Dare She Stay — Chapter 8
Texas-Sized Trouble
Stormee hit the send button on her computer’s email program, transmitting the final Make My Man Texas-Sized magazine article to the senior editor’s desk. Without the help of additional interviews, she’d agonized, sweated, and finagled to finish the cover series. At last, she needed no longer to think about Dirk Savage.
Jealousy and regret burned a painful trail across her heart. For the millionth time, she wanted to stand herself in front of a firing squad and end the agony.
Four long and empty weeks had passed since returning from Chicago. Weeks without his teasing grin, his take-charge demeanor, and the absolute certainty that he wanted all of her, heart and soul.
A gorgeous, charming, and wealthy man offers himself to me, and what do I do? Hit and Run. What’s wrong with me? As her thoughts condemned her cowardice, she puffed out a long, weary breath.
If the answer were obvious, she wouldn’t be here agonizing over a man whose photos filled the city’s society pages as he escorted an endless array of beautiful women to Houston’s gala affairs. Of course, she’d read every minuscule word. And how could she not study the beautiful women clinging to his arm with proprietary intent? The result, an ongoing crash course in heartbreak.
Stormee rolled her shoulders and stretched tired muscles. A glance at the clock put her mind back on track. Nana expected her visit at five-thirty. That left twenty minutes to shut down her computer and clear her desk.
Stormee entered the rose garden of the upscale assisted living facility and found her grandmother enjoying a glass of iced tea under the shade of a large, red patio umbrella.
“You look beautiful today, Nana. Isn’t this a new outfit?” Stormee settled in one of the garden chairs next to Nana’s.
“Yes,” she smiled at Stormee and slid a hand along the sleeve of the attractive blue and yellow ensemble. “Rascal though he may be, he certainly knows what looks good on a lady, don’t you think?”
“Who? Did someone give you this as a gift?” Stormee raised her brows and smiled.
Nana growled under her breath. “If you don’t grab that man, Stormee Waters, you’re not half the woman you want to be. Why isn’t he with you when he comes to visit? Did you two argue?”
“I’m not sure I understand who you’re referring to.” Stormee scooted her chair back a little and adjusted the strap on her purse.
“Those rosy cheeks tell me otherwise. Don’t let your prudish tendencies make you run from a man who can give you everything you need, and I’m not talking about money.”
Stormee couldn’t ignore the censure in Nana’s pursed lips. Ducking her head, she brushed at a supposed piece of lint on her slacks. “Nana, Mr. Savage is nothing more than an acquaintance who’s been kind enough to assist me in the past. We don’t share any other connection.”
“Nonsense!” Huffing a puff of air, Nana palmed her hands upward, as if beseeching a higher authority. “He wants a connection, all right. I’m not so senile I can’t see that for myself. You’re the one with her head in the sand. What did you do to cool his ardor? Why is he so reluctant to talk about you?”
Stunned, Stormee groped for a reply as Nana reached for one of her hands and clasped it between her frail palms.
“Stormee, Mr. Savage may seem too dominant, even dangerous, but weren’t the big cats what you most liked on our trips to the zoo? Didn’t you wonder what having such a strong animal tamed to your touch would be like? Don’t be afraid to step into the lion’s den. If you don’t grab the chance, you’ll agonize over your cowardice for a lifetime.”
Heat rose in Stormee’s heart, gushed through her veins, and ignited the flames of her imagination. She stared at her grandmother while wave after wave of regret washed over her. In truth, she’d dreamed about entering the lion’s cage, not all the way, but at least, reach a hand through the bars. Her anguish nearly overcame her control at the realization she’d destroyed her opportunity.
“Nana, I’ve horribly offended him. I don’t know what he would do if I tried to approach him now.” Anxiety lent an edge of fear to her confession.
Nana let go of Stormee’s hand and straightened in her chair. “For sure, a wounded animal is most dangerous. If approached, it may strike with fatal force. However, which is better, a decisive ending, or a lifetime to suffer regret and the torture of what-if?”
Stormee slid into the front seat of her car and let her grandmother’s shocking words ricochet around her brain. The ringtone coming from her purse saved her from sinking into despair.
“Hello.”
“Hello. Have I reached Stormee Waters?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Mrs. Clark from S.F.I. I’m calling on behalf of Mr. Savage.”
“Yes.” Stormee held her breath.
“Mr. Savage has requested you meet him at his office at the first available opportunity. He has an opening in his schedule at four-thirty this afternoon. Can you make that appointment?”
“Wha-What is this concerning?” She moistened her dry lips with her tongue.
“I don’t have the details, but Mr. Savage did say to tell you it concerned someone named Nana. Should I tell him to expect you?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
His sudden request aroused a familiar inadequacy. Doubtless, he wouldn’t wish to speak to her unless an urgent matter existed. She didn’t need to be adequate, just coherent. Get whatever information he sought to give her about her grandmother and leave.
“Keep the situation simple, Stormee,” she whispered, “simple.”
Why did she dread the encounter? The image of a sleek, black panther with strong muscles tensed and ready to attack flashed through her mind. Before she could get more ridiculous, She shoved the car key into the ignition and drove out of the parking lot. At four-forty, she arrived at S.F.I., sprinted up the paved walkway, and entered the office complex. The lobby was empty save for a graceful redhead who headed straight for her.
“Are you Miss Waters?”
“Yes. I’m sorry to be late, the traffic was…”
“No matter. Let’s move on.” The deep breath and stern look on the woman’s face said Stormee had already wasted quite enough of Dirk’s precious time. “Mr. Savage must leave for another appointment in just a few minutes. Please follow me.”
Feeling like a chastised school child, Stormee scurried behind the woman whose long legs outdistanced her own stride. Unlike her last visit, she didn’t take time to admire the oddities of the interior but kept her gaze trained on the back of her guide. Uncertainty leveled up her nervousness when the woman passed the offices and took the elevator, punching the top floor button.
Mere seconds later, the doors retracted. With tight lips and a simple hand gesture, her silent companion indicated Stormee should vacate the lift-alone.
She entered a room furnished more like a high-dollar penthouse than an office. The man she most, and least, wanted to see was standing across the room staring at her like a hawk that had just spotted its next meal.
“Come in, Miss Waters.”
His invitation, while coupled with a half-smile, sounded terse to Stormee’s ears. She did as he asked and waited as he crossed the room toward her.
“Of necessity, I will get straight to the point. The matter concerns your grandmother.” He placed the envelope he’d been holding in her hand.
Stormee opened her mouth to speak but Dirk’s deep voice sliced away the brief opportunity.
“Please don’t say anything until I’ve finished.”
She nodded.
“In those papers, you’ll find detailed information about your grandmother’s early life and the circumstances surrounding the death of your parents. After reading the report, you will, I hope, understand the need to act with haste.”
He did a background check? Her thoughts whirled. “But…” Stormee sputtered.
He silenced her with a swift lift of his right hand. “In short, your grandmother possesses a fortune in uncut blue diamonds bestowed by her late husband. Your grandfather was an adventurous type, being what you’d call a soldier of fortune. How he came to own the gems isn’t clear, but the family of a former associate has tried throughout the years to gain access to them. Their criminal methods may be responsible for putting those close to you in harm’s way and, at present, is an immediate threat to you and your family. I collected the diamonds from your grandmother and put them in a safety deposit box. The account number and access code are in the report.”
“Wait-Wait.” She waved her hands in the air. “What diamonds? We don’t own any diamonds!”
His dark brows slanted in a frown. “You’ve been handling them for years. In their uncut state, you didn’t recognize their true nature. Your grandmother, in all probability, meant to reveal their existence. But with her diminishing mental capacity getting worse, the reality of what she possesses has morphed into an obsessive affection.”
“You’re not making sense! The only thing Nana obsesses over is her rocks.” She went still, and the word wedged in Stormee’s throat. “Rocks…?”
“More specific-the Blues.” His firm voice left no room for argument. “You can make whatever decision you want. To ensure the safety of your family, however, I suggest you sell the diamonds as soon as possible. You’ll find contact information for several reputable buyers in the report.”
An avalanche of confusion tumbled Stormee’s thoughts. “I don’t know what to say…” She rubbed a hand over her forehead.
“I suggest you hire a legal and financial advisor.” He stepped forward and gestured toward the elevator. “I believe this concludes our business. My receptionist is waiting at ground level to escort you out.”
His dismissive reply left her stunned as he walked past her and pressed the button on the elevator panel. The door opened, signaling her dismissal. She managed to walk the short distance without faltering and entered the small enclosure. Her hands shook and perspiration dampened her neck.
The deserted lobby gave some respite as she followed the receptionist to the front entrance and waited for her to manipulate the already locked door. She managed not to run but hurried to escape the building and find refuge in her vehicle.
She sat in the car’s sweltering heat and let the scene replay in her mind. Like a stranger settling an unpleasant business deal, cold-blooded and emotionless, he’d showed her no crumb of his previous affection.
Stormee forced herself to complete necessary errands before returning home. Fueling the car, picking up the dry cleaning, and a quick trip to the grocery store filled the next two hours. Keeping busy made the prospect of reading the report when she got home seem less daunting.
The pizza in the seat next to her, with its rich cheesy smell, didn’t do much for her queasy stomach. But Josh would be satisfied and she wouldn’t be subjected to more starvation complaints.
The security lights around the apartment complex came on as she parked in front of her building. She snagged her purse, Dirk’s envelope, the pizza, two bags of groceries, and struggled up the walkway.
Entering a dark apartment sent a queer shiver up her spine. She dismissed the feeling and walked to the kitchen and deposited her stash on the countertop. Her missing brother was most likely in his room buried in some video game. Too bad for him because she wasn’t about to carry seven more grocery bags by herself.
She knocked twice and opened his door. The unturned window shades allowed the outside light to illuminate the chaos. Josh had never been neat, but this was different. His drawers and closet appeared as though they’d vomited out their content. Even his mattress lay on the floor beside the bed.
She threw open the bathroom door without thought of privacy. Calling his name, she ran from one empty room to another, switching on lights and finding the same upheaval everywhere. Someone had ransacked her entire apartment. Where is Josh? Then she saw what chilled her blood. Josh’s cell phone lay atop a piece of folded white paper on the couch, the alert light flashing a missed call.
Severe fright struck her stomach with the impact of a meteor. Her shaking legs buckled, plopping her on the couch next to the phone. Josh might have left the note, but he’d never willingly leave behind his cell phone. The muscles in her forearm quivered as she reached for the folded piece of paper.
Bring the diamonds before midnight! Come alone! Call the police and your brother will suffer! Bldg. 7 — Industrial Complex, Enterprise Circle.
The spasmodic trembling started in her shoulders and worked down her body. One name flashed persistently on the edge of her reason. Dirk Savage. He was Josh’s only hope. Her fingers felt numb as she clutched the phone and entered his private business number.
“Strike Force. Please state the purpose of your call,” stated the detached business voice.
“This is Stormee Waters. I need to speak to Mr. Savage.”
“Hello, Miss. Waters. This is Skeeter. Mr. Savage isn’t available at this time. If you’d care to give me your contact information, I’ll give it to him as soon as possible.”
“Skeeter,” Stormee’s fingers tightened around her cell phone, “Please, I must talk to Dirk. It’s an emergency.” Her voice broke with desperation.
“Mr. Savage is attending a social engagement this evening. But I’m sure I can a message to him at his location. Is this the number where you want to be reached?”
“NO! NO! I don’t want him to return my call. I need to see him in person, NOW! It’s a life or death situation.” Tears choked her next words. “Josh is in trouble. Please help me.”
A long silence followed her plea. She didn’t know what else to say, so she waited.
“Miss Waters, can you find the Excalibur 33 Club?”
“Yes. I’ll locate it.” She shook with relief and swiped a tear from her cheek.
“Mr. Savage is meeting some friends there this evening. This is the best I can do for you. But one word of caution. Dirk hasn’t been in the kindest of moods since leaving Chicago. So tread carefully. Do you understand?”
His reply, tight with restraint and an ambiguous warning, shocked her back to reality. Dirk Savage considered her a dead issue, one he’d made clear had been permanently shelved. How could she even think about asking him for help? Fear lodged painfully in her throat. How could she not?
To be continued…
Chapter 9 (End): https://readmedium.com/dare-she-stay-chapter-9-end-7a0437c02f7d
