A wry smile tipped the corner of his mouth. Maybe thats because she depends on someone else to do her dirty work.
That may be, Mike conceded, but I spent five solid days of surveillance and gathering information on her, trying to find something to lend credence to your claim that this woman is ruthless, and Im telling you, theres nothing remotely unscrupulous about her that I could discover.
Consider her a good actress, because I have Gameteks press release that states otherwise. She stole my technology through Fred Hobson, and I want to even the score. He tapped his pen on his blotter impatiently and rerouted them back to the business at hand before his friend could argue further. Tell me what you did find on her.
Mike stared at him for a long moment, then opened his briefcase, pulled out a file folder and withdrew a sheaf of papers stapled neatly together. Its all in my report, but Ill give you a brief rundown.
He tossed the typed summary in front of Jackson to read while he went on to recite the facts by memory. Alexis Baylors parents died when she was ten, and her uncle, being the only family she had, raised her. Martin Baylor never married and devoted his time to his company, Gametek, which never took off while he was alive. From all accounts, Alexis was a quiet, shy girl and followed in her uncles line of work. She attended San Diego State University, majored in Computer Science, and graduated at the top of her class. She went straight to work for her uncle designing basic computer games. When he died three years ago, she inherited the company.
Jackson dragged a hand over his clean shaven jaw. How convenient, he drawled.
Mike shrugged off his comment. Alexis was Martins only family, too, so there really was no one else to take over the business. She didnt inherit much in the way of wealth, considering the company was near bankruptcy. From what I learned from other sources shes been working on Zantoid for the past four years, but hadnt been able to market the software because it was lacking a specific proprietary code to make the game run smoother, faster, and make the graphics more vibrant and real.
My proprietary code, Jackson interjected through gritted teeth.
Yes, Mike admitted with a pained half-smile. Theres no denying that the code is yours, or that shes reaping the benefits of your technology. Shes received hundreds of thousands of orders for the software since announcing its release.
Jacksons gut twisted with aggravation. Exhaling a taut breath, he waved a hand in the air between them, as if the gesture alone could dismiss that disturbing news just as easily. Go on with your report, he said, desperately needing to grasp onto something concrete about the woman he could use to his advantage. What do you know about Alexiss personal life?
Reclining in his chair in a deceptively lazy stretch, Mike folded his hands over his stomach and rested one sneakered foot over the opposite knee. She actually goes by the name of Alex. She just turned twenty-eight and has never been married. She dates occasionally, but hasnt had a steady boyfriend in the past five years. Though Dennis Merrick, the man she promoted to vice president of the company after her uncles death, seems very fond of her.
The woman hadnt had a steady boyfriend in the past five years? Jackson frowned, wondering why, and latched onto the most plausible explanation. Is there something going on between her and her VP?
Mike shook his head. No. From what I could find out, hes been with the company for over ten years and was her uncles right-hand man so it was a logical promotion to VP. She seems to depend on him for support and decision making and while he appears to be a good friend she spends occasional time with outside of the office, the interest is very one-sided.
Nothing to exploit there, Jackson thought in growing dissatisfaction.
Shes very plain and unassuming, Mike continued with his findings. She spends her days at the office, goes out to a nearby deli for lunch, usually alone and with a book. She reads romantic suspense, in case youre wondering, he added with a grin. She orders the same thing every day, a chicken salad sandwich, a side compote of fresh fruit and an iced tea with two lemons. She works at the office until nine or ten at night, and when she leaves for the evening she heads straight home to her two-bedroom condo in San Diego. Always alone.
Jackson winced at the womans dull and boring social life. Mikes profile of Alexis didnt even come close to matching the vixen-like vision hed conjured in his mind. Are we talking about the same woman here?
Mike laughed, but his humor quickly faded away. I dont know what to tell you, Jackson. If the woman has an unscrupulous side, immoral habits or condemning fetishes, she hides them well. Her two biggest indulgences in the week that I had her under surveillance were a box of Amaretto truffles, and a few silky, lacy underthings she bought for herself at a lingerie boutique. Other than that, the woman is as straight as an arrow.
Jackson snorted at that, remembering how hed totally and completely misjudged his fiancée, too. How easily shed deceived him with outward appearances and practiced affection. On the surface shed presented the facade of a devoted and loving woman who catered to his every need and made him believe they were matched physically as well as intellectually. The kind of lifetime mate he could trust and build a life with. And then hed discovered the deeper, scheming motivations shed had for wanting to marry him. It had been a very nasty, public breakup four years ago, one that had made him keep women at arms length ever since.
Looking back on the relationship, Jackson now realized hed played right into Lindsays ploy. Hed wanted to believe shed share in the kind of emotional intimacy and trust that had always been missing from his life, things hed secretly desired for years but had come to accept hed never have. His own mother had never provided emotional nurturing and unconditional love, then had completely abandoned him when hed been a teenager. Shed traipsed back into his life years later when hed become a successful businessman, pretending love and adoration and begging forgiveness. The little boy in him wanted so badly to believe that shed changed that hed allowed her back into his life, until it became painfully apparent that she, too, was only interested in his money. He was merely another person in a long line of fools shed used for her own purposes.
He wasnt one to hold onto grudges, yet every time he tried to let go of the past and let down his guard enough to trust someone and build a relationship, he was blindsided by ulterior motives and betrayal. It was safer, easier and less painful not to allow another woman that close.
Jackson rubbed his thumb along his chin, trying to ignore the churning in his belly those memories evoked. What does Alexis look like? he asked, tossing aside the thoughts of those two self-centered women for the current one wreaking havoc with his life.
I was wondering when you were going to ask that question. A slow grin eased up the corners of Mikes mouth. Shes certainly nothing spectacular or anything like the sophisticated beauties youre used to dealing with. Definitely not the kind of woman whod turn your head twice if you passed her on the street. Her features are pretty, but plain, and while she wears loose, unfitted clothing its fairly obvious that she has real womanly curves beneath all that camouflage.
Leaning forward, Mike rifled through the contents of his briefcase and pulled out a manila envelope. From that, he withdrew an 8x10 glossy photograph and held the snapshot across the desk for Jackson to take. I used my zoom lens to get a close-up of her for you. There are other shots in the envelope you can look through later.
Jackson examined the candid picture through critical eyes. The photograph had been taken as she was leaving her office building midday, accompanied by a thirty-something, brown-haired man with wire-rimmed glasses. First, Jackson focused on Alexis. As Mike had divulged, her looks and appearance were plain and unassuming and nothing remotely close to what Jackson had imagined. Minimal makeup enhanced her features and her glossy black hair was pulled back into one of those French braids. She wore an untucked, loose navy blue blouse that hinted at generous breasts but didnt fully display them, and a flowing patterned skirt that swirled around her legs and ankles.
Despite the unflattering clothing, he couldnt stop himself from envisioning the satiny, lacy under-things she might be wearing beneath the practical, unflattering outfit. He imagined warm, soft skin against cool silk, and a flush of unexpected heat infused him. Annoyed with his response, he immediately shook those unbidden thoughts right out of his head.
Sophisticated and extraordinarily beautiful, she wasnt. But he didnt doubt Alexiss intelligence. She was laughing at something the other man must have said, and her eyes, a pale but sparkling shade of blue, seemed to say Im at the top of the world.
Of course she was sitting prettyshe was in the position to make millions from all his hard work.
Who is the guy with her? Jackson asked curiously.
Thats Dennis Merrick.
Jackson looked once more. No, they didnt seem like lovers in the picture. Alexis appeared more amused by the man than enamored. But there was no denying the wistfulness in the other mans expression as he gazed at her.
Setting the photo aside, Jackson indicated the report and pinned his friend with an unrelenting stare. You do realize, dont you, that youve given me nothing substantial to work with here.
What can I say, other than sometimes that happens. Mikes tone held a silent apology as he stood and closed his briefcase. I can only give you information thats available. I dug as deep as I could on Alexis Baylor, and while I have no doubt she stole your design, I couldnt find anything personally incriminating on her.
And that put Jackson back on square one and without a way of exacting personal retribution from Alexis as hed hoped. I know you did your best, he acknowledged, still confident in Mikes abilities, but disappointed nonetheless. Thanks for your time and work on this case. Ill catch you later for that cold beer.
Im holding you to it. Lifting his briefcase from the desk, Mike turned to go, then swung back around, his head tipped to the side. I forgot to mention something. Its in my report, but just so you know, Alexis is leaving this Saturday for a weeklong vacation.
That snagged Jacksons attention and he shuffled past the photo of Alexis and her VP to the summary Mike had given him. To where? he asked as he thumbed anxiously through the pages for the information he was sure Mike would supply.
A place called Seductive Fantasy.
Jackson glanced up sharply, certain his expression reflected his incredulity. What the hell is Seductive Fantasy?
Believe it or not, its one of four island resorts off the Florida Keys that caters to peoples fantasiesfor a price, of course.
Jacksons jaw opened, snapped shut, then he shook his head in disbelief. Youre joking, right? Mike had to be. Hed never heard of anything so ridiculous. So intriguing.
I checked it out. Fantasies, Inc. is legit, and so is Alexis Baylors reservation.
Which put a whole different spin on Jacksons quest for personal revenge. Whats Alexiss fantasy?
All fantasies are confidential.
There has to be some way to find out
Mike held up a hand, stopping his tirade. I called the resort directly. Trust me, Merrilee Schaefer-Weston, the woman who owns the place, is a stickler about confidentiality. And I cant blame her, considering that shes dealing with peoples deepest, most private secrets and desires. But it is a fascinating concept, dont you think?
Very fascinating, Jackson murmured, feeling a rush of excitement as he realized how Alexiss fantasy vacation could work to his advantage as well. Anonymity. Close proximity. His fantasy. Could getting to Alexis truly be as easy as filling out paperwork, paying a fee and stepping into a role that would enable him to walk away the victor this time?
He managed, just barely, to tamp his exhilaration. Is she going to this island with anyone?
Mike shifted on his feet and reluctantly divulged more. Its a single seat reservation, so Im assuming shes going alone.
Perfect.
Understanding dawned across Mikes face. I take it you have a fantasy of your own to request from Ms. Weston?
Jackson gave him a smug smile. I believe I do.
Mike frowned. I know youre upset, but doing something like this is so unlike you.
What can I say? Jackson said without a trace of an apology. Alexis Baylor put my business and livelihood at stake. Im tired of being used by women with agendas. This time Im doing something about it.
Be careful what you wish for, Jackson, he said in a low, cautioning tone of voice.
Jacksons deep laughter filled his office. Why? Because I might just get what I ask for?
Exactly. For as intriguing as I find this fantasy stuff, I cant help but think that there are things and outcomes a person cant factor in when they wish and pay for something that doesnt come naturally. He shrugged. Its like messing with fate.
Or maybe this whole setup was fate. Jackson rocked back in his chair, refusing to allow his friends warning to deter him, no matter how logical Mikes comment was. Thats your suspicious P.I. nature talking, Mansel. After all, what could go wrong?
Maybe, he acknowledged, but clearly wasnt done expressing his concern. Youll probably get your revenge against Alexis Baylor in the guise of some other fantasy, but you might want to consider that the cost could be a personal one for you, too.
Jackson rolled his shoulders, trying to shake off the premonition of doom Mike was conjuring up. Hed already paid personally because of Alexis Baylor, and couldnt imagine walking away from that fantasy resort after a weeks time any worse off than he already was. Thats a risk Im more than willing to take. His tone rang with finality.
Well, good luck, then. Mikes chest expanded as he inhaled a slow, deep breath. Then one of his easygoing smiles graced his mouth. Call me when you get back, and well have that beer together.
And celebrate the success of my fantasy, Jackson added.
Once Mike was gone and Jackson was alone, he contemplated the situation and what had so unexpectedly fallen into his lap. Before he called Fantasies, Inc., he needed to figure out what kind of revenge he wanted against Alexisnot that hed give Merrilee Schaeffer-Weston any insight to his real fantasy. The other woman would ban him from her resort if she knew his true intentions, and rightly so. No, it was imperative that Merrilee believed his motivations for requesting a fantasy were sincere.