Page 50 of Mail Order Splash

“Hold up, Kleine. What if it’s good news? What if the problem is solved?” He sat in front of me. “How about we get in a positive frame of mind first?”

“I told you to stop doing that. It’s annoying.” I threw the bag with his bagel at him. “I hate it when you make me see I’m being a maniac.”

“Stop being a maniac, then. Have faith.” He chomped into his bagel. “Oh, cinnamon ones today. I like it.”

I played the messages. It was in fact Dalton. He didn’t say much, but you could tell by the tone of his voice it wasn’t good news. The phone sat on my leg looking at me as if to ask what I wanted it to do. Josh was the first one to speak.

“Alright, I heard what you heard. It doesn’t mean it’s bad. It could mean there is a lot to do, or it’ll be a long fight, but sitting there not calling him back isn’t the answer.” He hit call and handed me the phone. “Put it on speaker.”

“Kleine, thanks for getting back to me. I was worried.”

“I was out taking a walk, forgot my cell.” I tried for light-hearted. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine. We need to meet. Can you come to our office building?”

“I can. What time is good?”

“Now, if possible. My brother has to fly out after lunch.” He paused. “Bring Josh if it helps you.”

“Thanks. Should I bring anything, do anything beforehand, like get together all the fines and liens?”

“Nope, nothing needed. I have all the notes from the city. I’ll send a car to pick you up. Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?”

“I have a car; we’ll drive.”

“Parking is tough down here. Let me send a car.”

“Okay, we’ll be out front.” I hit end.

“Sounds like you want me to come along.” Josh stood, pulling me up. “Let’s get changed. I don’t think a sweatsuit is your best business attire.”

“What am I supposed to wear? I don’t have fancy clothes. Should I wear the pink dress?”

“No! That’s a party dress and they saw it already.”

“I was joking, Josh. I’m not completely helpless.”

“Wear those black pants and the nice button-down white shirt I bought you for Christmas last year.” He pushed me toward the apartment. “No flip-flops or sneakers.”

“As if I would wear flip-flops.”

“Ah, yes, but you didn’t say ‘not sneakers’.” He disappeared into his room.

Ten minutes later I was fussing with my hair. “Pull it back like you always do and maybe wear some makeup, at least mascara,” Josh instructed.

“I know, Josh, that’s next.” I held it up to show him. “Shoot, it’s time. I’ll put it on in the car.”

“No, do it now, I’ll go meet the car. They know women always run late,” he teased.

When we arrived, a nice lady dressed in a business suit met us at the car to escort us up to the offices. The whole thing was rather intimidating, starting with the black sedan, then the glass and chrome building, but none of that was as bad as walking into a room with three men in suits sitting around a giant oval table surrounded by glass that overlooked the marina.

“Dr. Schaffer, welcome.” Victoria spoke from behind us. “Josh, so glad you could join.”

“Come on in and have a seat.” Dalton pulled a chair out for me. “This is my brother Kellan, his assistant Marcus, and another attorney on our team, Bruce.”

“Good afternoon, Dr. Schaffer. I apologize for the short notice for this meeting.” The one named Kellan spoke first.

“Please, call me Kleine.”

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