She had spent a lifetime carefully constructing the barriers that kept everyone at a safe distance.
Not a naïve person, she knew that life was not like the movies.
Two people meet, fall in love, and that love would carry them through all difficulties in life. Eventually, they would ride off into the sunset together. Such romantic notions made many a movie popular, but in reality, it always took a lot more than a simple emotion such as love.
In her cocoon, she was safe from such difficulties; nevertheless, the emptiness at times was unbearable. During such periods, she would go out to one of the bars, searching for a companion for the evening, as she had done the previous night. For a few hours, she would comfort herself by pretending that she was with the love of her life, and all her emotion and desire would be poured into that person. As always, the stark morning light would bring her back to reality, and the dark feelings would return.
Her silent ponderings were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling in next to hers. She watched as a young woman and a little girl emerged from the parking lot. They both smiled and bid her good morning. She watched with interest as the small child, clutching a bag of bread, ran toward the water’s edge, ignoring her mother’s pleas to wait for her. The woman caught up with her daughter quickly and opened the bag. They tossed the pieces of bread into the water, drawing the ducks closer for their morning meal. The little girl squealed and laughed as the hungry ducks swam nearer. Her mother knelt by her side with her arm lovingly and protectively around the girl’s waist. Neither noticed the dark-11
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haired woman wiping the tears from her eyes as she got into her car.
12
Robin Alexander
CHAPTER ONE
At 7:30, the morning heat was already sweltering in Baton Rouge. Claire Murray fumbled nervously with the knobs of her air conditioner. Being a Houston native, she was accustomed to the heat. Sweat still poured down her spine and beaded on her top lip, threatening to wash away the makeup she had carefully applied.
She was surprised, however, that the rush-hour traffic was equally as bad in Baton Rouge as it had been in Houston. Inching along on I-10, she was relieved that she had given herself plenty of time to get to her new job. Being late was not the first impression she wanted to make.
Maneuvering her Jeep Cherokee into the already crowded parking lot with thirty minutes to spare, she took time to study the exterior of the new office building in which she would be working.
It was four stories high, mostly glass, overlooking the Mississippi River.
This was the home office of Valor Marine. Claire had done her homework on her new employer and was impressed by her findings. Valor was well established in the marine industry. The company specialized in river transportation of petrochemicals. A large percentage of the nation’s gasoline and chemical supplies were transported via barge and towboat. Many gas and oil manufacturers utilized Valor boats and barges to transport their products on the inland waterways throughout the country.
She lit up a cigarette and sipped her coffee. Claire had been a travel agent with the same agency for ten years. Suarez Travel specialized in dedicated corporate accounts. She was accustomed to working on site for many of them. Her willingness to relocate was always a feather in her cap. Finally, her diligence had paid 13
Murky Waters
off, and she was awarded the coveted position of travel manager for Valor Marine.
In addition to it being her first day, Claire had been invited to sit in on the managers’ meeting. This made her especially nervous; she would meet the entire managerial staff at one time. She extinguished her cigarette, took the last sip of her coffee, and took a deep breath to calm herself before making the trek through the intense heat.
Upon entering the building, she was immediately impressed with the décor. The lobby was all brass and glass, just like a cruise ship.
After being greeted by the receptionist, she sat down on one of the stylish leather couches to wait. The glass table in front of her held several marine industry magazines, which Claire only halfheartedly paid attention to, as she stole glances at the people who entered the building.
“Ms. Murray?” Claire looked up to find a woman who appeared to be in her mid-forties peering down at her. She recognized the voice instantly; the woman standing before her looked exactly like she sounded on the phone. She wasn’t as tall as Claire and had salt and pepper-colored hair that looked like someone put a bowl on her head and cut the hair from around it. Claire stood and accepted the hand extended to her. “I’m Ellen Comeaux. We spoke on the phone. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Welcome to Valor.”
Claire liked Ellen immediately. She had a firm handshake, and she looked her directly in the eyes as she spoke. Being a good judge of character, Claire deemed Ellen to be a sincere person. Her relaxed demeanor helped to make Claire feel more at ease.
Claire followed Ellen through a maze of hallways decorated with pictures of towboats and nautical emblems to a room referred to as the galley. Ellen opened a few of the cabinets. “Since most of us spend more time here than at our own homes, we try to make this place as homey as possible. Our galley, or kitchen, as most call it, has everything you need to cook or warm meals. We keep snacks on hand if you are unable to get out for lunch. A lot of us cook gumbo or red beans and rice, and all are welcome to the meal.
Don’t be shy, or you’ll miss out.”
“I’m never shy when it comes to food,” Claire responded politely as she eyed the doughnuts and pastries lying on the table 14
Robin Alexander
“I have to warn you about the coffee; we make it strong here, so you may want to cut it with some water,” Ellen said as she filled a cup for Claire.
“I need all the help I can get this morning. A lot of caffeine is just the trick.” Claire took a sip of the hot brew, and her eyes nearly bugged. “On second thought, I think I may add just a little water.”
Alone on the elevator, Ellen tried to help an obviously nervous Claire relax a little. “After the morning meeting, I’ll take you to your new office. That is ...” Ellen paused for effect, “if you survive.” She laughed out loud at the horrified expression on Claire’s face. “Honey, you have nothing to fear but boredom.
Should you be talented enough to sleep with your eyes open, try not to drool on the conference table. It gives me away every time.”
The elevator doors opened to reveal a large conference room that nearly dominated the entire fourth floor. The back wall of the spacious room was made of glass and overlooked the Mississippi River. In the center of the room was a huge conference table surrounded by high-backed leather chairs. Pictures of the Valor vessels hung framed and matted on the two opposing walls.
Happy with the fact that she and Ellen were first to arrive for the meeting, Claire made her way over to the glass. As the early morning sun shone from the eastern sky making the murky Mississippi River shimmer like diamonds, she watched with interest as boats of all types made their way up and down the river and as the turbulent water churned in their wake.
Ellen joined her at the window. “Looks peaceful and serene, doesn’t it? Looks can be deceiving, though. That murky water has claimed many lives, not just within our company, but just about every company that operates on the river.” She paused, wanting to make sure that Claire paid her full attention.