Chapter 25 The Attempt On Greg #4
“I don’t know, dear girl. I’ve never had to be without my twin sister. We’ve done everything together, including getting married and having children.” She sniffed her nose hard. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without Suzy by my side.”
“Jenny,” Millard said softly as he took both of them into his arms. “We’ll get through this.
We’ve been through tough times before.” He sniffed his nose as tears started to fall from his eyes onto Wendy’s cheek.
She looked up to see her daddy crying for the first time in her life.
“I just hope she can come back, unlike Tony.”
“Daddy? You’re crying. I’m scared!” Wendy cried in pain and fear.
“Shhhh,” he said as he stroked her head. “It’s going to be alright, pumpkin. We need to be strong for your mom and Aunt Jenny,” he said as he released them both and started wiping his eyes. “We’ll get through this, baby girl. We’ll get through.”
“Mom,” Katie said slowly, more cautious about things having watched Wendy sprint away. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know what’s going on, honey, but we need to move away from the house for a moment.
They are going to need their privacy,” Kelly said as she grabbed Katie by the hand and walked her into an open green space about thirty-five feet from the front of the house.
“I need to talk to you here, privately.” She looked around and saw nobody then placed her palms on both of Katie’s cheeks and turned her so they were face to face.
She lowered her voice to barely above a mumble.
“We’re in danger here, and you need to find us a way out.
She’s already eliminated the woman I replaced and now Suzy is missing and Jenny’s wearing black.
I need you to listen to me, daughter. This danger is real and I’m scared for our lives.
I’m counting on you, or I think we’re both as good as dead.
Jenny is hurting and dangerous. I don’t know what’s happening, but Millard’s been given new orders and I have no idea what’s about to happen.
” She took a deep breath while a wide-eyed Katie just looked at her mom with fear filling her face.
“Trust me, daughter. I can’t get us out of this.
I tried a long time ago, but I wasn’t good enough to stay at Pimico.
IF we are going to make it out of this alive, it’s going to be because of you.
I don’t know how you can do this, but I need you to find a way to get us out.
Do you hear me Catherine? You have to get us out! ”
“Yes, momma,” she said slowly.
“Trust NOBODY. Not even Wendy or Cassie. You have to do this alone. I can’t help you, or we’ll both be marked by The Enforcer and the only thing left will be where they hide our bodies.”
“Momma, you’re scaring me,” Katie said, frozen with fear.
“Good. That means you understand what I’m saying.” She kissed her forehead then took her into an embrace. “I’ve missed you my doodlebug. And I’m very proud of what you have accomplished. Trust your instincts.”
“Okay, momma.” Katie said as she squeezed her momma tight. “I’ll do my best.”
“That’s my girl,” she whispered. “I know you can do this.”
“Alright,” she said slowly. “But how do I tell you when I’ve found the way out?”
“Just tell me that they need a new girl for another Veronique Scent.”
Thursday came and Greg was getting the house arranged for all the guests.
He moved through the house with Ellen and Anna, cleaning up and arranging for the ceremony.
He looked upstairs to see Tilly, Jill, Susan and Genevieve working upstairs.
He smiled and shook his head. “What am I worried about, Ellen?”
“You want to make a good impression. Don’t worry, the girls have the upstairs and we’ve got the downstairs ready.”
“And Tilly has already made the potato salad and lemonade,” Anna added.
“And Jill has made the buns for the burgers and hotdogs,” Ellen confirmed.
“Susan has five pies ready Greg,” Anna continued. “Plus Genevieve has the cold slaw ready.”
Ellen moved next to Greg, setting her left hand on his right shoulder.
“We’ve already got the burgers and dogs set up for Billy, and he’s already out there setting up the charcoal.
” She gave him a firm look. “You need to relax Greg. I don’t know what’s eating at you, but I’ve never seen you torn up like this except shortly before that Denver trip.
You said that the Marsdens were trying to ruin Pimico and it turned out that you were right that they were behind everything.
Philip Sheridan confirmed it when you cornered him in Denver.
SO,” she took a deep breath, “What’s eating at you?
You’ve been pensive since you got back.”
“I don’t know Ellen. Something is off and nothing is making sense.” He looked at her. “I couldn’t even put it together at the lake.” He kissed her forehead. “Thanks for your concern, but I’ll be alright.”
“You better take care of yourself,” Anna said firmly. “We can’t have our boss go down again.”
“Thanks Anna,” Greg said then turned and kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you two get the girls and go out for pizza and bowling on me. Here’s three-hundred,” he said shoving the money in Ellen’s hands. “I’m not taking a no on this one.”
“Alright Greg,” she said reluctantly. “We’ll do this for you.” She looked at Anna. “Let’s go get our girls. We’ve got our orders from the man.”
“Alright,” she conceded. “Greg, you really do too much,” she said and hugged him. “If I wasn’t already married, I’d make an honest man out of you.”
Greg walked around the patio with a beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other.
All the guests seemed to be enjoying the barbeque.
Carry was hanging out beside Billy as they chatted while he worked the grill.
The Pimico gang were chatting with James and Veronica, while Mark and Aarie hung out with the girls.
The picnic in the back yard was thoroughly underway as Greg made his way to the Pimico circle, trying to get in beside Tessa and David.
He looked at his watch briefly. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Awards Ceremony will begin in about fifteen minutes. This is your last chance for a burger or dog as I’m asking Billy to shut it down for the presentation. ”
“Shutting it down, Greg. LAST CALL!” Billy called out. “After this, the grill gets doused and there won’t be any more burgers or dogs grilled tonight.”
People started crowding the grill to get their last round of food before the presentation.
Wendy grabbed her final plate with a burger and potato salad.
She moved over to a picnic table and sat down while Aarie grabbed two more dark beers.
He joined Wendy and picked up his burger.
“You know, I’m really getting attached to this American food.
” Wendy started staring off into space. “Babe? Are you there?” he said waving his hand in front of her blank face.
NO, Wendy wasn’t there at all. Her mind was recalling Wednesday morning when she’d walked into Veronica’s office and asked if Greg was still off, and if they were going to be safe.
She’d managed to convince Veronica that she wouldn’t feel safe at Greg’s house without seeing the security plans.
Veronica reluctantly agreed to show them to Wendy.
She had memorized every detail. Number of guards and cameras, positions, rotations, coverage and timings.
She passed every detail on to Millard, who’d only replied with, “Thank You, Pumpkin. When this is done you’ll be on top of the mountain, looking down at the valleys below us.
” She smiled as she remembered him telling her that.
“BABE!” Aarie called louder with his hands waving frantically in front of her face.
“Sorry,” Wendy said snapping out of the memory.
“Where’d you go?” Aarie said with concern.
“I was thinking about the awards tonight. I was just hoping to get Employee of the Year awarded,” she said in a smooth lie. Then she took a giant bite of her burger.
“That’s it Folks,” James announced. “It’s time to head in and start the festivities.
We’ve got some big thank-you’s and awards to hand out.
Please start making your way in and we’ll be doing the awards in Greg’s living room.
” He made a sweeping motion with both hands.
“Terry,” he said softly. “Thanks for getting the band here tonight. Your hard work will be recognized.”
“Not a problem. Anything for V, James. She’s like our little sister,” he said as he slapped James on the shoulder. “Besides, this was some really good grub.” They headed indoors together.
Everyone began gathering things up and heading inside.
Greg hung back to check and ensure the patio cleared out.
Veronica moved over beside him, noticing that Carry and Billy were still talking by the grill.
“Greg, this is a nice evening. Thank you for hosting this event tonight.” She kissed his cheek.
“What else am I supposed to do?” he shrugged. “I can’t help it, I just have to do what I can to make things happen.”
“Well, you certainly have done a great job with the food and beverages. Even Aarie liked your choice of beer.”
“Modelo Negro,” Greg mused. “I have been wanting to try it and David recommended it, so I figured what the hay?”
“Well, it was a success with Aarie. He liked it so much he wanted to slip a six pack out for himself.”
“Let him.” Greg looked around. “It looks like we’re the last four,” he called over to Billy and Carry. “Let’s head in. Douse that fire.”
“Dousing,” Billy said and pulled a lever. A sprinkler sprayed down the coals in the grill itself. “This is something else. Carry, let’s head in.”
“Yes, Billy. We want good seats.” She grabbed his arm and started to lead him in.