Текст книги "Lovers and Reprisals"

Автор книги: Lori Turner

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Bolden hadn’t moved, but his inaction didn’t stop Eliza from stirring.  She was still wearing her false lashes, and the tips fluttered like ostrich feathers.  She yawned while groggily saying....

"What time is it?"

"Late." Was Bolden's response.  She stretched like a cat, then sighed a rush of air.  Eliza shifted her body until she faced him.  She raised her hand, and her eyes glided across his face, following the path of her finger.  She parted her mouth, moistening her lips with a glide of her tongue.  The move was such a turn on, he wanted to lean in to capture a kiss.

Eliza grinned when she said...

"We're good together”

"Real good" he replied, but he found himself saying "Eliza...is good sex enough for you?"

He'd grown up witnessing his mother’s depressed moods.  Money and large expansive houses didn’t buy Mikita happiness and short term loveless relationships were to blame for most of her heartaches.  Bolden had grown up knowing that his mother didn’t want her son to repeat her mistakes; she wanted more for him.

Eliza studied his face, but she wanted to see more of him, so she perched her weight like a tripod; steadying her body on one elbow.  The room was dark, but they’d left the drapes open, and the light in the bathroom was still on.  She strained her eyes, and she could see bits of his father in him, and these vestiges compelled her to hold back, restraining her brutal honesty.  She couldn't allow herself to settle into a false sense of security and when she spoke, Bolden experienced a chill.  Eliza’s phrase held an enigmatic tone.  She was hiding something–and he knew it.

She pressed her lips near his Adams apple.  She kissed him there, then she said...

"Some people would kill to have five minutes of what we've just shared."

Eliza leaned in, biting his earlobe, then she nipped until she settled on the tip of his nipple.  At this point, Bolden loss all sense of reality.  He pressed her firmly against the mattress, climbing on top of her; then he rode her like a cheap carnival ride–which was exactly how she'd wanted it.  Fast, jerky, hard and long.

After their lovemaking session, Bolden left her room, for the solace of his own.  On the way, he asked himself, what was he doing and was he prepared to accept her next deception; because after the way she’d behaved–staving off a true conversation, using sex as an avoidance tool–Bolden had sensed the telltale sign upon insertion; the billowing irritation of smoke being blown up his ass.  According to the office gossip, last year, she’d been engaged, and they had planned to marry this spring.  Then without preamble, the story took a turn, twisting into a breakup, unresolved disagreements, her leaving him, then a New Year’s Eve suicide.  In spite of her misfortune, he didn’t see one sign of remorse, hinting that she was still mourning after losing so much.  He wasn’t sure if this was stern resolve or the sign of a heartless woman.

Bolden eased out of his clothes, then settled naked on his bed.  The second his head hit the pillow, the phone in his room rang.

His eyebrows furrowed, out of agitation.  Only two people knew that he was here; the desk clerk, and Eliza.

Bolden answered the phone

“Yes...”

“Why so crude?  I was calling to make certain that you made it back to your room okay.”

He relaxed on the sheets, stretching out his limbs.  He leisurely responded.

“We’re on the same floor Eliza.  Not much chance in getting lost.”

“True...but, you are my responsibility.”

And he was.  Eliza had swore to Morpheus that she would hover over his son like a hawk, primed to attack any and all predators.  The phone went silent, causing Eliza to wonder if Bolden had fallen asleep.

“Bolden...” she said, with a raised inflection.

He sighed heavily into the phone when he said...

“I’m still here Eliza.”

“Good.  Are you bored with me already.”

There was a seriousness in her voice, prompting him to say...

“No...and that might create problems.”

She laughed, thrilled by the possibilities of what this might mean.

“Don’t worry Bolden...I won’t allow you to get ahead of yourself.”

He swore, because on the inside, it felt like he’d already jumped three steps ahead of her.  But he couldn’t let her know this.  He had a number of kooky habits, and monogamy was one of them.  He just didn’t do sleeping around; never had...and now, he’d gotten mixed up with Eliza Pendleton...his boss.  Now he was beginning to realize that having sex with her had been an enormous mistake.  He told himself–can’t miss what you haven’t had; but the problem was, that he’d had her, and given time, he would miss her.  But, what was done was done, and he couldn’t undo what he’d already done.

Burdened by his mishap, he said...

“Eliza...I’m exhausted.  Can we talk in the morning?”

She could hear the strain in his voice, and she needed to nip his resignation in the bud.  She couldn’t allow him to give up; not after what they’d just shared.

“Bolden...come back. Spend the night with me.”

“I don’t know about you...but I’m tired, and we have a big day tomorrow.  If you expect me to keep up with you, then I’ll need no less than three hours sleep.”

“Fine...come back, and you can sleep here, with me.”

He held his comments, because he didn’t have anything in the affirmative to say.  Then, unexpectedly, she pierced his heart, when she purred his name.

“Bolden...come back to me.”

Even if he had the courage or fortitude, he wouldn’t have won this struggle.  Bolden sat up in the bed, then he placed the phone back on its receiver.  He gathered his clothes, putting on only the essentials; he didn’t button his shirt, and he didn’t wear a belt.  When he neared her room, he heard the clicking sound of an opening door.  When he stepped inside, the room was still dark, but she was there, just a few steps inside.

“Bolden”  She trilled his name, then she undressed him.  They held hands, walking to the bed, and when she pulled back the blankets, Eliza climbed in first, followed by Bolden.  In this situation, he could have turned his back to her; this would have been the wise move–but he ignored reason.  Instead, he opened his arms, creating a space for her.  Then he folded his arms, to cuddle her, and they slept that way until their early morning wake up call.  When she ordered breakfast, Bolden stayed.  They ate their morning meal, swapping sections of the Times; like married couples do.  They were in sync; riding life’s cycle in tandem–and he told himself that he could get use to this.  And when she showered, he joined her there.  They made love beneath the spray, and he let it happen.  When he finally made it back to his room to change into a fresh set of clothes, he knew.  He knew the second his heart had leapt; but what was done was done, and fool that he was–he didn’t want to undo this.  In less than an hour, he’d packed, and left his room, meeting her in the hotel lobby.  He could see the large black SUV with tinted windows, waiting on the street to drive them back to the airport.  Eliza was standing off to the side, engrossed in a conversation, and her facial expression told him all that he needed to know.  It was back to business for her, and he wondered what fire had to be squelched today.

**********

Chapter 11

What’s love got to do with it

"What did I say to make you think that I don't care?"

Fawn hated repeating herself.  From the moment Judd arrived at her father’s house, he'd had a major stick up his ass.  He'd blathered incessantly telling her some crap concerning his hippy sister Sahara and that Ona Samaritan woman she'd met at Lincoln Medical.  While he'd been talking, Fawn had interrupted him, asking if he knew why a Samaritan was being treated at Lincoln Medical.  She wasn't sure if it was the question or the snide way that she'd said it; whatever the cause, Judd was pissed and he was headed towards the door.

"Judd...wait!  Be reasonable.  I just asked if you knew how a person like Ona could afford that kind of medical care.  It is a private hospital Judd...and that was a legitimate question"

Judd was wearing his usual leather garb, from shoulder to toe, his movements sang a smooth swooshing leather tune.  From the first, he'd been warned about the Gustafson's; but he'd thought that the warnings were concerning her arms dealer father.  When Fawn approached him at one of his art shows, there had been an intense reaction.  On their second meeting, Judd had received an invitation to attend an after hours backstage party for a headlining act.  Fawn had approached him, and in a brazen manner, she’d gripped the lapels on his shirt, lifted on tiptoes then drew him into a mouth watering kiss.  From then on, their romance had been a combination of intellectual duels, topped with mind blowing sex.  In short, Fawn was a crazy, cunning, narcissistic bitch.  Dear lord, he hated that he loved her.

Judd was a few feet from the front door.  The butler scrambled to be the first to touch the doorknob.  Behind him, he could hear Fawn's heavy breathing and the sound of clopping high heel shoes.

"Judd...is this the way you want to start a relationship with my father; by bailing on his gracious invitation."

"Make an excuse Fawn.  You're good at that."

"Will this ever end!  Judd...that was weeks ago.  Let it go.  Why can't you accept that I am not available to help you and your friends?"

Judd had one of two choices; ignore her, or confront her.  He chose the latter.

He turned on his heels and they nearly collided.  Judd didn't waste any time talking

"Fawn...when you lied to my sister in the hospital, I understood because you'd been caught off guard and you hadn't been given adequate time to consider the offer."

Fawn used the back of her hand to fan her hair over her shoulder.  She felt justified when she responded...

"Okay...that's right.  So what's the problem?  Why are you all hot and bothered, charging out of my father’s house like a freaking tornado."

"Man...sometimes you make me so angry!"

She raised her hands in surrender when she said...

"Why?  What did I do?"

His response hit her so fast, if it were his hand she would have fallen flat on her ass.

"You lied Fawn.  You lied to me."

Her face was etched with confusion.  Judd shook his head then he said...

"You don't even remember do you."

No, she didn't remember and Judd didn't give her time to search her brain.  He supplied the lie.

"When I asked you to join me at the Children’s Center, I wanted you by my side baby...I wanted to share the experience with you.  But you said that you couldn't because..."

"Because I'll be in London with my father." Fawn had said.

Judd waited.  He didn't rush because he wanted to give her time to retract her words.  He wanted to believe in her because he loved her.

Fawn stared at him, and she wondered where had she slipped up.  She tried to recall their conversations, then in an instant, her memory lit like a lighthouse.  But the beacon had not come soon enough, and she'd collided with the reefs and rocks.  There was no trip to London...and Judd knew this because Fawn had told him. The trip had been canceled weeks ago.  When she had learned about this, Fawn had complained to her boyfriend until he found his respite in sleep.  In spite of her slip up, there was always a way out.  There were any number of illnesses that affect a persons memory.

Fawn placed one hand on her hip, when she said...

"What's the real problem here?  The fact that I accidentally forgot about a business trip that had been canceled...or are you angry because you think that I lied to your sister."

Judd stared at her confused.

"Are you saying that you didn't outright lie to me?"

"Of course I didn't lie to you.  Are you crazy?"

Yep, he was feeling mighty crazy.

"Fawn...please baby.  Tell me the truth."

Fawn lied through her pearly white teeth.  And she accepted that she would have to join him at that godforsaken charity.  She would be forced to deal with runny nosed children while they made messes that Judd would praise them for, then he’d call their monstrosities art.  Fawn couldn’t abide charities or wishy-washy events that required her to show expressive emotions.  Of course...she couldn’t share this with Judd.  He still believed  the allusion.  The fantasy that she was an ardent patron of the arts.  And that was a crock of all crocks–and she couldn’t let him in on that little do-ditty either.  Fuck!  If phony is what landed her in this relationship; then phony was what she would give him.

Fawn smiled brightly, slanting her head at an angle when she said...

"Judd...I would never lie to you baby.  I love you.  I promise you...I forgot that my father canceled the London business trip.  You have to remember how upset I'd been."

"Yes...I remember and that is why I found it hard to believe that you could forget that."

"Well, I did forget.  I had to–if I wanted to maintain my sanity."

Fawn drew closer, and her eyes filled with passion.  They weren't alone, so he said....

"When is your father due to arrive?"

"He takes his lunch at noon."  Fawn kissed him on his lips then she said...

"This is important to me Judd.  I want my father to know you like I do."

Impressing her father wasn't important to Judd–but his art was something that he highly valued.  He said...

"So....I can count on you...right?"

He was referring to Ona Zelle's charity.

Fawn wanted to shoot herself in the foot; any kind of torture would be favorable if it excused her from volunteering at some dumb Samaritans charity.  In spite of her true feelings, she smiled wryly, then she said...

"Sure baby...but we can talk about that later.  For now, let's put first things first.  I want my father to love you...just as much as I do.  So please...don’t talk to him about charities...and for goodness sake, don’t talk about your aversion for guns.”

“It isn’t an aversion–it’s a stance; my opinion.  Gun’s are not toys–they are weapons.  And those weapons mane and kill."

“Whatever...  Just keep that shit locked up in your head.”

“Are you telling me what I should think and believe?Because if you are, there isn’t much of a future for us.”

“Judd...you know what I’m talking about.  I can give a rats ass about your beliefs or the causes that you support.  You’re not my child and I can’t control your inner thoughts.  But my father is an entirely different matter.  He won’t take kindly to you sitting at his table, eating food bought with armaments money.  He isn’t a fool, and if you debate him on the topic of wars, the second amendments, gun violence or any topic concerning his financial interest; I can assure you...my father will cut you down, chew you up, then spit you out.”

“So basically, you want me to be seen and not heard.”

“Pretty much.  Just don’t do or say anything that might upset my father.”

Judd rolled his eyes because he didn’t much care for censorship, and that’s what this was.  He supposed it also explained the delay when it came to meeting her father.

This meeting with her father was important to her; far more important than his reason for canceling their London trip.  From the moment Bolden and Mikita reentered their lives, Fawn had seen the signs.  Her father was reuniting the family; and that included everyone, except for her excommunicated mother.  Good lord; even her uncle Raal and his Belize lover Kyle had been invited and they don’t even live in the country.  She didn’t know what more she’d be forced to endure.  Already she was preparing herself to be cordial to Bolden and his mother and pulling that off would be the feat of all feats.  The entire ordeal was a major inconvenience but she'd decided to play nice; mainly because her father had threatened her.  Morpheus had made it clear; there would be no more toe to toe dances with her brother.  No outburst and it was in her best interest to be on her best behavior.  She smiled because that's what Gustafson's do.   There would be plenty of time to seek revenge if it comes down to it.  Fawn turned, then she shook her over privileged ass for Judd to see.  He followed her and she knew that he would.

**********

During her last days as a patient at Lincoln Medical, Ona’s private suite had doubled as her hospital room, and ‘Project Central’.  Day in and day out, she was visited by men and women possessing talents in a variety of creative art forms.  Rachel’s roommate Sahara had played a key role in orchestrating auditions, and explaining how the project would work.  Ona left this job to Sahara because she was a musical prodigy and she could play practically any instrument, after one or two introductory sessions.  Apparently, her brother Judd Marko had a similar gift; but sculpting was his particular talent.  He’d been helpful pooling his painter friends.  He’d also brought his girlfriend to the hospital, hoping that the project might interest her.  Ona vividly recalls this one particular day because any mention of little children, or the giving of ones time to help them; Fawn Gustafson turned up her nose, then expressed that sadly, she was unavailable.  Judd had averted their attention and it was clear that he’d felt embarrassed due to his girlfriends snub.  Sahara’s brother had suggested that until Ona’s discharge, the volunteers could begin by staging test-runs.  Small groups of children could come, and the volunteers could work with them, allowing them to move freely from station to station.  The idea had taken a life of its own, and each day  Judd or Sahara would return to the hospital, reporting the day’s events.  Each account spoke of something good and wonderful and the place wasn’t even fully functional.  With Ona’s discharge date fast approaching, it became apparent that this team of workers would have to ramp up their efforts.  Lucien informed Rachel that the entire Delors hospital wing was at Ona’s disposal.  From that day forward, Rachel and Sahara practically became fixtures;  temporarily exchanging their apartment for plush Delors hospital suites.

Sahara was sitting on the edge of Ona’s bed, prompting her to flinch out of habit.  Two days ago, she’d had her arm and leg cast removed, then she’d been fitted with a walking cast for her left leg.  She was still a little edgy, and Sahara noticed this when she said...

“I can sit on a chair if you’d like...”

Sahara was what most people would call a hippy.  She had soft wavy hair that she’d twined in locks.  She had a pretty oval face, and soft grey eyes.

Ona shook her head...

“No...you don’t have to move.”

“I brought some tea from home if you want some.  I dried them myself.  It’s a mixture that’s proven to stimulate the bodies natural pain relief receptors.  It’s all natural...so you don’t have to worry about side effects, or any of that kind of stuff.  Plus, it’s healthier...and who doesn’t want to be healthier.  Just don’t tell Rachel that I’m suggesting that you shouldn’t foul your body with drugs.”  She turned up her nose, then said...  “That stuff will kill ya”

Ona laughed...

“I’m fine Sahara–but thank you for offering.”

Sahara pointed to a tablet when she said...

“I just got an email from the last parent.  That brings our number to thirty.  Not a bad start.”

One night, during a brainstorming session, Ona had explained how she planned to recruit children.  The idea would require canvassing the city for miles and miles and Ona couldn’t do this.  It was then that she learned about Sahara’s charity project.  In her spare time, she teaches a group of children how to play their favorite instrument.  She’d formed the group after hearing about an apartment fire on the TV News.  She’d watched footage, showing small children, who’d become homeless.  These children had been displaced after surviving the fire and a few of them had lost their parents.  Ona’s project was about helping children, and Sahara’s group of kids fit the projects criteria perfectly.

Ona said...

“Are you sure you don’t mind turning your kids over to my project?”

“Are you kidding?”  She said.  “Honey...I just want to see these kids get the help that they need.”

Ona watched as her mind shifted gears; moving on to something equally important to her.

“Judd shot me an email.  After our first few dry runs, we discovered that our initial setup formed a bottleneck, especially if the children were interested in moving from station to station.  So...Rachel and I stayed late last night, moving partitions and Judd says that the new floor-plan is perfect.  He also said that your brother stopped by this morning...and he agrees”

She lay the tablet on her lap when she said...

“Is your family coming to take you home today?”

Ona was excited for a number of reasons.  She was being discharged today, and Noah had come home to help her get settled.

“My two brothers are coming.  My parents would have come home but I begged them not to.”

Sahara didn’t have to ask where her parents were, because she’d overheard Caleb and Rachel the other day, when the discussion of discharge had been broached.  She’d also noticed the growing tension between those two.  She didn’t now who they thought they were kidding; but Sahara knew chemistry when she saw it–and those two were made for each other.  But she wouldn’t be the one to drop that stink bomb, because she knew a thing or two about Samaritans.  She just hoped that Rachel didn’t try to pursue Caleb because she didn’t want to see her roommate get her heart broken.

“Well...”  Sahara said...  “I guess the next time we meet, it’ll be at the warehouse.”

“Yes.  The Children’s Center”  Ona smiled so wide, her cheeks hurt; but she’d been waiting for this day.  Her entire life had been about this one moment and now it was here and she was ready.

The women talked a little longer, finalizing matters.  When Dr. Norma came to say his farewell, he’d been joined by Dr. Stone, and one of the physical therapist.  Ona wanted to cry because for the past two months, these people had been like her family and this hospital had been her home.

When the doctors left, they passed Lucien as he entered the room.  Since his first visit, he’d visited Ona nearly every day.  She found herself watching the door, because he generally visited her after her noon time massage.  She wasn’t sure if it was his calming presence, the conversation or some other thing that she hadn’t rightly identified; whatever it was, she couldn’t get enough of this man–his dress, his manner–everything about him was always precise and perfect, in every detail and she enjoyed his company.

Lucien strolled into the room, with an air of self-confidence.  Before arriving at the hospital, he'd sat silently listening to the transfer report.  The Samaritan Hospital assured Dr. stone that their facility was more than capable to address Ona Zelle's medical care.  He walked into the room, assured with this knowledge.  He said...

"So...today is the day.  Do you need help packing?"

Ona looked at Sahara, then her glance landed on Lucien.

"I came here with the clothes on my back...and those items weren't worth salvaging."

He nodded, then he said...

"I'd like to walk you out...figuratively of course."

Ona smiled, then she said...

"It would be my pleasure."

The next few hours had been a blur because Ona had never spent time in a hospital and she'd never endured the discharge process.  Nevertheless, she did as she was told, and it didn't pass her notice that Lucien, Rachel and Sahara had become her steadfast consorts.  After the procedures had been completed; Rachel stood outside of her room waiting with a wheelchair.

She'd been accompanied by everyone who'd been in her room; and that included Lucien Delors.  When the elevator stopped, the women filed out, going in separate directions.

Rachel and Sahara said....

“Go home and get some rest.”

“Yeah...we’ll see you tomorrow at the Children’s Center.  And don’t worry about anything.  Judd will meet them there tonight, to make sure that the place is ready.”

Ona waved, as she watched them leave.

Lucien said...

“Those two are excited.”

“Yes...I don’t know what I would have done without their help.”

Lucien pushed the wheelchair through the lobby.  One of the doormen approached him, offering his assistance.

“May I offer my help Mr. Delors.”  he spoke with a British accent.

Lucien replied.

“No thank you Alfred.”

Then it dawned on him to ask...

“Ona...is the Samaritan Hospital sending a medical transport?”

“No.  We’ve never had a need for one.  The ferry has always served our purposes.  But to answer your question...my brothers are waiting outside with a cab.

“A cab?”  He sounded disappointed.

When they reached a wall of sliding glass doors, just beyond the entryway fountain, Lucien spotted them.  His brow furrowed when he said...

“Ona...I see three people out there.  I thought you told me that you only had two brothers.”

Now Ona was seeing what Lucien had seen and her stomach churned with annoyance; she hated surprises.  Wearing similar clothes, all three men stood at the rear of the cab in a semi-circle.  They appeared to be engrossed in a conversation, until one of them noticed her approach.

Noah, Caleb and Geff turned, and when they spotted her, they uniformly appeared displeased.  Before the glass doors slid open, Dr. Stone hurried to join them.

She handed Ona a sterling silver pill box.

“You forgot this.  These are your pain meds.  I wasn’t sure if the hospital on your barge stocked the brand or the generic...  You’ve been taking the brand named drugs during your stay.”

Ona politely nodded, even though the remark implied that the Samaritan Hospital was primitive and inferior.  There’d been a lot of that during her stay, and her thankfulness had repelled their choice of words.  However, seeing her brethren caused her to remember who she was, and now Dr. Stone’s gesture seem condescending.

Dr. Stone said...

“I recognize one of those men...but the other two...  Are they your relatives?”

“The one in the middle is my elder brother...and the man standing next to him–he is a member of my Sect.”

Ona didn’t think it necessary to supply his name.

Dr. Stone said...

“I hope they don’t expect you to ride in the back of that cab.  Not with the injuries you’ve had.  And your leg cast...”

Dr. Stone pointed to her casted leg...

“You’ll need to stretch it out, and keep it elevated.  City Cabs aren’t roomy enough for that.”

They were only a few feet away from the door; just out of the sensors range, and Ona could see the puzzled looks on Geff, and her brother’s faces.

Lucien said...

“Are you sure Angela?  Is this a requirement for a discharge?”

“I thought I made that clear yesterday when we last talked Ona.  I said that you’ll need to keep your casted leg elevated when you’re not walking.  This will be necessary for a few more weeks–I also explained this to your doctors.”  Dr. Stone pointed at the cab, then she said...

“You may not leave this hospital if you plan to ride to the dock in that yellow cab.”

“But...what am I expected to tell my family?  They’re waiting for me.”

“You leave them to me.  I worked too hard for all of my work to be ruined after on ill-advised cab ride.”

Before Ona or Lucien could stop her, Dr. Stone marched towards the glass door.  The doors slid open, then close once she was on the other side.

Ona watched in horror, and she wondered what Caleb would say.  Hands and arms were in motion.  At one point, Geff opened the back of the cab, then he got in, simulating ways in which Ona could ride with them and still be safe.  Then when he failed, each of her brothers took their turn.  This went on for nearly five minutes, but to Ona, it felt like an eternity.  But when Caleb threw up his hands out of frustration, Ona knew that the duel of wits was finally over.

Caleb walked inside with Dr. Stone, while Geff and Noah remained outside by the cab.

Irritated, her brother said...

“No one told us that we couldn’t take Ona home in a cab.  Why is this the first time that we’re hearing this?”

Dr. Stone said...

“I specifically explained Ona’s condition.  If the information was not clearly communicated, I cannot, nor will I be blamed for the miscommunication.”

Lucien didn’t want this exchange to get any uglier than it already had, so he thought it best to interject his suggestion.

“Will a limo suffice?”

His remark caught them all off guard.

Dr. Stone said...

“What?  A limo?”  She’d geared up to defend herself from false accusations, and now there was talk about a limo.  She looked at Lucien, then she understood his remark.

“Yes...  A limo would be fine.  As long as Ona can stretch out her leg on the seat...a limo will be perfect.”

Caleb glared at Lucien, when he said...

“This has your fingerprints all over it.”

“Caleb!”  Ona was shocked by her brothers overt claims, especially when he didn’t have any proof to back him up.  Lucien sighed heavily, when he said...

“Mr. Zelle I’m just as surprised as you but, we must respect Dr. Stone’s suggestions.  After all...until she leaves this facility, she is still Ona’s doctor.  And as such...we must follow her orders.”

“So that’s it?  She can’t leave unless we get a limo to take her home.  Is that what you’re saying?”

Dr. Stone narrowed her eyes when she said...

“What I am saying is that Ona Zelle must extend her leg...and it is up to you to provide a vehicle that will allow for this.”

Caleb turned his back to them, then he stared at the cab.  Noah and Geff appeared perplexed and it was clear that they wanted answers.  He didn’t need to turn around to know what lie behind him.

While staring through the glass, Caleb made a decision.

He turned meeting Lucien’s eyes, when he said...

“Fine...Ona will ride to the dock in your limo.  And I’m going along for the ride.”

Caleb turned to leave, and Ona wanted to stop him, but she muffled her voice when Dr. Stone began to speak, addressing her remark to her benefactor.

“Now that that’s settled...don’t be a stranger.”

Lucien replied...

“Thank you Angela for everything and I’ll see you at the next board meeting.”

“Goodbye Ona...it was lovely making your acquaintance.”  Dr. Stone inclined her head, then she left.

Now that they were alone, Lucien wanted to fix things before being rejoined by her brother.  He could see them talking outside, and they appeared locked in heavy debate.  Ona said...