Page 46 of Set In Stone

After I hung up, I took a deep and calming breath. Then I tried counting to ten, but it didn’t seem to help. My nerves were still jumping as I looked up the second phone number I needed to dial. This call was even more nerve wracking than the last, as I was still apprehensive about whether or not I could follow through with myplan.

“The City Times. How can I direct your call?” asked the female phoneoperator.

“Yes, hello. I’m looking for a Mr. MacOwens.”

“Mr. Owens is off site today. Can I direct you to somebody else, or would you like me to put you through to hisvoicemail?”

“Oh, um…voicemail would be fine. Thankyou.”

After she patched me through, I waited on the line until a gruff male voice could be heard, telling me to leave amessage.

“Mr. Owens, my…” I hesitated before continuing, and then swiftly decided to not leave my name. I would leave a bit of detail on what my call was about instead. “I’m interested in talking with you about a story. It has to do with Charlie Andrews. If you could please give me a call back at your earliest convenience, I would appreciateit.”

I rattled off my phone number and quickly hit the end button. My heart was racing and the ball of nerves in my gut felt heavier than a wrecking ball. It worsened as I pulled up my calendar, the same calendar Alexander referenced to obtain my schedule, and began typing in a fictitious doctor appointment for twelve-thirty.

It’s better thisway.

Nonetheless, guilt weighed heavily in my chest as I gathered the Beaumont files. Grabbing a box of tissues on the way out, I tried to force the pangs of my conscience aside and made my way to the design room to meet myteam.

Clive, my lead marketing coordinator for Turning Stone, already had design drafts and mockups displayed on the flat screens when I entered. He was writing notes on the white board and looked up upon my arrival. He raised his eyebrows when he sawme.

“No offense, Miss Cole, but you lookterrible.”

“Thanks,” I stateddryly.

“I know this planning session is important, but do you want toreschedule?”

I looked around the room at the other eight people assembled and ready to go. A part of me did want to reschedule, but it wasn’t because I was sick. It was because I felt too anxious to concentrate on the job athand.

“No, I’ll be fine. I want to be well prepared for Friday’s meeting with Sheldon Tremaine. Beaumont jewelers is too big of a contract to risk. Let’s dothis.”

* * *

alexander

Istoodin the doorway of my office and shook the hand of Sheldon Tremaine. He was just leaving after a very productive meeting. Ironically, while Krystina was discussing the advertising strategy for his business with her team, he had been meeting withme.

I had asked Sheldon to come to my office to discuss his business appointment with Krystina later in the week. I also wanted to discuss commissioning Beaumont Jewelers to create a piece of jewelry that I would give to Krystina as a wedding gift. His work was impeccable, as was proven with the triskelion necklace he had made for her, but the commission also gave me leverage. I used it to solidify the promise that he’d commit to advertising with TurningStone.

“I’ll get a design drawn up for you and send it over, but I think I know exactly what you’re looking for,” Sheldonassured.

“I’ll look forward to it. It’s a pleasure doing business withyou.”

“Likewise, Mr.Stone.”

After Sheldon left, I went back to my desk and pulled up my calendar – my realcalendar.

Setting up the meeting with Sheldon had been tricky. I couldn’t type his name in my calendar or I’d risk suspicion from Krystina if she happened to look at my schedule for the day. Instead, I blocked the time out as being in a meeting with George Canterwell, knowing full well that Krystina wouldn’t disturb me if she knew I was meeting with the old miser. Laura, on the other hand, was completely thrown off when Sheldon Tremaine showed up. She had merely tossed me a strange look, but didn’t ask questions. She knewbetter.

I glanced at the clock. Stephen and Bryan were due in my office in less than fifteen minutes. The architect would be here at three to meet with both Krystina and me about the house in Westchester. I absently wondered if she remembered to clear her schedule. Moving the mouse, I clicked over to her schedule. I stopped short as I went over her appointments for theday.

Doctor?

I hadn’t realized she scheduled one. Instinctively, I picked up the phone to call her Primary, but then stoppedmyself.

Give her room tobreathe.

Fighting my gut instinct was a challenge, but I replaced the receiver nonetheless. Krystina had a head cold. I told myself that it was natural for her to schedule a visit to the doctor. I also knew she had Samuel with her. She would befine.

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