“Sure, boss. I will be right there,” Trevor replied.
Ray Couture entered Amber’s office and was shocked to see the mess. It looked as if there had been some type of altercation there. He turned to see Trevor in the doorway. “Did something happen in here yesterday?”
Trevor’s eyes widened. “No, nothing that I know of.”
“Well, okay. I will check this out in a while.” He turned to Trevor and motioned for him to sit down. “As per our conversation at the beginning of the week, you were supposed to make a decision. Have you decided?”
“Well, to tell you the truth, I still haven’t decided. Did you send in the final paperwork to my probation officer?” Trevor asked.
“Actually, I sent it yesterday. He should receive everything today. Is that what’s holding you back from making your decision?” Ray questioned with his eyebrows raised.
“Something like that. But my decision is—”
Ray cut Trevor off at the sight of Amber walking in from the garage. “Amber, what happened here?”
Amber eyed Trevor, not knowing what had been said. “Oh, nothing happened. Why?” She quickly started to pick up some papers and her tissue box off the floor.
Ray turned to Trevor. “We will have to talk about this on Monday. Maybe we can go for lunch.”
“Yeah, sure. No problem. Talk to you then, boss,” Trevor quickly stated and rushed out the door.
Ray turned to Amber. “Amber, honey, is there something you need to tell me?”
“Dad, nothing is going on. I promise you. My office is a mess ’cause I was looking for a small piece of paper and just got frustrated when I couldn’t find it.” Amber smiled to allay her father’s concerns.
“Okay, if you say so. Ummm, why are you here so early, anyway? You’re never here before ten.” Ray eyed the tissue box and noticed it wasn’t the standard one that every exec had on their desk.
“Oh, my God, Dad, is it so bad that I came in a little early today? Oh, I may have forgotten to mention to you that Stephen and I are headed for the Keys this weekend. We decided to leave tonight and won’t return until Monday night. You okay with that?” Amber playfully questioned.
“That’s fine. Are you staying at the usual place? Okay, are you sure there’s nothing I should know about?” Ray brought the issue up again. He felt uneasy after seeing Amber’s office. He wasn’t sure what was happening, but he knew his daughter was lying.
“Yes, we will be at the usual place. Dad, there is nothing happening. Please, leave it alone. So what? My office is a mess. I think you know me well enough to know the mess won’t last.” Amber hinted at her annoyance with her rhetorical questions.
Ray put his hands up to signal his retreat. “Okay, Amber, I guess I will see you on Tuesday. Have a safe trip, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself.” He walked out of her office and headed to his. There was a phone call he needed to place.
Stephen looked at the certified check in the amount of six hundred thousand dollars. He placed it into his jacket pocket and entered the building. He took the elevator to the fourth floor and stepped off. The receptionist greeted him with a smile as he pushed the double glass doors open.
“Hi. Can you tell me if Timothy Terk is in his office?”
“Give me one second, sir. Who, may I ask, is here to see him?” She picked up the phone and punched a few numbers on the dial pad.
“Stephen Hunter. Thank you,” he said with a smile.
“Sir, you can go ahead to his office.” The receptionist smiled again.
Stephen walked directly to his office. He didn’t bother with the formalities; he just laid the check in front of him. “I would appreciate it if you don’t mention this mishap to anyone else. If you do, just remember our contract of confidentiality. I would get double of what you have in your hands.” Stephen walked out without waiting for a reply.
He left the building and pulled out his cell phone. “Okay, I just dropped it off. When I get back, we need to talk.” Stephen hung the phone up.
Ray Couture sat at his desk and admired the picture of his deceased wife. He smiled, remembering the good times he’d had with her. His phone buzzed. “Yes, Brenda?”
“There’s a Mr. Harold Rice on the line for you.” Her voice projected clearly.
“Okay, please send it through.” His phone rang, and he picked up the receiver. “Can you meet me in thirty? There’s some business we need to discuss.”
“I will see you at the usual spot,” Mr. Rice answered.
Trevor walked into Amber’s office around midday. “Sorry about earlier. If I would have known that your father wanted to speak to me in—”
Amber cut him off, annoyed. “Don’t worry about it. I took care of it.”
“Wow, what’s the problem? What’s up with the attitude?” Trevor was surprised.
“Listen”—Amber looked around to make sure no one was around and stepped closer to Trevor—“whatever you thought we had is over, and it won’t happen again. So please, don’t approach me on that level. If it ain’t business, then you shouldn’t feel the need to waltz into my office. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to finish my work.”
“Yeah, okay, if that’s the way you want it, Ms. Couture.” Trevor calmly walked out. He pulled out his phone and sent a text message.
Babes, my paperwork is with the probation officer. Are you finished?
Trevor’s phone buzzed with a new text message.
So we in the clear. It’s done.
Trevor replied, Send the copy. This bitch done tested the wrong one.
Will do.
Trevor smiled at the response.
Amber was sitting at her desk, wrapping up her last e-mail, when she heard a knock at her door again. Without looking up, she said, “Trevor, I told you ...” She glanced up, and to her surprise, it was Stephen. “Honey, what are you—”
Stephen cut her off with a deep kiss. “I finished early at the office, so I thought we would get a head start. What do you say?”
“Well, let me finish this up. It will take me a minute. Why don’t you say hello to my dad? I’m sure he would like to see you. From what I hear, you two haven’t golfed in weeks.”
“Your dad isn’t in. I checked before I came to your office. Maybe I will just check out what you guys have in the showroom. I’ll wait out there for you,” Stephen replied.
Amber rushed through her last e-mail response and clicked the SEND button. Another e-mail appeared in her in-box, but she didn’t recognize the sender. She thought of spamming the message but decided to leave it unread. She logged off her computer and grabbed her purse.
As she walked through the garage and passed Trevor, he mumbled, “You need to look at that message.” His devious smile made her uneasy.
Amber stopped but said nothing. She made a mental note. How the fuck does he know I didn’t look at a message? His words made her curious, but not enough to delay her fun-filled weekend. She strutted into the showroom with smiles and almost leaped into Stephen’s arms. “Okay, let’s go, babes. I’m ready.”
Stephen squeezed her curvy body tightly. “Hey, do you think your father would give me a good deal on this twenty eleven Bentley Mulsanne?”
“If you play your cards right this weekend, you just may get an even better deal from me.” Amber kissed him and gestured to leave.
“Sounds like I better start playing now.” Stephen grabbed her by the hand and walked out of the dealership. He knew his weekend would have to be a productive one. His mind was on the money—her money. He knew if this weekend went well, he could make up at least a quarter of the six hundred thousand. Upon his return, he could make his moves to branch out.
Chapter 12
Ray rushed to the table as he glanced at his watch. He had exactly two minutes to spare. He surely didn’t want to be late. The last time he was late, it cost him a lot more money.
“So, Ray, what can I do for you?” Mr. Harold Rice sipped on a cup of coffee.
“Rememb
er about two years ago? I came to you to look into someone named Trevor Turner? Well, I need you to look into him again. I don’t know what’s going on there, but my gut is telling me I have to find out.” Ray motioned for the waitress and ordered a glass of lemonade and a turkey club sandwich.
“I see. That shouldn’t be a problem,” Mr. Rice stated.
The waitress returned with Ray’s lemonade and set it before him. “And ... there’s something else... . My daughter ... there’s something going on with her, but I can’t ...” Ray bowed his head.
Mr. Rice shifted in his seat. “Is there anything in particular you’re looking for? I mean, what exactly it is you want me to ...”
Ray held his hand up to stop him from talking. “I actually want you to look into her boyfriend, Stephen Hunter. I know you gave me a file on him when Amber started seeing him, but can you just review his file again and do a deeper search? As for my daughter”—Ray scratched his chin and stared down at the table—“I want you to see what, exactly, she has been up to. And can you look into her bank accounts? I want to know what her finances look like.”
The waitress appeared with Ray’s turkey club sandwich and placed it in front of him. She offered Mr. Rice another cup of coffee and Ray another glass of lemonade. They both declined and thanked her. She retreated back to the kitchen.
“Ray, about a week ago your daughter called me. She wanted me to look into Stephen. I did and still am. I can tell you that he has been quite a ladies’ man. Well, just one lady, anyway. Her name was Candy.”
“Wait, what do you mean, was?” Ray almost choked on his sandwich. He grabbed the glass of water on the table.
“He’s not seeing her anymore. They went to New York the other week, to a party, and when they returned, he stepped off the jet immediately after it landed, but Candy ... she didn’t get off until an hour later. I have pictures of her leaving the jet in an overcoat and stumbling on the taxiway.” Mr. Rice took his last sip of coffee.
“So, why is my daughter going away with him this weekend?” Ray said out loud. “Did you show her the pictures?” Ray asked.
“Yes, I did, and when I did meet her with them, her tears instantly appeared.”
Ray held up his hand again, not wanting to hear the rest. He pushed his plate to the side. “You mentioned that you were still looking into him. Have you found out anything else?”
“Funny you say that. He doesn’t have a real office. He uses a friend’s office in downtown Miami. The companies that he has been consulting for and investing for are all dummy companies. This hedge-fund broker title is all a scheme. He has no intentions on paying out on any investments.” Mr. Rice filled his ear.
“Have you contacted her with this info?” Ray questioned.
“Yes, several times, but it seems that she turned her phone off.”
“She’s staying at ... at ... Fuck, I can’t remember the name, but you can search her credit card statements. She always goes there when she goes to the Keys. Thanks, Harold.” Ray dropped a fifty-dollar bill on the table and left.
Oh, my God, what should I do? If I go to her with this information, she will know I have been checking up on her. I don’t want any strain on our relationship again. That’s what happened last time, when she discovered that I had all her ex-boyfriends looked into. Ray’s thoughts crammed his mind.
Chapter 13
Amber straddled Stephen as soon as the limo started to move down the driveway. She’d taken the ovulation test earlier that morning, and it had shown positive. Her mind was on one thing only—sex—and she wanted it every possible way. I will make you forget all about that blond bitch, she thought. She’d worn Stephen out over the last four days and nights.
The limo pulled into her driveway and stopped at her door. Stephen stepped out of the limo first, then helped Amber out. He allowed the limo driver to bring her bags to the front door. Stephen looked at her and kissed her gently. “That was a great time. We have to do that again. I never knew you had all that sexual energy bottled up inside of you.”
“Wait, aren’t you coming in?” Amber quickly interjected.
“Sweetie, I will be back tomorrow. I have to handle some business affairs. You know I have been gone for four days, and it really doesn’t matter that it was a weekend.” He held her close. “Now, baby, we just came back from a fantastic weekend. Let’s not ruin it by fighting. I promise I will see you tomorrow. Okay?”
Amber kissed him on the lips. “You’re right. I guess I will see you tomorrow. Well, at least call me when you’re finished.” Amber reached for her keys to unlock the front door.
Stephen motioned to the limo driver to place Amber’s bags into the foyer. He kissed Amber good-bye, then hopped back into the limo. The driver rushed to the driver’s side and got in. Amber watched the limo drive out of her driveway, then out of view.
Amber went into the house and immediately went to her bathroom and pulled out a pregnancy test. She laughed at herself. Now, you know there’s no way in hell you could be pregnant, she thought. Her scheme of getting pregnant by Stephen, to keep him around, would surely take longer than a long weekend of hot sex. She placed the test back in the medicine cabinet. She thought of calling Stephen but decided it would be best if she waited for his call. She unpacked her bags and watched a rerun of Fatal Attraction, then fell asleep in her bed.
The next morning Amber awoke earlier than usual. It was six o’clock. She didn’t have to be at work until ten. She tried going back to sleep, but she tossed and turned. Amber finally got off the bed and headed into the bathroom for a shower.
After getting dressed and applying her makeup, she took her cell phone out of the nightstand drawer, powered it on, and set it on top of the nightstand. Amber headed downstairs to the kitchen. She put on the coffeemaker, took a mug out of the cabinet, set it on the counter, and went back upstairs.
Before reaching her bedroom door, she could hear the missed-call alerts blaring from her phone. Damn, I forgot to check my voice mails last night, she thought. She let out a sigh, grabbed her phone, and shut off the alerts, then threw it into her bag and walked downstairs.
She placed her pocketbook on the counter, then poured her coffee and sweetened it. After a few sips of coffee and daydreaming about Stephen, she reached for her phone. As she looked through her missed-call list, she noticed that the ex-agent had called her a number of times. He didn’t leave a message. She took a deep breath. “Do I really want to know about any more of his affairs?” she asked herself out loud. “Have I forgiven him?” she continued. “Do I still want this future with him?” She stared blankly at the phone.
“Good morning, Ray. How have you been?” Robert asked, entering the office.
“Oh, just been hanging in there. You know what I mean.” Ray fidgeted and walked to his window. He could see all the employees that had entered the grounds.
Robert noticed Ray’s antsy movements. “Ray, is everything okay?”
“I can’t answer that honestly, so I’d rather not say,” Ray spat.
“I don’t mean to intrude, but there are a few things I would like to go over with you before my sister takes over fully.”
Ray’s phone buzzed. “Yes, Brenda?”
“Trevor Turner is here to see you.”
Ray looked at his watch. Eight thirty, it read. He rubbed his chin, then spoke. “Brenda, can you tell him I’m in a meeting? But set up a one o’clock reservation for lunch at P.F. Chang’s on Biscayne Boulevard. And, Brenda, tell Trevor to show up at two. Got it?”
“Yes, Mr. Couture.” Brenda did what she was told.
“I hope she doesn’t screw that up.” Ray let out a nervous laugh.
“Ray, if you like, we could go over this later.”
“I know my daughter came to your house the other night. Is there something you need to tell me?” Ray looked at Robert with haste.
Robert tilted his head back and formed a wrinkle in his forehead. “Mr. Couture, I think you have it all wrong. After I finish
ed talking to you about my future plans that day, I went to give Amber a heads-up. I might have lied to her about the reason I was leaving just to get the date, but after that night ...” Robert sat up straight and looked directly into Ray’s eyes. “Mr. Couture, while working with your daughter, I actually got to know her a bit. So, I invited her to my house for dinner and drinks that night. That’s all. Now, if you’re asking me what happened there between us, that’s a different story.”
“Don’t you dare. That’s why I stopped doing business with your family a long time ago! I know what the fuck you think you’re trying to do. What? You think you can cozy up to my daughter to acquire some of our properties? I know what your family really does.”
“Now, let’s not go there, because I’m sure all the crap that you have heard is not all facts. Just like you want to protect your family’s business, so do I. My father isn’t around to help me or tell me which way to stir the pot. So, understand that I do not want any of your properties. If it would make you feel better, we can cut ties now business-wise.”
“I think that would be best. If your feelings are genuine for my daughter, then you shouldn’t have anything to do with her bread and butter. I’m sure you understand what I mean.” Ray put his hand out to shake Robert’s.
“Sorry, it didn’t work out, Ray. Who knows? It may work out another way down the line.” Robert shrugged. “Ray, since we no longer have a business relationship, I guess I can ask you this one thing that’s been bugging me.”
“Yeah, but just remember whose father I am.” Ray gave him a small smirk.
“That mechanic, Trevor Turner, did you forget to do the necessary background check on him or what?” Robert gave a light chuckle.
“What the fuck you think this is? Some type of a toy store or some shit? You don’t think I would do the proper background check? I think you are underestimating me. I know what I’m doing, and I also know what I’m gonna do!” Ray stood at the doorway, gesturing Robert out the door.
Full Figured 4: Carl Weber Presents Page 17