Chapter 533: Hargrove Mansion
Wednesday, February 22nd, Evening
There was a buzz on the intercom; it piqued her interest. Picking up her head, she closed her laptop and looked towards the door. A younger version of herself came into the room and looked at the older woman.
The sitting older woman turned her gaze from the door and the young woman. The young woman made a face, which responded to the older woman's gaze, and turned away. The young woman nodded, walked into the room, pulled out a chair, and sat down. They sat there for a moment.
A phone sitting on the table rang, and the older woman, Angela Scott, reached for it. Picking up the headset, she places it to her ear.
"Yes?" Angela asked.
"There is someone at the door for you and Miss Scott," a staff member said.
"We'll be right down," Angela said and hung up the phone.
"What was that all about, Mom?" Angela's daughter, Jessica "Jess," Scott asked.
"I don't know," Angela said, "It seems someone is at the door for us."
"For us?" Jess asked.
"Yes," Angela said, shrugged, and got up.
"Who could it be?" Jess asked.
"I don't know," Angela said, "Why don't you get up and find out."
Jess sighed, "Sure," she said, got up, and followed Angela. Angela was tall for a woman, just over six feet tall, but instead of being stick thin, she was athletically built with well-defined muscles. Jess takes after her mom, but was only ten years old; she was well over five feet tall and had a similar build, if not slightly heavier in the body. Both had the same dirty blonde hair.
They left the library and headed to the front door. In the entrance foyer, they found the member of staff that called standing there.
"Paris, where is the visitor?" Angela asked.
"He insisted on waiting outside, Ms. Scott," Paris said.
"Thank you, Paris," Angela said.
"You're welcome, Ms. Scott," Paris said.
Angela looked at Jess. "Wait here," she said.
"Okay," Jess said.
Angela nodded, opened the front door, and stepped out. Outside, Angela saw a man just under average height with a stocky build standing with his back to the door. Angela noted he had a military bearing and his hair was cut military short.
"May I help you?" Angela asked.
He turned around to face her and looked at Angela. "You don't recognize me, Angie?" he asked.
"Dash?" Angela asked, recognizing the voice.
"Yes," he said and laughed, "I know, I look different," his hand unconsciously reached up to his head.
Angela nodded and circled her hand around her face and head. "You look so…so…." she said.
"Different," Dash said, "They have me with the fleet. So, they don't want me to scare the straights."
"Wow," Angela said, "So, you're up in Groton."
Dash chuckled, "Is that how you greet me?" he asked.
Angela shook her head and chuckled. "No, of course not; you just surprised me," she said.
"Excuses, excuses," Dash said.
"Whatever," Angela said, stepping forward and hugging Dash. They separated and looked at each other. "So, what brings you here?"
Dash smiled, "It's been a while, I'm in the same state, and I haven't seen my girls," he said.
"So, you drove across the state to see us? What do they have you doing up in Groton?" Angela asked.
"Angie, you know the rules," Dash said.
"You can tell me, but you'll have to kill me," Angela said.
Dash laughed, "Exactly," he said.
"Let me guess, Elise and the boys are not with you," Angela said.
"No, it's a temporary assignment, so they're still in Virginia," Dash said.
Angela nodded, "Okay," she said.
"Where's Jessi?" Dash asked.
"I'm going to warn you now, Dash," Angela said.
"What's that?" Dash asked.
"She likes to be called Jess now," Angela said.
Dash canted an eyebrow, "Okay," he said.
"It's a thing," Angela said, opening the front door, "You can come out."
Jess walked out and looked at the visitor for a moment. She tilted her head and squinted her eyes. Finally, Jess's eyes went wide.
"Uncle Dash?" Jess asked.
"Jess," Dash said.
Jess went over and hugged Dash. They separated and looked at each other. "Uncle Dash, what are you doing here? Are Aunt Elise, TJ, and Fox with you?" Jess asked.
"I came to visit my girls," Dash said.
"What about Aunt Elise, TJ, and Fox?" Jess asked.
"Oh, okay, so it's just you," Jess said.
"Yeah, just me," Dash said.
"So, are we going for ice cream?" Jess asked.
"No, Uncle Dash has a long drive back to Groton," Angela said.
"Mom, are you sure?" Jess asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Angela said.
"Your mom is right; I do have a long drive," Dash said.
"Will we see you again?" Jess asked.
"Well, I'll be here for a while," Dash said, "Maybe, we could meet at your job and play a few slots."
Angela shook her head, "I can't gamble there, against the rules as I am an employee of the casino," she said.
"Oh, okay," Dash said, disappointed.
"There is plenty to do there, though, shopping-wise," Angela said.
"Okay, maybe a few weeks when Elise and the boys come to visit," Dash said.
"They're coming to visit?" Jess asked.
"Yes, they are," Dash said.
"Jess, go inside and finish your homework," Angela said.
"Yes, Mom," Jess said and went inside.
Angela looked at Dash. "It's nice seeing you again, Dash, but I do have to go in," she said.
"I'll see you soon, Angie," Dash said.
"See you soon, Dash," Angela said, they hugged, and she went inside; Dash left as well.
