A Perfect Plan (A Billionaire in Disguise) Read online

  "Oh yes it can. If you don't show up, it's definitely going to get worse. How much more time are you talking?"

  "I should be there in about thirty minutes."

  Parker headed towards the large conference room and sat his briefcase upon the dark mahogany table. Rhonda came in and took her seat, ready to take minutes of the meeting. She smiled reassuringly up at Parker, who didn't return the gesture.

  The investors sat making small talk. They didn't want to overly acknowledge Parker, as they didn't know which Davis it was.

  "Mr. Davis, it's after eight. I have a flight to catch if you don't mind," said Carl Stranton, an investor from Dallas. Others started to agree.

  "Welcome, gentlemen. I'm Parker Davis, and unfortunately my brother Russell is stuck in traffic but should be here shortly. I'll go ahead and begin."

  Emily sat in the back of the cab, trying to put some fresh lipstick on while the driver hit every bump in the road. Her hair had mostly fallen down, so she pinned it back up, having only a small makeup mirror to check her appearance. She couldn't wait to wash the gunk off and put her comfortable clothes on. The straps on the back of her shoes were already forming blisters. The sooner she got out of this uncomfortable outfit, the better.

  Looking at the time, Emily figured she had nothing to lose in going to Davis Enterprises to see if she could meet with the creep who stole her grandfather's land. The last thing she wanted was to have to put this black suit back on again in the morning. Her feet were killing her.

  Emily pulled the papers out of the envelope. Staring down at the official proof of the sale made her want to scream, but it also motivated her.

  "Here we are, Davis Enterprises. Do you want me to wait? If you do, I'll have to go around that corner and park in the lot. It'll cost you though."

  Another thing Emily didn't need was to make this trip more expensive. If she did get to talk with the person responsible for railroading her grandfather, she didn't know how long the meeting would last. "No thank you. It shouldn't be hard to get another cab back to my motel when I'm ready to go." The thought of walking five blocks back to her room in this tight outfit and heels made her cringe.

  "Okay, suit yourself."

  Emily paid the cab driver and then stepped out onto the busy sidewalk. People were walking into each other and none of them looked very happy. She knew then that there'd be no way she could live in New York.

  Davis Enterprises was huge. She'd never been inside of a building like this before. There was a beautiful woman sitting behind a large desk at the far end of the lobby. Emily would have to find out where she was going. Nothing in the lobby, other than a huge sign that read "Davis Enterprises" on the wall behind the receptionist, gave her a clue as to where she might head. At least she was in the correct building.

  "Hello, I'd like to see Mr. Davis, please."

  "Which one?" The young woman smiled at Emily.

  "I'm not sure..." Great. A big family stole my grandfather's land? The signature on the papers was messy. All she could read was the word "Davis".

  "It doesn't matter. The Davis offices are on the twenty-second floor. I believe they're still in a meeting, but you can go up and check with his secretary. You'll need an appointment to see him."

  "Okay, thank you." Emily had no intentions of making an appointment. If he was in the building, she was going to get in his face and give him this money back. All she wanted was the land and the home she was raised in.

  The elevators were so fast that Emily thought she might get sick. When the doors opened, another young woman sat behind the large glass wall and smiled up at her. She reached under her desk and buzzed Emily in.

  "Hello, my name is Patricia. You must be the one who needs to make an appointment with Mr. Davis?"

  "No, I don't want to make an appointment. I flew all the way out here just to see him."

  "I'm sorry, but Mr. Davis is in a meeting. You'll have to come back tomorrow."

  "I'm not coming back tomorrow. It's imperative that I see him this evening."

  "If you'd like, you can sit in those chairs and wait for his secretary Rhonda to come out. She's in the meeting as well in the conference room. You can speak to her about Mr. Davis' availability." Mr. Davis immediately swooped down to steal the property, so I'll be damned if I'm going to wait.

  When Patricia got up to take some papers down the hall, Emily ran to make her move. Going in the conference room was one thing, but running into the conference room was a really bad idea.

  But Emily needed to get to where she was hearing all the loud voices before Patricia caught her. When she flew in the door, her heel stuck on the plush carpet. Instead of getting someone's attention with her voice, she got the entire room's attention by falling across the floor. The contents of her purse spilling out all over the place added a nice touch. She felt her skirt tear. Emily's embarrassment didn't last long. She was definitely in the right place.

  Parker nodded towards the back of the room to signal a young man to turn on a projector and dim the lights. On the large screen, several photos showed the beauty of fifty thousand acres in Springfield, Colorado.

  "This, gentlemen, is our latest project. As you can see, the beauty is very obvious." Parker could hear the agreement of those in the room. "This area here will be an airport. In addition, we'll be adding a golf course and large resort. Our market will be the upper class. Up in these mountains is a top-notch ski resort, and with a road added here, commute won't be an issue. The farm house and other dwellings will be removed when we put the road in."

  The lights suddenly turned back up and sounds of chairs moving were heard as men rushed to the door. Parker saw a disheveled woman sprawled out on the conference room floor.

  Emily looked up at the clear view of her grandfather's house. She was on her feet in no time, completely forgetting that her purse contents were all over the place. Her skirt displayed an eight inch gap up the back seam, and the pain in her left ankle shot up her leg. Her hair hung in her face as she stood. Emily shook the men off her arms.

  "That's my grandfather's house! He was dying of cancer and you flew in like a buzzard and stole land that has been in our family for generations! How could you do this?"

  Parker kept his calm demeanor. "What's your name, miss?"

  Emily Carson! That's not your land to build an airport on!"

  "I assure you, Miss Carson, the property belongs to Davis Enterprises."

  "I have the papers right here, you bastard. My grandfather was dying, on pain medication, and you took advantage of that. I'll fight you until the end of time!"

  Parker saw the concerned faces of his investors. "Gentlemen, I assure you there was nothing illegal done in the purchase of this property. Our attorneys make sure of legalities, and any documents you request can be provided to you." Parker let out a fake laugh.

  "I don't even have my grandfather's belongings out of that house and here you're going to tear it down?" Emily didn't even realize how loudly she was yelling.

  Parker was getting angry. If this woman thought her outburst would have the power to stop a man like himself, she was as crazy as she looked.

  "Miss Carson, I'm going to ask that you leave. If you'd like to make an appointment, I'll be happy to discuss any of your concerns. Now is not the time." Parker's jaw was starting to tense.

  "Was talking my grandfather into selling fifty-thousand acres of my family's land, while on his deathbed, good timing?! You promised him you'd make that land a nature preserve. But I found out you lied to him and are building an airport! How could you do that?"

  Parker was now having serious thoughts about how his brother may have handled the situation. Did he make promises he shouldn't have? All of this was news to Parker. The last thing he needed was for powerful investors to doubt him. His good reputation was worldwide. Hopefully this outburst wouldn't end up in the paper.

  "Please leave, Miss Carson, or I'll have to call security and have you escorted off the premises."

 
"Don't bother, I'm leaving. You won't hear the last of me. You guys need to take a look at this man. That's the face of someone who takes advantage of the elderly. I'll be in touch with you soon..."

  Emily stormed out of the conference room with only half of her purse contents, but she didn't really care. She had to cry, but she wasn't going to do it in that snake's presence. As soon as she left the elevator she ran outside the doors of Davis Enterprises. She didn't get very far when her heel got stuck in the sewer grate. She couldn't get it out. Her face was stained with tears and running mascara; her hair was a hanging mess.

  Russell Davis was getting ticked off. He was only a block away from the office so he gave the cab driver some money, lifted his briefcase, and jumped out of the cab. If he sprinted he could get there with only being a few minutes late.

  Half a block later, he slowed down when he spotted a young woman with her heel stuck in the sewer. She was crying and, by the looks of her torn skirt up the back and her torn pantyhose, she must have fallen while trying to free her foot.

  Russell felt badly for her and had to stop to help. "Let me help you."

  "Get the hell away from me, you bastard!"

  No sooner did Russell stop in shock, he felt the burning slap across his face from the woman's hand.

  Emily reached down and unbuckled the shoe strap, removed her foot, and began to hobble up the sidewalk as quickly as she could. When she was about twenty feet away from the Davis slime ball, she removed her other shoe and just ran.

  Russell stood there staring at her. He didn't stop very long before he was sprinting again towards the office. He walked in the conference room just as the men were walking out the door. One look at his brother's face told him that things didn't go very well.

  "In my office," whispered Parker through clenched teeth.

  Russell followed close behind Parker and sat down in the chair by the large desk.

  "You want to tell me what went on in Colorado? And what the hell happened to your face?"

  "Some crazy woman had her shoe stuck in a sewer and obviously didn't appreciate my help. What a train wreck." Russ reached up and rubbed the swollen, red handprint on his cheek.

  "Auburn hair, cheap black suit, crazy blue eyes?"

  "That'd be the one."

  "She's caused us a bunch of problems this evening. You need to start from the very beginning, Russ. She may have caused the company to lose this project..."

  Emily walked into her motel, threw her clothes in the trash, and then put her comfortable, day-to-day attire back on. She checked out of the room and hailed a cab for the airport. Getting out of New York was the first thing on her mind.

  Chapter 3

  Russell was laughing hysterically. The visuals that his brother was providing had him practically doubled over.

  "She just went sliding on the floor?"

  "Yeah, pretty much." Parker had to admit it was a funny sight, but the thought of this Carson woman potentially squelching his deal ended all humor.

  "What are those things on your desk? Since when do you wear lipstick?"

  "Those are the things from Miss Carson's purse when she went flying."

  Russell lost it all over again. "Did you help her up?"

  "The investors did. By the looks of that handprint on your cheek, I'm glad I didn't try to help her. She must have mistaken you for me."

  "Remind me to grow the mustache again."

  Parker picked up the Colorado file. "How did you find this land? This entire situation has blown up. Her accusations were extreme and she announced that we abuse the elderly. We may be thirty, but our investors aren't. A couple of those men are in their seventies. They took offense and decided to hold out on any commitment until this is resolved. They don't want to be in the middle of a scandal."

  "Do you think she'll go public?"

  "We have to be prepared in case she does. How did you hear about this property?"

  "You know me, I have feelers out everywhere. When I was informed about someone wanting to sell fifty-thousand acres in Colorado, I hopped on a plane. It's not unusual for me to do that. If I wasn't on top of things, we wouldn't be the owners of all the property we've acquired."

  "Yeah you're right about that. Did you go meet the man or talk to his agent?"

  "He didn't use an agent, he sold it directly. I hopped on a chopper and flew over the area. Beautiful land. I went to the house to see him. He had cancer and was unable to travel. I offered him five million and he jumped at it."

  "The guy didn't want more money?" Parker thought he would just add another ten or fifteen million onto that and Miss Carson would disappear.

  "He only wanted enough to make his granddaughter comfortable. There was never any arguing or squabbling about the offer. I had the papers drawn up that day by our lawyers and had them delivered to me. The next day he signed them. I could have offered more money, but that's not how you get ahead in business. You start low and work upwards, not the other way around."

  "Did he mention anything about a nature preserve?"

  "He mentioned that his granddaughter loved animals, is a veterinarian, and wanted to make the land a preserve, a safe haven for animals."

  "Did you tell him you would do that?" Parker raised his eyebrows.

  "I didn't commit to anything like that. I said that it would make a wonderful preserve, not that I was interested in doing it. He didn't ask me what I was going to do with the land. If he had, I would have been upfront. Though I must admit, Emmitt Carson was difficult to understand and he never gave me the name of his granddaughter."

  "I need to find this Emily Carson and put a stop to this one-woman army she's created. I really don't have time to devote to her, but then again, I don't want to lose money from not taking the time."

  "Let me know what happens. Rhonda's outside waiting for me. I know she's exhausted and we have to get home to the girls before their nanny chokes us."

  After Russell left the office, Parker walked to the window. The lights over Manhattan were spectacular. The lights on a runway strip would be too. Time to smash this Emily Carson like a bothersome ant.

  ***

  It was four in the morning when Emily walked through the door of her apartment in Baldwin. She stripped as she walked to her dresser. After pulling on an oversized jersey, Emily flopped down in the bed. Out of pure exhaustion, she fell asleep, only to be awakened at five-thirty by her preset alarm. Even though she could have definitely used the sleep, Emily needed to get to Springfield. If Davis Enterprises thought they were going to bulldoze her grandfather's house, they had another thing coming...

  ***

  Parker woke up to the sound of his brother's voice. He'd slept all night in his office chair.

  "You look like shit, Parker." Russ laughed.

  "Thanks for the compliment. Because we're identical twins, I guess I can inform you that you look like shit too."

  "So what's the plan? Did you come up with anything?"

  "Yes I certainly did. I'm going to Colorado," Parker replied as his grin grew wider.

  "She's a bit crazy and packs one hell of a mean-right smackdown. If I were you, I'd do my communicating through attorneys and email."

  "If little Miss Emily Carson thinks she can put a halt on my project, she's insane. It's time for her to meet Parker Davis in person, without a bunch of witnesses."

  "You think you'll be welcomed in open arms? Open hands, yes, while they're wrapped around your throat. I'm serious, Parker, stay away from her."

  "No, I won't just show up on her doorstep. I think I'll play with her like a little mouse for a while."

  Russ looked at his brother's face, which was full of determination. If Parker didn't watch it, he could be in for the fight of his life...literally.

  Parker smiled and picked up the phone. "Rhonda, I need the jet. I have some business in Springfield, Colorado."

  "I think you're crazy for going out there. Send one of the lawyers."

  "Rhonda..." Parker spoke firmly. r />
  "Okay, okay. But you were warned."

  ***

  Emily drove up to her grandfather's house. It was fairly large and over one hundred years old. The structure had always been maintained. She especially loved the huge wraparound porch which allowed for breathtaking views of the mountains, and clean, fresh air. The siding was white, the trim and porch were painted a country blue. She stopped by the front door and smiled at the porch swing, where she and her grandfather had spent countless hours talking. Her eyes began to water so she dug in her purse for the key and let herself in.

  The house was a bit chilly. Emily found her grandfather's favorite mug and then put a pot of coffee on. She let her eyes slowly move around the room at all the heirlooms, her favorite things, her treasures. Where do I begin?

  First she'd need to find some boxes. If things were going to get ugly, she'd at least have to get the heirlooms out. She could only store a couple of things in her small studio apartment. But there was some space in the basement, backroom, and shed at the clinic she could use until she could afford to rent a storage facility. If the Davis guy wasn't such a criminal, I wouldn't have to do any of this! The thought of never spending another night in this house was killing her. Never seeing her grandfather again felt a hundred times worse. She walked to the couch and picked up her grandfather's old afghan, knitted by her grandmother many years ago. Emily wrapped it around herself and walked back out on the porch. She was shaken out of her deep thoughts by her cell phone. Emily ran in the house and fished it from her purse.

  "Mick?"

  "I didn't know you were back. Are you at your grandfather's?"

  "I'm sorry I didn't call you. I didn't even get home until the middle of the night. I needed to figure out what all I need to remove."

  "It's okay, Em. I didn't want to disturb you, but I just got a call here at the clinic. Someone named Parker Davis was asking for you. Is that the guy from Davis Enterprises?"

  "Yes, and how did he find me?"