Tender Touch (27 page)

“Yes, dear,” Nick said in a false voice like
a man subdued. He chuckled at the angry oath she uttered before
slamming the door behind her.

* * *

Lanessa sat nursing a drink at Club Monaco.
The elegant old bar catered to the well-to-do and pretenders to
wealth in the black community. The bar was of a rich, dark
varnished oak as were the tables and chairs. A first-class
restaurant was on the other side of carved swinging doors.

The clink of dinnerware could be heard. But
Lanessa was intent upon her own troubles.

“Hey, Lanessa. How’s it going?”

“Wonderful. Everything is just peachy,”
Lanessa muttered. She did not bother to look at her new
companion.

“The wheels of state government still
rolling along smooth eh? Heard your sister is movin’ on up. You
still working with what’s- her-name in documents, I guess.” The man
leaned closer to her.

Lanessa turned to him. “Well, well. If it
isn’t Glenn Curtis, ace reporter. So my star falls while Jade’s
rises. Trust you to dig up all the dirt you can find,” she snorted.
“Still freelancing and sending tidbits to the national trashloids,
right?”

“Here, let me buy you another one of those.”
Glenn signaled the bartender. “I’m into legitimate news stories,
babe; the Times-Picayune, the Baton Rouge Advocate to name a
few.”

“Yeah, right, and I’m engaged to Prince
Charles. Queen Elizabeth is fit to be tied about it.” Lanessa gave
a short, rough laugh.

Glenn ignored her joke at his expense. “So
like I said, Jade is runnin’ with the big dogs. Bill Lang is a real
powerhouse. She ought to do well.”

Lanessa gripped the glass in her hand.
“Yeah, she’s making important decisions. His top assistant. What
have I done with my so-called career? Nothing.”

“Hey, get Jade to help you out. She’s
positioned just right to get you in near the top.” Glenn watched
her take a long pull of her drink. “Jade in on the big stuff.
Figures. She always had brains.”

“Sure. That’s my little sister. Mother
always said Jade had all the brains. Me? I’m skating on my looks.”
She gazed at herself in the mirror. “What’s left of ’em. Jade got
looks and smarts.”

“Is she in on the hospital expansions and
Medicaid decisions? They say Lang even lets her attend top-level
meetings.”

“Jade is in the driver’s seat. Signing off
on all kinds of rules, reviewing policies to make sure they’re what
Lang wants— while I’m just a gofer for every jerk on the sixth
floor of the state capitol building.” Lanessa was deep in
self-pity.

Glenn hitched closer to her. “So she’s got
delegated authority. Little sister is in on the real deal.”

“Yeah, she’s in D.C. First class all the
way. Jade is—” Lanessa seemed to snap out of a fog at the eagerness
in his voice. “Wait a minute, what’s your interest? I’m not saying
anything you can use to smear my sister.”

“No reason to get upset. Hey, we’re just
talkin’ casual-like.” Glenn wore a placating smile.

“Like hell we are. You little chump-change
scribbler! Selling out our community. I saw the article you wrote
on black welfare mothers.” Lanessa scoured him with a look of
distaste. “You played to every stereotype.”

“That was a solid piece of journalism— and
it was about entitlement programs, not black welfare mothers.”
Glenn drew himself up in anger at her words.

“Just a coincidence everyone you interviewed
was black with lots of kids, I guess.”

“Hey, I go where my information leads.”

Lanessa gave a grunt of derision. “No wonder
we called you the worm-mouth back in grade school. You’d slink
around keyholes, and then blackmail people.”

Glenn sneered at her. “Your baby sister is
up to her neck in some shady dealings. The details will make quite
a splash when my story hits.”

Lanessa clutched the fabric of the wool
checked jacket he wore until it was balled into her fist. “You
listen to me, you little—”

“And I’m not the only one on it, either.
Major investigative reporters are working up stories. I’ll get my
own byline outta this one.” Glenn cackled.

“Not with anything from me you won’t.”
Lanessa was breathing hard. She looked desperate as she tried to
remember just what she’d said to him.

“You confirmed what I suspected all along.
All I needed was a little bit to tell me where to look next. Thanks
for the help.” He pulled free of her grasp.

“I couldn’t have—” Lanessa pressed her
fingertips to her temples.

“Here, have another drink on me. Best price
I ever paid for information.” Glenn walked with a swagger as he
went through the exit door leading to the parking lot.

“Oh, God.” Lanessa clamped a hand over her
mouth. She stared glassy-eyed with agony at the rows of liquor
bottles on a shelf behind the bar.

* * *

“Glad you made it back to see us, Mr.
Knight. You folks okay?” The waiter hovered over her shoulder ready
to please.

“Everything is marvelous, perfect.” Jade
smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“Thanks, Charlie. We’re fine.” Damon nodded
at him. “So how do you like my suggestion?” He swept a hand around
the dining room.

Jade gazed out the window at the
breathtaking view of Georgetown. They were in The Roof Terrace
restaurant at the top of the Kennedy Center. Elegant was the best
way to describe every detail down to the fresh flowers on their
table, a simple arrangement of white carnations with pansies of
deep purple. A jazz ensemble was playing a sampling of favorites
from the great Miles Davis.

“Damon, I’ve never had this much fun on
vacation. I’m going to think of ways to have you come on my next
business trip.” Jade giggled.

“All I need is a day’s notice, sweetheart.”
Damon laughed.

“The conference was outstanding. I’ve
learned so much from the speakers. And the exhibits were the best
I’ve seen. My bags are stuffed with great pamphlets. I grabbed up
everything I could carry.”

“I had a chance to spend time with a
director and board member from an agency in Chicago called Bright
Futures, Inc. Man, the things those men are doing for black kids. I
can’t wait to tell Eddie about it.”

“We’ve had the best of both worlds for the
last few days. Thank you for showing me so much of this city.
Especially the African-American art galleries and historic sites.”
Jade knew she would never forget the joy of strolling hand in hand
with him, gazing at art that dazzled them both.

“I aim to please, ma’am,” Damon said in a
smooth voice.

“Sir, your champagne.” The waiter placed the
ice bucket with the bottle on their table. He poured the bubbly
liquid into long-stemmed goblets.

“Damon, I’m speechless.” Jade’s eyes were
sparkling with delight.

“This is a celebration.” Damon took both her
hands in his when the waiter was gone. “You’re the best thing
that’s happened to me in a long time.”

“I tried hard not to like you that first day
we met.” Jade shook her head. “But you didn’t cooperate. You were
so sincere about the center and so intriguing— not at all the
self-centered upper-class snob I wanted you to be.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” Damon
grinned.

Jade lifted a hand to his face. Her fingers
brushed his cheek, and then traced the outline of his lips. “Oh—no,
indeed. One thing you haven’t done is disappoint me, Damon
Knight.”

Back in Damon’s suite, they undressed each
other with tenderness. Their lovemaking was slow. Their bodies
moved in concert, matching the throbbing tempo of craving deep
within. Damon kissed her, his tongue moving around the soft, sweet
inside of her mouth. Then he drew back and looked into her
eyes.

“I love to watch your face when I’m loving
you,” he whispered.

“Damon, kiss me again,” Jade said in between
gasps for air.

She moaned and dug her fingers into the
flesh of his back. The hunger for more of him seized her, sending
shudders through her hips and thighs. Faster and faster the whole
world seemed to go, spinning them both into ecstasy. Later they lay
wrapped in a soft cushion of contentment, tired but wide awake.

“I hate to go home to the real world.” Jade
nestled in the bend of his strong arm, her head on his chest.
“Let’s run away to a Caribbean island.”

“I’ll book a flight.” Damon reached for the
phone.

“Stop that! We can’t just take off.” Jade
pulled his arm back.

“What’s to stop us? Listen, we can spend the
weekend and head on back to Baton Rouge.” Damon pushed her hand
away. “I’ve got a pal who’s a travel agent right here in town. He
can make it happen on the Internet and have the tickets here by
morning.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, I can’t do that. Bill
is expecting me to start getting all those policies and stuff
together.” Jade felt alarm tinged with excitement.

“Look, Bill told you yesterday he didn’t
expect you to work this weekend.” Damon’s hand rested on the
phone.

“Ye-es, but...”

“Then there is no reason we can’t have a
long weekend in Barbados.” Damon picked up his wallet. “Here’s the
old trusty Gold Card.”

“But I don’t have clothes for a warm
climate. And my swimsuit is at home.” Jade began making a mental
list of things she’d need.

“Then we’ll go shopping once we get there.
My friend Harmon and his wife can tell us the best places to go for
snorkeling, dining—the works. They spend two weeks there every
year, they love it so much.”

“I’ll need to call my parents and let them
know, and where did I put my Visa Gold Card?” Jade sprang from the
bed then stood stock still. “This is insane! A crazy impulse.” She
gazed at Damon.

“Then we’ve both lost our minds.” He grinned
back at her. He punched in the number on the phone buttons. “Hey,
Harmon. Yeah, we’re heading out, but listen...”

Jade threw both arms over her head and did a
dance step. “We’re going to Barbados! Yah, mon.”

Chapter 11

“She went where?” Bill Lang spoke in a
tight, angry voice. He was the picture of barely contained
fury.

Tavis did not lose his mild expression.
“Barbados. His mother would like to strangle Jade for seducing her
son into acting so wild.”

Bill was so incensed he didn't even question
why Marlene Knight confided in Tavis. “No wonder I couldn’t get
hold of her Friday night. And she left a message that she would
take a personal day, which is why she isn’t here.”

“Right. They left Friday morning and will
get back this afternoon.” Tavis examined his neat fingernails. “Bet
that was some long weekend.”

“Damn it, I must have been brain dead to
tell her she didn’t have to rush back to work on that stuff Dumaine
wants.” Lang slapped the desktop in frustration. He stood up and
turned to stare out the window at the scene spread before him.

“Man, what is it with you? You’re losing
focus. The business at hand is getting those policies implemented,
remember? We didn’t throw in with our associates to not make money.
Forget Jade.” Tavis gazed at Bill.

Bill remained silent for several minutes.
When he faced Tavis again, his expression was cold and hard. “I
don’t need you or anyone else to tell me how to handle my business,
personal or otherwise. Mike has been working on gathering
everything we need. Dumaine won’t be a problem.”

“Mike can’t be trusted, Bill. He’s been
meeting with Ortego. Has he told you about that?”

“When? Where?” Bill did not move.

“I saw him coming out of the City Club
Friday right behind the good senator. Now if he doesn’t tell you
about it today, then something is up.”

“So Mike and the good old boys think I’m a
fool, think they can set me up.” Bill rubbed his jaw. He seemed
excited by the challenge rather than worried.

“Or let you take the fall while they
benefit. It’s been done before. Your name is on those rules and
memos.” Tavis sat forward.

“I won’t go down alone, and I intend to make
sure they know it.” Lang paced the length of his office. “No, I’ve
got ways to tie them up so tightly to my fate, they won’t dare let
me down.”

Tavis studied him for a few seconds. “But
how—”

Lang held up a palm. “Just let me handle it,
okay?”

“Okay. But remember, I’m in this with you. I
don’t want my position in jeopardy. My boss would hang me out to
dry if he found out I’ve got an interest in SAMCO.” Tavis stood up
and smoothed down his jacket.

“He won’t,” Lang said with a wave of his
hand. “SAMCO has other business holdings that indirectly lead to
the nursing homes and hospitals. No way will anyone care enough to
track back through the maze of corporate tangle even if they
could.”

“I hope you’re right.” Tavis did not sound
completely convinced.

“Not even Mike knows as much as he thinks he
knows,” Lang said. The comer of his mouth lifted, giving him a look
of sly satisfaction.

“Really? Good. Very good.” Tavis nodded with
approval. “I was beginning to think...”

“Tavis, you’ve known me long enough to know
I’m no fool. Mike and I have worked together on a lot of things,
but I haven’t forgotten who he is and who I am.” Lang sat down in
the leather chair behind his desk. “No, indeed.”

“Carry on, brother. Carry on.” Tavis gave
him a firm handshake then left.

“I will,” Lang said once the door closed
behind him. “And my plans include Jade. Damon Knight be
damned.”

* * *

Kathy wore dark sunglasses. She kept looking
over her shoulder. “I don’t like this at all. We’re too out in the
open.” She sat across from Glenn Curtis and John Savoie. The
roadside Waffle House restaurant was across the river in the small
town of Port Allen. The two reporters exchanged a harried
glance.