One Love Read online

“So you must be gearing up for construction. The plant will be in Pleasure Island, right? Somebody came up with a great idea.”

  The large rural area ten miles northwest of Des Allemands was really where they planned to build. Called Pleasure Island since antebellum times, it was surrounded on three sides by bayous. In most respects it was a good site. Something Robyn had pointed out to her on more than one occasion. Hargrove would no doubt make sure the Paxton-Waite Board of Directors knew his role in making the project a success.

  “Thank you.” He nodded graciously. “I suggested that general area. Then after my people did more foot work, I narrowed it down to Des Allemand and Pleasure Island.”

  “Really?” Lanessa looked at him with professional admiration.

  “We looked at land prices, checked who was willing to sell for commercial purposes and permits we’d need.” Ken did the upper-class equivalent of sticking out his chest. He adjusted his silk tie and lifted his chin.

  “How did you know the locals wouldn’t put up a fight?”

  “We didn’t. Not for sure.” He was quite comfortable now. He put both hands in his pockets. “More than one large company has gotten a nasty surprise relying only on their staff research. We learned our lesson watching Shintech and GTX take a pounding.”

  “It doesn’t pay to under estimate the power of grass roots organizing,” Lanessa agreed with him. “Local politicians and businessmen will naturally paint a rosy picture.”

  “They stand to gain most.” Ken sat on the edge of the desk. “And that’s where you came in. I told Caine, Mr. Dawson, you were the right person after our first meeting.”

  “Is that right?” Lanessa assumed a pleased expression of surprise.

  “Sure. You understood what we were after immediately. Not some list of facts from the library, but the pulse of southern St. James Parish.”

  “Oh yes, I took a pulse every chance I got. I was so hands on until my fingerprints are all over that swamp.” Lanessa laughed with her head back.

  Ken moved closer to her. He joined her in laughter. “Beauty, brains and a sense of humor.”

  “Thank you,” Lanessa said.

  “Anyway, armed with your report we can start right away. A few of our board members and senior vice presidents in the Atlanta office were kind of nervous.” Hargrove seemed downright chatty now.

  “Especially knowing how tricky that water route will be.” Lanessa threw out this comment casually.

  “You bet. Who needs a lot of red tape? We need to get those shipments on their way fast. Especially with the damned Commerce Department people being such a pain,” Ken said with a grimace.

  “I guess they have to do their jobs. But why would they be so difficult?”

  “Because they’re idiotic bureaucrats,” he said promptly.

  The wide polished doors leading to the executive his office swung open. “Excuse me.” Dawson wore a strained smile. His grayish blue eyes were like ice chips as he stared at Hargrove. “Ken, I really need those figures.”

  “Of course.” Hargrove seemed not to notice the criticism in his tone. “Goodbye, Lanessa. I hope to see you again. Soon.” With a jaunty smile, he headed down another hall.

  “Goodbye.” Lanessa gave a crisp nod to Dawson and walked out.

  She turned over Hargrove’s words as she rode down the elevator. Just maybe she’d gleaned enough to put her on the right track.

  Chapter 12

  Lanessa tapped a foot nervously. All her attention was focused on what she would say next. She dug her fingers into the dark blue fabric of the sofa. The three of them were in the breakfast nook in Jackie’s kitchen. Jackie loved to cook and an architect had designed her favorite room just right. The upholstery and walls were done in a warm reds and deep blues. It had a cozy, welcome feel to it. Normally it was the one place they felt most at ease to speak their minds. Today was different.

  They were running out of small talk. Jackie shot Lanessa another look. Lanessa stared back with a stubborn expression. Why should she walk off the cliff first? Jackie’s eyes narrowed. The silent signals flew back and forth. You go first. No, you. No, you.

  “What is with y’all?” Yasmin crossed her arms. “You’ve been acting funny since I got here.” She glanced at Jackie then Lanessa. “Well?”

  “I’ll have another glass of herbal tea. That apple peach flavor is tasty.” Jackie popped up from her chair. She went to the counter where a glass pitcher held the golden brown drink.

  Lanessa squirmed under Yasmin’s steady gaze. “We’re just talking like always. We’ve always been able to share our deepest thoughts. Especially in this little corner of the world.” She patted a small throw pillow covered with bright colored vegetables painted on the cloth.

  “Right,” Jackie put in from her safe distance.

  “Funny how we just took to each other, ya know? We’ve always been straight up. No telling each other what we want to hear.” Lanessa groped her way toward the place she did not really want to go.

  “Hey, the truth is the light.” Yasmin nodded. “I don’t need friends who talk bull. I get enough of that hanging around politicians.” She chuckled.

  “You’re so funny.” Jackie let out a weak laugh. It died when Lanessa looked at her.

  “I just hope we can always be that way.” Lanessa gripped her hands together.

  “Sure. Uh-huh.” Jackie still stood across the kitchen. “Straight up.”

  “Bring the pitcher over here. I want another glass, too,” Lanessa said in a bright voice. When Yasmin turned away from her, she scowled at her.

  “Yeah, Jackie, come on,” Yasmin gestured for her to come over.

  “Right. Right.” Jackie picked up the pitcher and walked back to them with a look of dread.

  Yasmin frowned. “Cut the crap. What’s up? Jackie, you’re always willing to speak your mind. Let’s hear it.”

  “Well, er, it’s. .” Jackie’s mouth worked but nothing more that was intelligible came out.

  Yasmin’s eyes widened. “Oh, Lord. Jackie’s sick!”

  “No, no. I’m healthy as can be,” Jackie managed to blurt out. She cast a desperate glance at Lanessa.

  “Then somebody tell me what is going on!” Yasmin yelled.

  “You’re right. I just got through saying how we could talk to each other. And here we are acting like we haven’t been through the fire together,” Lanessa said.

  “Sisters in the deepest sense of the word,” Jackie added nodding. “We should always remember that.” She twisted a napkin to shreds.

  “I’m listening.” Yasmin glanced at them in turn.

  “It’s about Charles.” Lanessa put her glass down with a hard thump. “Damn it, Yasmin, he’s no good.”

  “No good. None whatsoever, girl.” Jackie wagged her head back and forth.

  Yasmin’s posture became stiff and defensive. “Just what do you mean?” Her voice cut through the air like a razor.

  “He’s seeing another woman and telling her she’s the only one, too.” Lanessa tried to put it as gently as possible.

  “How do you know?” Yasmin asked.

  “Someone I trust told me.” Lanessa was worried. She was too calm.

  “This is some he-say, she-say stuff,” Yasmin said. “I can’t believe you even brought that mess to me.”

  “Yasmin, when I tell you this source is

  Trustworthy…” Lanessa began. The look on Yasmin’s face stopped her cold.

  “I don’t care if your buddy swore on a stack of Bibles! It’s a lie!” Yasmin stood up and turned her back to them both.

  “Sugar, you know we love you.” Jackie had finally gathered her courage. She went to her and put an arm around her shoulder. “We wouldn’t repeat bogus gossip.”

  Yasmin whirled around with eyes bright with tears. “Really? Then who is this reliable source?”

  “You’ve got to take my word for it, okay? It’s true,” Lanessa said.

  “No way. You tell me who she is,” Yasmin snapped. “So
me woman who tried to get Charles and couldn’t, I’ll bet.”

  Jackie tried to help Lanessa out. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

  Yasmin seemed not to be listening. “Charles is kind and sweet. He makes me feel like I’m the only woman on this earth. I know he’s had lots of women. He told me himself.”

  “He’s rich and handsome.” Lanessa lifted a shoulder. “That combination draws women like bees to honey.”

  “And makes them envious and spiteful.” Yasmin gave Jackie a stony stare. “Only the other day at lunch you were complaining about not having a man.”

  Jackie’s mouth flew open to form a large circle. She gazed at Yasmin for several stunned seconds. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

  “Both of you are so proud of all your contacts. You had to snoop around gathering rumors. There is no trusted source.” Yasmin pressed her lips together.

  “Girl, you’re lucky I do care about your crazy behind. Otherwise I’d—” Jackie put both hands on her hips.

  “Jackie, hush.” Lanessa held up a palm to cut her off.

  She heard the note of hysteria in Yasmin’s voice. Yasmin was trembling with the effort not to cry and not to believe. Lanessa recognized the signs all too well.

  Jackie’s outrage faded as she realized what Lanessa already sensed.

  “He does care about me. You’re wrong.” Yasmin crossed her arms tightly to herself as though for protection.

  “Honey, I wish it wasn’t so,” Jackie said softly. “I really do.”

  They stood in place, a sad tableau, for five minutes. Yasmin covered her face with both hands. Neither was sure what to say next. When Yasmin finally took her hands down, there were no tears. This worried

  “As usual I’ve made a fool of myself,” Yasmin said in a voice empty of emotion. “But then what’s new?”

  “Don’t talk like that.” Jackie went to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

  “Why not? It true.” Yasmin sank down onto the stuffed chair. “I’ve lied to myself that drinking was the problem. But it’s me.”

  “Charles is a leech. Don’t take the blame for what he is.” Lanessa sat beside her on the arm of the chair.

  “Yeah, you’re definitely not his first victim.” Jackie frowned. “He’s left broken up women all over this state. Why I heard…”

  “The point is he’s not worth getting upset about,” Lanessa cut her off.

  “Oh, right. That’s what I was going to say, too.” Jackie cleared her throat.

  “I was so stupid!” Yasmin rubbed her forehead. “And I’ve told everyone about my new man. I’ll bet they all had a good laugh.”

  “No they didn’t,” Lanessa said.

  “And what do you care what they say?” Jackie added.

  Yasmin looked at her. “So someone has been talking about me.”

  “I was speaking in general. You know, like if they’re talking don’t worry about it. I wasn’t referring to any particular instance of—

  “Jackie, please.” Lanessa shook her head. “Don’t help.”

  Yasmin wore a sad smile. “It’s okay, Jackie. The blinders are off. I’m back in reality.”

  “Girl, I’m not going to let you sink into self-pity.” Lanessa said.

  “Everyone in south Louisiana knows that Charles Metoyer is a player.” Yasmin spoke with bitterness. “I’m the only idiot who thought he had changed.”

  “I don’t know one woman who hasn’t been down that road at least once.” Jackie waved a hand in the air. “Common sense has nothing to do with it. We’re talking emotion.”

  “Seeing what you want to see,” Lanessa mumbled. She thought of Alex then pushed down the spike of anxiety that she felt. This was about Yasmin and Charles, not her and Alex.

  “That’s just another way of saying I was a naïve idiot.” Yasmin sighed.

  “No, it’s not,” Lanessa put in fervently. “You were honest and caring.”

  “He’s a very good liar and a user.” Jackie wore a fierce look as though seeing the offender.

  “It’s no good. I might as well be honest with y’all.” Yasmin look at Jackie then Lanessa. “For a week now I’ve suspected something wrong.”

  “You saw him with Shauntelle St. Romaine?” Jackie blurted out. She gasped when Yasmin’s eyes widened in shock.

  “Nice going, girlfriend.” Lanessa wanted to rap Jackie on the head with her knuckles.

  Yasmin looked a Lanessa. “Alex’s ex-wife? He’s been seeing her the entire time we were…” Her voice faded.

  “Just more proof he’s a dog,” Lanessa put in firmly.

  “Not worth the time it would take to cuss his sorry butt out,” Jackie said standing as though she was on her way to find Charles. She looked every ounce the warrior queen. “We all need a drink. I’ll get more tea.” She marched to the counter.

  “My, my.” Yasmin shook her head slowly as though coming out of a mental fog.

  “I know you’ve had a shock here, but we can get through this.” Jackie came back with three glasses on a tray. She sat it down on the table and served her friends.

  “Right. The three of us have been through worse,” Lanessa nodded. “You’ve been to hell and back. Look at far you’ve come. Your kids are doing so much better.”

  “Yeah, you and your sister are getting close after being enemies for years,” Jackie added.

  “And we’ve all made our share of mistakes.”

  “Darlin’, I had my share, your share, and a couple of other women’s share when it comes to men,” Jackie retorted. “I should be the one crying. Remember Rico?”

  Yasmin groaned. “Oh, Jackie. Yes I do!

  “Listen, I never told y’all but… Well you know I caught him with another woman.” Jackie looked at them.

  Yasmin seemed to have forgotten her troubles. She sat forward. “Yes, you were devastated.”

  “Two days before our wedding!”

  “Girl, I’ve still got that damn pink bridesmaid dress,” Lanessa complained. “I look awful in pink.”

  Anyway, I was too humiliated to tell you everything. They were in our townhouse in our bed.” Jackie sat back with an expression that dared them to top her tale of woe.

  “Have mercy!” Yasmin’s mouth hung open.

  “Honey, hush!” Lanessa let out a long sigh. “You’re stronger than I thought. It’s a wonder you didn’t shoot them both.”

  “I don’t believe in guns. But Rico and that hussy both still my mark on their you-know-whats.” Jackie gave an evil cackle.

  Yasmin sat staring at her for a few seconds then threw back her head and laughed. Lanessa began giggling. Soon all three were so overcome, they were gasping for air.

  “Rico ran down the stairs and out the front door buck naked,” Jackie said in between drawing in air. “Had his drawers in one hand, his car keys in the other.”

  “Stop, I can’t breathe,” Lanessa pleaded. She was wiping tears from her face.

  “Child, how did he find his keys?” Yasmin panted.

  “I don’t know, but he left that woman behind.” Jackie patted her face with a damp napkin. “Lord, that was a day. My neighbor Luci came over and restrained me long enough for her to escape.”

  “Jackie, you’ve helped me put this in perspective. Whew, I’m really thirsty now.” Yasmin took a long drink of tea. She did indeed look better than she had only minutes before.

  Lanessa took a deep breath and gazed at her friend. “Seriously, Yasmin. Tell us what you’re feeling.”

  Yasmin was pensive for a short time before she spoke. “Seriously? It hurts. But now I know what he really wanted.”

  “Oh?” Lanessa had not dared voice her suspicions on just how calculated his courtship had been.

  “Yes. The agenda for the next Commerce Committee gave me a clue. Two items made me remember something Charles just kept bringing up.”

  “What?” Lanessa said.

  “There’s a proposal to change the procedures on how barges are loaded. Lots of paperwork and red
tape, you know.” Yasmin raised her eyebrows. “But somehow it’s connected Franklin Enterprises.”

  “Franklin Enterprises,” Lanessa echoed. “That sounds familiar.” She searched her memory for where she’d seen the name. It was recent and connected to Paxton-Waite.

  “Charles has an interest in the company. Though now that I think of it, he seemed real undercover about it.” Yasmin looked at Lanessa. “It’s a barge company that moves cargo down rivers from the port of New Orleans. They’ve got a few eighteen wheelers, too.”

  “I’ve heard of them somewhere.” Lanessa tried to put the name into an image of where she’d seen it. It was another part of the pattern, but where did it fit?

  “Anyway, he’s just another lobbyist. Only he got to me in a special way.” Yasmin wore a stony look. “It was a set up.”

  “At least you found out before he could use you.” Jackie gave a curt nod. “Now I say we burn his hind parts good. Lanessa?”

  “You two already have a plan!” Yasmin stared at them.

  “Damn right!” Jackie spoke up with force. “Mess with our best friend at you own peril.” She hugged Yasmin’s neck.

  “Right, right.” Lanessa was only half paying attention to their exchange. She frowned in concentration. “Charles is somehow involved in what I’m beginning to think is a shady deal.”

  “Break the law? I don’t think even Charles would go that far.” Yasmin blinked at her.

  “If we’re talking big money he would,” Jackie said.

  “There I go again.” Yasmin tapped her forehead with the tips of her fingers. “Even at my most infatuated, I knew he was really into money.”

  “It runs in the family. One of his stuck up sisters pledged with me. What a witch.” Jackie munched on a banana muffin.

  “He talked about money more than most men talk about sports,” Yasmin said.

  “I want to know what he’s got going with Dawson.” Lanessa nodded slowly.

  “I’m in. Just tell me what to do.” Jackie looked eager. “Let’s give him hell.”

  “Yasmin leaned forward. “Lanessa, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Her face was sober.

  “What? The guy deserves to get slammed.” Jackie looked at Yasmin.

  “But there’s more. Right, Lanessa?”