Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
“You ready?” Duane asked Laurie as he parked her SUV in her parking space and turned to look at her. Today was the day they were going to announce to everyone that she had sold Gibson Associates to Harmon Brooks. Everyone involved in the planning hoped that Griff Franklin would make a move to get himself arrested and then the FBI could interrogate him to see where Beatrice and Peter Stanton were. After their initial meeting, the FBI went to the local police and it had been agreed upon that the FBI would take over the case of the assault against Laurie. They also promised that they would go after the Stantons after they learned of their whereabouts. At today’s celebration, Duane felt it deep in his bones that some progress would be made.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” She sighed and studied him closely. “I know you had to return to Colorado, and I’m glad you’re here. Honestly, between you and me, I can’t wait for this to be over with. Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely sad to be walking away from Gibson Associates, it’s been part of my entire life. Grandpa started the business, but I’ve been working here for over thirty years. I don’t need the money, especially since I got the settlement I did in the divorce, and I know how to invest wisely. I guess what I’m saying is that I can’t wait for this to be done and over so that I can move to the next chapter in my life.”
“What might that be?”
“Moving to Colorado, and seeing if Erin has room on her payroll for a washed-up cripple.”
“Stop. You are not washed-up, because you are selling your business on a high. In my opinion, washed-up means that you have nothing going for you, and you’ve hit rock bottom. Second, you are not a cripple. If you remember, Erin hates that word, as well as the word disabled. You are challenged. I know you don’t know this, because it wasn’t discussed when you were out there for that one weekend.”
“What?”
“Did you know that Adele is missing her leg from just above the ankle? I can’t remember which one, but she wears a prosthetic just like Reid and Julie do.”
“Reid’s missing a limb?” Laurie asked in shock.
“Yes, that’s why he’s out of the service. Well, when he lost it, he was able to go through extensive therapy, then he had to retake a physical exam. Believe you me, I’ve seen soldiers take it, and it’s harder than when they get their Trident to begin with.” At her look of confusion, he smiled at her. “It’s something a SEAL receives when they become a SEAL. A military thing. Anyway, Reid lost his leg, went through physical therapy, did the retake course, and ended up going back to his SEAL unit for at least a year.”
“Why only a year?”
“His goal when he entered the service was to do fifteen years. He was eighteen months away when he lost his leg. When he returned, he had just under a year to finish. Once he reached his fifteen years, he retired on his own merit, not the military kicking him out.”
“Wow, I’m nowhere near being a SEAL, or even have military experience, but if they can do it. I can. I only have a bum knee.”
“Which is a challenge in and of itself. I know both you and Erin are hoping that once you take the program then you can get around without the cane or the brace.”
“My goal is to ditch the cane.”
“Why not go for both? Why limit yourself?”
Laurie looked at him and nodded. “Right, why limit myself?” She laughed and squeezed his hand. As she started to lean over to kiss him, they both jerked at the pounding on the side window near her head. She whipped around and laughed when she saw her mother and daughter standing there. She gave Duane a smirk and wink when he groaned.
“Later, you’re coming to the house afterward?”
“If you’ll have me?”
“Only you, Duane. I only want you.”
“Thank you, I feel the same. Yes, I’ll come to the house.”
“Good.” She nodded as she opened the door and sighed in relief when her family stepped back and didn’t try to help her exit from the truck. When she was out, she went to the front and turned to them. “Ready?”
“Yes,” Lois said and stood tall.
“I am,” Lorissa said. “Can I come over to the house afterward?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Nothing, I just want to spend my last night with family.”
“What do you mean your last night?” Laurie asked in alarm. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Lorissa laughed. “Remember, I’m all packed up and I’m leaving for Colorado tomorrow.” She laughed along with her mother, then sighed. “Everything is packed, I mean everything. I might have to sleep on the couch in your living room.”
“You will do no such thing. You still have your room at the house, you’ll just have to make the bed.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.” Laurie looked at Duane and grabbed his hand, then turned to her daughter and mother. “Duane and I are seeing each other, so he will be there also.”
Laurie was not prepared for their reaction. They both let out a whoop, and grabbed Duane and almost hugged him to death.
“I take it you’re happy about that?” Duane asked as he fixed his tie with a grin.
“Yes, it’s about time Mom started living. I like you, Duane, just treat her like the Queen she is, and you’ll get no hassle from me.”
“I’m not a Queen,” Laurie laughed as they slowly made their way to the front door.
“You’re my Queen,” Lorissa said with a laugh. “I’ve always looked up to you, and knew you would always guide me in the right direction. I’m just hoping you’ll think about moving to Colorado so we can still be close to one another.”
“It’s in the works. Once today is over, then I’m free to go wherever I want. Remember, in a couple of months I’ll be there for three months for the rehabilitation course. I’ll just have to find someplace to live.” She looked down to make sure her foot was on the stair and took one step at a time. She didn’t see the three people with her exchange grins, and made a mental note to have building maintenance look into what it would take to put in a handicap ramp, then remembered that she didn’t own the building any longer. In a little over two hours, she would be turning the reins of Gibson Associates over to Harmon Brooks.
Once the four of them entered the building, because they were coming back from lunch, she stopped at the security desk to talk to the person in charge there. “Is everything all set?”
“The caterers are in the room setting up now.”
“Thank you.” Laurie turned and headed to the room in question, and paused when her mother asked a question.
“What’s this room?”
“It’s normally the small conference rooms, but years ago, before Dad got sick, we talked it over and decided to divide the room up. This is where we have the Christmas party every year.” She nodded to her mother to allow her to go first and grinned with Lorissa when her mother saw the size of the area.
“Wow, I never would have thought.”
“Yeah, Dad and I figured that if in the long run, it would be better to have the parties and celebrations here.” They all entered and Laurie saw the caterers had set up the area along one side where tall tables were that people could stand at. On the other side was a long table that she assumed would be for the hors d’oeuvres. This meeting was being touted as a celebration for Laurie’s appreciation of her employees. Which it was, but she was also going to announce the sale of the business to Harmon. Agent Haller with the FBI had suggested that Laurie send out an invitation, which the FBI had printed up, and she’d handed them out to every employee present. The ones that worked remotely, like ‘Jane’, she had sent an e-mail to. Since it was a Friday night, everyone had decided that it was better to have the reception at five o’clock or shortly after. This way the workday was over, it was the weekend, and it would give everyone the opportunity to unwind and mingle.
Laurie had paid the messenger service to have the invitations hand delivered to the board members, and Agent Haller assured her that he would have agents there, however, he wouldn’t tell either her nor Duane who they would be.
She looked up at the strange sound and smiled when she saw someone pushing a rather large rectangle wooden box.
“What’s that?” Duane asked with a frown.
“The bar. Dad had one made that we keep in storage. I had told the head caterer about it when he came to check out the space. We’ll be having snacks or the fancy name of hors d’oeuvres, and I figured I might as well serve champaign, and if someone wants something harder, they can have it.”
“You’re not worried about them drinking before driving home?”
“That’s not my responsibility. If I had to worry about that, then I would have to worry about every employee that goes to a bar. If they aren’t adult enough to handle their liquor, then they aren’t adult enough to work for me.”
“Good stance, and I’m sorry. I’m just nervous for you.”
“Don’t be, I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself. Now, I didn’t mean for that to come off as bitchy, but the only person I feel I’m responsible for is myself, and maybe Mom, Lor, and now you.”
“Me, why me?”
“Because we’re a couple, aren’t we?”
“We are,” he said with a gigantic grin, wrapped his arms around her and stared into her eyes. Before they could kiss, a hand came between their faces, followed by a laugh.
“Not at the office,” Lorissa laughed when they turned their glare onto her.
The couple broke apart, then Laurie sighed. “I need to get up to my office. I have a few more things to pack up, I’ve been doing it after work all week, and I didn’t want it to seem obvious, so I left some things there.”
“Like what?”
“A few plants, my umbrella, a couple of spare suits, some things in the bathroom attached to my office. I’ll go back to work, and once everyone comes down, I’ll toss them in the boxes I stuffed in the closet.”
“When you’re ready to leave for the night, I’ll come up and carry them down for you,” Duane said, and Laurie nodded in agreement to him.
“Thank you, but I still have work to do. Or at least I need to make it look like I do.” She laughed and left the three of them to see if they could help with the setup, and the last thing she saw was Agent Haller approach Duane with his hand extended. On a sigh, she went to the elevator and rode it up to the top floor where her office was.
As soon as she stepped off the elevator she felt a buzz in the air, and after walking through the doors, she saw her employees clustered around each others’ desks. She could only assume it was because of the celebration reception that would take place in two hours’ time. She smiled and nodded to everyone as they called out to her when she walked by. It took about twenty minutes to make it to her office, and once she settled, she turned her chair to look out her window. She hadn’t realized that was how she had spent her time until her assistant knocked on her door and asked if she was coming down to the party.
Alarmed, Laurie looked at her watch and saw that the two hours had passed. She smiled at her assistant. “You go ahead, I just need to use the bathroom then I’ll be down.”
“Okay, but if you’re not down there in thirty minutes, I’m coming to look for you.”
“I’ll be there,” she laughed as she waved the other woman away. As soon as she left, Laurie rose to her feet, and did use the facilities, but then she quickly grabbed the boxes stored in the small closet to quickly add the rest of her things into them. With the lids on them, she stacked them behind the door, and at the last minute laid her raincoat she’d found in the back of the closet, and umbrella on top of them. She made sure her purse was locked in the bottom drawer of her desk, then with the keys in her pocket, she grabbed her cane and started toward the door. In the hallway, she waited for the elevator and smiled when she saw that she would have five minutes to spare before the allotted time that had been mentioned. The doors opened and she grinned when she saw Duane standing there.
“I was getting worried.”
“I wanted to wait until everyone left before I finished packing.” She took his hand and stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed, he looked at her with a grin.
“Is there a camera in this elevator?”
“Yep.”
“Damn, then I’ll have to wait until we get home.”
“Or.” She stopped talking when the elevator stopped and several people walked into the car. She saw there were also her employees, so she told them hi, and everyone was excited about the reception they were attending.
Duane and Laurie were the last off the elevator, and he made sure he had his hand on the small of her back to guide her into the reception. As soon as they entered, the entire mood was festive, and it brought Laurie out of her funk. Instead of getting anything alcoholic to drink, she settled for a sparkling water. With that in her hand she walked around and Duane was right by her side. She didn’t know whether it pleased him or not that when people questioned her about him, she said they were dating.
She had nothing to hide and wasn’t embarrassed, so there wasn’t any reason not to tell the truth.
“Shit,” she whispered to Duane and plastered on a fake smile.
“What?”
“That guy zeroing in on us? That’s Griff Franklin.”
“Got it,” Duane said, and stepped closer to her, and placed his hand on the small of her back.
“Gibson,” Griff said by way of greeting, and gave her a nod. He held a thick tumbler of amber liquid, and Laurie could smell the alcohol on his breath as he said that one word. It took everything in her not to gag, but if they wanted this to pan out, she needed to play nice. She looked at Duane and caught his scowl before he cleared his features.
“Who is this?” Griff demanded as he took a sip from his glass and glared daggers at Duane.
“Duane Manchester,” Duane said as he stuck out his hand. “I’m Laurie’s boyfriend.”
“You’re cheating on Peter? What would Beatrice say?”
Laurie never expected Griff to say something like that, and felt her hackles rise. “Since I’m no longer married to that loser, neither of them have a say in who or what I do in my life.”
“You’re going to regret defying them.”
“Are you threatening me?” Laurie stood to her full height and glared down her nose at him. “I don’t owe either one of those cowards anything. I played their game and won. They played stupid games, and are about to get stupid rewards. Or what’s that saying everyone seems to be saying these days? They fucked around and will find out what happens?” Laurie shook her head and wrinkled her nose like she’d smelt something bad.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have a speech to make.”
“You’ll regret stepping out of your marriage. I’ll have to report this to Beatrice.”
“Do you know where they are? Last I heard, after Peter attacked me, they both turned into bigger cowards than they were before and ran away with their tails between their legs whimpering. As far as I or the police know they haven’t returned. Since I’m not married any longer, I can do any damn thing I wish. If you know what’s good for you, Franklin, you better report their location to the authorities before you’re dragged into their drama and find yourself behind bars right along with them.” She turned on her good leg and sighed in relief when she didn’t stumble. With Duane by her side, she slowly made her way to the front of the crowd.
“If it makes you feel better, I just got that on tape. Haller hooked me up earlier.”
“Good, and yes, it does make me feel better.” She paused long enough to get herself under control, then with a smile on her face, continued to make her way forward.