We’re meeting with Cypress one final time before the announcement at the Townsend Industries New Year’s Eve party. This meeting is basically to cross any last remaining T’s and dot all the I’s before the official announcement. The team from Cypress consists of ten men and women, and not one of them is Jackie.
Where is she?
I tried calling her phone at least a half a dozen times between the time she left my condo and now. It’s well after three p.m., and I still haven’t heard from her. I don’t know what pisses me off more … my unanswered calls or that her colleagues haven’t made any mention of her absence.
“We’ve all been working hard on this merger over the past few months. Especially these last eight weeks. Thanks to that work, we’ll safely be able to announce this merger at the holiday party in just over a week. I assume, until then, no one will have a problem keeping their mouths shut,” Aaron says from the head of the table, leveling a look at everyone on Cypress’ side of the room.
“Absolutely, Aaron. We’re just as invested as you and your team to ensure this all goes off without a hitch.”
Aaron snorts derisively. My guess is he can’t stand the bootlicking tone in Jase’s response. It sounds eerily similar to nails on a chalkboard, and I barely keep from rolling my eyes. My irritation is heightened by Jackie’s absence and no mention of her.
“Speaking of my team, I’d like to give a special acknowledgment to Mark, who worked diligently to ensure the finalization of this deal.”
My eyes widen in surprise, not so much by his words, but by the stern look Aaron gives me. It’s not his typical scowl, but more of a conveyance of respect.
“Without the additional hours you put in, this deal wouldn’t have gone through as quickly as it has, Mark.”
I nod. “Thank you, Aaron. I’d also like to point out that I wasn’t alone working all of those hours.” Turning, I face the employees from Cypress. “Jackie Hinkerson played a huge role in seeing through this deal as well. Why is she not at this table?” I ask pointedly.
Jase and a couple of other employees look between one another.
“We thought she would’ve called you, Mark.”
“Where is she?” I ask again, glaring at Jase, who failed to answer my question.
“Uh, maybe we should speak privately.”
I swallow back the desire to curse him out or reach across the table and grab him by the collar of his shirt. Turning to Aaron, I see him staring at me. He looks at me hard in the eyes for a silent minute before nodding.
“Jase, you and Mark step out to talk. We’ll continue with this meeting.”
Sighing, I pull back from the table and head toward the door, followed by Jase. I don’t say anything until we reach the front part of the office lobby where my desk resides.
“What happened?” I demand, turning to him.
“This morning, Jackie called in. She was hysterical, according to our assistant.”
“You didn’t speak to her?”
He swallows, and fear moves into his eyes. Probably from the lethal tone in my voice, but I don’t stop to consider his feelings too much.
“What happened?”
“Her mother had some sort of accident.”
“Some sort? You didn’t bother to ask what the hell happened?”
“We were all busy getting ready to come over to Townsend.”
“And take all the credit for a project she’s been working her ass off to complete. Where is she now?”
“The hospital, I believe. She called from the ambulance.”
I shake my head and turn to my desk, grabbing my wallet and car keys.
“Mark, where’re you going? I thought the meeting was still going on?” Suzette asks as I push through the door to exit the lobby as she’s coming through them.
“It is. I gotta go,” I say, not bothering to give her an explanation.
