Shadow of Secrets

by Kacie Clement

  The waitress arriving with Jack and Emma's to-go order, stood to leave when Artie said, "Sure thing Boss, nice to meet you Emma, any relation to that rich guy Howard Graystone?" Laughing, Emma replied, "He's my father." Artie turned, saying, “Well, it was nice to meet you, Emma, Jack, give me a call tomorrow.” Glancing at his phone, saying, “Another problem that needs to be solved.” Turning, Artie quickly walked out the door of the pub and started dialing his cell phone.

  Arriving at Emma's apartment, Emma offered Jack a cold beer. "Let's go out to the Garden Patio; I have something to show you. Sitting at the table, Jack and Emma devoured their Juicy Lucy's while sipping cold beers.

  When they finished, Emma opened the file pulling the twenty-five Power Purchase Agreements out and spread them out on the table. "Jack, let's go over the site numbers for the larger generators, these are the Power Purchase Agreements, and I want to make a simple comparison. Jack looking over his clipboard, said: “It looks like every other site starting on-site three, has the larger generator." Separating the Power Purchase Agreements, she organized two stacks.

  To the left was the agreements with the more massive generator and on the right were the contracts with the smaller generator. Emma picked up the pile on the right and handed them to Jack, "These are the sites with the smaller generators. "Take a look at these Jack, pay attention to the percentage of profits returned to investors on these sites."

  Jack looking over the agreement, replied, "Yea, that's all correct, so what's the problem?" Emma picked up the stack from the left and said, "These are the agreements with the larger generator, again pay attention to the profit margins." Jack going through each one exclaimed, "Who the hell is this Clean Energy Solutions? While I was going through your office, which I am very sorry for, by the way. I found the purchase orders for the equipment, everything but the generators. They showed Clean Energy Solutions purchased the equipment. I have a meeting with Martin tomorrow. I was going to ask him who Clean Energy Solutions are."

  As Emma was about to answer, both Emma and Jack were startled when they heard Emma's laptop's notification sound that Amelia was calling for her arranged Skype call. Emma connected, and Amelia appeared on the screen, looking grim. "Hey, Emma we need to talk, who's that gorgeous man with you?" Emma giggled, "Amelia meet Jack Thomas, he is the technical advisor on the project in charge of equipment and construction of the sites." Emma continued the introductions, " Jack, meet Amelia, my best friend, college roommate, international attorney extraordinaire."

  When Amelia looked at Jack suspiciously, Emma said, "It's okay, Amelia, he's a friend and is helping me figure out who Clean Energy Solutions, are." Emma went on to explain to Amelia what she and Jack discovered earlier in the day with the difference in the size of the generators, how those particular-sites with the larger generators would generate more power, therefore increasing the number of profit returns for those sites.

  "Amelia, each of those sites with larger generators, shows Clean Energy Solutions, will be receiving four percent of the profits, they are not on the other smaller generator sites. Did you find out any information on who Clean Energy Solutions is exactly?" Jack shocked that Emma already was looking into this, looked at Emma, his mouth hanging open.

  Amelia giving Jack a look of warning, responded, "I did, and you're not going to like it. Emma, Clean Energy Solutions is a shell company in Estonia of all places and has four shareholders." Jack exclaimed, "Estonia? Where the hell is that". Amelia looking agitated responded, "It's in Europe, that's not the issue Jack. Emma, do you know these men? Martin Stevenson, Steve Hopkins, and Westley Bentley?"

  Jack sat back in his chair running his hand over his head; he looked at Emma before responding to Amelia, "Those three are half our project team, Martin Stevenson is the project Chairman, Steve Hopkins is the Legal Advisor and Westley Bentley is Financial Advisor." Rerunning his hand over his head, he continued, "Grayson is going to go through the roof, I would hate to be them when he finds this out." Emma placed a hand on Jacks arm saying, "Wait. Amelia, you said there were four shareholders, who then is the fourth?"

  Amelia looked at Emma and quietly said, "Your dad." Emma moving closer to the screen, said softly, "My dad? Are you sure, Amelia?" Amelia, with a look of concern, responded, "Yes, I am having a courier deliver the corporate forms to your apartment, they should be there in the morning. I am so sorry, Emma.”

  Jack sitting straight up, looked at Emma, "Your dad is a part of this? Who is your father? Are you a part of this Emma?" Jack stood, looking appalled, grabbed his hat to walk out of the apartment. Amelia loudly exclaimed through the screen, "Sit your ass down, Jack now!" Looking at the screen, Jack sat down and slumped in the chair. Emma with tears in her eyes, said, "I should have known, after hearing him and Carmine talking about Antonio's murder, then sending me on this project and all the boxes, the different server, he was just getting me out of the way."

  Jack looking at Emma astounded, turned his head quickly back toward the screen, said, "Who is Antonio? What murder? What does this have to do with this project? What the hell is going on?" Amelia looking at Jack from her screen, said "Shut up Jack, Emma are you okay, sweetie? I can be there tomorrow if you want." Emma wiping her eyes with a tissue responded, "I'm okay Amelia, I should have expected something like this. I think it is time my dad and I have a conversation. Can you pick me at the airport tomorrow afternoon, I want to do this in-person. It's time I talk to him and Carmine DeLuca both."

  Jack stunned, said, "Carmine DeLuca the crime boss of the DeLuca family? Exactly who is your father Emma". Emma looked at Jack sadly and said, "Howard Graystone." Jack responded, “Howard Graystone, the owner of Matrix International is your father? What was Antonio's last name, Emma." Emma quietly replied, "DeLuca. We were to be married the day I buried him in the ground and from my life."

  Amelia again raising her voice said, "Shut up Jack, now listen, you both need to be careful with this information. We need to figure out the full scope of this before taking any action, but it seems to me if everything your saying is true, Clean Energy Solutions stands to make a lot of money off this project. With the mystery surrounding Antonio's murder, Emma, are you sure it's time to have that talk with your dad and Carmine? I don't see where Carmine is part of this, but it's not something we can ignore." With a look of concern, Amelia continued, “Emma, you need to be careful down there, if these three guys figure out what you know you could be in some danger, Emma."

  Emma responded, "I know, but I can't let this go on for much longer, I need to confront my dad and Carmine, then handle the guys here. The whole purpose of this project was to help the Navajo people build economic growth and sustainability. I can't let this happen, Amelia, I need to stop this project, and I need to stop my father."

  Jack determined looked at Amelia on the screen, "I will make sure she's safe" Looking at Emma, he said, "We have to tell Grayson, Emma. He will be back on Friday night, he is not going to be pleased with this, and Amelia, he will make sure nothing happens to his Emma." Amelia retorted, "His Emma? Who is this Grayson? Emma, you said he was just a part of the project team."

  Emma responded with a small smile, "He is special Amelia, you will like him. I think I have found my future." Amelia shook her head, smiling replied, "Emma text me your flight arrangements, I will be there, and you will tell me all about this Grayson guy. I am sorry, but I have a meeting I have to get to, Jack, you take care of my girl, or I will tie you up in a legal drama for the next twenty-five years. I will see you tomorrow, Emma, I love you, sweetie.”

  Emma's face taking on a new determined look responded, "Don't worry, I will be okay. These three men have not come to appreciate who I am and what my capabilities are. I will text you in a few hours; I love you too." Disconnecting the call, Emma turned to Jack, "I need something stronger to drink, want a glass of bourbon?" Jack standing said, "Sit, I will get the bourbon and some glasses."

  Pouring the bourbon into two glasses filled with ice, Jack looked over at
Emma, who seemed to have shrunk to half her size. "Emma, who is Antonio? Was he murdered and what does that have to do with this project?”

  Emma taking a drink of her bourbon turned to Jack and started to tell the story. "Antonio was my finance; he is or was the son of Carmine DeLuca. My father and Carmine had this wild idea that if Antonio and I got married, it would blend our families. Two weeks before the wedding, Antonio had to go to New York on business, which I had thought was Matrix International business. Another fact I was not aware of, it turns out he was still working for his father, Carmine DeLuca.

  I thought Antonio loved me. Instead, I was a pawn in a mega business deal. Antonio was to meet with a contractor working on a project because they had found he had been skimming dollars from the project. They found Antonio two days later in an alley with a gunshot wound to the head.

  I overheard my father and Carmine saying they found the shooter but were still looking for the Contractor who ordered the hit. Carmine DeLuca is like an uncle to me; he has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Antonio was my best friend, other than Amelia. But I now realize, he didn't love me, he was doing what was expected of him to blend our families legally.

  When I confronted my Dad, who has controlled my entire life, Dad offered me the chance to work on this project. I thought he was finally giving me some space to not only make it on my own but to do some good in the world by helping the Navajo people. It turns out, it's all just another part of his story in running my life, and damn it, it ends tomorrow."

  Jack listening in silence, said, "What role does Amelia play in this? How did she find out about who the shareholders were in Clean Energy Solutions?" With a small smile, Emma responded, "Amelia is my best friend, she was my college roommate the one thing, my father could not control and trust me he does not like her and would prefer I have nothing to do with her. She is an International Attorney who works for one of the largest law firms in New York; it's her father's firm." Jack looked at Emma with concern. Emma continued, "No, it's not the same, Amelia's father has no control over her, if anything, he probably wishes that he did, we often find all sorts of adventures to get into, such as this one. She regularly pointed out Antonio was not the right man for me, and she was correct. I trust her with my life."

  Jack scratching his head, said, "We need to tell all this to Grayson and figure out what our next steps are going to be. I will take you to the airport tomorrow. What are you going to tell Martin as to why you're leaving for a few days?" Emma smiling, responded, "That's easy. I will tell him I'm taking a shopping trip. I need a break from all those boxes, and I don't think he will mind."

  Jack taking Emma's hand, asked, "Emma, is there a connection between Antonio's murder and the project we're working on?" Emma silent for a few moments considered the idea. "I don't know Jack, but maybe Amelia can find out who the contractor Carmine is looking for is." Thinking further, she continued, "No, that would only put Amelia at risk; it's time I meet with my dad and Carmine."

  Logging on to her laptop, Emma went to Delta to make her airline reservations for the next morning. Once completed, she started dialing her phone, waiting for an answer. Meanwhile, Jack poured himself another drink. Sitting back, he listened to Emma's end of the conversation.

  "Hi Uncle Carmine, how are you?" after a moment she continued, "I'm fine, but I need some help. I am arriving at Newark Liberty tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock and wondered if you could give me a ride home, maybe have some lunch with dad and me? I'm planning a surprise visit for a day or two and have some serious shopping to do." Carmine smiling answered, "Of course, I will have my car out front of the airport terminal and will take care of ordering lunch. Emma, it will be good to see you. I have certainly missed you, my girl." Emma, with a grimace, responded, "Yes, I have missed you as well. See you tomorrow at one. Love you!" Hanging up the phone, Emma let the breath out she seemed to have held during the call. Looking at Jack, she said, "There's no going back now. I will find out if there is a connection.”

  Jack with a look of fear, said, "Emma, I don't know if this is a good idea, maybe we should call Grayson and see what he thinks, I can't keep you safe in New Jersey." Smiling, Emma said, "I will be fine, Jack, I'm a big girl, and it is way past time I put my big girl panties on and take care of business. Plus, I don't want to worry Grayson, let's not say anything to him until Monday morning. He's picking me up at noon on Saturday for the Christening, I would rather he not know anything until we are forced to tell him. Why don't you tell me what Jack Junior needs for his Christening, and I will pick it up while I'm out making a large dent in my father's profits for the month."

  Picking up her phone, Emma texted Amelia, Carmine is picking me up from the Airport, having lunch with him and dad. Let's you and I make Friday a shopping day in New York, and I will catch the red eye from there back to Flagstaff Friday night. Amelia responded, texting, Be careful, Emma, I will have a car at your Dad's Friday morning at eight a.m. to pick you up for the shopping day! How much money are we looking to spend? Emma showed the text to Jack, who asked, "Exactly, how much are you spending on this shopping trip." Emma laughing harder and said to Jack while texting the same to Amelia, "At least one hundred thousand, that should get his attention.

  Jack's jaw dropped, "One hundred thousand? No one can spend that much shopping in one day." Emma smiling replied, "I can watch me. I'm a professional shopper; it's the one thing I know how to do efficiently and swiftly."

  Jack stood, "I need to be getting home, maybe you should stay in a hotel tonight, Emma. I don't want to take any chances; Grayson will have my hide if anything happens to you." Emma laughed, "And a cute hide it is, I will be fine. When you go out to your truck look to your right across the street, the black SUV parked there is one of Carmine's men. They don't think I noticed or seen them park there every day. If it's not my dad, then it's Carmine who’s been watching me. Carmine does it to make sure I'm safe and not getting into trouble, but my dad does it to control me. They both are going to get schooled tomorrow for sure. Go home, Jack, I will be fine.

  Pick me up at nine-thirty tomorrow morning for a ride to the airport?" Jack walked to the door, saying, "I still want you to bolt the door. I will be here at nine-thirty, goodnight, Emma, be safe." Emma smiled softly closing the door behind him, knowing he was standing there waiting to hear the lock of the deadbolt. She locked the door.

  Jack walked out to his truck, glancing at the Black SUV parked across the street thinking, she's right, they are there. Man, what has Grayson got himself into with this little ball of dynamite. Crime families, a daddy who is one of the wealthiest men in the world, murder, and now our project. Better to break this to him in person. With a glance back at Emma's apartment building, he got in his truck and drove home.

  Emma thanked Jack for the ride to the airport, kissing him on the cheek she said, "Don't worry Jack, I will see you Saturday with Grayson." She opened the truck door and ran into the terminal to board her flight. Getting seated in first class and ordering a mimosa, she began to think what the different scenarios could be for this luncheon she had planned. It could go wrong in so many ways, but either way, she was putting her foot down once and for all.

  Walking out of the airport, she spotted Carmine's car and the driver immediately. The driver opened the door for her, picking up her suitcase to load into the trunk. She found Carmine sitting in the seat across from her, smiling. "Ah, Emma, you look as beautiful as ever. How are you liking Flagstaff?" Carmine asked. Emma smiling in return, answered, "Interesting actually. I was not expecting a personal pick-up, Uncle Carmine. Did you order lunch? I'm famished!" Carmine laughed and said, "It should be there by the time we arrive, and your father should be returning from his trip at about the same time."

  Arriving at her childhood home, Emma and Carmine walked into the house where the maid was entering the room. Carmine asked, "Has our lunch arrived?" She responded, "Yes, Mr. DeLuca, I have set a place for four in the sunroom." "Perfect, Emma, will you join m
e in the sunroom?" Taking Carmine's elbow, she allowed him to lead her to the sunroom. Smelling the aroma of her favorite dish, homemade Italian Ravioli mixed with the smell of garlic bread and the tall stack, of homemade cannoli for dessert, she seated herself at the table. Pouring herself a large glass of red merlot, she heard her father's loud voice exclaim, "Lunch in the sunroom? A surprise? Who ordered that?"

  Emma looked up and saw Vittoria DeLuca enter the sunroom. Surprised, Emma said, "Vittoria? What are you doing here? My, you look tan, have you been on holiday?" Just then her father walked in the doorway, looking just as tan. Emma looking back and forth between her father and Vittoria asked, "So you two were on holiday together? Interesting, don't you think Uncle Carmine?"

  Shocked Howard looked across the room to find Carmine De Luca, Vittoria's brother smiling while filing his plate with Ravioli and salad. Looking directly at Howard, Carmine said, “Yes, I find that interesting indeed." Sitting down at the table, Carmine took in a forkful of food while continuing the conversation, "Guess, you two have some news about a wedding date you want to share since your holidaying together?"

  Vittoria still standing, took Howard's arm while looking at her brother, "Carmine how nice to see you, brother." Looking at Howard, she continued, "I must get back to my Condo to check on my puppies, I will call you later, darling." She walked across the room, taking Emma's hand, leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, saying, "Be gentle with your father." Emma stood to provide Vittoria with a quick hug, looking over her shoulder, silently mouthing the words to Carmine, "You knew and didn't warn me?" Carmine raised his eyebrow with a laugh and continued eating.

  Howard walked Vittoria to the door, softly kissing her goodbye saying, "Maybe it's for the best it is out in the open now, I love you Vittoria, and it's time for us to make it official. Will you marry me, my love?" Vittoria smiled, pulling him in for a deeper kiss, "Yes, my love, I will marry you, now go visit with your precious Emma." She breezed out the door leaving her scent of violets for Howard to inhale.