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Yoko reached for Izzie’s hand. “Alright. Let’s think about this. Anyone you’re still in touch with from engineering school?”
Izzie’s face brightened. “Brilliant, Yoko! Yes! Zoe Danfield. She’s a VP at REBAR. They’re one of the world’s largest suppliers of foundation materials.”
“Okay. There’s a start.”
“But I don’t know if they would want to take on a small job like ours. They do major commercial construction. Bridges, hotels. Stuff like that.”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if she could at least recommend someone.”
“True.” Izzie recalled the time after college when she and Zoe had worked for the same firm. Then Izzie had decided to open her own business and Zoe had moved on to corporate America.
Izzie’s mood brightened as she scrolled through her contact list. She punched in the number and hit the CALL button. Two rings later a voice answered, “Zoe Danfield.”
“Zoe!” Izzie was surprised to hear Zoe’s voice on the other end instead of her assistant. “It’s Izzie!”
“Hey, Izzie. How are you?” Zoe sounded stressed. Tightly wound.
“I’m doing well. And you?” Izzie gave the phone a strange look.
Zoe’s voice was hushed. “Uh, I’m okay. Just a little overworked. You know the feeling.”
“I do indeed.” Izzie was mustering an upbeat response, but sensed something wasn’t right with her friend. “Listen, there’s a project Yoko and I are working on, and we are in dire need of masonry work. The company we had originally planned to use is having a shortage of supplies and we are on a very tight deadline.”
There was hesitation in Zoe’s voice. “I’m not sure how I can be of help.”
“I thought you might be able to recommend someone for me.”
“That’s possible.” Zoe hesitated again. “Perhaps I should come down there and look at your plans.”
“I can send you a zip-file.”
“No, I’d rather review them in person,” Zoe said flatly.
Izzie made another odd face at the phone. “Okay. But I know you’re busy and I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”
“I insist.” She paused. “For old time’s sake.” Zoe’s office was in New York City, so it would be a three-hour ride on Amtrak to Alexandria.
“That would be fantastic!” Izzie was delighted that Zoe could break free from her hectic schedule. “Can you spend the night? We can have a sleepover.” Izzie chuckled. “Like we used to!”
“Only if you promise not to cook.” Zoe’s voice brightened a bit.
“Oh stop. I’ve become quite a good cook. Myra’s husband, Charles, is quite the gourmet and has taught us a few dishes.”
“Myra?” Zoe asked.
“Myra Rutledge.”
“The candy person?”
“One and the same,” Izzie answered, choosing her words carefully. Even though she and Zoe were still in touch, the Sisterhood had never been part of their conversations. She knew she had to clarify a few things, especially if Zoe was coming for a quick visit. “We met at a charity function a few years ago. It was for Animal Care Sanctuary. We discovered we have a few things in common and meet regularly with a small group of other women. That’s how I met Yoko, my partner in this project.” Izzie realized she had said enough and segued into a more neutral subject by mentioning her husband. “Abner is away on business so we can be loosey-goosey.”
“Sounds good.” Zoe’s voice was a bit steadier. “How’s this Friday?”
Izzie checked her desk diary. “Perfect.” That would give them the weekend to discuss what needed to be done so they could hit the deck running on Monday.
“Looking forward to seeing you, Izzie.” Zoe sounded melancholy.
“Zoe? Is everything alright?” Izzie’s intuition was kicking in. Something in Zoe’s voice was off.
