Chapter 10
Murphy’s Laws of Sex #49
“Never stand between hungry cats and a fat mouse.”
“Oh my God! That , that’s Baynard Starling?”
Five of the Crew crowded around Rena’s chair, astounded, peering at pictures on her cell phone. Rena nodded proudly to them, ignoring the curious glances she was getting from other patrons of O’Bannon’s Bar. “Yes, I took a couple of photos today after I was hustled out of Toni’s office,” she said, giving Toni a mock-jealous glance. “The girl has been holding out on us.” Everyone had been talking at once, but when they heard that, they all turned to look at Toni who had been impatiently sitting alone on the far side of their table during Rena’s show-and-tell-all.
“What?”
“What?” Rena crowed. “You didn’t say one word about Starling’s makeover, girlfriend, not one!” Everyone chorused agreement. “Do you have plans for the gorgeous doctor?”
Toni raised her hands helplessly. “I didn’t know anything about it until today. Rena. It was just as much a surprise to me as it was to you.” She made a face at Rena’s raised eyebrow. “And no, I have no plans for Dr. Starling other than those concocted by the board.”
Giving Toni a skeptical puckering of her lips, Rena said to everyone, “He wants to be called BJ,” an insider’s smile lighting her face. She eyed her friend intently. “You’ve been to his new digs. You’re telling me you had no idea he had changed so much?”
This was not a conversation Toni wanted to have with her friends. Starling remained an awkward topic in every way, and she avoided counting all the reasons why. “You mean the beard, the suit? Speaking Mandarin? I saw none of that when I visited.”
“Twice, you said.”
“Yes, I was there a few days apart two months ago.”
“So, tell us about his house.” Chris, the sixth-floor receptionist asked, as perky and big-eyed as ever. “I’ve heard rumors that his house is pretty spectacular.”
Toni nodded, grateful for the change of topic and launched into a description. She called up the web pictures of the property on her iPad. After an hour of prodding every detail they could extract from Toni, including his millions, the girls left with a hug for her. All except Rena.
Watching the last of the Magnificent Seven exit O’Bannon’s, Rena slid her chair closer to Toni, and said, “I wanted to let you know I got the pictures when I caught BJ in the lobby as he was leaving this afternoon. We had a nice chat.”
Studying her friend, Toni said, “Oookay, stalking is a crime.” Rena gave her an innocent look. Toni shot her a disgusted look in return. “What, you want me to believe it just happened? Rena, did you finagle a date with him?”
“No, of course not, but he seemed open to the idea, so I wanted to run it past you before I did any finagling.”
Toni had the urge to tell her to keep her distance, if only to protect Starling, or BJ, or whoever he was now. “I don’t have any claim on the big boy, emphasis on the ‘boy.’ The guy undoubtedly has zero experience with co-ed activities and a virgin to boot, so be kind.”
Rena frowned at that. “He didn’t act like it. He seemed to pick up on our flirting and invite more. He’s the one who suggested getting together.”
“ Our ? Who? What was it, dueling flirts?”
“Oooh yeah. BJ gave both me and Chris his cell number.”
“Chris?’ Toni shook her head in disbelief. “Chris Wingate? She was there AND flirting too?”
“Like her life depended on it.”
“Hooo-ly catfish. Forrest Gump meets Receptionist Barbie.”
With a laugh, Rena said, “Stop it. You know better than that. But I don’t think Chris will call him. Not her style. Too shy. She’ll hope BJ calls. I want to know if I had the go-ahead from you because I will call.”
Toni mentally sighed. What made Rena think she was his keeper? “Hey, knock yourself out.” Rena smiled and said she had to get home to make The Call but would walk out with Toni. “Thanks, but I have a dinner date here.” At Rena’s look of disbelief, Toni shrugged. “I was going to be here with you all anyway.”
“Who is it this time?”
“ This time ? What, I’m a serial dateist.”
“Well?”
“All right, you. He’s head of one of Google’s creative departments. I met him at a patent conference last week and he asked me out. Jeff Hanover.”
“Can I stay to meet him?”
“No, you may not. You have ‘The Call’ to make, remember?” She touched foreheads with Rena. “Besides, I’m too tired for a round of dueling flirts.”
Watching her go, Toni hoped she wouldn’t call. If she started seeing Starling, it could seriously complicate things. Toni prided herself on being smarter than most men, and too often they seemed too predictable, too easy to handle. As smart as Jeff was, she feared he would be too. Starling, however, didn’t fit any male category she was familiar with and was anything but predictable, which was why she kept thinking about him until Jeff arrived.
Jeff noted how tired she was but succeeded in being charming about it. “You are the prettiest thing I’ve seen all day, but you do look like you’ve been wrestling alligators.”
He was handsome in a soft, Hugh Grant sort of way with a ready wit and quick laugh. What Toni appreciated about him was his genteel humor and willingness to ask questions. When he inquired about her alligators, she told him about Starling and Bateman, avoiding Starling’s eccentricities.
When she was done, Jeff was laughing, but said, “From what I’ve heard, the World Congress is a big deal. Was Dr. Starling representing Rayaneta?”
“Oh, shit!”
Toni grabbed her cell phone and hopped out of the booth. “Jeff, excuse me for a moment. You reminded me about what I should’ve asked Starling!” She walked outside the restaurant and in the cold dialed his cell phone. He picked up on the third ring. There was music and conversations in the background. He said hello louder than usual. The street noises around her forced her to raise her voice too.
“Starling, this is Toni, where are—”
“Hi, Toni. This is a pleasant surprise. Don’t worry. Bateman was a bit startled when I introduced myself again, but he did realize you weren’t at fault.”
“That’s good to hear. Thank you, but that isn’t why I called. Did you go to the World Congress representing Rayaneta?”
“No, though the conference program did mention where I worked and that I was on sabbatical.”
“Fine. Did you describe or provide the formulas for any patented products?” There was enough noise that she had to repeat the question.
“No.”
“Good. Did you present any information or describe any procedures used or discovered while you’ve worked at Rayaneta?”
“Nothing patented or under copyright if that is what you mean. Techniques and processes I’ve developed, some starting with my Fellowship at Stanford. Nothing I think could be considered proprietary—mostly theory with a few applications.”
“It still could be a problem. Do you have a copy of your presentation materials?”
“Of course, both written and a PowerPoint presentation. Do you want copies of both?”
“Please.” Toni prayed there wasn’t going to be any problems with the content. “If you are going to do any more presenting, you have to clear it with me. You could get yourself in legal trouble if you’re not careful.”
“Understood. Thank you for letting me know.”
The noise in the background picked up and a woman’s voice said, “Are we going to dance?”
“Starling, where are you?”
“It’s BJ, remember? I’m at the Alibi Room.”
“What? Why?’
“You suggested I observe people. It was a brilliant suggestion. This has proven to be an excellent place for that. I’m still on Singapore time, anyway.” The woman’s voice could be heard again saying “BJ, come on . . .”
“Who is that with you?” Toni demanded.
“Chris Wingate.”
“Chris? What the hell is she doing there?”
“Yes, you know her, I believe. She called and as I was coming here anyway, so I invited her to join me.”
“Starling, what are you . . .”
“BJ?” Chris was heard to say.
“I have to go, Toni,” BJ said, nearly yelling. “I’ll get the presentation materials off to you first thing tomorrow.” And he hung up.
Toni stared at the phone for a moment and then stomped back into the restaurant. When she rejoined Jeff, her brain was in a twist. Chris called him ? What was she after? As if Toni didn’t know. Rich, good-looking and as unsullied as a puppy. Damn .
Jeff watched her fume and asked, “Bad phone call?”
She shook off her funk. “No, strange and unexpected.”
“Starling, you mean?”
Toni laughed and nodded. “Who else? Let’s order dinner. I’m starved.”
They were finishing appetizers when her phone rang. The caller I.D. showed it was Pendergast. Toni didn’t bother leaving the booth but rolled her eyes and apologized to Jeff again . When she answered, the CEO sounded flustered.
“Crenshaw, I just got off the phone with the President of Silverline. Do you know why he called me?”
“I wouldn’t have a clue.”
Pendergast huffed. “He called to congratulate me— me , his biggest competitor.”
When he didn’t continue, Toni said, “Okay, I’ll bite. What for?”
“Starling’s presentation at the World Congress, that’s what.”
Terrific. “Well, that was good of him.”
“Bullshit,” Pendergast barked. “I’m sure he called to gloat. What has Starling done?”
“Well, I’m not sure, but I do know that his presentation went well. The conference organizers have already asked him to present next year in Germany.”
There was silence for a moment. “You knew about this!?”
“Not until this afternoon, Mr. Pendergast. Starling is emailing me the presentation contents tomorrow morning.”
“I want to see that as soon as you get them.” Pendergast mumbled away from the phone and then returned. “I have a French distributor on the line for Lélégance wanting to discuss our products. He specifically mentioned Starling.” There was more muffled conversation, and then Pendergast came back. “I want to talk to you about this first thing tomorrow! I have to go.”
Toni took a deep breath and put her phone away, but not before letting Jeff see her turn it off.
“No rest for the wicked?” Jeff said, grinning at Toni’s disgruntled expression.
Toni gave a shrug and half-smile. “Apparently.” And speaking of the wicked, Chris was going to get a visit tomorrow.