Broken

by Patricia Haley

  “Ma’am, you’ll need an appointment or I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

  “You don’t want to do that. My brother wouldn’t be very happy about that, and I can guarantee my mother wouldn’t.” Tamara had absolutely zero intention of calling her mother but she knew her name carried weight far beyond the walls of DMI. She was a good ally to have at times so long as a person was willing to pay the hefty price tag. Tamara wasn’t. An airline ticket was the extent of the debt Tamara was willing to carry with her mother.

  “Who’s your brother?”

  “Don Mitchell,” she said, pausing. That was plenty to get in, but for added measure Tamara laid down the trump card because she could. “And Madeline is my mother.”

  “O-oh,” the guard stammered. “Who are you? The only Mitchells that I’ve met are Don, Madeline, Joel, and Sherry. I’m sorry, but I didn’t know there was a daughter.”

  “Tamara Mitchell. I was just here three months ago. You don’t remember me?”

  “I’ve only been with the company two months. I’m so sorry,” he repeated vehemently.

  “No worries, so long as you let me get on my way.”

  “Sure, sure,” he said, rummaging through papers and visitor tags. “I’m supposed to ask for ID since I didn’t recognize you.”

  Tamara couldn’t be angry at the guard for being thorough. She flashed her passport in his face so quickly that there was no way he could read the print. “I need to go.”

  “Okay, yes, no problem, Ms. Mitchell. Can I get you an ID badge and key card?”

  “Why would I want that?”

  “That way you can enter the building any time you want with the electronic sensor.”

  Tamara quickly thought about her depleting funds. Having a key to the building might be the answer to her housing dilemma. “That sounds good. I could definitely use a key card.” She was amused. If security was this tight, Remo was no longer a threat, not as long as this guard was around. She was pleased with her lodging possibilities and the added security, and her decision to come home seemed better and better. “How long will it take to get the card and ID?” She didn’t have plans, but hanging around the lobby wasn’t her idea of an exciting time.

  “Depends on how long you’re staying.”

  Good question. “It all depends,” she said, stopping short of telling him it was based on a day-by-day assessment. No commitments, no disappointment.

  “Well, here’s a temporary card you can use. We’ll also order a permanent ID card in case you’re here more than thirty days.”

  Never know, she thought. “By the way, what floor is Don’s office?”

  “Sixth.”

  “You didn’t have to look it up. Impressive.”

  The young guy blushed. “Everybody here knows where the offices are for the Mitchell family members, all except yours.”

  She giggled and peered at the key card. “Maybe I’ll start with the CEO’s office.” She giggled some more. He joined in. Tamara thanked the guard and headed upstairs, ready to move on.

  Sixth floor. She stepped out of the elevator pretending to know where she was going. She walked past several administrative-assistant stations and closed office doors. One lady sitting behind a station stopped her. “Excuse me. May I help you find someone?”

  “Sure, can you show me where Don sits?”

  The assistant wore a troubled expression. “He’s out of the office. The security desk should have told you before sending you up here.” The lady placed a call to security. Quickly she was off the phone. “I’m sorry, Ms. Mitchell. I didn’t recognize you.”

  “No worries. I’m the missing Mitchell. I don’t expect anyone to recognize me here.”

  “Since Don is out, is there someone else you’d like to see?”

  “Not really. I plan on waiting for my brother.”

  “Okay, then can I set you up in a temporary office for as long as you’re with us?”

  “Sure.”

  The assistant extracted a key ring from her desk. “I’m your mother’s assistant. Since she’s on sabbatical, I might as well put you in her office.”

  “Any other office available?” Taking her mother’s office was eerie and would serve as a constant reminder of why Madeline had left.

  “As you know, we’ve had quite a bit of shifting on our executive team. The only other office is Joel’s old office. Don hasn’t moved in yet, but I’m sure he will. It’s the largest office in the building and has all the perks.”

  “Since the CEO’s office is open, I might as well sit in there, at least until my brother officially claims it.”

  chapter

  16

  Tamara slowly took in the size of the office, soaking in the ambience of luxury. Her flat in England was about the size of two average bedrooms chopped into a kitchen, living room/bedroom combo, and bath. There hadn’t been a real closet in the old apartment, which wasn’t a problem given her amount of belongings. She hadn’t complained. She’d learned to live with the minimum, especially once her funds began evaporating. Surprisingly, being in the presence of excess ignited a tiny glimmer of envy and a slight desire for more.

  Tamara eased into the oversize, leather wingback chair and pulled into the desk. She clasped her hands together, letting her elbows rest on the desktop. She’d actually spent the past decade and a half staying far removed from the world that choked the life out of her family so many years ago, yet there she was, sitting in the building of deceit.

  A knock on the door interrupted Tamara’s thoughts. “Hello, hello, I’m Abigail Gerard,” a brown-skinned woman said, wearing a skirt and tailored blue shirt. Abigail approached the desk and extended her hand. Tamara saw no reason to retreat. “The assistant told me you were here. I’m pleased to meet you, finally.” Abigail was bubbly. Tamara smiled without responding. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Oh really?” Tamara couldn’t imagine from whom, or why she would get much attention at DMI. She’d spent a few summers working as an intern for her parents when she was a teenager, but that was years ago. She was certain most of the people working at DMI in those days were long gone.

  “Your mother talks about you every chance she gets.”

  “Oh.”

  “Between Madeline and Don, I feel like I know you.” Abigail oozed energy to the point that Tamara felt exhausted.

  “Well, I guess I’m at a disadvantage, because I don’t know you. Actually, I don’t know anyone around here except for Don, and he’s not here.”

  “That’s right, it’s been what, fourteen or fifteen years since you left.” Tamara nodded. “Wow, that’s a long time to be away from home.”

  “It is.” Tamara’s spirits dropped. She wasn’t prepared for Abigail to touch upon the topic. She had to redirect the conversation. “Never know where life is going to take you,” Tamara said. “What about you, is Detroit home for you?”

  “No, I grew up in Maryland, went to college in Indiana, and now I’m here,” Abigail said.

  “Family?”

  “Still in Maryland.”

  Tamara wasn’t accustomed to interacting with strangers and engaging in small talk. Meeting a friendly face was refreshing but there wasn’t much more to discuss without Tamara having to avoid divulging personal information. Her habit of staying guarded hadn’t vanished when she landed in the U.S. “I’m glad you came by. I look forward to seeing you again,” Tamara said, initiating the end of the conversation.

  Abigail stayed in the office. Tamara wasn’t sure what else to say, feeling crowded.

  “I keep staring at you because it seems unreal. Your family has been special to me for a very long time. Your father was my mentor.” Tamara scratched the back of her neck, turning away from Abigail. “Right now, I am so happy for your family.”

  “I can see that you’re very happy, a lot happier than I am,” Tamara told her.

  “What makes you say that?” Abigail asked.

  Tamara waved off the comment. “No bi
g deal, consider it a brain quirk. I’m not really thinking straight these days. Must be the jet lag.”

  Abigail sat on the corner of the massive desk. “Your mother always talked about getting you here. Don too. It’s ironic that when you finally get here, neither of them is here. How weird is that? With the way your mother values family, I would have expected Madeline to have a full parade prancing up and down Telegraph Road. I’m shocked that Madeline isn’t here, especially after wanting this so badly.”

  Tamara could have let Abigail go on and on, but she thought Abigail might never leave. “I might as well tell you. Before I agreed to come back, my mother had to leave.”

  “Oh,” Abigail said with eyes wide open and mouth too. “Oh, that had to hurt Madeline.” Tamara could read Abigail’s disdain. “I don’t know what to say. Madeline mentioned the two of you had a few little disagreements but nothing that major.” Abigail’s disdain remained. Tamara could tell.

  “My mother and I have had more than just a few disagreements.”

  “I know for a fact she loves you and her family.”

  Tamara didn’t like how loosely Abigail tossed around the notion of family. Family was the key contributor in creating her personal prison. “My family isn’t exactly what you would consider loving.”

  “No family is perfect.”

  “You got that right. I’m a child of Madeline and Dave Mitchell. That says it all. Anybody coming from those two is bound to have problems.”

  “We all have our challenges,” Abigail commented.

  Tamara laughed. “You said you’re close to my family, but I’m not sure how much you’ve been told about me.”

  “Only that you were angry at the family and preferred to live abroad.”

  Tamara laughed more. “‘Preferred to live abroad’ is a nice way to put it. There’s a lot more to it.” Tamara shouldn’t have cared what Abigail thought about her. Yet she felt compelled to defend her character, though she wasn’t sure why. “Since you’re so close to the Mitchell family, I would think you’d know everything.”

  Abigail shifted the weight from her left foot to her right one while continuing to sit on the corner of the desk. “I’ve heard bits and pieces but not the full story.” Neither spoke for a moment. Then Abigail said, “Look, we don’t have to talk about this. It’s personal and I understand.”

  “No, it’s okay. If we’re going to be working closely together, I’d like to set the record straight. I was raped by my brother in my mother’s house.”

  Abigail’s eyes widened. “I really didn’t know the details, seriously.”

  “So when you toss around the term ‘loving family,’ it doesn’t mean the same to me as it might to somebody else. You won’t see me at a family reunion any time soon.”

  “Well, I don’t know what to say. ‘Welcome back’ is obviously inappropriate,” Abigail said, standing. “I’ll just say that I’m here. If there’s anything you need, please let me know.”

  Tamara pocketed the offer, acknowledging that she had to learn the dynamics and pitfalls of DMI. She should have been second-guessing her decision to spill details into Abigail’s lap, but Tamara was sure Abigail already knew. Yet there was something very trustworthy and endearing about Abigail that caused Tamara to be okay with the revelation. She was tired of running, hiding, and carrying her load of shame and disgust. Purging was good for the soul. She reclined in the CEO’s seat, recognizing how natural it felt. She would make her mark on the company and prove she belonged, without needing Madeline’s help to survive.

  chapter

  17

  Pity was for punks, not for him. His DNA bred leadership. Joel wasn’t willing to settle for less. He paced from his office to the library, grabbing at ideas as they bounced in and out of his mind. Orchestrating a takeover was out of the question. Don and Madeline would be on the alert. His move had to be smooth with an element of surprise. He kept pacing back and forth.

  Zarah entered. “I’ve been looking for you,” she said.

  “What do you need?” he asked, focused on business and less on his personal obligations. Zarah wasn’t going anywhere. She didn’t require as much effort.

  “I was hoping we could take a ride together for the afternoon.”

  Joel kept pacing. “No, uh, not right now. I have some business to handle.”

  “I thought you were finished with DMI.”

  He didn’t need to be reminded. “I still have business to handle, Zarah,” he said, raising his voice.

  She must have interpreted the tone correctly, because Zarah shifted her glance toward the door and took on a timid disposition. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry,” she said, shrinking away.

  She was fragile. He got that. “Look, I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to yell at you.” He approached her, getting close without actually touching. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  “Can I help?”

  “Not unless you have a company that I can have.” He paused and then told her, “Actually you do, don’t you?” The creative wheels were turning, almost getting ahead of him. “You own the West Coast division. Remember, the one your father bought from me for you?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Would you be willing to keep the division for me?”

  “Oh yes,” she said with excitement. She reached for his hand. “Yes, I will surely keep the division for you.”

  It’s not like he hadn’t considered the division a few days ago, but he’d dismissed the idea. He was sure Don was going to make a decent offer for the division and fold it back into DMI. Joel had already told Don he wouldn’t stand in the way if he wanted to reclaim the division. Changing his mind could be a declaration of war. Joel was willing to take the chance since his wounds from the last battle were superficial, nothing major. A set of bruised feelings was the extent of them. If necessary, he could go another round, this time expecting to be the victor.

  “I’m glad that you want to help me.” Zarah was inspiring a train of ideas. His personal money was tapped out after mortgaging his house, taking out exorbitant loans, and spending the cash to buy Harmonious Energy. After the board of directors wouldn’t approve the purchase and wouldn’t release DMI funds, he had no choice. The bad news was that he’d commingled his personal funds with corporate ones. Technically, Harmonious Energy was his. He’d forked over most of the money, but legally he had no claim. The company belonged to DMI, for now. His creative genes were flowing freely like a transfusion of hope into his veins, charging him forward. He pulled her in for a hug and held her there, forgoing the typical quick-hug-and-release arrangement they’d developed. Joel held her tighter than usual. He could feel her respond.

  The pieces were cloudy. Joel would need time and cash to put together the right deal. It was possible. With Zarah’s help, he could resume his trek to greatness. She could convince Don to sell Harmonious Energy to her. Don appreciated family. Plus none of the board of directors wanted the company under the DMI umbrella anyway because of its Eastern religious focus. Zarah could probably get her family’s company at a discounted price. His enthusiasm oozed.

  Joel let Zarah go and rushed to his office to take a few notes. He couldn’t lose the details. This was his chance to redeem his legacy. Failure was avoidable so long as he could maintain control of the West Coast division and pick up Harmonious Energy. Both were critical, especially the West Coast division. It would enable him to reestablish his presence in the U.S., the place where his failure had been most visible.

  There was no way around his situation. Zarah held the keys to his future. He mulled over the plan for a while longer before scouting through the house looking for her. Spending the afternoon together wasn’t a bad idea. The two needed to spend more time together, especially if they were going to be business partners. Well, not really partners. Zarah had no interest in business. Once she secured Harmonious Energy and held on to the West Coast division, Joel could step in and take on the burden of running the new company
. He bounced through the house calling out her name, exhilarated. Names for the new venture skipped around his mind. So much to do and he was eager to get started, tomorrow. This afternoon belonged to Zarah. She’d earned it.

  chapter

  18

  Don entered the DMI building rejuvenated, drenched with South Africa’s refreshing appeal. He was poised to take on the challenges facing him in Detroit. A slew of well-wishers greeted him as he jaunted from the executive parking spot, sailed through the lobby into the elevator, and stepped onto his floor. He poked his head into Abigail’s office, catching her on the phone. “Stop by my office when you finish,” he whispered.

  “Good morning, Mr. Mitchell. Welcome back,” Joel’s assistant, Kay, said. Since Don had been working part-time at DMI until now, he didn’t have an assistant. Don decided to keep her in the position for consistency until he figured out what changes needed to be made. “After you get settled in, I’d like to go over your calendar for today. There are a couple of important calls you’ll need to take.” She handed him a folder filled with papers. “These are documents that require your immediate attention. The ones requiring your signature have the big yellow arrow pointing next to them,” she said, opening the folder to show him.

  Don set his satchel on the counter to peruse the folder. His PDA was vibrating at the same time. The flurry of responsibilities had begun. He took a peek at the phone. The number wasn’t Naledi’s or his mother’s, so the caller could wait until he was settled into his office. He juggled a couple of papers, the folder, and his phone.

  “I also have today’s menu from the executive dining hall. Let me know what you’d like by eleven and I’ll get it ordered for you.”