“Oh. Well, I…” Her cheeks reddened. “Well, still. I’m tired of seeing her look like a walking zombie when she gets home, and you need to fix that. ASAP.”
I blinked.
“Consider yourself warned.” She wagged a finger. “You’ll be seeing me again if nothing changes.”
I held back a laugh.
“Any other threats you’d like to make, Miss Stone?”
“No, I think I said it all.” She tapped her chin. “I mentioned you spitting out leather already?”
“You did…”
“Oh. Well, that’s everything!” She clasped her hands, her tone ten times brighter. “Would you mind validating my parking so I don’t have to pay thirty dollars?”
I gave her a blank stare.
“What about giving me a discount, then?” she asked. “Half off?”
“I’ll walk you there,” I said, beyond amused.
“I’ll be back after I escort the intruder to her car,” I said to Francis. “Tell them we’re taking the alternate way down.”
He nodded, and I motioned for the second “Miss Stone” to follow me down a hall that gave way to my private elevator.
She avoided making eye contact through the mirrored glass, and I noticed the Hudson Nursing School logo on her bag.
When the doors opened, I gestured for her to step off first.
“I parked in one of the executive spots,” she said. “I figured it would be okay since my sister actually deserves her own spot.”
“Your sister doesn’t own a car.”
“She still deserves a parking spot.” She shrugged, stopping in front of a dark gray Altima. “This is me. Do you need to sign off on the ticket?”
“You can leave without any problems.” I pointed up at a camera. “I’m sure they won’t charge you.”
“Okay, well… I would say it’s nice to meet you, but?—”
“It was very nice to meet you.” I extended my hand to her. “Minus the threats.”
She smiled and shook my hand.
“I was never here, by the way.” She looked sheepish. “Please don’t tell Andrea I did this. She’d never forgive me.”
“Okay,” I said. “I won’t tell her. Your psychotic secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you… Oh, and thanks for giving her tomorrow off to study. She needs it.” She slid behind the wheel of her car, and I watched her drive down the exit ramp.
As I re-entered the building, Andrea called.
“Yes, Miss Stone?” I answered.
“Liman’s is twenty orders behind, which means I’ll be late getting back, and I’ll also be late submitting my report, but I’ll have it done before I take off tomorrow, I assure you.”
“Don’t worry about Liman’s or the report,” I couldn’t believe what I was saying. “Just go home.”
“Huh?”
