Page 131 of Heart of Stone

“Already done. It’s in a folder right over there,” he said, pointing to a corner end table in the spacious lounge area of the plane. “I think Laura made a few adjustments to it.”

I went over to the table to review the contents. Laura had actually made quite a few changes, and I was thankful for her sharp eye. The speech was a couple of years old, and needed updating. If I had more notice, I would have written a new one.

Satisfied that Laura had done it justice, I tucked it back inside the folder and turned back to Hale.

“I assume the flight will be leaving on time?”

“Yes, sir. I just confirmed it with the pilot. The trip to Boston should be a smooth one. However, we may encounter an issue on the return flight. There’s a bad storm moving in on the overnight, the remnants of a hurricane that’s traveling up the coast.”

“Monitor the situation and make other travel arrangements for the return trip home if needed. I want to be back no later than eight o’clock Friday evening.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you have time to arrange the delivery that I emailed you about this morning?”

“Vivian will be setting it up this afternoon,” Hale informed me. “You should get an email confirmation as soon as it’s received.”

“Excellent. Oh, and I meant to ask you. How is your mother settling in?”

“Very well. I appreciate your help to secure her placement. After the fall she took, I can rest easier knowing that she’s getting the proper care. Thank you again.”

I acknowledged his gratitude with a nod, glad that things had worked out. Before reaching the age of sixty, Hale’s mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. It had come as quite the blow to my security detail, and when I heard that he was unable to afford the cost of a reputable nursing facility, I immediately made calls to get her the best care in New York and covered the expenses. Hale protested of course, but I would hear none of it.

The pilot came over the intercom system, interrupting our conversation to let us know that it was almost time for take off. I settled into my seat and looked out the window. Cumulus clouds dotted the bright blue sky, making it hard to imagine that we were under a severe storm alert.

I heard the soothing hum of the plane engine as it came to life and I rested my head back with the hopes of catching a quick snooze on the flight. My mind quickly filled with images of Krystina.

I wish she had agreed to come with me.

I opened one eye to look at Hale. He sat across from me, already engrossed in theNew York Times.

Hale accompanied me on nearly all of my business trips. He was a good traveling companion, and always willing to discuss whatever I had a mind for. Usually the topic was business.

That’s me. Always business.

“Hale, let me ask you something,” I said on a whim. He looked up from the newspaper, his expression attentive. “Do you ever regret not settling down?”

“Sir?”

Yeah, I know. The question sounds crazy to me too.

“I mean, with a woman,” I clarified. “Do you have any regrets?”

If he was surprised by my inquiry, he didn’t show it. Instead, he looked thoughtful.

“My mother always wanted grandchildren. When I think of how happy that would have made her, I do have regrets. However, now that she’s sick, it doesn’t really matter. Either way, I’ve never met a woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my days with.”

“Or maybe it’s because I keep you too damned busy to meet anyone,” I joked.

The corners of his mouth turned up in a rare smile.

“I believe that we all have our own calling. So far, mine has been the service of your employment and it has suited me well. If I were meant to settle down before now, I would have done so.”

“Hmm, perhaps,” I mused.

“Sir, permission to be frank?”

I laughed at his seriousness.

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