was. Of course, she’d seen her on several occasions at the TLC headquarters and was always impressed with her natural beauty. But she’d never really seen Danielle put it all together as she did now. No way could Michelle not be impressed.

  “Do you go to work dressed like that?” Ashley asked as they approached the bar.

  Danielle took off her dark shades as they stepped into the dim interior. “No, I ran home and changed. Didn’t think I’d make a good impression with my sweaty T-shirt and jeans.”

  “There she is,” Ashley said under her breath. “The one with the pink tank top.”

  They approached and took seats next to each other at the end of the bar. They had that end to themselves. Several moments passed before Michelle came over.

  “How are you ladies doing this evening? What can I get you?”

  “I’ll take a coke with lemon,” Ashley said.

  “Same for me.”

  Michelle looked at Danielle for a long moment. “Be right back.”

  “I think she’s trying to play it real cool,” Ashley said. “When we met for the first time, she was Ms. Chatty Cathy.”

  Michelle returned with their sodas. “My boss is working the bar tonight,” she said in a pseudo-whisper. “He’ll be here for another hour. Can’t really talk until then.”

  “No problem. We can wait,” Ashley said. “What do you have on the menu?”

  Michelle handed them a menu and they ordered a plate of buffalo wings with blue cheese and celery sticks.

  “Coming right up. You can have a seat at one of the tables if you like. Or you can eat at the bar. Your choice.”

  Danielle turned to Ashley. “Table sounds good.”

  They took their drinks, got up and headed to an open table.

  “Looks like it’s going to be a long night.”

  Ashley pursed her lips as they sat down. “Unfortunately. But it will give us a chance to get to know each other. How did you get involved in the Cartel?”

  “Through Savannah. I guess you probably know that her mom, Claudia, recruited her.” She laughed lightly. “Well, Mia and I actually helped Savannah out on her first assignment. When she got her next assignment, she couldn’t take it on, the pregnancy was kicking her butt. Oh, you have got to meet her baby girl, Mikayla. She will steal your heart and then the show.” She smiled, thinking of her. “We’re all her godmothers. Anyway, when Savannah couldn’t take on the job, she asked Mia and me. Well, Mia was going to be out of town so I got the job. Almost blew it, but it all worked out.”

  “It usually does.”

  “Can I get you ladies anything to drink?” a waitress asked.

  “No. I’m good,” Ashley said, holding up her glass of soda.

  “Me, too, thanks.”

  “Your order should be ready shortly.”

  “What about you? I mean, I thought I knew you, but obviously I didn’t. Do you have anyone special in your life?” Danielle asked.

  “No. Not at the moment. A long moment,” Ashley added with a short laugh. “But I’m always hopeful. I’m sure there’s someone out there who would be interested in a quirky, blues-loving, former homeless woman turned secret agent. I mean, after all, this is New York.”

  “You have a lot going for you. You’ll find the right man at the right time. I never thought I’d actually settle down with one man until I met Nick. It was a struggle at first, but we worked through it. Both of us came into the relationship with a lot of emotional baggage. But the load is much lighter now.”

  The waitress appeared with their platter of buffalo wings and they dug in. They spent the next hour talking about everything from the upcoming presidential election to women’s rights and the sagging pants on young boys. The more they talked, the more they realized all the things they had in common.

  Danielle really liked Ashley and could see why Mia liked her so much.

  They were engaged in a hot debate about Star Jones’s miraculous weight loss when Michelle came up to their table. She took a seat next to Ashley.

  “Sorry. Never can tell when the boss is going to show up.” She looked around. The club was relatively empty. “I guess it’s okay to talk here.” She focused her attention on Danielle. “So your friend tells me that you’re interested in making some extra money.”

  “Yes, I am. She also told me that you’re the one who can make that happen.”

  The corner of Michelle’s wide mouth quirked upward. “Something like that. But the final decision is not up to me. I can only make recommendations. So why don’t you tell me something about yourself.”

  Danielle gave her the spiel that she and Ashley had gone over.

  Michelle nodded as Danielle spoke. She looked at Ashley once Danielle was finished speaking. “I think she might be okay. I like her.” She leaned forward. “There’s a major party coming up Friday night. Some blowout red-carpet event. I’ll introduce you to Michael then. Are you available?”

  Danielle casually flipped her hand. “Sounds perfect. I’ll make myself available.”

  “That’s what I like to hear.” She wrote down the address for the party on a napkin, then pushed up from the table. “See you on Friday.”

  Ashley and Danielle walked toward their car.

  “Looks like we’re in,” Ashley said, opening the door.

  “Yes, indeedy.”

  Chapter 19

  The stretch limos, luxury sedans and chauffeur-driven SUVs lined up along Park Avenue as one after another of the icons of the music industry, accompanied by their entourage, strutted onto the red carpet and into the grand foyer of the hotel.

  Flashbulbs popped in rapid succession as every news outlet vied for the money shots of the glitterati who sparkled in the night like the diamonds that adorned their wrists, necks, ears and fingers.

  Every time a new car pulled up in front of the venue, the media went wild, hoping to get a shot of the elusive Raven.

  Reps from TMZ, BET J, Page Six, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, photographers from all the hip-hop magazines, and A&R execs from the major labels were in attendance, from Arista to J Records, Atlantic to Bad Boy and everything in between.

  The dons and divas of hip-hop were also in attendance:
Jigga and his new bride, Usher, Mary, Diddy, Alicia, John and even old-school royalty made their presence felt with Eddie Lavert, Pattie and Gladys.

  The walls had been covered in voluminous sheer draping with silver thread running through them. Lighting came from behind the draping, giving the impression that the event was floating on clouds. Waiters and waitresses in white and silver worked the crowd with trays of appetizers that included stuffed clams, grilled shrimp, caviar, an assortment of cheeses and sushi. Huge jumbo monitors hung from the ceiling, displaying videos of Raven in concert, rare interviews and other footage. An eight-piece band played underneath the rumble of soft and deep voices and squeals of delight.

  Mia was so thrilled with the turnout and the presentation of the venue space that she was almost nervous. She checked and rechecked every element of the evening so many times that the staff began to give her dirty looks.

  Savannah took her by the arm the tenth time she flew by.

  “Mia, you have got to relax, girl. You’re going to break a vessel or something. Everything is perfect.” She squeezed her hand. “Seriously. And if you took a breath, you’d realize it yourself.”

  “Oh, am I really that bad? I’m just doing my job. My company’s reputation is on the line. Not to mention—” she lowered her voice “—the other thing we have going on. Have you seen Danielle yet?”

  “No. But as we planned, she will be coming with Michelle.”

  Mia drew in a breath. “Right. Right.” She squinted around the room. There had to be more than two hundred guests. She’d hired some temps to help with the check-in, and security was tighter than the Pentagon.

  “Fabulous job,” a woman singsonged as she passed Mia and Savannah.

  “See? Told you.”

  Mia chuckled. “Okay, okay. Blake has the baby?”

  “Yep. It’s a father-daughter night. I told him to give Steve a call to come and keep him company. So they will be occupied for the evening.”

  “Thanks, sweetie. Oh, there are Michelle and Danielle.”

  “Gotta act like we don’t know them.”

  Danielle caught Savannah’s and Mia’s eyes and casually indicated the square-shaped catch on her purse by tapping it as they moved through the crowd into the main ballroom.