“Would it help if I spoke with him, Adelaide? Maybe I could reassure him.”
She hesitated before answering. “It won’t help. I’m sorry.”
After thanking her for her patronage, Toby hung up and went on to the next person on the list. The story was the same, although not everyone was as forthcoming about the situation as Mrs. Daniels had been. Finally defeated, he put the down the phone and laid his head on his desk.
“Is there anything I can do, Toby?”
He lifted his head and looked up at Mitchell who was sitting in one of the chairs in front of his desk. “I wish there was, but I don’t think there is anything we can do to save this situation.” With a heavy sigh, he sat back up behind the desk. “I need to figure out what to do now. In my worst nightmare, I never anticipated this.”
“What are you going to tell everyone who works here?”
“The only thing I can, Mitchell. I have to tell them we’re going to close.” Toby turned to his computer and checked his bank balances and then opened the spreadsheet that he used to track and forecast the spa’s operating expenses. He spent several minutes entering numbers and making adjustments and then finally shut the spreadsheet. “With the money I have on hand, and without wiping myself out totally, I can afford to give them each a small severance package. If I can convince SarahJune to help me manage the shutdown, I can probably keep her on for a couple more weeks and give her a nice check when we’re finished. She’s been with me since the very beginning. She was the first person I hired.”
“Toby, when the spa had to close before, most of them were able to find some extra work to get them through. And, what about outcalls? Maybe they’ll stay on until you can get things under control.”
“I can’t ask them to do that. Last time, everyone knew it was temporary and that we’d eventually be back to normal. This time, it’s different. I don’t see any way I can recover from this.”
“You can’t just give up!”
“I’m not giving up – I’m being forced to confront reality.” Toby leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. “Geri did all of those things to make sure I wouldn’t have to worry about money or anything else having to do with the business. He thought he was protecting me, but the funny thing is, the things he did and what happened after are going to be the very reason I have to shut down.”
“I don’t think it’s very funny.”
“Me either, Mitchell. But it’s the truth.”
After a few minutes, Toby lifted his head and stretched to relieve the tension that was beginning to turn into a world-class headache. “I need to talk to Madame Zhou and see if she can help me get out of the lease. I still have about fourteen months of obligation. I can cover it, but it’d be nice if she could find a way to negotiate an early termination which would allow me to hold on to some extra cash. I’ll need it until I find a job myself.”
He spent a while longer contemplating his now uncertain future, then turned off the computer and stood from his chair. “Let’s get out of here, Mitchell. There’s no reason to sit here brooding about things. I’m going to talk with SarahJune and see if she’ll agree to help me over the next few weeks. Then I think we should head back to the apartment. I can call Madame Zhou from there, and then I think I’ll make myself a drink and drown my sorrows in the sun.”
Mitchell followed him out of the office and waited while Toby locked his office and then turned off the lights in the treatment rooms and the breakroom. He spent the next several minutes looking out onto Capital Street while Toby told SarahJune about his decision to close the spa. Mitchell heard the soft sound of her crying and could hear in the distress in Toby’s voice. Mitchell continued to watch the people on the street, going about their business like it was a normal day. “It is a normal day for most of them,” he thought as he heard Toby asking SarahJune if she would stay on and help in close the place down.
“Of course I’ll help, Toby, I was the first one in the door and it’s only right I should be the last one out of that same door. I’m just sorry it’s come to this. I’ve loved working here and you’re the best boss I’ve ever had.”
Mitchell could see their hug in the hazy reflection of the window. SarahJune collected her purse and went out the door, wiping her eyes before she slipped on her sunglasses and stepped out into the sun. She walked down the street and Mitchell noticed that she didn’t look back.
“I think that was the worst part of the day,” Toby said as he walked to the front door. “Ready?”
They went out the glass door, and Toby locked up. “I feel a vodka and tonic in my immediate future, Mitchell. I know you won’t drink one of those while you’re on duty – which is all of the time these days – but could I interest you in a beer?”
“Sure, a beer sounds good about right now.”
The two men walked to the corner and waited for the light to change before crossing the street. “I bet you’ll be glad when this job is over, Mitchell. You can get your own life back to normal.”
“Maybe, Toby. But, I think I might be bored without all of the excitement you seem to stir up.”
They went up the stairwell, and the minute they stepped in the door, Toby began to shed his clothing. “Starting your nudist routine already? Don’t you want to wait until you have talked to Madame Zhou?”
“There’s no need to wait. Besides, she’s already seen me nude.”
“What? When did she ever see you nude?”
Toby’s shorts hit the floor and he bent to pick them up. “She doesn’t know I know, but she leases an apartment on the top floor of the building on the other side of her shop. Sometimes I see the curtains move when I’m out in the sun. I think she’s taken a few peeks. I’ve never actually caught her, and after a while I didn’t even try. If she’s not bothered, then I’m not going to worry about it.”
“If that’s the case, I’m not going out on that terrace unless I’m fully covered!”
“Oh come on, Mitchell. It’s no big deal. Besides, you could use some sun. You need some color.”
“I don’t tan very easy – so I think I’ll just keep everything on anyway.”
“I wouldn’t let you get burned. I’ll make sure you have on plenty of sunscreen.”
Mitchell considered as Toby handed him a beer and then started mixing himself a drink. “I’ll come out there with you, but I’ll wear a pair of shorts.”
“Suit yourself, but I think you are being silly. I’m going to call Madame Zhou. Would you bring me my sunglasses when you come out?”
“Sure. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Tony picked up his phone and called Green Dragon. After he had exchanged the obligatory greetings Zhou Li seemed to appreciate, he filled her in on the situation and told her what he’d decided to do about the spa.
“Considering what you have told me, Toby I think that is probably wise. I am proud of you for making this difficult decision.”
“I think it is the best decision, but I’m having a hard time accepting the fact that the dream I’ve had since I was a teenager is dead.”
Zhou was silent for a few seconds before she spoke again. “I have learned that when one dream vanishes another takes its place, if you remain open to the possibility. Try and remain as positive as you’re able. You’ll see I am right – I usually am.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, Madame Zhou. When do you think you’ll hear back from the management company regarding the lease?”
“I’ll contact them on Monday and explain the situation. I will probably get an answer by the end of the week and I let will you know what they decide. In the meantime, try to get some rest. The last weeks have been trying.”
“Yes they have been. I’ll let you go now. I’m sure you have things to do.”
“Yes, I’m leaving here shortly to attend a party that is being given by an old friend who lives out of town. It will be a nice get-away and I always enjoy a celebration. They have arranged for someone to pick me up and I am going to spend th
e night there and return tomorrow, after lunch. I’ll talk to you soon, Toby.”
“Well, that was certainly a waste of time,” Reightman commented after she and Jones left their very unproductive meeting with Marilyn Sawyer. “She didn’t understand half of what I was asking.”
“Give her a break, Reightman. The combined shock of Federal agents descending on her husband’s church, and his execution style murder has probably been quite a blow. We can follow-up again, after Sawyer’s funeral. She did offer.”
“You’re right. I guess I was too hopefully optimistic about the whole thing.” Her phone rang and Reightman pulled it out of her purse.
“Detective Reightman speaking,” she answered. “Hello, Chief. Yes, I’ve got a minute….What?...No, Chief I don’t think it’s a good idea!– I think it is a very bad idea….Oh he did?” She glanced over at her partner. “I see. But……Yes, sir….I’ll let him know. Goodbye.”
She hung up the phone and stuffed it back into her bag. “That was Chief Kelly. He’s decided it’s time to reassign Mitchell.” She watched his profile as he checked the rearview mirror and changed lanes. “He said he spoke to you about it and you thought it was a good idea.” Jones didn’t offer any immediate comment. “Mind telling me about that conversation?”
“I didn’t tell him I thought it was a good idea…exactly. He asked me how I thought Mitchell was doing. I told him I thought he was doing okay, but could probably use a break. Kelly said he’d been thinking the same thing and had decided to pull Mitchell off and assign a rotation to Bailey. That way, no single person has to bear the burden of twenty-four hour coverage. That was the end of the conversation.”
“Why didn’t you mention it to me?
“To tell you the truth, it slipped my mind. With the Sawyer murder front and center, I just completely forgot about the conversation. What’s the big deal anyway? It is probably time to make a change.”
Reightman looked out her window, trying to decide why it was a big deal. “I think Mitchell’s going to be upset, and I know Toby will be. They have grown very close over the last weeks. “
“Then it is definitely a good idea to reassign Mitchell. After this is all over, they can resume their friendship – or whatever they have going on.”
Reightman didn’t care for his tone. “What do you mean by that? You sound very disapproving.”
“I don’t disapprove – honestly. I’m concerned about Mitchell though. I don’t want him get the idea that he’s the only person who can keep Bailey safe. He’ll put his own life on the back burner and who knows what he’ll miss out on? I think he deserves better than that.” He took the exit off the interstate. “Mitchell told me about the man he’s interested in when we were working together. As long as he’s tied to Toby Bailey, he’ll never pursue another relationship and that would be a shame. Frankly, the change might do Bailey good as well. He can certainly remain friends with Mitchell, but maybe this change will prevent any inappropriate feelings from forming, especially feelings for the police officer assigned to protect him. He may very well start forming some kind of hero-based attachment and will be hurt if Mitchell fades away after this is done. One more dose of hurt won’t do him a damn bit of good. He needs someone to help him heal – not provide him a roll in the hay.”
“You may be right about some of it, but I still don’t like it. I’d better call Mitchell and break the news.” Reightman dug the phone again, and Jones listened as she spoke to the young officer.
Toby put down his phone and picked up his almost finished drink and went inside to make another. He was squeezing a wedge of lime when Mitchell entered the kitchen wearing a pair of flowered board shorts, accessorized by a beach towel displaying the local college mascot.
“I talked to Madame Zhou,” Toby updated him as he put a few more cubes of ice into his glass. “She said she’d talk to the management company on Monday. She’s going out of town to visit a friend and won’t be back until noon tomorrow.”
“Does she think they’ll negotiate the lease termination?”
“She didn’t say. She said we’d know by the end of the week.” Toby put the ice bin back into the freezer and opened the fridge. He frowned when he got a good look at what Mitchell was wearing. “I like the shades – that mirrored look is very retro-cop. But those shorts are horrible.”
Mitchell shrugged. “I like them.”
Toby rolled his eyes, ‘Of course you do! They cover you past your knees. You want that beer?”
“Sure,” Mitchell exchanged the sunglasses he had fetched for the cold bottle, and followed Toby out onto the patio and adjusted the back of the lounger and sat down. “The only thing you need out here is some music.”
“I can take care of that! I have a portable speaker that works with my phone. I just forget about it most of the time. I’ll be back in a minute – I’ll have to find it.”
Mitchell looked over to the apartments to where Toby suspected Zhou Li lived. When he assured himself there was no suspicious curtain activity, he made himself comfortable and sipped his beer.
“How did it go,” Jones asked as she ended the call.
She shrugged. “I didn’t get a clear sense of what Mitchell thought, other than he’s worried about Toby. He wants to make sure he’s well protected.”
“Toby Bailey will be very well protected – probably better protected than he is now. Not that Mitchell isn’t dedicated, but with a rotation of officers they’ll all be rested and more alert for possible threats. How much longer can this go on, anyway?”
“I don’t know, Jones. I hope not too much longer. We’re expending a lot of resource and not making much progress.”
“Not much progress? Come on, Reightman! We stopped Sutton Dameron and his wife. That counts as progress.”
“Yes, but we aren’t any closer to finding the person who killed Lieberman, Helliman or Sawyer.“
“Or Jackson,” he softly reminded her.
Reightman turned her face back toward the window and kept her thoughts to herself for the remainder of the ride.
“Are we working tomorrow?” Jones asked when he dropped her off at her condo.
“I don’t think so. We can all use the break. Thanks for driving today.”
“No problem. It was worth it to see that huge house. Can you believe some people live like that?”
Reightman snorted. “No, it was quite a dump. I don’t know how they manage. I’ll see you Monday, Jones.” He gave her a jaunty wave and drove away.
When Toby came back out, he looked Mitchell’s way then set up the speaker and scrolled through the selection of music on his phone. “Jazz okay?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Toby made his selection and turned back to Mitchell. “I have to say it’s an improvement, but I thought you were worried about Madame Zhou seeing you without your trunks.”
“You said she was going to be gone, so I decided I’d try some more of this naked stuff you’re advocating all the time.” Mitchell turned his head slightly to Toby, his eyes completely hidden behind the mirrored sunglasses. “I think you promised me some sunscreen.”
“So I did!” Toby bent down and picked up the bottle of sunscreen by his lounger. “Should I make sure all of your all of your naughty bits are covered while I’m rubbing this in?” he asked with a very wicked grin.
“Thanks for the offer, but I can handle my own naughty bits.”
Toby felt that was too good to let pass. “I bet you can, Mitchell! I bet you handle them very well indeed with those big, strong hands.” Disappointed when Mitchell didn’t reply, Toby walked over to Mitchell’s lounger. “Sit up and I’ll put this on your back. After that, you’re on your own.” Toby flipped the top up on the lotion. He bent down slightly and squeezed the liquid directly onto Mitchell’s back.
Mitchell jumped. “Hey! That’s cold!”
“Serves you right,
” Toby said as he worked the lotion into the skin, covering the back and shoulders. He worked down the lower back and then stopped. “I’ve reached the forbidden zone, so you can finish things up from here.” He wiped his hands across Mitchell’s back one more time and handed him the bottle. Mitchell stood and quickly covered his firm butt and the backs of his legs. When he finished and was about to reposition himself on the lounger, Toby reached over and took the bottle from his hands. “I think you missed a spot there, big boy. Hold still and I’ll do it. I sure don’t want you to get a burn. I’d never hear the end of that!”
Toby squeezed out more lotion into his hand and rubbed his palms together before placing his hands on Mitchell’s ass. Mitchell shied away, but then stood completely immobile as Toby rubbed in the lotion, lingering for a moment on the small tattoo centered on the Mitchell’s left cheek. “That should keep this cut of prime grade beef from burning,” he said as he playfully slapped the now properly SPF covered ass and went back to his spot in sun. He adjusted his own lounge and applied a little more lotion to his own chest and then closed his eyes, listening to the slow, smooth jazz.
Thirty minutes later, Mitchell lifted his head from his lounger. “I think it’s time for me to turn over.”
“Probably,” Toby agreed. “I think that side of beef is done for the day.”
Mitchell stood and moved the lounger to take advantage of the changed angle of the sun and then picked the lotion and began applying to his chest and stomach, working his way down the front of his hip and legs. He sat back down on the lounger. “Mitchell, I think you forgot something. Some very important somethings.”
Mitchell looked at him through the mirrored shades. “Oh I did, did I?” With a flirtatious grin he poured a small amount of lotion into his hand and spread the lotion slowly over the missed areas, watching Toby through his glasses the whole time. Toby was suddenly taken back in time to several years ago, when on a sunny day by a pool, he’d first met Geri and had watched him apply lotion to his beautiful body. “Mitchell is totally different from Geri,” Toby thought as he mentally compared Mitchell’s much fairer skin with its dusting of fine light hair to Geri’s darkly tanned, satin smooth skin. “He’s every bit as handsome, just in a different way.” They lay companionably in the sun, listening to the music. After a few more minutes, Toby stood up and stretched. He applied lotion to his shoulders and back and to his own pretty nice ass. He caught Mitchell looking, so he took his time. Finally satisfied with his performance, he lowered the back of the lounger and then settled himself down.
Hard Job Page 23
