Chapter 20 Meeting Carry On Tour #7
“And just who might you be?” she asked politely.
“I’m Cassie Easthaus, a friend of Greg and Carry.” She wrenched her hands together. “I’m sorry for bothering you.” She turned to leave but Aunt Janet reached through the opening to grab her hand.
“Wait a second young lady. I didn’t say he wasn’t here,” she offered. “Would you like to come in and have a cup of coffee while we wait for him to finish his shower?”
“Sure,” she said not so confidently. “May I ask who you are?”
“I’m Aunt Janet,” she replied as she opened the door. Cassie slipped in quickly and made sure the door was shut behind her. “You look troubled.”
“That’s because I’ve seen him again, and he doesn’t look very happy,” Cassie said with deep concern in her voice. “I know he’s here for us,” she warbled out.
“Who is that, dear?” Aunt Janet asked with deep sincerity.
“The Enforcer!” she blurted out. “We’re so dead now.”
“The Enforcer?” Aunt Janet repeated back, clearly completely confused about the situation and what Cassie was talking about.
She eyed her for a moment and Cassie started pacing in a small circle, wringing her hands together, almost mumbling.
She stopped and looked at Aunt Janet then tried to regain her composure.
“I’m sorry,” Cassie said softly as she looked at Aunt Janet. “I’ve heard about you from both Greg and Carry, but I’ve never met you before. Like I said, my name is Cassie, and I’m not just Carry’s friend. I’m her cousin and coworker at Veronique.”
“Cassie?!” Greg called from the bedroom door in a bathrobe. “Ut-oh! That face says bad news.”
“He’s here!” she declared as fear filled her face.
“Millard?” he asked and she immediately nodded as tears started to well up in her eyes.
“Don’t worry. Keith will be here in a few hours, and we already have both Matt and Eddie.”
“I don’t think they can take him,” she said as she shook in place.
“We don’t need to take him, just make sure he stays back,” Greg offered. “Besides, Roddy has friends all over the Capitol who can respond within minutes. Why don’t you sit down and try to relax enough to tell me what you saw and when.”
“Well,” Cassie said as she moved to the couch and flopped down.
“I went down to pick up a print out of the updated script for our photo shoot and I saw him pacing in the lounge as if he was waiting for someone,” she started then brought her hand up to her mouth where she started to chew on her fingernails.
“Then I saw Wendy move past and run over to hug him.”
“So, maybe he’s only here in dad mode,” Greg began before Cassie sprung to her feet and cut him off.
“Not with Betsy on his side,” she said. “He only carries her when he’s stalking his mark.”
“Oh!” Greg said quickly. “You can’t let anyone know you alerted me.
You better get back before anyone realizes you were gone.
” Cassie nodded in agreement and was about to leave when Greg placed his hand on her, stopping her.
He wrapped her tight. “Cassie, I’ll take care of this and protect you and Carry.
We’ll extract you if necessary. That’s what Danny promised when you agreed to D-54. ”
“Thanks, Greg. I feel better knowing that you are here,” she sighed and hugged him tighter. “I wish my dad was like you. I don’t feel safe around him the way I feel safe with you.”
“Well, I’m glad that I can help. Do me a favor please.”
“Sure,” she said with a smile.
“Tell Carry that I need to talk with her before or during the concert, tonight.”
“I’ll tell her, Greg,” she replied then kissed his cheek. “I better go.” Before anything else could happen, she slipped quietly out the door.
“What is that all about, my child? Who’s this Enforcer?”
“The less you know right now, the better,” he assured her. “We’ve got a security issue,” he said, texting Keith. “The matter is being handled.”
“Now, you see there, Greg. This is exactly what we’ve been telling you about. That young lady was scared out of her wits until you took charge. Now she feels safe.”
“I guess you’re right,” he answered cautiously.
“But we’re not out of the woods yet. I need Keith to advance his arrival, no matter what it costs.
” He finished the text then looked at Aunt Janet.
“Just let me get dressed and we’ll head down for breakfast.” She just smiled as he disappeared into the bedroom, emerging a few minutes later.
They left together for breakfast with Denny, Janet and little Elizabeth in the corner of the main dining room.
Greg knew this was the best way to keep Veronica from seeing Aunt Janet as she always did a private breakfast the day of the Photo Shoot and Concert.
After breakfast, they returned to the room and Greg checked emails while Aunt Janet did some crossword puzzles.
He checked on her before leaving for the Photo Shoot, meeting Janet on the roof.
He noticed that Denny had brought little Elizabeth who was stealing the show.
All the girls were gathered around her. Greg spotted Tina and slowly walked up to her.
“I’m glad you were able to become Miss Honeysuckle Rose,” he quietly whispered from behind. She spun and hugged him tightly.
“Thank you Mr. Garrelson.” He looked at her with shock. “I’d recognize your voice anywhere. Someone who saw me while I was just a waitress. You saw me.”
Greg smiled modestly and shook his head. “No, Tina. I just saw someone who worked hard and deserved a chance.” She laughed softly through suddenly misty eyes.
“Most people never looked once at me, let alone twice. I carried food, filled coffee cups, smiled, and disappeared into the background.”
“That's because most people only see the job,” Greg replied. “I've always tried to see the person doing it.” Tina looked down for a moment before looking back up.
“You have no idea how much that changed my life to actually be seen.”
“Actually,” Greg said with a grin, “judging by the headlines and the crowds, I'd say it changed yours quite a bit.” She laughed again.
“Maybe. But it started because one businessman sat down for breakfast, remembered my name, and asked me what I really wanted to do with my life.”
Greg shrugged. “I was just curious.”
“No,” Tina answered. “You cared. I heard it in the gentleness of your voice. The way you spoke to me, looking me in the eyes. There was sincerity and truth behind every word you spoke.” She paused for a moment.
“You saw me, and it gave me confidence in myself that I can’t explain.
” Before Greg could speak, little Elizabeth squealed loudly from across the rooftop, drawing everyone's attention.
Every model turned toward the little girl as Denny lifted her into the air, making her giggle even louder.
Tina smiled at the sight. “She's adorable.”
“She certainly has everyone wrapped around her finger,” Greg replied.
“Just like someone else I know.” Greg looked at Tina suspiciously.
“Was that aimed at me?” He asked, somewhat concerned.
“Absolutely.”
“I don't think I've ever wrapped anyone around my finger,” he protested.
Tina laughed. “Greg... you've been doing it your whole life. The only difference is you never seem to realize you're doing it.” His smile faded into thoughtful silence as Harry's words from the previous evening drifted back into his mind.
‘You have no idea how many people look to you.’ Then Aunt Janet's voice joined them. ‘People know they can trust and depend on you, no matter what.’ And finally David's unmistakable voice: ‘Now get your happy ass back in the office.’ Greg couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
“What's funny?” Tina asked.
“I'm beginning to think everybody's been keeping the same secret from me.”
“Which is?”
“That maybe I'm not the man I've always believed myself to be.”
Tina smiled warmly. “Welcome to the club.” That struck Greg and he pondered what she could possibly mean. Before he could ask what she meant, Veronica's voice rang across the rooftop.
“Greg! There you are!” Every head turned toward her.
Greg instinctively turned toward her with a bright smile, happy in the fact that Aunt Janet was still safe in their suite.
‘Good. The surprise is still safe.’ He laid his right hand on Tina’s left shoulder.
“Looks like duty calls.” He gave her a smile and nod before he started walking toward Veronica.
“I’ve been wondering where you’ve been. You didn’t come to our breakfast.”
“I had some Pimico business to follow up on,” he said, making the excuse sound real. “I’ve been out of the game the past six weeks, so I still have some catching up to do.”
“Well, you are here now. Pimico can wait. Now, it’s time for Veronique.
GIRLS! Assemble!” she commanded. The five girls all took their places surrounding Carry in the center.
“Today, we announce to the world that ‘Veronique has Arrived.’ We let them know we are LIVE with all Five Signature Scents.” She paused as she boldly stepped up on the platform.
“Girls, as of today we’re at Full Production. ”
“FULL Production?” they gasped in unison. Greg stepped back, stunned.
“How?” Greg asked, slightly dumbfounded, recalling Veronique’s beginnings. His mind was racing through the memories of searching for her first production facility--getting the permits--the remodeling and the grand opening of the HQ.
“We’ve put the income from Mid-Pacific to good use. We now have five fully functional and staffed production facilities for Veronique in Kansas City,” she replied. “Now you know.”
He moved next to her, smiled then said, “Congratulations from the Pimico Family to the Veronique Family on this fantastic achievement in logistics and growth!” Out of nowhere a flash went off, and suddenly the air was filled with camera flashes and reporters storming the rooftop.
“Mr. Garrelson!” a reporter yelled. “Are you and Veronica LaFayette back together for the remainder of this tour?”