Page 45 of Degrees of Control
Sheldon has the good grace to look guilty, but texts out a message in the standoff. His phone beeps and he grimaces. “Kate, his lawyer wants you to stay put. Brazil is dangerous, he can’t say much more, but doesn’t want you to go,” he says.
“Tell him to let Chase know that things wouldn’t have gone sideways if security had not been moving me around. There would have been more men with my dad and Chase. I need to make this right. He will know all about that and hopefully he can respect my wishes,” I say.
His eyes meet mine and I can’t distinguish the emotion I see in them before he looks down at the incoming message. “You’re not going on your own. Give me a few moments to make arrangements and then let’s go see how Jay’s doing. There’s nothing that we can do for Chase right now, but Lloyd’s with him,” he says, giving me a wide smile as I step into what would have been my office, giving him a few minutes to make arrangements and open the gold embossed envelope nestled in between the green fern-like stems of the plants.
Dear Katarina,
You had my heart from the very first time I laid eyes on you, selflessly saving another human’s life. It’s not hard to understand why life is so valuable to you and why the situations we find ourselves in are so difficult for you to comprehend. Please know that our time together has meant the world to me and that I love you, but I want you to be happy in the future. No constant security invading your space and privacy, and no doubts about the husband I hope you will someday find. I have every hope that you will find peace with this parting and know that I will always hold you dear in my heart.
Love,
Chase
I wipe the tears that escape and attempt to fight the dam that threatens to burst. I remind myself of the family that I come from, people of power, used to giving direction and having those orders carried out. I compose myself and try to draw strength from that.
We are going to need someone to get a handle on the press. I text out a message to Jenny and her response is almost immediate. Sheldon walks into the room. “I just got confirmation that our flight crew is preparing and if we leave now we can be up in the air in about forty minutes. Traffic isn’t too bad tonight,” he says.
“Thanks, Sheldon. I’m ready to go, but I need specific clothes. I’ll give you a list, but can you have someone bring them to the airplane along with a laptop from the house? I left everything I packed for Aruba at the resort, except for this,” I say, pulling out the sundress that is now horribly wrinkled from my purse. He raises his eyes at me, but has the good grace not to mention my earlier deceit. “No problem, Kate,” he says, taking the list.
“Jenny is coming with us. Would you have someone pick her up and bring her to the airport? She’s thirty minutes on the other side of the city.”
“Yes, will she have any issue if it’s someone she doesn’t know?” he asks.
“Thanks for thinking of that Sheldon. No, I’ll let her know and she’ll understand,” I say, typing out a text to Jenny as we head toward the awaiting car.
“Your laptop is still in route from Aruba. It’ll be with the next team that heads to the states. I’ll have someone bring you a secure device and you can use that. We’ve got systems on the plane, but I’m thinking you’re going to want to stay in touch at the hospital, too,” he says.
“Thanks, Sheldon. What is Lloyd’s cell phone number? I want to reach Chase,” I say.
“Kate, I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” he says.
“Sheldon, my perception is that Chase and Jay have an excellent relationship. I know for certain that Chase trusts him implicitly. He holds you in very high regard or he would not have entrusted me in your care. I am hoping to have the same relationship with you someday, but that’s only going to happen if we are on the same page,” I say.
“Yes, ma’am,” he says smiling.
“Now, I need Lloyd’s cell phone number. I need to be in touch with Chase,” I say, sliding into the backseat.
“The two of you are enough to give all of us heart attacks,” he says, throwing his hands up in mock despair. “As soon as we reach the airport we’ll have a safe phone ready for you. I’ll give you the number then, but don’t try texting him or Chase for that matter on your phone. It can and will be traced,” he says.
My phone vibrates and it is a message from Jenny to let me know that her driver has arrived and she will meet us at the airport.
“Thanks, Sheldon,” I say, as we pull into the Chicago traffic towards the airport. At this time of the night it is relatively quiet and the driver navigates through the city with ease. As we approach O’Hare the limousine pulls up as close as possible to the Prestian Corp jet. The car is sandwiched between two other smaller Lincolns each holding four men who get out and surround us as we make our way to the plane.
Another Lincoln pulls up and I recognize two more members of Chase’s security team assisting Jenny to the jet ramp. I give her a long hug, so glad that she is with me and that I am not facing this without my best friend.
“Welcome aboard Miss Meilers. We have instructions to lift off as quickly as possible. You’ll want to take your seats and buckle in right away,” the flight attendant says, as we enter the plane.
As soon as we are seated I use the new phone I have been provided with and text Lloyd. It is clear by the immediate response that Chase is with him.
Message:Lloyd, going to see Jay.
Reply:Go to the condo!!
Message:I don’t think so. Did you forget who I am?
Reply:Keep Sheldon nearby and text me when you land.
Message:You’ve lost the right to tell me what to do. I’m in charge of me now.
