Dance or Die (White Oak - Mafia Series Book 3) (22 page)

“Oh God! Alice says you’ve got fragile soil! How much damage did they do? I cannot believe this! Tess, I am so sorry. I’ll call the Dean immediately.”

“I would appreciate that. As to the damage, thankfully, my security stopped them before they could do any. But their potential to destroy the woods was huge. Thus, all the boys have been arrested and their ATVs are now the property of the State of Iowa.”

“All right!” Julia cheered.

“And let the Dean know that I do not appreciate him sending jerks and thugs to work at my park. Please ask him to review his list of candidates and remove anyone who is not in the top quarter of his students.”

“That’ll clean out the jerks and thugs,” she cheerfully stated, then sobered. “I’m sorry for being so happy, but I’m thrilled your park wasn't damaged, that the culprits are sitting in a jail, and that you can play hardball. You and I will—could work—great together.”

“Tell your Dean he can call me if he’s outraged, but not to bother if he’s going to ask for leniency. There will be no exceptions. Anyone who attempts to cause harm to this park will be prosecuted.”

“I will happily relay that message. This hasn’t changed your mind about using our top students, has it?”

“I definitely want Alice. But honestly, depending on who I hire and their school preferences, sending me jerks and thugs, may change matters.”

Julia sighed. “I hope not. There are some great kids in the program, and your park is probably the only decent site they’ll have to work in their field.”

“Then maybe you should be in charge of the students sent. I think you understand what I’m looking for.”

“I’ll push him on that,” she promised.

***

Tess returned to the living room and saw Dan pacing while he talked on the phone.

“Here’s Tess.” He rolled his eyes and handed her the phone.

“Did you get the PowerPoint,” she asked.

“What…oh that. I’ll look at it as soon as we get beyond this crisis. The governor wants the charges dropped. The boys claim there was no gate so they just drove in.”

“Tom, do you have any idea how much damage they could have done if they had gone off the gravel road? There’s only a few inches of soil over the sand. They could cut through that in a single twirl.”

“But they didn’t. Dan’s security stopped them.”

“Yes, but only because they were still on the road. Otherwise, they could have done such damage that we’d be fighting erosion problems for years.”

“I know, but thankfully that didn’t happen.”

“They knew the consequences before they entered. Why should they be given a pass? One of those boys had interviewed for a job on the archeology site. And then the little thug leads his friends into the park to destroy it.”

“Brandon Culp?”

“Yes.”

A heavy sigh blew through the line. “He’s our problem. His father is a major contributor to the governor.”

“Tell the governor to tell Mr. Culp that it will do his son good to learn there are consequences to his actions. In addition, we are sending a ‘no tolerance’ warning. And we don’t care whose children are driving the ATVs. If they enter our park, they’ll lose their ATV.”

“To that, the governor wants those vehicles returned. And before you say no, they are now state property and the governor does have the right to return them.”

“Their electrical systems are burned out, so Mr. Culp and the others are going to be pissed anyway. So he’d be damaging his image as our ‘unbought’ governor for nothing.”

“You want to tell him that?” Tom yelled.

“Actually, I would. Maybe when he finally comes to his senses, we can have a joint press conference.”

“I’ll call and relay your message. I just hope it doesn’t get me fired.”

“Me too, because you are a great boss. But if we go soft on these guys, others will try it, too.”

“Oh, believe me, coming down on these boys will result in putting a damn target on that park.”

His words put the fear of God in her heart. “Backing down now won’t change that,” she stated.

Tom sighed. “I’ll call you back after I talk to the governor.” He then hung up the phone.

Tess glanced around at all her crew watching her. “Who’s going to leak the video to the press?”

Tony raised his hand.

“Get to it.”

Dan smiled.

She walked to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Do we have cameras facing the water?”

“We do. We have posted similar signs forbidding boats into our park marsh. If they ignore them and have an engine, they will find their engine tied up in fish line.”

“What if they show up in an air boat?”

“We’ll EMP them.”

“Rowboat?”

“The cameras will alert us and we’ll go out and arrest them.” He rubbed her back. “I’ve got this handled. Just stay firm.”

She smiled. “Would you like to come with me tomorrow?”

“Going where?”

“Probably to be yelled at by the governor, but I’m hoping he’ll see there’s no value in catering to his rich donors in this situation.”

“Thus explaining why you wanted the video released tonight. That makes it impossible for him to claim the boys had accidently entered the park. You are forcing him to be the man he promised to be.”

Tom stood up from the lobby bench the moment Tess and Dan entered the State Capital Building. Once they passed through security, he greeted them, only without his normal smile.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded and stared up at the yellow dome above them. “Is that gold?”

“Yes.” He breathed in and out as if gathering courage. “Tess, I will support you to a point, but then I’ll need to protect myself. While he cannot fire you, he can and will fire me.”

She gripped his arm. “I don’t want you fired. So do whatever you have to do to keep your job. But I can’t back down on this. Grams would never forgive me if I let ATVs destroy her woods.”

“I know.” He breathed in and out again and led them down the hall.

The governor’s office wasn’t as intimidating as she feared. The governor rose when they entered. He came around his massive desk and shook hands with each of them.

He glared at Tom. “I had intended to have John join this meeting, so you could apologize, but after seeing the news this morning, I thought it better if we discuss this matter first.”

“I agree,” Tess said.

He frowned at her then returned to his chair. He motioned for them to be seated. Since there were only two chairs, Tom stepped back and leaned against the back wall.

“And why do you agree, Miss Campbell?”

“Because, I will never apologize for protecting this jewel of a park.” She leaned forward. “Besides the most valuable evidence of early Paleo-Indians, including evidence of a village, which to my understanding, will be the first of its kind, the eco structure of this land is fragile. The soil is only a few inches deep. Then we hit a black sand that when undisturbed, behaves much like rock. But if exposed to wind and rain, it would quickly erode.”

The governor crossed his arms. “Then how do the trees survive? If it’s so fragile and unstable, why don’t they fall over?”

“The roots of a tree slowly grow into the silt and extract nutrients just as it would in normal soil. These long-life trees actually help to secure the land and is why those hills still exist.”

“Well, the boys weren’t planning to cut them down.”

“I don’t know how much damage they intended to do once inside, but given their speed down the road, one can assume when they reached the end of the service road, they would go off road.”

His brow furrowed, but at least, he didn’t tell her she shouldn’t make such a presumption. She appreciated that.

“A single night of driving in those woods would have probably pushed back the opening of the park for two years while we struggled to heal the erosive wounds they cut.”

He glared at Tom. “Do you agree?”

“I agree the damage would be severe. Even in our less fragile parks, we spend over two million a year repairing damage caused by ATVs.”

“Two million? Why do you let them in?”

Tom shook his head. “We don’t. Every park forbids ATVs. We also warn we’ll confiscate any ATV entering the park.”

“And have we before this?” he asked.

“No, because we couldn’t catch them. They are the cockroaches of State Parks.”

The governor smiled and leaned back. “I like that. Cockroaches of our State Parks. Cost us two million a year in our current parks and could have delayed our finest park from opening on time.” He glared at Tess. “It will open on time.”

He didn’t actually ask this, rather demanded it.

“I guarantee, if you allow us to keep the ATVs out, it will open on time or better. However, if we are shackled from protecting our forest, if ATV owners learn the punishments are not enforced, then the park will probably never open.”

His eyes rounded. “Why is that?” he growled.

“Because very quickly, the erosion would get out of control, the ground would become unstable, and you’d have giant trees crashing down without warning.”

“But you’d do everything in your power to stop it?”

“With my last breath, but even I’ll fail.”

His brow furrowed. “If it’s that fragile, should we open it up at all?”

“You cannot compare the damage an ATV does to that of a hiker. Since I expect this park to be a national draw, we will have a lot of hikers and I guarantee you erosion prevention will be our biggest concern. However, hikers are easier to manage than ATVs. They tend to stay on the trails, and when a trail gets too fragile, but long before it becomes an open wound, we’ll move the trail to fresh ground and nurse the old one back to health.”

“And if they don’t stay on the trail?”

“A ranger will go out and nicely explain why they need to. We have solar paneled cameras set up all over the park, and before we open, there won’t be any place we can’t protect. Thus, if some kids decide to go off-trail and start a campfire, my crew will be there to stop them before the first match is lit.”

His brow furrowed again.

“Same goes if someone twists an ankle and needs to be rescued. We’ll be there in minutes with the ability to carry them out if needed.”

The furrows disappeared. “I like that.” He looked at Tom. “Are there privacy issues with security cameras in a park?”

Dan replied before Tom could. He first quoted both federal and state laws both supporting the right of the state to protect its property.

“So we don’t have to get these people’s permissions to be filmed?”

“Absolutely not. Same rules apply for the security cameras you have in this building. You don’t ask anyone’s permission for that. When the park is ready to open, I will put up signs at the entrances letting hikers know the park is under constant video surveillance. If they are hurt or need help, to cross their arms into an X and help will arrive to assist them.”

“I like that, but we can’t over promise. What if they are somewhere the cameras aren’t?”

“You mean off-trail?” Dan asked.

He nodded.

“In that case, our security will already be headed after them. And we will have cameras in all quadrants. So the next time a bear wanders down from Minnesota, we will know and remove it at once.” He leaned forward. “I have a lifetime of experience predicting the behaviors of people who do not think the rules apply to them. While most people who come will obey the rules, stay on the trails, and have a wonderful time, there will always be a few who want to try and climb the electric fence, start a fire, or chainsaw down a white oak for a quick buck.  None of that is happening on my watch.”

The governor smiled. “I like your attitude…and your clear understanding of the law. You were secret service before?”

He nodded.

Dan hadn’t corrected the governor that he still was secret service and would be returning in a few months. Did that mean he’d decided to stay? Her heart filled with hope.

The governor then frowned. “And how did that video escape your possession?”

“I leaked it to even the playing field,” Tess stated.

His head tilted. “How so?”

“You are good friends with Brandon’s father. You needed a valid reason why you couldn’t side with him. Hopefully now, he’ll understand you had no choice in your decision.”

He studied his manicured nails. “I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt this time. You clearly love those woods, probably as much as John loves his son. But if you ever try to manipulate me again, I will put every lawyer in the state to find a way to fire you. Am I clear?”

Finally, all the years of Benito terrifying her had a use. She met his steely eyes and replied calmly, “Yes sir. Now that I know what a logical and fair man you are. I’ll just ask for time on your calendar.” She paused. “And that wasn’t said as flattery to manipulate you. That’s just my new understanding of the facts.”

A faint smile came to his lips. “You two may leave. Tom, you stay.”

Tom nodded and then frowned at Tess. “Wait in the hall. I wish to talk to you before you leave.”

Now what had she done? She had to admit who leaked the video. Otherwise, Dan was about to take the blame or claim he didn’t know, which would make him look incompetent. She couldn’t allow either.

Once outside, Dan glared at her. “In the future, don’t try to protect me.”

“Well, you weren’t going to rat me out, and I didn’t want to make you lie.”

He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I was going to say I believe one of the grounds crew may have leaked the video since technically that is what happened.”

“Oh…Okay…but then he might go after my grounds crew. It’s better that I fessed up.”

He pulled her into his arms. “This went far better than I expected. You are a snake charmer.”

“Charming enough to be kissed?” she asked.

He leaned in and curled her toes.

A clearing of the throat let them know they had an audience.

Tom frowned. “How long has this been going on?”

Dan met his glare. “I’ve loved Tess from the second I’ve known her. However, I wasn’t getting any further vested until she gave up on Steel. So we’ve been intimate for three days now.”

Tom focused on Tess. “Is that true?”

“I didn’t realize Dan had loved me for so long, but we did become intimate three days ago.”

“There’s an empty conference room down the hall. Let’s talk.”

Once inside and the door closed, Tess spoke. “Is this a problem?”

“Maybe,” he said. He pointed to the chairs. “Sit.”

Tom didn’t take a chair. Instead, he paced back and forth in front of them. Finally, he stopped and glared at Tess. “You are getting out of control and it’s got to stop.”

His angry words hurt. She really liked her boss. What had she done?

“How dare you go around me and tell the Governor if you have any further issues, you’ll go directly to him?”

She grimaced. She had done that.

“You report to me! Not to the governor.”

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse for that, but I promise you, I will never go directly to the governor. I will always go through you. That just came out. I was trying to lessen his anger.”

Tom breathed out and seemed to calm. “It worked. Just don’t ever do it. You were lucky today.”

“I agree,” Dan stated. “Let Tom handle the governor. You’ll get yourself fired, no matter how hard it is to do.”

“Sorry. I’ll just stay in my woods from now on.”

Dan rubbed her neck. “You love your woods. Don’t look so heartbroken.”

“I’m not upset about returning to my woods; I’m upset about you and Tom being mad at me…and for good cause.”

Dan turned her to face him and kissed her lightly on the lip. “It’s okay. Just don’t do it again.”

Tom cleared his throat again.

They both looked up at him.

“That’s a problem.” Tom said.

“You don’t forgive me?” Tess asked.

“No. The kiss. He is your direct report. You cannot have a personal relationship with your direct reports.”

“Oh…” Tess couldn’t live with that. Her mind scrambled for a solution. “Can he work for you?”

Dan sighed. “I guess this is a sign for me to return to Secret Service.”

Both Tess and Tom stated ‘no’ in unison, only Tess’ was louder and filled with anguish. “Dan, no! I need you…my woods need you. This fiasco has proven that more than ever. Please! I’ve tried my hardest not to sway you in this matter, but I love you, and I know I said a little time was better than none, but I had no idea what I was talking about. If you leave me, I won’t be able to go on. Losing you will kill me. Please, please stay!”

He pulled her into his arms. “I would never leave you, Tess. You are the most important thing in my life. I was just going to switch jobs. There’s a low-level field job in Chicago. I’ll commute.”

“No! You’ll be miserable!”

He brushed her hair back. “I’ll have you, Tess. How miserable can I possibly be?”

Tess looked to Tom. “A high-quality security expert could help reduce that two million ATV damage cost you incur.”

Tom smiled. “Exactly what the governor observed.” He focused on Dan. “I am authorized to hire you to be in charge of security for all my parks. I’ll tell you upfront, I don’t have the budget that Tess does, and none of my parks has her quality of workers. But you can hire one security head for each of the parks. Starting salary is capped at seventy thousand dollars.” He sighed. “Your salary will only be a hundred and twenty thousand dollars from my budget.”

“You’re asking him to do more work, for less money?” Tess challenged.

Dan covered her mouth with his hand. “If this means Tess and I can be together, then I accept.”

Tess tried to object, but Dan kept her muffled as he focused on her. “I don’t give a damn about the drop in pay. You are all I care about. And this job sounds interesting.” He finally set her mouth free.

Tess looked up at a happy Tom. “You do know I still need his expertise?”

“Absolutely,” Tom said. “As our premium park, I will expect him to spend the majority of his time there. But now, instead of Dan giving free advice to the other parks, which the forest managers would undoubtedly ignore, he has full authority to make any security changes that he wants, and if he does not believe the rangers there capable of seeing his orders fulfilled, then, I’ll have no choice but to reduce my ranger staff so I can hire full-time security. Since the forest managers won’t want that to happen, they should cooperate.”