Corporate Ties (Silken Ties Book 1) (5 page)

He sipped his wine and then turned back to the refrigerator. Finding what he wanted, he set out to put together a salad to go with the baked sausage rigatoni he'd brought.

Olivia observed him from her vantage point in the hall. She ran her fingers through her long, thick hair, fluffing it, and then walked toward him.

Grabbing her wine from the counter she mused, "You cook, you have your own company and you're very handsome. Why aren't you married?"

He chuckled. "Subtle, I like that in a woman." He glanced over and smiled. "I have commitment issues. I have a tendency to leave when things start to become too comfortable. You?"

"I don't trust people not to leave." She took a sip of wine. "I think we're going to be good friends."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Friends?"

"Yes, friends I'm good with, and I bet you are too."

He shrugged. "Actually I'm a bit of a loner, but yeah, I can do friends."

Olivia laughed. "I bet you can. I'll...set the table."

During the surprisingly enjoyable meal, she found out he was the oldest of three brothers, but they weren't very close. He wasn't close to his parents either. The conversation was effortless, like they'd been friends a long time. He had a good sense of humor and even laughed at her lame jokes. She liked him she decided, and then it hit her.

"Brian, I want to ask you to do some work for me. Well maybe. No definitely, but confidentially, okay?"

His brow creased. "Sounds serious; is it?"

"Maybe, well
I
think so, but I might be the only one."

"Better start at the beginning."

Olivia went to her briefcase, pulled out the Matasuki file Stuart had given her and handed it to Brian.

"Two days ago, I was just assigned this client. In the process of researching the company, I found the information available on them a little thin, so I asked a friend of mine, a former FBI agent, to see what information was available from that source. Now he's missing."

Brian frowned as he took the file. "Missing?"

Olivia nodded. "He didn't show up for work today and he's not answering his phone. I called his friends, the hospitals, his ex-wife; nothing. Brian, I looked through Matasuki's acquisitions and it seems there have been a number of instances of deaths and disappearances just before Matasuki took control of a company. It appears a little too co-incidental and convenient that the deaths and disappearances happened at companies in the middle of resisting a Matasuki offer or hostile takeover, don't you think? I spoke with another friend of mine. She used to work for Jeffry Billingsly; head of one of those companies, and she's convinced he didn't have a stroke, but was killed by someone, so they could take over his company. I just don't want this to happen to Dolby. I think Paul’s disappearance has something to do with my request, and I need help to find him, if it's not too late. Will you help me?"

"Of course I can. I'll take it on personally. Write down all of your friend's information and I'll start right away."

Olivia leaned over and flipped through the file. She handed him a stack of photographs. "And this woman, see her in the background? I need to know about her too. The sooner you can get back with me the better. Isamu Matasuki is coming into town tonight and we are one of the sponsors of the big charity gala he’ll be attending tomorrow night. It's where I'll meet Matasuki for the first time before formal meetings next week. Brian, I have such a bad feeling about all this."

Brian could see that in her eyes. He pushed away from the table.

"I'd better get started then."

Liv jotted down Paul's info and her cell number and handed it to Brian. "I'm sorry. I really did enjoy dinner, thank you," she said as she walked him to the door.

"You're welcome, and I'm glad you asked me for help, Olivia."

"Call me Liv, all my friends do." She rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek.

He smiled. "I'll get back to you as soon as I know something. You've got good instincts, trust them, Liv. Be careful and I wouldn't talk to anyone else about this." He started to walk down the hall.

"Oh, Brian. Do you need some payment in advance?"

He glanced back and smiled. "Let me decide how I want to get paid." He gave her a wink and she grinned. She really liked him. She closed the door, leaned against it for a moment and hoped she hadn't put him in danger too.

Olivia tossed and turned all night. Too hot, too cold and her pillow never felt right. Finally she turned and looked at the clock. Four A.M. She flopped back down and stared up at the ceiling.

"I might as well get up." She chose a coffee pod, popped it into her coffee maker and as the machine brewed the single cup, made herself two slices of rye toast. Putting the toast on a paper plate, she retrieved her coffee and took them both to the couch. After a sip of coffee and a bite of toast she brought the television to life and mindlessly flipped through the channels. After running through 240 channels, threw the remote down in disgust when she discovered the most interesting thing on was, 'Too Cute' on the Animal Planet.

With a groan she rose. "Okay, let's try the gym."

Brian was up early, too. He'd been working on Olivia's case and she was right, this Matasuki guy was definitely shady. Company to company, deal to deal, the patterns of acquisition changed subtly, but at its core the methods were always the same. Matasuki would court a few companies at a time and eventually swallow one of them, sell off their assets, absorb their talent and then move on. And this didn’t happen with just companies Matasuki sought out to merge with. Often a talented firm was hired to serve, promote or represent Matasuki.  If, in the process of completing their assignment, were judged to be exceptional, the firm was then targeted for acquisition. Brian was sure that was Olivia’s fear for Dolby.

He looked at his watch. He'd wait until seven and then he'd make some more calls. Right now he was going to head over to Paul’s place and see if he could learn anything there. A person had to be missing for at least forty-eight hours for the police to be able to start an investigation, which, by his thinking, was just too long.

The address Liv had given him was on the Upper East Side, a smaller apartment building with no amenities.  Paul had been recently divorced; the wife got the big house, but his new pad was located in a great, upscale area. It was just him after all. Brian used his many talents to get inside and took the stairs up a floor to Paul White's apartment. He knocked a few times and looked around before he jiggled the handle. When there was no answer, he took another glance up and down the hall, and seeing no surveillance cameras, quickly picked the lock and slipped inside.

He clicked on his small LED flashlight and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. The drapes where drawn, so he flipped on the overhead light. Sparsely furnished, but comfortable. His first thought was that Paul bought it this way and just moved in, ate frozen dinners, and read. The bed was made; the hamper was full, including pajamas. He looked inside the closet, neatly arranged, there were two empty wooden hangers, one for the suit coat and pants Paul had chosen for that day’s wear.  There was also an empty space between a carefully laid out line of shoes. It was obvious Paul had gotten dressed but had never made it to work.

Donning a pair of latex gloves, Brian checked each room in the apartment. In Paul's office there was a phone number scribbled down on a pad on the desk, his Rolodex was open to another. Using the camera on his phone, he took pictures of each being careful not to disturb anything Next, he opened each desk drawer, looked through the files, and found nothing he didn't expect to see in any other typical desk. He did learn what kind of car Paul drove and the tag number and also found and photographed Paul’s Social Security number from his tax files before deciding he’d seen enough. After first checking the hall for other tenants, he slipped out of the apartment and pulled the door closed behind him. 

Once outside the building, Brian checked all the cars parked along the street, and finding none were Paul's, headed for his office.  Walking down the sidewalk, he paid special attention to his surroundings, taking note of other pedestrians and parked and passing cars in case he was being followed. He did it mostly out of habit now, anytime he was out. He stopped at the corner and looked back, again nothing unusual.

Brian took the subway to his downtown office - a small, back-alley building in the heart of the financial district. He was proud of his small company, where he employed three fulltime investigators and two tech guys. Though he'd handle most of Olivia's case personally, he’d still need help with several things. Surveillance was one. Effective surveillance meant using the team approach to switch off, so the subject would be less likely to suspect they were being watched and/or followed.

Arriving at his office, he’d called the group together. "Okay, listen up. I'm pulling you off whatever you're doing for a special op this weekend. We’ll be working a missing person file that could involve the Matasuki Corporation.  I’ve scanned into the shared computer case file what you need to know. Brice, the Matasuki team will be in town on Friday, find out where they're staying. I need coverage on everyone in their party. I'll take Matasuki, himself. I need recording capabilities, and access to surveillance cameras, including the ones at the Gala’s rooms at the Met tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yes, so you’d better get started. I'll work on the cell phones. Jimmie, I need lineage on this guy and find out the identity of the girl in this photo, I’ll need lineage on her too."

"Two generations enough?"

Brian nodded. "Unless you come across something interesting. I'll be in my office." He closed the door and flopped down into his chair. Time to find out who Paul called, and look for his car.

At four, Olivia was just coming home from the Gala venue. Everything at the site looked beautiful, spot on how they'd envisioned it and the event was right on schedule for the evening. She'd had her nails done and in a little while, Samantha was coming over to help her with her hair. She stared at the two dresses hanging from her closet doors until the phone’s ringing jarred her. She dug through her purse for her phone, but when she looked, didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?"

"It's Brian. I was able to trace Paul’s movements. He was had a meeting with an old friend of his as the FBI yesterday morning. My sources tell me he made the meeting but his car is still in the parking lot."

Olivia's eyes filled and she swallowed a sob.

"Don't jump to conclusions. We don't know anything more. He talked to two former colleagues and used a computer. You didn't get any message from him?"

"No nothing."

"Okay. I just thought you should know. Someone should report him missing, it just can't be me."

She gulped again. "I'll take care of it. Thank you, Brian."

"I'll talk to you soon."

Olivia immediately searched her contacts list and pressed one. "Clay, Paul's car was found at the FBI office. I don't know anything more, but I think you should report him missing. I don't want to show any more involvement than I already have. Did you get any messages from him? No, I didn't either. I don't know what to think, Clay. This is all my fault." Olivia heard the intercom. Samantha was on her way up. "I have to go. I'll talk to you soon."

The door opened and Samantha frowned. “What's the matter?"

"Paul White’s missing and it's my fault." Her lip quivered and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Sam pulled her friend into an embrace. "I'm sure that's not true, Liv. You don't control what other people do or don't do."

Olivia pushed back, sucking in several short breaths. "I asked him to get involved in something and now he's missing."

"You know for sure something bad has happened?"

"It can't be good, Sam. They found his car." She started to sob into Sam's shoulder.

"Shhh, it's going to be all right. They'll find out what happened. And Liv, it's not your fault. If someone did something to Paul it's their fault and they'll pay for it."

At once Olivia caught her breath and pulled away. "Help me get ready. I need to look amazing and I can't do that with swollen eyes."

"That's my girl. I'll get some ice."

Olivia walked to the bathroom and pulled several tissues from the box. She stared into the mirror.

"
Sam's right. They are going to pay.
"

Samantha swirled her hand, motioning to Olivia to do a turn. The silver beads of the gown sparkled in the light and as Olivia swiveled to show her bare back, Sam sighed.

"It fits you perfectly and shows off all the hard work you put in making your ass perfect. This one would sparkle in the light, but that red one. Oh my God, it's the sexiest thing I've ever seen."

"And it's light, this one is really heavy, gorgeous, but too heavy," she said glancing in the mirror. "Okay, the red one then. Hair up or down?"

"I love your hair curled and down, but how about having it swept up on one side with one of those jewel combs you never wear?"

Olivia pushed her hair up on the left side, turning her head side to side. It did show off her high cheekbones. "Hmm, I think you're right."

Sam gleefully rubbed her palms together. "Goody, let's go through all those things from Rafe that have been languishing in your jewelry box."

Olivia walked into the closet and opened the safe. "I tried to give those back, he wouldn't take them."

"Do you ever hear from him?"

Olivia shook her head. "Not recently. He's probably married; he deserves to be happy."

"I doubt it. He was crazy about you..."

Olivia came out with a glossy black box in her hands. "Can we please not talk about him? It's over; it was always really just about the sex anyway."

"Liv, you know that's not true, not for you, and certainly not for Rafe."

Olivia set the box down on the vanity and slipped the beaded gown off, opting for a cotton robe. "I'm going to keep this gown too," She decided, placing it back on the hanger. Obviously ignoring Samantha’s comment.

Samantha was already digging through the box. "This one is amazing, but the one with the rubies is perfect." She held the diamond and ruby comb to the side of Olivia's head, squinting slightly, and then nodding. "Yes, definitely this one."

They heard a buzz from the intercom.

"That must be Lucy, she's doing my makeup."

"Boy you
are
going all out tonight. Why is this so important to you, Liv? Tell me what's really going on?"

Olivia shrugged. "I just want to look great for our new client, Mr. Matasuki."

"And you think you can find out if he, or those around him had anything to do with Paul's disappearance, don't you?"

"I owe it to Paul."

"Liv, no. Let the authorities handle it."

Lucy let herself in and joined her friends. "Hey, what's going on in here?"

"We were just deciding what to do with my hair. Where's your dress?"

Lucy grinned. "I hope it's in your closet."

Olivia laughed. "Yeah, right next to Sam's." All three laughed. "Go ahead, Mikey brought several choices. Anything but the beaded one. I'm going to wear that one another time."

They arrived at the Met early, so Olivia could make any needed last minute adjustments to the set up, but everything was in perfect order. Though the Gala officially began at seven-thirty, most high profile guests would be fashionably late, arriving between eight and nine. The three sampled the food and the champagne before Liv separated from them. It was her job as a representative of Dolby, Inc. to greet guests as they arrived and for the next hour only left her receiving line duties to work the room, making light conversation, networking, renewing relationships, and generally making sure everyone was happy.

"You look, well . . . beautiful doesn't even begin to describe you." Olivia heard from behind her.

"Mr. Grant. Thank you." She thought he looked beautiful too. Most men looked great in a tux, but he was really...really... Before she could finish the thought someone caught her eye and she quickly swiveled.

"Are you all right, Olivia?"

She swallowed hard and ran her fingers through her side bangs. It was something she did when she was nervous.

"Yes, I'm fine. What do you think?” She gestured to the room. “Is it everything you wanted it to be?"

"You all did a fantastic job. It's much, much more than I ever could have imagined."

Olivia smiled. "
And
we stayed on budget, sold every ticket and managed to secure great items for the silent auction."

"It's already a big success then, thanks to you." He grinned and Olivia's stomach fluttered.

"Well, I was just one person on the committee.
Everyone
did a great job."

"Yes, and
they’ve
all told me how much work you did, so thank you. This charity means a lot to me. I didn't grow up with much. In fact we were pretty poor."

He was being surprisingly open, she felt compelled to do the same. She scanned the crowd behind him and then looked back into his face. "My folks were subsistence farmers. I know what it means to work hard; to not have much."

He shook his head, and softly smiled. "That I didn't see coming. You, working in the fields?"

"I did, and hunted and fished too. Cleaned stalls, fed pigs. I'm just multi talented." Olivia watched his eyes as what she’d told him registered.  His eyes widened, but when she saw his pupils expand with need, the noise of the gathering around her muffled and receded. Desire made her skin tingle, her palms feel clammy. "You should mingle. I'm going to check on the caterers, to see if they need anything."

"All right, but when Matasuki gets here I want to be the one to introduce you."

She nodded. "Of course. I'm really anxious to meet him."

Tyson watched her walk away. Finally, embarrassed by his blatant ogling, he turned and grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. As he took a sip, he noticed what seemed like half the room watch her cross the room. He was also having second thoughts about having agreed to Jerrod’s assigning of the Matasuki account to Olivia. Not because she couldn't do it, but because he was afraid that his attraction to her would impair his focus. Matasuki's business meant millions to his company; still he wasn't sure it was worth it. Maybe it was why Jerrod was avoiding him. In fact Jerrod was AWOL from the Gala. Tyson began to work the room, clockwise, just like he always did at these things.

"Olivia."

"Brian?" He was dressed for the occasion and he looked amazing in the formal wear obviously tailored especially for him. Maybe it was how the two day stubble looked with the tux that caused her to clench. Olivia felt the response the Kegel brought to her pelvic region, and the flow of honey onto her panties. Or maybe the male pheromone-laden atmosphere in the room was getting to her.

"I'm working. I want to see this guy, size him up. I just wanted you to know I'm here in case you need me. Be careful."

"You told me that already." Her glance floated over him and a smiled curled across her lips. "You clean up very nicely."

He chuckled, looking around like she'd embarrassed him. "So do you."

"I..uh..better get back."

It was now 9:30 and the ballroom was finally comfortably filled. The orchestra was luring couples onto the dance floor with soft melodies from movie scores. Olivia could see Samantha already entertaining several men and that Lucy had taken up a position at the sign-in table. Tyson was speaking with someone, whose back was to her. Tyson caught her eye and motioned her over. She knew then, the man with his back to her was Matasuki. Her heart was pounding so loudly, it seemed to drown out everything else.

"
You can do this, get a grip Olivia. What was is it Aunt Loralie always says? ‘Make them believe you've been doing this for years. They won't believe, if
you
don't.’ Head up, it's show time."
  She smiled, it was a good start to getting to the confident place she needed to be.

"Mr. Matasuki, may I present Olivia Grayson. She'll be handling your account. Olivia this is Isamu Matasuki."

Olivia waited for him to offer his hand and then took it. She'd seen his pictures, but he looked even better in person, a cross between Jett and Bruce Lee. His black hair was slicked back, and his smoldering dark eyes never left hers. A gentlemen? She knew better. He was more a charming wolf in an Armani tux.

"So good to finally meet you." He shook her hand and then looked back to Tyson.

"I wasn't expecting someone so young."

Olivia pulled her hand away.
Judgment, already?

Tyson's smiled disarmingly. "Miss Grayson is one of our brightest colleagues. I assure you, if I didn't believe in her, unequivocally, she wouldn't have been assigned to your account."

"Mr. Matasuki, how good to see you again." They all heard. Olivia turned and gasped, causing all three men to look to her. It was the man from the restaurant, the man she'd had amazing sex with in the parking garage and his apartment.

"Have you two met?" Tyson wondered.

"No, no not formally," the man admitted.

"Olivia, this is Adam Stein, head of Stein Brothers."

Olivia's knees nearly failed her as she just barely caught the groan that threatened to leave her mouth, but she stood tall and shook his hand as if it was their first meeting. He smiled broadly.

"Very nice to meet you...Olivia. I'm sure we'll encounter each other often." He let her hand slip from his, turning his attention to Matasuki. "I look forward to our meetings next week, Isamu."

Matasuki nodded. "It should be a very interesting week. I, too, am looking forward to it."

Adam's smile faded. "Tyson, Olivia." His aloof, but polite and somewhat amused acknowledgments made, he walked away.

Olivia was mortified, but she'd done nothing wrong. Of course she certainly wouldn't have done what she did had she known he was
Adam Stein
. It made her wonder if he'd known all along who she was. She swallowed. Time to go to work.

Focusing on Matasuki, she bowed her head just slightly."Can I persuade you to dance with me, Mr. Matasuki?"

"Please call me Isamu."

"It means courage, I believe." He smiled in response to her comment and she smiled back.

Without turning to Tyson he said, "You're right Tyson, she's very smart. I'd love to dance with you Olivia Grayson."

Brian observed from across the room. Noting the location of Matasuki's three body guards, he casually crossed the room, discreetly taking pictures of them with the miniature camera on his lapel as he walked by. As he worked the remote for the shutter he smiled to himself. He was a sucker for gadgetry and had to admit part of the allure of the security profession was the fabulous array of gadgetry available for surveillance work.

Tyson cursed Stein under his breath before continuing his hosting duties. As he moved from group to group, greeting colleagues, friends and acquaintances, joining in on on-going conversations or choosing to just listen, he was unable to keep his eyes from seeking out Olivia.

Isamu guided Olivia gracefully around the couples on the large dance floor. It was during that first circuit he'd decided no matter what happened with business, he was going have her.

Olivia smiled shyly when the music ended. He wasn't fooling her. He had the same look in his eye she'd see hundreds of times from men just like him. Most would be astonished to find their money and power meant nothing to her.

"That was lovely. If you'll excuse me, I need to check on a few things. I hope you'll check out the items for the silent auction. It's a very good cause after all."

He nodded. "I will," he promised as he walked with her. A lovely Asian woman intercepted them, Olivia recognized her from the photos, as the woman in the background. She was stunningly dressed in a floor-length black satin gown with an embroidered white dragon cascading down the entire front. Her waist-length hair was fastened low at the side of her head in a flowing ponytail. She stepped close to Matasuki and in a hushed voice spoke with him in Japanese. Olivia purposely slowed her retreat. She spoke Japanese and understood the words "It's done." distinctly. Of course Matasuki couldn’t have known she spoke and understood Japanese. Which language skills she had were one of the things she chose to keep off her resume; things she kept to herself. Everyone except her closest friends were on a 'need to know' basis. She continued walking away, without looking back, promising herself that if Matasuki had any part in Paul's disappearance he was going to pay.

Before she could get to the kitchen, Adam Stein was beside her.

"We need to talk."

"Really," she scoffed. "About what?"

He grabbed her arm, bringing her to a stop. She looked around before pulling her arm sharply away from his grasp.

"I think you know."

"No, I'm sure I don't. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to."

He guided her to a secluded alcove. "Are you, or are you not assigned to Matasuki's file?"

Olivia frowned. That wasn't at all what she expected to hear.