Kiss Lonely Goodbye (23 page)

“Easy. One affair with a client's wife is nothing.” Nicole waved away her example as trivial.

“Oh yeah? They conspired to steal money and paintings
from the husband's equally wealthy celebrity pals. Got away with six burglaries, too.”

“Building up their nest egg so they could be together.” Nicole was interested now.

“Uh-huh. Her hubby was no dumb jock, had a solid prenuptial agreement. If the Mrs. left him she got zip. Except for the felony thing I'd have been sympathetic. Her husband was an arrogant jerk.”

“I had one of those,” Nicole retorted.

Kelli laughed. “Anyway, I helped the cops clean up nice and neat. The customers who knew got called first with a complete report. Honesty is the best policy.”

“I agree. I've been open with the clients who have called so far. Painful, but the best way.” Nicole winced just thinking about some of her conversations.

“Folks might still bail out on contracts, but you'll have a better rep than if you lie. Not good for a security firm.” Kelli stood. “I see you're ahead of me.”

“Yes, Marcus and I—” Nicole broke off when she thought of him. Maybe that mysterious smile hid something sinister.

“I'd say you need to have a little talk with the man. If only to prove the gossip is wrong,” Kelli said.

“Yeah.” Nicole tapped her Mont Blanc pen on the edge of her desk.

Kelli's digital cell phone made a chirping sound. She read the number and made a call. “Hi, Moesha. It's me.” Her expression turned harsh as she listened. “I'll be back in fifteen minutes.”

“No, you won't. Your office is at least twenty-five minutes away in good traffic. We both know Houston doesn't have good traffic,” Nicole joked.

“Trust me, I'm going to get there fast. One of my cus
tomers was robbed two weeks ago. Your police officers think it's connected.” Kelli sprang from her chair.

“Dayna is not
my
police officer. And what are you talking about?” Nicole stood and walked around her desk.

“Girlfriend, seems your larceny bug is contagious.” Kelli pursed her lips.

“I don't understand.”

“Several of your part-timers also work for us.”

Nicole blinked at her hard. “Damn.”

“Damn is right. How widespread is this thing, anyway? Better go.” Kelli swung her purse over one shoulder and strode out.

“Call me. I don't care how late it is,” Nicole yelled after her.

“Okay,” Kelli shouted back without breaking her stride.

Russell stepped aside to avoid a collision as he stepped into Nicole's office. “Geez, Kelli! You're moving like something is on fire,” he said.

“I hope not,” she replied, and kept going.

“What's going on with her?” Russell nodded in the direction Kelli had gone.

“Something urgent came up at her office.” Nicole decided not to give him any more ammunition than he already had. “I'm really busy getting ready for the board meeting, Russell.”

“I'll bet. As it happens, so am I.”

“Then why are you here?” Nicole sat at her desk and sorted through her notes.

“Give it up. Marcus is considering supporting me. He implied as much in so many words,” he added when Nicole glowered at him.

“Bull.”

“I'll overlook that crude outburst. You're under tremendous stress. Bye.” Russell smirked at her for a few seconds before he walked out.

“The next person who comes in here will suffer, I swear!”

Nicole got up and slammed her door shut. After ten minutes of fuming, she punched Marcus's four-digit office extension. After four rings his voice mail came on. His smooth baritone voice stirred hot images. She shoved them aside and left a curt message.

 

Aliyah crossed her legs and gazed at him. Marcus had to admire her nerve. She didn't even twitch when he laid out his accusation. He ignored the muted buzz of his desk phone.

“I don't have a clue what you're talking about.” Aliyah's slick smile dared him to prove otherwise.

“Sure you do. You've been talking to Shaun.”

“I hadn't seen him for months before we bumped into each other out in the hall that day.” She spoke with the ease of someone comfortable with lying.

“Shaun is probably coaching you on how to skin Russell of everything he owns. I know my old buddy. Maybe Shaun even set it up for you to meet Russell.” Marcus didn't have all the angles figured just yet. By the cunning light in her eyes, Aliyah could tell as much.

“I know a lot of prominent people. I met Russ at a charity brunch. I'm big on giving to the poor, you know.” Aliyah brushed back her hair. “I'm sure you know I'm from the 'hood, too.”

“Shaun mentioned it.”

“Which is why we should stick together.” Aliyah nodded as though her argument spoke for itself. “Look, we're all after the same thing. We're out of the ghetto and we don't want to go back.”

“Yeah, but we've got different means of moving up.” Marcus stared at her steadily.

“Not so different. I notice you and Nicole have gotten tight.” Aliyah raised her perfectly shaped auburn eyebrows.

“I plan to have my own, not marry it.” Marcus gave her a wry smile.

“I feel ya. Go your own way.” Aliyah lifted a shoulder.

“I'm being real.” Marcus didn't really care if she believed him or not. In fact, it was better if she didn't.

“I'm gonna be honest with you, all right?”

“All right.” Marcus doubted Aliyah had the capacity, but he assumed a listening position. He would cull through her mixture of lies and half-truths later.

“I did pump Shaun for information on Russell when I found out he knew you. He held out. You know how Shaun is.”

“Yeah, I know how Shaun is,” Marcus said in a dry tone.

Aliyah went on as though she hadn't noticed his cynical response. She smiled. “I let him think he was being slick. Actually he told me enough to work with. I'm that good.”

“Russell isn't exactly a challenge,” Marcus replied.

“True, but his sister is a real bitch and he listens to her.” Aliyah's lips curved down in a resentful expression.

“Might be hard to change years of habit. Jolene knows how to handle her little brother.” Marcus was careful to keep his voice casual.

“So do I.” Aliyah stood and walked around the desk until she stood before Marcus. “I'm carrying a concealed weapon.”

He gazed up at her. Aliyah was pretty, he had to admit. The apple green sleeveless knit tank dress molded to her curves. If a man wasn't paying close attention to the ravenous gleam in her light brown eyes, he'd get sucked in. Russell Summers would be just the type Aliyah would target—rich and clueless. Even better, he was used to being controlled by iron-willed women. Marcus needed to keep Aliyah talking.

“I'll bet,” he answered with the hint of a smile.

She nudged his chair until it swiveled around so that he faced her. Then she placed a hand on each of his shoulders. “You and me could clean up. There's no reason we can't have it all. Shaun thinks he's hot stuff. He's gonna slip up soon.”

“Slip up how?” Marcus tensed, though he kept his cool outward pose.

“Just a gut feeling. I mean if Shaun is so shrewd, why isn't he rich by now? Now, you're a smart one. You're working from the inside out and getting paid a big salary in the process.”

“Shaun has a different approach to getting ahead is all.”

“Bet you didn't know he makes fun of you. Says you're a chump working for chumps.” Aliyah eased down onto his lap and hooked an arm around his neck.

“Is that right?” Marcus let his expression tighten.

She nodded slowly as she leaned her face close to his. “But we can show him how it's done,” she murmured.

Marcus had had his fill of her. Far from being alluring, he found Aliyah contemptible. He'd grown up around predators. Designer clothes and expensive cologne couldn't disguise what she was.

“We've had this conversation. I'm not looking for a partner.” Marcus pushed her from his lap and stood.

Aliyah's eyes only gleamed brighter. “Hard core. You've still got enough ghetto in you to make life interesting.”

“Work on your technique. I'm not Russell.” Still holding her arm, he pulled her toward the door. It swung open before he'd taken two steps.

“You've been back in the office for over an hour, so answer your damn phone,” Nicole said. She came to a halt and stared at his hand on Aliyah's arm.

Russell pushed past Nicole from behind. He blinked rapidly when he saw Aliyah. “Honey, what are you doing in here?”

She smiled at Nicole before letting her gaze slide to Russell. “Baby, you know I'm still not used to this place. I took a wrong turn. Marcus was nice enough to tolerate the intrusion.”

Marcus managed to force a smile. “I was about to show her a shortcut to Russell's office.”

“Yes, I was going to surprise you, baby.” Aliyah strolled over to Russell.

“Surprise,” Nicole said in a glacial tone. She crossed her arms and looked at Marcus.

A
liyah leaned close to Russell. “I think they need to talk,” she whispered.

“Definitely. Goodbye.” Nicole spat without looking at either of them.

“Wait for me outside, Aliyah,” Russell said.

“But baby—”

“This is business. I won't be long.” Russell led her out and came back. “The board knows everything, including your attempt to put the blame on me. It won't work. I've given them a report of the decisive actions I've taken.”

“Such as?” Marcus turned from Nicole's hostile scrutiny to look at him.

“I have fired staff and hired replacements already. Jesse had his hands full with other things. I'm going to contact my college roommate in the attorney general's office. He might help speed up criminal background checks.” Russell lifted his chin.

“The attorney general's office doesn't have anything to do with background checks,” Marcus replied.

“He knows people. That's how business is done at a certain
level, Marcus.” Russell gave him a brief, dismissive glance before he looked at Nicole. “Marcus doesn't have connections and you don't have ability. I'd say my chances are good.”

“Don't redecorate my office just yet,” Nicole answered.

Russell ignored her and looked at Marcus again. “Stay away from Aliyah.”

“Aliyah wandered into my office. I suggest you keep an eye on how often your girlfriend gets ‘lost,'” Marcus snapped, the words flying out like steel-tipped darts.

Judging from the loss of color in his tan face, Russell got the message. “Just wait until I'm in charge.” He marched off.

“What an ass!” Marcus went to his door and slammed it. He faced Nicole and waited.

A good sixty seconds went by before she spoke. “I have a question.”

“Yes, Aliyah made a play for me. I refused the offer.” Marcus folded his arms across his chest.

“Okay, not that I was all that interested.” Nicole's nostrils quivered.

“Uh-huh.”

Marcus let his expression communicate how little he believed her. Then he waited for the follow-up questions. Women always had them when it came to another woman. What she said next hit him like a punch in the gut.

“Were you planning to steal clients from this company and start your own business?”

Nicole stood very still. Her lovely brown eyes burned with suspicion and anger. Walking in on that scene with Aliyah had surely added gasoline to a raging fire. Marcus let his arms fall to his sides.

“What—” He walked to his desk. Marcus could feel her gaze boring into his back.

“Did those few seconds give you time to come up with an answer I might believe?” Nicole did not move.

“I told your father I was considering other options,” Marcus hedged.

“We were talking about other job offers, damn it. This company opened doors for you that you couldn't have gone through otherwise.” Nicole walked toward him as she spoke.

“Right. I had the great privilege of being saved from the gutter by the magnanimous Summers clan.” Marcus glared at her.

“I didn't mean it that way,” Nicole shot back.

“Yes, you did. I worked twelve-hour days, took his crap for two years, and earned every penny in my paycheck. Sure I was grateful when he made me vice president. But let's get this straight, I had it coming and more.”

“So, you decided to stab him in the back for not stepping aside and handing you the keys to the company.” Nicole's mouth curved into a sneer.

“Mr. Summers told me he would sell me the business. I go to his funeral and out comes this video will. He lied, had me work like a dog knowing all the time he had no intention of honoring our agreement.”

“Why didn't you tell us?” Nicole gazed at him through narrowed eyes, as though she could discern his veracity by doing so.

“I didn't have anything in writing. Your family has a reputation for being ruthless. You people weren't at your best at the funeral.”

“Yeah, well…”

“I'm sure your family would have wanted me out of here. Who needs a resentful employee hanging around? Especially one with access to sensitive company data. I was going to leave on my terms.” Marcus met her gaze without flinching.

“I see. Guess you've got a chance now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was dumb enough to be flattered that you seemed to accept me as CEO. You made such a show of deferring to me in front of our biggest customers. Deniability. You can walk away and tell everyone I made the mistakes.” Nicole's eyes flashed again.

“That's not true, Nicole. I didn't count on loving you.” Marcus started toward her, but the antagonism in her expression stopped him.

“Oh, right. I guess this is where I melt into your strong arms and beg you to swear your love is true.”

“Trust would be nice,” he said quietly.

“Cuts both ways, doesn't it? After we got closer, made love—” Nicole looked away.

“I didn't think it mattered anymore. We were a team. I felt ownership working side by side with you. I'm not lying to you.” Marcus spread his arms out.

“I don't know.” Nicole pinched the bridge of her nose.

After a cautious sounding knock, Shelly opened the door. She glanced from Nicole to Marcus. “Uh, I hate to interrupt.”

“What's up, Shelly?” Marcus answered when Nicole didn't respond.

“That guy with the commission is on line four. I don't think it's good news,” Shelly mumbled, then made a hasty exit.

Marcus ground his teeth as he picked up the telephone receiver. Shelly was right. As he listened to the director's assistant, his stomach muscles tightened.

“Yes, of course. Fifteen working days.” Marcus hung up the phone. “Mr. Phoung and three of our clients filed a complaint. We have to answer in writing.”

Shelly came in again. She handed Marcus a long envelope. “This certified letter was just delivered.”

“From the commission?” Nicole stared at him with a dismal expression.

Marcus nodded and opened it. “The allegation is that we didn't follow licensing regulations in hiring or supervising staff.”

“I guess Russell is right. When my family hears our license is at risk—” Nicole closed her eyes. “Damn!”

“I'll get y'all some coffee.” Shelly tiptoed out and eased the door shut as she left.

“I'll call our attorney. Maybe when Russell hired some of the staff the regs were less stringent.” Marcus frowned and read the letter again.

“What does it matter? We should have done thorough background checks annually. No, we can't spin our way out of this fix.” Nicole dropped into a chair.

“Let's not jump to conclusions.” Marcus punched the buttons on his phone. “Jesse, come to my office.”

Nicole's shapely eyebrows bunched together. “What are you doing?”

“I want to check something out.”

Jesse knocked once and came in. He nodded at Nicole. “Afternoon. I hear we got another problem.”

“Yeah. How many of the employees had criminal records?” Marcus got right to the point.

“Two had misdemeanor summons, no convictions. Russell didn't do a great job of screening them, but these folks weren't major gang bangers. Just less than squeaky clean backgrounds.” Jesse shrugged when Nicole let out a groan.

“Then we have a good defense against this complaint. Well, maybe good is too strong a word,” Marcus said when Jesse and Nicole looked skeptical.

“Please! I've been studying those regs. As a licensed secu
rity agency we can be held accountable for the misconduct of our employees,” Nicole said.

“But what if they lied to us? The law says we have to make reasonable legal efforts to check them out.” Jesse glanced from Nicole to Marcus.

Nicole stood. “Call the lawyer, Marcus. We're definitely going to need him.”

“I'll be in my office. Got three more folks to hire. Just hope their fingerprint checks come back clean. The problem is not all of the police departments report to them. These dudes could have been arrested in some little town or other. How would we know?” Jesse started for the door.

“Stop!” Nicole shouted.

Jesse jumped, and his eyes popped wide. “What'd I do?”

“He's right. The database on convictions is only as good as the reporting.” Nicole turned to Marcus eagerly. “Let's run their names now. If nothing comes up, then we're covered.”

Jesse nodded slowly. “I'll run searches on the Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service.”

“Good. Get back to me.” Marcus waved at Jesse as though to speed him on his way. When the door bumped shut and they were alone again, he looked at Nicole. “You've done one helluva job studying the law and this business.”

“Thanks.” Nicole didn't look at him. “I'm going back to my office.”

“Wait.”

She paused as though gathering strength, then turned to face him. Marcus stuck his hands in his pants pockets, unsure of what to say now that he had her attention. Nicole gazed at him for only a moment before she looked away. He cleared his throat.

“Don't walk out without telling me something. Yell, curse, make smart-ass comments about my ghetto childhood. Anything.” Marcus spoke in a low, urgent tone.

Nicole gave a sardonic laugh. “First time I've been invited to verbally abuse someone.” More silence.

“I screwed up. Okay?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Tell me how to make it right.” Marcus stood close to her. He rested his forehead against hers. His hopes rose when she didn't push him away.

Nicole gazed into his eyes for a few seconds, then moved away. “Let me get back to you on that one. I need time to think.”

“Sure. Just one more thing, make it tonight. Please.” Marcus watched her expression with a knot of anxiety in his chest. She nodded, and he was able to breathe again.

 

Do you believe him?

Nicole frowned at the oncoming traffic as she drove. The question her sister had posed kept bouncing around in her head. She'd called Helena for advice the way she had since childhood. Helena was not only wise but she also wouldn't consider social status in judging Marcus. Not that Nicole was at all sure about herself in that regard. She was, after all, a product of her mother's upbringing. Analine Darensbourg Summers was a social snob, though she'd hotly deny it. So was her father, and he admitted it. Was she a chip off the old block?

She took a deep breath, hoping more oxygen would clear her head. The apartment building where Marcus lived loomed ahead, and she still didn't have an answer. Nicole parked, walked to his front door, and rang the bell.

When Marcus answered, her heart beat faster. He stood tall even in flat brown leather sandals. He wore a tan pullover knit shirt and khaki chinos. The colors blended with his smooth skin, which was the color of roasted pecans.

“Glad you came.” He stepped aside to let her in.

“Hi.” Nicole tingled all over when her shoulder brushed his broad chest as she walked by and into the living room.

“I've got your favorite.” Marcus smiled and pointed to two tall mugs of root beer, a bowl of tortilla chips, and another bowl of salsa.

“Thanks for remembering.”

Nicole deliberately sat down in a chair. She held onto her small straw purse. She glanced around as though seeing the room for the first time. Light green and red lights danced on the controls of his sound system, a swirl of patterns in time to the music that played softly. A rich female voice she couldn't identify sang a ballad. Marcus sat close by on the sofa. He seemed content to wait on her.

“We both had another long day,” she said.

“Yes.”

“Jesse told me about the background checks. Nothing came up on those employees. Of course five of them had been fired from other jobs. Two had been suspected of stealing from their employers,” Nicole said. “Why didn't we know about it though?”

“I talked to Russell before I left the office. He didn't check the references. He just accepted the letters as authentic on two of them. The others were recommended because their former bosses didn't want to be sued.” Marcus tapped one foot, as though impatient.

“Why would they be sued?”

“They were laid off supposedly because the places where
they worked had to cut cost, not because they could prove the thefts.”

“So, instead of going through the trouble of confronting them, they took an easy out.”

“Happens all the time. Folks are lawsuit crazy these days. Anyway, Russell got defensive, and the day ended on its usual low note.” Marcus lifted a shoulder.

“Well, the board should realize Russell hasn't developed brain cells in the last few weeks,” Nicole joked.

“Slamming him isn't the best strategy, Nicole. I'd say concentrate on what you're doing right. Let them see the contrast.”

“Yeah. I better read up on anger management in the next week.” Nicole gave a short laugh.

“You can practice right now,” Marcus said quietly. “You're still angry with me, right?”

“Some people might say you were using me.” Nicole watched him for a reaction.

Marcus continued to gaze at her. “I'm only interested in what you say.”

“You're either a very smooth operator or telling the truth,” she replied.

Nicole's heart wanted to believe the latter. Her head warned against being deceived again. She had a flashback to her ex-husband.

“I'm not him,” Marcus said as though he'd looked right into her thoughts.

“I grew up knowing exactly which fork to use, which colleges my parents would pay for, and which friends I should choose. My ex was from the right family. The only thing he cared about was that I was from the right family, too.” Nicole twisted the leather handle of her purse between her fingers. “I
was a fancy designer handbag with nothing important inside.”