Page 14 of Blame it on the Bet
head home for the night, and I was wondering if you need me to arrange that return ticket for tomorrow?”
“God, I hope so,” I grumble. “But don’t book it yet. Turns out Jack O’Halloran had a really good reason for not answering my calls.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
“He died.”
“What? He died?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Holy smokes!” she breathes out in shock. “What does that mean for your deal?”
“I’m not sure yet. Turns out the daughter’s managing the estate. She just found out about the deal a couple of days ago. I showed her the contract, but, of course, it isn’t signed.”
“And what did she say?” I can tell that Helen is hanging on every word. This must sound like one of those daytime soaps she likes so much.
“At first I thought I could convince her it was already a done deal. But, it turns out she’s a lawyer.”
A snort of laughter from Helen.“Serves you right, trying to take advantage of a grieving woman.”
“Yeah, well, I pretty much got my butt handed to me. But I won’t make the mistake of underestimating Miss Hennessy
O’Halloran again.”
“That’s her name? Hennessy? Like the whiskey?” Helen asks incredulously.
“Oh, wow… You know, I hadn’t even thought about that. Makes sense, her father running a pub and all.” I chuckle.“Anyway, with a little luck, I’ll have this wrapped up tomorrow afternoon and be on a flight tomorrow night.”
“Hmmm… Don’t forget about Truittism Number Five.
Eggs, basket, chickens, and all that,” she reminds me. “Score another one for Helen,” I say with mock spirit. “Yeah, well, I have a feeling your last assistant didn’t
memorize your quirky canon of witticism,” she throws at me. “What was her name? Whitney? Courtney? Sidney?”
“Brittany,” I correct her. “Her name was Brittany, and she took great dictation…”
“Uh-huh. I’ll just bet she did.”
I hear the smile in Helen’s voice, and it’s suddenly very irritating. “Helen, did you know that there are like a hundred people applying for every open job in this country right now? Maybe it’s not such a great idea to torment your boss, lest he hires one of the ninety-nine in line behind you,” I remind her, only half teasing.
“Well, that’s just perfect because it’ll take ninety-nine people to do what I do for you,” she slams back at me.
She’s right. I know it, and she knows I know it, so there’s no sense pretending otherwise. I sigh my resignation.
“You know what, Helen, you’re right. When I get back, I’m taking you out for a nice lunch somewhere.”
“Oh, now, wouldn’t that be a treat!” she says with pleased surprise. “Well, okay, then, I’m just going to head home now. You call me if you need me.”
“I will,” I assure her, because I can’t manage without my personal little troll doll.
She knows it, and I know she knows it.
Chapter Seven
HENNESSY
“Oh for God’s sake, what are you holding out for? Just sell it already,” Win says through a mouthful of steak.
