“Hi, yes, I need to speak with Cam Rockford, please. It’s urgent.”
“Is he expecting your call?”
“Ah, um, no, he’s not but?—”
“Mr. Rockford is currently unavailable. Can I take a message or direct you to someone else who can help?”
My jaw tightened. “No, I really need to speak with him directly.”
Fuck, this was hard. I could totally just say, “It’s about his daughters” but I didn’t think it was fair to go telegraphing his family issues all over the state. I mean yeah, I’d pull that card if I had to, but it was only fair to try discretion first.
“I understand, but Mr. Rockford is out on a job site today. If you’d like to leave your name and number, I can have him return your call when he’s available.”
When he’s available. Like that was good enough when his kids were sitting on a porch alone.
“How long until he’s available?”
“I’m not sure, ma’am. It depends on when he wraps up the current move.”
I closed my eyes, fighting back the frustration. “Okay. Thank you.”
I hung up and immediately searched for another location.
Alice’s eyes welled with tears. She was seconds away from a meltdown.
“It’s okay,” I told them, forcing brightness into my voice. “I’m going to try a different office.”
The next number rang through to a different receptionist with the same result. So did the third.
By the fourth call, my patience was gone.
“Rockford Movers, this is David speaking.”
“Hi David, I need to speak with Cam Rockford immediately.”
There was a pause. “I’m sorry, but I can’t just put calls through to the GM without verification. If you could provide your name and relationship to Mr. Rockford?—”
“Yeah, I figured you’d say that.” I turned away from the girls, lowering my voice so they wouldn’t hear the steel in it. “Let’s just say that Mr. Rockford will want to take this call. If he finds out you stopped that from happening, there’s a good chance you won’t have a job tomorrow. Tell him Emily is on the phone.”
Another pause, longer this time. “Please hold.”
Generic instrumental music filled my ear. I glanced down at the girls. Alice had moved closer to Audrey, and they were both watching me with wide eyes.
“Almost there,” I promised.
“This is Cam.” His voice was deep, familiar, and tight with irritation.
Relief hit me so hard I had to lean against the porch railing. My words came out at warp speed. “Cam, hi, it’s Emily. I just got home and found the girls on your porch. They said their mom dropped them off but you’re not home yet and they don’t have a key.”
“Emily?”
Oh, he was struggling to catch up.Deep breath, Emily.“Sorry. Let’s take this from the top. This is Emily. Your neighbor.”
“Oh shit, sorry. David just said some lady wanted to talk to me and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that, but it seems the girls have been dropped off early and there’s no one here. They’re a bit worried so I thought I’d call to let you know.” That’s the way. Cool, calm and collected.
“Fuck.”
