Chapter 8
Another chapter (if you haven't read seven back up and do that now), you can thank CrimeFictionFan. She threatened me (actually she just gave me the best compliment ever - evil, subversive mind). I hope this chapter makes it all better.
James made it to The Randolph in record time. Jean was waiting outside for him when he pulled up. He had barely stopped the car when she opened the door and climbed in. As she was putting on her seatbelt he handed her a travel mug and a small bag. She took them from him with a questioning look, "What's this James?"
He smiled as he pulled away from the hotel, "Sustenance ma'am. I thought you might need something to sober you up a bit before you see Laura."
She took a sip from the travel mug he'd handed her and was not surprised to find coffee exactly the way she liked it. Smiling as she took a deeper sip she spared a thought to how he knew these things. She put the mug down and opened the bag, "I suppose the sandwich is just the way I like it too?"
James shrugged his shoulders, "It's not difficult to determine what people like. All you have to do is pay attention, some might say it is part of the job."
Jean nodded gratefully as she took the first bite of the sandwich. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the food hit her mouth. James watched her covertly as he wound his way to Robbie and Laura's. He'd never seen her devour food this way. "Ma'am, when's the last time you ate something?"
She stopped mid-bite, laughing at herself, she must look quite the picture to him, ravenously devouring a sandwich, "Breakfast. I was in a meeting at lunch then forgot about eating."
He cast an appraising glance at her, "Drinking on an empty stomach ma'am?"
She wiped her mouth with the napkin he'd tucked into the bag, "Two things James." He looked at her quickly noting the change in her voice, "First, since you are helping me with a personal issue why don't you call me Jean. Second, I don't need the lecture about drinking on an empty stomach. I am well aware that I shouldn't have done it but the situation warranted it."
"Do I get to call you Jean all of the time?"
Taking a sip of her coffee she smiled to herself, "Why don't you try it in the office and see how that goes for you?"
James noted her teasing tone but wasn't especially sure he wanted to tempt fate, "I think I'm smart enough to remember to call you ma'am in the office." They drove in silence for a few moments before James addressed her second point, "What about the situation warranted a drink?"
She shook her head, "He was drinking. It seemed right to join him. I thought it would keep the conversation less confrontational."
"And was it, less confrontational, that is?"
Jean looked out the window. Her conversation with Malcolm played through her mind, "I don't know what it was."
"Did you warn him to stay away from Laura?"
"No, it was what he was expecting."
James stopped in front of Robbie and Laura's, turned the car off and turned to Jean, "So you went to his hotel, drank with him and didn't warn him to stay away from Laura?"
Jean took the last sip of her coffee and turned to James. A part of her was annoyed with him for challenging her, the other part was annoyed with herself. He was right, she had gone to the hotel with the intent of warning him away from Laura and instead had found herself completely beguiled, "James, I read the situation. Had I gone in pushing and telling him to stay away or else, it would have added fuel to the fire."
"Then what exactly did you do in this conversation you had, besides drink that is?"
"I don't think he planned to but he revealed part of his plan."
"Malcolm Tucker revealed his plan to you over a couple of drinks. I find that nearly impossible to believe."
"Plan might be too strong of a word. It's hard to explain James, you had to be there. The bottom line is I don't think he means her any harm. I actually think he's still in love with her."
James looked at her incredulously, "And you don't think that will cause her harm? You don't think that will cause Robbie harm?"
She opened the door of the car and stepped out. James followed suit on the opposite side. Looking at him over the top of the car she gave him the only answer she could, "She's happy with Robbie, Malcolm is not going to come between them. She waited far too long for Robbie to be ready to throw it all away for the likes of Malcolm Tucker."
James wanted to slam the car door he was so furious. Mindful of the hour and the neighbors he eased it closed before fixing Jean with a look that caused her to take a step back, "Yes, I can see how that's working out. It's gone eleven and we are standing in their driveway because something is wrong with Laura. Excellent plan ma'am."
Jean watched him stride furiously towards the house. It took her a second to realize that he wasn't waiting for her. She had to run to catch up with him, he was knocking on the door when she did. Robbie opened it instantly and was momentarily surprised to see both of them.
James recognized the look of surprise and motioned his head towards Jean, "She had too much to drink and needed a lift. Where's Laura?'
Robbie stepped aside as James pushed into the house. He followed after James leaving Jean on her own. She followed the two men, closing the door behind her.
James saw the tea tray sitting on the kitchen counter and picked it up, "I assume you made this for her?"
Robbie nodded, still shocked by what was going on, "Yes, she said she would take some tea if I brought it to her. But after I called Jean I thought it might be better if she took it up."
Jean finally happy to have something to do moved to take the tray from James. She was stunned when James turned and moved away from her. He started toward the stairs and called over his shoulders, "I'll take it up you too have done enough for one evening."
Robbie and Jean gaped at one another. Both were unsure what had just happened but they both felt like small children that had just been sent to a time out.
Wait, refresh my memory, did I say this one was going to make it better? I might not have been completely truthful about that.