Chapter 229: Sketch Dailey

Monday, January 23rd, Morning

Ellie stood in the bay window of her Beaulieu Manor bedroom; she noted the snow falling and got moving extra early. Driving through the streets of Tree Hill, she made sure to keep her distance from the other drivers. Most of the people that lived here full time hardly drove in the snow. Since living in New York, she learned to drive in the snow. Not that she drove often.

Parking the car in the nearby parking lot, it's a loaned to her by her dad, she walked carefully to the building of the Sketch Dailey. Once Ellie got into the building's lobby, she showed her building pass, which let her through. Taking the elevator up to the fourth floor and she found the office door locked.

Ellie shrugged and walked to the main lobby of the floor. She took a seat on one of the well-worn out and stinky sofas; Ellie shrugged and pulled out her smartphone. She started to go through it, clearing the messages and began to surf the web.

Maybe ten to fifteen minutes later, the elevator doors opened, and Sophia Dwerryhouse stepped out of the elevator car onto the fourth floor.

"Ellie, you're here," Sophia said.

"These are the work hours," Ellie said.

"I know, but considering the weather, most people will be late," Sophia said.

"Well, just drive slowly and leave early," Ellie said.

Sophia chuckled, "I guess you're right, c'mon I'll buy you a bad cup of coffee, and we'll talk," she said.

"Sure," Ellie said, got up, and followed Sophia down the hall to Suite 420.

Sophia unlocked the door and shut off the alarm. Ellie followed Sophia in as she started to turn on the lights.

Ellie went over to her 4'x2' work station and pulled out her laptop. She started to set up the laptop and make sure it was plugged in and powered up.

Sophia opened her office and turned on her lights. After a moment or two, Ellie looked up and saw Sophia step out of her office, where she dropped her bags and coat. Sophia went over to the coffeemaker, which she started making a pot.

Ellie shrugged and put her bag under the work station. Next, she removed her coat and her infinity scarf. Ellie hung the coat on the back of the chair and tucked the scarf into a coat pocket.

Once she finished, Sophia walked over to the workstation carrying two cups of coffee. Sophia offered one to Ellie.

"I don't know how you like your coffee, so it's just black," Sophia said.

"Black is fine; I grew up in a house with a basketball coach and record exec," Ellie said.

Sophia laughed, "I forget you're one of those Scotts," she said.

"A Bellendaine!" Ellie said.

Sophia tilted her head, "What does that mean?" she asked.

"To Bellendaine, it's a family battle cry," Ellie said.

"Well, if I hear you call that out, I'll get out of the way," Sophia said.

"Don't have to worry too much about it," Ellie said.

"So, pardon my French, you're from a family of means, why do you try so hard to make it, when you could self-publish?" Sophia asked.

"It's my parent's money, not mine; I didn't make it. So, why should I spend it," Ellie said.

"Sounds like something your parents told you," Sophia said.

"It's exactly what my parent told me. It's important for us to make our own way," Ellie said.

"I get not using your real name for your book," Sophia said, "But where did Anna Becca come from?"

"One of my material grand moms was name Anna Rebecca," Ellie said.

"Okay," Sophia said.

"I was wondering about your last name," Ellie said.

"Dwerryhouse? I took my wife's last name," Sophia said.

"Where does it come from?" Ellie asked.

"It's an English occupation name," Sophia said.

"Okay," Ellie said and sipped her coffee. It is typical Sketch Dailey coffee, strong, bitter, and tastes awful.

"I read your article," Sophia said.

"Yeah?" Ellie asked.

"There are a few minor changes, but overall it's excellent," Sophia said.

"Thank you," Ellie said.

"You're welcome," Sophia said, "I've been thinking about you're pitch on Absolution."

"Okay, what about it?" Ellie asked.

"I think we should do it," Sophia said, "I do have my misgivings, though."

"What would those be?" Ellie asked.

Sophia nodded, "You're right, Noah did go native and disappeared after the check cleared on that article. Can you do an article without going native?" she said.

Ellie shrugged, "Nothing is guaranteed, but I have an idea or three," she said.

"Three?" Sophia asked.

"Plan A always fails, so have a Plan B, and Plan C if Plan B fails," Ellie said.

"No Plan D?" Sophia asked.

"I've not figured it out yet," Ellie said.

"A bit OCD?" Sophia asked.

"Possibly, maybe more like paranoid," Ellie said.

"That's something that helps make a good investigative journalist," Sophia said.

"So, what's your story?" Ellie asked.

"I'm local, like you, went to UNC-Wilmington, and by a fluke of luck got in on the ground floor here. Also, my wife is a wiz at making money from home," Sophia said.

"It must be nice," Ellie said.

"I've been fortunate things have broken my way, and I have a great son, I'm blessed," Sophia said.

"That you are," Ellie said.

"So, what's the real reason you came home?" Sophia asked.

"I needed some distance," Ellie said.

"Bad breakup?" Sophia asked.

Ellie shook her head, "More like someone who didn't take the hint," she said.

"Don't you just hate that?" Sophia asked.

"Yeah, you know, it sucks," Ellie said.

"That it does," Sophia said.

Before Ellie could respond, the inner office door open and the mousey receptionist walked in. They looked at us and nodded.

"So, some other staff did make it in," they said.

"Just me, you, and Ellie, so far, Tony," Sophia said.

"So, what do you need me to do, Mrs. Dwerryhouse?" Tony, the receptionist, asked.

"Just your normal job, I expect everyone shall get in eventually," Sophia said.

"Yes, Mrs. Dwerryhouse," Tony said and returned to the outer office.

"Let's go into my office and discuss this Absolution article," Sophia said.

"Let's do it," Ellie said and followed Sophia to her office.