Christmas Secrets. Barbara Dunlop

dropped his napkin onto the table and stood. “I need to get a handle on the guy.”

      “Where are you going?”

      “Coast Eagle’s corporate headquarters. I want to look Roth Calvin in the eyes.”

      “Right now? Without an appointment?”

      “I’ll talk my way in. I’m a fellow airline owner.”

      “You want some help?”

      Cole considered the offer. But then he shook his head. “He’s less likely to have his guard up if it’s just one guy.”

      “Whatever you want.”

      Cole shrugged into his jacket. “See what else you can find out about the law.”

      “Can I talk to Destiny again?”

      “As long as you’re oblique.”

      Luca’s eyes lit up. “Covert operations. Roger that. This is kind of fun.”

      Cole couldn’t help but grin in return. “Seduce her if you have to.”

      “I’m all in for you, buddy.”

      Cole skirted the Christmas tree, made his way past the reindeer and exited to the sidewalk. It was easy to hail a cab, and it was a short ride to Coast Eagle.

      He took a few fast steps across the lobby, purposefully blending in with a group of employees to pass unnoticed by the security counter. Then he entered the elevator, pretending he knew exactly what he was doing. Taking the chance that Roth’s office would be on the top floor, he pressed the button.

      The rest of the group exited on twelve. Cole continued up to a big, brightly lit reception area. It had gleaming hardwood floors, a bank of windows overlooking the city and a pair of immaculate saltwater fish tanks bracketing a long reception counter staffed by one woman.

      “Good morning.” She was immaculately dressed and thirtysomething, and she smiled as she greeted him.

      Cole strode forward and held out his hand. “Good morning. I’m Cole Parker, owner of Aviation 58. We’re a midsize commercial airline out of Alaska. I was told Roth Calvin was the man to speak with at Coast Eagle.”

      “Do you have an appointment, sir?”

      “I’m afraid I just got into town.”

      The woman’s smile faded a little. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Calvin doesn’t have any openings today.”

      Footfalls and male voices rose up behind them. The woman’s surreptitious, worried glance to the group told Cole one of them was likely Roth Calvin.

      He quickly turned, talking the man in the middle of the group to be the guy in charge. It had to be Roth.

      Again, Cole strode forward, offering his hand. “Roth Calvin. I’m Cole Parker.”

      Roth’s expression was guarded, and his critical glance flicked to the receptionist. Cole figured it was only a matter of moments before security arrived on the scene.

      “I was speaking with Amber Welsley the other day. She suggested you were the person to discuss Coast Eagle’s Pacific routes? I’m Cole Parker, Aviation 58 out of Alaska.”

      “Amber told you to see me?” Roth asked.

      “She did,” Cole lied. “She speaks very highly of you.”

      Roth’s eyes narrowed, and Cole feared he might have gone too far. He was trying to arouse Roth’s curiosity, and maybe put him off guard with the mention of Amber.

      Roth looked at Cole. Then he looked to the receptionist. “Sandra, push the Millsberg meeting by fifteen minutes.”

      “Yes, sir,” the receptionist answered.

      “Right this way, Mr. Parker.” Roth gestured to a doorway off the reception area.

      “Please, call me Cole.” Cole entered an airy meeting room that housed a round table for four with leather and chrome chairs, coffee service on a marble side counter and a sofa grouping near the picture windows.

      Roth gestured to one of the chairs at the round table, then took the one opposite. “How can I help you, Cole?”

      “I understand you’re about to be named interim president,” Cole opened.

      A smug smile formed on Roth’s face. “You’ve been listening to rumors.”

      “I find, more often than not, rumors tend to be based on some truth. I’ll be honest, Roth, Aviation 58 is looking to expand along the West Coast. With the shakeup at Coast Eagle, I wondered if you might be interested in discussing some of your less-profitable routes in the West.”

      “All of our routes are profitable.”

      Cole had checked out Coast Eagle’s public information on the ride over, and now he made some assumptions and guesses. “Seattle to Vancouver is barely break-even. You’ve been losing market share in Portland. And your passenger load is low on anything northbound out of LA. Entering into a lease or codeshare deal with Aviation 58 could boost your cash flow and profits considerably.”

      “You’ve done your homework, I see.”

      “I have,” said Cole. “And it tells me Amber Welsley is a short-term play. You’re the guy with the ear of the board.”

      Roth didn’t answer, but he did nod.

      “I haven’t seen the actual will, of course. But I can guess where that’s going. A trophy wife is all well and good, but nobody’s under any illusions. Samuel would never have allowed a situation where Coco’s decisions could run Coast Eagle into the ground.”

      Roth chuckled, and his expression relaxed. “You strike me as an intelligent man, Cole Parker.”

      “I’m also a patient man. I get that your attention has to be on the home front for a few months.”

      Roth gave a shrug. “These things can be expedited.”

      “That’s good to hear.”

      “A word here, a conversation there. It’s all about who you know, and who knows you.”

      “I understand,” said Cole. “The sooner you get custody of the kid, the better.” He paused. “I mean, the better for Coast Eagle, of course.”

      “Once the big question is settled, we will be looking for an early cash influx,” said Roth, coming to his feet.

      Cole rose with him. “That’s good to hear, I’ll—”

      Suddenly, the meeting room door flung open, and Amber burst in. She glared at Cole, cheeks flushed, nostrils flared. “You went behind my back?”

      “Amber.” Roth’s voice was stern and patronizing.

      “You suggested I follow-up,” Cole said to Amber, purposefully mischaracterizing their conversation.

      “This is a private meeting, Amber.” Roth’s tone grated on Cole’s nerves.

      Amber ignored Roth and spoke to Cole. “I suggested you follow up with Joyce Roland.”

      “Amber,” Roth all but shouted. “Can you please excuse us?”

      Cole had to steel himself from demanding that Roth shut up.

      The receptionist appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Calvin? They’re waiting. The Millsberg meeting?”

      Roth looked to Cole. “I do apologize.”

      “No problem. Thank you for seeing me. I’ll be in touch.”

      Roth looked to Amber, obviously waiting for her to leave.

      She folded her arms across her chest, standing her ground. Cole wanted to applaud.

      Roth gave in and