“That won’t work. I’d have to interview someone personally before allowing them access to myblindfather in his home. Besides, a hired service isn’t the same as family.”
I threw my hands up in frustration. “Fine. I’ll send Mrs. Potts. You’ve met her. You like her, don’t you?”
“Yes but—”
“I have an apartment in Manhattan. She can stay there for the next few weeks and stop in to visit your father a couple times a day. She’s due for a vacation anyway, and she loves New York City.”
Bonnie appeared to consider it for a minute. She glanced down at the contract once more, then up at me.
“I suppose that could work… as long as she’s okay with it.”
“She will be. She loves Broadway shows. I’ll pay for her to go see one every night if she wants to. She’ll love it.”
After a lengthy pause, Bonnie uttered a begrudging, “Fine.”
“Fine. So we have an agreement.” A sense of relief spread through me, enabling my tightly bunched muscles to relax a fraction. “I have your promise you won’t leave?”
She rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t aware I had a choice.”
“You don’t. And I’ll make you a promise in return. I won’t keep you a second longer than is absolutely necessary. Four weeks, and then you’re out of here on your nosy little ass.”
Her expression grew more troubled as she appeared to accept her fate and began to understand what it all meant.
“My things are still back at the Seacliff Inn—my laptop, my clothes—I only have two days’ worth with me. And where will I sleep?” she asked.
“Harrison will go to the hotel and check you out, pack your things, and bring your bags here. Whatever else you need I can order and have delivered. If you’re worried about the potential awkwardness of living in the same house, don’t be. It’s a big place. I can assure you—we won’t be seeing much of each other. I have no desire to spend any further time with you.”
I extended my hand, palm up. “I’ll take that phone now.”
Her mouth dropped open, then closed again and her jaw hardened. “Do I at least get a call first?”
“A call?” I barked an incredulous laugh. “What part of ‘no contact with the outside world’ did you not understand?”
Her chin jutted out. “I believe one phone call is standard procedure for all prisoners.”
“You’re notina prison. You’re in a mansion.”
“Am I allowed to leave?”
“No.”
“Then it’s a prison. I need to call my boss Charlotte. I’ll have to tell her I won’t be coming in to work on Monday—and try to explain this whole mess in a way that won’t get me fired.”
Bonnie flopped back into the desk chair and covered her face with her hands. “Who am I kidding? Thereisno way to explain this that won’t get me fired. Charlotte won’t have a choice. Not without the article. And I was snooping around in your office—well, Iwasn’tbut that’s what it looked like. It doesn’t matter if I’m away for three weeks or three months, because there won’t be a job to go back to.”
I studied her distraught face. Then I stretched out my hand again. “Your phone please.”
She was clearly furious, but she complied, pulling her phone from her pocket and slapping it into my palm.
“This is insane.You’reinsane, you know that? I hope you’re ready for a little chat with the Rhode Island state police because Charlotte will call them when I just disappear with no explanation.”
Ignoring her, I opened the contacts list on her phone and tapped one. When someone picked up, I said, “Hello, may I speak with Charlotte please?”
“May I tell her who’s calling?” the receptionist at the New York Daily Report asked.
“Yes. This is Jack Bestia.”
“Oh.” The woman giggled, sounding breathless. “Yes, Mr. Bestia. I’ll get Ms. Chabot right away.”
