AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So why on earth would Louise be tailing Zoe?” Myra looked befuddled.
“I have no idea.”
“How old is she?”
“According to Fergus, she’s twenty-two. This is her first job out of college.”
“Do you think her uncle hired her to follow Zoe? And could he be involved in this scam?” Myra asked.
“Both are very good questions. I’m going to get in touch with Izzie and see if she knows anything else. I know she was going to speak to Zoe last night.” Annie typed a message to Izzie asking how Zoe was doing.
Dejected was the reply. I might go to NYC to see her, Izzie added.
Good idea. Her head must be spinning, Annie typed back. Then she said aloud, “Izzie may go to New York over the weekend. She thinks Zoe is a bit depressed, but won’t show it or admit it.”
“Poor girl. First she discovers something unsavory is happening with her employer, then she finds out the person who has been following her is related to a romantic interest. And let’s not forget the big part,” Myra said.
“What big part?” Alexis asked.
“The part where she came to Pinewood,” Myra said. “I can only imagine what is going through her head.”
“Makes me nauseous just thinking about it,” Maggie said.
“You mean you’re not going to eat anything?” Myra asked dubiously.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Maggie chirped.
“We’ll have to leave the Louise situation to Fergus and Charles and hope they can come up with a reasonable explanation,” Alexis said.
Carol unhooked the straps that were holding her in the jump seat. “The pilot has informed me we have now reached cruising altitude. Shall I get you breakfast?”
“Yes, please!” Of course Maggie was the first to answer.
* * *
Back in London the doctors were finally tending to Mason’s leg. He had been waiting for hours. The X-ray showed no signs of a fracture, but he had a very bad sprain. They released him with a pair of crutches and instructions. He checked his watch and saw that it was now ten P.M. He thought of Zoe. He knew he must phone her and explain what his niece had been up to. He hobbled to the sidewalk, hailed a cab, and headed to his flat. He sent a text to Zoe saying he needed to speak to her and would call shortly.
In her office in New York, Zoe looked at her phone and deleted the text. “Well, I don’t need or want to speak to you,” she said out loud.
“Did you say something?” Kyle’s voice floated across the threshold.
“Oh no. Just talking to myself.” Zoe was past being hurt. After a restless sleep the night before, she was now angry. How dare he play me like that? But something was nagging at her besides Louise. In spite of trying to maintain her indignation, it just didn’t feel right. Time would tell.
A half hour later her cell phone rang. It was Mason. Zoe promptly hit the END button. She didn’t want to speak to him. Not yet anyway. She needed more ammunition before she blew his head off. Figuratively speaking. Several minutes later her phone rang again. This time it was Izzie and she answered.
“Hello, my friend.”
“Hey there. Wondering if you want some company this weekend? Abner has more work to do on his project and won’t be back for another week. I haven’t been in the city for ages. What do you think?”
“I think that would be great. We can go to a museum and eat ourselves senseless.”
“Love it!” Izzie exclaimed. “What’s your schedule like?”
“I can be outta here late in the afternoon on Friday.”
“Perfect. I’ll take the noon train. Gets me in at three-ish. Shall I meet you at your office?”
“Sounds good,” Zoe said. “Izzie? I really appreciate your friendship, ya know.”
