Foundations - Kate Canterbary Page 0,31

closed the door behind me and sagged against it as I blew out a frustrated breath.

"Did you find it?" Shannon asked.

I pressed the purple cashmere to my face and murmured in agreement. "That, and so much more."

"Do I want to know?"

I opened one eye and found her wearing a purple dress that must've been painted on because it fit like second skin. Maybe it was better this way. I needed to get the memory of that bottle and the conversation that followed out of my head before tearing that dress off.

12

Walsh Associates Takes on 2020

From the desk of Patrick Walsh

TO: Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Patrick Walsh

RE: Coronavirus

All—

Effective immediately, the Derne Street office is closed and all staff are directed to work from home. Please do not come until the office unless otherwise cleared and coordinated by Dylan and Lissa.

Work on properties in Boston proper has been halted but work outside the city is still permissible within new safety guidelines. Timelines will require substantial overhaul. Work with Tom to calibrate. Please manage budgets and client expectations accordingly.

We'll check in on Monday morning as usual. Details to come.

- Patrick

TO: Patrick Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Matthew Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

Finally. An email instead of a meeting.

TO: Matthew Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Samuel Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

It only required a global outbreak.

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Andy Asani-Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

In other words, don't expect it to happen again once this is over.

TO: Patrick Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Tom Esbeck

RE:RE: Coronavirus

I'm touching base with all our contractors now. I'll have timeline updates by property tomorrow.

TO: Tom Esbeck, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Patrick Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

Finally. Someone getting actual work done.

TO: Patrick Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Samuel Walsh

TO: RE: Coronavirus

Tell me we won't resort to videoconferencing.

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Patrick Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

....because that insults your delicate sensibilities how?

TO: Patrick Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Matthew Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

He doesn't want to wear real pants.

TO: Matthew Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Samuel Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

Like you're intending to suit up every day.

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Matthew Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

I'm wearing more than last season's Burberry boxers.

TO: Matthew Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Samuel Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

For shame! I don't wear anything from last season.

TO: Matthew Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Patrick Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

And there you have it.

TO: Matthew Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Samuel Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

My primary concern, if you must know, is keeping eyes on Danger Baby Dave. Tiel is running video violin lessons and I'm trying to keep my child from literally climbing walls and base jumping off the beams. We found him on top of the refrigerator with an awl last night, and that was after we'd watched him fall asleep in his toddler bed. He slipped under the baby monitor motion sensors and disabled the latch on the baby gate at the top of the stairs without making a sound. How he got into my workshop to fetch an awl out of a locked tool box and then climb on top of the refrigerator remains a mystery. What he was doing up there is another mystery.

It's easier to keep him from killing himself if I don't have to park myself in front of a screen, okay?

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Matthew Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

It's a good thing we have to keep the babies apart for a while. I really don't want my daughter learning any of your son's tricks.

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Andy Asani-Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

An awl? Has he taken up leatherwork?

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Tom Esbeck

RE:RE: Coronavirus

So thrilled our child is an elderly lady dog whose wild streak is confined to lunging at squirrels.

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Patrick Walsh

RE: Coronavirus

I seriously believed Shannon's kids would be the daredevils.

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Riley Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

That boy has some shenanigans in his blood. I do believe your youthful misadventures have officially caught up with you, sir.

TO: Riley Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Samuel Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

MY misadventures? If that's the case, I can't wait to meet your devil spawn children.

TO: Samuel Walsh, Walsh Associates-ALL

FROM: Riley Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

Well, lucky for you, I can't be in the same room as my wife so there won't be any devil spawn children this year.

TO: Riley Walsh

FROM: Shannon Halsted

RE:RE: Coronavirus

Are you okay?

TO: Shannon Halsted

FROM: Riley Walsh

RE:RE: Coronavirus

Yeah. Fine. But would it be okay if I stayed with you for a few weeks? I'm the only non doc in the joint and Stremmel said he doesn't want Alex worrying about bringing the virus home to me even if we are staying apart. He also wants to keep the apartment building as "vector neutral" as possible, whatever that means. I seriously want to dislike the guy but he's