“Well, well,” a familiar voice said. “If it isn’t Gale Fears!”
“Jack?” I asked, looking up.
“In the flesh,” he said with a grin, holding his arms out.
“Long time, no see!” I said, forgetting Stella. Unable to stop grinning, I walked over and hugged my old friend, glad to see him after years.
“It has been ages,” I said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I finally decided that I wanted to come back home,” he said. “So many years abroad, moving from place to place, left me feeling homesick. I am back now, and I wanted to visit you first.”
“Do you plan on staying? Or are you here for a visit?” I asked.
“Mr. Fears,” Hillary called out. “May I come in? I have a few documents for you to sign.”
I looked up as Hillary walked in, her eyes not meeting mine. It had been a day since the incident, and she had continued to ignore me. The guilt raked through my heart again, and I turned my attention to the documents.
“Well, hello,” Jack said. “I don’t believe we have met. I am Jack Hall, an old friend of Gale’s.”
“I am Hillary Beck,” she said with a smile; I could tell that she was hiding her sadness. “I am his – Mr. Fear’s secretary.”
“Ah,” Jack said with a grin. “Then you have to be the prettiest secretary I have ever seen. Enchanted, ma’am.”
He took her hand and kissed it, and jealousy sprung in my gut. I watched as Hillary blushed, and I fought the desire to wrench her hand out of his.
“So, Hillary,” he said. “I have been gone for a long time now, and I have no idea what new places have sprung up over here. Maybe you can show me around.”
“Of course,” she said with a sexy smile. “It would be my pleasure, Mr. Hall.”
“Oh please, call me Jack,” he said. “Are you free this evening?”
Hillary bit her lip, throwing a glance towards me, and then smiled, “I am.”
“Then I will pick you from work for a drink,” he said.
I scowled, unable to control my expressions. The anger and jealousy were so strong that if at that moment Seth hadn’t burst into my office, I would have probably hurt Jack.
“Mr. Fears!” Seth said. “The Tribianni case. The main witness backed out.”
“What?” I asked.
“He was our client’s alibi,” he said. “He backed out. He is refusing to testify, saying he got it all wrong.”
“I can see you are busy,” Jack said. “I will come again some other time.”
“I am sorry, Jack,” I said. “I need to handle this. I will call you so we can arrange another meeting.”
“It was good to see you,” Jack said, hugging me. “Let me know if you need anything.”
He winked at Hillary, who blushed, and seeing this just elevated my anger.
What was going on? Why was all of this happening suddenly? Someone was deliberately doing all this; I was sure of it. But who? And why?
“Leave!” I shouted at Seth and Hillary. “I need to think.”
Seth walked out, but Hillary stood there just looking at me.
“You are not even going to say anything?” she asked.
