One Love (28 page)

“
Nothing.” Lanessa cleared
her throat. “Nothing. I was just talking to myself.”

“
Too many hours working will
do that to you,” Robyn said. She went back to pulling
files.

“
Thinking aloud is a sign of
genius,” Lanessa tossed back at her.

“
Well if you ask
me—“

“
I didn’t,” Lanessa broke
in.

“
You should use those maps
from the state to plan a relaxing vacation.” Robyn paid no
attention to Lanessa’s testy response. “Look here. The state parks
are all laid out.”

“
Yeah, yeah. Lovely.”
Lanessa had gone back to the piles of paper in front of
her.

“
Fountainbleau on Lake
Ponchatrain is supposed to be gorgeous. Look at all the scenic
water ways.” Robyn unfolded a large map and pointed to an area
northeast of Lake Des Allemands. “Why you could follow the same
route early French and Spanish settlers took. The bayous and
streams are stunning.”

“
Uh-huh. Did you go to the
medical web site we talked about?”

“
Yes.” Robyn walked closer
to her with the map. “And look, these waterways can take you to the
port or straight to the Gulf if you want.”

“
How interesting.” Lanessa
did not look up.

“
No wonder Jean Lafitte was
able to smuggle and plunder. It’s like a giant wet maze in there.”
Robyn looked at the wall. “I think we should put this on the
wall.”

Lanessa dropped the sheet she was
holding and looked at her. “Repeat what you just said.”

“
I said we should put this
map on the wall. It’s invaluable with all the
landmarks--”

“
No, no. Right before that.
About a maze.” Lanessa sat still.

“
Oh, just that these streams
and bayous crisscross all along here. See? They go to New Orleans.
There’s a state park at Grand Isle, too!” Robyn said excited at her
discovery.

“
Waterways with barges that
go to ports around Grand Isle, Pointe A La Hache, Lake Borgne-
everywhere. They’re everywhere!” Lanessa stood up and crossed to
stare at the blue lines that indicated water on the map.

“
Right.”

“
That’s it. That’s gotta be
it.” Lanessa snatched it from Robyn’s hands.

Robyn gave her a strange look. “Maybe
you had too much sugar on an empty stomach.”

“
I’m not freaking out. Wait
a minute.”

Lanessa strode to the wall opposite
her desk. She hastily took down two framed prints. She gestured to
Robyn that she needed help. In short order the map was pinned to
the wall.

“
Boss lady, I was going to
have this thing framed and mounted properly.” Robyn shook her head.
“These push pins are going to leave holes.”

“
Never mind that. Now look.”
Lanessa pointed to a place in St. James Parish. “This is where
Paxton-Waite is going to build. Right near where Lake Des Allemands
flows into this river.”

“
The Cataouatche. So?” Robyn
lifted a shoulder. “It’s been there for a several hundred
years.”

“
And Dawson is trying to get
around certain regs that have to do with barge traffic. He wants a
way to move his goods easier.” Lanessa stared at the map. It was
doing a good job of showing her the way right now.

“
Him and about two dozen
other big businessmen I’ll bet.”

“
But I think he wants more
than just that. You mentioned Jean Lafitte.” Lanessa turned to
Robyn. “I think he wants fewer eyes on his goods because of what
he’s shipping.”

“
Hold on. You’re saying he’s
a smuggler?” Robyn gasped. “Drugs, no maybe guns! Both,” she
whispered.

“
You’ve been watching too
many cop shows.” Lanessa chuckled. “No, the answer is in what their
plant will manufacture.”

“
We could use a mechanical
engineer with lots of computer expertise.”

Lanessa nodded absentmindedly.
“Somebody who’s worked in a plant. Maybe a chemical
engineer.”

“
I’ll be Mr. St. Romaine
could help,” Robyn said. She nodded eagerly.

“
Sure. If we were still
speaking to each other,” Lanessa blurted out without thinking. A
stab of grief went through her. She took a deep breath and exhaled.
She would not allow it to take hold again. “Forget him. I’ll call
Dondré Littleton.”

“
Sorry.” Robyn wore a look
of sympathy. “I’ll get his number.” She hurried out and came back
with a card from the Rolodex ®.

Dondré Littleton was a sharp young
chemical engineer who had graduated from Southern University with
top honors. He’d helped Lanessa out when she was working for the
state legislature.

“
Now we’ll take another look
at Franklin Enterprises.” Lanessa shifted her focus from her own
pain. She thought of Yasmin and how Charles Metoyer had tried to
use her.

“
I don’t get how this all
ties up.” Robyn sat down at the worktable next to the
computer.

“
Neither do I. But I will.”
Lanessa picked up the telephone receiver. “I plan to know a lot
more very soon.”

Robyn looked at her. “Are we sure we
want to make Charles Metoyer mad at us?”

“
Why is everybody so jumpy?”
Lanessa punched in Dondré’s phone number. “All I’m doing is asking
a few questions. And depending on what I find out, he’s the one who
should be worried.”

Lanessa was tired of feeling
downtrodden and picked on. She wanted to make someone pay. Charles
Metoyer was an attractive target after what he’d done to Yasmin.
Getting to the truth on Paxton-Waite was the real prize. Giving a
Metoyer a swift kick would be lagniappe.

Chapter 14

Alex sat facing the window in front of
his drawing table. Golden sunlight painted the side of the building
outside. A slight breeze stirred the ash and oak trees. The sunset
promised to be spectacular. It reminded him of another day. A long,
lazy afternoon in the country with Lanessa. Alex shook his head to
clear it. Somehow he had to stop going back there.

His wall clock said it was five.
Quitting time on a Friday. Everyone was moving out, eager to begin
another weekend. He was in no hurry to leave. Once more he tried to
concentrate on the task at hand.

“
Say man, thanks again for
the job,” Evan said. “You know I’m grateful.”

“
Sure. Let’s go over these
relay points again.” Alex got out a manual of
specifications.

“
Uh, Alex, it’s the
weekend.” Evan wore a look of happy anticipation. “And I’ve got
plans.”

“
Oh. Well...” Alex drummed
his fingers for a few seconds. “Another hour won’t hurt. Look at
this.”

“
You’ll do anything to avoid
facing that empty house. Or maybe the phone that won’t ring.” Evan
shook his head.

“
Don’t start—“

“
Oh no. I won’t say what you
already know. But at least don’t sit around alone with your chin on
the floor.” Evan slapped him on the back. “So you and Lanessa are
finished. Okay, I’m going to be a real pal and help you move
on.”

“
No.” Alex was not ready for
the dating game.

“
Toni wouldn’t mind doubling
up,” Evan went on.

“
What is this, high school?
No double dates, no blind dates. Forget it.” Alex dropped the
manual he held with a loud.

“
It’s forgotten.” Evan held
up both hands in surrender. “Don’t explode on me.”

Alex let out a harsh breath. “Sorry.
Man! Why did I let her back in?”

“
Because every few dozen
women you meet, there is one that pushes you over the edge with
just a look. Guess Lanessa is that one for you.” Evan perched on
the edge of his desk.

“
But I should have known.”
Alex had said this to himself at least a hundred times in the last
few weeks.

“
Yeah, well...” Evan rubbed
his jaw.

Alex looked at him through narrowed
eyes. “I know that tone. Say it.”

“
Straight to the
truth?”

“
As always.” Alex could
always count on Evan to be frank, even if it stung.

“
It’s a physical thing that
sets you off. Combine that with that sassy personality she’s got
and ka-pow!” Evan shrugged his muscular shoulders. “She shakes you
right out of that stable, buttoned-down life of yours.”

“
You make it sound as though
I’m some sex machine on auto pilot.” Alex frowned to cover his
chagrin. Evan’s assessment hit the target like a steel tipped
arrow.

Lanessa could smile and send his mind
off in all kinds of erotic directions. Every word, every gesture
was foreplay. He’d never experience sex with anyone else that left
him exhausted and dreaming of the next time at once.

Yet it was more than physical. He
wanted to hear her voice, to talk to her about what was important
in his life. Alex wanted to share the little things and big things
with her. Their angry exchange came back to him in an instant.
Lanessa did not want to meet him half way. She wouldn’t even take a
few steps toward him. He’d offered her his life, and look what it
got him.

“
Okay so you’re right. But
we need more to build a life together.” Alex put away heated
thoughts of her lips and the smell of her skin. He went back into
practical family man mode.

“
Sure you weren’t too hard
on her?” Evan gazed at him.

“
What are you talking
about?” Alex said.

“
I got the impression she
had to pass some kinda test,” Evan wore an earnest
expression.

“
I... You know what she put
me through, man.” Alex rubbed a hand over his face. “Drinking, mood
swings, you name it.”

“
And you wanted her to prove
herself. Maybe the kids picked up on your attitude?” Evan said in a
careful, diplomatic voice. “Look man, I’m not jumping on you about
it. In fact, it’s understandable. Maybe this should be the final
break.”

“
I keep thinking that
myself.” Alex could have added he felt it was final between bouts
of wanting her like crazy.

“
You don’t sound too
sure.”

Alex gazed out the window again.
“Everyday I’m more sure.” That was the problem.

“
Tell you what; one more
night sitting all alone is not going to help.” Evan crossed to him
and placed a hand under his elbow. “You’re coming with me. No blind
date,” he added cutting Alex off before he could speak.

“
Great. I’m going along on
your date,” Alex mumbled.

“
I care about you, but
not
that
much,”
Evan said with a laugh. “My date is tomorrow night. I’m meeting a
couple of friends at Jazz It Up.” He turned off the computer and
lights in the office.

“
I’m not exactly a fun guy
these days.”

Alex usually would have been
enthusiastic about going to the popular nightspot. It offered the
best in traditional and new wave jazz. Still, he did not offer
resistance to being led out the door.

“
Trust me; you will be in
another hour or so.” Evan walked behind him. “Keep going. I’ve got
your retreat cut off.”

“
All right.” Alex grinned at
him. “You’re not such a bad guy after all.”

“
Hey, that’s what I keep
telling my ex-wife.” Evan chuckled at his own joke.

Alex followed Evan’s BMW wondering if
he’d made the right decision. By the time they pulled into the
parking lot, he’d convinced himself he should go home. It must have
shown on his face. Before he could speak, Evan literally dragged
him from the car.

“
I’m doing this for your own
good.” Evan pushed him through the door. “Look, there they are.” He
waved.

Alex frowned when he saw two women
seated at a table. “You lying--”

“
Toni’s friend Meisha is
waiting for her boyfriend. He happens to be my cousin. We’re
expecting a couple of other people to stop by after
work.”

“
Oh. Sorry.” Alex swallowed
the string of insults he’d been prepared to spew out.

“
Aren’t you ashamed?
Attacking me like that.” Evan looked like a true
innocent.

“
Don’t try it. I know your
tricks.” Alex pointed a finger at him. “And I’m watching
you.”

Evan lost the playful expression.
“Seriously, I know how you feel. Sometimes a break from the mad
drama of relationships is just what a brother needs.”

Alex knew he was talking about the one
big hurt he’d suffered. Though he rarely talked about it, Evan
still had scars from his divorce. Eden had been his high school
sweetheart.

“
Thanks, man. You’re being a
real friend and I keep growling at you.” Alex gave his arm an
affectionate pat.

“
Forget it.” The twinkle
came back to Evan’s coffee eyes. “Now smile and act nice, even if
you don’t feel like it. You’ll get better at it
eventually.”

Alex followed him to the table. Evan
was right. It was time to get back into life.