“Uh yeah, Beth, I think I’ve got this one. Maybe you can pick us up some lunch on the way back. I’d kill for a hotdog. No onions though.”
Nick stood saying he needed to get ready as well, and Suzy was left to her own devices. She really hoped they would be gone soon, she didn’t want to admit that she’d developed a secret addiction to the Price is Right. She’d never live that down. She settled onto the couch and picked up her laptop from the coffee table. Beth and Nick came out a short time later dressed for the office.
Beth looked pretty in a floral dress with flats. Even though it was fall, the days were still warm. Suzy noticed a pink flush on her sister’s cheeks and vowed to lecture Nick when they were alone. She was tired of him upsetting Beth all of the time. She couldn’t figure out why these two couldn’t just get along. She gave them both a wave good-bye and settled back with her remote control. What’s next, soap operas? I’m home for less than three weeks and I already know the television schedule for every daytime show. Pathetic. Just pass me the box of bon-bons and put me out to pasture.
She smothered a curse as her cell phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, which wasn’t unusual since several vendors had her telephone number. “Suzy Denton.” She was met on the other end of the line by continued silence. “Hello.” After several other attempts, there was still no reply so she ended the call. Great if someone had to interrupt my TV show, couldn’t it have at least been a heavy breather instead of a hang-up? The same thing happened to her twice more that morning until she finally shut her phone off in disgust. Apparently some kid had her number and was determined to call her all day.
~~~
Gray had been working non-stop since early in the morning to wrap things up in California. He’d managed to book an earlier flight on another airline. It was going to cost him several hundred dollars just to get home a couple of hours earlier, but it was money well spent. He stepped outside to call Nick to arrange for an earlier pick-up.
Nick answered the phone with his usual, “Hey bro, what’s up?”
“My flight is coming in around nine tonight; can you pick me up earlier than expected?”
“Sure man, no problem. Does Suzy know?”
“No, I want to surprise her. Just make up some excuse for you and Beth to be gone earlier. Make sure she has everything she needs before you guys leave, though.”
With a tired sigh, Gray asked, “Nick, did Reva call you last night?”
“Yeah, she did bro. I wasn’t going to even mention it, but Suzy heard me talking to her and questioned me about it. I don’t think she heard enough to connect it to you.”
“Nick, I’m sorry you’re being dragged into this. I’m going to tell Suzy when I get home and then I’m dealing with it. I’m tired of it. My damn cell phone rings constantly, and apparently she’s been making a nuisance of herself at Mericom. The woman is just un-balanced. I’m going to talk to the police and see what my options are. I even thought about talking to her parents, which seems absurd considering her age. I don’t think they would be thrilled to know that their daughter is stalking me.”
With a laugh Nick said, “Yeah there’s something about finding out your daughter is a fruit loop. I’m just glad you’re finally ready to take care of this. You’re too nice, you always have been. I like Suzy, a lot, and I don’t want anything screwing it up for you. I’ll see you tonight.”
As Gray ended the call with Nick, he placed another call to Declan. He was probably at the airport right now and hopefully had a moment to talk. Declan knew people from every walk of life. If anyone knew the best place to start to deal with someone like Reva, it was him.
~~~
Suzy flopped back against the couch cushions with a sigh of satisfaction. It felt good to be working again even if it was from home. She’d gotten the ball rolling on a formal cocktail party being held for a new customer in a couple of weeks and a training seminar for their telemarketing staff next month. She’d have never gotten so much accomplished away from the office without Beth. She knew it was selfish, but she hoped her sister would consider staying for at least a few months because she was the best assistant she’d ever had. Since they knew each other so well, Beth anticipated everything she needed without having to ask. She also understood her off-beat sense of humor, so there was no offending her.