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The weather was not cooperating with my need to get things done quickly. Toby was going to let everyone know to shut down, which meant the trees wouldn’t get decorated tonight. I had a crew coming in to get decorating done. Now I’d have to cancel that until morning.
I’ll have to let the advertising group know we won’t have the decorating done for opening tomorrow.
I sent the email to the ad team on my walk back to the offices. I shot my limo driver and pilot a message too. If the weather was as bad as Toby said, then I wasn’t flying home tonight.
“Will we be able to fly out tonight?”I texted Wayne, my pilot.
“Sir, we’d have to leave within ten minutes to get out safely, but I’d say don’t risk it.”
“Alright, I’ll book us in at a hotel. The limo will pick you up within fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“I need you to pick up my pilot and deliver him to the hotel.”I texted the temp driver, Mitch.
“Sure thing, Mr. Hawthorne. Will you need me to get you too?”
“Get the pilot first, then come to the mall for me. I should be done here in about thirty minutes.”
“I’m going to switch cars to the Hummer. The snow is coming down pretty good now. Let the pilot know I’ll be there soon.”
“Great idea. Thanks. Do you need a room for tonight or are you local?”
“I’m not local. I better stay overnight.”
“I need you to book three hotel rooms for tonight, for right away.”I messaged my assistant,Nicole.
“I’ll take care of it right away.”Nicole answered back.
Toby was at the main entrance, waving to store employees as they exited the mall. I had a bit more work to do so I went back to the office to get a few things done. Thirty minutes later, I messaged the driver to check his ETA.
“Fifteen minutes, depending on the iced roads.”
“Take your time.”
I made a few more notes then wrapped up the blueprints to take to work on at the hotel. It occurred to me if people were closing up shop in the mall, it might be the same outside. I wondered if I was going to be able to find food.
Maybe something at the food court is still open?
I walked the long corridor of the mall to the main entrance, which was where the food court was located. I sat my briefcase and blueprint roll on a table and looked around for anyone still there with food. Every single one of the restaurants was dark with no sign of anyone cleaning, until my eyes landed on one place that had movement. My cell rang.
“August. What can I do for ya?” I was surprised to have my twin calling at this hour. “What did I do wrong?”
“Surprisingly, nothing this time,” August chirped. “Mom said to make sure you were coming.”
“I had my assistant email her assistant already. Why are you really calling?” I asked, looking around the food court.
What in the world was that?
“Hold on a minute. I just saw something.” I lowered the cell and walked a little closer to where I saw something move.
“Ash, what’s going on?” August asked. “What do you mean you saw something?”
“Hey, I’m in a closed mall waiting for my ride and I thought I saw something move.” I didn’t tell the whole truth.
“Ash. What did you see move?” August asked suspiciously. “I know that voice. What did you see?”
“Would it be weird if I said I saw an elf? Well, at least elf legs?”
