Billionaire's Retreat (7 page)

Chapter 18

The opening night of the Titanimum’s
Lakeside Resort and Hotel
had a magical feel
. T
he lights were low as jazz music bellowed from the bandstand throughout the grand ballroom. Sarah and Shereka arrived shortly after the doors were open. When asked by the Maitre d, they presented their reservation for two. “Right this way ladies, Mr. Titanimum has arranged special sitting.” Sashaying in their long flowing black evening attire, they followed closely behind the gentleman.

Within a few minutes of being seated, two other couples joined them. Rosette and Brent Ayers the founders of Ayers Petroleum Pro
d
ucts arrived
, followed
shortly thereafter by
Woodrow’s eldest son, Thomas Titanimum and his wife, Barbara. They introduced the
m
selves and became further acquainted.

Woodrow and Bridget neared the table. All eyes turned toward them. Bridget though e
l
derly and frail still had it when it came to dressing for a special occasion. Her profe
s
sional beauty make over came with an el
o
quent gown and matching stole. The women at the table looked at her in awe.

As they were being seated, Brent acknow
l
edged her by saying, “Woodrow. You didn’t tell me about your new lady.” Everyone at the table chuckled. Woodrow pretended not to hear the remark.

“Greetings everyone, I’m so glad you all could make it. Bridget and I have looked fo
r
ward for this day it seems for an eternity.”

The head waiter arrived, after acknowled
g
ing the proprietors and special guest he e
x
plained the menu for the evening. “Your wai
t
ress will be Yolanda Ramirez. She will be with you
in a few minutes
to take your dinner r
e
quest.”

Sarah was praised for her great interior d
e
signing prowess. “Thank you. It was my pleasure to have provided my service to such a great couple.”

Yolanda suddenly appeared at the table. She took their dinner request. “I will be back with your drinks.”

After dinner was served, it was now time for dancing. Multi
colored lights from beneath the dance floor became ablaze. Woodrow asked, “Bridget would you mind if I dance with the lovely Sarah Giltry?”

“That would be fine.”

“Sarah, may I have this dance?”

“I’
d
be delighted Woody.”

Barbara implied, “Sounds like somebody has had a little too much to drink.” Everybody at the table suddenly became quiet as Woo
d
row and Sarah took to the floor. 

“You have some nerve. How could you have asked me to dance knowing we have been s
e
cretly seeing one another?” 

Woodrow spoke, “There’s no need to be paranoid. No one suspects anything. Our e
x
tramarital affair is safe.”

“You’re right. Bridget doesn’t have a clue.”

On their way back to the table, Kristy tapped Sarah on the shoulder. She looked back and noticed her business associate. “Hi
Kristy
, you made it after all.”

“I have been here for a while. My date and I are seated with two other gay couples. I must introduce them to you. It seems someone’s i
n
genious idea has us seated together.”

“Excuse me
Woodrow;
I’ll meet you back
at
our table
.
I’m going to make a slight detour
.
”

The
party
continued into the night. Sarah and Shereka ventured outside past the pool area to brightly lighted Lake
Titanimum
. Shereka’s high heels became stuck in the sand
causing her to stumble. An African American male helped her to regain her composure. “Are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“I’m Zen. And you are …?” 

“I’m Shereka Oakley. Just call me Sherek. This is my friend, Sarah.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sarah.”

She replied, “The pleasure is all mine.”

Shereka and Zen then strolled along the paved walkway around the lake before taking a seat on a bench reflecting back on a deligh
t
ful
night
.

In the wee hours of the morning, the festive night concluded. Shereka
was
happy that she
met a nice man named
Zen and
Sarah once again put an exclamation mark on a successful work accomplishment.

Chapter 19

Detectives
Noland and Gibbons succeeded
in
convincing
a judge to grant
a
warrant
to have Brisband’s home searched. Several police a
r
rived to serve the warrant the following afte
r
noon.
After a thorough search of the house, t
hey took into their possession the firearm they sought. Ballistic test were needed to
soli
d
ify
the wit
ness
statement. The results of the testing would not be known for weeks.

In a few months, Brisband and Johnny D
a
vis would be appearing in civil court to face bribery charges.

Johnny had been thinking about Sarah quite often. His marriage was on the mend but still he wanted to see Sarah. Knowing she was in town for a convention, he sent a text message inviting her to meet him at Jerry’s for a happy hour drink. He went to the establishment after work hoping she would take him up on his i
n
vitation. Just as he was about to give up wai
t
ing for his mistress
,
he sensed someone stan
d
ing behind him. Turning around he realized she had indeed showed. “Hi Johnny, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“Hi Sarah, don’t worry about it. You were worth the wait.”

“Your big court date will be coming up soon.”

“I know.”
             

“I must be a fool. I haven’t been linked to the bribery allegation. Why am I here with you? I know this is a risk. If things don’t go your way, you may be put away for a long time behind bars.”

“Things have to work out.”

“But if they don’t Johnny then we do have tonight. Let’s find a way to make tonight ours. Try not to think about Vera. Pretend you are not her husband tonight.”

“That’s not hard to do. She is away visiting her mother for the next two weeks.”

“That’s great. I was thinking about taking a few weeks off from work in Los Angeles. I’ll phone Kristy tomorrow to cover my work while I’m away.”

One hour later, they were at Johnny’s. In Vera’s absence, she was now the lady of the house. Their adulterous affair had risen to a new level of forbidden passion. Sh
e had
now tainted the bed
he shared with
his wife. Joh
n
ny lived in a secluded community. He had one
next door neighbor and a few others along the winding road that led to his home. On one o
c
casion, Johnny thought out loud after they e
n
gaged in several sexual acts in succession, “How are we going to quench this incessant need we have for one another?”

“Don’t even
ponder
that question. I am yours whenever you need me. All you have to do is beat your bribery charge.
”

Sarah moved out two days before Vera r
e
turned home.

Chapter 20

T
he ballistic tests were finally completed. The results proved the bullet
that had grazed
the victim
had been
fired from the handgun taken from Brisband’s h
ouse
.

The Police once again converged on Brisband’s h
ome
, this time to put him under arrest without bail for the attempted murder of Clyde Jeffreys. 

The news spread like a bombshell exploding.

Johnny was relaxing at home in front of the
television
, when the sitcom he was watching was interrupted by a newsbreak.

The reporter on the scene stated, “I am here at the home of the wealthy construction bus
i
nessman Harry Brisband. A short time ago, police entered the dwelling after being
let in
by a female. She appeared to be a young woman perhaps half his age. At this time, we don’t think the woman has any connection with the impending arrest of Mr. Brisband. We’ll have some footage to play
in a few seconds
. It’s our understanding the warrant served was gran
t
ed by a judge earlier today. A reliable source tells us that he possessed the weapon that was used in the attempted murder of Clyde
Jeffreys.
The same
source tells us that Brisband is
also
targeted in an ongoing
F
ede
r
al
I
nvestigation.
We’ll be sure to provide more information regarding this new finding as i
n
formation continues to surface.
While waiting, we are going to show the footage of when the officers arrived.” The news clip started as a woman emerged from the house as the officers neared.

“Is there something wrong officers?”

“We have a warrant for the arrest of Harry Brisband.” 

Shortly after that remark, the officers e
n
tered the dwelling. The
clip ended and the r
e
porter interviewed
several people including his neighbors. A few minutes later Brisband exi
t
ed his house wearing handcuffs. He was being escorted by officers to an awaiting police cruiser. 

The news reporter managed to put a micr
o
phone in his face, “What can you tell us about your arrest?”

“All can say is that I am innocent. I have nothing more to say.”

“I am Ron Jenks with WWTV News sen
d
ing you back to Matt De Bois in our live news studio.”

“Thank you, Ron.” Addressing his audience
Matt
emphasized, “Remember you heard and saw it here first. We just brought to you the arrest of prominent construction contractor, Harry Brisband.” 

After the conclusion of the newsbreak, Johnny received a call on his cell phone from Sarah. 

“Hi Johnny. Are you alone?” 

He tried to speak
quietly, “Why are you cal
l
ing me? My wife is in the next room.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“Listen up. Let me tell you about something I saw on the news. You’re never going to b
e
lieve this Sarah.”

“What am I not going to believe?”

“I watched
the
police cart off Brisband to jail. They arrested him for the attempted murder of a man.”

“Why would he want to kill anyone? I hope it has nothing to do with anything we’ve done.” 

“I hadn’t thought about that way. Do you really think it could?”

“Possibly, but I hope not.
After a brief pause
,
she stated, “He should not expect the option to post bail.
”

Johnny went on to say,
“
In addition
,
t
he news
report mentioned
that Brisband is
being
targeted
in
an ongoing Federal
Investigation.
”

“
What other illicit activity could he have possibly been involved?”

“I have to go now. We’ll finish our convers
a
tion later. Okay. Bye. I’ve really got to go.”

“Bye Johnny.”

He turned around as Vera
finished
a
p
proach
i
ng. 

She stated,
“
You didn’t have to hang up.”

“No. It’s nothing that can’t wait. This is our afternoon.
That sexy lingerie you’re wearing is really
working
a number
on m
y
libido
.”

“So big boy, what are you going to do about it?” He scooped her up into his arms
and then
toted her into their bedroom
.
Vera noticed he had become a love beast between the sheets. Sarah had actually spiced of their love life. Physically
Johnny
would make love to Vera, but in his mind, he would have sex with Sarah.