Trigger by Carol Jean Page A

date, I’ve ever had. A very nice
man, I’ve known for years. He’s going to make me dinner.”
    He looks confused, but nods.
    “What?”
    “Is it Simon Perry?”
    “Good God no! Why would you have thought that?”
    “He hung around you all night.”
    “The governor asked me the same question. I told him
that Simon and I were competitors and that we like to keep tabs on
each other. He said it was good that I kept my friends close and my
enemies closer.”
    He nods, still looking confused.
    “What?”
    “You have a message from Simon Perry saying that
he’ll pick you up at eight-thirty for your date?”
    “I don’t have a date with Simon. Steven Harter, who
owns my boxing club, is who I’m going out with. Simon has asked me
several times over the years and I’ve always told him no, straight
out. I know I’m naïve and inexperienced with the whole relationship
scene, but I’m not that stupid.”
    “Do you want me to call him with regrets?”
    “I’ll have to think about how to handle this. I
don’t want to rock the boat and have the Wade deal slip out from
under us. The final papers aren’t signed and the checks have not
been delivered. I just wish I knew what his reasoning was for
wanting their companies.
    “I danced with him because I wanted to talk to him
about that and dancing with a lot of people around seemed to be the
safest place to do that. When I told him that I thought that he was
doing it only to keep Stalwart from growing he said I was wrong.
The way he said that made me believe him. Or mostly believe him.
Charlotte was supposed to do some research. Has she turned over
anything to you?”
    “No ma’am.”
    She turns to go to see Charlotte but speaks to
Charles.
    “Have you seen any messages where Simon asked me for
a date?”
    “No.”
    She hands him her cell phone. “Please check that
while I talk with Charlotte.”
    “Wait. DeShaun’s been trying to reach you all day.
Maybe . . .”
    Fear strikes quick and cold. Oh my God. He’s going
to do it. Simon is going to steal my deal.
    “DeShaun?” Her voice sounds frightened even to
her.
    “Call you back.” The line goes dead as he hangs up
on her.
    Judy picks up the phone on the first ring. “Stalwart
Company.”
    “Judy, Simon’s been here all morning. The three of
them – Simon, Wade and Ben have been arguing . . . loudly. Judy, I
think they’re being forced to walk away from your deal. Ben and Mr.
Wade are still in the office. They haven’t even taken lunch.”
    “I’m on my way. Don’t let them leave even if you
have to tackle them. I’ll make sure you have a good job and I’ll
pay for your legal defense. Order them lunch. I’ll take it in to
them.”
    When she hangs us Charlotte, Franklin and Charles
are staring at her. “Minutes, I have only minutes. What can you
tell me to help me?”
    “If Simon’s strong arming them, listen don’t talk.
Be their friend.” Franklin says quickly. “Tell them their check has
been cut, but if it’s not enough you’ll double it.”
    I gasp.
    “You’ll make it up. You did the numbers.”
    Charlotte is twisting her hands and sort of swaying.
“I think it has to do with Simon’s father. My sources say that
Simon isn’t happy about the whole deal. Mr. Perry was shot and
that’s why he’s in a wheelchair and has a whole slew of physical
problems.”
    Her gun at the ball was that why he was so
belligerent toward her?
    “It’s only gossip, but everyone knows Mr. Shockley’s
wife is the one who shot him. An affair gone wrong maybe, but no
one seems to know for sure. They all covered it up, but Mr.
Shockley’s wife, is Mr. Wade’s sister.”
    “Family crap? All this trouble for messy family
business? Hundreds of people’s jobs are at stake!”
    “Where is she?”
    “She still lives with Mr. Shockley.”
    “Where is that?”
    “What are you going to do, Judy?” Franklin looks
scared of what she might do.
    “Go to the source. Franklin, please get to Shockley
and Wade