Chapter 50
On Thursday morning, Stone walkedinto his office a few minutes after eight a.m., to find an unfamiliar woman sitting at Joan’s desk, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. She appeared to be in her late twenties, with red hair cut in a bob and a toned build.
Upon seeing him, she smiled and stood.
“Um, hello,” he said, confused.
“Good morning, Mr. Barrington. You look just like your picture.” She spoke with a Scottish accent.
“Thank you, I think? And you are?”
“Alicia Ross. I’m to be your driver.”
“Ah, you’re Fred and Helene’s niece.”
“Correct, sir,” she said. “Ms. Robertson told me that you had requested she leave the keys for the Range Rover on your desk and thought that you might need my services this morning.”
He looked around. “Is Joan here?”
“I haven’t seen her yet. I spoke with her last night when she let me into my aunt and uncle’s apartment. Aunt Helene spent the night in the hospital.”
“When did you arrive?”
“My plane touched down at eleven-thirty, and I was in the flat by one.”
“Then I’m sure you haven’t rested nearly enough,” he said. “Why don’t you take today to adjust? I have some unusual business to deal with today, so it might be better if I drive myself anyway.”
“Mr. Barrington, I’ve spent much of the last decade as a professional driver. While in the army, I drove in situations where I had much less sleep, and where my life and the lives of those I was transporting were in constant danger. If you’re concerned my skills are in any way diminished because of my recent arrival, don’t be.” She paused and then added, “Plus, Ms. Robertson told me to hold on to the keys and not give them to you no matter what you said.”
“Of course she did. I guess that settles that, then.”
“I hope so, sir. Though I should note that you are my employer. If you ordered me to give you the keys, I would.”
“Thank you for that, Alicia. You hold on to them. I probably had less sleep than you.”
“Ms. Robertson also told me that would likely be the case.”
“For the record, don’t believe everything Joan says.”
“If you say so, sir. Though she has been remarkably accurate up to this point.”
They heard the front door open. Ash appeared a moment later.
He halted at the sight of Stone and Alicia, his eyes widening. “Oh, I hadn’t expected anyone to be here yet.”
“Sorry to intrude on your normal alone time,” Stone said. “But we won’t be here long. Ash, this is Alicia Ross. She’s Fred and Helene’s niece and will be driving for me while Fredis on the mend. Alicia, this Ash Williamson, associate attorney at Woodman & Weld. His office is just down the hall.”
Alicia walked over and shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Williamson.”
“Ash is fine,” Ash said. “Nice to meet you, too, Miss Ross.”
She nodded and turned her attention back to Stone. “If we’re leaving soon, should I bring the vehicle around now? Or do you need more time?”
“Give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you out front.”
“Very good, sir.”
She bowed her head and walked out.
