Halfway to the Truth (8 page)

“I-I-I don’t know what to say?”

“You don’t have to say anything right now. Take your time and think on it. My private number is on the note when you make your decision. Now, let’s all enjoy our meal,” he said, staring into Nikolaus’ face.

Nikolaus opened the gates to leave Drakos mansion. When he hit the main road, he let the Corvette exercise its muscle.

“I’m guessing by the way you’re driving that you weren’t expecting anything like that?” Reese said to stimulate conversation.

“No I wasn’t! This is another example of how he cuts me out of things. I never saw it coming!”

“Nikolaus, could you please slow down a little, you’re scaring me.”

The vehicle slowly returned to just above the speed limit.

“I’m sorry, but he knows how to get under my skin.”

“Why do you allow it? He can only do it if you let him. You’re usually pretty cool about most things. Or, is it you didn’t like him offering me to work for the company?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s actually a smart move on his part.”

Reese’s ears perked up. “What do you mean by a
smart move
? Do you think he’s trying to play me against Doug?”

“Hell yes, I do! That’s what he does. And I also think he’s trying to keep you busy and away from me.”

“What do
you
think I should do about his offer? I don’t know anything about public relations.”

“Just like he said, think it over. With your researching and writing abilities and the fact you handle yourself really well, it wouldn’t take you any time to learn about the company. I just hope if you decide to take it, that it doesn’t come between us. I really like you Reese and I’m sorry that my father brings out my bad side. I’ll work on your suggestion. But would you please let me know what you decide before calling my father? You have my cell phone number.”

“Alright. I’ll do that for you.” She leaned in grabbing his arm and gave it a squeeze trying to assure him that she was still interested in him.

A short while later, they arrived back at Reese’s parked car near Bistro Bistro.

Nikolaus repeated his gesture of helping her out of the Corvette and pulled her close to say good night. “Do you allow kisses on the second date?” he asked looking into her eyes.

“I was wondering when you were going to ask?” she said, raising up on her toes and putting her lips close to his. “Is this what you want?”

He didn’t wait to answer. He locked his lips with hers and gave her a long passionate kiss. It was the kind of kiss that kindled a woman’s desire, a desire that Reese had almost forgot about.

When they released each other he asked, “Come out to Tybee Island with me this weekend. I have a place out there on the beach. You’ll love it.”

She was giving it serious consideration when she remembered that Shelley had invited her to go visit New Harmony and they were leaving on Saturday.

“I’m sorry, I have a prior commitment. May I take a rain check?”

“Come on, what could be more important than us right now?” he asked, putting his hands on her hips and pleading with his eyes.

She found it difficult to resist his allure. But there was so much happening to her lately, that the need to temporarily get away from Savannah and the Drakos family was a stronger emotion. And going to New Harmony would give her time to think everything through.

“A rain check will have to do,” she said, breaking free of his grip. “I promised Shelley I would accompany her to visit her sister in New Harmony and I keep my promises. Besides, I need to think about your father’s offer and I need to do it without being influenced by you. I’m afraid I’d make an emotional decision rather than a logical one if I spent the weekend with you. I hope you understand?”

“Alright! As much as I don’t like losing out to Shelley, I do understand. But can we make it the following weekend? It’s the last weekend before Memorial Day and the beaches start getting crowded after that.”

“Agreed!” she committed. “I’ll call you as soon as I can. Thank you for being sensitive to my commitment.”

She kissed him on the cheek and quickly darted in the direction of her car before she changed her mind.

Saturday morning came faster than Reese wanted it to. On one hand, she was looking forward to returning to New Harmony and seeing old friends. On the other, she wanted to stay and pursue the red zone scoop. Her gut was telling her there was a lot more going on there than anyone imagined.

Bobby did manage to capture an image of Greenfield on his hidden camera and Doug was able to locate the address where he lived. She was eager to confront him about the forklift incident and the mysterious warehouse activities. He was next on her interview list for Monday.

At the same time, her future was also becoming more complicated. She wanted to stay working as a reporter with the
Savannah Daily
but, becoming Viktor’s Public Relations spokesperson, appealed to her as well. Plus, her relationship with Nikolaus was heating up and she didn’t know where all that would be going. He fascinated her as much as the red zone.

There was a knock on the door.

“Reese, it’s me Shelley. You in there?”

Opening the door for her traveling companion she invited her in. “I still have a few things to pack. There’s coffee on the stove if you want a cup.” She then disappeared into the bedroom.

Shelley followed her. “I would have thought you’d be ready to go. You don’t really want to do this, do you?” she politely asked.

“Yes, I do. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Want to share it with me? Maybe I can help?”

“We’ll talk about it on the way. I do need to discuss it with someone — it’s got my stomach in knots.”

“Sounds serious!”

“It is, and I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Reese agonized. “In the meantime, I’m going to corner that Greenfield guy when we get back. He
was
the one driving the forklift that almost hit me. I think I can use that incident to get him to talk.”

“You mean if he has a heart,” Shelley advocated. “Otherwise, there’s no incentive for him to talk to you.”

Reese ignored her comment as she pulled a top from her closet and held it up. “Remember this?” she said, holding the plum-colored garment that Shelley liked when Reese moved into her apartment. “I think you should put it on and wear it today. It’ll look great on you, especially over those jeans you’re wearing.”

Shelley took off her blouse and tried it on. Moving to a mirror she modeled it from every angle. “Nice!” she said. “It’s not a design I would normally pick for myself.”

“Looks better on you than me,” said Reese. “Why don’t you keep it?”

“Thanks, I think I will. Hey, we better get going,” she added looking at her watch. “My sister has lunch planned for us and if we leave now, we’ll just make it.”

“Okay, let me grab my makeup bag and a few other things. Could you turn off the stove and make sure I don’t have any candles burning out there?”

In less than three minutes, they headed out the door.

The two hundred mile drive would take them on I-16 toward Macon where they would redirect to I-75. Then at exit 205 they would travel west along Georgia Route 16. Once they were on the interstate, Reese activated her cruise control setting it a little higher than the 70 MPH speed limit.

About twenty miles south of Macon, Shelley finally got around to asking Reese what she was so worried about. “You ready to talk about what’s eating on you?”

Squirming a little in her seat, Reese tried to think of a way she could talk about it without getting Shelley upset. She started at the only point she could think of, realizing there were no good choices.

“I had dinner with Nikolaus Thursday night.”

“Oh, how did that go? You’re starting to fall for the guy, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but that’s not all. We had dinner at his father’s house.”

“So, y
ou finally met the old man
?”

“Yes, and I found him very pleasant. But at the same time, I think he’s trying to use me against Doug.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He offered me a job.”

Shelley leaned back away from Reese against the car door and gave her an uncertain look. Then she asked the next obvious question, “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I’d think about it.”

Shelley became quiet and looked ahead.

“I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out,” said Reese, touching her arm. “This might be a blessing in disguise. He wants me to be his company’s PAO. Just think, it would put me on the inside and give me greater access to finding out about
all
his operations. You and Doug suspect there are serious things going on down at their dock and warehouse. Do you think they’re just going to come out and tell me what they’re hiding? Getting to that information is the only reason Doug hired me, and you know it!”

Shelley was silent while trying to absorb Reese’s words. Relenting, she spoke. “Doug isn’t going to be happy about this. Not sure I am either, but I understand your point. And you are correct, that’s the
only
reason he hired you — because you were an out-of-towner. He and I have suspected for a while that there was something mysterious occurring on their property and thought it was time to bring it to light. Maybe we’ve put you in a terrible situation without thinking it through — I don’t know. But I
do
know that Doug isn’t going to let it go. He’s been at odds with Viktor Drakos for years, and even
I
don’t know the reason for it. But Doug’s obsession with this makes me think he sees you as an expendable commodity, and that’s what doesn’t sit well with me. Maybe it’s time to bring in the authorities?”

“And tell them what? We have no proof of anything, and it would make the newspaper look foolish if there was nothing to it. I think we need to proceed with this, and right now our best chances are by having me on the inside. I promise, the minute I find out if there is anything bad, I’ll pull out. But I need your support on this Shelley.”

“What about Nikolaus?” Shelley questioned. “If his father is up to no good, don’t you think his son is aware of it too? You’re about to get cozy with him and that makes what you want to do even more risky.”

“Nikolaus doesn’t like his father,” she answered. “But he knows he’s next in line to run Drakos Shipping, so he does just enough to keep his father from cutting him out altogether. Even if he is aware of what’s going on, it doesn’t mean he approves and may feel his options are limited. Maybe I can help him with that, but we won’t know unless I try.”

Shelley was processing everything that Reese had said. “Fine. I’ll go along with it for now. Sounds like you made up your mind anyway. But we can’t let Doug know I’m on your side. He’ll fire me, or at least cut me off from any information he learns, and you may need that information later on.  So when you tell him, I’m going to be surprised too. You sure you want to do this?”

“Yes! I’ve never been surer about anything. Thank you Shelley.”

The remainder of their trip they never discussed the topic again.

It was one minute before noon when Reese’s vehicle entered the Ladies Auxiliary parking lot. When they got inside, Reese was swarmed by a group of women all anxious to give her hugs and kisses. Wanda was the lone holdout, going straight for her sister.

“Good to see you Shelley,” she said, giving her a hug then adding, “It’s been a long time since you’ve been here. I get to enjoy you even if it is only for one night. Come, there are some new members I’d like to introduce to you since your last visit.”

They joined the throng of Reese worshipers and after some brief presentations, all of them went into the great hall for lunch. Including Shelley and Reese, there were twenty-one women in all.

“We decided to do a potluck,” said Wanda, pointing out a row of tables. “So we’re sure to have something you both like. Sit down and we’ll have some ice tea and lemonade to start things off. We’re all eager to hear the latest gossip of Savannah.”

Reese had no sooner taken her seat when a man entered the room. It was Chief Daniels.

“I thought I saw a familiar car in the lot,” he said, walking over to where she was sitting.

She stood up and embraced him. Then she grabbed Shelley’s arm inviting her to meet him as well. “Chief, this is my good friend Shelley Steward. Shelley meet the only man that ever saw me atop a trash can.”

From the moment he entered the room, Shelley had not taken her eyes off him. He was a little over six feet tall with a slender build. Even though his uniform shirt fit loose, she could tell he was a fit specimen of a man. He sported short, black hair with a touch of grey at the temples. His face was clean-shaven revealing dimples on both cheeks. She immediately felt an attraction to him.

“Very pleased to meet you Chief,” said Shelley, looking him dead in his brown eyes as she shook his hand. “Reese has told me a lot about you, but she never told me you were handsome. I don’t know how she could have missed that part.”

Reese noticed the Chief blush and thought she better do something. “Why don’t you stay and have lunch with us? It’s alright, isn’t it Wanda?”

Wanda and all the woman chimed in inviting him to stay.

“Sorry ladies, but I have to go over to the courthouse. I simply wanted to stop in and say hello to Reese.”

Turning to her, “Maybe I’ll see you later this evening,” he said. “I get off duty at seven and plan to stop by The Tavern. Maybe you and your friend can meet me there later,” he said, glancing at Shelley. “Pleasure to meet you Miss Steward.” He gave a slight bow and exited the room.

Shelley gave Reese a slap on the arm.

“Ow! What’s that for?” she asked rubbing her arm.

“For not telling me he was so attractive. The man is beautiful!”

“I never looked at him that way,” she said, still rubbing her arm, “and don’t let him hear you say that. He’d never live it down.”

“You know we’re going to The Tavern tonight don’t you?” Shelley begged.

“Yeah, I kind of figured that from the way you’re carrying on. Let’s just take one step at a time and enjoy lunch first.”

They both rejoined the ladies’ conversations and shared with them the latest Savannah chatter. Not a word was mentioned to them about Reese’s assignment.

When the auxiliary luncheon ended, Reese and Shelley helped with the cleanup and then followed Wanda back to her home. Wanda showed them to their separate rooms and gave them time to put up their belongings and freshen up before they were to reunite in the parlor. There, they stayed the remainder of the afternoon as Wanda educated them on all the mundane happenings of the citizens of New Harmony.

Shelley had been watching the clock. At 6:30 she saw fit to cut off her sister.

“Wanda, Reese and I are going out for a little bit. I hope you don’t mind? Chief Daniels invited us to join him at The Tavern. He seems like such a nice man, I don’t want to disappoint him.”

“Of course, dear. But don’t be too late. I’d like to talk with you before we go to bed.”

“Promise,” she replied crossing her heart.

She got up and nodded for Reese to start heading for the door. “We’ll see you later Sis,” she said, giving her a kiss on the cheek and followed after Reese.

When the pair got outside, Reese commented, “That was kind of rude wasn’t it?”

“Oh, she doesn’t mind. She’s just glad to see us and we’ll talk later. How do I look?” Shelley asked primping her hair.

“Like a woman who just discovered man.”

“Hey, you may not think so, but he’s hot! I can’t believe no one has hooked him yet.”

“One, he’s particular. Two, have you seen the women in this town?”

“Let’s go,” said Shelley. “We shouldn’t keep the man waiting.”

It only took them a few minutes to get to their destination. They had arrived at The Tavern before the Chief and made themselves comfortable in a corner booth.

“Sit toward the edge of your seat,” Shelley demanded, waving her hands for her to scoot over.

“Why?”

“Because I want him to feel he has to sit with me. I’ll leave lots of space for him.”

“You’re acting like a school girl. Do you know that?”

“And your point would be?”

As they were bantering back and forth, Chief Daniels walked in. He was wearing street clothes. Shelley couldn’t help but notice his jeans fit him like a glove and the black knit shirt he wore accentuated his short, black hair.

“Evening ladies,” he greeted, sliding in the open space left by Shelley. “What can I order for you?”

“What are
you
drinking?” asked Shelley. “The first round is on us.”

“I like the taste of dark beer. How about you?” he asked turning his head toward her.

“I’m having what you’re having,” she said, leaning in slightly toward him.

Looking at Reese, “I know you drink wine, is there something else I can get you?”

“No Chief, a cabernet will be just fine.”

He got up and walked to the bar. He could feel the impact of Shelley’s eyes glued to his butt. It had been a long time since he felt the urge to flirt and Reese’s friend had struck the right chord with him.

“You kidding me?” Shelley exclaimed. “Look at that walk! I’m getting drunk tonight honey.”

“I’ve never seen him dressed like that before,” Reese added. “He is kind of hot from the back.”

The Chief returned with their drinks. “Here you go ladies. What are we toasting?” he said, raising his glass.

“Jeans!” Shelley quickly stated looking at him. “And what they can do for the human body.”

“I’ll drink to that,” he said, smiling back at her.

Reese rolled her eyes not believing this was the same Chief Daniels that almost arrested her not too long ago.

“Although I like the term
Chief
,” said Shelley, “I’d like to know your first name? Reese never told me.”

“It’s Robert!” blurted out Reese. “His first name is Robert. But don’t call him Bob; he prefers Rob. He only ever wanted me to know him as Chief Daniels, but it would be hard to live here and not know his first name. There, you satisfied?”

“I was beginning to wonder if you knew it,” he said to her and sipped his beer.

She shot him a condescending look.

“How are things going in Savannah? How’s the investigation side of things going for you?”

“Everything is great Chief,” she said, regaining her composure. “But as long as you’re asking, you could do me a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“I know you have access to all types of databases, can you get me information on a man named Greenfield?”

Shelley looked big-eyed at Reese as if to say, “What are you doing?”

“I’m investigating some shipping irregularities at one of the Savannah docks. He works for Drakos Shipping. I don’t know his first name, but if you could get anything on him I would appreciate it.”

He turned and looked at his seat companion. “You in on this too?”

“You caught me,” Shelley admitted. “I’m the assistant editor at the
Daily
. But we shouldn’t be telling you any of this. But seeing as how we are, maybe you could talk some sense into her. Her assignment has gotten way out of hand but she won’t back down.”

“I’ve never been able to talk sense into her before,” he said, returning his look to Reese. “I doubt it would work now, would it?”

He took a drink of his beer without waiting for her answer and added, “Is that why you came back? To get me to help you?”

Shelley injected herself into the conversation, “No Rob, she came at my insistence. My sister has been wanting me to come visit for some time and I convinced Reese it would be fun to return and see everyone.”

“And, I wanted to introduce you to Shelley,” Reese inserted. “Look, if it’s too much trouble I’m sorry for asking.”

“I’ll think on it,” he said, taking another drink.

Reese spotted another patron across the room.

“Will you both excuse me, I see someone over there I haven’t seen in a while. You’ll both be here when I get back won’t you?” she teased while getting up to go.

The pair looked at her as if to say, “We’ll see,” then returned their attention to each other.