One Love (37 page)

“
Well... we’ll find other
ways.” Robyn lifted her chin in defiance. “They might make it
tough, but they can’t deny us public records.”

“
I guess.” Lanessa sat with
her head in her hands and eyes closed.

“
Lanessa, we can beat ‘em.”
Robyn looked strong and mature despite her girlish features. “And
I’ve got resources just as good as those fair-weather
friends.”

She marched to her office and came
back a few moments later waving a binder. “They can only
inconvenience us, not stop us.”

Lanessa felt bone tired. She glanced
up on for a second at her before covering her eyes again. “If you
say so.”

“
I do say so. Now tell me
what you need.”

“
Here.” Lanessa pushed one
file toward her. “Dixon and Sons wanted information to help them
bid on a contract with Dow Chemical.”

Robyn read over a few paragraphs.
“Pooh! I’ll get on it for you, boss lady.”

“
If you want.” Lanessa
slumped back in her chair and stared at the wall map without seeing
it.

“
It’s on,” Robyn said with
youthful optimism. She bustled out.

“
Yeah, right,” Lanessa
muttered. Yet she had to smile when Robyn gave her a brave
thumbs-up sign.

Despite her sense of doom, Lanessa did
feel a spurt of energy. Robyn’s mood rubbed off on her. For another
hour she was actually able to put her troubles aside and work.
Concentration was hard, but not impossible. She actually got three
pages of a technical report done before Robyn came back
in.

“
Speak of the devil,” Robyn
said. Her lip curled with contempt. “Charles Metoyer is out there.
I told him I wasn’t sure you were still here.”

“
Right. I’ll bet that fooled
him,” Lanessa said in a dry voice.

“
I don’t care what he
thinks, the upper-class slug!” Robyn’s brown eyes were ablaze with
ire.

“
Wonder what he wants?”
Lanessa was worried by this surprise visit.

“
Don’t give him the
satisfaction. I’ll handle it.” Robyn wore a spiteful grin. “I
mastered the art of putting folks who show up without an
appointment in their place. Learned it working for the CEO of Exxon
International.”

“
No, wait a minute--”
Lanessa drummed her fingers.

“
Tell ‘em the boss isn’t in
with just the right note of condescension. That way they know
you’re lying, but can’t do anything about it.” Robyn turned to
leave with a demonic cackle.

Lanessa jumped from her chair. “Come
back here,” she called in a harsh whisper. “Show him
in.”

“
You sure? I’d just as well
put my foot smack on his behind and give him a nice
push.”

“
I want to know why he’s
here.” Lanessa straightened her desk. She did not want him to think
she was in trouble. “Give me a few minutes first though. I’ll call
you.”

“
Okay,” Robyn said. She wore
a look of profound disappointment.

After five minutes of arranging her
desk, Lanessa called Robyn’s extension. “Okay, I’m
ready.”

Seconds later, Robyn led Charles into
the room. “Coffee?” She seemed to force the words out and did not
look at him.

“
Thank you. Cream, no
sugar.” Charles tossed out the order like a man accustomed to being
served. He turned to Lanessa with charming smile. “Good of you to
see me on short notice.”

“
Have a seat.” Lanessa
pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Robyn made a face
at his back before she left. “What can I do for you, Mr.
Metoyer?”

“
Call me
Charles.”

“
Yes.” Lanessa wore a chilly
smile. “What brings you to me office?”

“
You have such a unique
talent. I admire how you’ve carved out a niche providing valuable
research services.” Charles swept a hand around the office. “I see
you’ve equipped yourself with the best tools.”

“
We’re living in the
information age. Knowledge is power.” Lanessa kept her expression
neutral.

“
Exactly. Those who
understand the immense value of new technology will be in control.”
Charles smoothed down his silk Armani tie. “And you’ve done just
that.”

“
Thank you.” Lanessa watched
him. He was smooth as ever. Anyone looking at him would never
believe the rumors about how treacherous he could be.

“
The Internet is useless
without a guide,” he continued in a mild conversational tone.” A
few keystrokes can lead to thousands of different sources. It’s
overwhelming for the average person. But combine technology with a
keen intellect.”

“
You’re making me blush,”
Lanessa said with a tinge of flippancy.

Charles wore a slight smile. “Of
course I’m only telling you what you know.”

Lanessa rocked back in her
chair. “I’m deeply honored. To think you came all the way over here
to express your deep admiration,
Charles
”

“
My sincere admiration,
Lanessa. But there is something else.” He broke off when Robyn
entered with a tray bearing two cups.

She set it down on Lanessa’s desk.
“You need anything else?” Robyn spoke to Lanessa but stared at
Charles.

“
No, I’m fine.” Lanessa
said. They both watched Robyn leave.

“
Did I do something to
offend your assistant?” Charles raised an eyebrow. “She seems to
have taken an instant dislike to me. Women don’t usually do that.
In fact, it’s never happened before.” He wore a cocky
expression.

“
They get to know you first
then they learn to dislike you, right?” Lanessa retorted. His
arrogance had worn thin quickly.

“
You’ve been listening to
nasty gossip.” Charles sipped from the cup without seeming
insulted.

“
I know first-hand. Remember
Yasmin is my friend. And I know about Shauntelle St.
Romaine.”

His smile faded. “I have some serious
advice for you.”

“
Oh joy,” Lanessa said in a
deadpan voice.

“
You won’t be cracking jokes
when I get through,” Charles snapped. “I’ll grind you into
nothing.”

“
Will this before or after
you’re in prison?” Lanessa shot back. “The Commerce guys were here.
They talked about you and Dawson. It was an interesting
conversation.”

Charles bolted from his chair. “If
you’ve got any sense, you’ll work with us. Hargrove has given you a
chance to make a lot of money.”

“
And put me right in the
line of fire with you clowns. No thanks. Prison food is not to my
taste. And those uniforms they make you wear, horrible.”

Charles sneered at her. “I didn’t get
where I am without knowing how to protect myself.”

“
Yeah, well I’d start lining
up the old defense team if I were you.” Lanessa assumed a relaxed
pose even though her nerves were on edge.

“
If it’s one thing I don’t
like, it’s a woman who thinks she knows more than me!” Charles
said. There was pure venom in his voice and his eyes flashed with
menace.

“
So you treat women like
trash because that’s what you think of them, eh?” Lanessa said.
Charles let out a laugh that gave her a chill.

“
Yasmin would have done
anything to get in my bed. She’s pitiful. And Shauntelle St.
Romaine is the same way, just more class.”

“
You dirty--”

“
I had Yasmin on her knees
more times than I can remember.” Charles laughed. “And after you
told her the so-called truth about me, all I had to do was touch
her up. She forgot everything you said.”

“
You’re going down!” Lanessa
shouted. “And I’m going put my foot up your behind and give you a
push.”

Charles stabbed a forefinger at her.
“Don’t throw around threats you can’t keep! I’ll jam you up so bad
your mama won’t recognize you.”

“
I don’t scare easily.”
Lanessa came from around the desk. Now she was furious.

“
Really?” Charles stared at
her for a few moments, and then a malicious gleam lit his light
brown eyes. “Why do you think your business is in
trouble?”

“
Not everyone is in your
debt. In fact, quite a few folks despise you.” Lanessa shrugged.
“I’m doing okay.”

“
Not for long. Maybe I’ll
let those Commerce investigators think you were in with us.”
Charles nodded. “Yes, maybe even make them think you were a key
player.”

“
I’ve already told them
exactly what my work involved.” Lanessa felt a cold finger of fear
up her back.

“
Did they believe you? I
doubt it.” Charles strolled to the door then turned to face her.
“Better take my advice. Keep your theories to yourself.”

“
I’m no fool. No way am I
going to let you frame me that easy.”

Charles raked her body from head to
toe with a leering gaze. “We could have been such good
friends.
Bet you’re the type who digs her fingernails into a dude’s back. I
like that!”

“
Get out!” Lanessa yelled at
him. She felt sick to her stomach.

“
Think about what I said. We
might forgive you at this point.” Charles took a business card from
his inner jacket pocket. He walked back and placed it on her desk.
“You can call me anytime, night or day.”

Lanessa picked up the small square
with gold lettering and tore it in half. “Guess what my answer
is.”

Charles wore a look of fury. “Then
it’s your choice. You’ll be very sorry!” he snarled. He stalked out
without looking at Robyn as he passed her.

“
He’s something.” Robyn’s
eyes were big as saucers.

“
Yeah.” Lanessa could not
say more. She was shaky from the encounter.

“
The guy is creepy. I heard
he’s into all kinds of freaky stuff. He--”

“
Please, I’d rather not talk
about Metoyer or even hear his name anymore today.” Lanessa went
back and sat down at her desk. The phone rang. She picked it up
grateful for any distraction. “Hello.”

“
Hello, Lanessa,” Yasmin
said in a stiff voice.

“
Yasmin, thanks for calling.
I really want to talk to you.” Lanessa’s spirits rose. Her friend’s
voice was a welcome sound. “We’ve been through so much and
I—“

“
I called to say I left some
things I borrowed in your garage. It’s in a big shopping bag,”
Yasmin cut her off.

“
What? I don’t
understand.”

“
Your red shawl, earrings,
and a few other odds and ins. I don’t want you to say I kept them.”
Yasmin spoke in a cold, sharp tone.

“
You could have kept them as
long as you wanted.” Lanessa raked her fingers through her hair.
“Why don’t I come over to your house after work and we can
talk.”

“
I thought I’d made myself
clear. You don’t have anything to say that I want to hear.
Goodbye.”

Lanessa heard the click and it felt
like a slap in the face.

“
Lanessa, what’s wrong?”
Robyn wore a deep frown of worry. “Yasmin still upset?”

“
You could say that,”
Lanessa muttered. She pressed her fingers to her eyes.

“
She’ll get over it once she
calms down,” Robyn offered hopefully. “We’ll get through this, boss
lady.”

“
I’ve gotta get out of
here.” Lanessa pushed back from the desk and grabbed her purse from
a desk drawer.

“
Right. Let’s call it a
day.” Robyn followed her to the outer office. “Tell you what, we
can go to the mall then have dinner.

“
I don’t need a babysitter,”
Lanessa snapped. Robyn halted and turned to face her.
“Fine.”

Lanessa sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s
just... I’ve got so much coming at me. I need to be alone right
now.”

“
Sure,” Robyn said. She wore
a gentle smile. “But you’re not really alone. Remember
that.”

“
Yeah.” Lanessa gave her a
hug. “Thanks for trying” She let go and walked out quickly afraid
she would dissolve into tears.

Lanessa drove for over an hour. She
finally went to the riverfront and sat on a bench overlooking the
muddy brown water. As the sun went down, she wondered how she’d
ever deceived herself into thinking she could be a
success.

“
What a joke,” Lanessa
mumbled.

Lengthening shadows, dark and
foreboding, matched her mood. The late afternoon reddish golden
glow did not lighten her mood at all. Couples were scattered along
the levee. Some strolled along holding hands. Others sat down with
their heads together speaking low. The sight of them deepened her
depression. She had to escape.

Twenty minutes later, a familiar sight
seemed to beckon to her once again. Jazz It Up had been a favorite
hangout at one time. One of the nicer haunts she had frequented
when she was still drinking. The bright green neon sign had caught
her eye as she was driving by. Or had she come this way on purpose?
She parked and went inside. This was third time in as many weeks
she’d come to the nightclub. To hear the music, she tried to tell
herself. Then why was she sitting at the bar? Lanessa knew the
answer.