The elevator jerked as its only occupant leaned against the back of the steel box. Lidded eyes watched with disinterest as the numbers ticked by. 8... 9... 10…
The loud pinging noise caused tired eyes to snap wide as Jo rubbed her face with the palm of her hand, forcing herself fully awake. Booted feet exited the elevator and made their way down a mostly dark hallway.
There was a sliver of light coming from under the door at the end of the hall. Jo made her way there, and tapped on the door lightly. She didn't bother waiting for a reply and entered the room.
Three people sat at a small conference table, two of them nodding their hello's. Jo nodded back and took a seat opposite them.
"Polniaczek…nice of you to join us." Eric Nelson, who sat at the head of the table, handed Jo a folder, not bothering to look up from the notes he was scribbling on a notepad.
"You know Summers and Mendoza?"
Jo put her elbows on the table. "Yeah, good to see you guys." She looked at Eric. "You mind telling me why I had to leave dinner early?"
Eric looked up at Jo. "Remember that manufacturing warehouse that burned down in Taiwan?"
Jo thought for a minute, not quite remembering. "Barely. Wasn't Hodges' team working on that?"
"Yep. It seems there have been two more warehouses burned down." Eric stated, as he started scribbling again.
"Really? Where?" Jo opened her folder, scanning the top page.
"Tokyo. No casualties."
Jo blindly flipped through a few pages. "What's the trace?"
Eric blew out a breath. "We've ruled out insider trading, money laundering…"
Jo bit her lip in thought for a moment. It was becoming fairly apparent to her at this point. "Can we just cut to the chase? We're going to Tokyo, right?"
"Not exactly. The warehouses were owned by Warner Textiles." He looked directly into green eyes. "This just became a federal issue." He stated firmly. "I'll fill you all in when David Warner gets here. He's on his way. He's agreed to give us full cooperation."
Jo's eyebrows shot to the top of her forehead. "Wait a minute. Does he…?"
"He knows you work for us." Eric reassured her. "He was briefed two days ago and he's already gone through protocol."
Jo let out a relieved breath. "So he's been scrubbed?"
"Completely. He's clean. We went back 40 years," he added.
"He's compliant and agreed to be an informant," Mendoza supplied.
Jo nodded, then casually put one hand over the other on the table. "How serious is this?"
"Level 4," Eric said simply.
Damn…
Eric finished the last of his notes then looked at each agent, gaining their attention. "Ok. Now that we're all here I want to go over the profiles before Warner gets here. Turn to page six and we'll begin there."
It would be an hour before they finished reviewing each of the profiles. Each agent would be fully briefed on the employee's, executive board and lower to upper level managers of Warner Textiles.
From the doorway, a voice was cleared and all four agents turned their attention toward the man standing there.
Eric got up from his chair and headed over, extending his hand. "Mr. Warner, glad you could join us. I trust you had no problems with security?"
David Warner returned the handshake. "Not at all." He followed Eric over to the table. "Good to see you again, Agent Nelson."
Eric waved over at the table. "This is Agent Summers and Agent Mendoza." He turned his attention to Jo. "And…"
David let a warm smile make its way to his eyes as they fastened on the familiar face. "Jo."
"Ah, well Agent Polniaczek." Eric corrected.
Jo returned the smile with one of her own. "Nice to see you Mr. Warner. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances but…"
David grunted in acquiescence. "It's unfortunate. But it's good to see you too, Jo." He opened his arms for a hug, noticing the slight hesitation from Jo.
She stepped in to the embrace briefly, letting the familiarity ground her for a moment.
"I almost couldn't believe it." David released her then looked at her proudly. "I guess you're all grown up." He chuckled. "And please call me David."
Jo was momentarily charmed, but shifted as she noticed soft chuckles coming from the table. She took a small step back.
"Uh, well, we're going to need to keep it formal right now, sir. I'm sure you understand." Her voice held an apologetic tone. She motioned for David to take a seat.
"Not a problem, I understand." David sat in the chair next to Jo, getting comfortable as he nervously drummed his fingers on the table.
Jo leaned over, keeping her voice soft. "I'm really sorry to hear about your brother. My condolences." She reached over to the middle of the table, grabbed a water bottle and slid it over to him.
"Ah…" David's voice was gruff and he shook off the flash of sadness. "Thank you," he grabbed the bottle then patted her hand.
"Well, now that we've gotten the formalities out of the way, let's get down to business." Eric was adamant about getting the details ironed out. It was all about the logistics at this point and he wanted no mistakes. This was his second year in charge of the IT division. His track record was stellar when it came to corporate dealings.
It was time to get the specifics. "Mr. Warner?"
David took a deep breath before looking around the table. All of the agents had their eyes trained on him.
"Yes, well," he cleared his throat. "I'll get right to it then...One hundred eighty million dollars has gone unaccounted for within my corporation."
There was silence for a moment. "Is this all at once?" Agent Summers asked.
"Over the course of about three months." David directly addressed the agent. "This is ongoing and I want it stopped." He said the last part more forcefully than he'd intended.
Eric quickly cut in. "Let me just add we've traced everything associated with operations, Mr. Warner. All of the departments at headquarters. We haven't found any connections of any sort as of now."
Agent Mendoza lifted a brow in question. "I don't understand. Is the money missing?"
"That's just it… the money hasn't been officially earned by the company. So it's not missing, it's being reported as unearned," Eric replied.
Mendoza squinted in confusion at the lead agent. "I'm not following."
"It's been saturated in," Jo supplied.
David nodded. "That's right. I have one hundred eighty million dollars in the tank but there's no documentation or trace of where it came from."
"This is where we come in," Eric looked pensively at the CEO of Warner Textiles. "Do you have any suspicions?"
David adjusted in his seat a little. "I have my hunches, but nothing solid I can point a finger at."
"We need to know everything you know, Mr. Warner," Eric pressed.
"All right," David took a sip of water from his bottle, then screwed the top back on and leveled his eyes at all four agents.
"My brother, God rest his soul, was cut from the same cloth as our father, David Warner Senior."
The table was quiet as all four agents sat unmoving as they listened. David continued. "As you all know, my father was a greedy son of a bitch. It's no secret." He laughed bitterly. "He was a shrewd businessman, I'll give him that. But he was not the most honest man. I'm sure you remember he was indicted for insider trading."
Four heads nodded.
"Not one of our shining moments as Warner's," David joked, a somber expression graced his face.
Eric watched as David reached into his breast pocket and retrieved a white handkerchief. He dabbed his upper lip with it.
"What's your point here Mr. Warner?" Eric asked.
David stuffed the handkerchief back in his pocket. "I think my brother was tied up in something… something very bad that may have gotten out of control before he had a fatal heart attack."
David watched as the agents looked at each other silently. "I'm saying, I don't know what he was doing or, or..."
"Mr. Warner, we need to know if there is any way we can get into his accounts, his files, anything that can help us find out any new information," Eric looked at David expectantly.
David nodded. "We keep things, certain things, separate from the board. As a bit of precaution."
"Like what?" Agent Summers asked. She began writing notes in her file.
David drew in a breath. "Dealings. Russell had dealings that only he was privy to, as president of the company."
Agent Summers waved her pen. "Doesn't your being the CEO override any of that?"
"No. I manage investors, obtain new contracts, but he saw to the daily operations of the business. Look, it's no secret he was doing some things under the table from time to time, but this…this..."
They couldn't risk obstruction. Eric eyed the CEO. "Mr. Warner, in addition to the unaccounted revenue your company holds, as you know two warehouses your company owns have burned to the ground in Tokyo," he reminded. "We need to find out why, and if it's in any way tied to the money that's been flowing into your company."
The table was quiet. David reached for his water bottle and emptied it; then slumped back into his seat.
Eric shifted his eyes and watched as Jo swiveled back and forth in her chair, deep in thought.
She flipped her folder open and closed a few times; then shut it before shifting her eyes to David. "Someone dropped the ball."
David looked at her. "What?"
"Someone dropped the ball. You were never supposed to find out about the money, Mr. Warner, that's for sure."
David's brow creased as he slowly nodded, realizing Jo's train of thought. "So what are you saying? You're saying this could've been going on for…"
"A lot longer than we know of," Jo explained. She wasn't sure of anything to be honest.
"So what's the plan now?" David asked. He was becoming frustrated and pretty much wanted the whole thing to be over.
"Like Agent Nelson said, we need access to your brother's computer in order to get into his accounts and trace them back as far as we need to," Jo's voice was direct.
David shook his head. "That's impossible. He had an iron clad system set up. I don't even know any of the passwords."
"That's our specialty. We get in, we break code; then we send the information to analytics and get it verified. From there we build a case," Jo told him.
David was growing weary. "You make it sound so simple. We're highly secure. Just how are you going to do that?" he questioned. "And for how long of a period?"
"I'm guessing it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months," Eric answered. "As far as security, Mr. Warner, this is where you can help us."
Figured as much. "How?"
"We need to set up as a shell company."
So just like that. Great. David almost cracked a smile in disbelief, except he had heard of this kind of thing happening before. He didn't like it. This was his company not a playground for the secret service.
He crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't understand."
Eric leaned back in his chair. "JTI. Jordan Technical Institute. I'm sure you've heard of them?"
David vaguely recognized the name. "Yes. They're an educational software firm… out west, I believe."
"We just opened a branch here. We're leasing this building." Eric let that information settle in with David, noting the surprised look on his face.
"And you're correct. JTI is an educational software development company. That's our cover. We go in under the guise of extracting information for building capstone projects for college students. During the process, we're able to break into the mainframes and all of the operational accounts and systems."
David was listening. "I see." He was starting to connect the dots, his eyes sliding to look over at Jo a few times. He'd remembered when she first took employment with the educational firm in California.
Blair had mentioned it to him.
Eric continued. "I've been looking over your corporate structure, Mr. Warner. I can assure you we will be sending in highly trained agents. Both Summers and Mendoza are trained in marketing, financials and logistics. Agent Polniaczek is specialized in all three areas, as well as operations, process analysis and IT international affairs."
"Uh huh," David rubbed his chin.
"We'll be posing as systems analysts, Mr. Warner," Agent Mendoza informed.
Eric nodded his head in agreement. "Exactly. I'll be their contact on the outside and they'll be reporting to me directly. I'm stationed right here at JTI headquarters. For these three Agents – once inside Warner Textiles, each is assigned to the department we feel will best fulfill the capstone and of course infiltrate the systems for our case. Summers will be in marketing and advertising. Mendoza – financials."
"And Jo? I'm sorry… Agent Polniaczek?" David corrected.
Eric didn't blink. "She'll be working with the president." He paused. "Or whomever you've appointed to fill in for Russell. We need to get into your brother's computer, and she's the best at breaking through intricate codes. You could say we'll be getting to the horse's mouth."
"Except the horse is now my daughter," David said grimly. And she'll be picking up right where her uncle left off… except for the corruption she doesn't know about.
Jo crossed her arms over her chest and cracked a small smile, shaking her head a little. She almost couldn't believe her ears. "Blair?"
David couldn't help it. He felt a swell of pride as a full-blown smile formed. "We're going to officially announce her appointment, Monday. I'll be presenting her to the investors tomorrow." His look turned serious. "I don't want the press involved until we can make a formal statement. I'm sure you can understand."
"We understand," Eric said.
Jo was still trying to process the new information and sported a toothy grin. "Wow! That's… that is quite a surprise."
David's eyes were warm. "She's earned it. I'm proud of her," he said almost shyly.
"I have no doubt about that, Mr. Warner." Looks like you finally did it Blair. Good for you.
"I'm surprised she hasn't told you yet. You girls are usually the first she blabs to," David laughed.
The smile fell from Jo's face. "Well, actually, I haven't talked to Blair in a while… a long while." She's been busy being a Warner, huh. You were right Nat.
David cocked an eyebrow. "Really? Well I'm sure you two will have a lot to catch up on then. Just not until I formally announce her." He paused. "If you don't mind."
Jo sensed his need to protect. "No problem."
Eric allowed their conversation to end before pressing forward with the case. He shuffled the papers in his file, trying to settle them into an orderly fashion before closing it.
"All right then. Let's get down to business." He pointed to David. "On Monday I need you to set up a executive managers meeting. Our team will formally give them a presentation for the JTI capstone project. We will explain what the project is, who it's for and what instruments we'll be utilizing from your company."
David followed along, taking in the new information and leaned forward placing his arms on the table. "So you'll be gathering information in order to make a computer program," he summarized.
"Exactly. An educational computer program." Eric wanted to make it clear. "Keep in mind we will actually be doing that… and of course infiltrating all of your operational systems."
David leaned back in thought. "I see. I'll get the meeting set up with management first thing Monday morning," he agreed.
"We'll need to get through security," Agent Mendoza reminded.
"Not a problem. I can have badges made up for each of you and they'll be available when you arrive in the lobby." David said.
"Alright. Lastly, Mr. Warner," Eric instructed. "No one is to know who we are, not even your daughter. In no way are you to imply that we are anything other than Angela Smith, Norman Denzola and Jo Polniaczek who work for JTI."
"Jo's keeping her real name. Why?" David questioned.
"Because your daughter knows her and knows she works for JTI," Eric reminded him.
Of course. True enough. "Actually, it's a perfect set up." David realized. He turned to look at Jo. "She trusts you."
That she does. If an almost fourteen year friendship taught her anything, it was that good friends are hard to find - much less keep. Jo decided that Blair Warner was indeed worth keeping.
"Don't worry Mr. Warner, I work with good people. And I trust Blair too," she added.
"Oh I'm not worried. I understand your position, Agent Polniaczek," David said with an air of authority. "Just take care of my little girl …and yourself," he amended.
"I will," Jo assured.
David thought for a second. "Uh, I'm just checking here. You guys don't carry guns do you?" he inquired. "Because that'd be hell to get through security. I'm not sure I could even explain that."
"No. We're strictly Information Technology, Mr. Warner," Eric explained. "If we detect any dangerous criminal activity on the premises, we'll call in a special unit or the local police." Eric stood, indicating their part of the meeting was over.
David got the clue and stood up from his chair. "Ah. I see, I see. Good."
Jo joined the them as they moved toward the door. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm a third degree black belt," she said humorously.
"Ha!" David laughed. It helped to relieve some of the stress he was feeling. "Well, I guess that does make me feel a bit better," he winked at Jo. He noticed Agent Nelson's hand had been offered to him. He shook it.
"Mr. Warner, we appreciate your cooperation. We look forward to working with you to get to the bottom of this matter." He released David's hand then gave him an envelope. "That's the information you'll need for the badges. It contains all the basic information for my team."
David took the envelope then looked expectantly at Agent Nelson.
Eric continued. "If you have any questions or concerns you can contact me on the phone I gave you earlier."
David nodded once in understanding.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to finish our meeting." Eric nodded in finality, then turned to leave.
So now it was final… I guess this is it then. David blinked a few times. "Yes. Well, thank you." He watched agent Nelson return to the table and sit down, then turned his attention to Jo. "You'll let me know if you find out anything?"
"You'll be one of the first to know," Jo reassured him. She watched as he quickly exited the room, then returned back to the table and took her seat.
Eric tapped his phone a few times. "Alright. First things first. We need to sync our phones. I have numbers here and… " He noticed the confused look on Jo's face as she patted at her jean pockets.
"Problem agent?"
Jo plucked her phone out of her pocket then closed her eyes as the realization hit her. I bet the other one's at the café. Damn… She wouldn't dare let that get out. "No. I, uh, left my shades at the café."
Eric gave her a blank look. "Can we continue agent?"
"Yeah, yeah sure." There was no crime in forgetting your phone, Jo reasoned. At least it was locked, so no harm done, right?
Right.
"All right." Eric went back to his phone. The four agents synced their devices, and once finished moved on to the agenda for Monday. Jo sighed and got comfortable.
It was going to be a long evening.
"Yip, Yip!"
"Ohhh, that's a good girl!" Blair took the small Pomeranian from Meg's arms as she walked through the door.
"She just ate," Meg said as she shut the door and followed Blair into the kitchen.
Blair was busy cooing at the little brown and black dog. "Mommy missed you Gigi, yes I diiiid. Did Gigi miss mommy?"
"Yip! Yip! Yip!" A tailed wagged at the attention. The small dog made satisfied noises as Blair scratched under her chin and down her back.
Meg rolled her eyes. Blair and her dog were two peas in a pod. Both spoiled.
"She's probably thirsty." Meg moved to retrieve Gigi's water bowl from the dish drainer. "She ate all of her dry food but hardly drank anything all day. I'll just…" She trailed off.
Blair looked up to see what had startled Meg. Following her eyes, she'd found two empty wine glasses with lipstick on the rims in the sink. "Oh…"
Meg turned a questioning look toward her stepsister. "Did I interrupt something? Or…"
"No. She left a while ago." She said quickly as she set Gigi down. The little dog lapped her tongue out and whined as she scampered off down the hall.
Blair took the water bowl from Meg and headed down the hall to Gigi's little dog room and poured her special water into it. The small dog lapped at the liquid. Blair left the door cracked open then made her way back to the kitchen.
Meg was sitting at the small island in the kitchen. "Sooo… how did everything go with…" She let it hang there.
"Fine." Blair wasn't in the mood. "She just came by to wish me luck on Monday." Simple. No problem. Drop it.
"I see."
Blair recognized the tone. "Do you, Meg?" She knew she sounded annoyed.
"Blair, I'm on your side, remember? Look, I'm glad that you're…" Meg made a grand gesture with her arms, "…finding yourself." She sighed, seeing the guarded look on Blair's face. "I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy," Blair countered. She moved past Meg to sit on the couch. Pulling her legs under her, she grabbed a throw pillow and hugged it to her chest while resting her head on the back of the couch.
Meg nodded in understanding. "Good. Well…"
She moved to join Blair, sitting close. She sighed, then allowed a few moments of silence to exist. There was nothing more to say on the matter. It was obvious Blair was done with it.
Perhaps a change in subject. "Joyce is feeling better."
Blair accepted it. "Oh good, good..." She picked at the fringe on the pillow as another lull settled between them.
"She said she wants you to see her privately on Sunday at the party." Meg broke the silence again.
"Oh?" Blair gave Meg a curious look.
Meg rested her head on the back of the couch as she rolled it to meet Blair's eyes. "I have no idea why, so don't try and pry anything out of me. I'm only her caretaker," she warned, a slight smile inching its way to her lips.
Blair tilted her head. "It's probably some advice…" She put on her best 'Nana' voice "…don't let those people boss you around young lady!"
Meg let out a burst of laughter and followed suit. "Stand your ground, young lady, and don't show too much cleavage!"
Blair guffawed. "Too much make-up is not becoming of a corporate president!"
"Respect yourself! You're not one of those hussies who got to where they are by showing too much leg."
Their faces were red with laughter as they tried to catch their breath. "Oh God! She'd skewer us if she knew how we talk about her!" Meg coughed, fanning herself.
They finally let the moment settle down. Blair laid her head on Meg's shoulder and they stayed like that for a minute, enjoying the view. The lights of the city painted an endless ocean of twinkling diamonds.
Meg grabbed a small strand of Blair's hair; wrapping it slowly around her finger. "Yeah, well," she said softly.
"Well…" Blair repeated.
The air conditioner had just clicked off. The temperature finally reaching its goal as the outside heat was just starting to cool as the evening wore on.
"How are you really, Blair?"
It was asked suddenly, almost startling Blair. She didn't answer right away. She breathed out a nervous breath, closing her eyes.
"Numb… a little. I don't know. Just... I'm nervous and excited and… " She swallowed, glancing at Meg, who waited, smiling gently in return.
Blair flashed a smile, then it faltered. "Scared as hell."
Meg could hear the tremble in her voice. She unwound the strand she was working on and faced Blair. "God doesn't put us through more than we can handle. You'll do just fine."
She put as much encouragement as she could in her tone. She watched as Blair nodded, not bothering to answer. She accepted that and leaned back on the couch. They sat there motionless, enjoying the quiet before the storm. It had been one heck of a week, and things were changing so fast. One just needed a second to slow things down to focus, to think and regroup.
Blair turned to look at Meg, a sly smile working its way to her lips. "You know… I like you better as a nurse," she teased.
"What?" Came the quiet reply.
"I mean, you probably would've made a great nun but…" Brown eyes twinkled.
Meg played along. "Oh, don't tell me. I've finally found my life's purpose," she laughed.
Blair chuckled. "Something like that." She shifted around to face Meg. "You just… you have a way with people, Meg. You're a natural with Nana." She pointed out.
Hmmm, true.
"You're the only one who can convince her to eat oatmeal three times a week," Blair jokingly nudged her.
"Darn right. It keeps her blood pressure down." Meg was half serious, half giggling.
They were like little kids tonight. They rarely got to spend time like this anymore. Not since they were kids and living at the mansion. Those days were filled with gossip, plans to run away from the main house and sneaking into the kitchen at night to steal chocolate pie. They were 7 and 10 years old, respectively.
Those years were long gone, and Meg had moved out with her mother once the divorce was final. Yet, they had always remained close and kept in touch, no matter the circumstance.
"I'm lucky," Meg said while giving Blair a warm look. "I have the best sister."
Blair lifted an eyebrow, absorbing the compliment. "Even if she …" she looked down at their tangled fingers in her lap, then back up into Meg's blue eyes, "…likes a woman?"
"Especially." It was said softly, sincerely, and Meg smiled as Blair threaded their fingers together while they sat there, both staring out at the city lights, holding hands.
Blair beamed. I'm the lucky one.
"Sooo…" Meg cleared her throat. "Are you ready for the party?"
Blair rolled her eyes dramatically. "My mother and her society ladies wouldn't have it any other waaay," she sing-songed.
It was true. Monica Warner - first wife of David Warner - wanted a formal celebration with all of their family and friends there to congratulate Blair. That was the Warner way. They did things big, even though the celebration was invitation only and strictly no press.
"I can't believe Daddy agreed to have it at the mansion," she said.
Meg nodded. "Mmm... convenience. Joyce agreed to it as well."
"Really?"
"Yep. I mean, it's in your honor. She said she was glad some estrogen was finally in the driver's seat." Meg paused. "I think it helps her, you know? It hasn't been easy," she added.
"I know." It was all that could be said. Blair felt like she owed it to her grandmother to make this work… if not for her uncle. She'd simply take the baton and run with it.
"Are you bringing Paul?"
The question nudged Blair from her thoughts. She shrugged. "Who else?"
"Well, I was just wondering since he and Darren are getting married in two months." Meg pointed out.
"Good thing the party's this Sunday then," Blair jokingly reasoned. "Besides, he promised to decorate my new office." She turned a smile on Meg.
Meg shook her head. "God, the things you get yourself into…" That earned her a polite shove. Meg giggled then decided to venture out on a limb with her next question.
"Is Amanda invited?" She almost wanted to duck when she saw the slow turn of Blair's head. Their eyes met… one set vaguely irritated.
"I mentioned it to her." This is what one gets for not washing the dishes.
"And?"
May as well spill and get it over with. "She said she might come a little later."
Blair saw Meg's intake of breath and decided to stop the interrogation in its tracks. "That's all your getting." She smiled sweetly, batting her eyes at her nosey step sister.
Meg ignored the gesture. "You really like her, huh?"
Blair gave her one more. "Yes. I do."
"Pop. Hey Pop?!" Jo pushed the front door of the brownstone open; a box of her stuff, not yet unpacked, had partially blocked the entrance.
She looked across the room and spied her father lounging on the couch. The Yankee's game was blaring on the wide screen television. She looked at the score. It was almost over, last inning, finally. Yankee's tied with Red Sox.
"Shh… batter up." Came the gruff reply.
Jo rubbed her chin then looked around. "Where's Ace?"
There was a crack of a bat, then a loud eruption from the fans in the stadium. "Whoo hoo!"
Jo smiled at the homer...she knew it was an easy win. "Pop?" Jo put her hands on her hips.
Charlie Polniaczek sat up and looked around before realizing what his daughter had asked. "Oh yeah, Mrs. De Palma took him for a walk."
"Mrs. De Palma?!" Jo's voice was rising.
Charlie shrugged. "Yeah. He had to go." He reached for a pair of crutches leaning on the table beside the couch and got to his feet. "You know I can't take him and you weren't here."
Jo moved a few more boxes to the side as she made her way to the couch. They were all over the apartment. She'd been back in the city eight days, and she was thankful to be afforded a nice apartment, courtesy of her job. All agents had to live close to the firm. In her case, JTI. She had to report in to work before all of her stuff arrived from Los Angeles... which was just two days ago.
Jo rolled her eyes at her father. "Pop, Mrs. De Palma is four feet nine and weighs about eighty pounds."
Charlie had made his way over to the kitchen. "So?"
Jo's brow creased in frustration. "So? Pop, Ace practically dragged her the last time she walked him. I told you to have her son do it."
Charlie popped open a can of beer and took a long drink before answering his daughter. "He's at work." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, noticing Jo's doubtful expression. "Quit worryin,' he had to piss. They'll be back any minute now." Charlie hobbled back over to the couch and took a seat. "Ah crap, I left my beer."
Jo shook her head. "I'll get it." She moved to get herself a beer as well, and then thought better of it. It was eleven o'clock at night.
It was hard getting around in the three bedroom apartment with all the stuff Jo had yet to unpack and arrange. Charlie was just glad she had agreed to take care of him until his cast came off. Jo had offered for him to stay in the spare bedroom, but he insisted on paying her rent. His trucking job afforded it.
He was no freeloader.
As soon as the thing came off, he was back to his place and back on the road. Only this time, no lifting boxes with heavy machine parts in them. They get slippery and aim for the feet when they fall. He winced internally thinking about the box that broke two bones in his left foot. He was so close to the table...
Jo handed her father his beer, then took a seat beside him on the couch.
"Thanks," he took a sip. "Oh by the way, Tootie and Natalie came by. They brought your jacket." He pointed to the chair over by the television.
"Great. Thanks." She felt relived and moved to inspect the jacket pockets. Sure enough, her gloves and shades were in one of the side pockets and "Thank God," she murmured. Jo took out the phone and inspected it. She knew she'd locked it, but just wanted to make sure it wasn't tampered with.
"Hey, you know… it was great seein' them." Charlie burped, not bothering to excuse himself. "I can't believe how much you girls have grown up." He shook his head. "Everyone's gotta' job, a career. That Natalie's gonna' be the next Barbara Walters, you mark my words."
"She works in newspapers, Pop." Jo turned the phone on and immediately texted Natalie and Tootie to thank them, and to shame herself for forgetting something so important.
"Yeah well…" Charlie looked on as his daughter tapped away on her phone. "Where the hell ya' been all night, anyway? They came by here almost three hours ago."
Jo finished her message and sent it. "I had business."
"Huh…" Charlie finished the last of his beer. "They thought you'd be here. I didn't know what to tell 'em."
Jo started going through one of the boxes, taking out books and stacking them. "Yeah well, one of those things."
Charlie watched her, tilting his head to read the book titles. "Ya' know, as soon as I get my phone turned back on, I'm gonna' scrap it and get one of those fancy tap phones you girls have."
Jo glanced up. "Swipe. And you'll still have to pay the bill."
"I know. I'm just waitin' on my check." Charlie said, he was also a man of his word.
The doorbell rang and Jo could hear the loud barking from the other side. She moved to answer the door. "Mrs. De Palma." She stated, then paused. "Did you pay her?"
Charlie scoffed. "What? Before she finishes walkin' him? Hell no!" He pointed. "Twenty's on the box by the door there."
Jo grabbed it then opened the door, letting a very energetic dog burst into the apartment. "Woof! Woof!"
Her eyes fell on the small woman who was breathing quite heavily. "Hey there, Mrs. De Palma. Nice to see you," Jo said weakly with a pensive grin. "You want to come in for a minute?"
The older Asian lady shook her head. "No… I tired." She handed Jo the dog leash, then pointed to the now sprinting Jack Russell who was going from box to box sniffing and barking at each one. "He try to drag!"
Wincing internally, then casting a quick glower at Charlie, Jo scratched the back of her head, embarrassed. "Sorry about that." She held out the twenty-dollar bill. "Here's your money."
De Palma grabbed it then bowed slightly; holding the bill tightly in her hand. "I tell my son, next time… he walk!" She shook the balled up bill towards Jo.
Jo apologized one last time as she watched the lady gingerly make her way down the steps of the brownstone.
Meo De Palma had married Edgar De Palma; founder of more than five pasta diners in the city. They lived well. Their four sons ran the business for the most part.
"Ahh, Pop, would you cut that out?"
Charlie was letting Ace lick the last drops of beer from his can. "What? He likes it," he tilted the can more. "It keeps him calm, for Christ sakes. He's been haulin' ass all over this place."
Jo grabbed the can from her father. That earned her a growl from Ace and a scowl from Charlie. She threw the can in the recycling. "He's just used to a back yard to haul ass in," She informed.
Charlie grunted then picked up the remote, searching through the channels. "What he really needs is to get laid," he mumbled.
Jo caught it. "Pop…"
Charlie held up his hands in defense. "What? I'm tellin' the truth!"
Jo headed for the kitchen, Ace following closely behind her. "Woof, woof!" He was still quite wound up from his walk.
She reached down and scratched him behind his ears, earning a satisfied whine. She yawned before grabbing the box of dog treats from the bottom cupboard. "C'mon boy, time for a snack, then bed."
Hi everyone, I just wanted to thank you all sooo much for the kind words and encouragement in the reviews. I read every single one of them and your kindness has really kept me going with this story. It is truly, greatly appreiciated! - JGF