Emma, with a weak smile, said, "No, I don't want you to come, it's not safe here, Amelia. I've increased protection, and I know what I now need to do. I am a Graystone; I need to act like one. All the millions of dollars behind my name has never interested me. The thing that has always bothered me the most is the version of "Daddy's Little Rich Girl" I have had to live with from the public, at Matrix International and most of all from my father. I am not doing that anymore, I am Emma Graystone, and the world is about to find out exactly who I am. I would like you to do a few things for me legally so I can end this once and for all. Are you ready to write this down? Amelia, this is what I need you to do."
Emma continued to give Amelia her list of items she needed to get done. She then continued the conversation to say, "Amelia, can you have those things to me by the end of the week? I just sent you a file of docs that you can use as a reference, but I need them clear and legally unbreakable." Amelia, jotting everything down on her notepad said, "Yes, I will start them immediately today. Dam girl, we need to start that business we have always talked about doing, Harris and Graystone Inc. With your investigative skills and my legal skill's, we could slay the world."
For the first time during the conversation, Emma smiled and said, "Harris and Graystone? Why not Graystone and Harris?" Amelia laughed, "Come on, girlfriend, you know I need consistent recognition plus it sounds good. Just think, the two of us could travel the world fixing all the injustices we find. Think about it. What are you going to do when this is over Emma, come home and go back to work for your father?" Tears spilled from Emma's eyes again, and it was a minute before she replied, "I don't know what I am doing at this moment, but I do know what I will be doing later today and over the next two weeks.
The one thing I do know is that I need to end this project the way it stands and make the difference Grayson was striving to meet. Harris and Graystone, you say, huh? Set it up as an equal partnership, find us that first client and yes, I am in, and our collaboration will begin. The other thing I know is that my life is never going to be the same again, and I can't just go home and pretend anymore." Amelia shook her head in agreement, "Isn't your dad and Vittoria getting married? It's time Emma for you to take that step into building your own life and besides who better to do it with than me? I'm getting tired of New York."
Seeing the wave of pain cross her best friends face, Amelia asked, “ Emma, what are you thinking?" Emma, wiping her eyes with a tissue, replied, "Everyone I have loved is dead. Are you sure you want to do this Amelia, I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you as well." Amelia quietly responded, "Emma, none of this with either Antonio or Grayson is your fault, it's the fault of the circumstances. You didn't produce those circumstances, Emma."
Emma sat for a minute, not responding, looking into the screen, she replied, "I know your right, but it just hurts so dam bad, and I am so beyond angry. I feel cold." Amelia was smiling gently, saying, "Emma, I love you, you know that. But girl you are in the middle of a dangerous game here and you have got to be careful. All though I like your idea for a solution, it's dangerous, Emma, why don't you let me take the lead on it?" Amelia watched her best friend steel up her spine, watched her eyes turn that icy blue and knew when Emma, eyes turned that cold, she was going to do something no one would expect. The thing is, Amelia had never seen her eyes so cold and heartless. They reminded her of Howard's eyes when he exuberated all the power behind him and his money. She felt a combined feeling of fear and pride, saying, "Emma, you have this, I am here to stand with you. I will do as you ask but make sure Emma, you are protected every minute; I know how you are when you turn the ice on in those gorgeous blue eyes of yours like that. Please don't do anything rash."
Emma was about to respond heard a knock on the door and a voice say, Ms. Graystone, Jack Thomas has arrived. Emma looked at the screen and said, "Amelia, Jack is here I have to go. Call me with any questions you have regarding my list. I will talk to you soon. Love you."
Emma closed her laptop and went to the restroom. Splashing cold water on her face in hopes it would reduce the redness around her eyes, she brushed her hair and glossed her lips. Walking back out to the Garden Patio, she poured herself a shot of bourbon and swallowed it. Steeling her back into a rigid stance, and her eyes turning that frosty icy blue filled with determination, Emma made her way through the door to meet Jack.
Finding Jack at the bar in the great room, Emma saw the pain on Jacks' face. He had just lost his childhood friend, and now he was at risk all because of her. Seeing Jack like this, she had a wavering feeling of guilt mixed with the belief that maybe it would be better to walk away and go home. "No," she said to herself. Strengthening her spine, she touched Jack on the shoulder and said, "Come sit with me, Jack, I want you to tell me in your own words what happened." Guiding him over to the sitting area in front of the massive rock fireplace, she sat down only after Jack did. Jack looked at Emma from across the gorgeous coffee table between them. Wiping his eyes, thinking his tears were intensifying the moment between them, he thought, I've seen that ice in her eyes before, but they are blinding, either way, I need to take care of Emma, Grayson would want me to keep her safe.
He looked at Emma and said, "You have increased security, I noticed the guys out front, on the elevators. I thought they were going to strip search me outside the door." He gave Emma a small smile. Emma, with a look of acknowledgment, replied, "Yes, after I heard from you, I increased our security. You will be staying here now till I get this situation resolved. I have arranged for the Sheriff to be here later this evening to take your statement. Now I want you to tell me what happened in full detail from the time you left my office and you arrived here."
Jack shuddered at the coldness and harshness of her tone. He had never seen Emma so cold and stoic, and this was not the Emma he knew. "Okay, I left your office..." Emma and Jack both turned towards the doorway when hearing a loud voice demanding, "Where is my daughter, where is Emma?"
Rushing into the great room, Howard moved towards Emma intending to take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. He was there now, and he would make things right. Holding his arms out to embrace Emma, he abruptly stopped when Emma stood and faced him. Unconsciously, Howard took a step back. He lowered his arms and looked deeply into Emma's eyes, knowing firsthand those were his eyes when he was resolved to do something people would not like. Vittoria taking in the moment and movements took Howard's arm smiling gently, said, "Howard, let's take a seat. I am sure Mr. Thomas here will clarify everything you need to know."
Vittoria looked at Emma as Emma looked back with a slight nod. Vittoria thought, there she is, Emma Graystone, so like her father. Emma is stepping out of the cocoon and will be a forceful woman, so like her father. Quickly kissing Howard on the cheek, she sat next to him on the white leather loveseat, taking hold of Howard's hands.
Emma sat down and said, "I wasn't expecting you this soon." Vittoria smiled and quietly said, "You needed us. I called for the DeLuca plane." Emma, with a brief smile, replied, "Uncle Carmine's jet, he doesn't let anyone near that thing." Vittoria looking serious at Emma answered, "It is the DeLuca jet. It's time Carmine realized; I am a DeLuca. He will have to stay in New York until I am ready to leave, or he will have to fly commercial." A look of comradery passed between them.
Emma turned towards Jack and said, "Please continue Jack." Watching everything and the wave of emotion's, or the lack of emotion's passing through the air the last few minutes, Jack nervously continued, "I arrived at the site and didn't see anything, everyone has a few days off, and Artie was not there either. I went into the construction office to look around, going through files and the desks for any clue as to where Grayson might of went and I found a Glock in Artie's desk drawer. Weapons are not allowed on site its policy." Emma looked at Jack and said quietly but with resolve, "You found a Glock?" Howard, nearly standing was pulled back into a sitting position when Vittoria pulled on his arm and giving him that be quiet Howard l
ook. Jack looking slightly confused, was about to respond when Emma, held her hand up to stop. Picking up her cell phone the group in the great room watched her dial her phone and heard her say, "Sherriff, Emma Graystone here. I am here with Jack Thomas. Did you find the Glock in Artie McDonald's desk in the construction office?"
Howard sat back deep into the leather loveseat, not believing his ears. Glancing at Vittoria, he found her smiling knowingly at him. Emma began to continue her conversation, "Good you found it? I want ballistics done and a search conducted on the ownership and history of that gun. Sheriff, I want that report tonight when you arrive for Mr. Thomas' statement. I will see you this evening. Do not keep me waiting. Oh, and Sheriff can I ask, did you notify Mr. Martin Stevenson of the events of late? Yes, very good, I expect that you will keep our conversations in the strictest confidence?" Looking coldly at Vittoria, she continued, "Excellent; I will let Vittoria and Carmine DeLuca know how well you have handled this investigation." Vittoria nodded slightly in agreement, Howard listening and seeing the silent agreement sent between his daughter and his soon to be a bride, felt his stomach drop realizing Carmine and himself were in deep future trouble.
Looking at Jack, Emma coldly said, "Continue Jack." Jack looked at Emma, "When I found the gun, I knew in my gut something was wrong. I went out on-site and looked around. I got in my truck, and as I was backing up to turn around, I got a flash of something from aside the Mesa. I drove over there and realized the sun had reflected off the side mirror of Grayson's truck. If it hadn't been for that, I would not have found his truck. Grayson would not have parked there, so I knew I had to check the project site out. When I got to Site five, I saw a large tarp; I got out, walked over, and found Grayson underneath it. After emptying my stomach, I called the Sheriff's Department reporting what I found. I then called your security and told them to get you to the penthouse."
Stopping, Jack coughed and chokingly said, "Grayson would want me to keep you safe and out of harm's way. I then came here as you asked." Emma, looked at Jack softly, and asked almost in a whisper, "Did he look in pain, Jack?" Jack tried to take Emma's hand, but she pulled her hand away. Jack looked at her sadly and responded, "No, Emma, he looked peaceful." Emma couldn't control the shudder that overtook her body, she sat in her chair, looking at the three others gathered in the Great Room, glancing at the security man standing in the doorway of the Great Room Emma said, "Would you show Mr. Thomas, my father and Ms. DeLuca there rooms please?"
Howard stood saying, "I know where my room is Emma. I feel as though you are sending me to my bedroom like a child." Emma looked at her dad, her eyes turning even colder replied with resolve, "I am, but that room you think is yours is now mine. Now if you will excuse me, please get settled in your pre-selected accommodations, and be aware that dinner is in one hour. Thank you."
Emma turned walking out of the great room into the master bedroom closing the door behind her. Pouring herself another bourbon, she sat in the cushioned high back chair on the Garden Patio, staring out across the mesas.
12
Martin sat in his office, replaying the conversation he had with Artie over in his mind. He was angry, "Damn it, I saved his ass again after he killed a mob bosses son in New York, and now he's killed Blackfeather. He better get this mess cleaned up before anyone finds out, or I will kill him myself."
Lost in thought, Martin heard his phone ringing, agitated at the noise, he pushed the phone to the end of his desk and stood to walk to the window. He needed to come up with an idea on how to keep his hands clean in this disaster. His office door opened, and his secretary said, Mr. Stevenson, you are not picking up your phone. I have the Sheriff online one. Still staring out the window, upon hearing his secretary's words, his stomach dropped to the floor. Thinking well Artie, you are going down for this, not me. He turned and said, “Thank you. Please close the door.” Walking over to the phone, he picked up the receiver. "Good day Sherriff, what can I do for you?"
The Sheriff responded, "Mr. Stevenson, we are out on the Navajo Project site, and there's been an incident." Before he could continue Martin, blurted out, "Incident? Was there a fire or damage to the equipment? The sheriff continued, "No sir, we have a body out here, a gentleman that is part of your project, a Grayson Blackfeather. It appears he was a victim of gun violence." The sheriff waited a long moment understanding news such as this was hard to take in. Martin's mind was working overtime on how to put this situation to his best advantage. Martin changed the tone of his voice to be one of shock, said, "Grayson? How did this happen? Did you get the person responsible? My Construction Manager should have called me, and he was there this morning." The Sheriff, asked, "Your Technical Advisor named, Jack Thomas? He's the one that called us after finding the body.”
A wave of fear that shook his core raced through Martins body as he continued, "Jack Thomas found the body? He shouldn't have been there today. Due to an equipment problem the crew has a few days off, Artie McDonald is the Construction Manager, is Jack there now? Can I speak to him?" The Sheriff continued, "Mr. Thomas is not here, he was called away from the scene before we arrived by a Ms. Graystone" Martin hearing a shuffle of papers listened while the Sheriff, continued, "Your Project Manager. I thought she would have called you, and I was wondering if you and your project team could stop by my office later this evening about nine to answer a few questions? I am taking Mr. Thomas’s statement shortly. Then I would like to speak to the rest of your team after that."
Martin asked, "Mr. Thomas is at the station already? Is Emma Graystone with him?" The Sheriff was getting frustrated with all the questions, briskly responded, "Mr. Stevenson, I need to continue the investigation here. I will see you and your team at my office at nine. The Sheriff hung up his cell phone and turning to his deputy said, "Document everything, this is Navajo country."
Turning he saw the tribal police car, lights flashing, siren ringing pulling into the sight as a high rate of speed and slamming on the brakes just feet from his squad car.
"Morning Ed, glad you could make it out here as quick as you did." The Sheriff said. Ed, a tribal officer for the Navajo tribe, asked, "What's going on, you found a body?" Looking around, he saw the coroner's office placing the body bagged onto a gurney for transport to the medical examiners' office in Flagstaff. Looking at the Sheriff, he asked, "Do we know who the victim is?"
The Sheriff looked at Ed and said, "Yea, he's one of yours, a Grayson Blackfeather." Ed stunned asked the Sheriff, "Can you say that again?" The Sheriff looked at Ed sadly and said, "Yes, it is Grayson Blackfeather. We need someone to identify the body." Ed quietly asked, "How did he die?" The Sheriff, looking at Ed, said, "He was a victim of gun violence, a bullet went into the forehead area. Can you help us out and Identify the body?" Ed stood stoically in silence before answering, thinking of the Navajo Legend as to why death exists in the world:
One day, the Navajo people placed an animal hide in water. If it did not sink, then no one would ever die. However, if the animal hide had descended into the water, then death would be part of life.
The Navajo did not watch the hide but turned away from it instead. With their backs turned, a coyote threw some rocks on top of the animals hide. Of course, this made it sink into the water. The coyote's reason was that if no one ever died, there would come the point at which there wouldn't be anymore land on which the people would live — the reason why death comes for all of us eventually.
Looking at the Sheriff, Ed responded, "I cannot, there will be two men sent to the Morgue Sheriff, they will be the trustees of Grayson's body and will perform the identification. Remove the bullet but do nothing else. Once you have removed the bullet, the two men will then bring Grayson home to our land.” Waving his arm, he continued, “You are on Navajo land, my jurisdiction. Consider it a privilege that I am allowing you to take him to the morgue. I will be in your office in the morning to discuss the investigation. Now I must inform his family and Tribal Leaders of Grayson's journey to the next world." Walk
ing away, Ed dreaded the fact he had to go to the Navajo Tribal Chief and inform him that his son was a victim of gun violence this morning.
Martin hung up his phone after talking to the Sheriff, with his mind racing, he walked out of his office to find Steve and Wesley. He had to prepare them for the meeting with the Sheriff. Emma Graystone already knew Grayson was dead. It was Jack that had found him, and this could get very messy. Veering off course, Martin went down the elevator and walked across the street to the pub. He wanted a drink before he faced Steve and Wesley, maybe two or three bottles before attempting to get those other two idiots on the same page.
After finishing his drink, Martin called Steve, "Steve find Wesley and meet me at the Pub. We have a problem." Steve responded, "Wesley is here in my office, were on our way."
Ordering another drink, Martin found a quiet table away from the happy hour crowd. As the waitress was delivering Martin his second drink, Steve and Westley were taking a seat at the table set in the back corner in the Pub. Ordering their drinks, Steve said to Martin, "What seems to be the problem?"
Waiting for the waitress to be well away from the table, Martin responded, "Grayson was found murdered on site this morning." Steve and Westley sat back in their chairs with looks of utter shock. Wesley smiled as the waitress returned with their drinks. Steve finding his voice, looked up and said, "You better bring us another round." Turning to look at Martin, he continued, "What the hell happened?" Martin looking frustrated said, "Artie, my brother in law found Grayson searching the sites, and while I am not sure what exactly happened, I do know a confrontation occurred, and Artie shot Grayson in the head. He gave the crew a few days off making up some bullshit about wrong blades on-site and covered Grayson’s body with a tarp. I believe he was planning on disposing of Grayson’s body when it got dark. Thing is Jack went looking for Grayson and found him. He then called the Sheriff's department. Artie, of course, is nowhere to be found. The Sheriff hasn't even figured out yet that it was Artie that shot Grayson. I thought you two were watching Jack and Emma?"
Shadow of Secrets Page 14