Authors: Missy Fleming
R
ewinding hose, Duncan returned it to the rig now that the scene had been declared safe. VDB Enterprises. Karma possessed a sick sense of humor, like it was goading him to see Olivia again. Across the street, Frank and Carl were clearing the last of the people from the bank. He considered it a damn miracle no one had died. Most walked away with a few minor cuts and sprains, a couple with broken bones and one woman sustained a serious head injury from being trapped in her car.
Construction workers gawked at what remained of the crane in disbelief, mouths agape, no longer running around in panic, and luckily the press had been kept at a distance. The slewing unit lay twisted in the street, a toy looking as if it’d been trampled by a giant. Nearby, the shattered operator’s cab rested on its side, empty when it plunged to the ground.
The long horizontal jib was the biggest miracle of all.
It was the part of the crane that did the work, moving and lifting materials, Duncan saw them all over the New York skyline. The arm of this machine was at least a hundred feet long, stretching nearly an entire city block. As it fell, it could have sheared into neighboring buildings, guaranteeing casualties, but it didn’t. It appeared to have fallen straight down to the street, one end grazing the bank’s ground level lobby and smashing cars.
Jesus, what a mess. He wondered how it affected Olivia, whether she was working in the company yet like her grandmother expected her to. If only he hadn’t mutilated her phone number. Not like he could call now. Eight damn days was too long, especially since he’d acted like a first class jerk. Talk about a bonehead move.
Glancing up, it was as if he’d thought about her often enough to conjure a mirage. He blinked. It
was
her. A few dozen yards away Olivia gazed at the building wearing a mask of horror. The sound and commotion disappeared, leaving only her. She looked beautiful, just as he remembered, and his gut clenched. He did want to see her again, no use denying it. Screw the differences in their lives. Right as he was about to stride over, she shut her eyes and said something to a man beside her. The dude leaned in, replying, and Duncan bristled at the level of familiarity between them. Irritation flared, too. What right did he have to be jealous?
Then, she ducked into a fancy car and it drove off.
His heart trailed along behind her and, instinctively, he knew she must have not been able to handle the similarities between this and the Trade Center. He didn’t notice anymore, having learned long ago not to let those coincidences rule him. If he panicked around skyscrapers, he’d be well and truly screwed.
He watched the man who seemed so at ease with Olivia jog in his direction, heading for the blue and white barricades NYPD had put up. They were supposed to keep everyone out, including slick hotshots with handsome faces and no debilitating pill addictions. Hell, the guy looked like a damn GQ ad with his cropped blonde hair, chiseled jaw and piercing eyes.
Duncan stepped into his path, blocking his attempt to move the wooden barricade, and placed a gloved hand on his chest. “No one is allowed any closer.”
“I’m Simon Greene, CEO of Van den Berg Enterprises. We own this building.”
“Right, and Donald Trump is my gardener.” He looked the guy up and down, resisting the urge to snarl. Well, he snarled a little. “It’s not safe. We don’t know if any more pieces of the crane are loose up top and a danger to those on the ground.”
“You don’t understand. Those are my people.” Simon planted his hands on his hips and leaned closer. “I already wasted thirty-five goddamn minutes in traffic trying to get here. I need to make sure no one is hurt.”
“Leave it to the professionals. FDNY was called here to assess and control the situation. Until we’re finished, this perimeter remains intact and people are to be kept clear of the area.” He didn’t see the point of telling him it
had
been ruled safe. In his mind, that still meant no outsiders.
“You’re playing with your hose. Apparently things are secure enough.”
“I have orders, asshole.”
“Dammit, I don’t have time for a fireman with an ego problem,” the man muttered as he offered a business card and Duncan stared at it with disinterest. He might have been willing to eventually let Mr. CEO in, based on whose name was on the building, but now he wanted him to suffer.
“That’s not an automatic free pass. If you get hurt, it’s on me.”
“I have every right to be here.”
“What qualifies you? The fancy threads? The shiny shoes? Unless you are a member of the FDNY or the NYPD, you’re staying put. Trust me,” he grinned, “it will keep your shoes from getting scuffed.”
Greene’s face flushed. “Look, dickweed, I’m responsible for the company’s holdings and projects, including this one, and for anyone who may have gotten hurt. You’re trying to do your job. So am I.”
“And the last thing we need is one more body running around where it doesn’t belong,” Duncan growled. “You can go in when it’s clear.”
Grant Hudson, the lead foreman on the construction project, rushed over. Duncan had met him when they arrived and he seemed to be an okay guy. His flannel work shirt and face were caked in dirt, but the bleak expression in his eyes said the most—he felt responsible. He and some man named Tom Fillini from VDB had been really helpful, very cooperative, having arrived before the barricades went up. Too bad their manners didn’t transfer to their boss.
“It’s alright, let him in, he’s in charge,” Grant told Duncan.
Scowling, Duncan moved aside. As they passed, he snuck in a departing, yet juvenile, jab. “Have a nice day, hotshot.”
They paused a few paces away and, busying himself with his pack, Duncan eavesdropped. Normally, he wasn’t so nosy, but Olivia’s involvement piqued his curiosity.
“Mr. Greene, I have no idea how this happened. We’re looking into what caused the crane to break loose and fall.” He paced, waving his hands in the air. “I’ve got some pricks from OSHA here demanding answers. The crane was up to spec. We had no indication anything was wrong. Hell, it’s brand new.”
“Don’t worry about that right now, Grant. We’ll figure it out. Most important thing is whether or not we’ve confirmed if anyone was hurt.”
“Quite a few minor injuries and one woman was rushed to the hospital with pretty serious head trauma. I’m waiting on word about her. FDNY’s been here searching the scene, but they think we’re in the clear, at least casualty-wise. Most the cars it hit were parked and empty” The foreman cursed under his breath. “Here comes Irwin Corrigan, he’s the adjuster from the insurance company. Got here about five minutes before you. Says the policy is lapsed or something equally ridiculous.”
They moved beyond hearing range and Duncan returned to his job, slipping tools and Polanskis where they belonged. He was replacing the oxygen tanks when Frank strolled up next to him, an unlit cigar clamped between his teeth.
“Pretty strange coincidence,” he said.
“I know.” Duncan leaned against the bright red engine. “I have this nagging suspicion fate is trying to kick my ass.”
“Why?”
He fussed with the buckles on the front of his bunker jacket, trying to find a way to word his response. Frank beat him to the punch.
“Jesus. You haven’t called her, have you?”
“Didn’t know there was a time limit,” he grumbled.
“Of course there is.” Chuckling, Frank asked, “How long has it been? A week?”
“Eight days.”
“You’re in trouble.”
“What’d he do now?” Alex inquired, dropping his gear to the ground. “It’s weird this mess belongs to VDB.”
Frank pulled the cigar from his mouth. “Dumbass here hasn’t called Olivia. It’s been over a week.”
“Ouch,” Alex said. “I thought you were smoother than that, Dunc.”
“Laugh it up, jerks. And pick up your damn gear, Alex.”
“Do they know what happened?” the kid asked, changing the subject as he stored his tanks and mask in the truck.
“Heard they’re thinking sabotage. The lead foreman has his crew searching for the bolts, hoping they’re faulty.”
“Frank, you’re such a gossip,” Alex teased.
“He’s right. I overheard the foreman saying there wasn’t any insurance on it.” Duncan pushed off the truck, studying the crumpled crane and the insurance adjusters snapping pictures. “Someone was looking to make a statement. Maybe they thought it’d crash into its own building instead of nearly taking out a whole block.”
“I could talk to my cousin, see if he can do some snooping for us.”
“He’s a forensics detective, right?” Alex asked Frank.
“Yep. Bet we can have him look into why Duncan is walking around with a folded up number in his pocket if he doesn’t intend to use it.”
“How do you know I have her number?”
“I got eyes, idiot. You’d think you have the winning lotto numbers on it or something.”
“Joke’s on you, then. The paper is ripped so it’s pretty much worthless.”
Frank stared at Duncan with his mouth hanging open as Alex tried to hide his snort behind his fist.
“But you still carry it and gaze longingly at it?” Frank asked once he recovered.
“Shut up.”
“I, I really have no words right now, Dunc.”
Alex cut in. “I can get it from Nat. Just say the word.”
“Kind of pointless,” Frank said. “Say you do and give it to him. He’ll just walk around another two weeks with it in his pocket.”
“Asshole,” Duncan muttered.
“I love you, too.”
“I’ll get it, and then you should call her.” Alex slapped him on the back.
“You don’t think it’s weird?” he found himself asking, unable to stop the needy words. “After all this time, to call her up and ask her to dinner? After I was such a prick?”
Frank shot him an amused look. “You’re the one who mentioned fate earlier. There has to be a reason she keeps crossing your path.”
“You sound like a hippie.” Yet it did make a twisted sort of sense. He’d only admit it in the privacy of his own mind, but he was terrified. He didn’t think he had it in him to be the right kind of guy for her. She deserved a man who had his life together. Like the hotshot, for instance.
“Then let me add one more hippie-type thing.” Alex paused dramatically. “Take a chance. She isn’t who her last name implies, anyone can see that. You will never know until you try.”
“Didn’t Yoda say something like that?”
“Close.” Alex glanced at Frank and distorted his voice. “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
“Ah, that’s right. Wise words.”
“She was here,” Duncan blurted.
“What do you mean? Here, at the scene? Did you talk to her?” Frank demanded in rapid fire.
“Didn’t have a chance. Saw the look on her face. It freaked her out. She left.” He leaned his head back and stared at the sky.
“Perfect, it gives you even more of an excuse to get her number and call,” Frank suggested. “Make sure she’s okay.”
“If you girls are done, load up,” the captain hollered at them. “VDB is bringing in a truck to haul the crane away to a secure location once the investigation is over. Stop yappin’ and stow your gear.”
The crew scrambled to finish loading the truck and once they were settled in the cab, Duncan’s thoughts returned to Olivia. He wanted to see her, to talk to her, watch the way her brown eyes shifted to a more golden color when she laughed.
Plus, if he didn’t at least try, the guys would never let him live it down.
P
ouring noodles into the colander, Olivia couldn’t contain her smile. It amazed her how calm she felt after the shock of today. The building, and her panic, had taken its toll on her, but the evening was looking up. Slicing French bread to go with their pasta dinner, Natalie mocked the country station they happened to be listening to.
“Pass me my lasso,” she teased.
“You’d be surprised how popular this is in California,” Olivia defended.
“It is everywhere these days. Doesn’t mean it’s right.”
“Not all of us were raised by a world class jazz musician. How is your dad, by the way?”
“Still going strong. He plays that blues club in Harlem every Friday, just as he has for over twenty years. I think he’ll be there until the day he dies.”
“I need to get over there and see him. God, it’s so nice to be able to invite you over for dinner and it not involve a five hour flight,” Olivia said, studying her friend. Nat’s normally wild afro was tied up in a bright paisley scarf, giving her a more bohemian look. “I wish I had your style.”
“Who are you kidding? I love this whole California thing you have going.”
“Frayed cutoffs and t-shirt are not a statement, other than I just worked out and it was too hot for anything else.”
“At least you don’t wear those god-awful suits anymore.”
“I agree with you there. I tried one on the other day when I was shopping. Way too confining and tight.”
“I can’t imagine.” Nat shuddered. “It’s more than the clothes I’m referring to. You’re really Zen and it looks good on you.”
“Some days it takes more work than others, but thank you.”
They finished preparing the meal in silence then moved to sit at the sleek table. Despite the level of comfort she felt with Natalie, Olivia found herself glancing around self-consciously. The apartment was so bare, it contained no personal touches or pictures. In a way, she was still a stranger here.
“So, tell me about the crane.”
“Off the record?” Olivia teased, earning a mock glare. “I don’t know much yet. No one was seriously injured, except a woman who was hit in the head by falling debris. She’s out of danger now, though. We’re lucky there were no deaths.”
“How’s Simon handling it?”
Olivia shrugged. “Guess we’ll see. Not sure he’s dealt with a disaster of this level before.”
“Are the wolves circling? A line of people frothing at the mouth to drag him over the coals?”
“No, a lot of employees I talked to today support him. It’s nice, but some, like Thomas, have made up their minds and refuse to see his dedication. I’ve been tempted to call him, but I’m sure he’s got his hands full.” She frowned, playing with the food on her plate. “I went down there with him.”
“You don’t sound too happy about it.”
“Because I freaked.” Nat watched her with a sympathetic expression. “A demolished building is bad enough, add in rescue workers crawling all over and shocked bystanders. Bad news, to say the least. A moment of weakness Simon got to witness firsthand.”
“Don’t worry about him. Like you said, he has more important things on his mind.” She nibbled her bread. “I heard the crane was uninsured.”
“Is that already public knowledge?”
“Don’t think so. Just a rumor at the magazine. I mean, I’m hoping it’s a rumor.”
“We don’t know yet. That’s what Simon told me, but I didn’t stick around long enough to verify. I’m clinging to the hope it’s an error.”
Natalie wiped her mouth and leaned back in her chair. “Tell me more about the intriguing Simon Greene.”
“What makes you think he’s intriguing?”
“Because he seems to sneak into a lot of our conversations and, last I checked, he was a total dick to you. Piques my interest.”
“It’s not as scandalous as you’re making it sound,” she said, hating how her voice wavered. “He’s different than I originally thought. Other than the rude things he said to me the first day, he’s been really supportive of my ideas.”
“Not exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he’s supporting you and not being an ass, but give me the goods. Is he as hot as he looks in the papers?”
An image of Simon floated before her and her heart stuttered in her chest. Her lips curled into a smile. “Unfortunately, he’s probably hotter in person.”
“I knew it!” Her friend clapped her hands once. “Any good vibes?”
“What? No.” Heat flared in Olivia’s cheeks. “We work together. Bad idea.”
“Mmmhmm.”
Olivia ignored her friend’s smirk and cleared away the dishes, closing the subject. Today proved she still carried a ton of baggage. Simon, for lack of a better word, had light inside him. She possessed too much dark.
After cleaning up, they sat on the terrace sipping ice cold lemonade from champagne glasses. The summer air held a touch of humidity, reminding her of trips to the beach with her parents and competing with her dad to see who built the best sandcastle. She sighed, letting the happy memory wash over her.
“I should find my own place,” she said idly, giving voice to a notion that’d been picking up steam the last couple days.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Natalie asked, unsuccessful in masking her excitement.
“This place is fine, but it holds too many memories. If I want to truly start over, I should do it from scratch.”
“What about California?”
“It became home to me.” She sighed. “Despite the hard times, I’ll always consider it a sanctuary. I miss the scent of the ocean on the breeze, watching the palm trees sway, and the amazing selection of fresh fruit. But it’s time to move on.”
“This is going to sound bad, but even if you rent, you’re not going to find anything as amazing as this. New York real estate has only gotten worse since you’ve been gone. And you forget, I had conservatorship over your trust fund for four years, I know you can’t afford much.”
“According to Catherine, I’m filthy rich.” The knowledge still unnerved her, like a shirt three sizes too small.
“Spill!”
“I forgot to tell you earlier.” Olivia gathered her hair in a loose knot. “Catherine kept watch over my inheritance from Mom and Dad’s will, claiming me mentally incompetent to avoid it being used for mountains of heroin, much like you and I did with my trust fund. She signed the papers last night, giving me complete control of the funds. It’s more than I would have imagined in my wildest dreams. Too much.”
“You weren’t expecting it?”
“To be honest, I never gave it a second thought, more important things on my mind. A lawyer tracked me down two months after arriving in California. I sent him packing without giving him a chance to speak. Didn’t want anything to do with it, wounds still too raw and all that. Figured Catherine gave it to a charity in their name or something. Not save it on the off chance I came home one day.” She shot a smirk at Natalie. “I also have a house in the Hamptons and a condo in Aspen.”
“The same Hamptons behemoth we went to the summer after our freshman year?” Olivia nodded. “I don’t see how this is a hardship. Oh, let’s go! Next month or maybe August or both.”
“Sounds good. It’s a beautiful house and I do miss the ocean. We’ll plan a trip towards the end of July or beginning of August. That should give me a chance to get Dad’s project off the ground.”
They fell into a comfortable silence until Natalie spoke again.
“I remember sitting here arguing politics with your dad.”
A laugh burst from Olivia’s lips. “Me too! That was what, the first time I brought you home? You gained his respect that night.”
“They were wonderful people,” Natalie said with a trace of sadness. “You are lucky to have had them.”
“I know. In prep school I used to listen to other kids complaining about their parents and the epic battles they had over practically everything. It baffled me. I guess I got my rebellion in after mine were gone, thank God.”
“They would have loved you either way.” Her hand reached out and rubbed Olivia’s.
“And I tell myself that, but I can’t help feeling like I betrayed them. It’s part of the guilt that won’t go away.” She had never given herself a true opportunity to grieve. Even before the drugs, she stayed occupied with hiking and exploring the local beaches. “My sorrow wasn’t a smart thing to keep locked up.”
“Have you been there yet?”
She knew exactly where Nat meant and sighed. “I haven’t. I will. It’s where my parents are buried, not in a cemetery. They are part of that place. Basically, it comes down to when I’m ready.”
“I went once. Wrote a story documenting the start of construction on the Freedom Tower. It’s eerie. Even with all the work being done and the constant activity, there’s this emptiness in the air. A hush hangs over the entire area. You won’t recognize it.”
Especially considering how it looked when I last saw it, Olivia added silently. “It’ll be weird to have a new tower there. I saw pictures of what it’ll be like, but I can’t judge how I’ll feel until I’m staring up at the thing.”
“They plan to finish as much as they can by the tenth anniversary next year, along with the memorial and the museum.” She paused. “I can’t believe it’s been so long.”
“Feels like yesterday, but I can’t be sure if it’s because of the raging blackouts or what. I hate thinking about the years I’ve lost, literally vanished forever.”
Natalie fixed her with a hard stare. “You’re stronger now, Liv. Don’t forget I witnessed you at your lowest and know how far you’ve come. I remember the dump you were living in on Ventura. You didn’t even recognize me at first.” She shuddered. “The image of you laying there like a wasted corpse is burned into my brain. There was no life in your expression and the mattress was filthy. You’re you again. Besides, thirty-years-old isn’t bad. You’ve got a full life ahead of you.”
“It’s strange because, in a sense, the time in California was a different existence, and yet, I’ll forever be a breath away from using, from falling into that abyss. I thought if I came home, to New York, it would destroy me, but I feel stronger here. I can imagine a future and it feels amazing.”
“Well, it looks good on you, too. I love seeing you healthy and happy.” Nat drained the rest of her lemonade and turned in her chair, tucking a long leg under her. “Speaking of looking good, have you heard from Duncan?”
“Not a peep.” Olivia scowled. “And I’ll be a total girl about it and say it bums me out, big time. I’ve been checking my phone more than I should, demanding it to ring. I thought we really connected, despite his little tirade. I don’t get it.”
“I tried to pump Alex for information about whether Duncan’s said anything around the station, but he deflects, can’t give me a straight answer. It annoys me. Like Alex is part of some frat and they have a code to keep their mouth shut, a new version of Fight Club with the rule to not talk about what happens in the firehouse. He has told me Duncan is one of those hard guys to read, all stoic and tough.”
It made sense. In the short amount of time Olivia spent with him, he’d told her a lot, but managed to keep the deepest stuff to himself. It was a common trait of addicts. They weren’t able to deal with the emotion and guilt fighting inside them. She got it, she fell into that category herself.
“Maybe he’s dating someone?”
“Not that I know of,” Natalie said.
“Lost my number?”
“No. Maybe he really is hung up on the whole ‘we come from different worlds’ thing and thinks you’re out of his league. What else could it be?”
“Me?”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “Do not go there.”
“Well, look at my past. Who can deal with that? Only a saint and Duncan is far from being a saint.”
“You’re talking nonsense, giving in to those demons still living inside you. If you want to know why he hasn’t called, ask.”
“I’m not sure I do want to know.”
“Bull. Come on, there was something there the other night. I saw it. Be bold.”
Nat had a point. “What do you think of me popping in on him? Too presumptuous?”
“It’s a great idea. Wear something sexy and make him wish he had picked up the dang phone.”
“Is it okay to just show up there, at his work?”
“Yeah, I do it every now and then. If they’re not on a job, they’re doing chores or hanging out. It’ll be fine.”
Olivia settled deeper in her chair, liking the idea more and more. She’d do it. First thing tomorrow she was taking matters into her own hands. She waited nine years to meet him and wasn’t going to let a little issue like her family or address get in the way. If he really was a first class jerk, then she could forget it and move on.
“Does he work on Saturday?”
“Alex does, and they’re on the same rotation, so yes.”
“I’ll do it. Come on, let’s go inside. I made black forest cupcakes with cherry filling.”
Nat groaned. “While I love this new side of you, you’re going to derail my diet.”
They padded into the kitchen. “Did I mention they are organic and vegan? I think your diet’s somewhat safe.”
Biting into the treat, Natalie moaned ecstatically. “When you visit Duncan, take him something sweet. Trust me, he’ll forget all about whatever silly reason he hasn’t called. You know what they say, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”