“You have the flat screen. Looks much better in hi-def too.”
Cam shook his head. “Does the worddeadlinehave any meaning? If I don’t get these plans completed by tomorrow, we’re going to lose this deal.”
Sawyer turned around with a frown. “They giving you a problem, Cam?” He walked toward the desk then leaned over Cam’s shoulder. “Looks okay to me.”
Cam shook his head. “Something’s off. It just doesn’t look right.”
Hutch sidled over, a Coke in his hand, and Cam stared pointedly at it. He remembered all too well what had happened the last time Hutch got close to his desk with a drink. Hutch ignored him and concentrated on the house plans.
“It’s the windows in front,” Hutch said. He paused and took a long swallow from the can. Then he pointed to the row of windows on the left side of the front door. Cam’s gaze followed Hutch’s finger, and even before Hutch spoke, Cam saw what he was getting at.
“The symmetry is off. You’ve got the left side loaded down with nothing to balance the right. Looks lopsided.”
“Freak,” Sawyer muttered.
“The freak is right,” Cam allowed with a sigh. “Goddamn, Hutch. How do you do that every time? I sit here poring over this shit and then you come along and nail it in two seconds.”
Hutch shrugged. “I don’t obsess like you do?”
“Someone has to,” Cam pointed out.
Sawyer rolled his eyes. “Don’t get Mr. Perfectionist started, Hutch. He’ll never shut the fuck up.”
Cam had opened his mouth to retort when the phone rang. He flipped his middle finger at Sawyer as he picked up the receiver.
“Douglas,” he said shortly.
“Cam, is that you?”
Birdie’s voice bled over the line. It sounded shaky. Not at all like her usual perky self.
“Yes, Birdie, it’s me. What’s wrong?” he demanded as he waved frantically at the others to turn down the TV so he could hear.
Sawyer and Hutch snapped to attention when he said Birdie’s name. Hutch aimed the remote at the TV to turn it off, and Cam punched the speaker button so they could all hear.
“It’s Regina,” Birdie said. “She’s been hurt.”
“Reggie? What’s wrong with Reggie?” Sawyer broke in.
There was a pause. “Sawyer? Is Hutch there too?”
“Yes, Birdie. We’re all here. Cam has you on speakerphone,” Hutch replied. “Tell us about Reggie. What’s happened?”
“She’s in the hospital,” Birdie said in a tired voice. “That’s where I am now.”
Fear flooded through Cam. He glanced up at Sawyer and Hutch to see a similar reaction in them. “We’ll be there in an hour,” he said shortly. “Hang tight. We’re on our way.”
“You be careful, young man,” Birdie said, her voice sounding stronger as she admonished her brood. “It takes longer than an hour to get here from Houston, and don’t think I won’t be timing you. The last thing I need is for you boys to end up in the hospital with Regina.”
“We’ll be careful,” Hutch said. “Birdie? Is she all right?” Cam could hear the worry in his voice, almost as though he’d been afraid to ask.
“She’s fine.” Birdie’s voice softened. “Or she will be. She was pretty beat up when they brought her in, but she’ll be okay in a few days.”
“Beat up?” There was an edge of steel to Sawyer’s voice. “Who the hell beat her up?”
“I’ve got to go,” Birdie said hurriedly. “She’s waking up.” There was a long pause. “She doesn’t know I’m calling you.”
The line went dead.
