Read Online Fatal Greed by John W. Mefford - Free Book Online

partially opened, the sheers covering the French doors shimmering from the breeze. He approached the outside doors and heard his aunt’s voice.
    “…time element involved on this deal.” Victoria looked across the south lawn with her back to him.
    Harrison hesitated. He was afraid he’d walked in on a conversation he wasn’t intended to hear. He was in a no-win situation. If he tried to leave, she might hear him and accuse him of eavesdropping. Then again, if he tapped her on her shoulder, she might think the same thing. He froze and couldn’t help but overhear at this point. “Listen here, Mr. Hagard , you tell your brother I want a meeting next week, no more delays.” Harrison could hear her intensity. Despite the cool air drifting in from the open balcony doors, he started to perspire.
    “I recognize the need for caution. You can let him know, besides getting an update on how we’re handling the mess from this past week, I want a plan that allows the drilling to start in no more than two months. I know, I know. I’ll have more work on my end dealing with my naïve brothers. But don’t forget I conceived this idea. I brought all of us together. I’m fully capable of fulfilling my role. I hope everyone else can do the same. Good evening, Mr. Hagard .”
    Harrison had been slowly backpedaling to the bedroom door. He closed it partially just as she ended her conversation and reentered her bedroom.
    Aunt Victoria had never been a warm person. Harrison remembered back when he was a youngster, she rarely played with him or went to any of his Pee Wee football games, but he didn’t get the impression she had any type of ulterior evil motive.
    Now, he had all sorts of thoughts and questions running through his head. It was possible his impression was far different than the intent because he only heard one side of the conversation. He raced down to rejoin the party. Harrison needed a stiff drink while he processed what he’d heard.
    ***
    Before Victoria could make her grand entrance to the party downstairs, her phone vibrated. Oh now what? she thought, seeing it was Chuck Hagard’s brother, David, calling her again.
    “Victoria, I just wanted you to know that I understand the stress this might be causing you. But you are a visionary leader, and because of that I believe you’ll help guide this operation to its ultimate objective. I just wanted to thank you.”
    Victoria paused. Did he think she needed her ego stroked?
    “Mr. Hagard , rather David, thank you for the kind words, but throwing out praise right now is not necessary, and, frankly, will only distract us from reaching our goal.” She wanted to rip into him, but she kept her exasperation to herself. David, she thought, was a capable real estate dealmaker, but a bit fragile, unlike his more seasoned brother.
    “Please let me know the date and time of our meeting. Goodbye, sir.”
     
     
     

Chapter Twenty-One
     
    “I think it’s time we freshen up our drinks, my princess.” The ice in my drink jingled against the Waterford crystal, adding to the celebratory ambiance.
    “It’s okay, baby. I only need this one drink. You have as many as you want tonight. I’ll take the keys. Just don’t forget the prize at the end of the night.” Marisa leaned up to kiss my cheek, then nibbled at my ear.
    I envisioned Marisa later teasing me with a sultry strip act, leading to a steamy lovemaking session. Before I knew it, I was at the bar. Harrison and I arrived at the same time. “I’ll take a whiskey and Coke,” Harrison told the bartender on the left. “No, make that a double and take out the Coke.”
    “I’ll have the same thing, except keep the Coke and make it a single,” I told the bartender on the right.
    Harrison and I picked up our drinks and stepped toward open space away from the growing crowd.
    “Great party.”
    Harrison looked distracted, and his hands shook. He used his sleeve to wipe sweat from his forehead. “I wasn’t in on the deal