Lies Lovers Tell (19 page)

An hour later, Sean was heading toward Baldwin Hills in an understated, rented Honda, chosen purposely so he’d blend in with the rest of the workweek crowd. He wore casual jeans, a black silk T-shirt, and a Raiders ball cap. As he drove, he went back over the crucial information that had come to him, information he’d shared with Maya before they left the house in Playa del Rey. His street team told him the buzz among those in the know in the hood had intensified, that a former gang member and ex-felon was bragging about being able to leave the neighborhood soon, that he’d gotten a gig and was about to leave town. Sean put that with other information he’d recently gathered—that somebody had been snooping around the offices of B&A, had hacked into a company computer and tried to lift parts of Zeke’s itinerary. Both Zeke and Joseph had proved they would employ underhanded tactics to get what they wanted; and they wanted the Angel’s Way contract. Sean knew something else: that they weren’t the only ones.

The rented Honda’s GPS kicked in and told Sean to turn right off the 10 Freeway onto La Brea Avenue. As he did so, he turned his thoughts as well, from Zeke and Joseph to Dwight “Money” Henderson, the man he was getting ready to meet. Luck had smiled on him two nights ago when Money and his lovely wife had dined at the Ritz. He and Sean had struck up a conversation in the bathroom, Sean had told him he was into real estate, and Money had told him he was looking to get into the game. Years of investigator experience told Sean that Money was someone he should know, and when Money invited him to his home, Sean jumped at the chance. Maybe Money would turn out to be another real estate partner. With a nickname like that, Sean surely hoped he had some.

He didn’t have to wait long to find out. Unless Money was house-sitting, he wasn’t doing too bad. Sean pressed the intercom and was soon driving through the wrought-iron, gold-tipped gates. A brand-new Jaguar, SUV Escalade, and Porsche Boxster sat proudly displayed in the circular drive that could comfortably accommodate three or four more cars without seeming crowded. Sean thought maybe he should have driven the Mercedes after all.

“Nice place,” he said to Money, once the housekeeper had let him in and showed him into the living room. A quick glance told him the furnishings were top of the line.

“We enjoy it,” Money replied. “Although Lucia, my wife, wants to move to Bel Air. She’s had a penchant for it ever since she found out that’s where her idol, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony live. Lucia’s Puerto Rican.”

“There are worse places to live than Bel Air.”

“True, but I want to be able to see the ocean and am leaning toward Pacific Palisades or Palos Verdes. What can I get you to drink?”

“You have ginger ale?”

“Sure.” Money walked over to the bar.

Sean followed. “So you guys are actively looking to move?”

“In about a year or so. Lucia wants to have another child before our little girl gets too much older. She wants them to grow up together. We want to be moved before she gets pregnant, or before she gets too far along.”

“The family life seems to agree with you.”

Money laughed. “You wouldn’t have said that even three years ago. I wasn’t a papa but I was most definitely a rolling stone. I went to Puerto Rico on vacation, saw Lucia walking on the beach in a tiger-striped thong, and a brotha was toast. I brought her over two months later and we’ve been together ever since.” Money poured himself a shot of premium vodka and drank it straight down. He looked at Sean and added, “A good woman will make you change your life.” He nodded toward the living room where he and Sean sat down.

Sean gave Money the Sam Walters rundown of his life in real estate, and how he’d made his money during South Africa’s rebuilding after Nelson Mandela was elected president. Money was duly impressed.

“That’s what I want to do, develop a portfolio. Once I buy up several properties here in Southern California, both residential and commercial, I plan to expand the business to Nevada and Arizona and maybe the Midwest, where I’m from.”

“It looks like the business you’re in is pretty good. What did you say that was?”

“I didn’t.”

The smile remained on Money’s face but Sean caught the defensiveness he’d tried to keep out of his tone. Most men were happy to boast about their accomplishments, especially in business. As flashy as Money seemed, his reluctance to discuss his professional life seemed incongruent. Sean wondered what Money was hiding.

He tried a direct approach. “Well then…what is your business? It is obviously doing well,” Sean added as he looked around.

“I make my money through investments.”

Direct met with indirect; Sean, or more specifically Sean’s instinct, took notice. Especially since he’d just spent a good ten minutes giving his own résumé without compunction. That he’d mixed truth with fiction was beside the point.

“Do you know anything about Zeke Brennan?” Money asked.

Sean’s instinct went into high alert. “Of course, everybody in real estate knows who Zeke Brennan is.”

“Of course, but I’m speaking on a more personal level. I’m trying to meet him, want to travel in his circle a little bit.”

“Nothing like starting at the very top, my brotha!”

“As you can see,” Money said, waving his hand across his designer domain, “that’s where I’m most comfortable operating.”

Sean recognized his opportunity to get Money to open up. The brief background check he’d been able to do revealed a few things: that Dwight “Money” Henderson was a star athlete at the University of Missouri who’d received a small inheritance once his parents, both high-level educators, died. He played two years with the Cleveland Browns before a knee injury effectively ended his professional ball-playing career. He stayed in Cleveland, opened a chain of nightclubs, and then sold abruptly ten years ago. That’s where the paper trail had ended, at least in the short amount of time Sean had had to research. That Money hadn’t mentioned his sporting history, Sean also found strange. His newfound friend was definitely keeping secrets: one couldn’t be that tight-lipped and have nothing to hide.

Sean told Money he’d met Zeke, that in fact, they were doing some business together. This immediately piqued Money’s interest, so much so that Sean decided to ensure that this liaison with Money continued. “In fact, I’m dating his executive assistant, Maya Jamison.”

Money laughed and slapped hands with Sean. “My man. Now, that’s how you roll. The best way to get to an executive is through his executive assistant. I like how you think, man, yeah, I definitely like how you think.”

“Oh, no, man, it’s not like that. Maya’s a good woman.”

“I don’t doubt that. The fact that she works for Zeke Brennan makes her a great woman! I’m going to have to have the two of you back over here, have a nice little dinner. On top of being beautiful, Lucia loves to cook. And she doesn’t have too many women friends. You’ll have to bring your girl over.”

Sean nodded, and then finished off the ginger ale. He wasn’t exactly sure of the destination, but he’d just put the first leg of the journey in place. After another half hour of small talk, Sean’s job was done. As he left he knew two things: one, that he would not be partnering up with Dwight “Money” Henderson on his personal buying project and, two, that Money’s intense interest in Zeke Brennan was something he shouldn’t ignore. His intellect didn’t know why the connection was important, but his instinct told him the information was paramount.

Sean’s phone rang as he made his way back to the Marina. One of his sources had some information, news he didn’t want to share on the phone. Sean made a U-turn and headed to Culver City and the Fox Hills Mall where his contact awaited. He’d said it was urgent. Sean hoped it was the break for which he had been waiting.

While Sean headed to the mall on L.A.’s southwest side, Joseph Rosenthal headed toward his newest property acquisition in Century City. That his firm now owned three of the four largest office buildings on the west side should have brought him immense pleasure. But the acquisition was mere peanuts to what he really wanted, Angel’s Way. There was only one person standing in his way.

Which brought him to the other reason for his chagrin, Sean Wynn. Hiring him was turning out to be like burning money in a bonfire. The man hadn’t provided any information Joseph hadn’t already known, and since he’d made the alliance with Zeke, under the guise of gaining information for Rosenthal, there’d been even less news. Joseph wasn’t happy with the guy, not happy at all. And he didn’t plan on paying him one red cent outside of the hefty deposit he’d already spent to secure his services. A sinister smile crossed Joseph’s face as he thought about the plans that were being put in place to speed up Rosenthal’s guarantee of the Angel’s Way bid. Joseph didn’t have time to wait while Sean lollygagged around in search of information. Joseph always had kept a plan B. Now he wondered if this investigator should also be included in the plan. Being the astute businessman he was, Joseph knew killing two birds with one stone would be an economical move. And real estate was always about economics.

Maya put the finishing touches on dinner while she waited for Sean to come over. It was his first time coming to her home. He’s suggested she keep it casual regarding the meal she prepared and she had. But she wanted everything to be perfect. She turned down the oven temperature, placed the spinach salad in the refrigerator and went to take a quick shower before he arrived. Between her meetings with Sean as Sam Walters, his caution to her meeting him at the Ritz lest Zeke be spying on him, and her work at B&A, alone time with Sean had been minimal. They hadn’t made love in a week and she had no doubt he’d be more than ready. She hoped he wouldn’t be too upset with what she was going to ask of him later.

She was just putting in her earrings when the doorbell rang. Her heart raced a bit as she walked to the door, like a sixteen-year-old going on her first date. Why was she nervous?

She opened the door and found out why. Because of the effects of the chocolate confection standing in front of her. In an instant, she took in his freshly shaven face (thankfully devoid of add-on hair), his striking cleft chin and lips by God. What would have been casual attire on any other man fit Sean like GQ: a collarless, beige and black pin-stripped shirt with the sleeves rolled to mid forearm over a pair of black, silk twill slacks. A bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other completed the perfect picture.

“Hey, Sean. Come on in.”

The faint scent of Sean’s Boss 6 cologne wafted past her nose as he stepped towards her.

“Hello gorgeous,” he said, brushing his lips across her cheek. He walked fully into her living room and turned full circle to take in the pastel décor including the deep-cushioned, eight-foot sofa covered in light yellow Chenille, a leather recliner in a rich, vanilla cream, marble and glass tables, copper lamps, and candles strategically placed throughout the room. “Sophisticated chic,” he concluded, as he turned back to face her. “It fits you.”

“Uh, let me take those.” Maya reached for the bouquet of orchids, lilies and roses in varying shades of purple and pink. “Thank you, Sean. They’re beautiful. And the wine; you’re so much better than I deserve.”

“I’m not enough,” he countered smoothly. “You deserve the very best.”

“That’s what I’ve got.”

Their moment was interrupted when Sean suddenly looked down. Maya followed his eyes to see Lucky rubbing up against his leg.

“Oh, I hope you’re not allergic. As you can see, I have a cat.”

Sean put his head back and laughed loudly.

“What is so funny?”

“I’m just remembering my first impression from the photo of you in my B&A files: serious pose, hair drawn back, sharp bangs, no smile. I drew my own conclusion of who you were as a person based on that photo. The only thing I got right was thinking you had a cat.”

“What did you get wrong?”

“I plead the fifth. But I’ve never been so glad to be wrong in my life.” Sean followed Maya as she walked to the kitchen.

She continued talking, placing the wine in the refrigerator and the flowers in a vase. “Let me guess. You thought I was a workaholic with no sense of humor and basically, no life. If so you would have been right on two out of three. I have a decent sense of humor, except when I’m impersonating maids and trying to spy on investigators and real estate tycoons.

Sean trapped Maya between the counter and his body. “I was just waiting here until your hands were free.”

“For what?”

“For this.”

He drew Maya into his arms and assaulted her mouth with his skilled tongue. Maya melted into him, her body yearning to get closer than their layer of clothes allowed. Sean planted kisses along her neck, and at both temples.

“I love you, Maya,” he murmured.

They were both surprised at that declaration. For Sean, the words seemed to have tumbled out of their own volition. And Maya knew Sean cared deeply for her but to know he loved her just as she did him…

“I, I don’t know what to say.”

“Hum, let’s see.” Sean held his chin and tapped his finger as he feigned deep concentration. “I love you too would work just fine,” he answered.

She laughed. “I do, Sean.”

Sean noticed she didn’t use the ‘L’ word but decided not to press her on it.

“Well then feed me some of that delicious food I’m smelling woman, before I ravish you right here on the kitchen floor.”

“You said keep it simple,” she said as she placed the dish of chicken ala king on the table. “I hope you like it.”

Sean leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Maya, when I’m with you everything is good.”

They ate in companionable silence for a moment.

“You know what I realized today?” Maya asked

“What’s that?”

“I know very little about you.”

“What would you like to know?” he said, mimicking Maya’s previous answer from when he’d asked about her.

“Everything. For starters, is Sean Wynn your real name?

That elicited another laugh from Sean. “Normally that would be an unusual question but considering the path our relationship has traveled, a fair one.”

He took a sip of wine and continued. “I was born Nathaniel Sean Anderson in New York City. My family moved to Philadelphia when I was nine. That’s where I grew up.”

“Where did the name Wynn come from?”

“I legally changed my last name to make it harder for anyone to trace my background history. Sometimes adversaries who can’t get to the main source go after family members.”

“Do you have brothers…sisters?

“One younger brother, Randall. He’s married with two daughters who have him wrapped around their finger and one on the way, the son he’s always wanted.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a police officer, like my dad, and like myself before I became a full-time investigator.”

Maya looked at him, surprised. “You were a policeman?”

“That surprises you?”

“On second thought, maybe it shouldn’t. You do have that authoritative, ‘put your hands up’ demeanor.”

“Thank you, I think.”

Maya laughed. “It was a compliment.”

“I joined the force right after graduating college; worked the beat and the streets for four years before being tapped to go undercover for a drug sting. That’s when I realized I had a talent for undercover work, and that I loved the challenge. I worked undercover for about five years in Philadelphia before relocating back to New York and starting my own practice.”

Maya learned that most of the men in Sean’s family had either military or law enforcement backgrounds. His dad was now retired from the force. His mother was a retired school teacher. They’d been married almost forty years.

“They’d love you,” he said after telling of his family.

“I’d love to meet them,” she replied. And then, “So have you come up with a plan to speed up a resolution to your investigation?”

“Actually, a plan came to me. A man who says he’s interested in real estate, but I really think he’s interesting in your boss, Zeke.”

“Really, who?”

“A guy named Dwight Henderson but friends call him Money. You’re going to meet him Saturday night, him and his wife, Lucia. We’ve been invited over for dinner.”

Sean told her how they’d met at the Ritz and about the conversation during his brief visit at Money’s home.

“Where does he live?”

“Baldwin Hills.”

“This sounds interesting. How did I get invited to the party?”

“I told him you were my woman, of course. I also told him you were Zeke’s executive assistant. That’s when he really perked up. And that’s when my suspicion antenna went up. It makes sense for anyone interested in real estate to know Zeke Brennan’s name, but his interest seemed above the norm. As soon as I told him about knowing Zeke and your working for him, he invited us over, started pumping me for information. Said he’d been following the building boom, especially downtown, and wanted to get in the game.”

“I’m sure I’ve never heard of him before. Money is a name I’d remember.”

“He has the type of personality that one wouldn’t forget, gregarious, charming. Dress to impress. This man loves to flash and by you working for Zeke, he’ll expect to see you in nothing but the best.”

The talk turned away from business as they finished dinner. Maya put on water for tea and then joined Sean on the sofa in the living room.

“What about the other players you’re investigating? Have you turned up anything on Rosenthal?” And then as an afterthought added, “Or Zeke?”

“My findings are not yet concluded but I can tell you that I haven’t dug up dirt that’s any different from anyone else in his position. No murder or mayhem…yet.”

“Well, you’re probably not going to on Zeke. I’m not saying he’s beyond taking extreme measures to get what he wants; but that he’s too smart to get caught at it.”

“What makes you think Joe Rosenthal is any different? They’re both smart men, they’re both successful and they both are corrupt to some degree. What makes one better than the other?”

“That one of their names is on my paycheck,” Maya said with a straight face. “That and the fact that Zeke has been good to me. Even with what I’ve learned, I still have a level of respect for him. And I’ll always be grateful that he was there for me when Stretch was in trouble. He helped me with no hesitation, Sean, didn’t bat an eye.” She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. “Like somebody else I know.”

Sean sensed Maya’s vulnerability as she talked about her brother. He wanted to protect her from everything; wanted to wrap her in his arms and love away the fear he saw in her eyes.

“I can understand why you felt so loyal to Zeke,” Sean said softly. “And it’s clear you love your brother very much.”

Maya nodded against his shoulder.

“Come here.” He turned her so that they were face to face and pulled her onto his lap. He caressed her face, gently outlining it with his finger before kissing her nose, eyes, cheeks and finally plunging deeply into her mouth. As the kiss intensified so did his longing for her. Maya felt him hardening under her, even as his hand slipped inside the top of her dress and begin massaging her nipple.

The tea whistle sounded.
Perfect timing
, Maya thought.

When she brought back the tray from the kitchen and set it on the table, she sat a distance away from Sean. “I have something to ask you,” she began a bit tentatively. “A favor.”

“Anything.”

“I want you, us, to slow things down a bit.”

Sean put down his teacup. “What do you mean?”

“We were hot and heavy from the moment we met; sleeping together the first night, something I’ve never done before. I’d like to step back and process what we have, as friends.”

Sean prepared to protest.

“Just for a little while,” she hurried on. “Until all of this, the investigation, the contract bid, this whole thing is over. There’s so much on my mind right now and that’s compounded when you’re, I mean when we…”

“Are you trying to say my loving is blowing your mind so much you can’t think straight?”

It was Maya’s turn to laugh loudly. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Sean took a deep breath. “You’re asking a lot of me, baby. I want you so much right now I can hardly stand it. But if it will help you get through this process, and feel more comfortable about us, I’ll honor your request and try to keep my hands off you.”

They finished their tea and the blueberry muffins Maya had served for dessert.

“I have to be up early,” she said, when what had started out as a light “thank you for dessert” kiss began to deepen.

Sean sighed heavily. “Okay, okay. But I can already see that keeping my hands off of you is impossible.”

When they reached the door, Maya turned, determined to give him a church hug: the one where there was at least two feet of space between the bodies, where the shoulders touched and nothing else. But Sean wasn’t having it. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her against him, nuzzling her ear before giving her a light kiss on the temple. Her kitty was virtually preening now; if the man didn’t leave within the next minute, Maya knew she’d go against her own decision to abstain.

She broke the embrace and opened the door in one motion. “See you Saturday, then,” she said, while her mind screamed, “please get your fine ‘a’ out my house before I jump you!” The door closed so fast behind him, she may have clipped his heel.

She leaned against the door and tried to regain her composure. If tonight was any indication, sticking to her decision to not have sex with Sean, while they developed their friendship, was going to be her hardest assignment yet.