“Where would you like to go?” the taxi driver asked.
It dawned on her that she didn’t know. Tamara had gone to Joel’s house once several weeks ago. Don had driven and she had ridden in the backseat with no intention of returning, not then. The situation had changed. Joel’s estate was the only place she wanted to be. “One minute, please.” She used her phone to search for his name and address on Google, WhitePages, and Yahoo! with no luck.
“I’ll need an address or I’ll have to go on,” the taxi driver said.
“I’m definitely taking a taxi. Give me another minute or two to find the information. You can start the meter while we sit here.” The gesture seemed to appease the driver. He turned on the meter. She searched a few other sites until “Joel Mitchell” came up on some obscure page, with his address and wife’s name and background, more information than Tamara could process. She rattled the address off to the driver and read a few more pages linked to Joel.
Given ample time, Tamara was convinced a person could find out every minuscule detail about someone. There were no secrets, which reminded her to be careful. She couldn’t let her guard down. Remo hadn’t found her. Hopefully he wouldn’t, but she’d had the same thought the last four times he’d chased her from one country to the next. She dreamed that one day he would vanish, leaving her alone for good. No more looking over her shoulder or scrutinizing each person in a crowd. She could sleep the entire night under the protection of one deadbolt lock, not three. Reality set in. Unless she killed him, her dream was not to be. She couldn’t waste energy dwelling on impossibilities. Better to focus on more plausible feats, such as working with Zarah.
Thirty-five minutes set the taxi in Joel’s circular drive. Tamara paid the driver using her remaining cash. She’d have to get a ride back to town, a tiny problem to be handled later. She knocked on the massive door and waited. Pretty quickly a woman came to the door. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Tamara Mitchell, Joel’s sister.”
The woman appeared stunned. “Please, come in. I didn’t recognize you. Please accept my apology.”
“No need for an apology. Most people don’t recognize me. I’ve been away for many years.”
“Was Mr. Mitchell expecting you? Because he isn’t here at the moment. I’ll have to call him and find out what time he’s returning.”
“That’s okay. I just dropped by. They weren’t expecting me.” She was elated but refrained from displaying her thrill at not having to deal with the watchdog. “Is Zarah home? I can visit with her.”
“Mrs. Mitchell is here. I’ll get her for you. Are you sure you don’t want me to call Mr. Mitchell?”
“Positive.” She followed the lady to the study and took a seat. A few minutes later Zarah entered. Her countenance seemed to brighten when she saw Tamara.
“What an honor to have you here,” Zarah said, pressing her palms together and bending her neck until her nose touched her hands lightly. Tamara hadn’t noticed exactly how captivating Zarah was. Her deep brown eyes framed by her thick, dark eyebrows were perfectly placed against her naturally tan skin. She was simply beautiful. Zarah took the seat closest to Tamara with only a small table holding a stained glass lamp between them.
“I’m sorry for not calling ahead of time. I got an urge to come by, and so I just came over.”
“It is no worry. I am pleased to have company. I haven’t met many of my husband’s family, only his mother. I am very pleased to have you here.” Tamara was caught off guard by Zarah’s reaction. She was too elated. “My husband will be disappointed that he missed your visit.”
Tamara wasn’t disappointed. “When is he coming back?” Hopefully not for hours, Tamara thought. She didn’t want to be rushed. Winning Zarah’s trust was going to take several uninterrupted visits. Whatever time there was, she was going to maximize the opportunity.
“I’m not sure. He went to Chicago this morning for very important matters. I’m not exactly sure when he will return. I hope he will be home for dinner.”
Tamara breathed easier. She had most of the day to lay her foundation without the watchful eye of Joel Mitchell.
Another Indian lady entered the room.
“Tamara, this is Ana, my personal assistant.” Tamara’s ease diminished as the assistant walked to them, extending a greeting. “Ana, this is Tamara, my husband’s sister.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Ana said. “Can I join you?”
Tamara spoke out before Zarah had a chance. “If you don’t mind, I’m looking forward to this time alone with my sister-in-law.” Zarah exhibited a shy, girlish disposition and giggled softly. “This is our first visit.”
“Absolutely, I will let the two of you chat. Please let me know if I can be of assistance,” Ana said, backing from the room.
Tamara was relieved, having dodged three bullets targeted at shooting a hole in her plans: the woman at the door, probably the housekeeper; Joel; and Ana. Luck was on her side, finally. Time was precious; there wasn’t a millisecond to waste. “Tell me about your family. How did you end up in Detroit, Michigan?” Tamara asked Zarah.
“I’m from a small town outside Jaipur, India. My father was Musar Bengali and my mother, Neepa. They have both transitioned to the next stage of their lives.”
Tamara didn’t ask what she meant to avoid seeming ignorant about Zarah’s beliefs. There was much to learn in time. “Do you have any siblings?”
“Sorry?”
“Brothers and sisters, do you have any other family in the States?”
“No, I don’t have any family in the States, only my husband.” It was easy for Tamara to tell how Zarah felt about Joel. She even said the words “my husband” with passion. “He is my family. One day I pray I can give him children and make my family here.” The volume of her voice dipped. “So far, the gods have not blessed me with children.”
Tamara was intrigued by her sister-in-law’s mind-set. She spoke as though becoming pregnant depended exclusively on her efforts, with no input from Joel. Odd. “I didn’t realize you wanted a family so soon.”
“Oh yes, very much.”
“I thought I heard someone say you wanted to buy your father’s company and work in the business. How are you going to start a family and run a business?”
“I don’t want to be in business. My husband wants to be in business. I want to be a good wife and a good mother. That’s my dream.”
“I’m a little surprised you don’t have any interest in the company.” Tamara felt a genuine connection to Zarah. Her story was familiar: being alone in a foreign country, with no family, and living with a man who didn’t appreciate her worth. “My father was a very successful businessman. I didn’t set out to get involved in our family business but, as a Mitchell, it has come naturally to me.”
“My father wasn’t blessed with a son. He showed me many elements of Harmonious Energy. Many people don’t believe I know much about my father’s business matters. They would be wrong. I choose not to be involved. Taking care of a family is much more fulfilling.”
Tamara was pleased with the visit. Building trust and a friendship was going to be effortless. Her optimism escalated. Building a company seemed like a real possibility. Tamara would need to claim her inheritance to get the cash necessary for a deal. One step at a time, she was closing in on her goal and feeling pretty inspired.
“Let’s go for an early lunch.” She believed Zarah would eagerly accept, putty in her hands. Tamara could already envision a corner office in her new company, overlooking the city with a humongous sign out front. Coming home was the best decision she’d made in years.
“I don’t feel up for lunch. I have a bit of a virus.” Tamara was disappointed. She needed Zarah away from the house and possibly Joel’s unexpected return. “Is there somewhere else we can go?”
“Sure, how about the art museum to see the new exhibit?” Tamara suggested.
“Sounds lovely.”
Tamara was rejuvenated. She wasn’t ab
out to let a little stomach virus derail her visit.
Zarah was grateful for Tamara, eager to be included in the Mitchell family. “I’m ready to go,” Zarah said, walking to the front door. “Are we taking your auto?”
“No, I took a taxi, and I’ve already let him go. Can we take your car?” Tamara asked.
“I haven’t driven since I’ve been here in the States. I don’t have a license.”
“What, you don’t have a license? We have to correct that.”
Zarah hadn’t given driving much consideration. Between Joel, her assistant, and the housekeeper, they took her wherever she needed to go.
“Stick with me,” Tamara said. “We’ll get you a license. That way, you can go wherever you want whenever you want and you won’t have to depend on anybody.”
“Yes, I think I will.” They continued chatting. “Can you drive one of our cars for our trip today?” Zarah asked.
“I don’t have my license either. I have to fill out a bunch of extra forms since I’ve lived abroad for many years. I have to confirm my residency, citizenship, and all that business. Rest assured, I will have mine in a matter of weeks. Even though I don’t have a car, I’ll have a license, and you too,” she told Zarah as they went outside.
Tamara called the taxi service.
Zarah was pleased to wait outside with her new family member and friend.
chapter
40
Zarah was delighted to spend most of the day with Tamara and was saddened when she left. Zarah was eager to share her joy with Joel. Dinner with Ana came and went.
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Ana asked.
“You can go. I’m going to wait up for Joel.”
Alone, Zarah went to her favorite room in the house, the library. She would let the quiet soothe her restless soul. Forty minutes later, the phone rang. The housekeeper came to find her.
“Mr. Mitchell is on the line.”
She leapt to her feet, running to the closest phone, located in the den next door. “Joel, my darling, where are you? I missed dinner with you.”
“I’m going to be delayed in Chicago. My business here deserves more time, and I’m too involved to leave. I haven’t felt so charged up since I left DMI.”
Zarah didn’t want to dampen Joel’s happiness. She bottled her disappointment. Spending the night without her husband was awful. He’d gone to Chicago and stayed there many nights right before she got sick. She didn’t want to experience the harsh loneliness again for a moment longer than necessary. “Will you be home tomorrow?”
“I should be able to tear myself away from my business here and come home.” Zarah struggled to conceal her regret. She needed to support her husband without exception. A good wife had to. It was her duty. “Why don’t you choose a restaurant for tomorrow night? You can get dressed up extra special for me and we’ll spend the evening together.”
She perked up. Maybe tomorrow they could be together as husband and wife. She yearned for intimacy with Joel again, cherishing each of the five times they’d had. The time they’d spent together two weeks and five weeks ago rested in her memory, driving her to yearn for number six.
“I have very good news. Your sister came for a visit. She’s quite delightful. We had a very nice visit.”
“What sister?”
“Your sister, Tamara.”
“What did she want? You didn’t sign any papers with her, did you? Don’t sign anything without me.” She could tell he was angry. “Be careful. Don’t believe what she tells you without talking to me first.”
“I won’t sign any papers.” She remembered what happened the last time, when Madeline wanted to buy the division from her without asking Joel. He was furious. The heat of his anger still singed her spirit. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
“I mean it, don’t sign anything.”
“I won’t.” Her bliss faded when she heard Joel’s displeasure. “I look forward to our dinner tomorrow night,” she said.
“We’ll see how tomorrow goes,” he told her. Her hope of intimacy faded too. She longed to please him but wasn’t convinced she could. She was terrified. The birth of her children depended upon her ability to change their father’s heart. She would work on it until her soul gave out.
chapter
41
Don was still reeling from the board of directors meeting. Nearly a week had elapsed and the sting hadn’t diminished. If Abigail hadn’t come in when she did, his leadership and vision for the recovery would have been undermined. Thank God the proposal was well received; Don was relishing the taste of accomplishment. He languished in the executive dining hall, opting to savor the mini-break. There had been few. He requested the Wall Street Journal and ordered another cup of coffee.
Suddenly Tamara popped into his thoughts. He’d forgotten the message she’d left yesterday asking for an increase in her salary. He typed a reminder into his PDA, which was sitting on the table.
“Can I get you anything else, Mr. Mitchell?” the waiter asked.
“I’m good,” he said, attempting to continue reading the newspaper. Tamara’s request wouldn’t go away. He debated for several minutes about whether he should call Mother. On several occasions, she’d asked about Tamara’s financial situation. Don honored his mother’s place in their lives and made the phone call. She would want to know, and as far as Don was concerned, she deserved to know.
A sensible person would have accounted for the time difference before calling. It was eight twenty A.M. in Detroit. If she was in Hawaii it was three in the morning. In Cape Town it was three in the afternoon. Don could wait four or five hours for a more sensible time, regardless of her location. On second thought, he didn’t want to take a chance and forget as the day kicked into high gear. He dialed. The call connected and his mother was on the line. “Hello, Mother. Where are you these days?”
“I’m sitting at the airport in Japan. I have a three-hour layover.”
His excitement shot up. “Tell me you’re on your way to South Africa.”
“I’m on my way to South Africa.”
“Excellent, I knew I could count on you.” His stress sank to an undetectable level. “Have you spoken with Naledi? Does she know you’re coming?”
“I didn’t call. In a quick second, I was at the airport in Hawaii yesterday. I intended to call you later today, after I got closer to South Africa.”
“Why, in case you changed your mind?”
“You know your mother.”
“I still can’t understand why you are apprehensive about helping me out with LTI.”
“I always want to help my children. That much you can be certain about. I already told you, I don’t like being partially involved in anything. When I get involved it’s one hundred and ten percent. You know how I am.”
He did. She’d take the most ferocious adversary down in the blink of an eye and meander away in her high heels, without a scratch.
“Nobody is putting the reins on you at LTI. Just the opposite; I’m thrilled to have you there. Naledi is doing well, exceptionally well. She’s been a rock for me, and I don’t want to wear her down.”
“You’re telling me to run free when I get there. What happens when I get there and get too involved? I’ve been known to take over. Not saying I’m proud of it, but that’s apparently who I am.”
So far Don was in agreement with what she said and didn’t see her strengths as flaws. “I know how you operate, Mother. Remember, I worked with you here at DMI for years. You’re totally right, and that’s why I’m thrilled to have you on board.”
“Okay, I’ll go along with your arrangement. If my presence at LTI creates a problem in any way,” she said, letting her promise resonate, “I’m begging you to be direct and tell me. That’s my stipulation. One thing is for sure: you and Tamara are the most important elements in my life. In my zealous effort—sometimes overly zealous—to help you, I may get a bit pushy and take over. I don’t want to do that with you. I
will walk away first.”
“I’m not worried.”
“Well, good. I’m glad to help. Now that you’re set, what about your sister? Is she adjusting? Did she get a place?”
“I think so. She was looking at apartments last week.”
“That’s a good sign. Maybe she’s planning to stay for a while.”
“I hope so. She’s actually the reason I’m calling. She’s asked for a raise.”
“I can’t believe she agreed to such a pitiful salary from the beginning—simply ridiculous. I have millions of dollars at my disposal and it irks me to have my daughter living paycheck to paycheck. I have to get some money to her. This is absurd.” Madeline’s anxiety was escalating. He had to curtail her discontent before she overheated.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the raise is significant. She’ll have more than enough to get any apartment in the city.”
“But she’s entitled to so much more.”
“We can start there and see how much further she wants to go.” Increasing her salary was simple. Keeping Tamara from being overwhelmed with the Mitchell way of life wasn’t as straightforward. He had to be careful not to drive her away. There were going to be frustrating situations but nothing could surpass his commitment to her adjustment. That’s what family did.
“You think she’d take a financial gift from me?” Mother asked.
Don didn’t think so. He tempered his response to protect Madeline’s feelings. “I don’t think she’s ready to fully reconcile.”
“I’m not talking about a warm, fuzzy reunion. I just want to dump some cash into her account. I accept the message that she doesn’t want to be near me. I don’t understand why, but I respect her wishes. In the meantime, she doesn’t have to live like a pauper.”
“Tell you what. Let me talk to her about accepting her inheritance.”
“Fantastic idea, you think she’ll go for it?” Madeline asked.
“I can try. What steps will she need to take?”
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