Page 59 of Tackle

“How about we go outside and call him.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “You’re just trying to get rid of me. I’m not leaving until I see Oz.”

“Either we go outside and I call Oz, or we stay in here and I call the police. Your choice.”

Holly must have had some rational brain cells still working because she nodded. “Fine. But I’m not leaving until I see Oz.”

That seemed to be her sticking point, but at least she was willing to leave the pub if not the premises. Emerson would take that as a win. She waved her arm to indicate Holly should go first. No way did she want that woman at her back.

“Now, call Oz,” she said as soon as they stepped out the door.

Emerson punched in Oz’s digits and brought the phone to her ear. Oz picked up after the first ring. “Hey, it’s me on the pub’s phone,” she announced, having rarely called him from anything other than her cell.

“I’m getting in my car. On my way over now.”

“I’m with Holly. We’re standing outside.”

“Put it on speaker. I want to make sure you actually called.”

Emerson’s eyes flashed to Holly, but she said into the phone, “I’m putting you on speaker.”

“I heard.” His tone sounded about as annoyed as Emerson felt.

She hit the speaker button. “Okay, Holly’s here with me.”

“Hello, Holly. I’m on my way. Sit tight and wait for me, yeah?”

Holly’s expression morphed into one of joy. “Yes, of course. That’s all I wanted. I don’t want any trouble.”

“Good. Glad to hear it. Emerson’s going to go back inside now, but you wait outside for me. Okay?”

Holly glanced uncertainly from the phone to Emerson. “I want to keep the phone.”

“That’s fine, Emerson will give it to you before she goes in.”

“I’m not so sure—” Emerson started to say.

Oz cut her off. “It’s okay, just do it. I want you inside.”

Holly snatched the phone from her hand. “He doesn’t want you here. He wants to talk to me.Privately.”

Emerson cringed, her heart galloping. “Oz—” Again, Emerson was cut off but this time by Holly.

“Go!” she yelled.

Emerson took a hasty step back, nearly tripping over her feet, her hands flying up in a peaceful gesture. “I’m going.”

She quickly slipped back through the door of the pub, pulling her cell phone out to call the police.

Britney came to her side as she was hanging up. “Everything okay?” she asked just loud enough for Emerson to hear.

“Yeah, it will be.”

They both watched Holly through the front window. “What’s going on?”

Even though Britney had been in her employ for a while now, she didn’t know Oz personally, and Emerson didn’t feel comfortable sharing. When Matt arrived, she’d need to tell him in case Holly ever came back when she wasn’t around, but for Britney, she’d keep the details vague. “Someone looking for Oz.”

She pulled her gaze from the window, lifting a brow Emerson’s direction. “A woman in a snit is looking for Oz? What, is she an ex?”

---