One Love (6 page)

These men were no fools. Savvy
businessmen were recognizing more and more the power of a large
black middle-class. Not to mention how important those customers
were to Paxton-Waite. African-Americans were at least
twenty-percent of their customer base in snack foods and B. J.
casual wear.

Lanessa gazed at them in turn and
smiled graciously.” Of course,” she said with the velvet tones of a
diplomat.

“
But there’s another equally
important reason.” Ken leaned both elbows on the polished wood
tabletop.” You not only know how research topics, but you know this
state. You have the contacts to quickly get in-depth information.
And that’s what we need.”

“
You see, we will locate a
processing plant in St. James parish. To make copper fittings for
industrial use.”

“
Where in St.
James?”Lanessa’s antennae went up.

“
Near a little place called
Des Allemands,” Hargrove said.” You’re familiar with
it?”

“
The residents are fighting
hard to keep another plant from opening.” Lanessa shook her head.”
I hope you’ve got an alternate location.”

“
We believe the residents
will be receptive once we present our full plans.” Hargrove spoke
with ease.

“
With an employment rate of
near ten percent, they need jobs,” Dawson said.

“
Most of those folks are
unskilled and under-educated.” Lanessa opened her portfolio and
took out a set of folders.” The positions you have require a highly
skilled workforce. Those are the kind of jobs they can’t step into
once the plant is opened.”

“
We’ll train them if we have
to,” Dawson said.” But first we need solid information about the
local school system and about the community.”

“
Information we can’t get
from dry census data,” Hargrove added.” But we need someone with
the ability to search beyond the surface. Using the
Internet.”

“
You have extensive contacts
in state government.” Dawson beamed at her.” And in south
Louisiana.”

Lanessa felt that chill again when he
gazed at her.” I do have relatives in Paradise, a little town not
far from Des Allemands.”

”
So that makes the picture
complete.” Dawson gave a crisp nod.” I think we can both benefit
from this venture.”

This man gave her the feeling he knew
things about her. Lanessa chided herself for being paranoid.
Something she’d been warned was common in recovery.

“
I made an outline
describing a tiered approach to my research methods. But now that
you’ve given me more details, I can add some specifics.”

For the next hour or so, Lanessa
questioned them about their business operations. Part of her mind
worked out the unexpected dilemma. In effect these men wanted her
to give them legitimacy with a suspicious local population. She
questioned Dawson and Hargrove closely about the processes to be
used at the plant. Finally they got to her fees. Dawson did not bat
an eye at the figures she gave.

“
Fine. Ken, I’m satisfied.”
Dawson nodded to his second in command.

“
Then Ms. Thomas can get
started.” Hargrove turned to Lanessa.” Your standard contract seems
quite acceptable. We’ll work out specific provisions but I don’t
foresee a problem.”

“
I do have one condition
that might change your mind.” Lanessa had made a decision.
Hargrove’s brow furrowed a bit while Dawson looked merely
curious.

“
What might that be?” Dawson
said.

”
My research will be totally
objective. I’ll follow all leads even if the facts are against
locating a plant in Des Allemands. I won’t sell this plant for
you.” Lanessa glanced at the two men.

Hargrove’s frown deepened.”
Well...”

“
Quite reasonable. You’re
not a public relations person.” Dawson was all down home charm.” We
pay exorbitant amounts for that all ready.” He gave a short laugh
of good humor.

“
Certainly we’d like you to
give us leads on how to make conditions favorable.” Hargrove had
seemed to measure each word.

“
If I can, I will.” Lanessa
held firm to her position, fat contract or not.

Dawson gazed past them both. The early
summer sky filled the window, a bright blue wall near the carved
custom oak desk. Hargrove sat still with a tight-lipped expression.
Lanessa assumed a relaxed pose as she waited. When Dawson looked at
her, his eyes held a glint of something she could not quite
identify.

“
I agree completely,” Dawson
said.

Hargrove blinked at him.” Sir, there
could be ways to mitigate any negative circumstances.”

Lanessa tuned in to the underlying
message. No doubt these men had their own political connections
here. She had worked in state government and the legislature long
enough to know how the game was played.

“
Careful. The local folks
may be short on formal education, but they’ve learned a lot about
politics and big business in the last year.” Lanessa
said.

“
With a project like this,
we have a big stake. We can’t let a disgruntled minority prevent
progress.” Hargrove spoke with bluntness.” But we would follow all
applicable state and federal regulations.”

“
I’m sure you would,”
Lanessa said with a straight face. Hargrove did not miss her subtle
implication from the stiff smile he wore.

“
I’m from Georgia, Ms.
Thomas.” Dawson broke in with good humor.” So I’m not entirely
alien being a southerner. We plan to do things right.”

Lanessa noted he let the hint of a
drawl come to his voice.” We don’t disagree then.”

“
Not at all.” Dawson sat
forward as though about to get up.” Get with Ken about your
contract. I’m sure you’ll deliver an interesting
report.”

Lanessa gave him a firm handshake.”
I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”

Down in the lobby she took what felt
like her first breath since walking through the large glass doors.
Unlike when she entered an hour ago, Lanessa had a spring in her
step. She’d clinched a major client and held onto her principles.
All in all today could be counted as a good one.

“
And making each day a
success is what counts,” she murmured to herself.

This was something she told herself
those times when the road was rocky. Even if the success was tiny,
staying hopeful was important. Right now she had no trouble with
that part. She wondered how she would celebrate. A vivid memory of
sharing a moment of triumph with Alex flicked on like an old
videotape. Alex was smiling at her as they sat in Algiers Landing,
a fine restaurant in New Orleans. The handsome face was alive with
affection for her, a lovely view of the river at his back. No, this
was no good. Lanessa imagined herself mashing the off button on a
remote control. Better to focus on the here and now. What really
shook her was the power of those memories. One brief glance of him
at a distance and she was teetering on a cliff, close to falling in
love again.

“
Think of work, think of
work.”

Lanessa repeated the phrase as she
walked to her White Chrysler Concorde parked down the street. Yet
she knew being alone tonight would lead her right into an emotional
minefield. She got out her small cell phone and dialed Yasmin’s
number.

“
I’ve got good news. Wanna
party?”Lanessa said in light voice.

Yasmin did not hesitate.” Tell me when
and where.”

They made arrangements to meet at the
Bamboo Gardens, their favorite Chinese restaurant. Later they would
go to a live jazz performance at M’s Fine and Mellow Cafe. Yasmin
said she would call Jackie and a couple of other of their friends.
Mission accomplished. Lanessa intended to blow any beginning blues
away.

***

Orin Blanchard came into Dawson’s
office from a door set in the paneling. He was a spare man of fifty
with graying hair. The deep worry lines etched in his all ready
wrinkled face made him appear older.

“
Well, what did she say?”
Blanchard glanced at Dawson then Hargrove.

“
I don’t like it,” Ken
said.

“
You’re being too cautious.”
Dawson sat gazing calmly. He smiled.” She’ll give us what we need,
credibility and a connection to influential blacks in this
state.”

”
I thought so, too. Not just
her father. Her sister married into the Knight family.” Blanchard
pursed his lips.” But...” He glanced at Hargrove.

As though on cue, Ken spoke up.” She’s
a bit cocky, don’t you think?”He stood at the window staring down
as though he could see Lanessa.

“
That doesn’t worry me at
all. In fact, it could be very much in our favor.” Dawson seemed to
be very pleased with his thought.” If you handle it
correctly.”

“
What do you mean?”Hargrove
turned from the window to stare at him.

“
She’ll find information we
intend for her to find. Ms. Thomas has only been in business a year
or so. Underneath that confident air, she’s still feeling her way
along.” Dawson examined his neat fingernails.” Working with you
will help her feel more confident with us and her
findings.”

“
Maybe.” Hargrove crossed to
the table and sat down.” Still she doesn’t impress me as
particularly malleable.”

“
Are you saying she might be
too much for you?”Dawson’s thin lips twitched.

”
Not at all.” Hargrove
looked at the chair where Lanessa had sat.” I look forward to a
challenge. Lanessa Thomas is an extremely attractive woman.” His
chiseled face appeared to lengthen giving him a wolfish
appearance.

Blanchard sat straight, the frown
still on his face. “Listen, maybe we should just forget it. The
girl is too risky. What if she finds out too much?”

“
Orin, your idea to use her
was brilliant. Don’t let bad nerves rule you.” Dawson gave him a
hearty slap on the back meant to reassure.” We’ll go to La
Madeline’s for lunch and you’ll feel much better.”

“
I only suggested we should
use the kind of research she does,” Blanchard blurted out. He
seemed eager not to take credit for the idea.

“
Don’t be modest,” Dawson
said.” Your suggestion was inspired. Especially after we discovered
more about her.”

“
But Ken is saying she might
be too pushy. All we need is for her to find out too much.”
Blanchard looked anything but reassured.

Hargrove’s eyes narrowed. “Lanessa
Thomas may be inexperienced, but she’s not dumb.”

“
Anything she might stumble
on would hardly be very damaging,” Dawson answered.” Caine is
extremely careful and resourceful,” Hargrove put in. He and Dawson
exchanged a glance.

Blanchard watched the two men. He
clenched and unclenched his right hand, a nervous tick.” I’m sorry
I got into this thing.”

“
Come, come old friend.”
Dawson put a hand on his shoulder.” There is minimal risk. We’ve
been in some really tight spots and survived. This is
nothing.”

“
But--”

“
You go on back to your
office and we’ll have dinner later this week.” Dawson steered him
to the door with finesse.” Stop worrying.”

Dawson walked with him to the
elevators used by executive staff. He continued to speak soothingly
to the jittery man. Hargrove raised both eyebrows at him when he
came back in the office.

“
Orin is really jumpy these
days.” Hargrove watched the older man.” He worries me even more
than the Thomas woman.”

Dawson sat down in the soft leather
chair behind the huge desk. “Orin will calm down once the money
rolls in. I’ll keep an eye on him. I’ll let you deal with Ms.
Thomas.

“
With pleasure,” Hargrove
said with a smile.

Chapter 3

“
Daddy, we want another ice
cream.” Tia gave him her prettiest smile.

“
Yeah, more chocolate nut
mint. Those were small scoops anyway,” Nia said. She squinted at
the counter man as though accusing him of being stingy.

Alex took a napkin and wiped Nia’s
face causing her to squirm.” No, you’ve had more than
enough.”

“
Please?”Tia batted long
thick black eyelashes at him.

“
Ah, c’mon, Daddy. Thought
this was supposed to be a treat!”Nia crossed her arms.

What a difference between the two. Nia
and Tia were identical twins yet their temperaments did not match.
Both were determined to get what they want, but Tia preferred
luring her victims with honey. Nia had no time for such tactics.
She presented her list of demands then prepared for an extended
pitched battle of wills. At eight years old they could wear down
the toughest adults. Still, weekends and holidays spent as a single
parent had given Alex a crash course in handling them
both.

”
Tia, honey, you know mommy
and I don’t approve of too many sweets. Goodness you girls are
sweet enough.” Alex winked at her. Tia giggled while Nia rolled her
eyes.