Page 92 of The Ice Queen in the Corner Office

“Wasn’t sure whether I’d be dragging out a body or escorting you out. Most people who see the boss don’t live to talk about it,” a male voice said near my ear.

“Guess I’m one of the lucky ones.”

He grunted and led me out of the building, supporting me as we walked, and back to that van none too gently.

I gripped the paper Katie had given me tight in my fist, but I didn’t breathe a full breath until I stood on the sidewalk outside Dad’s place, the van speeding away.

***

“You forget something?” Dad asked when I hobbled back into the little house. He gestured to my empty hands, and I remembered the groceries.

“Um, something came up. Would you mind giving me a ride to the supermarket to pick up my car?” And my crutches, if they were still there.

“Something came up?”

I didn’t want to tell him about my meeting. I couldn’t tell him about Katie, but even telling him he was safe from the crew was dangerous because I didn’t want him to lose any of his motivation to get out of town. “Ran into Bert at the store, he needed a hand with something and dropped me off here after.”

“Uh-huh.” Dad’s wary gaze let me know he didn’t buy my story, but he wasn’t going to ask more questions.

“So, can you give me a ride?”

“Nah. I’m tired and it’s late. We’ll order in. Need to enjoy the local take-out as long as I can.”

I sat on the couch closest to his chair and propped up my casted ankle. “When you planning to make the move?”

“I’m not in any kind of hurry. Give an old man time to get his crap together.”

“You’re not old, Dad. You just act like it.”

He scoffed. “Tell me that when you’re my age with a bad back.”

“I’m not trying to push. I just want you to be safe.”

“What are those guys going to do? Killing me would be a mercy at this point.”

I smiled. He’d been too quiet since we’d gotten the news about Rick. It was good to hear him sounding a bit more like himself. “Maybe, but Willow will miss that disability income you get.”

He grunted. “I’ll put the house on the market after the holiday. Don’t expect it’ll sell any time soon, but I know how to lay low.”

I was moderately comforted, but it didn’t matter. Dad would do what he was going to do. “I’m going to finish up packing Willow’s stuff. Give me a holler when the food’s here.”

He didn’t look my way, his attention back on the T.V., but he waved a hand in acknowledgment.

While I packed, I called Willow. “How’s it going?”

“Great,” she said. “I’ve been invited to spend Christmas Day at Nora’s Inn. She asked me to invite you, too. You should bring Dad and come on.”

“Dad won’t go anywhere until after the funeral next week. I’ll stay with him, chat about the good times with Rick.”

She was silent for a few long moments, but I waited. Willow wasn’t a big talker, she took her time and considered her words. “I don’t remember any good times. I wish I did.”

“I know. You were too young. Rick was a good big brother before he got hurt and started hating the world. I’ll tell you some stories when you’re here for the funeral.”

“I’d like that,” she said. “I just…Would you mind if I stayed in the city with you for the funeral. I can’t—”

“Of course. And I’ll be with you the whole time. I’ll drive you to the funeral and…I’ll be there, for everything.”

“Thank you.”

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