Trigger Page 5

  “You are the most beautiful woman in this room next to Evelyn. To be honest, I didn’t recognize you immediately. But the buzz around the room was the incredibly beautiful woman in red standing at the door was Miss Mason of Stalwart Company.”

  Evelyn reaches up and she bends down to let her kiss both her cheeks. She’s like the grandmother Judy’s always dreamed of having.

  “Franklin that’s a terrible thing to say, Judy is beautiful in everything she wears.”

  “Dinner will start in about twenty minutes. I want to introduce you to some people.”

  Walking away with Franklin and Evelyn, Judy can feel Simon looking at her. She knows because the hair is standing up on the back of her neck. A couple of political types, and a charming old woman, named Mabel. The photographers buzz around the Stalwart group as well as waiters that seem to insist she take a glass of wine or champagne. No way. She doesn’t do alcohol.

  Steven says she’s a lethal weapon and she doesn’t want to get drunk and hurt somebody. Her Dad’s blood runs in her veins, she reminds herself and she smiles a no thank you over and over again. Franklin keeps her busy until the music stops and dinner is announced and then Simon is back.

  “I’ll escort you to our table Miss Mason,” he says and Franklin looks nervous. She has to go that way anyway. She sighs to Franklin, ignores Simon’s arm and walks away with him beside her, as Simon holds out a chair for her, she sees Charlotte across the table.

  “Charlotte!” She slowly walks around the table to get to a friendly face. Her husband looks like Charlotte. They could be twins. She likes them both.

  She whispers approval of my gown and hairdo, Judy glances around and sees Simon still standing and waiting patiently. She takes a deep sigh and rejoins the other side of the table, while introducing Charlotte to Simon and Simon introduces her to the others at the table. It surprises her that Simon knows everyone and she knows several people, too.

  “Simon, are you and Miss Mason together this evening?” an elderly man two chairs down on her right leans across his plate and asks.

  “No.” Her response is immediate and before Simon can speak, but she manages a pleasant smile when she says it. “Simon and I are competitors. We like to keep tabs on each other.” The table laughs and the food begins.

  Simon is attentive, pleasant and even has the waiter bring coffee that she wanted. He’s charming and easily leads the conversation at the table and most of the time he leads it to her. He even created an opportunity for her to speak about her charities and give a plug for Steven’s club.

  A couple of times, she’s not sure how to eat a dish, she coolly watches Simon. He seems to know and deliberately slows his action. Other than Judy, he’s the only one at the table, who’s not drinking wine.

  As dessert arrives he launches into a story about his father – who every one seems to know – and she can’t help but enjoy Simon’s beautiful and casual monologue before she’s laughing too. He smiles at her, leans slightly toward her. “That’s a beautiful sound.”

  The heat radiates off him. His eyes bore into hers. She quickly looks away and searches for Charlotte, who diverts the table’s and Simon’s attention to the eight-inch tall dessert being placed in front of them.

  It looks delicious but it’s covered with whipped cream and she’s afraid she’ll drop some on her new dress, so she’s playing with it.

  “You don’t like it,” Mr. Hendley who’s next to her asks. Everyone looks up and at her.

  “I’m not fond of sweets unless it’s chocolate.” She smiles big and bumps him gently with her shoulder. She groans inside. She initiated contact with a man? Oh my God what have I become? It’s this dress. This awful slutty red dress. She squirms in it and feels Simon looking at her with a puzzled expression. Shit!

  We listen to a couple speakers, lead by the governor. Mostly they are short, nonpolitical and make us feel good about ourselves that we each paid one thousand dollars to be here. Judy glances around the table, memorizing each person’s name and face and then starts on the rest of the room by finding all the people she’s met so far. Simon leans close. She can feel his breath on her ear and goose bumps pop up on her arms.

  “There are a couple of people I would very much like you to meet. Will you let me introduce you before the dancing starts?”

  “Sure.” Big deal, meeting people is why she’s here.

  To avoid more rejection, Simon doesn’t offer his arm, thank heavens. Everyone has been acting so nice and pleasant. It’s starting to feel heavy being the only smartass in the room tonight. We approach a man in a wheelchair and a woman with snow white hair standing close to him and holding his hand.

  “Mom and Dad, I would like you to meet Miss Judy Mason, owner and president of Stalwart Companies and a delightful dinner companion. Miss Mason this handsome gentleman is Simon Perry, my father, mentor and best friend. He’s also my boss so be nice to him please.”

  He raises his hand to shake. She clenches her teeth and smiles, “Glad to meet you Mr. Perry.” She hates meeting Dads.

  “You’re the young lady who came in wearing a gun?” His face is all scrunched up in disapproval. Don’t confront, best them. Steven’s voice yells at her.

  She smiles brightly, “Yes sir, it is my favorite a Colt .380 auto four-inch barrel.”

  “Well then we should be honored that you brought your favorite, but I’m sorry you felt the need to bring it. However, a beautiful young woman such as yourself should be protected from all of the scoundrels and thieves in this room. Should I know your father, Miss Mason?”

  “No sir. He’s is a scoundrel and thief and a murderer as well. I’m sure no one in this room would have ever met him.”

  Simon’s father drops her hand like a rock.

  Simon recovers quickly from the ballistic words out of her mouth, which should be punished and sent to its room.

  “Mother, Miss Mason.”

  The pretty pink cheeks she was wearing when we walked over to her are gone. She’s white as a ghost. Judy doesn’t reach for her hand.

  “I’m sorry. I was brash and rude, I apologize. I am very pleased to meet you both. Simon told our table a very funny story about you Mr. Perry. It was about a fish. We all enjoyed his telling of your bravery and determination. I’m happy to meet the man in the story in person. It was inspiring.”

  I can feel Steven’s deep crease between his eyes and his words: If you don’t want to be with someone then you don’t have to be.

  “If you will excuse me, I see that my vice president, Mr. Pierce and his wife are preparing to leave. I should go and say good evening to them.” Her smile hangs on them for a few seconds and then with agonizing slow steps walks away.

  Damn, she never talks about her Dad and tries real hard not to think of him, ever. Why did she do that? She’s never that careless. But Simon’s father looked at her like she was vile and worthless. His eyes hated her and triggered a memory of her Dad beating her until she couldn’t cry or scream any more and then yelling at her to get up off the floor and get the hell out of his way. She felt Mr. Perry’s hard voice as he nonverbally said those words to her. It was clearly there, in his eyes.

  She walks slowly hoping she’ll stop shaking before she gets to Franklin and Evelyn. Steven warned her. Remember what I’ve taught you. Don’t confront them, best them. And now its shame that makes her shake. She let Steven down and showed herself to be crude and slutty just like Mr. Perry thought she was.

  When she finally reaches Franklin and Evelyn, it’s clear that Evelyn isn’t feeling well. “What’s wrong?” Judy likes Evelyn and now her shame morphs to fear that Evelyn is really sick and could die.

  “It’s just my arthritis, Judy. The food tonight didn’t mix well with my medication and I don’t want to embarrass my loving husband. I’m fine, really I am.” She looks hard at Evelyn to see if she’s telling the truth. She can’t tell, but she doesn’t look well for sure.

  “I’ve just insulted Simon’s father and embarrasse
d myself. I think I’ll go too.”

  Franklin raises his eyebrows at her.

  “I’ll tell you later. I’ll walk out with you.”

  “Miss Mason.” She hears her name spoken behind her. Franklin’s eyes move from her face to above her head and it makes her turn.

  “I’m Harry Post with the governor’s staff. The governor invites you to be his partner for the opening dance.”

  I feel Franklin’s hand on the small of my back pushing her.

  “Certainly.”

  The governor’s Mr. Post offers his arm and she takes it like Steven taught her. She looks straight ahead as they walk across the huge, long, forever length of the room. Her neck prickles when she passes Simon, who is still standing with his parents and three other people.

  The governor has warm hands and a pleasant face. He’s a good dancer because she doesn’t have any trouble following his steps. Judy doesn’t know what to say, so she doesn’t say anything, but she wears a small smile, so everyone knows this is a fun thing to do. They dance alone for about thirty-seconds until others come onto the floor.

  “I read the article that came out about you today, Miss Mason. It’s wonderful to see young entrepreneurs like you are alive and doing well in Virginia.”

  “Thank you. Its hard work and very challenging, but I like both.”

  “Hard work and challenge?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What are your goals?”

  “To do my best and take care of the company, employees and make a good life for all of us at Stalwart Companies. I have no ambition beyond that.”

  “The article said you don’t have a boyfriend. You are a lovely, intelligent young woman. Why hasn’t some handsome man won your fancy?”

  “That is really none of your business, Governor, but since you are a very good dancer, I’ll tell you. I don’t have time for anything or anyone other than the company and working out.”

  He laughs out loud. People stare at us.

  “I saw you with Simon Perry.”

  “Simon and I are competitors.”

  “Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer?” He laughs again.

  “Except for work, I like to shoot and box and I’ll be testing for my third level black belt in Kempo-Karate in a couple of weeks. I like to run, when I have time and space. My trainer is Steven Harter. He owns Straight Train, a very dedicated athletic club. Good people go there because Mr. Harter is good people. Do you work out, Governor?”

  “Actually, I like to box. I won a Golden Glove, when I was much younger.”

  “You should visit Steven’s club. You are about the same size as Steven. `It would be fun to watch you and Steven spar some. He never hurts anyone, but he’s tough and very demanding. He expects a lot out of the people he trains. Actually, his club is closer to your office than mine.

  “I go to Steven’s at lunch time. When we’re done he makes lunch for me, it’s this horrible green/gray sludge. But I feel good and get a lot of work done in the afternoons.”

  “Straight Train?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll look into it.”

  “Maybe we could spar some too. I’m getting really good with my combinations. Steven hand picks sparing partners for everyone to make sure it’s a fair fight. But he might let us get into the ring.”

  “So you have the desire to hit me, Miss Mason?”

  “No. I don’t know you well enough to want to do that. But I do like to kick ass!” He laughs again.

  The music stops and Mr. Post is beside her.

  “Thank you Miss Mason. I had a delightful time dancing with you. Don’t forget your gun when you leave,” the governor smiles.

  “That’s not going to happen, Governor.”

  Charlotte is waiting at the table. She’s busting out to hear everything. “It looked like you were both having a good time.”

  “Miss Mason, may I have this dance.”

  Charlotte’s face falls and I know the voice.

  “Sure.” She puts her hand in Simon’s like Steven showed her. Sparks and heat burn her hand as he slowly walks her to the middle of the floor and then takes her in his arms with a flourish turn and they’re dancing. He’s taller than Steven or the Governor and for a second she’s afraid her strapless dress is going to become unanchored.

  “Don’t get all girly about dancing with me Miss Mason. I wouldn’t know how to handle it.”

  Of course, Simon is a better dancer than Steven or the Governor. It’s like he’s bred to be perfectly charming, accomplished and arrogant. She’s not being fair. Simon has been nice to her all evening and put up with her attitude and smartass mouth without complaint.

  “I’m sorry I embarrassed you in front of your parents. I really didn’t mean to be that way. It just popped out.”

  “Is it true?”

  “Yes. My Dad beat my Mom ever since I remember and then finally beat her to death and threw her body in the alley. I found her when I was walking home from school. He didn’t even get arrested.”

  Simon pulls her closer and she lets him.

  “I’m sorry, Judy.”

  We dance without speaking for awhile. “The Governor asked me if I was with you.”

  Simon laughs. “I can’t wait to hear what you said about that.”

  “I just said what I said at the dining table.”

  She thinks Simon just smelled her hair. She trembles.

  “Do you want to know what he said?”

  “Probably something like, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. He’s never been very original.”

  “That’s exactly what he said.” She looks up surprised Simon would know that.

  “He says that all the time. It’s one of his favorites.”

  “Oh.”

  “Am I your enemy Judy?”

  “Well yes. The Wade deal was huge for me and was going to allow me to grow. You’ve made everything very complicated and stressful. What really bites my ass, Simon is that he isn’t good for you. I can’t image why you would deliberately hurt your company just to keep me in my place.”

  “Is that what you think I’m doing?”

  Simon pulls back and looks Judy squarely in the eyes.

  “What other reason, Simon. He doesn’t fit your company. Shockley either.”

  Simon is startled. She guesses that he didn’t know she knew about Shockley.

  “You’re wrong Judy. But I’ll fix everything if you go on one date with me.”

  She stops dancing and pulls away from him. Her voice is so low, she can barely hear it, but it’s intense enough to startle her.

  “No.”

  “The deal is not worth one date with me?”

  “No.”

  She hadn’t noticed before, but Simon has a crease like Steven’s and apparently it works the same way.

  “I know your reputation. I witness your arrogance. I’m not for sale, Simon. I don’t do dates. I’ve never had a boyfriend and to be honest I doubt that I ever will.”

  “You’ve never had a boyfriend. Have you ever been kissed?” His eyes are incredulous and smirking.

  “No.”

  “So you’re a . . . ?”

  “Yes, Simon, I’m a virgin. But that doesn’t make me stupid enough to sabotage my own company.” Her voice took off from low to moderate and then nearly high volume.

  She walks away and she can tell by the way dancing couples get out of her way that her angry words were overheard. News flash folks, she hasn’t had sex, therefore, she must have some other disease and you should get out of my way. Oh God, she knew this evening would be a nightmare. All she wants now is to get her gun, slip into Big Boy and peal the Hell out of here.

  She quickly walks to the door sure that one of the many photographers got a picture of her walking fast. Now Steven is really going to be pissed.

  Steven picks up the phone so quickly she’s not sure she even heard it ring. “Judy, are you all right?”

  “Yes. I know it
’s late and I’m sorry if I disturbed you. I just wanted you to know I was home and safe. When I left the club, it felt like you were worrying about me.” She feels better hearing his voice.

  “I’m watching the news with you dancing with the Governor. I think it’s on every network.”

  “Am I doing it right? Like you taught me?”

  “Yes.”

  She breathes relief. “Oh good, I didn’t want to let you down. The governor was a Golden Gloves. Did you know that?”

  “Yes.”

  “I told him about you and your club and invited him to come and train with you during his lunch. Boxing is still his preferred method of exercise. So if he calls, it’s not a joke. Okay? Oh, he’ll want your green/gray sludge too.”

  “You were talking about me while you were dancing with the governor?”

  “Mostly. Some about the company too.”

  “The news says you walked in carrying a concealed gun. They have footage of you pulling up your gown and handing your gun to the security guard. Deidre said it’s on You Tube. You look wonderful, Judy. I guess your stunt worked out all right this time, but you should have listened to me. It could have caused you trouble.

  “They could have legally prevented you from going in even if you did hand over your gun. Or they could have arrested you until they were satisfied that you had no criminal intent.”

  She doesn’t know what to say.

  “Did the governor say anything about the gun?”

  “He just told me not to forget it when I left.”

  Steven bellows.

  “I thanked him for reminding me.”

  He laughs harder.

  “I’m tired now. I don’t think I got more than an hour’s sleep last night.”

  “Good night, Judy. I’m proud of you.”

  With those words she’d never had spoken to her before, she relaxes and drifts. “Good night Steven. Thanks for everything.” He didn’t hear her. He’d already hung up.

  Chapter 11. Tramp Stunt

  The futon in her one-room flat is lumpy and uncomfortable. Judy groans in pain and it’s louder this time, but it’s not from the futon.