Cat 'N Mouse

by Yvonne Harriott

What kind of friendship would she and Sam develop? Employee and employer? He had not initiated anything beyond that, but she had, twice. He’d shut it down like Fort Knox both times. She was not his type by any stretch of the imagination.

  She thought about her last serious relationship. He was her father’s intern, Damien Walker. He was handsome and smart. They liked the same things. She thought he loved her. Then one day he left without a word. No one knew where he had disappeared to. When she’d asked Matt for help in locating him, he’d told her to forget about Damien for he’d gotten what he wanted. People always wanted something from her. Sam wanted nothing from her and here she was almost wishing he did, she thought sadly.

  “What’s wrong?” Sam asked, just as she neared Robyn’s office.

  “Nothing.”

  “That’s female talk for I’m mad about something, but you’ll have to figure it out,” Dennis said, his thumb pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. As long as she’d known him, he was forever pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Surely he made enough money to get them properly fitted.

  “Don’t you have work to do, Dr. Anderson?” Robyn asked, approaching the door. She had her hands in her white lab coat, her stethoscope around her neck. “I could hardly hear myself on the phone with your little hen party out here.”

  “That’s female talk for I better get to work or I might be fired.” Dennis blew a kiss at Robyn. She smiled shaking her head as she watched him saunter off down the hall to the lab.

  “Sam, I’ve arranged a work space for you in the reception area right across from Alexandria’s cubicle, as requested.” Robyn said to Sam. “Talk to Pamela and she’ll get you anything you need.”

  Sam nodded and headed to the reception desk. Alexandria’s eyes followed him. Great. Put him in front of Pamela. That makes perfect sense. She’ll be pawing at him all day. She turned her gaze back to Robyn. Her friend was watching her with a smile spread across her face.

  “I wouldn’t worry about Pamela.” Robyn put her arm around Alexandria’s shoulder as they entered the office, closing the door. “She has as much chance of landing Sam as an ice cube surviving in a hot oven.”

  “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Robyn laughed. “Sure and I’m the Queen of England. Come sit down.”

  Robyn’s office was decorated like her home; a mishmash of furnishing in an array of colors that looked like it had been handed down from one generation to the next. She sat down beside Robyn on a well-worn plaid sofa.

  “How’s Tiana?”

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve already spoken to her father and he wanted me to let you know as well since you and Tiana are so close.”

  Alexandria faced Robyn on the sofa. “Let me know what? Did something happen?”

  “You know that infections are common in sickle cell patients, especially at Tiana’s age.”

  “Infection? She was doing so well.”

  “I know. You’ll need to wear a mask, gown and gloves when you visit her. I’ve set them out for you on the chair in the storage closet. You can’t stay too long. She needs her rest.”

  Robyn got up moving toward her desk. She was hiding something.

  “You’re really worried about her, aren’t you?”

  “Concerned. I just wanted to give you a heads up so when you see her you wouldn’t panic.”

  Chapter Nine

  Sam’s eyes were glued to the door blocking out Pamela’s excessive chatter. When he couldn’t take it anymore, he said, trying to be nice, “Don’t let me keep you from your work.”

  “You’re not keeping me from my work,” she replied, launching into more conversation.

  He sat up straight, alert when Robyn’s door opened and Alexandria stepped out, her forehead wrinkled with worry. She disappeared into the storage room across from Robyn’s office and come out wearing a green hospital gown over her clothes. Pulling a surgical facemask on, she walked quickly into the last room on the right, Tiana Robinson’s room.

  Sam had seen, Mr. Robinson, a tall thin dark-skinned man, when he’d walked by the room earlier. The man was sitting on the sleeping child’s bed holding her hand in tears. He left the room when Alexandria entered. Pamela said he would only leave the room when Alexandria relieved him. In between Pamela’s excessive chatter he’d picked up that the child only came alive when Alexandria visited.

  Sam found it interesting that a sick child would gravitate toward someone like Alexandria. She seemed to have a caring side to her that she keeps hidden from the rest of the world. Or maybe the world refused to see it. He never knew this side of her existed. Sure Robyn had told him, but he was just beginning to see it now. The child had sickle cell anemia, a disease he knew nothing about. Why was there such a strong connection between the little girl and Alexandria? Where was the girl’s mother?

  He got up picking up one of the pamphlets about sickle cell from the corner of Pamela’s desk wanting to make himself comfortable outside of Tiana’s room.

  As he passed Robyn’s office he popped his head in. “Everything okay?”

  “I’ve had better days.”

  He could read people very well and right now he didn’t like what he was seeing on Robyn’s face. Worry, a bit of anger, which leveled off into frustration, then sadness.

  “The little girl,” he looked toward Tiana’s room. He could see Alexandria leaning over the child. “She’s going to die.”

  “We’re all going to die at some point.”

  “That’s not what I mean.”

  “No disrespect, Sam, but I don’t see why this is any of your concern.”

  “If it affects Alexandria then it concerns me. As I mentioned, someone wants to harm her. I’m here to ensure that doesn’t happen. To do that, I need to be kept informed of everything going on in her life.”

  Robyn looked toward the window then closed her eyes for a moment. “I can’t discuss Tiana’s medical records with you.”

  • • •

  “Hi, Princess.” Alexandria sat down on the chair beside the bed, adjusting the mask so it covered her nose to her chin. “How are you?”

  “Tired,” Tiana said in a weak voice, but her green eyes sparkled when she saw Alexandria. “Daddy is sad today. Can you make him feel better? You always make me feel better.”

  Tiana lifted her hand and Alexandria took it. She was sick and yet she was worried about her father. Tiana had eventually accepted that her mother was no longer a part of her life. Her father was still struggling to accept it.

  “I’ll try.”

  “Daddy didn’t finish the book.”

  Tiana didn’t understand why she was sick. All she knew was that she was sick and couldn’t play with her friends. It broke Alexandria’s heart.

  The book, The Princess and the Frog, lay open on the bed. Alexandria picked it up and began where Tiana’s father had stopped. It was Tiana’s favorite because she and the princess in the story shared the same name. Alexandria liked the story too. The fact that it was a children’s story didn’t diminish the lesson. The story was about two people who had chosen to remain as frogs so they could be together forever. Eventually, love transformed them to humans again. The lesson of the story is that through adversities, love still conquers all.

  By the time Tiana had married her prince, Naveen, in the story, the little girl had fallen asleep. Alexandria spent the rest of the afternoon with Mr. Robinson. The other floors didn’t matter. Only Mr. Robinson and Tiana mattered.

  The day flew by and by five o’clock, exhaustion had set in and she was more than ready to go home. Usually after her visit with the kids, she was able to leave the Foundation behind. Today she couldn’t, not Tiana’s frail body or the worry lines etched into Mr. Robinson’s face.

  Something was wrong. It was more than just the infection. Yet, when she pressed Robyn, she had nothing more to say.

  Conversation was non-existent on the ride home with Sam. Her fault. She had a surpris
e visit from Rebecca, who dropped in to see how she was doing or so she claimed. The woman had spent most of her time trying to engage Sam in conversation and had succeeded. Rebecca didn’t waste her time on anything unless there was something in it for her or something she wanted. In this case, it was Sam.

  With the news of Tiana’s frail health, and let’s not forget her stalker, she figured she had earned the right to be in a foul mood. Sam must have thought so too because he didn’t try to engage her in conversation.

  She glanced over at Sam and wondered what he saw in Rebecca? Except for shaking her chest at the men at the hospital she—forget about Rebecca she told herself. It was easier said than done.

  “Rebecca asked me if you were attached,” Alexandria blurted out.

  “I know,” he said, eyes still on the road. He switched gear, changed lanes and sped up to avoid stopping at a red light. He did that quite often.

  “And?”

  “I was under the impression you gave her an answer during the committee meeting at the hotel.”

  So he and Rebecca had been talking about it. That must have been when Alexandria had finally emerged from Tiana’s room and saw that they were both cozied up by the water cooler. Rebecca had flicked her hair back and laughed at something he’d said.

  “What did she tell you?”

  Sam was about to answer when her cellphone rang. He waited for her to get the phone, but she was waiting for his answer.

  “Well.” Impatience rang like a bell in her voice.

  “Aren’t you going to get that?”

  She frowned, pulling her phone from her purse and looked at the call display.

  “Hi, Matt. Now? We’re almost home. Okay, I’ll tell him.” She turned to Sam. “Daddy wants to talk to you.”

  • • •

  Only one reason Sam could think of why Prescott wanted to see him. He must have found out about what happened last night or the incident at the hotel; therefore, his services would no longer be required. It’s not like he was forthcoming with his daily reports either.

  Sam pulled up to the iron gate of the Prescott estate. He pushed the button on the automatic remote clipped to the sun visor and the gate opened. No one could tell the gate and his car had a meeting of metals a few days ago.

  Alexandria’s car was parked in front of one of the garages off to the left of the house. The candy apple red sports car looked like it had just been driven off the showroom floor. She saw the car and her eyes lit up as if she’d seen an old friend and wanted to say hello.

  “No.” Sam caught her hand stilling her movement when she grabbed the door handle. “I mean it.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She stared at him innocently with that what-are-you-talking-about-look in her eyes.

  “Alright you want to play that game.” His eyes narrowed, voice stern. “Let me spell it out for you. The car stays here. If you bring it back to the condo you’ll be tempted to drive it and we’ll fight about it. I don’t want the headache.” She raised an eyebrow but didn’t object. “Go on into the house. I’ll be in shortly. I want to catch Matt before he leaves.”

  She shook her head. “You’re not going to send me away so you and Matt can talk about me. Do you know what Daddy wants to talk about?”

  “I can guess, but why don’t we ask Matt,” Sam said as he turned off the engine and got out. Matt was getting into his car.

  “What’s with the urgent meeting?” Sam asked as Matt stepped back out of his car. Matt looked at Alexandria when she came around the SUV to join them. “She’s not going anywhere. She wants to hear what we’re saying about her.”

  “What is it, Matt?” Alexandria had a worried look on her face. Sam didn’t want her stressing about it and wanted to assure her that he would protect her even from her father. He didn’t get the chance.

  “I had to tell your father about the incident last night to show that Sam can handle whatever is thrown at him. He didn’t see it that way.”

  “He wants me to move back home.” She stood still for a moment. Her gaze shifted to the house. It was as though she was in a trance, staring at the house.

  “I told him that was your call,” Matt said touching her shoulder lightly. “Sam needs to convince him that he can get the job done. That’s all.”

  “I don’t work for Prescott any more,” Sam announced. It was a kneejerk reaction. He didn’t like the way Matt touched Alexandria or the way she reacted by grasping his hand. To retaliate he flexed his muscles. “I don’t need to convince him of any thing.”

  Confusion settled on Matt’s face. “I don’t understand?”

  “I hired him.”

  Matt looked at him then at Alexandria, trying to hide his anger. Sam could see it bubbling beneath the surface. “I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day. If you need anything,” he said to Sam, “give me a call later.”

  “You’re not going to stay? I’d like it if you did. Daddy listens to you.”

  “I got a meeting across town,” Matt said. “For the record, he only listens to me when it has to do with his business.”

  “I thought I was his business.” She turned abruptly and headed for the front door.

  “It wouldn’t hurt if you hung around. She needs all the support she can get.”

  They both watched as she climbed the steps, her head hung as she entered the house, closing the door.

  “Have you slept with her?”

  “No.” He looked sharply at Matt.

  “But you want to.”

  “Where is this coming from? There’s nothing going on between us.”

  At that moment he wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince more, himself or Matt. But his friend clearly didn’t believe him.

  “If you give Warren Prescott a weapon, he’ll kill you with it. He doesn’t like to lose especially with the affection of his daughter. I’ve seen him pay off men to get them out of her life.”

  “I know men like Prescott.”

  Keep your voice down,” Matt said, looking toward the house. “You don’t know him. This is between Prescott and his daughter. Don’t interfere.”

  “He’s trying to bully her. I won’t allow it.”

  “You won’t allow it?”

  Matt moved away from the door, indicating with a nod of his head for Sam to follow him. They walked along the cobble-stoned path toward the gazebo.

  “Two days ago you wanted to throw her under a bus.”

  Sam stared out across the water. The heat wave had finally broken leaving in its path a gentle pleasant breeze. By all accounts, the estate was a private paradise. Palm trees strategically planted, dotted the grounds and a botanical garden to the left of the boathouse that went on for miles, but even paradise can be dangerous.

  He wanted to get back to the condo before dark, not wanting to take any chances. Right now, he would rather be anywhere but where he was, talking about Alexandria. He felt Matt’s gaze and turned to meet it.

  “People change,” was his only explanation.

  “Not overnight.”

  “She’s not who I thought she was,” Sam said, avoiding Matt’s look of surprise. In the last twenty-four hours, the person he’d thought was a spoiled brat was just someone trying to survive. It wasn’t just the stalker that was trying to take away her independence. It was her father as well. “You should’ve seen her last night. She fell apart after that bastard tried to run us off the road. She asked me to stay and help her. I answer to her now.”

  Somewhere in the distance, two birds called to each other breaking the awkward silence that had settled between the two men.

  “Prescott is not going to like this.”

  “Tough.”

  “What happened to you in Boston?”

  “What do you mean?” Sam knew exactly what Matt meant. Boston had changed him. He was through with taking orders or allowing people to control his life. He did what he wanted to, when he wanted to.

  “You know what I mean.”


  “Look, Prescott wants her so dependant upon him that she doesn’t have to do anything for herself. He wants her to run back home. I won’t let that happen if that’s not what she wants.”

  One of the garage doors opened and Sam turned to see Colt emerging from the garage and appeared to be looking around for something. He obviously found what he was looking for. He stood still watching them in silence.

  “You can be her knight in shining armor if you like,” Matt said. “Just be sure when it all blows, up you’re still around. People in her life have a habit of running when the going gets tough, or when Prescott puts money on the table.”

  Sam watched Matt hurry off toward his black Camaro, got in and drove away. For some reason Matt, seemed annoyed and he couldn’t figure out why? He headed up the path to the front door and heard the fireworks as he opened the door.

  “Daddy, it wasn’t his fault—

  “You’ll move back home.”

  “No, why are you—”

  Mimi met Sam at the front door. “She needs you. Go to her.”

  “I can’t talk to you.” He reached the office door as Alexandria stormed out, crashing into him.

  “Alexandria! Come back here,” Prescott yelled from his office. “I’m not finished talking to you.”

  Sam caught her and held her as she exited Prescott’s office. She was running from her father. It was time she stood up to him. “Hey, you okay?”

  “He won’t listen to me.” She threw her hands up in the air.

  “I’m here.” Sam touched her cheek with the back of his hand. “Let’s make him listen.” His hand was on her back and he guided her back into Prescott’s office.

  “Why didn’t you tell me there was another attempt on her life last night?” Prescott jumped on him when they entered the office.

  “Because I took care of it, Prescott,” Sam said. “That’s what I was hired to do. Dragging her over here because you feel insecure is not going to keep her safe.”

  “It shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

  “Daddy, it wasn’t his fault.”

  “It doesn’t matter whose fault it is. He’s fired!”

  “I don’t work for you, Prescott.” Sam’s voice was calm and controlled. “I answer to your daughter.”