Page 66 of Storm of Bells
Rick
I was on my feet and halfway to the rack of filesbefore the words reached my brain and truly registered.
Wait a moment.
Fetch himwhat?
And…Darling?
Something was wrong. Something was horribly,horrendously wrong. And whatever it was, I had to save Mr Ambrosefrom it! Rushing to his office door, I started hammering againstthe wood.
‘Hello? Hello, are you in there? Are you ondrugs? I didn’t leave the cough drops out, did I? Or have you beencaptured and replaced with a doppelganger? Please! Talk to me! Tellme what’s wrong!’
Plink.
The sound diverted my attention to my desk.Another message was lying there, awaiting me. Dashing over, Isnatched it up.
Why would you think that something is wrong, honey?I’m perfectly fine. Although I could use a cup of tea. There’snothing more relaxing than a good cup of tea, don’t you think?
Your loving fiancé,
Ricky
Oh God, it was getting worse! Whatever ‘it’ mightbe. Crap, crap, crap! What was I going to do? Should I fetch adoctor?
Well, gone crazy or not, he’s still yourboss. So, first of all, you’d probably best fetch him a cup oftea.
Easier said than done. This wasn’t whatsecretaries were supposed to do! My position was that of a trustedconfidante! That of his right hand in all important businessmatters. Whoever heard of such an outlandish idea as secretariesbeing sent to fetch beverages?
Marching to the door, I pushed it open andstuck my head out through the crack. ‘Err…Mr Stone?’
The fresh-faced receptionist hurriedly lookedup from the book he was reading and tried to shove the colourfulcover under the table.
‘Um, yes, Mr Linton?’
‘Do you perchance have any idea where to geta cup of tea around here?’
He sighed. ‘I wish. I could use one in theafternoon, too, but I’m afraid you’re out of luck. Shockingly, MrAmbrose does not pay for beverages for his employees.’
‘The tea isn’t for me, Mr Stone. It’s for MrAmbrose.’
There was athumpas Mr Stone’s bookslipped from his hand and hit the floor. He stared at me.
‘Mr…Mr Ambrosewants something todrink?’
‘Yes.’
‘Something thatisn’ttap water?’
‘Yes.’
‘Should I call the doctor?’
‘I had considered that myself, but…no. Notyet. Maybe he’s having a strange day. Maybe he has guests in hisoffice.’
‘No, he doesn’t.’ Mr Stone frowned as, withone hand, he tried to fish for his novel as inconspicuously aspossible. ‘I’m quite sure I didn’t see anyone go in thismorning.’
‘So…the tea really is for him.’
