Page 34 of Saving Veronica
“Yes, from what I’ve observed in the last eight days, Janis and Simon are the laziest ones here. He’s always on his phone and playing games on his computer. She’s always fixing her face. I have not seen them do any real work. They push everything off onto their assistants, then reap the glory from their work.”
“Damn, I wonder how long this has been going on. I never suspected, let alone noticed.”
“Oh, they make it look good when you and Grandpa come strolling through, but I’ve been working in what someone said used to be Ronnie’s office. With the door open the desk is positioned in the perfect position to see everyone’s office.”
“Why aren’t you in Maggie’s office?”
Finn shrugged, “She’ll be back and it’s easier to start at the bottom.” He frowned when his phone rang. He told his father goodbye, and settled into one of the seats at the conference table.
“Larson.”
“Hey, buddy. How are you doing?”
“Good, Patch, good. Once I get the hang of these fucking crutches, I should be okay. Hey, what are you doing for Halloween?”
“Probably working, why? That seems to be one of the nights the crazies are out and a busy night in the ER.”
“I’m giving a fundraiser for a local vet and want to invite you. Don’t have all the particulars yet, but I thought I’d put it out there.”
“I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not promising anything. I haven’t been here very long, so I probably won’t get my first real vacation for a year or so. But I’ll keep it in the back of my mind.”
“Thanks. So what’s up? You called me.”
“Just checking up on you. After the couple of traumas you’ve been through, checking to see how you are.”
“What traumas? I only broke my fucking ankle and had surgery. Far from trauma.”
“Really? So you don’t have Stockholm Syndrome?”
“Stockholm Syndrome? What the hell is that?”
“You know, a kidnapped or hostage victim identifies with their captor.”
“What the hell are you… Who told you?” he demanded when he realized what Patch referred to.
“Ronnie.”
“She’s awake?” Finn sat up quickly, jumped to his feet and when he stumbled, he grabbed one crutch to pace, and realized he could get around better with one instead of two.
“She is. Woke about two hours ago. Talking normally, good mental function. No damage to her brain. No memory loss. She continues to improve. I’m discharging her on Friday.”
“Thank god.” Finn didn’t know what else to say. He realized then that he had feelings for her. Which surprised the hell out of him, since he’d only met her that one time in the elevator.
“I have to warn you though.”
“About?” Finn braced himself to hear bad news.
“I think I might give you a run for your money.”
“Excuse me?”
“She’s got spunk. I knew minutes after she woke up. I’m interested.”
“How do you know she’d be interested in me?”
“You didn’t see her face when she described the kiss you laid on her in the elevator. I thought you should know you’re going to have competition. After the way she described you and that kiss, I doubt she’ll give me the time of day, but I’m going to try.”
“Bring it on!” Finn laughed. “At least when she’s released and comes home, I’ll be thirty minutes away, not three hours.” Finn laughed when Patch swore.
