by C. J. Carson
Leaning toward Tara’s desk, I whispered, “You can close your mouth, Tara. Things are going to change around here, and, by the way, we need to talk about a raise and promotion for you. Are you onboard?”
“Uh, okay, sure, thank you, Ms. Callahan.”
“There are going to be some more changes. It is going to be Casual Fridays from here on out. The first thing I will need you to do is send out a memo to announce this change. Oh yes, and by the way, I have a business errand for you to run this afternoon. You’re going to need some new business attire for your promotion, so I took the liberty of setting up a one o’clock appointment for you at Nordstrom’s with my designer, Kelley. I hope you don’t mind.” I gave her a minute to respond.
“Ah, no, I mean, yes, that would be amazing! Thank you, but I can’t afford—”
“This is part of your promotion. You will have an allowance for clothing and this first wardrobe purchase is on us! Kelley knows the drill and will help you pick some great clothes for your new wardrobe. Remember, don’t forget to get a few pairs of jeans for your Casual Friday look.
“At four o’clock, you have another appointment with Jordon at his salon in the Old Port to have your hair done. He has also arranged for you to have a facial, manicure, and pedicure. Enjoy yourself and let me know what time you finish with your last appointment because I am going to pay you until you are done.”
Straightening my new leather jacket and jeans, I looked over my shoulder. “Tara, how do I look?”
“You look great, Ms. Callahan! Knock ’em dead!”
“That’s not quite how I would put it.”
She smiled as the humor was not lost on her. “Oh, sorry. Go get ’em!”
As I went through the conference room door, I winked back at her. “By the way, it’s Allie to you, not Ms. Callahan.”
Entering the conference room to a captive audience, it was clear Tara had prepped them well.
“Thank you for coming today, ladies and gentlemen, and please have a seat. I know the last time we met, I asked you to save any questions you might have until the next morning. I apologize I was a no-show that day, but I am prepared to take any questions you may have now.”
Sam, Healthtech’s Chief Financial Officer, spoke up. “One of your associates answered the few questions we had during that meeting. The materials you gave us to review that night were very informative.”
We spent two hours discussing the next six months’ strategy for Healthtech in great detail.
“So, ladies and gentlemen, I have one more thing. I now have a new apprentice. I believe you all know her—Tara Rogers. She will be your new direct contact from this day forward. Of course, I will consult with her as she moves into this new role, but I believe she is the right person for your team as we implement this new strategy.”
At the door, I shook the hands of everyone leaving the meeting before exiting the conference room. When I started down the hall, I heard Josh’s familiar voice. “Allie, wait!”
As I turned, there he was in all his glory and I felt like a schoolgirl. “Hi, Mr. Sullivan!”
“Hey, how about coming back to the dojo tonight? We’ve missed you.”
“Missed me? I have only been there once.”
“Yes, and, in my opinion, you need at least a second class.”
“You know what, Mr. Sullivan—”
“Please call me Josh.”
“Okay then, Josh, I might just do that. My friend, Claudia, wants to come as well. Look, I’m so sorry, but I have to run. I’ll see you at the dojo tonight.”
He gave me a shit-eating grin. “Another meeting?”
“No! I mean, yes, but this really is another meeting, I promise.” I walked away.
“Okay, if you say so! One more thing, I like your new look!”
Without turning back, I waved. “Thank you. See you tonight!”
Chapter 10
LATER THAT EVENING, I PICKED UP CLAUDIA, and we headed over to the dojo. During class, while we were working on individual exercises, Josh moved around the room, working with each student to help them improve their technique.
Claudia leaned over and gave me a shove. “Hey, stop staring at him. What is your problem? Honestly, I think someone has a crush. What’s up, girl? I haven’t seen you like this since Bobby Henderson in the eighth grade.”
“Honestly, Claudia, I just want to box your ears in! Just stop it! You couldn’t be more wrong. Well, you could be more wrong, but—”
“Here he comes, put on your girly eyes.”
I really didn’t know how to deal with her at that moment. “Seriously, Claudia, what are you, eight years old? Stop it!”
As Josh approached our mats, she piped up. “Hello, Sensei, I’m Claudia, Allie’s best friend in the whole world and we were wondering if you would like to join us for dinner tomorrow night at her place?”
He turned and gave me that shit-eating grin again. “Oh, is that true, Ms. Callahan?”
My face must have been scarlet because it felt so hot, you could have fried an egg on it. “Ah—no, ah no, we were not discussing that, but ah—I would love—I mean, I would like, oh shit, yes, we would love for you to come to dinner. Maybe you could bring someone for my meddling best friend, Claudia, to meet. I mean, not for a date, but you know, oh God, just stop me now!”
He leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Gee, I was hoping it was a date! What time do you want me there?”
Now it was official; he expected to come. He asked for a time. “How about seven o’clock?”
“Okay, seven it is then! I’ll bring the wine, and, oh, yes, I’ll see what I can do about bringing a friend for a…non-date.”
I was relieved when I heard the door at the entrance of the dojo. It was a welcoming interruption. Excusing himself, Josh went to the doorway to meet the visitors. It was Detective’s Dennis Payne and Jake Carpenter.
As I moved to the entrance to join them, Josh asked, “Hello, how can I help you?”
Payne turned to me. “Well, hello there, Allie. I didn’t expect to see you this evening. What a pleasant surprise.”
Removing his badge from his inside jacket pocket, he turned to Josh and flashed it. “I am here tonight on official business. Could I have a minute of your time?”
Josh looked puzzled. “Why certainly, let’s go to my office.”
Josh stepped into the middle of the dojo. “Excuse me, could everyone continue to work in teams on floor exercises? I will be with you all again shortly.”
With that, he led Carpenter and Payne to his office.
Following them to the office, I waited outside the door and heard Josh ask, “So, officers, what exactly can I do for you?”
“We’re looking for information about a young child named Jennie Slater, and we were told she takes one of your classes.”
“Yes, actually this is her group. It’s a mixed beginner class, of all ages. Jennie is my youngest student. She hasn’t been in class for about two weeks.”
“Well, sadly, she’s gone missing and we are trying to speak with anyone who might have been with her before her disappearance.”
“That’s terrible, I am so sorry to hear that. How did she go missing?”
“I’m afraid I am not at liberty to discuss any details at this time. However, I would like your help with something, if possible.”
“Sure, whatever I can do?”
“Thank you, I appreciate that. Would you mind if I address your group for a minute at the end of your class? Of course, if any of your students are underage, we will need the permission of their parents to speak to them.”
“Of course! I’m sure everyone will be more than happy to help. Class will be over in about ten minutes and the parents will be here to pick up the younger students. I will announce that you would like to speak with them at that time. Please come to the back of the dojo and have a seat.”
As they exited the office, Payne ran right into me. “Well, hello there again, Allie!”
Embarr
assed, I stepped back. “Ah, hello, Detective Payne.”
Josh grinned, realizing once again I was caught off guard and at a loss for words.
Ten minutes later, the session was over and Josh addressed the class. “Could you all please wait here for a few minutes? I would like to speak with you before you leave.”
Turning, Josh led Carpenter and Payne out to the lobby where the parents were waiting for their children. “Excuse me, everyone, could I have your attention? This is Detective Payne, and he is here to speak with the students about a young student of ours.”
Everyone’s attention turned to Payne. “Thank you. I have the misfortune to tell you that a young six-year-old student from this class has gone missing. We are looking for anyone who might be able to help us in our search for her. Would it be okay if Detective Carpenter and I speak with your children as part of this group? We are merely here on a fact-finding mission, trying to see if anyone noticed anything out of the ordinary with Jennie.”
Agreeing, the parents followed Josh, Payne, and Carpenter back into the dojo.
Drawing the attention of his students, Josh backed up a few steps. “Thank you, this is Detective Payne. He would like to have a few words with us. Please, could you give him your undivided attention?”
Looking around the dojo, Payne searched for the words. “Hi, I’ll just take a minute of your time. I think you all know a young student from this class named Jennie Slater. She has been reported missing by her parents and we are looking for anyone who may have had contact with her in the past few weeks.”
As Payne spoke, I looked up at a mirror on the wall of the dojo. There she was, a reflection in the mirror. That little girl from the hospital, staring back at me just as clear as day. I closed my eyes tight and opened them to see she was still there. As I stared at her, she mouthed, It’s not too late!
I ran to Claudia and spun her around to face the mirror. “Look, tell me I’m not crazy?”
As she turned back from the mirror, she had a look of shock on her face. “What are you talking about?”
“Gosh, Claudia, I must be losing it!”
Shit, she didn’t see anything. Here we go again. To cover for the moment, I blurted out, “Ah, a student is missing and they’re checking for leads.”
Claudia knew me too well, and there was no diverting her. “No, I am not talking about that; I am talking about the mirror. What are you doing? What are you talking about, losing it?”
Now I was really nervous. Trying to change the subject, I recanted, “Oh, it was nothing.”
“Crap, Allie, you are scaring me. Are you seeing things again?”
“Claudia, can we talk about this later?”
Much to my relief, our attention moved back to Detective Payne as he asked, “Has anyone seen or spoke to Jennie in the recent past who might have reason to believe she was scared or concerned about anything?”
There was no response to his question.
“If anyone thinks of anything at all, no matter how small you think it might be, please call me at the Stanford Police Department.”
Claudia leaned over to me. “What’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Okay, Claudia, here it is. I don’t know, but somehow I think I might be able to help.”
“Really?”
“Wait, I’ll explain later. I have to talk to Detective Payne.” I ran to the door to catch him before he could leave. “Excuse me, Detective Payne?”
“Yes?”
“At the risk of sounding a little crazy, I think I might be able to help you with this case. I can’t exactly tell you how because I am not sure myself yet, but I just have a feeling. I can tell you this, I think she is safe for now, but there is a pending danger lurking.”
“Come on, Allie, you need to do better than that.”
Jake called out from the lobby. “Payne, we have to go. I just got a call from the Slaters.”
Relieved and happy to end our conversation, I looked toward the lobby. “Go, Payne, I’ll call you if I figure something out.
Payne grunted. “We’re not done with this conversation, Allie. I won’t pretend to understand the things you can do, or what is going on with this intuition of yours, but I’m trying to keep an open mind.”
“I promise I’ll be in touch if something comes up.”
“I’m sure you will. Talk to you soon.” He paused, saying under his breath, “I am sure.”
I knew this all sounded like I was crazy, but now seeing this girl in the mirror while I was wide awake made me think she was trying to communicate with me somehow. I chose to believe the latter of those two options. She seemed to be the link to everything strange that was going on in my life.
After class, Claudia and I left the dojo and headed for the car. I knew I should expect another grand inquisition from her during our ride home and, as we got in the car, it began.
“Okay, Allie, what the heck is going on? You are scaring me.”
Not quite ready to share everything, I tried appeasing her. “I think maybe I can help Payne with his investigation. During my first class, I teamed up with that young girl to do floor exercises. What a cute little thing she was, about six years old, and very tiny for her age. I just told him I would try to remember anything I could from that evening to help.”
By the look in her eyes, Claudia was not buying this. “Why do I think you aren’t telling me everything?” She dropped it, but I knew it was just a matter of time before it would come up again.
I changed the subject by putting Claudia on the defense. “So, what was that in the dojo? What were you doing, inviting Josh over for dinner tomorrow night? Maybe I already have plans. Did you ever think of that?”
“Well, do you?”
“Ah no, but—”
She laughed out loud. “So, no harm, no foul. Really, Allie, even I can see you have at least a little crush on him!”
“No, I don’t.” I hesitated. “Do I, don’t I?” She knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.
“Well, hell yes you do. You need to get a grip on reality, girl. Come back to Earth and get in touch with your inner spirit.”
“Now you sound like my grandfather, and I think that might be the problem.”
Of course, Claudia never missed a beat. “What do you mean by that?”
Oops, I didn’t mean to go there again. “I don’t know, it’s been a while.”
“Allie, you really need to get a grip! So, what do you think we should have for dinner tomorrow night, maybe some Thai takeout? Hey, maybe your neighbor could make you some of her great lasagna again?”
“Really, Claudia, I can cook some things myself, you know. How about a salad, baked potatoes, and steaks on the grill?”
Chapter 11
AFTER DROPPING CLAUDIA OFF AT HER HOUSE, I went directly home as it had been a long, but great day. I had taken the first step to relinquish some of my work to Tara, had a great meeting with Healthtech Pharmaceuticals, and, thanks to Claudia, I now had a date with Josh. Well, kind of.
As I pulled into my driveway, I noticed a long Hummer limo parked in front of a neighbor’s house a few doors down. The windows had a dark tint and, although I could not see through them, it was clear there were running lights lit on the top interior in the back of the car. Now that’s not something you see in this neighborhood, ever, I thought. I shook it off, used the remote to open the garage door, drove in the garage, and hit the remote to close the garage door.
Entering the house, I shut the light off in the garage as the sensor light lit the hallway. Dropping my keys in the dish on the desk, I noticed there were messages on the answering machine. Grabbing a glass of wine from the kitchen, I hit the play button to see who had called.
You have seven messages.
The first call was from, of course, my mother. “Hi, honey, just checking in. How are you? How was your first official day back to work? Call me. Love you!”
The next one was from Mark. “Allie, just got back from my bus
iness trip to New York and I just saw your email. You’re promoting Tara? Wow, what prompted that? I mean, I think it’s great, but you’re giving her the Healthtech account? Let’s talk in the morning.”
Message three was from Claudia. “Hey, girl, I had a great time tonight and, well, I hope you’re not too mad at me for inviting Josh over. I have to tell you; I am kind of excited. Can’t wait to see who he brings me for a non-date. See ya!”
The next few messages took me completely off guard and sent chills through my entire body. Message four. “Well, I hope you had a great day today back at work.”
The next message. “Oh yes, and don’t get too used to it.”
Message six. “I almost forgot and couldn’t resist asking, did you get my gift at your back door?”
The next one was, “Oh yes, how are you?”
By the time I got to the last message, I was in a full panic. “Sorry, last message. I will be in touch again soon, both literally and figuratively.”
Suddenly, I remembered the limo outside. I ran to the front window and peered out, only to see it was no longer there. Racing to the kitchen, I looked out the back door, and on the deck was a vase of red roses, with one black rose in the center. My heart was pounding as I closed the vertical blinds at the door.
“Shit, he was here. I must have just missed him! He knows where I live!”
I jumped as the phone rang. Running back to the phone, the caller ID read: Unknown. As I picked it up, I couldn’t help but think how sorry I was going to be for answering it. “Hello?”
“Hello, Allie. I’ve been trying to reach you. You haven’t contacted me since I visited you at the hospital. That was over a month ago, and I have been so worried.”
Much to my relief, it was George. “Oh, George, I am so sorry! I know you have been calling—”
“What is going on, Allie? Are you okay?”
“George, I think he was here, the man who attacked me in my office. He left several messages on my answering machine and I think he left the flowers sitting outside on the deck at my back door.”
