Read Until the End of Time Online
Authors: Melanie Schuster
Until the End of Time (33 page)
“
We still may be put in a position to defend why we brought him along to this point and dropped him, but you’ve got two lawyers in your family and I have one so between them, we’ll be okay. Rotten son of a bitchin’ asshole—I just hope his ass survives long enough to do some time. You know, don’t you, that if he did it to Renee, he’s done it before and has done it since. And I agree with Renee, Benita doesn’t have to know this right now,” he said gruffly in his deep voice.
We still may be put in a position to defend why we brought him along to this point and dropped him, but you’ve got two lawyers in your family and I have one so between them, we’ll be okay. Rotten son of a bitchin’ asshole—I just hope his ass survives long enough to do some time. You know, don’t you, that if he did it to Renee, he’s done it before and has done it since. And I agree with Renee, Benita doesn’t have to know this right now,” he said gruffly in his deep voice.
Clay was especially fond of Renee, but his only concern in life was the happiness and well being of his wife. Secrets be damned, she wasn’t hearing anything upsetting about her best friend while she was pregnant and that was that as far as Clay was concerned. Furthermore, he didn’t see the loss of Donovan Bailey as insurmountable.
“
There’s plenty of talent out there. We can find another person to put in that spot. A woman might an even better fit for the network. Just get rid of Bailey and take care of Renee,” he added. He spoke to Andrew for a few minutes before hanging up.
There’s plenty of talent out there. We can find another person to put in that spot. A woman might an even better fit for the network. Just get rid of Bailey and take care of Renee,” he added. He spoke to Andrew for a few minutes before hanging up.
Andrew looked at his watch and groaned. “I told Renee I was going to get the New York Times about an hour ago. I gotta get back over there before she knows I did exactly what she told me not to do,” he said glumly.
Donnie took his brother’s arm. “Hey, Bunchy, you did what you had to do. There was nothing else you could have done under the circumstances. The important thing now is to get him out of our lives completely.”
***
The rest of Sunday went more or less according to Renee’s wishes. During Andrew’s absence she took a long, long, bubble bath and tried to erase the events of the past weeks from her mind. By the time Andrew returned to her house, she was in a much calmer state; it was as though she had crossed a mental bridge to a more hospitable environment. Andrew did his best to make sure she stayed relaxed and happy the rest of the day. They talked quietly, listened to music while they did the crossword puzzle and Renee was moved to prepare a nice Sunday dinner of Cornish game hens and wild rice stuffing. They spent the night in each other’s arms, sleeping soundly.
That day of rest was just what Renee needed. She was at Urban Oasis earlier than usual on Monday, and was actually able to give herself over to the myriad of tasks necessary to her role as owner. The holiday season was in full swing, which meant Christmas weddings, cotillions, dinner dances and a plethora of other activities, which would require head to toe beautification for her clients. Renee always welcomed the attendant hubbub because of the magnificent increase in sales figures; now she welcomed it for another reason entirely. As long as she was busy, she couldn’t dwell on Donovan Bailey.
She was going over the Christmas card list to make sure that everyone who had visited Urban Oasis in the past year would receive holiday greetings; this was the kind of special treatment that made the salon such a standout. Vaguely, she heard the door to her office open and assumed it was Valerie. “Val, did you get the final menu for the party to the caterer? We may need to increase the quantities since we’re inviting sales reps. You know how some of those reps can eat!” she said without looking up.
“
Well, if you invite me, I’ll be sure to come with a hearty appetite,” a male voice replied. Renee forced herself to maintain a semblance of calm, although the nausea that was now familiar had overtaken her. She stood and slowly turned to face Donovan Bailey, who was standing in her doorway wearing a smile that said, “I know you’re glad to see me.”
Well, if you invite me, I’ll be sure to come with a hearty appetite,” a male voice replied. Renee forced herself to maintain a semblance of calm, although the nausea that was now familiar had overtaken her. She stood and slowly turned to face Donovan Bailey, who was standing in her doorway wearing a smile that said, “I know you’re glad to see me.”
Before she could ask how he found her and how he got to her private office, Donavan casually entered the room and explained his presence.
“
Donnie Cochran told me that you owned the premier day spa in Detroit, so of course I had to drop in. I hope you don’t scold Valerie, but I told her that I was an old friend and that I wanted to surprise you, so she brought me back,” he said with a smirk.
Donnie Cochran told me that you owned the premier day spa in Detroit, so of course I had to drop in. I hope you don’t scold Valerie, but I told her that I was an old friend and that I wanted to surprise you, so she brought me back,” he said with a smirk.
Renee was amazed that she could stand, but she found that yes, she was able to, albeit with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. In a deceptively calm voice, she asked him point blank, “Why did you lie to her?”
‘Valerie’…like they’re just the best ol’ buddies in the world
, she thought. Donovan always did have a way of getting the female of the species to grant him special favors like he was God’s gift to women. And in truth, if you did not know the ugliness that lived inside the shell, he was quite a package.
‘Valerie’…like they’re just the best ol’ buddies in the world
, she thought. Donovan always did have a way of getting the female of the species to grant him special favors like he was God’s gift to women. And in truth, if you did not know the ugliness that lived inside the shell, he was quite a package.
Six feet tall, with the muscular build of an athlete, fair skinned with brown wavy hair that was cut impeccably as always; hazel eyes that always twinkled and lips that were nicely shaped, although a bit on the thin side. And he had a dimple that would flash with any provocation, especially when he was trying to be endearing, like now.
“
Renee,” he said charmingly, “how did I lie? I did want to surprise you and we are old friends, after all. We go back a long way, you and I, just like I told Donnie last night,” he added confidently.
Renee,” he said charmingly, “how did I lie? I did want to surprise you and we are old friends, after all. We go back a long way, you and I, just like I told Donnie last night,” he added confidently.
Before Renee could give him the blistering retort that was on the tip of her tongue, he went on: “I have to tell you again, Renee, you are looking absolutely fabulous. Fabulous. And this place…it’s magnificent! Who would have ever dreamed that this is where your real talents lay? You have come a long way from Pittsburgh, Renee. I lived in Europe for many years, but even in Paris, Rome, Milan and Amsterdam, there were not many women who could rival your beauty and style,” he said, looking her up and down.
He was so busy taking in the picture Renee made in a smoke gray Missoni sweater and leather Mizrahi skirt that he didn’t notice the look of total incredulity on her face. The Pashmina stole she had been wearing in the chilly back office was flung over her desk as she finally found her voice.
“
Either this is a nightmare, or I’m in Hell. It can’t been a nightmare because I’m awake. So this must be my personal version of Hell, since you’re in it. What has gone wrong with your mind that you think you can come into my place of business and pass yourself off as a friend of mine when nothing can be further from the truth? And what makes you think that you can throw a few compliments my way and all traces of what you did to me will disappear—
poof
—like it never happened?” she snarled.
Either this is a nightmare, or I’m in Hell. It can’t been a nightmare because I’m awake. So this must be my personal version of Hell, since you’re in it. What has gone wrong with your mind that you think you can come into my place of business and pass yourself off as a friend of mine when nothing can be further from the truth? And what makes you think that you can throw a few compliments my way and all traces of what you did to me will disappear—
poof
—like it never happened?” she snarled.
Donovan’s poise began to crumble and he raised his hands to placate Renee and stave off any further vitriol but it was too late.
“
How dare you speak to me of my ‘talent lying elsewhere’. My talent was in the newsroom, you low-down, sleazy yellow bastard, and you well know it. My talent, my skill and my training were all about television and that little rug got jerked out from under me thanks to you, you animal. Well guess what, I still rose like the phoenix from the flames and I will keep on rising which is none of your effing business.
How dare you speak to me of my ‘talent lying elsewhere’. My talent was in the newsroom, you low-down, sleazy yellow bastard, and you well know it. My talent, my skill and my training were all about television and that little rug got jerked out from under me thanks to you, you animal. Well guess what, I still rose like the phoenix from the flames and I will keep on rising which is none of your effing business.
“
I don’t know what you think you’re playing at, here, but I have to warn you that you’re on very dangerous ground. I’m not a safe woman for you to be around, Bailey. I’ve already been through the fires of hell at your hands so I have no real fear of death. I’m not afraid of you.”
I don’t know what you think you’re playing at, here, but I have to warn you that you’re on very dangerous ground. I’m not a safe woman for you to be around, Bailey. I’ve already been through the fires of hell at your hands so I have no real fear of death. I’m not afraid of you.”
She stood still for a moment as the realization of what she said sank in. It was true. At that moment, she had no fear of the man. She looked at him and all she saw was a pampered, spoiled, medium-sized man who got his kicks out of hurting women. She took a few steps toward him, and sure enough, he backed up a few steps.
“
So you’d better answer my question. What the hell do you want here? ‘Cause if I were you, I wouldn’t trust me with a sharp implement in my hand. This wouldn’t be a good place for you to get a trim,” she advised.
So you’d better answer my question. What the hell do you want here? ‘Cause if I were you, I wouldn’t trust me with a sharp implement in my hand. This wouldn’t be a good place for you to get a trim,” she advised.
“
Renee, I feel terrible about that misunderstanding we had so many years ago…”
Renee, I feel terrible about that misunderstanding we had so many years ago…”
Renee gave a short, harsh laugh. “Don’t go there, Bailey. I understood what you did back then and you understood it, too. It was rape and you got away with it.”
By then, Renee was less than a foot away and she dared him to make a move with every tensed tendon and sinew in her body. Just then, she could have taken him apart with her bare hands and he seemed to realize it, too.
“
Look, Renee…a lot has changed since then. I did a lot of things I regret, and I can’t tell you how desperately I want to make amends for them. But,” he hesitated and like a novice soap opera actor, he morphed into an “I’m sincere” face. “I don’t see how rehashing the past can get any of us anywhere. I had no idea that you were a friend of the Cochrans', but…you probably know the time and money spent in developing the new cable network.”
Look, Renee…a lot has changed since then. I did a lot of things I regret, and I can’t tell you how desperately I want to make amends for them. But,” he hesitated and like a novice soap opera actor, he morphed into an “I’m sincere” face. “I don’t see how rehashing the past can get any of us anywhere. I had no idea that you were a friend of the Cochrans', but…you probably know the time and money spent in developing the new cable network.”
Renee’s narrowed eyes and alert posture told him that he had hit paydirt.
“
There’s been a tremendous outlay of cash on the part of your friends the Cochrans' and if anything should happen to abort the deal, I’m in a contractual position to cost them even more. So it would seem that we derive a mutual benefit in keeping the past in the past, if you know what I mean,” he said with a smug smile.
There’s been a tremendous outlay of cash on the part of your friends the Cochrans' and if anything should happen to abort the deal, I’m in a contractual position to cost them even more. So it would seem that we derive a mutual benefit in keeping the past in the past, if you know what I mean,” he said with a smug smile.
Renee’s eyes betrayed her emotions as always. They immediately turned muddy and unfocused and like the animal of prey that he was, he went for the kill.
“
I don’t think you’ve ever made a stupid move in your life, Renee and now isn’t the time to start. I think we understand each other perfectly,” he smirked and he showed himself the door. He turned and looked around once more before leaving.
I don’t think you’ve ever made a stupid move in your life, Renee and now isn’t the time to start. I think we understand each other perfectly,” he smirked and he showed himself the door. He turned and looked around once more before leaving.
“
Oh, and this really is a nice place you’ve got here,” he added with a wink.
Oh, and this really is a nice place you’ve got here,” he added with a wink.
Chapter Nineteen
“
So it’s settled, then. No contract was signed; therefore he has no contractual basis for a lawsuit. We just tell the bastard he’s out and move forward.” Donnie leaned back in his big leather armchair and surveyed the men assembled around the table in the conference room of WWCC. Present were his brothers Alan and Andre, who were attorneys in charge of all legal affairs pertaining to Cochran Communications; Andrew, who was as tired as he looked, and surprisingly, the next to youngest Cochran son, Adam.
So it’s settled, then. No contract was signed; therefore he has no contractual basis for a lawsuit. We just tell the bastard he’s out and move forward.” Donnie leaned back in his big leather armchair and surveyed the men assembled around the table in the conference room of WWCC. Present were his brothers Alan and Andre, who were attorneys in charge of all legal affairs pertaining to Cochran Communications; Andrew, who was as tired as he looked, and surprisingly, the next to youngest Cochran son, Adam.
Adam was an architect and land developer and not strictly involved with the business of Cochran Communications. But like his brothers, he had a vested interest in Renee and this was a business decision that could ultimately affect the whole family. He felt that he had a right and an obligation to be there, which he did.
Alan spoke next, in the measured tones that attorneys use when looking at all aspects of a situation. “Not completely. True enough, nothing has been finalized and no contracts have been signed. But Bailey could make a case for misrepresentation on our part. This deal has been in the works for some time and he has every reason to expect that he will get the position for which he had been considered at the salary which had been quoted. For us to pull out now could constitute a breach of an
implied
contract and he could sue, successfully, I might add,” he informed the table.
implied
contract and he could sue, successfully, I might add,” he informed the table.
Andrew’s immediate reaction was explosive. “I don’t give a happy damn what he thinks was implied and what he tries to do in court. The bottom line is that the deal has to be off. That’s it, period, no questions asked or answered.”
Andre held up a conciliatory hand. “Hold on, Bunchy. Alan is just looking at all the angles. He might threaten a suit and he might even attempt one. But I doubt seriously that it will get that far. You realize that Clay is completely correct in saying that his behavior with Renee is in all probability not an isolated incident. There’re all kinds of ways to find out all kinds of things about him, things which he would not like to see in the morning paper. Which is exactly where that kind of information will inevitably end up,’ he advised.
Andrew ran his hand over his once perfectly styled hair. “And that’s exactly what can’t happen. I’ve told you over and over that this is exactly what Renee has been trying to avoid. She’s not going to be the toast of the tabloids over this. Hell, I’ll buy out his damned non-existent contract to prevent that! There has got to be another way to go on this.
Adam, who had been silent all morning, offered a solution. “I’ve got a big ol’ truck that can make him into a speed bump in no time flat. Range Rovers can handle road kill way bigger than that sack of shit.” Adam was the wildest and most unorthodox of the Cochran men. Like all of them he was well over six feet and broad shouldered, but there was an almost feral quality that set him apart from his brothers. He was daring, iconoclastic and intensely loyal to anyone he gave his allegiance to, and that included his future sister-in-law.
Andrew looked at him bleakly. “I told Pop to quit sending you to those damn wilderness camps. If I didn’t know you were serious, I’d almost think that was funny.”
Andre and Alan forestalled further comment by getting back to the legalities of the situation. They were identical twins, exactly alike in appearance, manner and voice, so much so that you had to be looking at them to determine which one was speaking.
“
What you have to remember is this: No matter how rotten a human being he is and he is a
bona fide
critter, that does not mean that he is not qualified to do the job he was courted to do. This is what a court of law may very well decide; the fact that he is a rapist does not mean that he won’t be a fine executive for a cable network. Hell, it might even qualify him,” Alan said glumly.
What you have to remember is this: No matter how rotten a human being he is and he is a
bona fide
critter, that does not mean that he is not qualified to do the job he was courted to do. This is what a court of law may very well decide; the fact that he is a rapist does not mean that he won’t be a fine executive for a cable network. Hell, it might even qualify him,” Alan said glumly.
Before gloom could descend, Andre pointed something else out. “On the other hand, if he
is
a criminal, and he is, there is the matter of several felonies. If he’s doing time in the big house, he’s not going to be available to take up any new duties of any kind except laundry detail and running from Big Bubba in the shower room. Like it or not, we’re going to have to do some digging into his background.”
is
a criminal, and he is, there is the matter of several felonies. If he’s doing time in the big house, he’s not going to be available to take up any new duties of any kind except laundry detail and running from Big Bubba in the shower room. Like it or not, we’re going to have to do some digging into his background.”
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