Deception
“Sure. Anything else?”
“The sooner the better. I want to get that SOB out of here as soon as possible.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
“Thanks.”
Terri hung up the phone, then proceeded to unlock the file cabinet, retrieving the files that she had examined the previous night. The pages in front of her seemed to laugh at her naïveté.
She shook her head in disbelief. Powers, Inc., was on the brink of deep financial trouble, and she had let it happen. Her trusting nature had overruled her business judgment, and it had cost her dearly. For the past year she’d felt like a failure as a wife and then as a mother. All she had left was her business, and now even that was threatened.
No more.
She quickly crossed the office and went out into the small reception area. Andrea was just taking her seat.
“Good morning, Ms. Powers,” she greeted cheerfully, then changed her tone when she saw the thunderclouds raging in Terri’s dark eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“Not for long,” she responded. “I need you to get Al Pierce, the accountant, on the phone. Tell him to stop whatever he’s doing. I want him here within the hour, along with all of the records that have anything to do with Powers, Inc. Make sure that he understands that this is not a request. This is a command performance. If he gives you the slightest bit of a problem, put me on the line and I’ll handle him.”
“Yes, Ms. Powers,” she said meekly.
“Thank you. Oh, and as soon as Mr. Andrews arrives, send him into my office.”
Terri turned back toward her office before Andrea had a chance to respond.
Andrea couldn’t remember ever seeing Terri this angry before. This must be serious, she thought, thankful that the boss’s rage was not directed at her. She flipped through her Rolodex and found the accountant’s number.
Clint stared pensively at the folders in front of him. He’d wrestled with what he had to do for several days. His decision was made. His friend Steve’s investigation of Mark had come up with some very damning information, and he felt compelled to tell Terri, whether she accepted his help or not.
The tapping on his office door snapped him to attention. Melissa strolled in.
“You wanted to see me, Clint?” she asked, beaming a brilliant smile.
“Yes. Have a seat.”
Melissa took a seat opposite Clint, seductively crossing her long legs. She regarded him thoughtfully, gaining a joyous satisfaction in studying his profile. Her strong admiration and loyalty for Clint bordered on the romantic, but she was always careful never to cross that line. She sighed silently, wishing that one day he’d see past her brains to the woman who could rock his world.
“You’ve been seeing Mark Andrews.” His question was more of a statement, and Melissa wasn’t sure if she should be angry or flattered by his interest.
“I won’t even begin to ask you how you know,” she stated candidly, the years of working together being enough of an answer. “Is there a problem that I should know about?”
Clint slowly crossed the room, sliding his hands into his pants pockets. He turned to face her.
“There could be. I got some bad vibes from him when the deal with Powers, Inc., fell through. Some things didn’t sit right with me. I’ve had someone do some investigating on our Mr. Andrews, and I don’t like what I’ve found out.”
Melissa’s heart tripped. The only man that had truly interested her in years had been Clint. There’d been others to fill the gaps, even Clint’s buddy Steve. When she met Mark, she thought that she had finally found someone to take her mind off of Clint—permanently. Or at least until Clint woke up and truly saw her. Now she had a bad feeling that she wasn’t going to like what she was going to hear.
Melissa returned to her office, slamming the door behind her, the vehemence of her tirade toward Clint reverberating in her head. Her hurt and anger were so intense that she shook with its force. She swung back toward the closed door, wanting desperately to throw something. Then feeling totally impotent, tears of frustration and defeat filled her hazel eyes.
Terri and Stacy sat in Terri’s office awaiting Mark and the accountant’s arrival.
Stacy took a sip of her coffee. “I just can’t believe that all of this was going on right under our noses.”
“Neither can I,” Terri replied, the soft lilt of her voice laden with regret.
Stacy shook her head just as Andrea peeked in the door.
“Ms. Powers, Mr. Pierce is here, and Mark just arrived. Should I buzz him?”
“Yes. But tell him to wait about ten minutes. Send Al in now.”
“Who gave you authorization to allocate all of this money, Al?” Terri demanded, tossing the stack of check releases across the conference table.
Al Pierce swallowed and adjusted his glasses. He made a small showing of reviewing the documents in front of him. “Why, you did,” he replied after several moments.
“In all of the years that we’ve been dealing with each other, when have I ever given you verbal instructions? Every transaction has been clearly written by me. Is that correct?”
“Yes. However, Mr. Andrews said that they were your instructions.” He fidgeted in his seat, uncomfortable under her steady gaze.
“How much was he paying you to maintain two sets of books, Mr. Pierce?” she quizzed, throwing him totally off guard.
“I…I don’t know what you mean,” he mumbled, raking a nervous hand through his thick gray hair. “Certainly you don’t think that—”
“Think what—that you and Mark were behind-the-scenes, undermining me for personal gain?” Her voice rose. “Is that what you think is on my mind?”
“Ms. Powers,” he stood abruptly. “I resent the implication.”
“Resent whatever you want, Al. You’re through! And if I have anything to do with it, the only things you’re ever going to add up again are cash-register receipts,” she spat. “Now get out of my sight and out of my office.”
Al Pierce gathered up his belongings. “If you think that I’m your only problem, then you have more of a problem than you can imagine.” He threw a cursory glance in Stacy’s direction and stalked out the door.
“What was that supposed to mean?” Stacy asked.
“I really don’t know. More than likely it was an idle comment.” But silently she wondered if it were that simple. She inhaled deeply. “Now for round two,” she said, her tone morose. “I think it would be best if I handled this one alone.” She crossed her arms with resolve.
“Are you sure?”
Terri nodded gloomily. “If I need you for anything, I’ll send Andrea for you.”
Stacy rose reluctantly and slowly approached Terri, who stood as if cast in stone. “Listen,” she began softly, “it all looks real bleak right now. But everything is going to work out.”
“Sure,” she whispered. “On your way out tell Andrea she can buzz Mark now.”
They stood facing each other like two gladiators waiting for the signal to attack.
“I’ve had the misfortune of going over your records,” Terri began, pacing her words evenly. “It’s amazing how yours are so different from mine,” she added with sarcasm. “You’ve tried to destroy me,” she said, her voice edged in granite. “No wonder you were so hell-bent on sealing the contract with Hightower. You needed the money to cover up what you’d done before I found out.”
“You brought it on yourself,” he tossed back in a malevolent tone that chilled her.
“What? You—with the help of Al Pierce—systematically set out to ruin this company. A company that I put together.” She counted off his misdeeds on her fingers. “You sabotaged contracts, made us lose potential deals, lined your own pockets and God knows what else. Then you have the gall to stand there and tell me that I brought it on myself! Do you hate me so much that you’d risk ruining this company and me as well as your own name in this industry?”
“Yes!” he shouted. “You’ll never know how much. You with your holier-than-thou attitude. The woman who could do no wrong. This is no more than what you deserve. I was the one left with the crumbs of your success.”
“Crumbs!” Her indignation came full circle. “You’ve always been a part of the success, Mark.”
He chuckled. “But it was always Terri this and Terri that,” he mimicked in a singsong voice. His face twisted into an ugly mask. “Terri Powers received the accolades, her name in the papers—not me.” He jabbed a finger at his chest, glowering at her.
“So that’s what it all boils down to, does it? You can’t stomach working with a woman who has made it.”
He looked away, clenching his jaw. “You’re not a woman. If you were, you could’ve kept your husband and your baby!”
His personal attack stabbed her. She fought for control as nausea threatened to overtake her. “Not the kind of woman you expected me to be,” she said smoothly, camouflaging her hurt. “I want you out of here within the hour. Security will oversee your departure.” She turned her back to him, her spine rigid.
Mark tossed her a hate-filled stare. “You’ve had your time to shine. I’ll guarantee you that I’ll have mine, as well.” He turned toward the door then stopped. “I was willing to risk anything to make you know how it feels to be forgotten. Now that you know everything,” he paused, “you won’t ever forget me again.” He stormed out of the office, leaving the door swinging on its hinges.
For several moments Terri stood in the tension-filled silence that permeated the air. Finally she let out a breath that she didn’t realize she’d held, and a tremor raced through her. She lowered her head, feeling weak and beaten.
She’d always prided herself on being fair to everyone. Or at least she’d thought so. How could she have not seen what was happening to Mark? She’d been so wrapped up in her own personal problems over the past months that she’d been blind to what was going on, allowing Mark free rein with the company. He’d used that trust against her.
His painful words rushed back at her, and her resentment and hurt resurfaced. No one could ever begin to imagine the pain and worthlessness that she’d felt. She’d shared her private hell with no one, and she wasn’t sure if she ever could.
But she could not let it immobilize her. She forced her body to move, her mind to work. She still had work to do. It was time that she reclaimed control of her life, for better or worse.
Snatching her coat from the rack and putting her purse under her arm, she walked purposefully out of the office, stopping briefly at Andrea’s desk.
“I’ll be away from the office for the balance of the day. Any problems, call Stacy. She’ll know what to do. Oh, and security will be escorting Mr. Andrews out of the building.”
“Yes, Ms. Powers.”
Terri stood in front of the elevator, her face resolute, her spirit determined. Her next stop was the offices of Hightower Enterprises.
Chapter 6
Clint had just hung up the phone when his secretary buzzed him on the intercom.
“Yes, Pat?”
“Mr. Steele, there’s a Ms. Powers here to see you.”
Clint’s heart stirred with excitement. “Send her right in.”
Quickly he stood up and put on his navy blue blazer and straightened his blue paisley tie. He approached the door just as Terri entered.
His full lips curved into an unconscious smile and widened in silent approval as he took in her regal, dark beauty. Her hair was swept away from her face, held in place by a wide headband, highlighting those large earthy brown eyes. The winter-white cashmere coat was flung open, revealing the flowing dress that gently brushed her curves.
He ached to take her in his arms, but his smile slowly dissolved when he saw the shadow of despair hovering in her eyes.
Immediately he crossed the room to where she stood, ready to do battle with whoever had crossed her.
“Terri, what is it?”
She took a deep breath. “May I sit down?”
“Sure.” He pulled up a high-back chair for her, one for himself and sat down in front of her, his arms braced on his muscled thighs as he leaned forward.
She looked across at him, hesitant at first, but then decided to plunge right in. “I fired Mark today, along with the accountant,” she said in a monotone.
Briefly Clint lowered his head, nodding in a way that let her know he understood. He looked up, his gaze holding hers. “I’ve had to fire my share of employees over the years, and it’s never easy, especially under these circumstances. You not only feel guilt, you feel betrayed,” he added softly.
Terri felt the weight slowly ease from her chest. She didn’t realize until that moment how much she needed him to understand and not see her as weak and ineffectual.
“I take it Mark was the man behind-the-scenes all along?”
Terri nodded, a feeling of humiliation whipping through her, but her face remained resolute.
Clint easily saw through the facade of control. Once again he felt the overpowering need to take her in his arms, to protect her. But he sensed that wasn’t what she needed or would accept. At least not now. That was one thing he was gradually learning about her—she did things in her own way, in her own time, without fanfare.
“Is there anything that I can do?”
She looked across at him, a weak smile tugging at her polished lips. “You could accept my apology.”
His thick brows knitted. “Apology? For what?”
“For misjudging you. For doubting your sincerity. It’s not like me to doubt people.”
“Don’t lose that part of yourself, Terri,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “That’s what makes you the wonderful woman that you are.”
She looked away as though searching for words, then chuckled mirthlessly. “That’s part of my problem. Being too trusting at the wrong times.” She sighed deeply and Clint waited, knowing that she needed this time to come to a decision. One that would change the direction of their relationship. Then, as if a dam had sprung a leak, she slowly began to reveal bits and pieces of her failed marriage, her retreat from relationships as a result of Alan’s infidelities and her recent revelations about Clint.
The one thing that she left out was the loss of her baby, Clint noticed, a subject that must still be too painful to discuss. In time, he thought. In time. For now, he would treasure this small gift of trust that she’d given him.
“…I was so wrong about so many things, Clint. And I always believed myself to be a fair-minded person. I let my own personal prejudices overshadow practical good sense.” Her eyes leveled with his. “That was unfair to you. And when I did trust someone, it was the wrong person.”
Warily Clint reached over and placed his hand on top of hers, and Terri swore that if he said anything sweet she would burst into tears.
“Thank you for that,” he said, his voice a silken caress. “Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me. Just don’t blame yourself. You had every reason to believe the things you did about Mark and about me.”
“That doesn’t excuse my behavior.” She looked away, then turned to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What?” He knew what she was fishing for but refused to rise to the bait.
“About what you really do? Why do you allow the papers to print such trash about you? They have you portrayed as this vulture that would walk over anyone to get what he wants. They never print the positive results of your business endeavors and the good that you do for struggling black businesses. It’s despicable.”
Clint lowered his head, then looked across at her. He shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose I want to keep that part of my life private. My reputation as a hard-nosed businessman has allowed me the financial flexibility to make those contributions. Let the public think what they want about me. Inside—” he pointed a finger at his chest “—I know what I’m about. That’s what’s important.”
Terri nodded in understanding, pressed her lips together and slowly rose. She felt totally vulnerable now, having shared some of her darkest moments and being witness to a side of Clint that she’d believed could not exist. The combination of new emotions crumbled her fragile sensibilities. She began to question her sudden spontaneity with him, realizing that it was brought on in a moment of weakness. Instinctively her defenses locked into place and she turned the subject to neutral ground. “My main concern right now is getting the company back on solid financial footing. I owe that to my staff.”
Clint stood in front of her, catching a delicious whiff of her scent. He looked down into her upturned face. “How bad are things?”
Her smile was empty. “Bad enough.”
“Listen, I could loan the company enough funds to get you over the hump.”
Terri vehemently shook her ebony head, her locks swinging behind her. “No way. I got myself into this mess. I’ll get myself out.” Her voice softened, and her fingers splayed and stroked his arm. “But thank you. I appreciate the gesture.”
He nodded and his admiration for her grew.
Terri pulled her coat around her and picked up her purse. “We’re pretty close to clinching a deal with Viatek Studios. I feel very confident about it.”
“I’m sure it will work out.” His smile embraced her as he took a cautious step closer. “With you behind it, Viatek should consider themselves lucky.”
She didn’t trust herself to speak, feeling the heat of his nearness engulfing her. Instead, she eased away and moved toward the door.
Clint checked his watch. “Can I take you to lunch?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve got some things to take care of and I’m meeting a friend in about an hour. Maybe another time?” Her question was hopeful.
“I’ll call you—soon.”
She smiled. “All right. Goodbye, Clint.” She turned to leave.
Clint’s voice held her in place. “Terri.” She looked up at him, expectantly. “I’m glad that everything is out in the open. I hope that we can move on from here.”
She nodded in silent agreement.
But even as he said the words, the ache of his own hidden pain and buried truths burned his guilty conscience. He needed so desperately to open the doors to the feelings that raged within him. It had been so long since he’d shared the deepest part of himself with anyone. He wasn’t sure if he still knew how. For now, all he could do was watch her walk away.
Terri picked up her glass of sparkling cider and took a sip.
“So what are your plans for the company?” Lisa asked over lunch. In all of the ten years that she’d known Terri, she’d never seen her so distraught. Terri was one of the most decent people that Lisa knew and the best friend she’d ever had. Terri was the last person who deserved the things that happened to her.
Terri took a deep breath, twirling the delicate glass between her fingers. “Well, the first thing is a total review of all of the files and a revamping of the staff. Stacy will take over Mark’s responsibilities as of tomorrow. I plan to make an announcement in the morning. And of course I’ll have to hire a new accountant.” She gave a halfhearted grin.
Lisa nodded as she took a forkful of sautéed shrimp. “About Mark,” she began slowly, “do you plan to press charges?”
Terri tossed the salad in her plate. “I thought about it, Lisa.” She sighed. “But what’s the point? Mark has dug his own ditch. Word travels fast in our circles. He’ll never be trusted again. He’s finished. That’s enough punishment.”
Lisa was unconvinced. “If you want my opinion, I’d say to press charges against the crummy bastard. Cutting him out of the club isn’t enough,” she added vehemently.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lisa doubted that Terri would have a change of heart. Terri may not have been good in displaying her feelings, but she never wanted to see anyone hurt, no matter what they may have done to her. Terri kept her feelings bottled up inside, and Lisa didn’t know what, or who, would ever make her change.
“So what’s the progress with the advertising campaign for Viatek Studios—moving on to a more pleasant topic?”
“I’m positive we’ll pull this off. If we do get it, I’ll have to go to L.A.”
“You don’t sound too enthusiastic about the possibility.” Lisa took another mouthful of her shrimp, her gaze full of question.
Terri hesitated a moment. “I was informed that Alan is being considered as the photographer.” She had painstakingly tried to keep Alan in the recesses of her mind. She and Lisa had agreed after the divorce that any mention of Alan was taboo, and she regretted that the door was pried open once again.
The fork stopped midway between Lisa’s mouth and the plate. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were.”
“Can’t Stacy handle this one?”
Terri shook her head. “No. Not really. Something this big I’d be required to deal with. There are contracts involved, and Stacy is not experienced enough in that area yet.”
“So how does Alan fit in? He’s not part of your package. You have your own photographer.”
“I know. But Viatek has him as a subcontractor. He’s worked with them before. And it seems that he’s made quite a name for himself in L.A.”
When was this woman gonna get a break? Lisa swore under her breath but gauged her words carefully.
“I know this may not be much of a consolation, but you’ve moved on with your life, Tee, and I’m sure that Alan’s moved on with his.”
“I’m sure he has,” Terri said, her voice dripping with sar casm. “Alan was always good for taking a situation and working it to his advantage…with someone.”
Lisa took a deep breath. “Terri, what happened between you and Alan is a part of the past. There’s no point in beating yourself to death about it because it didn’t work out.” Lisa cringed, remembering the countless warnings she had given Terri before she married Alan. He was a womanizer and as selfish as they came. But Lisa would never add salt to Terri’s still-open wounds by saying, “I told you so.” She had enough heartache to deal with.
“It didn’t work out because of me,” Terri said sadly. “Maybe if I’d been able to see past my own life and open up to accepting Alan completely in it, we’d be together today. And he wouldn’t have had to go searching for what I couldn’t give him.”
“Don’t be absurd! Alan was the consummate playboy, before and after you married him.”
Lisa’s temper rose as she fought to control the irritation that lifted her voice. She’d never told Terri that Alan had tried to make a play for her, too. That would have been too devastating for Terri to handle. She’d dealt with Alan herself, in no uncertain terms. She had the connections to cut the cords of his success with just one phone call. And she made sure that he knew it. It was months before he would even stay in the same room with her for more than a minute.
“My God, Terri, he had a part in it, too. A big part.”
Lisa saw the veil of hurt descend over Terri’s eyes.
“Listen, I’m sorry if I sound callous, but you can’t keep doing this to yourself. I’m your friend, and I’d do anything in the world for you. I can’t sit quietly by and see you tear yourself apart—especially over an SOB like Alan Martin.”
Lisa reached across the table and took Terri’s hand. Her voice lowered to a soothing whisper. “You’re a wonderful person and when the time is right, that special someone is going to see it. Believe me.”
Terri tried to absorb the veracity of Lisa’s words. She knew Lisa was right. Alan was a bastard. But she’d loved and trusted him. She’d almost had his child. That wasn’t something that you could just forget because someone told you so. Over time it had gotten easier, she had to admit. And maybe a special someone would be there to help her forget completely. A secret place in her heart hoped that the someone would be Clint.
Moments of silence passed with both women absorbed in their own private thoughts. Lisa desperately wanted to share the news of her recently discovered pregnancy with Terri, but deep inside she felt that the news would only add to Terri’s misery rather than make her happy for her friend. She’d discussed it with her husband, Brian, and he’d advised against telling Terri, at least right away. Reluctantly Lisa had agreed. This was the first time in the ten years that she and Terri had been friends that she kept something this special from her. The feeling left her empty and a little melancholy. She searched for something to say to ease the tension-filled silence.