Chapter 14 Full Court Press
“This is going to be great, Greg,” Tessa said with excitement. “David has been helping me with my business and now I get to help him.”
“Your business acumen is going to come in handy with dealing with those Texas oilmen who are threatened by Tashugi Enterprises,” Greg replied.
“That’s right, dear. I need you to help me interact with these Dallas oil tycoons so we can win their business. I still can’t believe they contacted us because of the one little statement Veronica made about investing with Pimico at her Houston press conference.”
“I don’t think we can attribute it all to one statement by Veronica,” Greg offered. “We’ve been doing good work, and with the returns on the Mid-Pacific Project, we’ve got a good foundation for some expansion.”
“Some?” David asked incredulously. “Do you know how hard it was to get Fred to agree to stay behind to manage Pimico while we, and I’ll quote him here – ‘go off to play with the big boys in Dallas for a weekend.’ He was slightly dejected that I insisted that I accompany you rather than him.
This thing is finally growing like I wanted it to. ”
“We’ve always wanted growth, David. But the right growth.” Greg shrugged.
“You don’t think this is the right growth for us?” David asked with a slight sound of concern as Harry was stopping the limo on the tarmac near the jet. “What’s bothering you Greg.”
“I don’t know for sure,” Greg replied.
“Is it Carry?” Tessa asked. “Or is it Veronica?”
“It’s this potential to grow Pimico like this. It almost feels too fast.” Greg ran his hand through his hair. “I mean we are starting to make some progress with Operation Full Court Press since Andy has their email hack contained.”
“Thanks to the cooperation of his protégé Jack Martin who Brick managed to sneak into Marsdens Investments,” David said. “Live a little Greg. I know that Erica isn’t the problem this time.” Greg froze and both Tessa and David saw something they didn’t expect. “GREG?”
“Well,” he began, the words colliding in his mind as he tried to figure out how to explain it. “She might be another complication.”
“What do you mean by complication, Greg?” Tessa asked with concern.
“She happened to walk into New China Town on Sunday when Aunt Janet and I had returned from Houston.” He ran his hand through his hair. “We had lunch together with Harry and caught up like old friends back in Aunt Janet’s class.”
“Are you serious, brother?” Tessa said with a look of concern now deepening across her face. “Well, at least that is all it was, just catching up like old classmates, right?”
“Not exactly.” Greg started to say more but froze in place as the words just wouldn’t come out. “How about we continue this discussion on the plane?”
“Fair enough. We’ve got a few hours to Dallas,” David said. “We’ll continue this on the plane. Come on, dear. Let’s get seated. I’ve got reservations in Dallas for a really nice meal and some dancing afterwards.”
“You really know how to entice your wife,” she said, then leaned in and kissed David deep and passionately.
“And that’s just a taste of what I’ve got in store for you this evening IF,” she paused and looked deep into his eyes.
“IF you play your cards right that is.” She laughed lightly at his reaction. “You have to play nicely.”
“Well now, if my reward is the same as in Barbados or Cancun,” David began, “then I’m going to most definitely play very nicely.”
“That’s exactly the right answer,” Tessa replied then kissed him deeply once more. “Now honey, we can go aboard the plane.”
“Yes dear,” David replied happily as he opened the door, then exited and extended his hand to help Tessa out.
“Harry, since they seemed to have forgotten about you, get yourself and your mother something at the Black Angus on me,” Greg said as he got out.
“Boss,” Harry called back, then Greg ducked back inside with his head. “Did something happen with you and Erica after lunch on Sunday?”
“Yeah,” he begrudgingly admitted. “I’ll tell you about it when we get back on Sunday evening.
“Or you can call or text me anytime,” he suggested.
“I’ll consider that, Harry.” Greg smiled. “It’s just this is a little complicated.”
“Oh, then I’ll wait for the whole story. Enjoy your trip,” Harry called back.
“I will. Keep an eye on things around here for me please, Harry. I’ve got this feeling like I’m missing something dangerous and I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Will do. Goodbye,” Harry called back as Greg pulled back out of the car and closed the door. He shifted the car into drive and pulled away leaving Greg standing there thinking.
“Greg,” Tessa urged as she tapped his shoulders. “We should get on board.”
“Coming, sis,” he said as he turned around. “Sorry, just got caught in a bit of a confusion within my own mind. I guess I’ve had too much on my plate lately. I wish Janet could have come on this trip. She’d have loved visiting Dallas.”
“Which Janet are you talking about, brother? The teacher or PA?” Tessa asked politely.
“My PA of course,” Greg blurted out bluntly. “I’ve already taken a trip with Aunt Janet to Houston.” He took a breath. “Sorry, Tessa. It’s just the stress talking.”
“I understand, and that’s why David and I insisted on going with you for this trip. Besides, Veronica LaFayette and Veronique are major assets to Pimico and our future plans for a possible Resort Three,” she hinted with glee.
“You are getting rather ambitious,” Greg said with a smile. “Alright, let’s get this trip on its way,” he added as he started toward the plane.
“He’s going to be alright, sweetheart.” Tessa looked closely at David. “But, I think you are right. We should keep an eye on him.”
“So, he’s off his game,” David confirmed. “I wonder if this thing with Erica has something to do with that, or if he’s still reeling from Carry leaving.”
“I’m not sure,” she replied. “There’s only one way to find out. Let’s go.” David offered Tessa his left arm which she took with joy, and they joined Greg on the plane.
“Thanks,” Tessa said as the steward helped her into the cabin.
“You are most welcome Mrs. Michaels,” the steward replied and it hit Greg like a ton of bricks.
‘Mrs. Michaels,’ Greg thought. ‘Not Miss Garrelson or Tessa but Mrs. Michaels. This is my little sister.’ “This looks nice and roomy,” Greg said moving in further along the aisle to a comfortable lounge chair.
“Much better than that crowded flight Aunt Janet and I had to Houston and back on commercial.”
“This is the privilege that comes with the wealth and status that Pimico is achieving my friend,” David said with a broad smile. “This is what you and I have earned through hard work and innovation.”
“I suppose,” Greg slowly admitted. “Still, it’s more like Erica’s world to me.”
“Okay, Greg,” Tessa softly stepped in. “Please tell us about Erica and what happened that has you off.”
“Is it that obvious?” Greg asked aloud without realizing he’d verbalized the thought.
“Yes, Greg, it is,” David replied. “You’ve not been fully on your game since the shooting at Club Euchre, but this is more off than normal.”
‘Lady and Gentlemen, this is your captain. We’ve been cleared for departure. Fasten your seatbelts as we begin our taxi to the runway.’
“Buckle up everyone,” Greg said quickly, trying to change the subject.
“And after we’ve got airborne, brother, you will tell us what’s happened that is adding to your mental burden,” Tessa insisted.
The engines roared to life as the jet began to pull away from the terminal space toward the taxiway.
The steward checked to ensure everyone was safely buckled into their seats then took his own and buckled up as the plane neared the end of the runway.
The steward pressed the Cabin Ready button and the pilot pulled the plane into position at the start of the runway.
Once again the engines roared to life, then the brakes were released and the plane surged forward down the runway quickly gaining speed.
Within a moment it was airborne and climbing up into the sky above the Missouri River and the downtown skyline of Kansas City was quickly disappearing from view.
A few minutes later the jet settled in at its cruising altitude and the fasten seatbelt sign was turned off.
“Greg,” David said very gently as he leaned forward, having released his seatbelt.
“I know you have never stopped loving Erica Stamson, and that I have expressed my disdain for how she treated you, but after telling me about that miscarriage, I understand that anything you might have with her would be very complicated.”
“Thanks, David. You always seem to find the right way to say things at the right time for me,” Greg slowly replied.
“We had that long chat about the information Keith and Brick uncovered in their investigation. Erica found some footage of someone accessing the pharmacy at Stamson Medical Center, and tampering with the medication I was receiving.” He let out a deep breath.
“After that, we talked for a while about how things had fallen apart for us.”
“And?” Tessa asked after what seemed like an eternity of silence.
“And,” Greg began then dropped his head into his hands. “I kissed her when I walked her back to her car.”
“Oof!” David said. “Is that a good thing or bad thing?”
“I don’t know!” Greg said in frustration. “It felt like the night before Denver, but something was different also.”
“What was different?” Tessa gently urged.
“She said that she still loved me and only me.” He sat up and looked at Tessa with sad eyes. “Then she told me – ‘I am yours, and I want you right now.”
“Want you?” Tessa asked with a soft confused sound in her voice.
“She wanted to pick back up as if we were still making a baby,” Greg finally admitted.
“And did you?” David asked softly.
“We kissed deeply several more times, and she started putting her hands all over me,” Greg started then paused. He seemed lost for a second in the memory of it.
“Well?” Tessa asked with genuine concern.