INSTALLMENT 45
Falmont Enterprises:
Elizabeth looks at the pictures one by one and sighs.
" Mother, I know who sent you the pictures and I will
take care of it."
"Please tell that to someone who hasn't been around the
block, daughter dearest. Just how will you take care of it,
hire a hit man?" Lenore leans over and picks up one of the
photos. She tosses it back on the desk in disgust.
"No, that would be stupid. I don't like your condescending
tone and I don't deserve your disapproval. I had
consensual sex with someone I thought I could trust and
obviously he took photos of a very private moment. After
I fired his ass last week, he retaliated by sending copies
to my harshest critic, my mother." Elizabeth stands up
and walks over to her sidebar and picks up the coffee caraffe.
She grabs two cups and fills them with coffee and then turns
with a slight smile.
Lenore snickers and picks up another photo and begins
tearing it to shreds. "My dear, that was your first error in
judgment. You never, ever trust a man to do the right
thing. It isn't in their genetic makeup." Lenore tosses
the photo in the garbage can and then takes one
of the cups from her daughter and takes a slow sip. She
closes her eyes appreciatively, " Louise does make the best
coffee. As far as I can see, that is her best contribution to
Falmont."
"What is it with you and Louise? She is a saint and one of
the best administrative assistants in the company. She makes
everything run smooth as silk."
"Elizabeth, I just complimented her. I appreciate her strengths."
Lenore retorts with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Getting back to the photos, please let me handle this quietly.
I know I can take care of it. There won't be any long
term consequences."
"No, we have to tell your father and let him and his lawyers handle
it. This isn't about you Elizabeth, so quit playing the heroine.
This involves the reputation of the Falmont Vice President of
Marketing and the spotless reputation your father has worked
to achieve over the years. We have to obtain all of the copies and
destroy them. What if your ex-lover decides..."
"Excuse me Ladies." Both Lenore and Elizabeth turn towards the
husky, whiskey laced voice. The tall good looking man standing in
the door catches both of their attentions. Neither woman speaks,
they just stare in appreciation.
"I hate to just walk in unannounced but there wasn't anyone at the
desk in the outer office. I'm looking for Elizabeth Falmont." He
smiles and walks into the office assured he will be welcomed.
Elizabeth recovers first and holds out her hand, "I'm Elizabeth Falmont.
Did you have an appointment? "
"No, actually I went to Human Resources first and they said they couldn't
help me. I decided you would be the next step in locating an employee
since he worked in the Marketing Department." The stranger shakes her
hand and then turns to glance at Lenore. He smiles a slow sexy smile.
Lenore begins a slow walk towards the stranger and puts out her hand,
"I'm sure my daughter will be happy to give you any information you need."
"No, you've got to be kidding me. I don't believe you can be the
mother of a grown daughter. Sisters, maybe. You
look like you just finished college. I must say the
presence of two gorgeous ladies makes my day suddenly much
brighter." He lifts Lenore's hand to his lips and kisses her hand.
Elizabeth covers her mouth and forces herself not to make a rude
noise as she watches her mother's face.
Lenore cocks her head to one sides and laughs,"Charming words
but I wasn't born yesterday Mr.?"
"Forgive me, the name is Mitchell, Gerald Mitchell and I realize
you weren't born yesterday. That wasn't a line, just a statement of fact."
Lenore takes her hand back but smiles, "Mitchell? You wouldn't
by any chance be related to Katie Mitchell would you?"
Gerald stiffens slightly but then nods his head,."As a matter of fact,
I'm her father. How do you know Katie?"
Lenore slides her hand through Gerald's arm, "Up until a few weeks
ago Katie was dating my youngest son. She is a lovely girl. I'm sure
she is ecstatic that you are back home in Hope Falls."
"Actually, she doesn't know I'm in town but I hope she'll be happy
to see me." Gerald turns to face Elizabeth, "I won't waste any more
of your time if you could just point me in the direction of Nico Rawlins ."
Elizabeth groans when she hears the name and shakes her head,
"Mr. Rawlins was recently released from employment with Falmont
Industries and I'm afraid, even if I knew where he was, I couldn't give
out personal information about a former employee."
Gerald frowns, "I am a little curious why he was able to obtain a job at
Falmont in the first place since Nico has a rather checkered past.
Don't you run background checks on your employees, Miss Falmont?"
His eyes turn icy cold, sending shivers down Elizabeth's spine.
Lenore vows never to find herself on the wrong side of this man and smiles,
"I'm sure you and your family have plans for this evening, otherwise I'd invite
you to have dinner with us. My husband will be working late but I promise
you there would be a fantastic dinner served and pleasant company."
"Actually, no I don't have plans. My eldgest daughter isn't my biggest fan
and she's asked that I keep my distance unless the twins contact me.
I would enjoy having dinner with your family. I spend too much time in
hotels and restaurants."
Lenore nods and pulls Gerald towards the door, "Let's leave Elizabeth to
her marketing duties. You can follow me home in your car. Will you be
home for dinner, Elizabeth?" She looks over her shoulder at her daughter.
"I wouldn't miss dinner for the world, Mother. See you around 7:00."
Elizabeth shakes her head. For all her mother knows Gerald Mitchell could
be a serial killer. She picks up the phone and dials Louise. "Louise, is my
father available for a brief meeting before the end of the day?"
Hope Falls University Security Center:
Jonathan pushes open the door and enters the small, cluttered HFU security
office then glances around the room looking for someone in authority.
Leave it to his brother to cause a scene and become involved
in an afternoon brawl. Some guys never learn to lay low and follow the
program.
Just then a door in the back of the office opens and through it
walks a macho type officer dressed in a navy blue uniform. Jonathan
straightens his shoulders and walks towards the counter, "If there is a
God in heaven, then let this guy land in my bed." He mutters under his
breath. He smiles and extends his hand.
"I'm Jonathan Falmont and I'm here about my brother, Henry Falmont .
He sent me a text message saying he needed someone to vouch for
him."
The officer laughs, "I don't think your brother needs anyone to vouch for
him but he definitely needed to cool off. He was involved in a fight in the
Student Union today and I pulled his ass in here for his own good."
"Are there any charges?" Jonathan asked quickly hoping Henry's luck
was with him today. Their parents would hit the roof if he were expelled
from another school.
"Naw, I just need you to sign this form that you'll keep an eye on him so
he doesn't go looking for the other guy." Jonathan looks at the badge on
the officer's chest and grins.
"I think I can arrange to keep him out of trouble for a day or two, Officer Evans."
He pulls a business card from his pocket and signs the form
then puts the business card under the clip on the clip board.
Vince picks up the card and puts it in his shirt pocket."The name's Vince
and I hope you keep them separated because your brother was fighting
with the other guy full force. He's got two black eyes that are his
trophies from the fight. Hang tight while I get his signature on the form."
He turns and walks through the door whistling a tune. Jonathan
slowly lets out a deep breath and drums his fingers on the counter.
The physical impact of Vince Evans is immediate and intense. The
only challenge will be finding out if his gaydar is giving him an
accurate read. Life has suddenly become more interesting even though
the guy was a little rough around the edges and not his usual type.
Henry walks in just then and grabs his brother in a quick hug."Thanks
bro. I owe you big time for picking me up. I need a place to lay low tonight
because my eyes look a little worse for wear." Jonathan laughs and steps back
to look at Henry's face.
"You can crash at my place tonight but you'll still have to face Mom and Dad
in the next day or two. I hate to tell you this, Henry but one night isn't going to
be enough to erase the signs that you were in a fight. What in the hell were
you thinking?"
"It's all my fault because he was defending me." All three men turn towards the
voice. It's Katie standing there with Henry's books and laptop computer.
Henry reaches for his things and smiles, "Hey Katie, thanks for bringing my stuff.
We don't have to go into the gory details. I was stupid and should have known
better. I don't want you feeling bad."
"Did you get in any kind of academic trouble and have you called your parents?"
Katie asks with a worried expression.
Jonathan throws his arm around his brother and sighs," No, he didn't because he
wants to avoid the parental scene for a little while. I'm taking him to my place
in Chicago."
"Don't worry I'm not in any trouble. Vince here has been a prince." Henry salutes
the officer and walks towards the door. "Come on guys, let's blow this joint."
"I think you should let your parents know you're OK. Shouldn't you see a doctor
or something? What if you have a concussion, Henry...are you listening to anything
I'm saying?" Katie follows Henry and Jonathan outside. The late afternoon sun is
starting to set in the distance.
"Katie, I'm fine. Do you want to come with us into the city?"
Katie shakes her head, "No, I have classes tomorrow and I promised Melinda we'd have
a serious discussion this evening. Besides, I have an errand to run before I head home."
"Suit yourself, thanks again for bringing my stuff."
Katie reaches up and kisses Henry on the cheek, "No, Thank you Henry, for being my
hero. Take good care of him Jonathan."
Katie climbs into her car and closes her eyes. Someone should soften the blow
with Henry's parents about the fight. Since it was her fault it happened, that
someone is Katie. She hopes Lenore is at home.
MItchell Residence:
Melinda is sitting on the sofa holding a picture of her parents. The house is
quiet with only the sound of the Grandfather's clock ticking in the front hall.
She sits motionless staring off into space, her mind numb from anger and shock.
Something isn't right about her father swooping in and saving Katie from more
humiliation from the internet photos. How in the world did her father know about the
pictures and how in the world did he get them removed so quickly?
Melinda doesn't trust her father and hates the thought of him contacting the twins.
She reaches for her cell and dials her best friend in the world, Stephen. "Damn it."
she mutters when her call is sent to voice mail. "Stephen, it's Melinda. I need
to see my BFF for some advice and consolation." She pauses to wipe a tear
from her cheek, "My father is in town and something doesn't seem right. Could
you stop by on your way home from school?" She clicks her cell shut and
leans her head back against the sofa.
When the phone rings again she flips it open, "Stephen?"
"No sis, it's Wally. I won't be home for dinner tonight because I have a
study session that could last all night. I don't know when I'll
be home. I think I'll grab something quick to eat before it starts."
"Thanks for letting me know. Don't study too hard and make sure you eat
something healthy for dinner. Promise?"
"Do onion rings count as a vegetable because they are calling my name
as we speak."
"Very funny, Wally. See you when you get home." Melinda flips her
phone shut and stands up. Maybe a home cooked meal would make
her evening with Katie less intense. It couldn't hurt and she really needs
to connect with her sister and repair their relationship. Otherwise, her Father's
return could become another obstacle in their relationship.
Falmont Residence:
Lenore drives her silver Mercedes up the drive of their home and turns off the
engine. She glances in her rear view mirror and smiles when she sees
Gerald Mitchell park his rental sedan right behind her car. George refusing
to have a quiet dinner and evening with her is a thorn in Lenore's side
but meeting a gorgeous man who appreciates her makes the pain vanish.
She opens her door and slides out making sure Gerald gets a view of her
shapely legs. "Welcome to my little bungalow, Gerald. I am so happy you
are able to have dinner and become better acquainted. I can't wait for you
to meet my husband George when he gets home."
Gerald closes his door and walks towards Lenore with a grin on his face,
"I think the lady has a hidden motive. Trying to make hubby jealous are we?"
Lenore smiles, "You are too quick and yes, I'm feeling a little neglected and
a little competition couldn't hurt. I apologize for using you but it's too
good to pass up the opportunity."
Gerald bows at the waist and sweeps his hand, "I am at your disposal Lenore.
Use me, use me, use me." She laughs and then turns at the sound of a car
pulling up behind their vehicles. Katie Mitchell was the last person she expects
to see since she and Henry have stopped seeing each other. But here she is in their
driveway and Gerald was going to get a chance with his daughter. Lenore smiles
and feels like a happy matchmaker who's just found two perfect people.
Katie stops her car and takes a deep breath, "Thank God Lenore is home."
She hopes she can break the news of Henry's fight in a way that will keep
him out of trouble with his parents.
She notices the man standing in front of Lenore and a queasy feeling starts
in the pit of her stomach. There is something so achingly familiar about the posture
of the man. She opens the door and slides out of the car just as the man turns
around. There is just a second or two before they both recognize the other and a
look of joy coupled with shock crosses their faces.
Lenore reacts first and motions towards Katie while softly talking to Gerald.
"Sometimes, Gerald, God gives us little gifts and it looks like you are going to get
to see your daughter sooner rather than later. Go on take that first step."
Katie finally moves and begans to run full tilt towards her father, flinging herself
into his arms with abandon and joy. "Daddy, I can't believe you're really here! I've
missed you more than you'll ever know." She sobs and clings to him.
Gerald caresses Katie's hair and hugs her close. "Ah, Katikins, not more than
I've missed you. I'm sorry I've been gone so long. Can you ever forgive me?" Katie
nods and buries her face in his chest. Gerald looks over Katie's shoulder at Lenore
and smiles. Lenore steps back slowly and heads towards the house. Father
and daughter needed privacy and some time alone. The day was starting to look
better.
