One Love Page 22

  “That’s it. One of their employees developed it. It’s used to make microphones for recording music easier in studios.” Lanessa sat forward.

  “I know. Charles told me about it.”

  “They’ve got some of the brightest engineers working for them. One thing for sure, Chucky is not stupid. He’s going into consulting as well. I mean, a lot of companies simply don’t want the expense of hiring their own computer nerds full-time.” Lanessa meant what she said. The man was nothing if not a forward thinker. It was fascinating to study his moves.

  “Of course. It’s become standard practice,” Yasmin said.

  “Now this is where Paxton-Waite comes in, Chucky sees the future. He gets the business for a song. Then the previous owner found out that Paxton-Waite wants not only their chip, but consulting that could mean hundreds of thousands.” Lanessa pursed her lips in disapproval.

  “It’s not illegal to be a shrewd businessman, Lanessa.” Yasmin replied.

  “The man went broke, Yasmin. They’d been business associates for twelve years, even partied together. Did Charles bail him out with a loan? No. He could have invested and become a partner even.”

  “Franklin mis-managed the firm. Why would Charles want to let him lose his money, too?” Yasmin said.

  “He had bad breaks that were nobody’s fault. From what I’ve seen, Franklin just needed a helping hand. Charles is one cold-blooded dude.”

  Lanessa had been lucky in her search. Franklin was not only bitter; he was vocal about Charles Metoyer’s betrayal. An old friend of her father’s had introduced them.

  “Paxton-Waite is going to manufacture components that will leave some toxic wastes. That could be why they’re jumpy.” Lanessa stared out the window. A tugboat drifted by on the dark brown water. “But I don’t think so.”

  “They’ve complied with every permitting process required. And the local people aren’t concerned.” Yasmin looked at her. “There’s a firm in Baton Rouge that can even recycle the waste.”

  “True. Which makes their behavior even more curious. I’m telling you, it’s got more to do with those components. This plant is somehow connected to another plant they have in Houston.” Lanessa snapped her fingers. “That’s it!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Okay, this is tricky so listen carefully. The plant in Des Allemands makes plain old copper wiring. Lanessa was excited now.

  “Something we’ve known for almost two months,” Yasmin said in a short tone.

  “Be patient,” Lanessa said. She bit her lip as she thought for a few seconds. “What if they chose little out of the way Paradise Island as a way to slip out goods they don’t want examined too closely?”

  “What a far-fetched idea,” Yasmin muttered. She drummed her fingers on the table.

  “Not at all. Companies do it all the time.” Lanessa lowered her voice and leaned forward. “Charles is one greedy, ruthless man.”

  “Oh stop inventing conspiracies!” Yasmin looked at her with an angry frown. “This isn’t a spy movie.” She crossed her arms.

  Lanessa had been wrapped up in working through her theory for the last few minutes. Now she really looked at her friend for the first time. Yasmin was not disinterested in her ideas. She was downright hostile.

  “What’s going on with you, Yasmin? When I talked to you last week it was ‘Get the bum!’ Now you don’t want to hear it.”

  “There is nothing sinister going on. Charles saw an opportunity and grabbed it.” Yasmin seemed to be repeating words not her own.

  “And crapped all over somebody. He used you to get close to the senator.” Lanessa saw that Yasmin’s expression had not changed.

  “He’s interested in pending legislation like a lot of Louisiana businessmen,” Yasmin replied with heat.

  Lanessa sighed. “Okay, when did you see him?”

  “Two nights ago, not that I have to explain myself to you!” Yasmin snapped.

  “In case you’ve forgotten, your career could be destroyed,” Lanessa said in quiet voice. She leaned across the table “Worse, you might get caught up in something illegal.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Charles is not a criminal.” Yasmin glared at her. “And I can take care of my career without your help, thank you very much.”

  “I know it’s hard. But you have to see past the handsome smile and sweet talk.” Lanessa knew how much Yasmin needed to be loved. In spite of her strong exterior, Yasmin was the most vulnerable of the three friends.

  “Just drop the whole thing, all right. I overreacted.”

  “Yasmin, c’mon. The man—” Lanessa shook her head

  “You’d think I was in high school, getting upset because he dated another cheerleader.” Yasmin tried to make her voice casual. She wore a slight smile.

  “You were upset because he lied and dated another woman.” Lanessa threw the words out hoping to make her see the light.

  “He didn’t lie about her. It was business.” Yasmin did not meet Lanessa’s gaze.

  “Oh, pu-leeze! Men have been telling that lie since Adam dropped a dime on Eve!” Lanessa would have laughed under different circumstances. But this was a dear friend. There was nothing funny about the scared and frantic look in Yasmin’s eyes.

  “Why do you have snoop around in other people’s business anyway?”

  “Hey, this got dropped in my lap!” Lanessa felt a flash of anger. She forced it down and reminded herself that Yasmin was hurting. “You wanted me to find out more about Charles and Paxton-Waite, remember?”

  “And now I’m telling you to butt out! What do you care if Charles is making K-chips or corn chips? Just leave us alone!”

  “Because Caine Dawson and Ken Hargrove used me. I won’t be a part of their low schemes,” Lanessa said, her voice low yet no less angry.

  “So this is about your precious ego?” Yasmin said.

  Lanessa took a deep breath and exhaled before speaking. “No, this is about a bunch of men who can’t be trusted. They could be fouling up the environment—”

  “They have a safe disposal plan,” Yasmin broke in.

  “We only have their word on that.” Lanessa continued in a relentless voice. “I think they’re trying to skirt export regulations.”

  “You’re so self-righteous. Who died and left you in charge?” Yasmin put a hand to her forehead.

  They sat silent for a time. Lanessa held onto her temper and decided to make the first move.

  “Look, I shouldn’t have come on so strong. I’m sorry.”

  Yasmin shook her head. She lowered her hand and looked at her. “No, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You’re thought you were being helpful. But Charles explained it all to me.”

  “Yasmin—“

  “He was being nice to Shauntelle St. Romaine and she took it the wrong way. Charles couldn’t bring himself to hurt her.” Yasmin seemed to really cling to his account.

  “He’s lying and you know it.” Lanessa leaned forward. “Charles probably told her the same thing.”

  “I realize you’re upset because things didn’t work out with Alex,” Yasmin said. Her tone was almost pitying.

  “That’s got nothing to do with it.” Lanessa sat back as though Yasmin had swung a fist at her.

  “You and Jackie are very anti-male these days.”

  “I can’t believe you.” Lanessa stared at her. “Charles Metoyer is the same canine he’s always been.”

  “Okay, that’s it. I’ve tried to be nice about this.” Yasmin pushed her chair back and stood. “But if you’re going to insist, don’t bother calling me anymore.”

  “Fine. Be his fool,” Lanessa shot back.

  “I feel sorry for you and Jackie. She can’t get a man. And you can’t keep one,” she said curtly.” Yasmin threw several dollar bills on the table and left.

  Lanessa watched her stomp out of the restaurant. This lunch had definitely not turned out the way she’d expected. She wanted to call out to Yasmin, yet a tangle of emotions ha
d her in knots. Anger, frustration and hurt were all mixed together. Yasmin’s reference to her breakup with Alex had stung more than a little.

  “Like she’s the expert. The little idiot bought that fairytale Charles told her,” Lanessa muttered.

  Yet she wondered if Yasmin had been on target. Lanessa stared out at the muddy Mississippi River. It reminded of her life just now. She could no more see a bright future of love and happiness than she could see into the murky brown water. Was her life to be work and a few friends only?

  “Well at least I’ll be an aunt. Now if I can convince Jade to have at least four, maybe I’ll have someone to visit me at the nursing home.”

  She ordered another diet cola and watched river traffic for another hour.

  Chapter 16

  Robyn met Lanessa at the front door of the office with a tense expression. She looked back over her shoulder before speaking. “There are two men here to see,” she said quietly.

  “Okay,” Lanessa replied in a normal tone.

  “Shush, come here!” Robyn pushed her into the small file room and.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Lanessa demanded. She yanked her arm free of Robyn’s tight grip.

  “I don’t like the looks of them.” Robyn stood close to Lanessa speaking just above a whisper.

  “You think they’re out to rob us?” Lanessa forgot her irritation. “Criminal types you mean?”

  “No, no. I think they’re policemen. They wouldn’t say what they wanted. Said they’d wait when I told them you were on your way.” Robyn stamped her foot on the carpeted floor. “What a dummy I was!”

  “Let me get this straight, they’re not scary types dress like gang members?”

  “They’re wearing suits and look more like junior executives.” Robyn nodded as though she’d proved her point. “Undercover operatives for sure.”

  “Unless you’ve been up to something, I really don’t know why we’re in here hiding from the authorities.” Lanessa laughed. She went for the door but Robyn pulled her back sharply.

  “You know what happens when cops start coming down on us. It’s not justice, it’s ‘just-us’ going to prison.” Robyn wore an intense look.

  “You’ve been watching those gangsta rap movies again, haven’t you?” Lanessa shook a finger at her snub nose.

  “All I’m saying is the police are not above setting’ us up.”

  “Robyn, you grew up in a quiet black middle-class subdivision. The closest you got to a uniform was the school crossing guard,” Lanessa quipped. “Stop talking like Master P.”

  “But—”

  “Now come on.” Lanessa opened the door and walked to her office. “And if they’re the police, I’ll bet they know everything we said in there.”

  “You think?” Robyn trailed after her.

  Lanessa faced her. “You need to quit, alright?” She spun around and continued on.

  “I’ll be your witness,” Robyn said in an undertone as they entered the small reception area that was also her office.

  “Good morning. I’m Lanessa Thomas and I understand you want to talk to me.” Lanessa smiled at them brightly.

  “Good morning. I’m Ed Brandon with the Bureau of Export Administration.” The tall man held out a business card to her. “And this is Garland Tate. If possible we’d like a few moments of your time.”

  “Hello.” Tate blinked at her from behind his glasses.

  Lanessa took the card and read aloud. “Department of Commerce.” She looked at him. “Come right in. Let me get y’all some coffee.” The possibility of getting a contract with a federal agency was reason to roll out the red carpet.

  “Thank you.” Ed Brandon gave a crisp nod.

  “I’ll get it.” Robyn left.

  Lanessa led the men into her office and put down her purse. “I’m afraid I don’t have much time before my next appointment.”

  “This first visit doesn’t have to be long.” Ed Brandon gazed around her office. He seemed to be taking careful note of every detail.

  “First visit?” Lanessa looked from Brandon to his partner. “I don’t follow.”

  “We’re compliance investigators attached to the New Orleans unit.” Brandon took a seat without waiting to be asked.

  “Actually we’re part of a joint operation between Commerce and Customs,” Tate joined in. He remained standing. “A new initiative.”

  “We trained with ATF and DEA agents.” Brandon gazed at her pointedly.

  Lanessa got the distinct impression he was not just making conversation or bragging. He wanted her to know they had some kind of police authority. Now she took time to really look at them both. Brandon she recognized right away. He had the bravado of a hot dog. Her guess was he liked playing the part of a Fed. With red hair that was beginning to recede, he might have been in his late thirties. Garland Tate had black hair and looked to be younger. He held himself erect. Tate reached into his inside jacket pocket and produced a small note pad. He flipped to the first page of it.

  “You’ve done work for a Caine Dawson.”

  “Let’s slow this train down just a bit,” Lanessa broke in before he could continue. “We’ve skipped a very important part. You know, the explanation as to why you’re here.”

  Tate glanced at Brandon. Some silent message passed between them before Brandon spoke. “What we can tell you is that your research is of interest to us. We’re doing follow-up on companies that have overseas exports.”

  “Right,” Tate said. “Now—”

  “Hold up.” Lanessa crossed her arms. “I’ve never heard of any such joint agency investigations.”

  “As I said, it’s fairly new,” Tate replied.

  “Uh-huh.” Lanessa search her memory for what she knew about the investigative activities of the Commerce Department. Very little unfortunately. So she had to operate blind for now.

  “Certain products, what we call dual-use technology, are restricted export wise,” Brandon said.

  “Dual-Use?” Lanessa had seen the phrase before.

  “Technology that can be used in computers, electronic devices but can also be used for hostile purposes,” Tate said.

  “Like bugs or even bombs.” Brandon gazed at her. He wore a superior expression of a man who enjoyed making people uneasy. “We have to be careful it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.”

  “I see,” Lanessa said.

  “I’m back.” Robyn came in with the big metal tray they used when serving clients. She eyed the men with a look of barely concealed suspicion.

  As she served the coffee, Lanessa went to sit at her desk. She glanced at the files on her desk. A manila folder with information on Dawson and Paxton-Waite sat right in front of her. Thank goodness there was no label on it. She put it in the middle desk drawer. When she looked up, Tate was staring at her. He took a cup from Robyn without shifting his gaze from Lanessa.

  “Thank you.” Tate spoke in a formal manner.

  “Thanks a lot.” Brandon took a swig of coffee. He sat back as though making himself comfortable. “So back to Dawson. How long have you worked for him?”

  “I don’t.” Lanessa leaned on her desk. She wondered if they had a search warrant. Tate was now very interested in each piece of paper on her desk and the small table next to the computer workstation.

  “You’ve done research on a factory they are building in,” Tate seemed to struggle with the words.

  “It’s near Des Allemands,” Lanessa put in. “St. James Parish. And since you’re investigator, you know I completed my contract.”

  “You still have a relationship with them. You’ve met with Dawson and Ken Hargrove since then.” Brandon raised his eyebrows at her.

  “I frequently meet with clients several times. Sometimes to give follow-up information. Mostly it’s to clarify some point after they’ve had a chance to really examine my report.”

  “We understand you’ve given them detailed information on shipping, water routes and so on.” Tate again consulted the n
ote pad.

  “Sure. But most of that stuff they knew already. What they really wanted from me was local information. A real ‘woman of the people’ kind of view.” Lanessa had lost her uneasiness. Robyn stood behind both men sending her subtle eye and hand signals.

  “What do you know about their products?” Tate walked to the wall to examine her framed degree in public policy.

  “Not much. Something to do with components that can be used in computers. Of course even an alarm clock has its own tiny computer these days.” Lanessa smiled at them. “Big business.”

  “More than you know,” Brandon said.

  Tate cleared his throat. “so you’re saying you don’t know much about their product or marketing plans.”

  “I know some. They’ve got customers in Asia, not doing so hot there these days though. And in Eastern Europe if I recall.” Lanessa lifted a shoulder.

  “I see.” Tate made notes.

  “Nice little business rooting around for odd bits of information.” Brandon gazed at her.

  “I like it.” Lanessa matched his mild impertinence.

  “Funny thing is Paxton-Waite has lots of smart people working for them. Why did they need you?” Brandon said.

  “Their staff could only give them numbers. I gave them information on how those numbers translate into the local people, their culture and history. I spent time in the towns and out in the rural areas. And I didn’t take a clipboard and interrogate folks either.” Lanessa could see Robyn gesturing wildly. She stopped when Brandon glanced back at her.

  “Excuse me. Lanessa, Ms. Magillacutty is on the line. Take it out here,” Robyn said. She smiled at the two men.

  “Be right back.” Lanessa darted past them before either could speak. She followed Robyn back to the file room. “Who the heck is Ms. Magillacutty?”

  “It’s the best I could do under pressure. I called the Commerce Department’s Dallas office. They’re for real.” Robyn chewed her lower lip.

  “Do you have a double life as a secret agent or something?” Lanessa shook her head in wonder. “Okay, spill it.”

  “I went over the report on Paxton-Waite, well not the whole thing,” she added when Lanessa’s mouth flew open. “Just the part about shipping routes, barges and such.”