Finding Her Way (27 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

“You look lost, can I help you with something, beautiful?” Devin said with a devilish smirk.

“I was looking for someone,” the surprised woman replied, trying to shade her eyes from the rising sun, not able to see the person addressing her.

Devin sized up the familiar woman standing at the bottom of the porch stairs. Her black hair was styled perfectly to accentuate her sun kissed skin and she had amazing bedroom brown eyes. She was a little shorter than herself, but had a very nice build. She pleasantly filled out a light blue polo shirt, khaki pants, and black Doc Martin shoes. “Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for Jerrica Kerrison.”

As if a light switched turned on in her head, Devin remembered. This was the woman she had seen Jerrica kissing the other day. Devin narrowed her eyes. Thinking quickly on her feet, Devin stepped into the light, completely revealing herself. Her golden hair flowed freely in the light breeze and her blue eyes stared at her new victim.

This woman was gorgeous and she knew it. Madison stifled a small gasp as she recognized the one of a kind, double-breasted navy blazer, Jerrica was the owner of that garment.
The blazer was the only thing this woman was wearing. The blazer was just long enough to cover her intimate parts at the top of her thighs.
 

Devin’s smile grew wider when she saw the recognition of the garment in the stranger’s eyes. She stepped forward just enough to lean on one of the porch columns. “I’m afraid you just missed her,” she said, running a fingertip up and down the lapel. “We were up late last night with… business…and she needed to get a run in this morning to wake up. She’s on the beach right now.”

†

Madison was puzzled. She hadn’t heard from Jerrica since Thursday and even then, the conversation seemed filled with tension. Now here she was, in unfamiliar surroundings, looking at a half-naked woman, who was wearing one of Jerrica’s favorite blazers, with no Jerrica to talk to or explain what was happening.

Devin continued on happily. “I don’t know why she insists on running every morning. I can find many other ways for her to get her exercise. You know what I mean?” Devin winked, running a finger on the bottom seam of the jacket. “Would you like to wait for her?”

Madison felt her heart splinter into millions of pieces.
Jerrica how could you do this to us?
She wailed inside. “No, thank you. It’s…not…that important.”

Madison turned her back to Devin as tears started to fill her eyes. She didn’t want this wicked creature, who relished her pain, to see her cry. Starting up the path, she could no longer contain the pain constricting her chest and began to cry openly.

†

“Madison?”

Devin spun her head around to see Jerrica running up the walkway from the beach.

Jerrica reached the porch, gasping for air and trying to speak. “Who was that?”

Bending at the waist, breathing heavy, she heard Devin answer. “I don’t know, she didn’t give her name.”

One hand on her hip and one holding onto the banister, Jerrica’s irritation for small talk with Devin was beginning to show. “What did she say?”

Devin retreated toward the entryway, stalling before answering over her shoulder. “She was looking for you.”

“You bitch,” Jerrica ran toward the main house.

†

Jerrica fell to her knees as the cloud of dust from the leaving car engulfed her. She was panting so hard, she thought she might pass out right there in the driveway. She had to get back to the cottage to get her keys. She had to catch her. Her muscles were burning, making every movement more excruciating then the last. Jerrica painstakingly returned to the cottage to find Devin and Courtney in the kitchen. Jerrica observed them playfully touching and kissing one another. Oh, my God, she slept with Courtney!

Lauren exited the bedroom, ready for their presentation as Jerrica stood in the doorway.

Jerrica rushed toward the kitchen and its occupants.

Lauren stepped in between Jerrica and the cuddling couple just as she lunged at them.

“You are a fucking bitch, Devin! I should choke you with my bare hands. You’re trying to destroy my life!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Devin replied as she scooted behind a bewildered Courtney for safety.

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Jerrica shouted over Lauren’s shoulder. Lauren was trying very hard to push her friend backward.

“Oh, please. If I wanted to destroy you, it would already be done.” Glancing up at the clock, Devin smiled, “You might want to start getting ready, your meeting is in less than an hour…darling.”

Mustering up her last bit of energy, Jerrica growled as she pushed Lauren to the side, charging Devin. Courtney didn’t stand a chance as Jerrica shoved her away, wrapping both hands around Devin’s neck. The momentum pushed Devin back into the counter.

By the time Lauren and Courtney were able to wrench Jerrica away from Devin, she was beyond reason.

Jerrica was yelling and kicking, as Lauren dragged her toward the bedroom.

Glancing back at the kitchen, Lauren knew Devin was fine as nurse Courtney was tending to the wounds. Lauren slammed the bedroom door behind them, dropping Jerrica to the floor. She had had enough. “Get your ass in that shower right now. You are behaving like a child! You can behave better than this! I want to kill her, too, but someone has to be the adult around here.”

Jerrica stood, opening her mouth to talk, but Lauren stopped her.

“I don’t want to hear it! Get in that shower and cool off!”

Jerrica lowered her head in defeat. Without further conversation, she entered the bathroom.

Twenty-five minutes passed before the bathroom door opened. Entering the room fully dressed for the meeting, Jerrica slowly walked to the bed where Lauren was sitting. Gracefully sitting down, she turned to face Lauren. “I’m sorry I put you through that. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“No, you didn’t hurt me. What happened?”

“Madison was here.”

“Madison was here, when?”

“I thought I saw her when I was returning from the beach. She seemed to be conversing with Devin. As I got closer, she ran toward the main house. Not having my contacts in or my glasses on I wasn’t sure it was Madison to begin with. When Devin finally told me she was looking for me, I ran after her, but she was gone. I wanted to chase her, but because of that damn scheduled meeting, I couldn’t. My anger just took control the moment I got back here.”

“Do you know what they talked about?”

“No, but it couldn’t have been good. She left in a hurry without waiting to talk to me.”

“I hate to add to your troubles, but did you see where your blazer currently is?”

Jerrica briefly looked puzzled, lowering her head in disbelief when the answer popped into her head. “Devin’s wearing it, isn’t she?”

“Yes and if you put two and two together, I think you can figure out what Madison might have thought or even been told by that crazy bitch.”

“Shit! Can I borrow your phone?”

Snatching it from Lauren’s hand Jerrica tried dialing Madison. Again, it went straight to voicemail, but this time she left a message saying they needed to talk. A dejected Jerrica dropped the cell phone into Lauren’s hands.

Ever the supportive friend, Lauren commented. “You need to keep trying. She’ll have to pick up sooner or later.” Her tone changed, becoming sterner,

“Devin is still in the cottage, Jerrica. We are leaving in five minutes. I won’t have any trouble getting you out of here, will I?”

“No, I promise.”

“Good. Now go put some lipstick on and we’ll leave.”

Lauren cautiously opened the bedroom door, glancing down the deserted hallway. They made their way toward the front door, carrying their luggage, when a voice behind them stopped them in their tracks.

“I will make sure you leave here with nothing, Jerrica. You will have no career and you will be alone.”

 
They both turned around to see Devin standing in the hallway enraged.

“You will be begging me to take you back. You’ll plead me for your life back,” Devin snarled.

Jerrica forced a calm smile on her face, but her anger was bubbling just under the surface. “Maybe you should hold your breath while you wait for me to come back,” Jerrica snickered., “Oh, and by the way, I want my blazer.”

Without a word, her eyes locked on Jerrica’s, Devin unbuttoned the blazer, letting it fall off her shoulders, down to her waist, sliding it off her arms. Standing nude in front of both women, she extended her arm, with the blazer dangling from her fingertips.

Jerrica sauntered over, scooped the jacket over her arm and rotated on her heels. As Jerrica reached for the door, she turned to look at Devin.

“I hope you enjoyed my sloppy seconds,” she said, nodding to the doorway where Courtney stood. Jerrica laughed as she let the screen door slam shut after her.

Lauren was the only one to speak as they walked toward the house. “If you take away the crazy bitch part, she’s not too bad on the eyes.”

Jerrica genuinely laughed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Mr. Daniel had built his office to intimidate all who entered. Dark wood bookcases, stretching from floor to ceiling, covered most of the walls. Some sort of reading material covered each shelf. Jerrica doubted he had taken time to read even one. Walking to the oversized desk, she skimmed the smooth top with the palm of her hand.

“Explain that grin,” Lauren demanded.

In a low tone Jerrica replied. “Let’s just say, I’ve had a few experiences in this room already, on this desk especially.” Winking evilly, she added, "It’s very smooth on the skin.”

Lauren giggled as Jerrica crossed the room, with a wide smile on her face, toward the table where they were to set up.

The oval conference table was located near the corner of the room, not giving Lauren and Jerrica much room to work in but they would make do. The presentation was ready when the first member of the Daniel corporation entered the room. One by one, they all filed in. Jerrica tried to hide her contempt as Devin was the last one to appear.

Before Mr. Daniel seated himself, he introduced Andrew, Paula and the other men she had seen last night. “I would like to introduce you to the lawyers from Mcane and Mills law firm out of Boston. They will be our legal counsel for these proceedings.”

Everyone smiled and shook hands.

Formalities over, Jerrica cleared her throat, beginning her presentation. She used the full sixty minutes to her advantage. She had timed it out down to the last second. She passed out packets with figures and graphs.

Lauren offered them writing utensils with the company’s logos, just in case they needed to take notes.
 

Jerrica amazed them with her quarterly trajectories and the projected company growth charts.

Even Devin, who was still irritated with Jerrica, seemed mildly impressed by what Morrill, Hartford, and Donahue would be offering in the new contracts.

The speech was finished, the questions and answer time over and Jerrica packed up the presentation. A peaceful feeling came upon her as she closed her laptop. No matter what happened now, she had given it her all. That thought and that thought alone, was gratifying for her. Jerrica pulled out the large envelope containing the official new contract. With case in hand, she walked around the table, presenting the envelope to Andrew.

“Thank you, Ms. Kerrison. We’ll be in touch.”

Jerrica turned to see Lauren smiling at Andrew.

Jerrica quickly moved though the rooms, the urgency to get away from those people seemed crucial to her sanity. Lauren was close behind, surprised that a woman wearing three -inch heels could move so quickly.

Jerrica graced the porch with only two steps before hurdling herself over the steps, landing perfectly on the path. It only took seconds for Jerrica to reach her car, her hand on the handle.

When Lauren reached the car, she panted, “Jerrica, stop, we can’t leave yet. We need to stay for questions.”

“Shit! Give me your phone.”

Lauren handed it over. “Why don’t you hold onto it for now. I’m not expecting any calls.”

Jerrica dialed the number burned in her memory repeatedly, each time no answer. Discouraged, she slid onto the hood of her car.

At a loss again, Lauren sat next to her friend, sharing the comfort the silence was offering. Every fifteen minutes, Jerrica redialed Madison number. To her dismay, the result was the same.

Seeing the young women’s discomfort from the main house, Molly had Pete bring them out two lawn chairs and a pitcher of lemonade. With Pete’s insistence, Jerrica reclined in one of the chairs, trying to relax.

She was anxious to get off this island and find Madison. Repeating her actions, she tried the cell phone and again no answer. The day dragged on as they watched each pair of representatives exit the house after their meetings. Molly had brought them a tray of finger sandwiches for lunch but Jerrica didn’t eat. Her stomach was tied in knots.

All the reps seemed to be muddling around the yard, not knowing what to do next. They were all stuck waiting.

By two forty-five, Jerrica was anxiously pacing by her car. Jerrica fidgeted with her hands waiting to escape from this hell. Peering at her watch, she realized they needed to leave soon or they would miss the late day car ferry to the mainland. “That’s it,” Jerrica said, exasperated. “Lauren let’s—”

“May I have everyone’s attention?” Andrew said from the porch, interrupting Jerrica.

Everyone moved a little closer to the house to hear him better. Having everyone in earshot, he spoke., “The Daniel family and the board members of Daniel & Daniel, Inc. would like to thank you for your cooperation this weekend. We will consider each offer. There were no further questions, so everyone is free to go.”

Andrew stared into Lauren’s eyes, smiling, then he vanished back into the house.

Jerrica was already at the car when Lauren turned to find her. With a screech of the tires, the women of MHD were on their way home.