In My Rearview Mirror Read online

  Malik pushed down Six Forks Road, following the explicit instructions of the navigation guide in his car. A thin film of sweat seemed to sweep over his face as he neared the street he was to turn on, putting him closer to his goal. After a series of right and left turns, Malik was there . . . at Margo’s house . . . his wife’s mother . . . and possibly his babies’ mother.

  Getting up the nerve for a face-to-face with Margo, Malik exhaled and then took a look at his surroundings. Margo Myles had done well for herself. He heard that North Hills was serving up prime real estate, and Margo’s townhome, from the outside at least, appeared to fit the bill and the pocket of only those who could afford it, especially in these economic times. Malik was happy for Margo. After all, she lived and breathed real estate—you could go to the bank at the precise moment she’d close a deal because her pulse jumped out of her skin.

  Nerves under wraps, Malik exited his BMW. It was unbecoming of him to sweat as he did. After all, he was a top contender for a senatorial seat in his district and was in line to win it. Malik walked briskly up the steps to Margo’s place, and before he could change his mind, rang the buzzer.

  At first he thought no one was there or that Margo had spotted him and refused to answer the door. After a third ring, the door finally opened and he faced a defiant Winter.

  “What do you want? In fact, what are you doing here?” Winter asked, her hand on one hip while holding the door with the other.

  A smile painted Malik’s face. “I’d like to see your mother, if you don’t mind.”

  “Well, I do mind, unless you have that ungrateful sister of mine with you.”

  The smile slid from Malik’s face. “Winter, I’ve come in peace. I would like to talk with your mother about Ivy as well as some other things; however, I’d prefer that Margo tell me herself that she doesn’t want to speak with me.”

  “Well, Mr. Mason, today isn’t your lucky day. My mother isn’t here and I have no earthly idea as to when she’ll return.”

  Malik looked past Winter into the house, but didn’t see any signs of life. His range of sight was very limited, but the stillness within was very evident. Then all of a sudden he heard a baby’s cry. Winter turned slightly at the sound of the baby’s voice.

  “So, are you sure your mother isn’t in?”

  “There’s no need for me to lie,” Winter said abrasively, turning back to face Malik. She looked him up and down, and for a moment Malik felt uncomfortable. “Look, I’ve got to go and see about my little brother.”

  “Maybe . . . I can wait.”

  Winter stopped, put her foot out, and gave Malik a cold stare. “Not here, you won’t. I don’t know what you’re doing at my mother’s house without my sister in tow, but I hope you have a very good reason. It would be terrible if Ivy should happen to find out that her husband had come to see her mother without her knowledge.”

  Malik thrust his finger in Winter’s face. “I don’t know what you’re trying to insinuate, but you’re dead wrong. I’d appreciate it very much if you’d tell your mother that I came by to see her, and let me worry about my wife.”

  “Struck a nerve, didn’t I? You see, it wouldn’t be so obvious if you hadn’t called my mother earlier today.” Surprise registered on Malik’s face. “Oh yeah, she told me. In fact, it was the last thing she told me before she left home this afternoon. I wonder why?”

  “I’m glad that I chose the right sister to be my wife. I’d have to give you a tongue-lashing and put you in line.”

  “Oh really? This tells me you really don’t know my sister, Ivy, at all. She’s worse than I am. Subservient, she’s not, and she’d give domestic violence a new face. Good day, and I’ll be sure and tell my mother you stopped by.”

  Malik turned away and high-tailed it to his car. He turned in time to see the smile on Winter’s face. She might have been an obstruction today, but he was going to see Margo and get some answers.

  Twenty

  The North Carolina senatorial race was in full swing. Television campaign ads endorsing or deflecting a candidate heated up the airways. Jefferson was proud and satisfied at the quality of the television advertisements J.R. had developed for Dr. Shelton Wright. It personified Dr. Wright as the candidate for the people as well as acknowledged his accomplishments that gave credence to his being in the senatorial race. It was Jefferson’s hope that Dr. Shelton wouldn’t have to do a lot of mudslinging since he was a well-respected individual in the community. However, if they had to go there, the Web Connection was ready to accommodate.

  Business at the Web Connection had increased by thirty percent since they’d taken Dr. Wright on as a client. As promised, Dr. Wright directed several of his clients their way, for which Jefferson was grateful. With the talent of Winston added to the team on a part-time basis, there was no doubt their company would be able to handle the growth.

  Jefferson sat in his office working on a proposal for a web design for a fairly new company that was looking to expand its brand in the baby business. He lacked concentration because all he could think of was Margo. Seeing those babies in the crib was déjà vu—Winter and Winston reincarnated. It was crazy, given his immediate situation with Margo, but Jefferson needed to know if those babies were his own.

  The sudden buzz on the intercom caused Jefferson to look away from the proposal and provided a brief interruption from his thoughts. “Yes, Cheryl, what’s up?”

  “I have a Ms. Toni Gillette in the office who’d like to see you about having a website constructed.”

  “See if you can make an appointment. I’m right in the middle of a project that I need to complete for another customer.”

  “All right, I’ll let her know.”

  Thirty seconds hadn’t gone by before Jefferson’s intercom buzzed again. “Mr. Myles, Ms. Gillette is really adamant about seeing you now. She said she’d make it worth your while.”

  Jefferson sighed. “Send her in, Cheryl.”

  Shuffling papers aside, Jefferson stood up to greet his visitor. His eyes became transfixed as the frame of the tall, statuesque golden goddess enveloped his doorway. She wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous, however, Ms. Gillette’s semi-slanted grayish-green eyes with the long, jet-black eyelashes extending from them, set in a honey-colored oval face, shadowed by her black, shoulder-length hair and slightly plump red lips made her look like a pastry that made your mouth water. Draped in a form-fitted avocado knit dress that hit just above the knees and topped off by a short-sleeve bolero jacket, showcased what one would call Ms. Gillette’s major assets—her muscular legs and arms.

  Jefferson couldn’t resist riding the elevator from the top to the bottom of her shapely frame. Her stockingless, well-oiled legs looked as if they had run thousands of marathons and her arms had pumped weights well over one hundred pounds. Regaining his composure, Jefferson offered Ms. Gillette a seat, forgetting momentarily why she’d come in the first place.

  Before she sat down, Toni extended her hand. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Mr. Myles.”

  Jefferson shook her hand. “Call me, Jefferson, Ms. Gillette.”

  “Toni,” she said seductively.

  “Well, Toni,” Jefferson stuttered, “how may I help you today?”

  “Let me cut to the chase.” Jefferson lifted an eyebrow but listened intently. “You come highly recommended as a web designer and I believe you won’t have any problems navigating through the complexities of my project.”

  “Go on,” Jefferson said, his curiosity aroused but wishing Toni would get on with it.

  “I’m a journalist, and I’ve started a news magazine.”

  “So far, so good. I’m still interested.”

  “It’s a news magazine with a twist.”

  “A twist?” Jefferson sat forward in his chair and gave Ms. Toni Gillette another personal examination and his undivided attention.

  “Yes, a twist. Think Hollywood Access . . . ah, ah . . . Entertainment Tonight. I will be following the careers of our l
ocal government officials and celebrities that make a rumble in our state.”

  For a moment, Jefferson didn’t say anything, processing and reprocessing what Toni Gillette was proposing. She stared at him, as if by assessing his body language she’d be able to tell that he was on board. Then Jefferson looked up into Toni’s face. “A rag magazine?” he politely asked.

  “Not quite that, Jefferson. The way you say it sounds vulgar. This magazine will allow the reader to stay abreast of the candidates who are running for political office. We can’t be too careful with this anti-Obama climate swirling around us.”

  “I still don’t understand your take on this except that it’s sensational journalism in which you hope to make a name for yourself.”

  “Now that didn’t take long. You hit the nail on the head, Jefferson. Capturing and reporting the news is my niche. And I say, the climate is ripe for it. What I need from you is a simple website that will allow us to post the latest news in a newsletter format, set up a blog within the site so that we give daily opinion pieces, contact information, and a place to purchase a subscription for a small fee using PayPal. Once the frame is set up, my assistant can maintain it.”

  “Doesn’t sound complex at all. Why not have the assistant set up the website and save yourself some money? My fee might be too exorbitant for what you are proposing.”

  “I’m sure you’d be fair in your pricing. I have every faith in you.”

  “But you don’t even know me.”

  “I know what I’ve read and heard.”

  Jefferson held up his hand and sighed. He wasn’t sure where this was going and why Toni Gillette had chosen The Web Connection to do the job. “I’m not sure . . .”

  Toni rushed to cut him off. “Before you rush to judgment and entertain a ‘no’ verdict on my request, please let me finish. As I stated, it will be worth your while.”

  “Ms. Gillette, I don’t feel that this is a venture I’d like to affiliate myself with as I see it as a potential conflict of interest. One of my biggest clients happens to be running for a political office and to take you on as a client would certainly put a question mark next to my integrity and my reputation.”

  Toni seemed mildly disappointed. She pursed her lips and pointed her finger casually at Jefferson. “What if I promised to leave your client alone . . . maybe give him the edge?”

  “Sounds like a bribe to me. Ms. Gillette, I’m not one for playing dirty politics, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll do what you say.”

  “True, there aren’t any guarantees other than my word, and I give you that. Your expertise is what I need, unless you’re afraid that working on this website might influence you to peek inside my world and become a willing participant.”

  This woman was more than Jefferson had bargained for—straight, no chaser. She was going to bulldoze her way into Jefferson’s good graces whether he wanted her to or not. Maybe he wasn’t convincing enough, but he was trying to grow a business. It had been tough coming out of prison with all that he had worked for only a distant memory—stuck in the annals of the Fayetteville Observer and other local publications, serving only to remind him of where he had been.

  As Jefferson started to respond, Toni stood up and sat on the edge of Jefferson’s desk, the hem of her form-fitting dress riding up to her thighs. “How does a ten-thousand-dollar design fee with an additional two-thousand-dollar a year maintenance fee for five years sound?”

  It took all of Jefferson’s willpower to not stare at the sculptured legs and thighs that extended beyond Toni’s hemline. He coughed to regain his composure and put an abrupt end to the interview. “I’ll have to think about it. I’ll give you my decision in a day or two.”

  “I can’t believe that you’d turn down ten-thousand dollars.”

  “It wasn’t as if you offered me a million dollars.”

  “Would that make a difference?” Toni paused as if waiting for a response from Jefferson, who only stared at her. “I was made to believe that you’d jump at the chance to take this offer, given that your recent stint in prison caused you to lose your lucrative business in Fayetteville.”

  Dropping his hands to his sides, Jefferson gave Toni Gillette a hard stare. “Ms. Gillette, I don’t care what you believe or who may have planted you with seeds about my past; the bottom line is that The Web Connection is a legitimate business, and I won’t be coerced into doing something I have reservations about. Now, Ms. Gillette, our business has concluded and as promised, I’ll call you today or tomorrow after I give your proposal some thought.”

  Toni slid off of Jefferson’s desk and offered a slight smile. “Thank you, Jefferson. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to listen to my proposal. I like how you operate. And so that you know I don’t have any hard feelings, I look forward to hearing your favorable reply to my offer.” Toni stood tall and gave Jefferson a once over. “Take care, and tell Margo I said hello.”

  “Margo? How do you know my wife?”

  There was a big smile on Toni’s face as she sashayed out of the office with Jefferson left to stare at her backside. Jefferson searched his internal database for a name that matched Toni Gillette, but he couldn’t come up with one as he randomly went down the list of Margo’s friends—the ones he could remember. He walked back to his desk and hit the intercom.

  “Yes, Mr. Myles?”

  “Cheryl, do a Google search for me and see what you can find on a Toni Gillette.”

  “Gotcha. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”

  “I’m not sure, Cheryl. I’m hoping your search will answer that question for me.”

  “I will say this, Mr. Myles. When Ms. Gillette opened up her purse to give me her business card, a postcard with Malik Mason for Senator was sitting on top. I don’t know Mr. Mason, but I do know we’re endorsing Dr. Wright.”

  Jefferson cocked his head. “Hmph, now I know for sure Ms. Gillette is worth checking out.” A smile crossed Jefferson’s face. “Okay, Cheryl. Get that information I asked for. We’ll curtail our discussion of Ms. Gillette for now.”

  “Uhm-hmmm,” Cheryl retorted.

  Twenty-One

  The more Jefferson tried to forget, the more he couldn’t leave it alone. Who was Toni Gillette and what was her real motive for coming to his office? Jefferson pondered it some more. Surely, this wasn’t an attempt to get close to him so that she could obtain information to hurt Dr. Wright’s campaign. Dr. Wright had always been on the up and up. Maybe Malik was behind this because of the threat Jefferson made about Malik marrying his daughter.

  Still disturbed, Jefferson reached for his telephone and dialed Margo’s number. Maybe she could shed some light on the mystery.

  “Hey, Dad,” Winter said, upon answering the phone.

  “Why are you at your mother’s house instead of at work, Winter?” Jefferson asked.

  “Ian was ill, and Mom took him to the hospital. She asked me to watch Evan.”

  “It isn’t anything serious, is it?”

  “Mom seems to think it is, which is why I flew over here. I haven’t heard anything since she’s been gone.”

  “How long has that been?”

  “You’re talking like a concerned father and husband.”

  “I am concerned,” Jefferson said, in a matter-of-fact way.

  “Speaking of husbands, you won’t guess who came by to see Mom today.”

  “Put me out of my misery. I don’t feel like guessing.”

  “Daddy, please take at least one guess. I’m still in a state of shock.”

  “Was it Ivy? I know your mother would be elated.”

  “That trifling child of yours has yet to call her mother to say she’s back in town and married. No, it wasn’t Ivy, but how about her husband, Malik?”

  “What in the hell was he doing there?”

  “Calm down, Daddy. I was as shocked as you. Imagine him standing on Mom’s front porch when I answered the door. Anyway, he asked if Mom was here,
and I told him no. Then I asked if his wife was with him. You should’ve seen his face, Dad. Malik isn’t slick. He wanted to wait, but I sent his tail packing.”

  “I wonder what that was all about.”

  “Dad, I think it has something to do with the babies.”

  “What about the babies? Those babies have my DNA running through them. Malik can go to hell.”

  “So . . . are you saying that Mom had a . . . a . . . a sexual relationship . . . uh . . . with Malik?”

  “This isn’t a conversation that you and I should be having. Have your mother call me as soon as she comes home, Winter. I had a visitor in the office today asking about a website. There was something strange about her, and she knew your mother.”

  “What’s so strange about that?”

  “I know most of your mother’s friends, but I have never met this one. My hunch is that Malik may have something to do with her sudden appearance.”

  “Why would you say that? Why couldn’t the woman be one of Mom’s old friends?”

  “As long as your mother and I were together, don’t you think I’d remember her friends? I didn’t know this woman at all, and it was the way she said Margo—like they had history. And then Cheryl told me later she saw one of Malik’s postcards in the woman’s purse.”

  “Yeah, I’d check out her credentials. What is her name?”

  “I think I’ll keep it to myself. Have your mother call me. And don’t go trying to solve something you don’t have any information on.”

  “Did that make sense, Dad?”

  “You know how you are.”

  “You do know me. Okay, Dad, I’ll tell Mom as soon as she comes through the door.”

  Jefferson sighed. “All right, sweetheart, go take care of Evan. I’ve got work to do.”

  • • •

  Toni Gillette sat in the back of the Bonefish Grill restaurant and ordered a Pomegranate Martini. She smirked while having her own private hooray as she recounted in her mind the encounter with Jefferson Myles. It was hard not to notice that he tried with all his might to resist the temptation to admire her body, and when he thought she wasn’t looking, took a peek anyway. Jefferson was a nice-looking man, and from what Margo had told her, it was about time their divorce was final since Margo had said she was giving him his walking papers the evening they spoke last.