Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets #2) (13 page)

When the panic attack subsides, I walk back into my office but nearly jump out of my own damn body when I see Colton sitting in front of
my desk. He has his left elbow on the arm of the chair, balancing his head on the tips of his fingers as he flips a pen back and forth between against his thigh boringly.

“Holy shit.” I shriek, grabbing my chest. “What the hell are you doing in here?”
I flop down lifelessly in the chair, bracing my elbows on the top of the desk as bite at the tips of my fingers. My hands are trembling still, and I just can’t stow the jitters that wrack my body.

“Damn, didn’t mean to scare you. I was just on my way home and wanted to see what you’re thinkin’ about that shit over at Black Ridge.”
I stare at Colton trying to concentrate on what he’s saying, but all I hear is booming echoes pounding through my ears. “Carly Jo, you alright?” He shouts across the desk. I flinch at his voice and stare back at him behind wild eyes. Scrubbing my hands up my face, I release a long sigh.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to space out on you. What were you saying?”
He cocks his head to the side looking at me with confusion written all over his dark brown eyes.

“Black Ridge. Was wonderin’ what you think’s goin’ on over there.” I nod, trying to hang on to his every word, but my concentration is stuck on the side of the road about five miles back. “You sure you’re alright? You’re awfully pale.”
He asks me, clearly concerned by my dazed reaction.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep much.” I lie, but wha
t else is there to tell, really? I don’t know what the hell happened on my way to work this morning and there is no point in bringing it to anybody’s attention if it’s nothing of significance. “Ah, Black Ridge. Has to be sabotage. Just not sure who, why, or how. By the way, why were you there this morning?”

“Todd called me after maintenance
had discovered that all of the belt was screwed with. I went over to see how much damage there was, and told him it would be best to let you know immediately what had happened.” He bounces his knee up and down, looking anywhere but at me as he speaks. “The destruction happenin’ at Black Ridge has to be an inside job, Carly Jo; someone who has underground access. Now we just gotta find out who the corrupt bastard is.” I nod, chewing on the bottom of my lip remaining silent, letting his words soak in. Something in my gut tells me that this is connected to Drew. But I can’t share that information with just anyone, especially Colton because that will just open up an entire debacle of questioning. Too many lies and secrets to expose and considering our strained awkwardness at the moment, I think some secrets are best left unsaid.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I hear him question, but I’m drawn into a deep daze, thousands of thoughts swirling around in my mind. “Carly Jo?” He raises his voice a little louder, snapping me from my trance.

“What?” I stare at him in confusion.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I’m talkin’ to ya, but you’re off in space.”

“
Sorry, just a lot on my mind.” I look down, wringing my clammy hands together. “I’m meeting with my attorney this week. I’ll fill her in on the accident and see if she can start a private investigation.” I shrug one shoulder as I shuffle some papers around on my desk trying to appear unaffected by the thick tension that is swirling about the room. I look up and catch Colton piercing me with a hard stare, but not one that evokes anger, or hatred. His eyes are sad and troubled. My heart constricts and I hold my breath as a state of panic washes over me.

“Wel
l, I’m sure you have a busy day, so I’ll get outta ya hair. Keep me updated on Black Ridge. It may not be a bad idea to up security at all five of the mines. Just somethin’ for ya to think about.” He pushes up to his feet releasing a deep breath as he stands.

“That’s good thin
king, Colton. Thanks for everything.” I look down sheepishly, because I have so much gratitude for him and although things may never be what they once were I don’t want him to ever forget how I feel about him. He turns, taking two steps towards the door but before twisting the knob he turns back.

“Carly Jo, can I ask ya a question?”

“Of course you can.” I say pointedly.

“Everything alright with you and the baby?”
My hearts leaps and becomes trapped in my throat and the frickin’ room begins to spin. I pinch my eyes shut as they begin to swell. Dragging in a slow, deep breath I look up at his wistful eyes and truly wish I hadn’t. The sadness I saw in his eyes before, now reflect the same bone crushing defeat that shows in my eyes.

“Everything is great. Still having morning sickness, but that shouldn’t last much longer. But the baby is doing wonderful.”

His eyes cast down to the floor as he flexes his fists as his side. “Thanks, Carly Jo. Just let me know if you need anything, okay.”

I nod in agreement, begging my tears t
o stay at bay. He taps the door nervously as he stares at me, his eyes pleading but screaming with hatred all at the same time. With one click of the knob, he walks away, pulling the door shut behind him.

Today I’m meeting with my new attorney, Michele Runyon. Initially the appointment was scheduled as a basic new client meeting. After the second incident with Black Ridge, I called Michele and briefly explained the details of the destruction. She asked that all personnel files for Black Ridge be sent to her office so her team of investigators can analyze the background of each employee. If any of the men at Black Ridge have skeletons in their closets, Michele’s team will find ‘em. I think it’s best to let professional investigators look into the sabotage so I can bring charges against whoever is seeking revenge against Simon Energy.

After I
learned about James McCoy’s involvement with Drew Varney, I knew I needed to find another attorney to represent Simon Energy. James and Daddy had a close friendship and James helped oversee a large number of Daddy’s business transactions, but I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. I’m not sure if he finds weakness in me because I’m a woman or if he’s just a corrupt bastard tied up in Drew’s wretched hand. Either way, I refuse to allow him to ride the fence any longer.

When I told Michele who had represented Simon Energy before
I hired her firm, she giggled in excitement. Initially I didn’t understand her enthusiasm. I thought she may have just been thrilled to be succeeding James in the new generation with Simon Energy. But as she further explained, I felt a twist of excitement as well because I knew that Karma would be knocking on James McCoy’s door one day soon, and I’ll just get to sit back and watch.

James McCoy is
the one lawyer in Eastern Kentucky whose reputation speaks for itself. He has made a name for representing big coal. But little did I know that James also wears that same façade that all of the men of my life seem to sport and his secrets run just as deep. Regardless of those secrets, Michele is eager to bring down an iron first on James McCoy and she intends to do just that.

According to Michele, James has been investigated by the Kentucky BAR Association too many times to count under accus
ations of Corruption, Extortion, Bribery…just to name a few. But somehow, someway, James manages to finagle his way out of the official charges each time. Michele seems to think it has something to do with his connections, but if anyone has connections in the state of Kentucky, it is Michele.

Michele comes from a very ext
ensive and prestigious family of Kentucky Politics. Her father was the Supreme Court Justice of Kentucky for fifteen years, and her mother was the Speaker of the House.  She has pull and connections from Pike County stemming all the way down to Jefferson County. She’s young, but graduated the top of her class at Appalachian School of Law and is fierce in defending her clients. Always willing to take the extra step in protecting them in any instance she can. I’m confident that I made the right decision in retaining her firm to represent me and Simon Energy.

I make the drive across town in good time, considering the fresh coat of snow that blankets the ground. I swear I don’t think the snow
has let up in two solid days. The roads are slick for travel, and in the Camaro, spinnin’ around these kiss my ass curves will send your heart lurching up into your throat within seconds. After nearly being ran off of the road yesterday, I’m second guessing my sexy, luxurious sports car. Since I’m expecting, maybe it’s time to consider getting an SUV.

I walk into the swanky law
office stopping short in the entryway to shake the snow from my hair, stomping it loose from my boots. I tell the receptionist that I have an appointment with Michele before taking a seat in the lobby. While I wait, I check my phone and see a message from Luke.

Luke: Lunch?

Me: In a meeting…don’t know how long I’ll be.

I wait for his reply, but before the phone vibrates in my hand,
Jodie, the receptionist shows me back to a conference room where I’m met with two women. They both stand, greeting me as Michele introduces herself, then to the other woman. “Miss Simon, this is my lead investigator, Tiffani. She’ll be sitting in on our meeting today if you don’t mind.”

“Hello, Tiffani. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I tell her shaking her hand briefly. We all take a seat around the
table, looking to Michele to begin.

“Okay Miss Simon, explain what you believe is happening at the Black Ridge mines.” They both have a legal pad and pen ready to scribble down all of the facts I can fill their heads with.
I start from the beginning, telling them the events from two nights ago.

“I’ll call the KSP and get a copy of the accident report.” Tiffani states, keeping her eyes trained on the notes she’s taking.

“Thanks Tiffani.” Michele states briefly before turning to me. “Ms. Simon, who do you believe is seeking revenge?” Very point blank. Meet Michele Runyon; no she ain’t Willy Wonka, she don’t sugar coat shit. Quick, fast and to the point. Now, if she can be just as effective and precise as she is blunt.

I know that Attor
ney-Client Privileges will bind Michele to protecting my privacy, but my heart scatters frantically just considering breathing these secrets to anyone. And it ain’t even the shame that I carry, knowing that Daddy had a bastard son that hinders me…it’s speaking the very words aloud that confirms the truth, etching it in stone. I take a deep breath to steady my pounding heart and begin to tell Michele and Tiffani about Daddy’s buried secrets.

An hour later when I’
ve finally finished telling my story, connecting the dots and reconfirming a few very confusing facts, the two women sit across from me with a stunned look on their faces, mouth agape.

“
Pardon the language, but damn that’s straight outta One Life to Live, if you ask me.” Tiffani blurts out. Michele’s eyes bulge hearing Tiffani’s language and she immediately apologizes.

“So
do you believe that Drew Varney is responsible for the sabotage at Black Ridge?” Michele asks me.

“I think he has
hired one of my employees as his lackey to cause sabotage at the mines, which in turn is costing us millions of dollars. The D9 dozer we replaced a few months back was close to a million dollars itself, not to mention the recent destruction.” I shift around in the seat, crossing one leg over the other.

“How much do you estimate the belt repair is going to
set Simon Energy back?”

“At this point, I’m not sure.
I’m hoping to have it repaired within the week, but it just depends on how quickly we can get the belt delivered and repaired. When production halts like this, everyone is affected. Our men lose pay, truckers lose loads to haul, and Simon Energy loses millions when coal aint being cut.”

“And you believe Drew is doing all of this to extort Simon Energy from you?”

“I don’t believe so, he stated the fact.” I reply.

“When was the last time you had contact with Mr. Varney?”
Michele asks.

“The last contact I had with Drew was a little over a week ago. We were both guests at my sister’s house for dinner.” They both peer up at me with their eyes furrowed deep between their brows, shooting me that ‘what the hell’ look.

“What? Why was he having dinner at your sister’s house?” Tiffani bursts out, excitement shining through her eyes. I can see that she loves digging deep as she investigates, and prefers that no leaf be left unturned.

“Apparently, Savannah’s husband Josh works at
American Heritage Coal Company and has since before he and Savannah met.”

“Damn, this is one jacked up case. I’ve never heard of anythi
ng so twisted in my entire life and I investigate some shady, sinister people. This case here…it takes the cake. Top priority for me. I’m so excited to watch the pieces of the puzzle snap into place.” Tiffani proclaims with trepidation.

“
It’s all very interesting to say the least. However, we’re gonna need more evidence than hearsay before we can build any case against him, but for now I think it’s necessary for you to take some steps of precaution to protect Simon Energy and yourself. Your father left an iron clad will, so that can’t be contested. No judge in the state of Kentucky would overturn your father’s last wishes as long as the will was written when your father was of sound body and mind.” She crosses her arms, bracing herself on the edge of the table. “What attorney handled your father’s affairs?”

“James McCoy.
He handled everything for Daddy.”

“I have to admit
I was hoping you’d say that, and praying you wouldn’t all at the same time.” She laughs.

“Care to elaborate?”

“His office is already giving us the run around on receiving their case files for Simon Energy. Bulldozing us over with one excuse or another, simply trying to stall. If I don’t have all of the files in my office within the next seven days, I’ll file a lawsuit against his firm.” She takes a drink of her coffee, then leans back in the chair clicking the pen in her hand. “Ya see, he’s the one attorney I’ve been itching to go toe to toe with. He sits high on his horse and most attorneys are scared of him and the power he’s believed to have. Me? I can’t wait to watch him fall. If anyone in the state of Kentucky can bring him down legally…it will be me.” A prideful smile splays across her pink cheeks as her cat like eyes glisten with enthusiasm.

“Thanks so much
, Michele. I’m so happy that you are eager to jump in feet first and get the situation under control.”

“
Glad to help. Tiffani and her team will be handling all of the investigations, and once we have anything concrete, we’ll meet again. In the meantime if you think of anything else or if there are any other issues, just call me.” She smiles, a hint of ambition twinkling in her eye. I have to admit that going up against Drew Varney terrifies me, but at least with Michele’s team’s help I will know what I’m up against.

Starting the engine, I crank up the ass warmers as I pull my phone from my purse to check my missed messages.
There is a reply from Luke, but it’s Colton’s name lit up on the screen that causes my heart to skip a beat. I hesitate opening the message, checking the text from Luke first. I shoot him a quick reply that we may be able to meet for lunch tomorrow. I let my finger hover over the text that has my heart racing at an erratic pace as I contemplate opening the message, before I finally give in.

Colton: Heidi Jo wants to
see you. Wanna stop by for supper?

I toss m
y phone back inside of my purse and head back to Simon Energy, ignoring Colton’s text. We have barely spoken since I told him about Luke, and I’m not sure I can deal with seeing the hurt in his eyes again. It’s there, embedded in those chocolate brown eyes and I cringe at the thought that I’m the cause for all of his heartache. I’ve apologized and that’s all I can do. I hate the distance he has put between us, but I understand. I crushed his heart and turned away from him when he needed me most. I deserve the silent treatment he’s giving me.

I put my mind to work on
the weekly productivity reports when I get back to the mines. Anything to stay busy, to keep my mind rolling through anything unrelated to my personal chaos is welcome. Productivity is terrible. The coal business is always slow in the winter months, but this year it’s almost at a standstill. We discussed layoffs at the last Supervisor meeting, but decided we could hold off a few more weeks before making such a drastic decision. I hate the thought of any of my miners going through hardships, but I can’t let my heart get in the way of what’s best for Simon Energy.

My phone dances across the desk as the screen lights up. I pick it up to see another message from Colton.

Colton: Supper, Carly Jo. 6pm. Please come.

Please? Maybe he’s ready to talk.
Glancing at the time, I see it’s only three thirty. I have enough time to finish up my paperwork and run home to clean up, IF I decide to join them for supper. He said Heidi Jo wants to see me, so maybe that’s the only reason he’s inviting me over. Regardless, it’s a step closer to resolving this angst between us. I don’t know that we will ever be the same, that he will ever forgive me. I want us to be together, to be a family. It kills me that I let things come between us, rather than trusting him with my heart. I coerce myself that supper with Heidi Jo and Colton is harmless, so I shoot him back a quick text before settling back into work.

Me: B
een in a meeting all day. Supper sounds nice. I’ll see ya at 6.