“Cameron.”
“Miss Cameron, this is Debra Womack.”
“Hi, Debra,” she said politely. “What’s up?”
“Miss Tate called in a few minutes ago and asked that you call her at home, she says you have the number.”
“Is everything alright?” she asked worriedly her chest tightening.
“She didn’t say, just asked me to let you know. She said she couldn’t get through on your cell phone.”
“Alright, thank you, Debra,” Bailey said and quickly hung up.
She dug in her pocket for her cell phone and realized with relief that she must have turned it off. She tapped the speakerphone and dialed Piper’s number, waiting through four rings.
“Hello.”
“Is everything alright?” Bailey asked anxiously.
“Yeah, my car died in the driveway, I’m gonna be late,” Piper said obviously annoyed.
“What happened?” Bailey asked relieved.
“I backed it out of the garage to let it warm up and when I came back out, it had died and wouldn’t start back up.”
“Don’t worry, I can come get you in a little while. Would you like me to arrange to have it towed to a garage?”
“Salvage yard would probably be the best bet,” Piper said crankily.
“I missed you last night,” Bailey said surprised to have said what she was thinking.
“You did?” Piper asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“That’s funny,” Piper said. “I missed you too.”
“Can you hang tight for a bit?”
“Yep, you don’t have to come get me though. I can take a cab.”
“Don’t do that, I’ll come get you in about an hour, alright.”
“Alright,” Piper said. “My pager has been beeping constantly do you know what it’s about?”
“Nope,” Bailey said as she saw Josh tentatively approach the door and she waved him in. “I’ve got to go, I’ll be there as quick as I can, okay?”
“Okay, see ya in a bit,” Piper said and hung up.
Bailey hung up the phone and turned her attention to Josh, who had cleaned up impressively well and appeared to be a completely different person. He was dressed in a sharp navy blue suit and had cut his hair in a professional fashion; he had even donned a pair of rimless glasses that she knew were just window dressing.
“Good morning,” she said with a smile.
“Morning,” he replied a little uneasily. She had changed a little since he saw her last week but he couldn’t pin down exactly how.
“Any questions?” she asked lightly.
“A few,” he admitted.
“Let’s hear them.”
“Your package was very thorough and I don’t think I’ll have any problems finding the guys inside for you. But I’m a little unclear as to what you want me to do outside of the building.”
“I’m already under constant surveillance when I leave the building, I need you to follow the people that are following me and track them back to their location.”
“Alright, I only have the rental car at my disposal, I’ll become a little obvious if I do this regularly.”
She unlocked her desk and pulled out three sets of keys that she sat on the surface in front of her. “These cars are in the parking garage across the street, their locations are on the key chains. Use one of these vehicles when I leave the building.” She pulled a piece of paper from her desk and slid it across the surface toward Josh. “This is a list of the vehicles I own and will most likely use when I leave the building,” she added and he stood to collect the keys and the list.
“There was cell phone in the package, I assume that’s what you’ll call me on when you decide to leave the building?” he asked seating himself again.
“Yes,” Bailey said. “You’re to call me on the number I gave you immediately if you suspect they’re moving on me or have become aware of your presence.”
“Understood,” Josh nodded. “The laptop you gave me has corporate access?”
“Yes, there should have been several log in handles and passwords for you in the case.”
“There was, I just wasn’t going to try them until I confirmed,” Josh said. “I have your other package by the way.”
“It’s your package, Josh.” Bailey smiled. “Carry it with you, there might be an occasion where I need back up.”
“That wasn’t part of the deal,” Josh said. “I’ve never shot anyone and I don’t want to.”
“You probably won’t have to, Josh,” Bailey said. “Carry it with you.”
Josh stewed for a few minutes. “Alright.”
“Anything else?” she asked politely.
“I’m having second thoughts about becoming, Renfield,” he admitted reluctantly.
“I see.”
“I’ll do your job for you, but I don’t want to have all my teeth ground down and capped.”
“You visited the dentist I take it.”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s up to you, Josh. The monetary offer still stands if you want to remain who you are, or if you want to become Mr. Anderson permanently. Tell me what you’d like and I’ll arrange it.”
“Can I get back to you on that?”
“Certainly, but I’ll need to know as soon as possible to be able to accommodate you.”
“Very well, how often do you leave the building?”
“Rarely in the past, but often recently.”
“Where do you go?”
“Out with my girlfriend,” Bailey admitted with a grin she couldn’t quite keep from forming.
Josh gaped at her for a second. “I take it this is a relatively new development?” he asked curiously.
“Yes.”
“I thought there was something different about you, now I know,” he said with satisfaction but swallowed nervously when her eyes flashed.
“What do you mean?” she asked suspiciously.
He threw caution to the wind. “Love suits you,” he said with a grin.
She stared at him for a long moment but the little grin on his face refused to disappear and finally she relented. “Perhaps,” she admitted with a shrug and turned away from him slightly in her chair. “I’ve arranged an office for you, number 1739. You’ll find it on this floor, close to the elevators you got off of today.”
“Alright,” he said, grin still in place. She’s shy! I can’t believe it.
“Anything else?”
“What do I do when I find these people?”
“Just tell me who they are.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, I’ll take it from there.”
“I think that’s everything that was on my mind.”
“Very well. I estimate there are around sixty to eighty men in the city at this time. The surveillance on me has been light up until now and will probably remain that way for a little while. However, it will increase dramatically when they get an idea on how to move on me,” She paused. “You can’t keep that many people working together spread out over the city without problems and I imagine they’ll find an apartment complex or another building to house them in so they can be easily coordinated. I need to know where this place is.”
“I’ll find it,” Josh said easily although it disturbed him to think that there were that many men lurking about with the sole intention of killing the woman who sat in front of him.
“I know you will, that’s why I chose you,” Bailey said seriously. “A word of caution, these people have to operate in secrecy, they won’t hesitate in the slightest if you’re discovered.”
“Gee, what a happy a thought for me,” Josh said with a frown.
“Just be careful, contact me immediately if you even suspect you’ve been discovered.”
“You can be assured that I will.”
“Alright then,” she said standing up. “I’ve an errand, call me if you need anything.”
Josh stood up with her. “I will. You said office 173
9?”
“Yes,” Bailey said with a smile. “Have a nice day, Mr. Anderson.”
“It’s getting better all the time,” Josh said cryptically on the way out the door.
Bailey watched him leave. “Yes, it is,” she said quietly.
———
Piper hung up the phone in her kitchen and sighed heavily. She walked around the room in a little circle, occasionally stomping her foot and mumbling under her breath. She had been on the phone for the last hour, packing a bag and trying to no avail to weasel her way out of having to leave.
The doorbell rang and she walked out of the kitchen dragging her feet. She paused before she opened the door and put a bright smile on her face.
“Hi!” she said cheerily and greeted her with a kiss.
“Hi,” Bailey said after Piper withdrew.
“I’m ready,” she said coming out of the house carrying her bag. She beamed another smile at Bailey and took her hand. “Sorry, you had to come get me.”
“That’s alright,” Bailey said. “Your car needs a tow, the block is cracked.”
“What does that mean, is it bad?” Piper asked concerned.
“New engine, it’s not going anywhere for a while,” Bailey said and Piper scrunched up her face in disgust.
“Probably time for a new car anyway, I’ve been driving the same one for almost ten years. My brother had it before that,” Piper said but stopped when she saw the car parked next to her Camaro in the driveway.
“How many cars do you own?” she asked in amusement.
“A few,” Bailey answered with a little grin as Piper let go of her hand and circled the Corvette in examination.
“What year is this one?” Piper asked excitedly.
“1965,” Bailey asked watching Piper.
“Are all of your cars black?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t see this one in the garage, where did it come from?” Piper asked curiously.
“I have another garage.”
“I see,” Piper said with a smile. “Can I drive?”
“Of course,” Bailey said and tossed the keys over the hood to Piper who caught them excitedly, opening the trunk and depositing her bag before she hopped in behind the wheel.
“Why did you drive this one today?” Piper asked when she sat down.
“I figured you would need a car to drive so I brought this one for you.”
“Really?” Piper asked happily.
“Yeah, what’s with the bag?” Bailey asked and Piper frowned. “What’s the matter?”
“I have to go to Knoxville until Wednesday night,” Piper said with downcast eyes.
“Why?” Bailey asked visibly disappointed.
“We have almost thirty IT people up there as contractors and the contract is up for renewal. Sales already has a couple of people there and they want me there to bargain on their behalf. Apparently, the company only dealt with John and because he isn’t available any longer, they want his replacement to be present.” Piper watched as Bailey sank in her seat and almost giggled when her lower lip started to protrude childishly.
“No fair,” Bailey said sulking.
“I’m not too happy about it either,” Piper said smiling at her behavior.
“When do you have to go up there?”
“This morning,” Piper said. “I have to stop by the office for my laptop and sales wants to speak with me before I head out.”
“How are you getting there?”
“I was going to rent a car.”
“No, you take this one,” Bailey said firmly, pulling her wallet out of her jacket and handing Piper a credit card. “This is a company card. Keep it and put all of your expenses on it; I’ll clear it with accounting later. I should’ve already arranged to get you one.”
“Are you sure about the car?” Piper asked. “I can rent one.”
“No, I want you to take this one,” Bailey said. “Are you taking Debra with you?”
“Yeah, I asked her a little while ago, she’s already gone home to pack.”
“Do you think she’s pretty?” Bailey asked before she could stop herself.
“Who, Debra?” Piper asked with a smile. “Are you jealous?”
“No…I…” Bailey started indignantly. “…I don’t know,” she admitted with another sulk and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You are so precious,” Piper said and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Debra is married and has two kids. Besides, I only have eyes for you, goofy.”
“You’d better,” Bailey said quietly and Piper laughed at her.
“I’m crazy about you, don’t you ever doubt that,” Piper said poking her in the ribs.
She got a little smile out of her so she started the car and pulled out of the driveway, trying to keep from giggling at the sulking form in the passenger seat who was scowling under her sunglasses.
“Have you gotten a cell phone yet?” Bailey asked after a few minutes.
“No, I never thought to ask for one,” Piper admitted and Bailey pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
“Marta?” she said into the phone. “Yes, this is Bailey. Would you assign Piper Tate a cell phone, please? She needs it immediately.”
Piper listened until Bailey hung up the phone and turned to her. “She’s sending one up now, it should be on your desk when you get there. Call me tonight when you get settled?”
“Okay,” Piper said and Bailey promptly went back into sulk mode. “I’ll miss you, you know,” she added.
“Me too,” Bailey said quietly and turned her face to look out the window. “What time did you want to leave on Thursday?” she asked after a moment.
“Late morning would be good I guess.”
“Okay,” Bailey said. “Do you want me to have your car towed?”
“Hmmm,” Piper thought. “I took everything out of it this morning. Do you think it would be worth it to have it fixed?”
“Not really,” Bailey said and Piper snickered.
“Can we just put it in the backyard and have someone throw a tarp over it, and I’ll decide what to do with it later?”
“Okay.” Bailey said and frowned when she saw they were pulling into the parking garage.
“Walk me up?” Piper asked hopefully as she pulled into her usual space.
“Yeah,” Bailey said as they both got of the car and Piper activated the alarm.
They walked together through the lobby to the private elevator and Piper took Bailey’s hand the second the doors shut. Bailey squeezed her hand tightly and let Piper lead her to her own office where, as soon as they were inside, Piper embraced her.
“I’ll be back Wednesday night, but I’ll have to pack for my parents,” Piper said into her chest. “So I’ll see you Thursday morning, okay?”
“Okay,” Bailey said quietly.
“Now give me a kiss and tell me that you’ll miss me,” she said lifting her face.
Bailey leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll miss you,” she said and Piper squeezed her tight.
“I’ll miss you too,” Piper said. “I’ll call you tonight,” she added with a smile and walked out of the office.
Bailey watched her leave and went around to sit at her desk, unlocking a drawer as she seated herself and fishing through it to produce an ashtray. She took the cigarettes out of her jacket and lit one, leaning back in her chair to smoke and feel sorry for herself. She snuffed it out a few minutes later and reached for the phone. The first call was to a wrecker service to arrange to have Piper’s car taken care of and the second was to Josh, to inform him that she wouldn’t be going out for the next couple of days and would be gone over the weekend.
She hung up after speaking with Josh and went upstairs, glad Satterfield wasn’t in sight as she padded to the bedroom and threw herself on the bed. She felt around for her new teddy bear and, rolling over on to her side, she let herself drift off to sleep.
VI
Every time you go away,
You take
a little piece of me with you.
—D. Hall
Piper had been driving for almost an hour, wishing that she had the next few days to spend with Bailey before introducing her to the experience that was going to be her family. She had looked so miserable when she left her this morning that, for totally unjustified reasons, she had begun to feel guilty about having to go. She knew that was ridiculous but couldn’t seem to shake the feeling, and to top it off, she had barely said a word to Debra, who was riding beside her silently browsing through a magazine.
“I’m glad you were able to come with me, I would’ve felt bad leaving you alone so soon after you started,” Piper said conversationally.
“Actually, I’m happy to come,” Debra said, closing her magazine and putting it in her lap. “A break from the husband and kids was too good to pass up.”
“How long have you been married?” Piper asked with a smile.
“Fourteen years next month,” Debra said. “How about you, do you have a husband?”
“No,” Piper said cautiously.
“No?” Debra asked. “Pretty girl like you, I would think you’d have been snatched up a long time ago.”
“Thanks.” Piper said grinning at the compliment.
“This isn’t the typical executive’s car. My husband is gonna be green with envy when I tell him I got to tool around in an old Corvette,” Debra said smiling. “How long have you had it?”
“About two hours,” Piper admitted.
“Huh?” Debra asked confused.
“My car broke down this morning and Miss Cameron loaned me one of hers to drive for a while.”
“I see,” Debra said. “She’s a gorgeous lady, young too. What’s she like to work for?”
“She’s very hands off, I doubt you’ll deal with her very often,” Piper said carefully.
“I heard some of the gossip on Friday, is there any truth to it?” Debra asked curiously.
“What gossip?” Piper asked with a wrinkling brow.
“That she’s as sharp as a razor and to never, ever cross her,” Debra said casually. “I also heard she lives on the top floor all alone and she rarely makes an appearance in public.”
“Well, there’s no doubt she’s really smart, she does live upstairs and I worked for C-Corp for over two years before I saw her for the first time,” Piper said. “Let me guess, they tried to scare you with the Princess of Darkness routine?”
Engravings of Wraith Page 27