The Biggest Part of Me (22 page)

“All valid points, counselor.  All I can tell you is that there were some things that I couldn’t tell Jane at the time.”

Julie paused.  “Jason, there are some things that Jane couldn’t tell you at the time.”  She took his hands and held them firmly.  “Listen, I’m speaking now not as an attorney that would have a field day with the both of you on the stand.  I’m speaking as a friend that loves you both very much.  Sit down with her and really talk about the past.”

“But we have, we—“

“No.  I mean no more secrets.  Everything out on the table.  Whatever you couldn’t tell Jane then, tell her now.  And insist that she tell you whatever she couldn’t tell you then.  You both need to trust each other.  Otherwise, how can you have any kind of future together?  And then deal with this marriage issue!”

Jason smiled and put his arm around Julie.  “You know what, slugger?  You’re pretty wise for being a lawyer.” And then he gave her a kiss on the head.

“Oh stop, you’re making me blush,” she said sarcastically.  “Now can I meet the dashing Mr. CARL?”

Julie’s visit lasted for three days.  The two women stayed up late in the night giggling and sharing secrets just like they had done in their youth.  When Julie left for home, Jane was sorry to see her go.  However, that night Jason had reminded her how nice it was to have the apartment all to themselves. 

Even though Jane and Jason’s business dealing were intense and friendly, no one else suspected that they were deeply involved, let alone married.  They spent practically all of their work-free hours together, pretty much moving in together into Jane’s comfy apartment.  Evening was usually met with a light dinner and a glass of wine.  Jane didn’t mind making simple dinners or Jason would pick up take-out on his way to the apartment.  After dinner they would snuggle on the couch and listen to music, holding each other.  Jane never wanted it to end.

The higher temperatures of spring blanketed Manhattan making the air warm and inviting.  Jane stood in her little kitchen looking out the window and stirring homemade chicken cacciatore.  She was feeling positively domesticated—and it felt good.  Looking down the street she noticed a very handsome man strolling towards her building, briefcase in hand.  He wore a camel colored suit that was tailored to fit his lean body.  His lean hands gripped his briefcase in one hand and in the other, a small bouquet of wildflowers.  His hair was blowing in the cool wind.  His eyes were intense, obviously deep in thought.  Her husband.  How she was beginning to love that word!  Jane poured two glasses of wine.

This was Jason’s favorite time of the day.  He would come through the doors of Jane’s apartment and shut out the world that was anything except the two of them.  He smiled at the key Jane had given him to her apartment building.  Things were coming along quite nicely with Janie. 

He entered the apartment and after hanging up his coat and setting down his briefcase, found Jane.  She greeted Jason with a kiss and a glass of wine.  He returned the kiss and gave her the bouquet.

“Jay, these are beautiful!  Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, darlin.’”  Wearily, he sat on the sofa to drink his wine.

Jane joined him and snuggled close to him as he put his arm around her to draw her close.  “Bad day?” she asked.

Jason sighed.  “I don’t understand it.  We’re having trouble closing this Japan deal.  It seems to me that the distributors of Japan would have no trouble being on board with a toy that combines robots and computers.”  He hesitated.  “They’re having second thoughts about displaying CARL at their worldwide exposition this summer.”

“You can’t be serious!  CARL is incredible!  Why would they turn their backs on such an obvious money maker?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, sweetheart.  Maybe I’m not stating my case well enough.  Maybe they’re getting bad information.”  Looking at his watch he said,  “I’ve got to go back out in an hour.  I’m meeting our lawyers to see if perhaps there’s a legal issue involved that we’re not seeing.”

“You have to go back to the office?” Jane was disappointed.

“No, I’m meeting them at Brannings,” Jason said indicating the little bar around the corner from the apartment.  “I figured if I could get these lawyers in a relaxed environment, maybe I could understand what the hell they were saying.  God, why don’t they learn to speak English?”

Jane chuckled.  “They can be infuriating.”

Changing topics he said, “Gee, what smells so good?”

“Chicken cacciatore.  Homemade, I’ll have you know.  I made it especially for you.  I also made your favorite—chocolate chip cookies.”  Jane looked up into Jason’s large smiling eyes.

“Great.  I’m starved.  However . .”  Jason put his wine down and began nibbling on Jane’s neck.  “I could sure go for an appetizer now.”  His hands moved over her shoulders and down her sides as his mouth moved up her throat to make contact with her lips.

“Good idea,” Jane murmured as she gave herself to his kisses.  What an appetizer!  However, they were fast on their way to a main entrée when the phone rang.  Gathering her wits, Jane reached to the side table to grab the cordless.  Jason continued scattering kisses all over her as she answered.

Jason felt Jane’s body grow stiff as she listened to the call.

“Sally, calm down and tell me what happened.”

Jason sat up and watched Jane.  He started rubbing her shoulders as she listened to the call.

“Okay.  Okay.  Was there anything missing? . . . Call security and explain everything to them.  Have someone escort you out . . . It’s all right, Sally.  Go home and get some rest.”

“What happened?”

Jane turned to face him.  “Someone broke into my office.  Sally had come back to the office after dinner to do some typing and saw the door open.  Files and drawers were emptied on the floor.  She said it’s a mess but it doesn’t appear that anything was taken.  Whatever it was they wanted, I don’t think they found it.”

“CARL.”  Jason said, his eyes hard and intense.

“Do you really think so?”

“I’ve suspected industrial espionage.  Too many unexplained problems.”  He sighed as he massaged Jane’s shoulders.  “I really don’t want you in the middle of it.”

Defiantly she said, “Well, I am.  And I’m not letting anything happen to this project.  I’m so glad that after that debacle with the first casting call, I had all our papers locked up in my safe.  Nothing connected with CARL is ever left out. 

“We’ll get past this, Jay.  CARL will be a success, for you and Patterson.”

Jason smiled.  “Yeah, it’s your big chance.”

Jane looked tenderly at Jason.  Touching his cheek she said, “No, it’s your dream.”

The rush of emotion that filled Jason was overwhelming.  He grabbed Jane and kissed her with all the passion that filled his heart.  Then he took her hands and kissed them while he tried to regain his voice.  “How’s that cacciatore coming?”

The apartment was quiet.  Jason had left for his meeting.  Jane sat in her large upholstered chair and pulled an afghan over her.  She wore baggy sweatpants, a large University of Florida sweatshirt, and heavy wool socks.  Next to her, she had a cup of hot tea and a new romance novel.  She couldn’t remember the last time she had read fiction.  Romance seemed appropriate.  Sighing, she leaned back and began reading.  As she finished chapter one, she heard the buzzer indicating a guest at the front door of the building.

Jason had been worried.  The idea of anyone breaking into Jane’s office had concerned him.  He told Jane to be extra careful about letting anyone into the building.  Thinking through all of this she went to the intercom button and pressing down, asked who was there.

“Jane, it’s me Ed.  Let me come up.”

Jane hesitated.  “What is it, Ed.”

“Please, Jane.  Let me in.  I need to talk to you.”

She hesitated.  Finally she said, “Okay, Ed,” and she pressed the unlock button.  Meeting him at her door she said, “What are you doing here?”

He grabbed her and hugged hard, crushing Jane’s ribs.  “Jane, I was so worried about you.  I heard someone broke into your office.  Are you all right?”

Gasping from his tight hold, she murmured, “I’m fine, Ed.”  She pushed him back and asked, “How did you hear about it?”

“I was working late.  What do you think they wanted?  Did you have anything valuable there?”

“I’m not sure what they wanted.  I think it might have something to do with CARL.  But there was nothing left out for them to get.”

“You don’t keep CARL documents there?”

“Listen, after tonight we’re going to keep them under lock and key in the company safe, with security around that.”  Sensing that he was waiting for an invitation to sit down she politely asked, “Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Have you got anything stronger?”  Ed walked into the kitchen and began looking through the cupboards for a drink.

“I think I’ve got some whiskey.”  She pulled out a bottle and small glass and poured him a drink.  They retreated to the sofa.  Ed drank his whiskey while Jane sipped her tea.  Ed seemed nervous.

“Ed, what’s wrong.  You’re as jumpy as a cat.”

“It’s just that I’ve missed you, Jane.  My life just isn’t right without you in it.”

“Ed—“

“Are you sure we have to wait until this big meeting is over?  I can get the paperwork for the divorce going right now and then you can put my ring back on your finger.”

“I promised Jason.  But listen, Ed.”  She took a breath and tried to think of the best way to end things with Ed.  “Things have changed with Jason and me.”

Not listening, Ed took another swig and then leaned back against the cushions.  He loosened his tie and took a deep breath.  Looking at Jane he said, “I was afraid that you had been at the office when someone broke in.  I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

“That’s really sweet but I’m fine.”  Now Jane was getting nervous.  She didn’t like the look in Ed’s eyes.  She just wanted Ed to leave.  She set her teacup down and said, “You know Ed, I’m really tired.  I think I should go to bed—“

“That’s a good idea.”  Ed set his glass down and reached for Jane.  Before she could react, he had his arms around her and his mouth pressed onto hers.

Using all her strength Jane pushed him away.  “Ed!  I think you should leave now!”

“Come on, Jane sweetheart.  We’ve waited long enough.  We’re both adults.  We both want each other.”  Ed was spreading kisses all along her neck as he spoke.

Jane couldn’t catch her breath.  This was so wrong.  “No.  No, Ed.”

“Come on, baby.  We’re good together—“

“The lady said ‘No.’” Jane turned to see Jason standing in the doorway.

“You have the most obnoxious habit of turning up at the wrong time.”  Ed quit kissing Jane but continued to hold her.

“Take your hands off the lady.”  The steel in his voice matched the hardness in his eyes.  Jane shook at the intensity of it.

“Jane, could you tell this joker to get lost?”  Ed turned back to his task of kissing Jane.  Jane saw Jason start to move towards them.

“Ed.  Go home.  Now.”  She pushed him away from her.

Catching the tone in Jane’s voice and the look in Jason’s eyes he decided that perhaps he should go home. 

Now. 

Ed walked to the door and before leaving said to Jane, “I’ll stop by and see you tomorrow, honey.”

Jane locked the door and slowly turned around.  The look on Jason’s face told her everything.  He was tired.  Obviously, the meeting hadn’t gone well.  He was furious at finding Ed in the apartment kissing Jane.  Since they were kids Jane had seen Jason angry many times but never with this intensity. 

The silence was suffocating.  All Jane could hear was the heavy and frustrated breathing of the man pacing across the room from her.  “Say something,” Jane quietly implored.

Jason stopped and looked at her.  “Say something?  What could I possibly say?”  He laughed humorlessly.  “It’s been one hell of a day.  The biggest deal of my life is going down in flames, your office is broken into, probably because of something I’ve gotten you involved in, and I come home from a miserable meeting to find you necking with a . . a . . a lawyer.  Tell me, Jane?  What should I say?”

The silence was deafening.

“What was he doing here?  Giving you a little comfort?  Has this been going on all along?”

Now Jane was enraged.  “Wait just a minute.  I’ve been very honest about Ed.  I haven’t even seen him since that day you came by the office and he and I were going out to lunch.”

“Yeah, I’ll just bet.”

“Jason!  He just came over to see if I was all right after he heard my office had been broken into.  He had a drink and got a little careless.  That’s all!”

Quietly, trying to contain the fury churning within, Jason said, “I guess my question is why did you let him in to begin with?”

Not waiting for an answer, Jason walked into the bedroom and changed into workout clothes.  Jane stood still not knowing how to deal with the situation.  Jason soon came out with a gym bag in his hand.

Focusing on the bag Jane asked, “Where are you going?”  She hated that her voice trembled.