Disclaimer: Highlander belongs to Davis/Panzer. They are being borrowed and returned hopefully in about the same shape they were taken in. Jeff, Emmy, and just about everyone else, belong to me. You can use them if you like, just return them please.
Chapter 21
Rick picked up the extension of his office phone in the garage. "Rick's Repair, how can I help you?"
"I've just taken Amanda to her room and given her the grand tour of Emmy's house. We are all supposed to meet at Nino's at six o'clock for dinner tonight. Do you think you can get off early enough to make it on time?"
"I hope so, but I haven't heard from Marcus all day, and I've left two messages on his phone. I'm hoping nothing's wrong," Rick said, frowning a little. It bothered him.
Jeff's answer was both soothing and chiding. "Rick, the guy's a lawyer. Usually when you can't reach them during the day, it means they're in court. He might be one of those who doesn't look at his cell phone until he's out."
"Fine, so maybe I'm overreacting. Either way, will you just check with his Watcher and make sure he hasn't gone missing on us? I don't need to deal with this serial killer Immortal on top of everything else," Rick replied, an anxious hitch to his voice.
"Yeah, sure," Jeff said. "Just be at Nino's on time. Oh, and Rick, dress up will you?"
"You are really pushing things, Read," Rick growled.
Jeff laughed, as he always did when Rick called him by his last name. It was never serious. "Sure boss, whatever you say."
The phone rang several times before someone picked up. "Hello?" came Matt Sales' familiar voice.
"Matt, what's happening?" Jeff asked cheerfully. He liked to talk to Matt like that because he was an old gentleman—older than Rick by several years—who hated the irreverent way people used English these days.
"Ah, Jeff. I should have known. Is Rick trying to get hold of Marcus?" Matt asked jovially.
"Yeah. I take it from your voice that your guy is fine?" Jeff replied more seriously.
"Perfectly well thank you," Matt said. "But he did forget his cell phone on his desk this morning, I believe. He's been miserable without it all day. He likes to check his messages during a recess."
"I figured as much. Thanks, man. I'll pass the information along to Rick. Then he can stop worrying about it and just do his job."
"Jeff, you will be at poker night this week won't you?" Matt asked.
"I don't know," said Jeff unhappily. "I've been studying to take the GRE and, well, the test is Friday morning, I might be totally fried by seven."
"Come on, you have to come. You know that we are all waiting for the next installment of this whole love affair between Rick and Emmy; especially now that Amanda's coming to visit! Look, how about I just remind you about it on Friday in the afternoon. You can take a nap between the test and the game."
Jeff sighed. "Fine, fine, I should have known better than to gossip with you guys. It's just too interesting. Why haven't you become one of the Servants, Matt? Marcus seems a good enough guy."
"It's because I'm an old dog, Jeff. I don't think I could handle what you do. Watching is one thing. Knowing that you could potentially be a target is an entirely different thing. Our job is dangerous enough as it is. Oh, they're calling a recess, I've got to go."
"Okay, see ya man." Jeff replied and hung up. He immediately dialed Rick' shop.
It was Mike who picked up the phone. "Rick's Repair, how can I help you?"
"Hey Mike, Rick in still, or has he left already?" Jeff asked.
"Are you kidding? Rick leave before five? That'd be unheard of. He's just writing up some bills in the lobby. You want me to get him?"
"Sure man, that would be awesome," Jeff said.
"Okay," Mike said, and put the phone on hold.
A few seconds later, Rick came on. "Haven't you called once already? What's up now?" he asked, sounding slightly annoyed, but Jeff was sure that had more to do with work than it did with himself.
"Just calling to let you know our friend Marcus is just fine," Jeff told him. "He's been in court all day, and his Watcher thinks he left his cell phone at the office. So no worries, he should get your messages tonight sometime. Then you can see him and give him the information tomorrow or whenever."
"Hey thanks, man. That was a pretty speedy follow-up," Rick said, his tone warm with relief.
"No problem, boss. Look, I'm going to go because I want to take a shower before tonight, and you should get ready too. I don't want you trying to make some grand entrance by showing up late. Just be on time, please."
"Jeff."
"Yes?"
"Which one of us usually has the problem with being late, me or you?" Rick asked flatly.
"I'm just saying," Jeff said. Click. The phone went dead. Jeff sighed. Sometimes Rick could be really touchy. Then again, he was probably more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs*. Jeff shook his head. Yeah, he did not want to be Rick right now.
*I have to note that this sentence was wittily stolen from X-Men the cartoon series of the 1990s. I loved it. In the first episode Rogue tells someone, I can't remember who, he looks as nervous as long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
