One Love Page 14

“You mean did I find any dirt.” Lanessa drank down the cold liquid.

  “Exactly.”

  “Nothing specific. The folks I talked to were reluctant to say very much.” Lanessa shrugged.

  “Like who?” Jackie rocked back and forth in her chair.

  “Tavis Collins, Simone Milton and Kay Smith. And a few other of pals. You know, the usual suspects.” Lanessa laughed.

  “Which means you have a feel for what wasn’t said as much as for what was said.” Jackie pointed a pinkie finger from the hand holding her cup of cola.

  “True.” Lanessa wore a brief smile then grew serious. “Metoyer has a reputation for playing outside the rules, but we knew that. He doesn’t like to lose in business or with women.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Jackie said with a grunt of distaste. “I’ve done a bit of digging myself. But go on.”

  “Well, it seems Charles likes the thrill of using his charm to get what he wants. Then when he’s in a position of power, he turns into a real monster.”

  “I know the type. Hell, I’ve dated a few like him.” Jackie saw Lanessa raise an eyebrow. “So it was more than a few.”

  “We both have. And you know how addicting those kinda men can be,” Lanessa said. Both women were quiet for a time. They’d gone through rough times of being used.

  Jackie raked her long finger through her short dark hair. “My news isn’t any better. The Metoyer family has old money. Demanding is their middle names. A branch of the family in Lafayette has a small accounting firm. Phillip Cage is his name. He’s a cousin.”

  “Tell me they don’t have the money folks think they have.” Lanessa shifted to more comfortable position in the soft leather chair.

  “Sorry. They’re doing real very well thank you. The money rolls in from real estate, a life insurance company and three radio stations.”

  “Have mercy.”

  “Charles has a growing business supplying industrial metals and gases for the production of all kinds of products.” Jackie titled her head to one side. “He’s into venture capital. One of the associates here has hooked him up with entrepreneurs.”

  “A real friend to the small business man,” Lanessa said in a sardonic voice.

  “Honey, Charles Metoyer has no friends when it comes to money.” Jackie poured the last of the cola from the bottle into her cup. “Brandon, the guy that works here, says he has a genius for spotting successful ideas.”

  Lanessa hit the arm of her chair with a fist. “I was hoping he was in debt up to his ears.”

  Jackie wore an evil grin. “Funny you should say that. Now we come to the good part.” She sat forward.

  Lanessa put down her cup. “There is justice. Tell me.”

  “He’s not on the verge of being broke but… Now you’ve gotta promise this won’t leave the room. My buddy swore he’d strangle me if it was ever traced back to him.” Jackie shook a finger at her.

  “I promise, I promise.” Lanessa rubbed her hands together.

  “Charles needs an infusion of cash. It seems he took a chance on several international investment ventures. And we know what’s happened in certain foreign economies in the last four years.

  “Gee, I missed the last few issues of The Wall Street Journal,” Lanessa quipped.

  “Well the short explanation is Japan, Thailand and Singapore have big troubles. The banking industries, manufacturing, you name it.”

  “I do know about Russia. That economy is headed for a nuclear meltdown.” Lanessa took another sip from her cup.

  “That’s putting it mildly. Anyway, Charles was sure there would be a turn around. The World Monetary Fund seemed poised to help the Japanese and other countries. And Yeltsin seemed to be on the right track.”

  “That ship never left the dock,” Lanessa retorted. “So he’s eager to do business with Caine Dawson and Paxton-Waite.”

  “But the family land in Des Allemands is not for sale.” Jackie’s perfectly arched eyebrows drew together in puzzlement.

  “He’s brokering some kind of deal. I just have to figure out what he’s got to offer.” Lanessa chewed on the rim of the cup for several seconds.

  “Dawson has his own contacts from what you’ve told me. I can’t see why he’d need Metoyer.”

  “And none of this tells us what we should do about Yasmin.”

  The women were quiet for several more moments before Jackie spoke up. “I say we tell her. I can’t sit by when we know what he’s doing. Can you?”

  “No,” Lanessa finally said. “I just thought of something else. Senator Trent is on the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.”

  “And the Revenue Committee. So?” Jackie got up to get them both another soft drink.

  “They both deal with tax breaks for big businesses.” Lanessa balled her hands into fists. The idea in her mind made for a nasty picture of Charles Auguste Metoyer, IV.

  Jackie stopped and turned around to face her. “And Yasmin is not just Trent’s right hand; she’s both arms these days.” Jackie’s wore a fierce look. “What a low-down, conniving scum sucker.”

  “I can’t believe we didn’t think of it before now.” Lanessa formed a steeple with her fingers. “Gotta admit, he’s a forward thinker. At the very least he’ll get helpful information. More than likely, Yasmin will take him as her date to social functions.”

  “Where he can meet Senator Trent and other legislators and get cozy.” Jackie looked at Lanessa. “We’ve got to tell her, Lanessa.”

  Lanessa slapped the leather chair hard. “Damn it, Yasmin has only just picked her self-esteem up out of the gutter.”

  “Yeah. It took a long time for her to bounce back after her father died.” Jackie wore a glum expression.

  “When and where?” Lanessa spoke with grim resignation.

  “My kid is going on a Boy Scout Father-Son retreat with his dad next Saturday. I’ll serve lunch at my house,” Jackie said.

  Lanessa stood and smoothed her skirt down. “All right.”

  “Now let’s hope she doesn’t find out before we tell.” Jackie stood and walked with her out of the office and down the long hallway.

  “I don’t think Yasmin and Shauntelle are likely to meet. And if I know him, he has keeping his women far apart down to a fine art.” Lanessa stopped at the entrance to the building.

  “Swine.” Jackie hissed.

  “I have a few more people I can call,” Lanessa said.

  “Normally I’d say go for it.” Jackie glanced around before continuing. “But Metoyer is powerful.”

  Lanessa pursed her lips for a few seconds. “There are a few other people I can call.”

  “Be careful.” Jackie put a hand on her arm for emphasis. “The more money at stake, the more desperate men can be.”

  “I know. I’ll keep you posted.” Lanessa gave her a hug. “And get that worried frown off your face. I’ve been in the water with sharks before.” She flashed a daring smile to reassure her friend.

  Driving back to the office, Lanessa turned over everything she knew in her mind. An idea struck her as she sat waiting for a long red light to turn green. There was no real opposition to their plans, so that could not be the reason they were being so secretive. She needed to find out just what kind of plant Paxton-Waite wanted to build. Lanessa reached for her cellular phone.

  “Robyn, pull out the material we have on Paxton-Waite. “I need it again. Yes everything, including their overseas operations.”

  Chapter 10

  Alex was not a happy man. For the last three weeks Lanessa had been working long hours and spending time with her old pals. This was another night she’d put him off. He did not like to think it, but Lanessa seemed to move closer and closer each day to her former haunts. Only the other night, she’d been to the Executive Club. Now here he stood in line waiting for Chinese takeout. Twenty minutes had passed and his patience was being tested. Alex was so preoccupied with his building irritation he was startled to hear a familiar voice.

 
; “Say man, come back from that other dimension you’re in,” Evan said in an insistent voice. He was leaning over him.

  “Hi.” Alex stood up and shook hands with him.

  “Took three tries before you even saw me. And I’m not easy to miss.” Evan held out both of his long arms. He was at least two inches taller than Alex and built like a linebacker.

  “Sorry, brother. I wasn’t doing it on purpose.” Alex wore a sheepish half-smile that faded soon. “And seems like I’m going to be here all night waiting for this order.”

  “Hold up.” Evan strode over to the cash register. He spoke to the pretty young Chinese woman for a few moments then returned. “We’re dining in. Come on.” He gave Alex’s arm a quick slap before striding ahead.

  Alex started to protest but instead followed his friend to a table for two. The prospect of eating alone another night was not appealing. They were only seated for a few seconds before the waiter brought them water and iced tea as they’d requested. Not long after, steaming plates of Chinese vegetables and shrimp were placed before them. Evan dived into his food with gusto while Alex ate slowly.

  “This is the best, eh?” Evan glanced up at Alex. His dark brows drew together when he saw his plate. “Okay, tell Uncle Evan all about it.” He dabbed at his lips with a cloth napkin and sat back in a listening pose.

  “All about what?” Alex stabbed a wedge of green pepper with his fork and put it in his mouth.

  “You look like the world has done you wrong. Now you’re picking at some of the finest Chinese food in Baton Rouge. And I’ve seen you wolf down this stuff before.” Evan took a sip from his glass of water. “So let’s have it.”

  Alex put down his fork. Evan knew him too well so it was no use trying to pretend. “Lanessa is working twenty-four seven. At least that’s what she says.”

  “You’re saying she’s with some other guy?” Evan grew even more serious.

  “No, no.” Alex shook his head. “It’s just… You remember how she was before? Status and styling with big shots was important to her.”

  “Oh yeah. And you just wanted quiet evenings, lectures on art and stuff like that,” Evan said. “I don’t know why, but hey it’s your thing.”

  “I’m not into the mix and mingle party circuit.” Alex had never enjoyed society functions. His parents had forced him to take part until he’d been old enough to bow out.

  “Tell me about it. My mother is always on the go and trying to drag me with her.” Evan gave a shudder. “Having a single man at those things is like throwing raw meat to a pack of hungry shelions.”

  Alex laughed. “Take a date.”

  “Those women don’t care! They talk to me like I’m by myself.” Evan gave a grunt. “And they talk about men.”

  “You’re right. But anyway, Lanessa is back on the same track. It’s this party at the Oakwood Club and that party at some big shot’s palace.”

  “Sounds like she’s a busy lady these days.”

  “Busy is an understatement. She’s hardly ever home except to change clothes and go out again,” Alex blurted out. “I’m really getting sick of it.”

  Alex tapped the table hard with his fingertips. He had not talked about his feelings to anyone. He was surprised at the anger simmering inside. Lanessa had changed, or so he thought. He’d wanted so much to be with her again. Every moment had been sweet. Now all she talked about was the latest insider gossip. He wanted to talk about the twins’ latest exploits at day camp, sit at home listening to music or just talk about their future. Yet somehow her business seemed to have lifted off like a space shuttle. Alex felt as though he was standing on the ground watching her disappear.

  Evan put both elbows on the table. “You’re afraid she’s on the edge, maybe drinking again,” his said in a low confidential voice.

  “Yes.” Alex let out a long slow breath. There, it was out in the open. He had not wanted to say it. But he’d been thinking just that for a while. “Lanessa pushes herself and pushes herself until she’s in a corner. Then nothing is good enough and she wants everything to be perfect. And when it’s not, a big letdown hits her.”

  “Yeah, and something always goes wrong, cause nothing and nobody is perfect.” Evan wrapped his long fingers around the glass of iced tea. “I watched Dad go through that with his older brother,” he said.

  “So you know why I’m worried. I see the pattern, Ev. I can see it so clear.”

  “Maybe you need to step back a little.”

  “What do you mean?” Alex rubbed his jaw.

  “Could be you’re just sensitive because of the past. I know how hard it was on you before.” Evan held up a palm when Alex started to speak. “Wait a minute. Let’s look at it logically. Lanessa has a growing consulting firm.”

  “Sure. I’m proud of her,” Alex said with vehemence. “But she’s taking on too much too soon.”

  “Could be. Or maybe she’s doing what she needs to do. There are a certain number of functions I go to because of business.”

  “Yeah, but she’s been out three and four times a week for the past month. That doesn’t make sense.” Alex wore a stubborn expression. “You can’t tell me she has to be everywhere.”

  “What did she say when you talked to her about it?”

  “Well I mentioned it a couple of times but… I don’t want to sound like a selfish man trying to keep his lady all to himself.” Alex stared at the tablecloth.

  “Uh-huh.” Evan pressed his lips together. “So you haven’t really talked about it.”

  “I haven’t been nagging her if that’s what you mean.” Alex knew he sounded defensive.

  “Stop hinting, I say.” Evan picked up the metal top covering the hot platter of food. He scooped a generous helping onto his empty plate with a spoon.

  “I guess.” Alex watched him eat for a few seconds. “Now if I can get her to slow down long enough to listen.”

  ***

  Lanessa was in her element. She looked around the room with a slight smile on her face. Smartly dressed men and women, none over forty-five, laughed and joked. Everyone still wore their business attire. The men were in gray and navy blue. The women were the same except some wore skirts while others were in tailored pantsuits with a masculine cut. There were flashes of color that livened up the conservative uniforms of the corporate up and comers. Scarves and shirts were in all colors of the rainbow. Just the right touch of style but still in line with convention.

  The early evening cocktail soiree was buzzing with conversation. Lanessa circulated through the room smiling. She was greeted warmly for the most part. A few people had been in recovery around the same time she had. One woman pointedly avoided eye contact. Lanessa made sure to respect her silent request for space.

  “Look who’s here! You look fantastic, lady.” A contralto voice called out to her. The tall woman with red-hair draped an arm around Lanessa’s shoulder. She pecked her cheek then stood back to look at her.

  “Thanks, Jeanne.” Lanessa felt uncomfortable with her former boss. She had clashed with her often in the old days. Most of it was Lanessa’s fault. “How are you?”

  “Surviving in the bowels of state government. And I mean that literally. You know what hits the fan regularly.” Jeanne let loose a hearty laugh.

  Lanessa joined her in laughter. “Don’t I though. I hear you’ve got all new equipment. Real high tech.”

  Jeanne nodded. “Advance Tech got us all hooked up. Alex is a life saver when we screw things up.” Jeanne bit her lower lip and frowned in dismay. “Oops, sorry.” “Actually we’re back together.” Lanessa felt how good those words sounded right down to her toes.

  “How wonderful! And I hear impressive talk about you business.” Jeanne wore a sincere expression. “I’m really glad for you.”

  Lanessa was ashamed to be treated with such generosity after the way she’d behaved toward Jeanne. The no nonsense woman had run the documents section of in the state capitol basement with efficiency. Lanessa had tested her tolerance b
y coming in late or not coming in at all. When Jeanne tried to help her realize she needed counseling, Lanessa had lashed out. They had not seen each other since Lanessa resigned giving short notice four years ago.

  “Jeanne, listen. I never told you how sorry I was for the way I behaved. You covered my butt so many times.” Lanessa spoke quietly.

  “I know, girl. Besides you called me up one day and apologized three years ago. You were a bit wasted at the time, but still…” Jeanne patted her arm.

  “Lord, I’ll spend another fifty years trying to apologize for everything I’ve done.” Lanessa put a hand to forehead briefly.

  “Hey, what matters is where you are today. Right?” Jeanne said.

  “Thanks.” Lanessa gave her hand a squeeze.

  “Listen, don’t nominate me for sainthood. I’ve made a few stumbles myself along the way.” Jeanne took a sip of cola from the glass she held.

  “So what are you doing here with this crowd? I see at least five people you loathe.” Lanessa tilted her head slightly in the direction of a group of men and women.

  “Like the old folks say, sometimes you got to take the good with the bad.” Jeanne’s mouth turned down as she glanced at them. “These snobby black folks really work on my nerves.”

  “They are kinda hard to take some days.” Lanessa settled into the familiar rapport they’d shared for the six years she’d worked with Jeanne. “What gets me is how they just bask in it. Look at them.”

  “Yes. So thrilled to be the so-called Talented tenth.” Jeanne winked at Lanessa. “More than a few are light on talent, if you get me.” She tapped a finger against her temple.

  Lanessa chuckled. “Who you know rather than what you know.”

  “Precisely.” Jeanne eyed the crowd in appraisal. “But family connections make up for it. Hell, what can I say? I’ve got my first job out of college that way.”

  “My parents helped me. But we both performed once we got the opportunity. We didn’t expect to skate by.” Lanessa saw several classmates from Southern University. “But you’ve got to admit, there are some smart people in this room.”

  “Oh yes. Except for a few lightweights around the fringes, we’ve got some real brains in here. Present company included.”