Page 48 of More Than A Boss

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Zane was putting in overtime at the office, particularly on the Havers case. He had been back from Florida for about a week and, although Annika was more than competent, she was not Allie. He missed her. He knew he was back to his old, pre-Allie impatience. He didn’t like the way the office seemed to be tiptoeing around him, but he felt incapable of self-correction. Allie had a way of bringing out the best in him. He liked himself a whole lot better when she was around. Oh well, today was a whole new day, he thought. Let’s try to get on the right track, he admonished himself.

While sitting at his desk, a call came in from Helen, which without thinking he automatically picked up. “Hello,” Zane said.

“Zane, darling, I need you to come to the lake house as soon as possible,” she said in a sultry voice.

“Um let’s see…that would be a no. Helen, I’m slammed here at work, I don’t have time for your games. What seems to be the problem?” Zane asked, not really wanting to know the answer, but ingrained habits of courtesy died hard.

“Darling, it appears that there have been vandals here. When I went out to the garage a few minutes ago, things seemed to have been tossed. You need to come and see if anything is missing and to fill out a report for your insurance and the police, who have been called,” she said.

“Wait, what?” he said, coming to attention since it wasn’t just Helen’s normal spoiled, childlike request, which he usually tuned out.

“Weren’t you listening?” she asked peevishly. “I said that someone broke into your garage and vandalized it! It is utter chaos. Only you can tell if anything is missing, and the police need to fill out a report. You must come immediately!” she commanded.

“Dammit!” he said with frustration. “Have you contacted the police yet?” he asked.

“I just told you that I have already called the police and they need to speak to you!” she said with exasperation.

“I’ll see what I can do. I have a few loose ends to tie up here and then I’ll get on the road. It’s a five-hour drive, as you know, so don’t expect me before six,” he said impatiently.

“Thank you, my love. I’ll be waiting.” And she hung up on him before he could respond.

Zane was beyond frustrated with this latest calamity. There were not enough hours in the day to begin with, and, although he wouldn’t trade it for the world, the time in Florida had set him back. He called Annika into his office and explained the situation and that he would be out for the rest of the day and probably most of the following day as well. He gave her a list of things she could work on while he was away, then packed his briefcase and headed out the door. He stopped by Stella’s desk briefly and filled her in as well.

Arriving home, he took care of a disgruntled Kit Kat, packed an overnight bag, and got on the road. He would assess the damage tonight and file his report with the police first thing in the morning. Damn, he thought, he dreaded the idea of dealing with Helen, but he would just have to suck it up for one evening.

Zane drove straight through without stopping and arrived shortly after six o’clock. He was tired and grumpy as he grabbed his bag and briefcase and walked in the door. Helen greeted him with a glass of wine already poured and soft music playing on the record player. She was wearing a casual yet seductive, body-hugging straight black dress with a V neckline open to the waist in the front and back. She wore a wide silver belt. Her shimmering black hair was worn down, cascading around her shoulders.

“Hello, Zane,” she said seductively. “I’ve missed you.”

“Hello, Helen,” he sighed, setting his bags down and raking his hands through his thick, unruly hair.

“I’ll wait on the wine, thanks. I’m going out to the garage to evaluate the damage,” he said.

“Let me get my coat and I’ll join you,” she said.

“I’m sure I can figure it out, Helen,” he replied somewhat impatiently.

“Zane,” she said pouting, “there’s no need to take your frustration out on me! You should be grateful I was staying here. God knows how long it might have taken you to discover it on your own.” She was always good at taking credit whenever possible.

“Yes, Helen, you’re right. Thank you for taking care of this. Now, let me get out there to see what, if anything, is missing. Just stay put. I’ll be back in a bit,” he said with exaggerated patience.

Coyly looking up through her thick eyelashes, she replied, “Whatever you say, Zane.”

Entering the garage, he looked around, wondering where to start. Everything that had been stored on shelves was strewn around the garage floor. The metal storage cabinets, the same. Doing a mental inventory of garden and lawn tools and equipment, nothing appeared to be missing. His best guess would be teenagers out getting into trouble. Vandalism for the hell of it. He would start organizing and putting things away in the morning and file the police report afterward.

When he returned inside, Helen had set the table and there were lit candles in the center. There was a bottle of wine in a wine cooler and two glasses already poured. He could smell garlic and realized that he was very hungry, since he had skipped lunch.

“Smells great!” he said appreciatively.

“It’s your favorite—steak paprika and garlic mashed potatoes,” Helen said. “Come, have a seat. It’s almost ready.”

“Let me go wash my hands and throw my things in a bedroom and I’ll be right back.” Making his exit, he took the guest room Allie had used. When he returned, his plate was already on the table, with the steak in wine and heavy cream sauce served over the potatoes and asparagus on the side.

“This looks and smells delicious,” Zane said. “Thanks.”

“I had forgotten how much I like this house,” Helen said.

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