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“Well, just take it a little slower and watch for black ice now. Be safe.” He turns and walks back to his truck which is behind my car. I drag in a long deep breath as I straighten the wheel, then releasing my foot from the brake and slowly pressing the gas.
When I get to the mines, I’m still rattled and shaken from nearly being ran into the ditch. I quickly make my way to my office, closing the door behind me. I make a strong pot of coffee before stepping into the private restroom. I need just a few minutes completely alone to pull myself together and the more closed doors I can put between myself and everyone else, the safer I’ll feel. There’s a gnawing anxiety creeping through my chest, and my breathing is so erratic and jumpy. I turn the faucet on, letting the cold water run briefly before splashing the brisk liquid against my face. Pulling in a few ragged breaths, I concentrate on my breathing and try to slow my racing heart.
When the panic attack subsides, I walk back into my office but nearly jump out of my own damn body when I see Colton sitting in front of my desk. He has his left elbow on the arm of the chair, balancing his head on the tips of his fingers as he flips a pen back and forth between against his thigh boringly.
“Holy shit.” I shriek, grabbing my chest. “What the hell are you doing in here?” I flop down lifelessly in the chair, bracing my elbows on the top of the desk as bite at the tips of my fingers. My hands are trembling still, and I just can’t stow the jitters that wrack my body.
“Damn, didn’t mean to scare you. I was just on my way home and wanted to see what you’re thinkin’ about that shit over at Black Ridge.” I stare at Colton trying to concentrate on what he’s saying, but all I hear is booming echoes pounding through my ears. “Carly Jo, you alright?” He shouts across the desk. I flinch at his voice and stare back at him behind wild eyes. Scrubbing my hands up my face, I release a long sigh.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to space out on you. What were you saying?” He cocks his head to the side looking at me with confusion written all over his dark brown eyes.
“Black Ridge. Was wonderin’ what you think’s goin’ on over there.” I nod, trying to hang on to his every word, but my concentration is stuck on the side of the road about five miles back. “You sure you’re alright? You’re awfully pale.” He asks me, clearly concerned by my dazed reaction.
/> “Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep much.” I lie, but what else is there to tell, really? I don’t know what the hell happened on my way to work this morning and there is no point in bringing it to anybody’s attention if it’s nothing of significance. “Ah, Black Ridge. Has to be sabotage. Just not sure who, why, or how. By the way, why were you there this morning?”
“Todd called me after maintenance had discovered that all of the belt was screwed with. I went over to see how much damage there was, and told him it would be best to let you know immediately what had happened.” He bounces his knee up and down, looking anywhere but at me as he speaks. “The destruction happenin’ at Black Ridge has to be an inside job, Carly Jo; someone who has underground access. Now we just gotta find out who the corrupt bastard is.” I nod, chewing on the bottom of my lip remaining silent, letting his words soak in. Something in my gut tells me that this is connected to Drew. But I can’t share that information with just anyone, especially Colton because that will just open up an entire debacle of questioning. Too many lies and secrets to expose and considering our strained awkwardness at the moment, I think some secrets are best left unsaid.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I hear him question, but I’m drawn into a deep daze, thousands of thoughts swirling around in my mind. “Carly Jo?” He raises his voice a little louder, snapping me from my trance.
“What?” I stare at him in confusion.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I’m talkin’ to ya, but you’re off in space.”
“Sorry, just a lot on my mind.” I look down, wringing my clammy hands together. “I’m meeting with my attorney this week. I’ll fill her in on the accident and see if she can start a private investigation.” I shrug one shoulder as I shuffle some papers around on my desk trying to appear unaffected by the thick tension that is swirling about the room. I look up and catch Colton piercing me with a hard stare, but not one that evokes anger, or hatred. His eyes are sad and troubled. My heart constricts and I hold my breath as a state of panic washes over me.
“Well, I’m sure you have a busy day, so I’ll get outta ya hair. Keep me updated on Black Ridge. It may not be a bad idea to up security at all five of the mines. Just somethin’ for ya to think about.” He pushes up to his feet releasing a deep breath as he stands.
“That’s good thinking, Colton. Thanks for everything.” I look down sheepishly, because I have so much gratitude for him and although things may never be what they once were I don’t want him to ever forget how I feel about him. He turns, taking two steps towards the door but before twisting the knob he turns back.
“Carly Jo, can I ask ya a question?”
“Of course you can.” I say pointedly.
“Everything alright with you and the baby?” My hearts leaps and becomes trapped in my throat and the frickin’ room begins to spin. I pinch my eyes shut as they begin to swell. Dragging in a slow, deep breath I look up at his wistful eyes and truly wish I hadn’t. The sadness I saw in his eyes before, now reflect the same bone crushing defeat that shows in my eyes.
“Everything is great. Still having morning sickness, but that shouldn’t last much longer. But the baby is doing wonderful.”
His eyes cast down to the floor as he flexes his fists as his side. “Thanks, Carly Jo. Just let me know if you need anything, okay.”
I nod in agreement, begging my tears to stay at bay. He taps the door nervously as he stares at me, his eyes pleading but screaming with hatred all at the same time. With one click of the knob, he walks away, pulling the door shut behind him.
Chapter 12
Today I’m meeting with my new attorney, Michele Runyon. Initially the appointment was scheduled as a basic new client meeting. After the second incident with Black Ridge, I called Michele and briefly explained the details of the destruction. She asked that all personnel files for Black Ridge be sent to her office so her team of investigators can analyze the background of each employee. If any of the men at Black Ridge have skeletons in their closets, Michele’s team will find ‘em. I think it’s best to let professional investigators look into the sabotage so I can bring charges against whoever is seeking revenge against Simon Energy.
After I learned about James McCoy’s involvement with Drew Varney, I knew I needed to find another attorney to represent Simon Energy. James and Daddy had a close friendship and James helped oversee a large number of Daddy’s business transactions, but I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. I’m not sure if he finds weakness in me because I’m a woman or if he’s just a corrupt bastard tied up in Drew’s wretched hand. Either way, I refuse to allow him to ride the fence any longer.
When I told Michele who had represented Simon Energy before I hired her firm, she giggled in excitement. Initially I didn’t understand her enthusiasm. I thought she may have just been thrilled to be succeeding James in the new generation with Simon Energy. But as she further explained, I felt a twist of excitement as well because I knew that Karma would be knocking on James McCoy’s door one day soon, and I’ll just get to sit back and watch.
James McCoy is the one lawyer in Eastern Kentucky whose reputation speaks for itself. He has made a name for representing big coal. But little did I know that James also wears that same façade that all of the men of my life seem to sport and his secrets run just as deep. Regardless of those secrets, Michele is eager to bring down an iron first on James McCoy and she intends to do just that.
According to Michele, James has been investigated by the Kentucky BAR Association too many times to count under accusations of Corruption, Extortion, Bribery…just to name a few. But somehow, someway, James manages to finagle his way out of the official charges each time. Michele seems to think it has something to do with his connections, but if anyone has connections in the state of Kentucky, it is Michele.
Michele comes from a very extensive and prestigious family of Kentucky Politics. Her father was the Supreme Court Justice of Kentucky for fifteen years, and her mother was the Speaker of the House. She has pull and connections from Pike County stemming all the way down to Jefferson County. She’s young, but graduated the top of her class at Appalachian School of Law and is fierce in defending her clients. Always willing to take the extra step in protecting them in any instance she can. I’m confident that I made the right decision in retaining her firm to represent me and Simon Energy.
I make the drive across town in good time, considering the fresh coat of snow that blankets the ground. I swear I don’t think the snow has let up in two solid days. The roads are slick for travel, and in the Camaro, spinnin’ around these kiss my ass curves will send your heart lurching up into your throat within seconds. After nearly being ran off of the road yesterday, I’m second guessing my sexy, luxurious sports car. Since I’m expecting, maybe it’s time to consider getting an SUV.
I walk into the swanky law office stopping short in the entryway to shake the snow from my hair, stomping it loose from my boots. I tell the receptionist that I have an appointment with Michele before taking a seat in the lobby. While I wait, I check my phone and see a message from Luke.
