After Dark (7 page)

“Apparently it isn't,” Barbara said softly.

Elizabeth lowered her head. “I don't think so, either. That's what scares me.” She told Barbara about her dream, how real it felt. “I was trying to save them both. They both needed me…”

“Ell, they are grown men. Men who have to make their own decisions and live with the outcomes. You can't be expected to save them, because you can't. They have to do that for themselves. The person you have to concentrate on is you. You need to make the right decisions for you.”

“How will I know I'm making the right decision?” Elizabeth asked, her voice aching with uncertainty.

“You'll know. You'll know.”

Barbara sounded so sure, Elizabeth thought as she picked through her food. But she certainly wasn't—far from it.

B
arbara wished that she could go directly to the spa with Elizabeth just in case they had another visit, but she was due at the hospital for a morning shift. Actually, she was looking forward to it. One of her favorite patients, Veronica Wells, was scheduled for her therapy. Just thinking about the feisty Veronica made her smile. Veronica was probably close to ninety, but she didn't look a day over fifty. And her exuberant attitude toward life added to the older woman's youthful aura.

As she walked through the corridors of the Medical Center en route to the rehabilitation wing, she realized how much she truly loved what she did. As a rehabilitation specialist, she'd helped so many people regain or attain a normal way of life. True, she couldn't help everyone, but she could certainly make all their lives more comfortable.

Barbara clocked in at the front desk and went to change into her scrubs. When she returned, her new assistant, Wendy, told her that Mrs. Wells was waiting in the treatment room.

“Thanks.” She pushed open the door and Veronica turned to her with a big smile on her face.

“My favorite therapist. The only person I let rub all over me besides my hubby.” She giggled like a young girl.

Barbara smiled and closed the door behind her.

“How are you, my dear?”

“Just wonderful. But you aren't. I can tell, you know,” Veronica said, wagging a finger at her.

It was amazing to Barbara how well Veronica was always able to read her.

“Now, why would you say that?” Barbara hedged.

“Because I know women in general, that's why, and I know you, in particular. You show your feelings in your eyes. So rub me down and tell me all about it.”

Barbara smiled inside. Veronica Wells was just the medicine she needed today. She prepared Veronica for her exercises and began telling her about the dilemma with Wil.

“I don't really see where you have a problem, my dear,” Veronica was saying as Barbara stretched her leg to a ninety-degree angle. “You obviously have a man who loves you and who you love in return. Right?”

“Yes.”

“And, take it from me, love doesn't come easy. You're one of the lucky ones. You got a second chance to make it right with the man of your dreams.”

Barbara had thought the same thing.

“And the sex is good, right? Because that's important, I don't care what those women's magazines say.”

Barbara bit back a smile. “Yes, the sex is wonderful.”

“If your friends are true friends they will always be your friends,” she continued. “And this job…Ha, as fast as you walk out the door, someone else will walk right in and take your place. Life is too short. We have to grab happiness when we can.”

“But I just started a brand-new business. What about that?”

“And you have three friends who can run it. Next question.”

Barbara huffed.

“The bottom line is, you have to make a decision that you are happy with. If you let him go, you'll forever ask yourself ‘what if?' You already know you're a great therapist. You already know you have wonderful friends. You already know you can run a business. But what you don't know is if you're still good at a man and woman relationship. And that's what's scaring you.”

Barbara lowered Veronica's leg and gently massaged her hip. Was she afraid? Was that really it? She'd been so sure about Michael. She'd taken everyone's advice and jumped into a relationship with a man ten years her junior. She did love him—in a way. But there was always that nagging voice of doubt that kept telling her it wouldn't work—even after she'd accepted his proposal of marriage. Maybe that mistake affected her more than she realized.

And maybe she was letting that recent mistake with Michael guide her decision about her relationship with Wil.

“As always you are a treasure trove of advice,” Barbara said.

“Listen to me, sweetie. I can tell you anything. The next person can tell you something else. But all the answers are inside of you. You'll make the right decision and, even if you don't, you'll bounce back. We all do.”

Perhaps, Barbara thought, but she wasn't sure if she had enough spring left in her to bounce back after another fall.

She had two more patients to attend to before she could leave and head over to the spa. Her morning had been so busy, she hadn't had a chance to check in with Elizabeth to see if they had any more visitors. But the person she really wanted to talk with was Sterling. She needed to know her rights when it came to turning over information about Ron. She'd watched enough television crime dramas to know that they couldn't take anything without a warrant. But what if they came with a warrant? And how involved would the spa become in the investigation if the did try to pursue anything?

The questions ran around in her head. After all the work they'd put into getting
Pause for Men
up and operational, there was no way in hell she was going to let it be ruined.

She could sure use Stephanie right about now. If there was ever anyone who could put a good spin on a crappy situation, it was Stephanie. If things got ugly she'd have to use her skills as a public-relations genius to make the spa smell like roses and not old gym shoes.

After several tries, she finally found a parking space and headed inside to the spa. As usual, it was busy. That was a good thing.

Elizabeth wasn't at the front desk. “Hey, Carmen, where's Ellie?”

“Oh, hey, Barbara. She went down to the office.”

“Thanks. I'll be right back.” She put her things under the desk then went downstairs.

The office door was closed. She knocked lightly.

“Come in.”

“Hey,” she said, then stopped when she saw Elizabeth on the phone.

“So, I'll see you later?” Elizabeth was saying. “Okay.” She hung up the phone. “That was Ron. We're going to talk tonight. And Sterling called. He said he was going to come by later on this afternoon when he leaves court.”

“Okay. No surprises, so far, right?”

“None, so far,” Elizabeth replied.

“So, what did Ron say?” Barbara asked.

“That he had some thinking to do and he'd talk to me about it this evening.”

Barbara patted her arm. “It's all going to work out. I guess, the last person Ron expected to pop back in your life was Matt.”

“Hmm. True. Him and me, both.”

“You have some thinking to do, yourself,” Barbara said.

“I know.”

“I got some of the best advice anyone could offer this morning at the hospital.”

“From one of the staff?”

“No. Actually, from a patient.” Barbara grinned. “She is my absolute favorite. Anyway, she said I already know what I have, I know what I can accomplish, but what I don't know is if I'm still good at a relationship and that's what's scaring me. In my case, it's leaving everything that's familiar. And, for you, it's going back to what
is
familiar even if it's not good for you.”

Elizabeth thought about what Barbara said for a moment. “I never looked at it that way.”

“But, as always with Veronica, she said go for happiness 'cause life is too short,” Barbara said.

“That, I can definitely agree with.”

“Hey, hey, hey, isn't anyone going to welcome me with open arms?”

They both turned to see the ever-stylish Stephanie breeze through the door. On first blush, Stephanie Moore could easily be mistaken for supermodel turned talk-show host, Tyra Banks. As always, she looked fabulous.

“Steph!” they sang in harmony.

Stephanie rushed over and got a group hug.

Barbara held her back at arms length. “You look good, girl. When did you get back?”

“Last night. I wanted to surprise everybody.”

“So…are you, or aren't you?”

“Is she, what?” Elizabeth asked.

“Well, I guess I can tell you now. Before I left for Texas to see my dad, I thought I was pregnant.”

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise. “And?”

“Well, ladies, get your acts together 'cause you're going to be aunties in about seven months!”

They squealed in delight and hugged again.

“This is so exciting,” Barbara said. “Oh, I hope it's a girl so I can do shopping for all those tiny girly things,” she said, and giggled.

“How does Tony feel about it?” Elizabeth asked.

“Ooh, he's thrilled,” she said, grinning.

“So, when is the wedding? You are going to get married, aren't you?” Elizabeth asked, unable to imagine having a baby without a husband, even in this day and age.

“We're talking about it. We just need to decide when.”

“Then, we need to plan a wedding, too!” Barbara chirped, clapping her hands in delight. “Not to change the subject from your fabulous news, but how was the visit with your dad?”

For years, Stephanie believed that her father had abandoned her and her twin sister, Samantha, and was dead. It wasn't until Ali, Ron's friend, recognized her as the little girl he used to know that she learned that her dad was in a V.A. hospital in Texas and had been for years.

Stephanie blew out a breath. “It was…hard, scary and eye-opening. We had a wonderful visit. Of course, it's impossible to cover all the years we missed in a short visit, but we sure tried.” She smiled softly. “I got my dad back, ya'll,” she said as her eyes filled with tears. “And he'll be around to see his grandchild.”

“Oh, Steph, I'm so happy for you, girl,” Barbara said.

“Me, too,” Elizabeth chimed in.

Stephanie sniffed. “So, enough about me. What's been going on around here?”

Barbara and Elizabeth looked at each other, then at Stephanie.

“We have so much to tell you,” Barbara said.

“I don't like the sound of that,” Stephanie said.

“Trust me, sis, you ain't heard nothing yet.”

By the time Barbara and Elizabeth finished bringing Stephanie up to speed, her mouth was hanging open.

“Damn, ya'll, I go away for a couple of weeks and all hell breaks loose.” She rubbed her forehead. “How is this investigation, or whatever it is, going to affect our business?”

“We have to be prepared for some kind of fallout if they decide to pursue it. Sterling is going to be here later. I'm sure he'll let us know what our options are,” Barbara said.

Stephanie nodded as her thoughts starting turning in PR mode. She was definitely going to have to come up with some kind of spin position in the event that this got in the papers. “I'll meet with Terri and we'll put our heads together.” She blew out a breath. “Anything else?”

Barbara and Elizabeth flashed each other another pointed look.

“The rest deserves a ‘girlz' night,” Barbara said.

“For sure. A welcome back and a catching up session.”

“Name the time and place and I'm there.”

“Tonight. My house. Eight?” Barbara said.

“Sounds good to me. I'll call Ann Marie and Terri.”

Barbara and Elizabeth got up.

“I have a client coming in about ten minutes,” Barbara said. “I need to get busy.”

“Yeah, and I have a bunch of stuff to check on.”

“I'm going to catch up on emails and calls. See you ladies later.”

Barbara and Elizabeth walked out.

Stephanie sat down and thought about everything she'd been told. Wow, she'd gotten back just in time.

J
ennings was going over the reports he'd put together on Ron Powers, the supplier and the spa. On the surface, it looked intriguing, but, under close examination, it simply did not hold up. The guy was clean. Hadn't been in any kind of trouble since he was seventeen years old and was arrested during a protest.

It really got under his skin how folks were targeted. Granted, there were a lot of crazies out there. And, yes, terrorists were in their midst, but, in his humble opinion, they wasted much too much time chasing down the good guys. Still, he had a job to do, as distasteful as it was. He'd follow through, dig as far as he could go and, hopefully, Mr. Powers would come out of this and land on his feet. He didn't want to be the one to bring another brother down or possibly ruin a black-owned business. But he also knew he needed his job.

Adam sauntered up to his desk. “How's it going with the case? Anything new?”

“No, not really. I've gone back five years and traced Powers's movements. So far, I haven't come up with anything of interest,” Jennings concluded.

“I've been checking out that supplier in Philly, Plez Rhamin,” Adam said as he flipped through some papers he was holding in his hand. “Born here, parents born here. Took over his father's lumber business three years ago when the dad passed away.”

Jennings looked up at Adam with a sarcastic sneer on his face. “Very chilling information, Adam.” He shook his head. “We told those people that we had information on the supplier that was suspect. It was all a crock.”

“Only a tactic to see if they were going to spill something,” Adam said.

“Spill what? That they're hardworking American citizens who are trying to make decent lives for themselves in the land of plenty? Damn, man what are we doing?”

“What's gotten into you? We're doing our job, that's what we're doing,” Adam said.

Jennings pushed up from his swivel chair, sending it spinning in a quick circle. “Yeah, but I ain't gotta like it.” He brushed past Adam and walked out of the office.

 

Sterling Chambers trotted down the steps of the courthouse. Handsome, always impeccably dressed and, with the charisma of a movie star, Sterling flourished in the profession he loved—the law. There was nothing more thrilling to him than standing in front of a room full of people and mesmerizing them, convincing them, changing their minds—with the power of his words.

He'd just won a case for his client, who was being sued in the millions for copyright infringement for his music. They could have settled out of court, but the plaintiffs honestly believed they could win with lies and doctored records. Not on his watch.

Just as he reached the sidewalk, his cell phone rang. He pressed the earpiece to listen as he headed to his car.

“Hey, baby,” he said at the sound of Ann Marie's voice.

“I'm heading over there now. I just got out of court. Okay, I'll see you when you get back. I guess I'll have to fix my own dinner since you'll be with the ladies tonight,” he teased. “Yeah, love you, too.” He disconnected the call.

Their relationship had been an uphill battle, one that he didn't think he would win, but he had. For a while, he'd really believed that Ann Marie would go back to her estranged husband, Terrance. It had been messy, but the divorce was finalized, much to his relief. That was all behind them now and he was ready to take the next step with her. He smiled as he opened the door to his Mercedes Benz and slid behind the wheel. Ann Marie had found a place in his soul that he didn't know still existed and every day with her was an adventure.

He pulled off into the early afternoon traffic and his mind immediately shifted to the task at hand. He'd done some preliminary research into the statutes authorizing the Homeland Security Act and it didn't look good for Ron or the ladies. If the FBI came up with a warrant, they would be forced to turn over whatever documents were requested. He hoped it wouldn't come to that and, if it did, he prayed that they wouldn't find anything. He was not an advocate of a country that policed its own citizens, but he also understood that the government was under siege from inside and out. If you had the slightest blip of irregularity from a security standpoint, law-enforcement officials could make your life pure hell.

Sterling arrived at the spa and was amazed at how busy it was in the middle of the day.
Pause for Men
was no regular exercise gym. It was an experience. And an experience that was nice and pricey. Which always made him wonder how did all these money-making men have so much free time on their hands.

“Hey, Drew,” he said to the security guard. “Been a while. How are you?”

Drew Hawkins had been hired several months ago when Stephanie was being stalked by her ex-boss and his crazy wife. And according to the pillow talk between him and Ann Marie, Drew was now seeing Ann Marie's daughter, Raquel, although it was supposed to be top secret. Raquel had also been responsible for the interior design of the entire spa.

“Not bad. And yourself?”

“Can't complain. Is Barbara or Elizabeth around?”

“Yeah—” he pointed toward the café “—they're having lunch.”

“Thanks.” He headed toward the café, one of the highlights of the spa. The menu was stocked with scrumptious health food, courtesy of Elizabeth's twin daughters, Dawne and Desiree, who owned their own restaurant
Delectables.
He had to give credit where it was due, the spa was brimming with talented women. “Good afternoon, ladies. Anyone care to buy me lunch?”

Barbara and Ellie glanced up and smiled.

“Sterling. Have a seat. For you, lunch is on the house,” Barbara said.

“You have any news?” Elizabeth asked, her anxiety kicking up a notch upon seeing Sterling and knowing why he'd come.

Sterling sat down on the chair next to Barbara and folded his hands atop the white table.

“The bottom line is if they come back with a warrant, you will have to turn over to them whatever records they ask for. If that happens, I need you to call me immediately. But, before that happens, I want to take a look at all the documents you have relating to Ron. I'm going to have my assistant review them. I'm hoping that she can do the review here. The last thing we'd want is for the Feds to show up and the documents not be here. They'll really sink their teeth into you, then.”

“What if they find something?” Elizabeth asked.

Ron pressed his lips together. “If they do, and I'm sure they won't, the spa and the owners could be implicated, perhaps as accessories.”

Elizabeth groaned.

“But we didn't do anything,” Barbara insisted.

“I know that. But it's just how things work.” He held up his hand. “We're getting ahead of ourselves and possibly worrying for nothing. Did these guys leave you a card or anything?”

“Yes. I have it at the front desk,” Elizabeth said.

“Good. I'll give them a call. Let them know that any further contact on this matter needs to come through me. You don't have to answer any more questions.”

“What if this gets out to our clients?” Barbara asked, her concern growing by the minute.

“We'll deal with that if and when the time comes.”

Barbara and Elizabeth were silent for a moment.

Elizabeth looked at Barbara. “I am so sorry for all this.”

“Ellie, please, this isn't your fault. If anything, this comes back to me. It was Michael who recommended Ron's company for the renovations in the first place,” Barbara said.

“Ladies, ladies, this isn't about blaming anyone. I'm sure Ron is completely innocent of any wrongdoing and it will all come out in the wash. I'm sure he had no way of knowing of any possible dirty dealings through his supplier. It will all get cleared up, I assure you.” But even as he said it, he knew how tenacious the government could be, especially now, when everyone was pumped up with paranoia. Too often, innocent people were found guilty simply by virtue of association.

“You're right. We're jumping the gun, blaming him, ourselves.” Barbara slowly shook her head with sadness. She looked at Elizabeth and then Sterling. “Is this what we've come to as a country, as a people?” she asked sadly.

“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Sterling said. “But, first, before I can battle the big ‘dawgs,' a brother needs some nourishment.”

They shared a laugh and, for a moment, the mood lightened.

“Pick whatever you want,” Barbara said, passing him the menu. “Besides, from what I gather from our girl, Ann Marie, you need your strength,” she said with a wink.

Sterling feigned shock. “That woman can't keep a secret.”

Barbara checked her watch. “I have a client on the way. So you will have to excuse me.”

“And I have to relieve Carmen,” Elizabeth said, wiping her mouth with a paper napkin.

Sterling looked up with a pained expression. “Is it something I said?”

“Enjoy your meal. When you're finished, you can take a look at our files. They are all downstairs in the office. Stephanie's down there and she can show you where everything is.”

“Great,” Sterling said.

“I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone,” Elizabeth said as they walked away. “It's all so unreal.”

“I know. But we'll just have to deal with it and move on. I'm going to prepare for my client. I'll see you later.” Barbara headed off to the massage and steam rooms in the basement.

Elizabeth returned to the front desk to relieve Carmen.

“There was a message for you while you were at lunch,” Carmen said, handing her a slip of paper.

Matthew had called and wanted to speak with her. She briefly shut her eyes. Frying pan, fire, frying pan, fire. Her life had suddenly turned into a series of hot spots and it seemed like no matter where she landed she was going to get burned.

“Thanks, Carmen.” She shoved the note into her pants pocket. She'd call Matt later. “Anything I need to know before you leave?”

“There are two new applications on the desk for review. And there are quite a few memberships that are coming up for renewal. I started checking the system to see which ones would be automatically deducted from their credit cards and those we have to contact. I made a list. It's right next to the applications,” Carmen told Elizabeth.

“Great. I'll finish those up and start getting the letters out. Thanks,” Elizabeth said as she took Carmen's place behind the desk.

“Sure thing. See you tomorrow. Oh, Kayla called, she said she was running a little late, but she promised to be here by four to cover the desk,” Carmen said.

“Okay. Now get going before you're late for class.”

Carmen waved and hurried out.

Once Carmen was good and seasoned she would make an ideal manager. She had a little more than a year to go in school to get her undergraduate degree in business administration, but there was nothing compared to practical hands-on experience. She was actually getting credit for working at the spa. Kayla on the other hand was more than a work in progress. She had a good heart, but her mind was always elsewhere, specifically, her modeling career. The girl was drop-dead gorgeous, so much so, that she was almost a hazard at the spa. More than one client had gotten distracted by Kayla while lifting weights.

Elizabeth settled down behind the desk to go over the applications. To date, they had more than two hundred local members and there were at least seventy-five more who came in from out of town on the weekends or dropped in when they came to New York City on business. She had just started the process of entering the new applicants' information into the computer, when Dawne, one of her twin daughters, came breezing into the spa. She was pushing a cart full of supplies for the café.

“Hey, Mom,” she beamed.

“Hi, sweetheart.” Elizabeth came from around the counter to help.

“I got this,” Dawne said as she kissed her mother's cheek.

“I didn't expect to see you today.”

“I know. But we're catering a big corporate lunch tomorrow and we knew we wouldn't have time to get over here.”

“You two are simply blooming and growing every day,” Elizabeth said as she smiled with pride at her daughter.

“We got it honestly from you and Dad; hard work, a good product and honesty pays off. Let me get this inside and reconfirm the inventory. I'm sorry I'm in such a rush, but I have to get back. It's pretty crazy over there.”

“I can imagine,” Elizabeth said.

Dawne pushed the cart into the café and started unloading.

At some point, she and Matt would have to tell the twins about their father. The last thing she wanted was for them to hear the bad news from someone other than their parents.

Dawne returned to the desk. “Okay, Mom, I'm out of here.”

“All right, sweetheart. Will I see you and your sister this weekend?”