Trigger (4 page)

“Yes. But after. I promised Mr. Wade that I wouldn’t
break up the company and let all his employees go. I won’t be able
to keep that promise. DeShaun and the Shockley employees will have
to go too.”

Charles looks up from his laptop. Inexperienced and
innocent of having to make hard decisions, his face mocks her.
She’s falling into the same strategy pit as Simon.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Judy. Let’s get
the facts first.” Franklin’s voice is also calm, but his eyes bore
into hers. The trap door at the end of this hallway she and
Franklin are being forced to walk, just got bigger.

She sits down and reaches for her endless mug. She
can’t drink anymore.

“Do you know Marshall Distributing, Miss Mason?”

“I only know what they do and that they are only a
couple of years old. Dion is in one of my business groups.”

Chandler picks up his laptop and sits down next to
her. “Look at their website. They are competitors to both Wade and
Shockley and I happen to know that they aren’t doing so well. His
wife is a teacher at the same elementary school as Gretchen. They
talk. What if we throw him into the mix? Add his customer base to
Wade’s and Shockley’s and we’ve got a good size company.

“To grow, Dion has had to reach out farther. He’s
active regionally and according to his wife, is looking to grow
nationally. Apparently he’s been seeking out contacts and is
getting serious interest,” Chandler explains.

Judy studies for a moment and then merges Chandler’s
information with what she knows. “He is forward thinking and
fearless. I haven’t had a lot of discussion with him, but what I
have I got a hint that he’s a great salesman, but not the best at
managing. I wonder what his interest would be, if we made him head
of the new company.”

“Buy three companies, Judy? The bank is going to
laugh at us,” Franklin smiles trying to keep his concerns
undercover.

“Do you really think so, even if we come up with a
killer business plan?”

“Banks don’t care about business plans, Judy. Assets
are all they are concerned with.”

“I know. I was reaching.”

Walking around the table again, “But on the other
hand, all we are concerned with at this moment is getting the money
to buy Wade and Shockley. Right? After that our next task is to
make it work. Would Dion simply move in with us?”

Franklin laughs. “He has a monetary investment that
will need to be satisfied, Judy.”

“What if he was close to loosing it? Would he trade
his investment for a good salary, plus stability and growth? You
know we can provide that, plus a hefty incentive package. We’re
living in an Obama administration, anything goes. There are no
rules anymore. The President of the United States confirms that
every day.”

She glances at Charles, who is staring at her. His
bright blue eyes happy again.

“What do you think, Charles?”

“Miss Mason, I have no idea.” He blushes. “After
all, my boss is wearing tiger tights, a tank top with a gun
attached to her ankle. It’s Saturday morning and we’re in the
office. The possibilities are endless.”

I’d forgotten about my ankle holster. She laughs
along with everyone else.

“You’ll do, Charles. You’ll do well.”

A plan is laid out. She has doubts, but what the
Hell, she’ll give it her best. She’s been so far down that anything
is up. Her staff is behind the plan and her. They are enthusiastic,
exploring their skills and training and going full blast giving it
their all. Isn’t that what counts the most. Success is a bonus.

“Not black and especially
not gray. I’ve talked to Charlotte, she wants you in red. Bright
red! A cute, short woman with curly black hair speaks up at Judy
with defiance glaring out of her soft gray eyes.”

Judy never wears red. It’s a power color and the
last thing she wants to portray is a power woman or worse a power
hungry woman. That’s not who she sees in her mind or the mirror.
That’s not her motivation, but for one night she’ll trust Charlotte
and do it. Simon will be attending, Charlotte confirmed and Ginny
is staring at her with her mouth open.

“What?” Judy yells. Ginny jumps.

“You’re stunning.” Her hands are clasped over her
heart. Judy thinks she sees tears forming in Ginny’s eyes. “You’re
beautiful. Who knew?”

Strapless, tight at the waist with soft folds that
fall to the floor, the gown is beautiful. She’s never worn a gown
before. She has three navy blue suits and she rotates them every
week with her kaki suit. She has a couple pair of slacks that she
rotates with the skirts. But this feels good. It doesn’t encumber
her movements and it isn’t uncomfortable.

“Shoes!” Ginny yells. Judy jumps.

“I guess this is what I’m wearing tonight." Judy
mumbles and gives in. It’s doesn’t really matter anyway.

“Can you put your hair up with some curls or
something?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never done it. I cut it
myself.”

Ginny gasps then turns away quickly. “I’m going to
make you an appointment for a hair stylist. I’ll give her
instructions and a description of your gown. Her name is Margaret.
You’ll like her.”

Going along with all this, is getting out of
control. This night has all the possibilities of being a nightmare.
What does it matter what she wears?

“But, I’m not wearing stilettos!” She yells at Ginny
when she sees the shoes she’s holding out to her. Ginny
flinches.

“But you’re so tall and slender. They’d be perfect.”
She pleads.

“I’ll fall off of them and feel ridiculous. Find
something else, please.” The hookers in my neighborhood wear
stiletto heels and black fishnet stockings. No way!

She agrees to a three-inch red velvet pump with a
pleasant design in fake gold beads that peak out from under her the
gown. They’re pretty and comfortable. It’s a shame that she’ll only
wear them once.

“So how much is all this?”

“Charlotte said the company will pay and I’m not
allowed to tell you.”

Ginny fixes her up with shear pantyhose and tries to
get her to try on cups that fit over her boobs.

“It’ll give you cleavage,” she explains and sucks
back her words in response to Judy’s glare.

“Are we done? I have a sparing match in a few
minutes and I don’t want to be late.”

“You’re going to do boxing?” Ginny looks at her like
Judy’s lost her mind and then pleads. “Oh please don’t get hit in
the face, you’re going to look so beautiful and a black eye would
ruin the whole image.”

Judy can’t help but laugh at her. Ginny’s put up
with all Judy’s crap and bad attitude for the entire shopping
debacle. She decides to give in one more time. Just one and that’s
it!

“I promise I won’t get a black eye, but I can’t
promise my opponent won’t.”

Sweet, concerned Ginny tries to smile, but fails
completely.

“I’m sorry. Thank you Ginny, maybe you’ll help me
another time. I’ve got navy blue suits and little else. A little
updating my image would probably make my coworkers happy.”

“Sure. I’ll put together some ideas for you.”

Steven is waiting for her at the club. “You look
like shit.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you ready?”

“Well, here’s the thing. Can we talk?”

She can always count on Steven to listen as well as
bark orders at her. He walks her over to the table where she
usually drinks his green/gray sludge.

“I’ve got to go to this formal dinner/dance charity
event tonight . . .”

“And?”

“I have to wear a gown and get my hair done . . .
“

“And?”

“I can’t get dressed at home. I’ll get mugged before
I make it to my car. I was wondering if I could get dressed here.
There are showers and everything.”

“Where do you live?”

“On the East Side.”

He leans back in his chair and stares at his hands
that are clenched on the table top. “Okay. I was going to close at
eight tonight. Will that give you enough time?”

“Sure. It only takes me a couple of minutes to get
dressed.”

He snorts and that crease between his eyes is
glaring at her.

“Is there anyone who takes care of you, Judy?”

His question surprises her. If it wasn’t for that
crease between his eyes, she’d think he was teasing her.”Yes. The
most reliable person I’ve ever met. Me. But, I have another
problem.”

She drops her eyes and stares at her hands now
clenched on the table top. Why is this so hard to talk about?

“And?” Steven prompts.

“Well, there will be dancing and I’ll probably have
to do it.”

He laughs but breaks off quickly.

“I don’t have a clue how. Do you know?” She searches
his eyes hoping he knows.

“Yes.”

“Could you show me?”

“Sure.”

She’s breathes relief. He snickers. “And?”

“Well Ginny, who picked out my clothes, said she
didn’t want me to box and get a black eye because it would ruin the
outfit. Do you think we could spar another time? She worked hard on
me and I don’t want to let her down.”

“I would never give you a black eye, Judy. I would
never hurt you.” Something glints in Steven’s eyes just before they
turn sad and then the crease is back.

“Thanks. So could we go somewhere private and you
show me how to dance instead of sparing.”

“With you in my arms, Judy, it would probably feel
the same.”

He gets up and leaves her sitting there. She’s
doesn’t understand what he meant by that. But if she’d learned
anything in life, it’s that if you ask someone for help and they
agree to help you, you have to try to go along with them. She’s not
sure, it’s never happened to her before, but she thinks she just
got her feelings hurt. She feels something and doesn’t like it.

“Heads up guys, Judy needs to learn how to dance
formal party style right now. Jake, find some music, Clarence you
and the guys put the weights up and let’s make room.”

What? I thought this was going to be private. All
the guys are going to watch. She feels her face turn hot and as red
as that dress Ginny and Charlotte made her buy. Damn!

Soft music replaces the usual rock and rap. Someone
has turned a bunch of the lights off. She puts her head down on her
arms and groans.

“May I have this dance?”

She looks up and Steven has put on a t-shirt instead
of his usual tank top. He’s holding his hand out to her. He’
gorgeous.

“If you want to dance with the man who has just
asked you, smile and then put your hand in his.” Steven says
quietly and waits.

“What the Hell!”

“But you have to take your gun off first. There’s no
dancing with a gun strapped to your ankle.”

She looks hard at him to make sure he’s not kidding.
He’s not. She does as he says and he leads her to the center of the
gym and turns her to face him before he let’s go.

“You’ll be dancing in a room full of people. The
guys will help you get used to that. For the basics, the man is
supposed to lead, which means you follow his steps. Every man
dances differently. Some are hard to follow and some are easy.
You’ll have to adjust. This is the way I dance with a beautiful
woman.”

He puts his hand on the small of her back. “Put your
left hand on my right shoulder.”

She does.

“It’s not a wrestling hold Judy. Lightly let your
hand and arm rest on my shoulder.”

She relaxes. It feels better. She’s surprised that
she can tell a lot about his body this way. Steven feels solid and
strong and non-threatening. He’s tall but not too tall. She doesn’t
have to look up too high to see his face.

Steven takes her other hand gently and holds it in
his and out to the side. She’s face-to-face with Steven and their
only inches from being flat against each other. Being like this
with Steven her face fills with blood. She’s blushing like Charles
does. It’s embarrassing but not totally uncomfortable. After all
this is Steven holding her.

“Hear the music?”

She nods.

He holds her and begins to sway side to side. She’s
standing still. She hears chuckles from Clarence and the guys. It
doesn’t bother her she’s used their comments about her, especially
when Steven is teaching her something new.

“You are supposed to move when I move and you are
supposed to move the same way I move.”

“Oh. Sorry. I thought it was something you did
before we got started.”

The crease between his eyes is back. “Haven’t you
ever seen anyone dance before?”

“No.”

“How can that be Judy?”

Talking in this position and swaying with Steven is
not uncomfortable.

“Didn’t you ever watch a movie on TV or go to a
dance?”

“I’ve never had a TV. I’ve never gone to a
dance.”

“You didn’t go to your high school prom?”

“I had to quit school to work so I could pay for my
apartment and laptop. I got my GED and graduated college with a
B.S. in Business. But I did the work online. I could work and go to
school at the same time. I had two jobs to pay for everything. I
got all A’s and had the highest grade point average in my both my
graduating classes. I don’t think they had a virtual prom.” She
teases and smiles. That’s different? Where did that come from?

We’re moving. She didn’t even realize they were and
she’s not sure, but she thinks they’ve been doing it for awhile.
Steven is moving, turning her body this way and that with a little
pressure on her back.

“Are we dancing?” She grins up hopeful that they
were, because this isn’t nearly as hard as she thought it was going
to be.

“Yes. Do you like it?”

“Yes. Am I doing it right?”

“Yes. You’re very easy to dance with, Judy.”

“Is that good?”

“Yes.”

Steven must be getting into the music because he’s
moving faster and taking her all around the gym with him but he
never let’s go of her eyes. “If you’re looking at me, how do you
see where you’re going? What happens if you bump into
something?”