Chapter 25 The Attempt On Greg #3
“Because she’s never been in a position like this.
I love how she’s below even you,” Wendy said with a wicked smile.
“Carry might be the boss at Veronique, but she obeyed every order you’ve given her.
” She giggled. “I mean, ordering her around like Cinderella is wonderful Katie. Mop this, clean that, make sure the dry cleaning is set out and picked up. Get the Matriarch’s laundry done. ”
“Oh, Oh, Oh! Do the dishes!” Katie squealed. “And she just does them without any complaints.”
“It’s completely delicious to see that she knows how to obey orders. And even more so that she does it all with a smile then asks what she can do next.”
“Do you think it’s just an act?”
“What? Carry being the eager beaver to please?” Wendy let her head fall back into the seat as she laughed so hard she nearly coughed. “God, please. Are you trying to kill me. I’m going to laugh myself to death,” she said while still violently laughing.
“I don’t understand why you are laughing,” Katie complained.
“Because, Carry has been a servant her whole life. Our first weekend at the apartment off Penn Valley Campus, she did all the cleaning without even asking Cassie or I to help.” Wendy brought her composure back together.
“She can’t help it, Katie. She’s been programmed her whole life to serve others.
If she had an iota of self-confidence, she’d have married Greg and given birth to his first-born. ”
“But Greg never proposed,,,” Katie began then saw the look on Wendy’s face as she gleefully shook her head no.
“Wrong!” she emphasized. “Greg proposed to her three different times but she didn’t want to risk her job at Pimico.”
“If he proposed, then why did she,,” Katie began then her face lit up as she realized. “Veronica.”
“Precisely. She was so scared that Greg would find her inadequate then leave her for Veronica.” She laughed.
“So pathetic.” She brightened as they entered the gate.
“We’re here, Katie.” A few moments later the car was stopped before the front door.
Kelly Sutton was waiting again, but this time she had a gloomy face when she stepped out. “That doesn’t bode well at all.”
“Mom looks gut punched,” Katie said astonished. She slowly got out the near side as Wendy exited the far side. “Hello mom,” Katie said brightly. “We’re home.”
“Wendy,” Kelly said so slow it inflicted dread. “The Matriarch needs to see you immediately. You are instructed to proceed directly to the Matriarch’s bedroom.”
“She’s in the bedroom?” Wendy asked in confusion.
“She’s been in there for two days,” Kelly confirmed. “Mourning.”
“Over Cousin Lance?” Wendy asked in deeper confusion.
“No, Wendy.” Kelly stood there, as if moving was painful. “It’s your mother.”
“Mom?!” Wendy asked in fear. She sprinted into the house yelling – “MOM!”
“Did we really have to come to Veronique?” Cassie complained.
“Veronica wants those numbers from the tour sales before lunch.” Carry opened the doors to a dark empty office. “I know it’s only six am, Cassie, but I can’t do this alone,” she pleaded.
“Fine! But I’m doing this under protest,” Cassie proclaimed as they stepped in.
“Hmm,” Carry said as she flipped the light switch but nothing happened.
“I wonder if we blew a breaker again,” she asked.
She slowly started toward her office with Cassie right behind her.
They were headed there to get the flashlights, but had only managed to cover about fifteen feet before they felt hands over their mouths and on their shoulders.
“Not a peep,” said the deep male voice. “We shut down the lights.”
“Move, to the office,” another male with a deep voice said in a barking whisper. The girls moved forward slowly with hands still firmly placed over their mouths, and being held at the shoulders. “Sit there on that couch and don’t say anything.”
“We’re quiet,” Carry said softly. “What do you want?” She heard the shuffle of feet and the door closing. Then she heard all the blinds being checked. “What is going on?”
“Quiet, child.” Carry knew that voice instantly.
“Grace?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, Carry.” Grace Mitchelson moved in beside her and wrapped her in her arms.
“What are you doing back in Kansas City?” Carry protested.
“I’ve come to check on you. Keith got too quiet and Roddy didn’t like that Lance Marsden had died.”
“So?” Carry asked. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Everything,” Jack Martin called as he turned on the ultra-blue lamp. “This light will stay in this room only.
“What do you mean, everything?” Cassie asked, clearly confused.
“Lance wasn’t muscle for the family. He was access and coordination,” Jack said.
Greg felt tired, as tired as he ever had been before.
The last few weeks had been filled with concerts and Veronique photo shoots.
‘At least those Sabbath Services in the Synagogue with Billy gave us a breather,’ he thought to himself.
He looked over beside him in the new Pimico Mini-Limo to see Janet Thompson sound asleep.
‘I know she’s going to be happy to be back home to see Elizabeth again.
’ He looked up through his tired eyes to see Keith’s red Jeep leading the way and Harry staying exactly twenty-eight feet behind him.
He ran his hand through his hair. ‘I couldn’t hardly sleep on the plane, even with Veronica leaned against me on the bench.
What has my mind so wound up that it just won’t shut down.
Man, this is frustrating.’ He rubbed his face with both hands, then looked up through the wall divider.
“Harry,” Greg called through the divider, sounding as tired as could be.
“You sound rough,” Harry replied. “What can I do for you, Greg?”
“My mind is a mess. It’s total chaos. Can we take a diversion over to Longview Lake?”
“I’ll advise Keith,” Harry said then pressed a button on the console. “Hey Keith, the boss wants to stop by Longview Lake.”
“Rerouting!” Keith answered. “That man should really get to bed. He was exhausted the last I checked.”
“I agree, but his mind has locked onto something just like it did when we played Rockhurst.”
“Ut-oh. That’s trouble. I’ll get ahold of Danny and Brick; ask them to meet us there.”
“Thanks. See you there, Harry out.” He started whistling as they adjusted the route for the stop at Longview Lake. “I’ll get you there, boss. Try to lean back and rest.”
“Thanks, Harry. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d find a way forward, just like you always have. That’s just who you are. You were forged into the man you are today, shaped and molded by the men who taught you and stood by you all this time. That’s why I know you’ll figure this out too.”
“Your confidence is admirable, even if a little bit misplaced my friend. I’m hoping the serenity of the lake can help me relax my mind. Whatever this is I don’t know.”
“James, be a dear and wake me up at eleven. I’m wiped.”
“Of course, V. Do you mind if I use your study?”
“You paid for this place, so use whatever you need.”
“At least you slept some on that flight. It was a little bumpy over Indiana for a while.”
“I didn’t notice. I guess using Greg as a pillow has its advantages.”
“I don’t think I could get away with that. It’d look a little odd for an older man to be laying against your boyfriend, even though I’m your manager.” James laughed at the thought, which elicited a short laugh from Veronica.
“I could just picture TNN reporting on a strange threesome discovered on tour as Veronica LaFayette, boyfriend Greg Garrelson and manager James Emory caught sleeping together,” she giggled.
“That’s not funny, V.” James then gave a slight chuckle. “Besides that, Greg really didn’t sleep.”
“He didn’t?” she said, worried.
“No. It looked like he was working another problem in his mind. I don’t think he’s been worried about his heart. Something else is occupying his mental spaces.”
“So,” Veronica slowly said as she let out a deep breath.
“Greg wasn’t trying to avoid deciding between Carry and I,” she realized.
“He mentioned the death of Lance Marsden and how quiet The Enforcer has been. K1 has not produced the results we were expecting.” She moved around James to the stairs.
“He is worried about our safety, James. Should we be worried also?”
“You really think that’s what’s on his mind?
” James said and stroked his chin. “We’ve got Matt and Keith with us, so our security is fine.
Greg’s got people and that new group Danny Blaine brought in have been watching Carry and Cassie.
I think we’re fine. We can always talk with him Thursday night at his place for the Veronique Awards Barbeque. ”
“Alright, James. I trust your judgment. Remember to wake me at eleven. I have a post tour accounting review for Veronique with Carry and Cassie to attend to.”
“Daddy?” Wendy said with worry on her face as she got near the Matriarch’s bedroom. “What’s wrong?”
Millard looked forlorn. “It’s your mom.” He let out a sigh and lowered his head. “Come in with me,” he said taking her hand. “We’ve got some news for you.”
“Okay,” Wendy said as her voice wavered. “I’m really nervous.”
“It’s going to be alright, pumpkin. We’ll face this together.” He led her into the bedroom where Jenny was sitting in her black mourning dress on her bed. Wendy’s breath caught in her throat as she saw Jenny’s face. Eyes reddened and puffy, tears still rolling down her face.
“Aunt Jenny?” she said and rushed to her. “What’s wrong?”
Jenny reached out and pulled Wendy tight to her, still softly sobbing. “Oh my dear sweet Wendy, baby girl.” She hugged her so tight that Wendy could barely breathe, but she still wrapped her arms around Jenny. “Your mom’s mind broke. She took Lance’s death so very hard.”
“So, she’s not hurt?” Wendy asked with relief.
“I’m afraid that her body’s there, but her mind is gone. We’ve had to commit her to isolated care,” Jenny said as she laid it on her, thick with the deception.
“Are you alright, Aunt Jenny,” Wendy eeked out.