Fatal mistake, p.6
Fatal Mistake, page 6
Ericka smiled. “Not my best moment.”
Nick nodded his head as he continued to assess her. There was a touch of honesty about her. Not once had she denied why she had come into his life. Whatever the reason, she was here. “God works in mysterious ways.”
Ericka frowned. “Excuse me?”
Nick shook his head and reached for the bottle of wine and two glasses. “Nothing.” He poured a glass for each of them. “What do you say we start over? Take a few days to get to know me. Then decide if the con is worth it?”
Ericka hesitated, then reached out for the glass. “You are either a very confident man or a fool.”
“Gwendolyn Brooks did not raise any fools. She raised children who believe in the goodness of others.”
“Everyone does not have goodness in them Nick. I’m sure you know that.”
“Ah, a cynic.”
“Realist.” She pointed to his plate. “Are you going to eat the rest of that?”
Nick looked down, picked up a fork of lasagna and held it out to her lips.
Why does he do these things? They are far too intimate for someone he just met.
He saw the look on her face. “I promise I don’t have the cooties or anything close.”
She laughed.
A genuine laugh, that reached her eyes. The simple action transformed the lovely Ericka to exquisite, yet cautious Ericka. He waited. “In the immortal words of Billy Dee, are you going to let my arm fall off?”
It sounded just as sexy coming from him. She bent forward and took the offering.
We’re making progress Nick thought as he watched her close her eyes, savoring the flavor. “Man, I have to hire him as my cook.”
Ericka opened her eyes. “For goodness sake hire the man. If you don’t, I will.”
They laughed and talked for the next three hours. One of the artists in the park walked over when they finally stood to leave. He gave them a painting of the two of them on the blanket eating. The painting had captured the spellbinding moment on both of their faces. Nick tried to pay the guy for the painting, but he refused.
“Moments like this don’t come along often. When they do, they should be captured and treasured.”
When they arrived back at her car. Nick opened the door. Ericka stood behind the door facing him.
“Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Ms. Kennedy.” He gave her the picture.
“The pleasure was all mine.” She placed it on the passenger seat and waited, thinking he would kiss her. After a few moments, she realized it wasn’t going to happen. She got into the car and he closed the door. He stepped back allowing her to pull out.
Ericka was disappointed, as she backed her vehicle out and pulled off. When she reached the entrance to the parking lot, she glanced at the picture, then looked in her rearview mirror. He was still standing there. She put the car in Park and stepped out.
“I would like that,” she called out to him.
“What?”
“Getting to know you better.”
Nick smiled. “I would like that too.”
Ericka smiled, got back into her car and drove off.
Nick stood there for a minute thinking, before walking into the building. What in the hell was he doing?
Chapter 4
“C
annon this is wrong. Nick Brooks is not the kind of man you pull a scam on.”
“Let’s hope you won’t have to go through with it. For now, we only need Singleton to think we are complying with his commands.”
“Are you getting any closer to what this is all about? Why does he want this family destroyed? They seem like decent people.”
Cannon sat back in his chair at his desk in Atlanta. “I don’t know cuz. Only that he wants it done and he wants it done publicly.”
Ericka looked out the window of the condo she was renting in Richmond. “I don’t know about this Cannon. It doesn’t feel right.”
“Are you having a hard time finding an opening to this guy?”
“No.” Ericka chuckled, “He’s an open book. He holds nothing back. I almost feel like I have to protect him from himself.”
“Green?”
“No, not at all. He’s just a straight shooter. He reads people too damn well and tells you what he thinks. There is nothing green about the man.”
Cannon sat forward. “Stick with him until I get a break on this end or you find a way to compromise his firm. Look, we may be going about this the wrong way, but our reasons are just. Bobby is being cheated out of a lot of money and he doesn’t deserve that.”
Ericka closed her eyes and exhaled. “I know. Bobby is clearly the victim in all of this. But, Nick isn’t the person cheating Bobby. It’s Singleton.”
“There are just too many unanswered questions,” Cannon stated. “For instance, he had me to run a full check on the Brooks family. Why?”
“My question is why hasn’t the law firm turned over full control of the company to Singleton? As far as they know he is the only child.”
“It has to be something in his father’s will.”
“That’s another thing.” Ericka set her cup of tea on the table. “With all the money and property that lady owned, why didn’t she have a will, too. All you mentioned so far is the father’s will. Where is the mother’s will?”
Cannon sat back, “Good question. Where is the mother’s will?”
“That’s what I just asked you. I can’t believe she did not have one.”
“I think you have a point.”
“I’ll stay on Nick Brooks. You search for the mother’s will.”
“If one exists.”
***
Sunday dinner at the Brooks estate in Tyson, Virginia was a must if you were in town. Vernon still lived in the east wing of the estate with his wife, Constance, and their daughter, Taylor, when they weren’t on the road. With the oldest son James, now acting as the advisor to the President, he and his family had a home in the area. The only two any distance away were the twins. Nicole lived in New York and ran the real estate division of Brooks Industries and of course, Nick who lived in Richmond, but would normally drive up on Sundays for dinner. This Sunday was a wonderful exception. Everyone was home and Gwendolyn could not have been happier. It was apparent by the big grin plastered on her face as she sat at the end of the table.
The conversations were flowing from real estate to music to politics and they had finally come around to Nick’s event.
“I saw this really cute guy there,” Taylor said to Nicole. All conversation around them stopped.
“What was his name?” Nicole asked, as the two were oblivious to the silence around them.
“I don’t know. But he’s tall with these muscle-filled long arms and the nicest eyes I’ve ever seen. Did I say how fine he looked in a tux and had great muscles?”
Ashley nodded. “When I met your Uncle James, he was dressed in a suit and tie, but I could tell what was underneath and I knew I wanted a piece of that.”
“I can understand that now. I mean this guy made me feel naked when he looked at me and I was fully dressed.”
“That’s enough,” Vernon shouted. “Nobody is getting a piece of anything around here.”
The women looked at Vernon shocked.
“Vernon, don’t get upset because your daughter might be getting something you are not,” Gwendolyn teased.
“Sex is not a proper conversation for Sunday dinner. Wouldn’t you agree Pop?” Vernon turned to his father expecting his support.
“I don’t think there is ever a bad time to discuss sex. It’s the root of all evil and the start of most love affairs. A very diverse topic I would say.” He smiled at his wife.
“Vernon you are acting like you haven’t had any since Taylor was conceived,” James laughed.
“No, that would be me,” Constance stated dryly causing all eyes to turn her way. She didn’t skip a beat as she continued to eat.
“Well, we know that ‘s not the case for Vernon.” Nick laughed.
“One mistake, one damn mistake and this family will never let me live it down. Can we please change the subject?” Vernon glared at Nick. “How is your love life?”
“Non-existent for the moment, but I’m working a promising prospect.” Nick grinned at Vernon.
“Someone we know?” Nicole asked curiously.
“I just met her last Saturday, so I doubt it.”
“The woman in the green dress?” Nicole asked incredulously.
“What woman?” Gwendolyn asked.
“The goddess?” Vernon sat up. “Coal black hair off to the side?”
Nick pointed his fork at his brother. “That’s the one.”
“How in the hell did you pull that?” Vernon asked proudly. “I was certain she would end up with one of the ball players.”
“You’re not serious Nick.” Nicole stopped eating.
“Why not?”
“Nick, she’s a … skeezer or something Kiki called her.”
“She’s not a skeezer,” Nick replied. “She’s a con artist.”
“A con artist?” Avery looked up. “What does she want?”
“I don’t know. I’m trying to find out.”
“Sweetheart, do you think that’s the kind of girl you want around?” Gwendolyn asked in a concerned mother’s voice.
“She’s exactly the kind of girl I want around,” Nick replied. “She’s intelligent, funny and beautiful, just like you.” He smiled at his mother who smiled back.
“While you are right about your mother, I have to question your judgment on having a woman around you known to be a con artist. How would your clients react if they knew this?”
Nicole saw where this was leading and felt bad. She shouldn’t have blurted her thoughts out loud. Nick glanced her way and she mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and flinched.
“I’m not marrying her or anything like that, Pop. She’s an intriguing woman who I would like to get to know better. Nothing more…nothing less.”
“Well I would like a little more of the guy I saw at your event,” Taylor stated trying to bring the conversation around to her.
“I’m sure Nick would know him,” Nicole added to help squash the mess she started. “Describe him Taylor.”
“Tall, chocolate and fine.”
“That should narrow it down,” Ashley laughed.
“Well he did have a tattoo on his back, Uncle Nick.” Taylor looked at him expectantly.
“How would you know he had a tattoo Taylor?” Constance asked in that mother’s tone every child recognized. “On his back of all places.”
“They played a pickup game in the gym,” Taylor explained quickly. “I was watching from the balcony.”
“What was it?” Nick asked conscious of what they were doing.
Grateful for the question Taylor replied eagerly, “A dragon. It was a full-length dragon tattooed on his back. The tail went all the way down his back.”
“Jason Whitfield,” Nick and James replied in unison.
“He’s the rookie for the Washington Reptiles basketball team,” Nick added.
“Oh…hell no.” Vernon threw his napkin on the table.
Everyone at the table burst out laughing at his outrage.
Hours later Nick and Nicole were on their way to the private airport in Manassas that the family used for travel. The twenty-minute ride was their time together to catch up on what was happening in their lives. Since neither of them was seeing anyone seriously, their conversations were always lively. They usually finish each other sentences.
“Hey I’m sorry about that thing at dinner. I didn’t mean to start a firestorm back there. I was a little surprised by your comment.”
“Which one?”
“About the skeezer.”
“She’s not a skeezer. She’s a con artist.”
“And she actually told you this?”
“No, Nikki, she didn’t have to. It’s my job to protect my clients from women like her.”
“And who’s protecting you?”
“That’s what sisters are for.” He glanced over at her and smiled.
“You got that right” — she huffed— “I made sure she understood the walls of hell will collapse around her so she better tread lightly.”
“Damn Nikki, when did you do that?”
“Saturday night at the valet station. She told me to find my own gold mine. I told her mines explode and collapse.”
“Nikki, look.” He checked the side mirror before turning. “I like her. Can you give me a little space on this one?”
“You like her, like her, or is this a Nick lay-around until they get too close?”
He shrugged. “Like her…like her.”
“Ah Nick.” Nicole huffed. “You already know what she’s about.”
“I know.” He shrugged. “But you like who you like.”
“You are not going to find a Gwendolyn Brooks on the ‘pay me for my services’ rack. You know that…right?”
“I know.” He pulled into the entrance of the airport. The plane was waiting on the tarmac. He parked the car. “There’s something about her. I can’t shake.”
“Really?” She looked her brother straight in the eyes, then huffed. “All right, you have your space. But trust your gut you’ll know if it’s right.”
Nick kissed her cheek. “Thanks sis. What about you? Anyone special?”
“If you’re referring to something on two legs, no. But hey, who knows, a man of questionable morals could be waiting right around the corner for me. You never know.” She waved as she walked up the steps of the plane. “We’ll talk later.”
Nick leaned against the car until the plane hit the runway and took off. He had a two-hour drive ahead of him to help him determine what his next move would be with Ericka. Before taking any steps, he wanted to have a conversation with the only other person this could impact. He pushed a button on the console. The sound of a phone ringing vibrated through the car.
"Pendleton."
"You clear?"
"Give me a minute." Nick heard Kiki in the background, then a door closed. "Clear."
"Any new information?"
“No record. Mother died in a fire a few years ago. One brother who went to high school with you. “
“What’s his name?”
“Bobby S. Kennedy. “
Nick thought for a moment. “Not ringing a bell. Send me a picture.”
“Will do. One interesting tidbit, her cousin is Cannonball McNally.”
“The football player?”
“He now owns a private investigation service. From what I understand he’s taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.”
“Hmm. Where is he?”
“Atlanta. According to our records, Ms. Kennedy was there before renting the condo she has here.”
“Is it possible they are working together on a scam?” Nick questioned.
“Not McNally’s makeup,” Ty replied. “From what I remember Cannonball was pretty reputable. But we leave no stone unturned. We’ll check out why he’s in Atlanta. It might lead to something.”
“He’s not based there?”
“No. He’s based out of DC. His firm handles private protection for the movers and shakers of politics.”
“That’s a lucrative account. Why leave that to go to Atlanta?”
“That’s what we are going to find out. What’s your next step?”
“I’m going to have dinner with the lovely Ericka.”
“Watch your back. We are in control for now. Women like Ms. Kennedy have a way of turning things in their favor.”
Chapter 5
T
his was not what she had in mind for a date. Ericka looked around the gymnasium filled with young boys and their parents listening to Nicolas speak. But she had to concede; he had the boys’ undivided attention, along with a few mothers. She wasn’t concerned with that aspect for she knew she could sweep the floor with any of them. Her plan tonight was seduction 101 with Nicolas Brooks. He may have been able to resist her last week, but not tonight. At least that’s what she thought when she left her condo, dressed in a pink, silk, low cut top and flirty flair skirt that moved with every step she took. The outfit was sure to take his breath away…not.
“I have something special I want to share with you today.” He said when she stepped out of her car, his smile beaming as bright as the sun above. Here she sat, in a high school gym.
“I was born Nicolas Gunter Brooks.” The crowd of fifty Marshall High School athletes chuckled. “Ha-ha laugh as you may, but it was my great-great-grandfather’s name. It came with a load of responsibility and expectations. For it was the first Nicolas Gunter Brooks who had the vision of seeing his four boys go away to college at a time when getting an education for African-Americans was against the law.” He paused and looked around the room, then began to pace as he captured the young boys’ attention. “Imagine that for a minute. Each of you in this room would have been beaten, arrested or hung for being in this school.” The boys looked around curiously. “People died to give you the opportunity to get an education. It is incumbent upon you to take every advantage and to honor those who gave their lives so that you can have a promising future. Athletics is your road. I’ve seen numerous young men, just like some of you, take the opportunity for granted. I suggest you use your God-given talent to make a difference in your lives and the lives of your families.” He stopped and exhaled. “The biggest mistake I see in the sports industry is not having a backup plan. Some depend solely on their athletic ability to earn a living. If your knees, your hands, your legs go out, what will you have to make a living from? The average career in the NFL is three to six years…the NBA is four years…MLB is six years. How do you feed your family, or yourself afterwards?”
“I can live off one hundred-twenty million dollars for a long time,” one young man joked as he gave high-fives around.
Nick smiled. “The average salary in the MLB is around three and a half million a year…NFL is maybe two million and the NBA is around five million. After you buy your mom the big house, yourself a bigger house, a few cars to show off and let’s not forget the baby’s mothers, your few millions are gone. Did I fail to mention the ten to twenty percent you are going to pay your agent off the top?” There was a moan from the audience. “That one hundred-twenty million you mentioned goes to the elites and even some of them end up broke once they stop playing ball. However, the smart ones invest in their future to ensure the income they have become accustomed to remains intact. Some have great investors, endorsements and or a second career planned. What all of them have is intelligence. They took the time at a young age to learn about the industry. They took accounting so they can follow what their investors present. They study contractual law while in college so when the time came they would understand the basic language in a contract. Bottom line…they know more than just the game. If you want to just say you played ball for a year or two, okay, don’t follow their lead.” He stopped and looked around the room meeting the eyes of each young man. “If you want to be an elite, put in the dedication, not only to the skill on the field or court, but to the knowledge in your mind. For it’s that knowledge that will keep you in the game long after you stop playing.”
