Kiss Lonely Goodbye (22 page)

“Okay, I'll call Jesse and see what he thinks. I'm not questioning your word, but—”

“Tact,” Marcus whispered.

“Fine, fine. I'll talk to you both tomorrow.” Nicole tossed the cordless phone onto the bed. It bounced once and landed on the thick carpet.

Marcus retrieved it and put it back in the charger cradle. “Cool down.”

She stomped one foot and let out a loud growl of frustration. “Lucky for him his neck isn't within reach right about now.”

“What did he say?” Marcus reclined on the pile of pillows on the bed. He patted the sheet next to him.

“They interviewed staff after your pal got through with them. Several were shaking in their shoes and confessed to doing stuff we didn't know about, hadn't even suspected.” Nicole lay down beside him and took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

“Like what?”

“Nothing criminal, just lying on their time sheets and covering for each other. Bad enough, since the company paid overtime as a result.” Nicole shifted to snuggle closer into the crook of his arm.

“If it goes back far enough, we could be talking big money.” Marcus combed his finger through her hair. He frowned in thought.

“I'm going to meet with them and get the details. At least Russell didn't jump the gun and fire anybody.”

“See? Even Russell can use good judgment in a crisis,” Marcus replied.

“Please! Jesse had to tell him.” Nicole propped herself on an elbow. “You mentioned alligators. Well, I feel like I'm surrounded by them. There's Russell, our customers, the police, and my family. I can't take much more.”

“Yes, you can.
We
can.” Marcus enfolded her in a protective embrace.

“I don't want them to take it out on you,” Nicole said.

“Your family can't throw anything at me I can't handle.”

“Don't let those fancy manners fool you.”

“If fighting your family bothers you that much, then give in. Quit. You'll be free to shop in the middle of the day and party all night again.”

Nicole gazed at him through slits. “Be very careful, Reed.”

He shrugged. “I'm just saying. You made a good showing for a few weeks. Nobody can say you didn't try.”

“I'm not going to ride off into the sunset to the nearest mall,” Nicole snapped.

His full mouth curved up at the corners. “Just checking.”

She poked his side with a finger. “You're so obvious. Okay, no more whining. Tomorrow I'll deal with it like a grown-up.”

“With me close by,” he added. “You can whine to me anytime, baby. No one is going to hurt you unless they go through me first.”

“Let's try to forget again. For a few more hours at least.”

Nicole rested her head on his chest as he caressed her back with his long fingers. She closed her eyes, and Marcus kissed her eyelids. The rest of the night he did a fine job of keeping the shadows away.

M
arcus hesitated, then pushed the button. Chimes played a tune inside Shaun's town house. Moments later the door swung open. Shaun leaned against it and stared at him. His gaze seemed to dare Marcus to come in. Ignoring the attitude, Marcus walked past him into the living room.

“What's up?” Marcus glanced around. Two long-stemmed goblets of amber liquor were on the cocktail table.

“Just kickin' back enjoying my solitude.” Shaun shoved the door closed.

“Uh-huh.” Marcus nodded to the glasses.

“I don't do dishes that often.” Shaun picked up both goblets and took them into the kitchen. He came back immediately. “Okay, now you tell me what's up.”

“You must have heard about all the stuff going down at Summers Security.” Marcus sat on the sofa.

Shaun stood over him. “Nah, I'm too busy with my own thang, if you know what I mean.”

Marcus bit off a comment about Aliyah keeping him up to
date. No need to make their conversation tougher than it had to be just yet. “Right, right. One of our customers was robbed, a jewelry store. The manager was badly beaten.”

“Damn, that's too bad. Crime is out of hand.” Shaun cocked his head to one side and waited.

“Yeah. So, how've you been doing?” Marcus propped an ankle across his knee.

“Pretty good. Look at me forgetting my manners. I'll get us something refreshingly cold.”

Marcus said nothing as Shaun went to the kitchen again. He came back carrying two bottles of imported beer and a bowl of corn chips. Shaun wore an easy smile.

“Like I said, I've got no complaints.” Shaun handed Marcus one of the bottles. He put the bowl on the cocktail table. “Sounds like you've got troubles,” he said casually.

“The police are looking into crimes committed against our clients in the last two years.” Marcus got a handful of chips and ate them.

“Hell, Houston has crime everywhere. The thugs make sure of that, man.” Shaun let out a gruff laugh. “Your girlfriend is getting a real shock, huh?”

“Nicole has led a totally different life, for sure.” Marcus took a sip of beer.

“She might as well learn now. How else is she going to understand the risks of the security business?” Shaun stretched out his long legs.

“I hate to see her getting all kinds of pressure. She really has tried hard to be a good CEO.” Marcus stared down at the dark green bottle he rolled between his palms.

“Okay, so she gets credit for effort. It's your call, but I still don't see why you sweatin' her problem. You got played once.” Shaun glanced at him.

“Nicole needs me and I'm going to be there for her. I was angry at first about the way things went down, but not anymore.”

“Sweet happy ever after.” The scorn in Shaun's voice leaked out.

Marcus looked up at him. “Something like that.”

“Be a country club member and hang with the upper crust, you mean.”

“I don't give a damn about being in the Who's Who club, Shaun. I want a reason to look over my shoulder.”

Shaun's eyes glittered with anger. “You talkin' to me?”

“If the shoe fits, then wear it good,” Marcus shot back.

“Oh, so now we're coming to the real reason you stopped by. This isn't a friendly visit to hang with your boy. Wait, I forgot we're not boys anymore.” Shaun glared at him.

“I've got different goals. Don't make this some kinda test of our friendship.” Marcus leaned forward and thumped the bottle down on the cocktail table.

“A test. Guess you're right. When your friends need you and you don't step up, then you get a failing grade,” Shaun replied.

“How about respect for a friend's right to choose his own path?” Marcus gazed back at him.

Shaun sprang from his seat and jabbed a finger at Marcus. “Don't give me that talk show crap! Two months ago you were itching to put a knife into the heart of Summers Security. Now you're looking down your nose at me.”

“You're crazy.” Marcus stared up at him.

“Don't even try it. I blew it off when you started kissin' the old man's ass. Just knew my partner had a plan.” Shaun gave a snort of disgust. He spun around with a twisted smile. “Yeah, right.”

“True, my first instinct was to get payback ghetto style. Then I thought it over. My grandmother always said don't live down to expectations just because you grew up in the Fifth Ward.” Marcus stood to face his accusations.

“Don't play me, man! Nicole is your ticket to respectability. You wanna leave behind all your baggage, your crazy mama, your jailbird daddy, and
me
.” Shaun slapped a palm to his chest.

“You're going too far, Shaun.” Marcus clenched both hands tight.

“Think you can snap your fingers and be one of them? Nicole will dump you fast even if she doesn't find out the whole truth. And don't try to tell me you've spilled it all,” Shaun spat.

“I have to say you hid it well, man.” Marcus tried to feel anger, but sadness filled him.

“You started changing when old man Summers filled your head. Driving around like you own the damn world. I asked you to come in business with me and you turned up your nose.”

“What are you talking about? That insurance scam wouldn't have worked.”

“It didn't just start with Nicole and you know it. A year ago I could have closed a big contract to consult with one of your customers. What did you say?”

“So, I'm supposed to let you use me? I don't think so. The friendship test goes two ways. Instead of carrying a grudge you could have understood where I wanted to be in life.”

“Uh-huh,” Shaun grunted. “Look where ass kissin' and loyalty got you. Good thing I've got some
real
friends on the hook.”

They stared at each other for at least sixty seconds. Neither
heard the steady thudding bass of hip-hop music coming from the speakers of Shaun's sound system. Marcus heard a click-clack in his head as pieces fell into place.

“Like Olandon?” he asked in a hushed voice.

“I've got lots of friends, man. Forget it. You're trippin' these days.” Shaun turned away.

“Tell me about the business deals with your real friends. Another thing, I didn't mention a theft ring operating out of Summers Security.” Marcus stood very still as he stared at Shaun.

“Why else would you mention the police being at your office all day?” Shaun snatched his bottle of beer off the table and took a long pull from it.

“I didn't.”

“Then Aliyah must have said something. I don't know and don't care.” Shaun went to a stack of compact discs on a shelf. He shuffled them, studying each one. “Look, I was having a quiet evening. Take that drama out when you leave.”

“Thought you didn't see much of Aliyah.” Marcus took two steps closer to him.

Shaun faced him again. “Don't come in my house challenging me. Time to go.”

“All right. Tell ya girl Aliyah I said hello.” Marcus jerked a thumb in the direction of Shaun's bedroom down the hall.

Shaun nodded to the front door. “When you're ready to be real again, gimme a call.”

Marcus slammed the door hard as he left. “Damn! You messed up.”

Not that he'd expected Shaun to tell him anything. Marcus drove home trying to figure out at what point he and his only close friend had become enemies. Shaun's accusations that he'd sold out buzzed around in his head like angry yellow jackets. More than once Marcus started to turn his car around
and go make things right with Shaun. Or at least give it a try. Still, not even guilt could banish the troublesome feeling that Olandon's name on the list of suspects was no coincidence.

 

She forced herself to go on with the staff meeting even though her heart wasn't in it. Nicole issued instructions and made decisions. She even managed a short pep talk before the staff left. Once the door to her office closed, Nicole slumped in her chair and closed her eyes. She opened them again at the sound of a male voice outside her door. Cat came in a few minutes later.

“UPS just delivered the new Dell server,” Cat said. “Andre is all excited. You'd think Santa just delivered his Christmas toys.”

“At least somebody is happy.” Nicole stared out the window again.

Cat dropped a stack of mail into Nicole's in basket. “Hey, he's got this new neat program to help catch hackers. I'm thinking maybe I could start helping him. I took computer courses at the community college.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I like the idea of turning the tables on those little chumps.” Cat leaned over her. “You heard me?”

“Yes.” Nicole couldn't work up interest in anything at the moment.

“Snap to it, boss lady. We've got work to do.” Cat turned Nicole's chair around until she faced the desk.

“I'm taking a break.” Nicole tried to swivel back, but Cat stopped her.

“Break over. I wanna see that smart aleck lady that tells everybody where they can go and what they can kiss.” Cat crossed her arms.

“My mother would say good riddance to her.” Nicole's
eyes felt gritty and dry. She squeezed them shut. Too little sleep.

Cat sat on the edge of Nicole's desk. “You want to quit?”

Nicole let the question roll around in her mind for a while. Quit, she mused. She tried on the notion and found it didn't fit.

“No, I'm not going to quit.”

“That's what I'm talkin' about.” Cat slapped her hands together and grinned.

“Here, you can send these off.”

Nicole handed Cat a stack of letters she'd signed. She sorted through mail left unread for several days. Together they cleared Nicole's desk. Cat helped Nicole prioritize the phone calls she needed to return.

“Sorry to just drop in.” Kelli Caldwell peered around the half open door. “I was in the neighborhood.”

“Hi, Ms. Caldwell. I'll get y'all something to drink,” Cat said.

“I've got sodas in the refrigerator, Cat. Thanks anyway.” Nicole waved her friend in. “Good to see a friendly face.”

Kelli sat down and waited until the door closed behind Cat. She gazed at Nicole with a critical eye. “How are you?”

“Getting better. Don't tell me, everyone has already written my obituary in this business.” Nicole raised an eyebrow.

“A few,” Kelli admitted.

“Well, like the old saying goes, I'll go down fighting.” Nicole tried for a smile and didn't make it.

“Lost any contracts yet?” Kelli crossed her legs.

Nicole sprang from her chair to relieve nervous energy. She walked to the window then back to her desk. “Two that were up for renewal. We're not in trouble yet. If he weren't already dead, I'd strangle Uncle Hosea.”

“He must have known you could run this company.”

“No, this is his revenge for all the times I kicked his shins as a kid,” Nicole retorted.

“So, you're going to kick him again by making it work,” Kelli teased.

Nicole paused. “What?”

“Come on, you like the idea of giving folks the finger, in a manner of speaking.” Kelli fussed over a wrinkle in her red skirt. “I wouldn't try it literally, though. Bad for business.”

Nicole dropped into her chair again. “I need to run this company for my own reasons, not to show my parents or even Uncle Hosea. And not to impress Marcus,” she murmured.

Kelli glanced up at her sharply. “I agree, since you mentioned it. Listen, I've been debating whether to tell you something. I hate repeating gossip, but…” Her voice trailed off as she fidgeted.

“Yes, Marcus and I are lovers. Is that what you're getting at?” Nicole tilted her head to one side.

“Oh, crap!” Kelli chewed the red lipstick from her bottom lip.

“I haven't let it affect the business.” Nicole knew her family wouldn't buy the argument.

“Rumors are circulating that Hosea had promised to sell out to Marcus. When Hosea died and left Summers Security to you…well, some people are saying Marcus might have orchestrated these problems as payback.” Kelli grimaced as though the words hurt as they came out.

Nicole stared at her for several seconds, then laughed. “I can't get angry because that's just downright stupid. Marcus has as much to lose by destroying Summers Security.”

“I hear he's been quietly recruiting customers.”

“Even if I thought Marcus would stab me in the back,
which I don't, it still doesn't make sense.” Nicole got up and paced again.

“Tell you the truth, I don't believe the rumors,” Kelli said.

“Thank you,” said Nicole.

“Course he could be taking advantage of an opportunity that happens to fit his plans.” Kelli dipped her head to one side as though ducking when Nicole shot a heated glance her way. “Or not,” she muttered.

“I don't believe it for one minute.”

“Then ask him.”

“I will.”

“Let me know what he says. You might not be objective.” Kelli pointed a forefinger at her.

“I have a highly developed sense of smell when it comes to bull,” Nicole snapped. She sat down hard.

Kelli held up both palms. “Okay, okay. Change of subject. I had a similar series of unfortunate events when I started out.”

“A crime wave started by your own employees?” Nicole clenched her teeth.

“My niche is a bit different, true.”

“For sure,” Nicole said. Kelli's firm specialized in bodyguards for celebrities and special events such as music concerts.

“One of my guys had a hot affair with the wife of a famous NFL tight end—who shall remain nameless,” Kelli added quickly when Nicole leaned forward eagerly.

“Aw c'mon, a little dirt will take my mind off my own troubles,” Nicole urged.

“The point is I had to clean up my good name. Well, the name of my company anyway.”