CHAPTER 2

One Week Later - Richmond, VA

It was murder.

Grace Heather Dunning, the second child of Hepburn and Winnieford Dunning, read the report from the medical examiner. It felt as if 100 knives had just entered her heart. Questions had been swirling around in her mind for days now as the family awaited the final report from the Medical Examiner. There were no more questions to be answered. Her father had been injected with potassium chloride. The drug caused a severe heart arrhythmia. The symptoms from the overdose of the drug mimic a heart attack. That was why the Medical Examiner initially ruled that a massive heart attack had taken her father’s life. In a matter of minutes of the drug being injected, her father’s heart had spasmed out of control then simply stopped functioning. The ME had no alternative but to attribute it to sudden cardiac death.

Grace pushed back from her desk leaving the report open. She walked over to the window of her office at Dunning Bank & Trust to stare out. Praying the busy scenery of downtown Richmond would take the sting of the written words away. Yet, as she watched, she wondered how people could go on with their lives when her world had been turned upside down for the second time in a month? Tears stung her eyes as the question of who would want her father dead filled her mind.

Hepburn Dunning did not have enemies, at least not personal ones. As the CEO of Dunning Bank & Trust, her father had helped millions of people in various ways. He handled his business with integrity and trust. Even his competitors admired the way he conducted his business and his personal life. Many tried to emulate his actions, but her father was a natural lover of people. It was difficult to fake the humanity he spread over the years. There were generations of humanitarians in his bloodline. From his great-great-grandfather, to his great-grandfather, to his grandfather, his father and then him, the true Dunning men only knew how to help others obtain a better life. There wasn’t a selfish bone in their bodies. Of course, like everything else there was always one exception.

No matter how deep Grace Heather dug to find an enemy who’d have wanted her father dead, she came up with a blank. She was hard pressed to think of anyone who had a harsh word to say about her father. Grace Heather brushed a tear from her cheek as a thought came to mind. Something her Uncle Ken said to her Aunt Vivian when they discovered her Uncle Walker was involved with the Russian mafia.

“Hell, it would not surprise me one bit if it came out that Walker had something to do with Hep's death.”

“Is it possible?” she said out-loud. “Is it possible Uncle Walker was connected to Daddy’s death?”

She shook the thought from her mind. Even her self-absorbed, egotistical, petty uncle would not have stooped so low as to kill his own brother. Somewhere in his heart, Uncle Walker had to have loved her Daddy. No, there was an enemy out there. Someone who worked in or had access to this building. Since the death was ruled as a heart attack, no investigation had been done. Now, that was the first thing that had to change.

Grace picked up the phone on her desk then dialed a number.

“Daisy,” she said as the call was answered. “Is Jerome at the house?”

The woman Grace and all her siblings referred to as their second mother responded with a sound of irritation. Leave it to Daisy to say exactly what was on her mind at any time.

“Why do you need to know that, missy?”

Grace grinned. “Because I’m just as nosey as you and want to know all, when all is happening, whether it’s my business or not.”

“Don’t be getting smart with me, Gracie. You are not too big for me to pull those britches down and spank that natural behind.”

“Ooh…that sounds kinky, Daisy. I think I’ll try that. I might enjoy it.”

“I done tried a few things in my day. I ain’t gone knock it.” Daisy laughed. “Now what do you need with Jerome?”

The comic moment with Daisy was over. Grace knew her father trusted Daisy with sensitive issues, so she did not hesitate to share the findings. “Is Mother around, Daisy?”

“No. She stepped out early this morning. You know your mother hasn’t been the same since they took Mr. Hep out of the ground. It’s like she had to go through the burial twice.”

“I know,” Grace sighed. “It was important to know what really happened to Daddy.”

“You got the report back?”

Grace nodded. “Yes. Daddy was poisoned. That’s why I need to speak to Jerome.”

“Have you told the family yet?”

“No,” Grace replied. “I want to have some things in place before I brief the family.”

“Smart move. Annie-Marie will be relieved to know she did not cause her daddy’s heart attack, but your mother is going to take it hard.”

“I realize that. But they all have to be told. Before I call a family meeting, I want answers to certain questions. Jerome is the person who can get those for me.”

“He is on his way to Chrystina’s apartment to pick up Myles. Jerome thinks there will be some retaliation from Phase International with Myles teaming up with your man. So he’s watching his back until things settle down.”

“You are referring to Jonathan? He is not my man,” Grace explained.

“Did you tell his eyes that? Cause from what I saw the other night, every inch of you belongs to that man.”

“You saw wrong, Daisy.” Grace sat up. “Jonathan is here to help Myles take the bank to the next level. His being here has nothing to do with me.”

“Girl, you are not that dumb. It has everything to do with you, Grace. Don’t you be no fool and act like you don’t know that man is in love with you. It is written all over his face. Not like Special Agent Roark. I mean he has lust for you, but you can generate lust from anywhere. Your parents taught all of you how to recognize real love. You better act like you know. Mr. Michael may have made the agreement with Myles, but his thoughts were on securing you and your future.”

“Daisy, how in the hell could you have gotten all of that from one hour of seeing the man?”

“I can read tea leaves better than most people can read a book. And so can you. I don’t know who you think you are trying to fool, but you are just as head over heels for that Mr. Michael as he is for you. Now I know I taught you how to go for what you want. Roark been right in here in your face for years. You teased all around him, but you never gave him a taste. You want me to tell you why?”

“No, Daisy, I don’t.”

“I’m going to tell you anyway. Because you know that Roark is the one man Mr. Michael will never be able to forgive you for if you slept with him. I don’t know why, but there it is.”

“What?”

“You heard what I said. You want me to tell you what I think?”

“Can I stop you from saying whatever you have to say?”

“No, you can’t. And I’m going to tell you why. The three of you were friends back in college. You can sleep with men, but you can’t sleep with friends. You know what I’m saying.”

“I know what you are saying, but I don’t want to hear it, Daisy. I have to go back to work.”

“All right don’t listen if you want to, but I didn’t raise you to be no fool. You better grab that man with the smooth chocolate skin, that deep voice and that accent. Whew, Lord, I’m telling you, once he whispers in that ear, no other man will be able to turn your head. I know what those midnight whispers can do to your body.” Daisy laughed.

Grace had to smile. She knew Daisy was right. Jonathan’s voice did it for her every time. Whether it was in person or over the phone, every time they spoke she had to change her panties, if she had any on. Of all the men she’d had, not one of them ever made her cum with just his voice. Maybe a tongue worked, but never a voice.

“I will try to catch them before they leave the house.”

“Who?”

“Jerome and Myles,” Grace sighed. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Daisy.”

“Oh, them. I don’t think Jerome would be there just yet,” Daisy replied.

“Good, that will give me a chance to talk to Myles before the board meeting this morning,” Grace stated, then called out, “Oh, and Daisy, please don’t mention this to anyone. I want answers before they are told.”

Grace disconnected the call. Closing her eyes, the image of Jonathan came to her mind. A gentle smile formed on her lips as it always did when she thought of him. She exhaled then slowly opened her eyes. How was she going to deal with Jonathan working so close? It was hard enough when he was on the other side of the ocean, but now he was within reach, on her turf. For the first time in her life she was somewhat insecure about a man. Did he have someone special in his life? Was he still attracted to her? Was this a detour in his career plans? Would he be staying around or leaving as soon as he completed whatever Myles wants him to do? Was he ready to plant roots in the United States with her? Hell…was she ready? The questions and the doubts left her confused on how to handle the new Vice-President of Dunning Bank & Trust.

Grace pushed the thoughts aside. There were battles brewing on too many fronts for her to be concerned about her love life.

“Family Integrity First & Foremost,” she said out loud as she picked up her cell phone and dialed Myles’ number.

###

Chrystina Price was in heaven. The man she had secretly loved since she was sixteen was now a permanent fixture in her personal life. Myles Dunning had been her boss for years, but a month ago, their relationship had taken a turn. She glanced at the bathroom door. Yes, Myles was in there taking a shower. She wanted to giggle, but smiled instead at the feeling of pure, unquestionable love.

She continued dressing as the song From My Heart to Yours by Laura Izibor played on the radio. Her body began to move to the rhythm of the music, because she felt just that good about the two of them. The events of the last few weeks had put them on solid footing. They were now a couple. A force, she thought, as she danced over to the nightstand to pick up her cell phone. She grabbed her purse and blazer then made her way to the kitchen. She set the items on the coffee table, then walked to the small kitchen to start the coffee and breakfast. The song changed on the radio to You’re All I need to Get By, by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

“Oh yes. You are working it this morning, DJ Maxwell.” She danced as she put bacon in the oven then set the timer. She was singing “you’re all I need to get by” as she felt Myles dancing behind her. He joined in the song as she turned to him.

God, he was a fine man. Dressed in navy slacks, his white shirt crisp, and that navy and red tie she loved, had him looking like the corporate executive he was. “We got the right foundation….” They continued to sing and dance, her body moving in unison with his as he reached for the completed cup of coffee from the Keurig, then put another under for her.

He took her into his arms for a deep, stirring kiss. “Now…that’s how you’re supposed to start the morning.”

“I second that.” She kissed him on the neck, then reached for her coffee. “I’m not going to ask if you are ready for the board meeting, because I made sure that you are. The question is are you ready for the board’s reaction to you placing Jonathan Michael in the Vice-President spot without bringing it to a vote?”

Myles had taken a seat at her breakfast bar. He took a drink of his coffee before answering. “This is one time the decision was mine to make. Not the board’s.”

“Whoa, Mr. CEO. That is not how you are going to respond when Elaine asks the question.”

“What makes you think it will be Elaine?”

“She’s the only one who is going to challenge you at every turn now that Mitch is gone.”

“Elaine?” Myles frowned at her. “She has proven she has my back.”

Chrystina loved the man, but she really needed him to have a clue when it comes to women.

“How did she prove that, Myles?” she asked as she grabbed the eggs out and began to make omelets.

“I know you don’t agree, but I believe Elaine saved lives during the shooting.”

She turned to face him with the spatula in her hand. “I don’t know whether she did or did not save lives. What I do know is that she is going to use you being beholden to her to get her hands on the BIT account and other things.”

“You don’t think she would be the best Account Exec on the BIT account?”

“Well, since she and Mitch had been scheming behind your back working on it for months, she should be the best one,” Chrystina said as she turned back to cooking. “I believe Elaine has ulterior motives for her actions, that’s all.” She placed the omelet on a plate, reached down and pulled the bacon from the oven, adding it to the meal then put the plate in front of Myles. She noticed the look on his face.

“I promise to keep my opinion to myself.” She shrugged, then grabbed a slice of bacon from the plate.

“It’s not your opinion that concerns me.”

Chrystina glanced at him as she leaned against the bar drinking her coffee. “Then what’s the problem?”

“The way that skirt is hugging your hips is causing my mind to think of ways I can get under it rather than anything Elaine may or may not be up to.”

His words touched her heart in ways she could not explain. The two had begun working out every morning and the results were showing. She was still a healthy size twelve, but now her clothes fit differently…better. In fact, Chrystina had noticed a change in her walk. It was more confident, no more self-consciousness about her thighs rubbing together. Oh, they still did, it was no longer her number one concern. “You were under there an hour ago.”

“And?” He raised an eyebrow as he brought a forkful of food to his mouth. “I like those thick thighs around me.”

His cell phone sounded. Their eyes held. Neither turning away from the unspoken promise lingering between them.

There was a knock on the door as his cell phone sounded again. They both closed their eyes and exhaled.

“And so the day has begun,” Chrystina said as she walked towards the door and Myles reached for his cell phone.