“As you know, we have our fair share of opponents. Tonight we saw that. The environmentalists are a violent and extreme group. Many of them have great principles, but far too many don’t. If Conrad hadn’t tackled that man, who knows what he would have done? Who knows what might have happened? Sadly, a lot of the environmentalists are like our bearded friend tonight. They are violent. Concerned only with personal gain. They aren’t the people we listen to though, are they? We listen to the people who want to live in Rothschild units, whomever they may be.”
People began applauding. He put down the champagne and waved them off.
“Those whackos aren’t what we’re here for tonight. We’re here to talk about charity. We have been building the Rothschild foundation for years, and we aren’t going to stop growing.”
Jake touched Mel’s arm.
“This is why we’re here?”
“It’s the tenth anniversary.”
“Seeing how our efforts have grown,” Rothschild said, “has been an amazing process. Still, I know we can do better. That’s why I’m announcing that I’ll be increasing my personal donation this year. We can do more for the great communities around us. That’s what this foundation has always been about.
“Part of the reason we’re doing it is to expand our mission. As you know, we’ve always dealt with a wide range of issues and concerns in this area. We won’t stop. We support a wide range of causes. With my donations, and your help, we can add depth to our breadth.”
Everyone clapped again. Rothschild didn’t bow or acknowledge it. He just stood waiting. He’d heard all the applause before.
He circulated the tables again, never sitting down. The band played a slow song and people began to file out of the room. The waiters and waitresses circulated, asking the guests if they needed anything else. No one did. Jake was talking to Mel when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and black eyes stared back.
“Quite a night, wasn’t it, Mr. Russo?”
“It was, Mr…Simeon. Quite a night.”
“Did you see that madman? He must have a personal vendetta against glassware.”
“He must.”
“Mel,” Rothschild said, “I’m going to make you tackle him next time.”
“He teases me,” she told Jake.
“I’d ask the same of you, Mr. Russo. Hopefully we didn’t make a poor impression.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“Good.” He raised his chin and looked across the room. He placed his fingertips at the top of his cummerbund. “I’d hate to make a poor impression. It was a good thing we had Conrad, wasn’t it?”
“Was he the gentleman who tackled the man?”
“That’s correct. He’s a very genial man. But when he needs to act otherwise…”
He laughed and Jake and Mel laughed with him. He stopped suddenly.
“But enough of madmen. When will we be speaking?”
“Sir?”
“An interview. I want to tell you about our plans. Your readers would love to know more about me.”
“Well, if you’d like to schedule a time, I’d be happy.”
“Here.” He handed Jake another business card, made of thick stock. “This has my information.”
“I’ll give you a call.”
“No. It’s to write down the time. I’m free the fourteenth. Lunch. We’ll have it.”
“I’m not sure-”
But he was already walking away. Mel pulled at Jake’s sleeve as they got up to leave.
“That’s the thing about Simeon Rothschild. He not only starts conversations when he wants to.” She shrugged. “He also ends them when he wants to.”
CHAPTER 11
At night the heat made sense. During the day, he couldn’t understand the weather. But at night it all changed. The humidity seemed to thin out in the breeze. The moon took over the sun’s shift. The roads were finally dark again, instead of being glossed up with mirage. Things made sense at night, especially with a woman in the passenger’s seat.
She looked over at him.
“Where now?”
“Your car’s still at Sunset Cove, right?”
“Yes, I guess that’s where we can go.” She looked back at the banquet building.
He started driving. He’d gotten the door for her that time. Heard the seatbelt buckle click. They didn’t turn the radio on. All they heard was the road rushing, because Jake liked the windows open. Mel spoke over the wind.
“How was your interview with Charlotte?”
“That? Interesting. She has some interesting theories about things to be sure. A little obsessed with bridge.”
She laughed.
“They all are.”
“Are they?”
“Definitely. I know-I’m the one who schedules the common room for bridge games. It gets intense.”
“It sounds that way.”
The wind blew loudly into the car as they accelerated. Mel smiled.
“Can you hear it?”
“What?”
“The Gulf.”
He went on the ramp.
“You can hear the ocean from here?”
“Yes,” she said and laughed. “And it’s the Gulf of Mexico. Not an ocean.”
He looked over quick. Her tan paled in moonlight. She smiled and her teeth shone.
“You learn to hear the water when you live here all your life.”
“I’d think you’d notice it less.”
“Most people do. But I always appreciate it.”
He glanced at the road and then looked back at her. She still smiled.
“I was talking to Javier, and he said that he could hear it too.”
“Who’s Javier?”
The inevitable boyfriend? He waited for the answer.
“Oh, he’s our maintenance person. Like our super.”
It was a good answer.
“He’s from Cuba, originally. And he says that no matter where he is, he always knows if he’s near the water. Of course, he’s never been very far from it.”
“It sounds wonderful.”
She ran her nails against the grain of the dashboard.
“It’s not perfect. You know, I didn’t exactly want the job. That’s a whole other thing though…”
They passed Palmstead on the right. The tennis courts were still lit, though they’d probably been empty since five. The pool shone from the moonlight. He didn’t ask her for directions to Sunset Cove. They pulled off the ramp and the wind slowed down.
“I guess I didn’t imagine I’d be doing paperwork so much. I’d rather get to know the residents better.”
He looked over and she smiled and tugged her ear. He could see Sunset Cove, rising up. Be aggressive. He swallowed.
“There are some things I’d like to know better.”
“So would I,” she said. “Though that was a pretty bad line.”
He smiled.
“I know.”
“But the sentiment was good.”
They pulled up next to her car and they both got out. They stood on opposite sides of it and then walked to the front. She looked at the hood of his car and Jake hopped onto it. It made a hollow sound and he grunted.
“I’ve always seen that in movies.” It was a little warm from the drive. She sat beside him on the hood.
“What else can we teach you about the world of automobiles, Jake Russo?”
“I don’t know. What else is there?”
“Drag racing?”
“That’s certainly something to do.”
“Driving around with your friends.”
“I often drive around by myself,” he said.
“That’s close enough.”
He leaned back a little and tested his weight on the windshield. It held. He leaned back and looked up, Mel’s shape just a silhouette.
“Why didn’t you want this job?”
She looked at the windshield and leaned back on it.
“Are we off the record?”
“Mel, of course.”
“It’s a good job. I like it. I like meeting the residents. Simeon can be…interesting. But he’s a fair boss.”
“But why didn’t you want it?”
She paused. Her dress was shining.
“I guess, I don’t know. I just don’t enjoy all the bad parts.”