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“Hi, Ian. How are things in Maine?” she asked.
“They're good. It's snowing again.”
I could hear her smile as she replied, “It's Maine, and it's winter. Did you expect anything else?”
I chuckled. “No, I suppose not. Anyway, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?”
She paused, just long enough that I knew she was worried. Marilyn was my one and only assistant, and I trusted her completely. She was incredibly efficient and had her fingers on every detail. She was one of the very few people who knew what I was dealing with.
“I thought I should give you a heads-up that Tom Daniels called over trying to schedule a meeting with you.”
I took a breath, letting it out with a sigh. “Really?”
“Of course, really,” Marilyn replied tartly. “It may mean nothing.”
“It doesn't mean nothing, Marilyn. Tom rarely schedules meetings with me. Have I gotten any more calls from the investigator’s office?”
“No, and they said they'll call you directly if something is urgent. I did call over there and let them know he reached out to you.”
“Good. Thank you.”
“How worried should we be?” Marilyn asked after another long pause.
“You and I will be fine, Marilyn. It's just an ugly situation.”
Her sigh filtered through the phone line. “It is. Why do people have to be so greedy?”
I chuckled again. “Well, if you didn't want to ponder that question, you shouldn't have taken a position as my assistant. I work in finance. Just about everyone who works in finance is greedy.”
“You're not,” she countered.
“Now, that's where you're wrong. I may not cheat and steal and lie, but I went into finance to make money.”
I could practically envision her pursing her lips and glaring at me. “Why yes, anyone who works in this field is trying to make money. But it’s possible to want to make money and do well without being a greedy asshole.”
“Good point,” I returned. “Let me know if you hear anything else from Tom. What did you tell him?”
“The truth. That you're out of town and will be until after the holidays.”
“Do you think he accepted that?”
“Well, it's true, so if he checks on it, that’s what he’ll find.”
“Another good point,” I returned. “Keep me posted.”
“You know I will. If I don't talk to you before Christmas, Merry Christmas.”
“You'll talk to me before Christmas, Marilyn.”
“How do you know?” she teased lightly.
“Because I'll call you and check in and make sure you and Dan have an excellent Christmas basket,” I said, referring to her husband.
I could imagine her rolling her eyes at this point. I was generous with my holiday office gifts. “That's not necessary, you know.”
“I know. Talk to you later, Marilyn.”
“That you will.”
