Page 140 of The Grand Duel
Mason’s phone starts ringing, and he hands me Ave, holding up a finger to me before stepping away with Ellis in his arms. “They agreed at three point four?… Oscar, that’s great work… Yes…” He turns and looks at me. “Yeah, happy to proceed… As soon as this afternoon?”
I look down at Ave and roll my eyes. “Uncle Mase is going to be Mr Monopoly at this rate.”
“I’ll be in shortly. After two… Well, I’ll have to give the buyer’s assistant a call to confirm, but we could head over after?… Alright, mate, see you in a bit.”
“Got your fingers in all the pies, Lowell?”
“Yes. But I think you’ll like this pie, Aldridge.”
I shake my head. “I’ll see you over the weekend.”
He takes the kids, and I leave, heading for the office.
When I arrive, I follow the dogs into Lissie’s office, feeling like it’s been forever since I’ve seen her face. Only she isn’t in. Her office light’s off.
“Hello, Mr Aldridge,” Edna says to my back. “I must say it’s lovely to have you back.”
“Where’s Lissie?” I ask, turning on her.
She frowns at me, and I get instant shame.
“Sorry, Ed, I’ve got to be in court in an hour, and I thought Lissie would be in.”
“She was. She popped the files you need on your desk. I think she’s added some more notes, so check them over before heading off. She’s now over at the HQ. I think Arthur was really impressed with everything she sent over before leaving for Italy.”
I run my hand through my hair, hating that it feels like she’s avoiding me.
“How was she?”
“Quiet, actually. She’s in work mode, I think, just trying to catch up.” She narrows her eyes on me. “What’s going on?”
I nod and go to walk past her. “Thanks again for having the dogs, Ed. I appreciate the few days’ break.”
“I told you yesterday?—”
“I know,” I tell her. “But still.” I scrub at my face, feeling a headache coming on. “I’ll see you a little later, okay? I probably won’t make it back into the office until after close. Could you let Lissie know that? That I’ll be late.” I pause at my door, a thought coming to me. “Can we find a calendar that I can update on the go?”
“Like a shared calendar?”
“I want something that will send alerts, if that’s a thing. It will help us all to know what’s going on.” And it will be peace of mind for Lissie. “Something I can access from my phone with ease when I’m not where I’m supposed to be.”
“Of course. I’ll sort it on Monday morning.”
I smooth my hand down my tie as I walk into my office and to my desk. Lissie has left the file on my desk, the added notes a breakdown of new evidence provided.
Sitting back in my chair, I flip the page and start reading through the documents.
Lissie
I didn’t sleep last night, and I’m almost certain it shows today. It’s four thirty, and for the first time in…well, ever, I sit at my desk and count down the seconds to five o’clock.
The printer chugs and whirls, spitting out a piece of paper that has a lump forming in my throat.
Like a coward, I forced a smile and told Ed I’d see her on Monday morning when she poked her head around the door ten minutes ago to say goodbye.
I stand, sliding the printed paper into an envelope and sealing it.
I place it in my bag and then turn off my computer, making my way to the playroom. The dogs are asleep, completely shattered from their walk. Still, when they see me, both of their tails start wagging.