Shake the Trees by Rod Helmers Read Free Book Online Page B

just because of the cash.  He agreed that it was best that they weren’t seen together anymore.  Fewer dots to connect when the walls came crashing down. 
    Judge James Marcus Mason, III, had both surprised and delighted Elizabeth during her interview.  She found him distinguished and attractive - even sexy.  He wasn’t at all what she was expecting.  She immediately realized, however, that her acquaintance with Marc, or Jimmy as he called him, was cutting both ways.  The man was definitely intelligent enough to realize that his son was a horny idiot.  She’d played the scene skillfully, letting him know that she recognized his son’s shortcomings without insulting the family name.  She was hired on the spot.
    The waitress arrived with the drinks and eyed her carefully.  Elizabeth wasn’t sure if it was because she was worried that her tip money might be at risk, or because Marc was such a well-known letch.  At least Elizabeth didn’t recognize her, or most of the girls working there now.  Which was good.
    “Let’s take these drinks outside.  We need to talk.” Elizabeth said as she tried to part the bodies surrounding her.
    “Work before pleasure?”
    “Unfortunately,” Elizabeth sighed resignedly.
    They pushed through the loud and oblivious bodies that were all around them and moved onto the deck, eventually finding the steps that led down to the beach.  They were violating local liquor ordinances and several state laws, but both knew those rules weren’t enforced here.
    “I think we’ve found our guy.”
    “Huh?”
    Elizabeth thought Marc still couldn’t hear her over the noise of all the people on the deck, and spoke louder into his ear.  “I think we found our guy.”
    “Jesus Christ, I can hear you.  What the hell are you talking about?”
    Elizabeth was annoyed.  “Damn it, Marc.  Do you ever pay attention?  You hear but you don’t listen.”
    Marc was angry.  He wasn’t used to people speaking to him like that anymore.  “Listen to me, and listen good.  I have a business to run.  I’ve got more important things to do than filing paperwork and answering the telephone.  I’m under a lot of pressure, and I don’t need your bullshit.”
    Elizabeth took a deep breath.  She was used to dealing with his adolescent temper, but it was getting more difficult after experiencing his calm, even-keeled father.  “I’m sorry, Marc.  I’m under pressure too, and as usual I’m taking it out on the one I care about the most.  I’m sorry.”
    Marc was almost over his tantrum.  “And I don’t appreciate these new investors snooping around either.  The money is rolling in now.  It’s absolutely rolling in.  I don’t think it’s ever gonna stop.”
    “We don’t need any more investors, Marc.  They helped us over the hump.  They were a necessary evil.  But don’t ever forget, the money will stop.  We have an open faucet right now, and the drain is almost closed.  That will change, and it will change in a hurry.  It’s an actuarial certainty.”
    His lips protruded in a pout and he tossed his beer bottle among the sea oats.  “What the hell were you talking about anyway?  What guy?”
    “You may want to pay attention, because this is going to cost you some money.”
    “Talk.”
    “Okay.  Do you remember our discussion about my friend Ellen Hughes?  The headhunter?”
    “Of course I do.  I’m not an idiot.”
    “Well, I think she has found our new executive, and he sounds perfect.”
    “How much?”
    “For Ellen or the new guy?”
    “Let’s start with the headhunter.”
    Elizabeth took another deep breath.  “Ten grand on the books and fifty grand cash under the table.”
    “Are you freaking crazy?  Those expenses are tax deductible, but I can’t pull that kind of money out of petty cash.  So now we’re talking personal funds here.”
    Elizabeth paused several seconds.  “Marc, I need you to think about the big picture. Okay?”
    Marc shook