“Thank you again for inviting me,” Bailey said to Sloane on their way back to the office after their lunch meeting the next day. “That was fascinating.”
“It was a good discussion.” Herstal wanted to do a holiday promotion and get some special displays into retail outlets. “It’s a tight time frame, though.” They chatted a bit more about the meeting, then Sloane said, “Phoebe didn’t seem to be feeling well this morning.”
Bailey snorted. “She’s hungover.”
“Ah.”
“She and Carly went out for drinks with Scott and Levi last night. And apparently it was quite the crazy and late evening.”
Sloane kept her face neutral as they walked along North Wells Street. “Really.”
“They invited me, but I couldn’t go. Maybe just as well. I’m not sure if doing crazy sex things with coworkers is the best idea.”
Geezus. “I’m sure it’s not,” Sloane said evenly. “Especially if you value your career.”
“They’re all crazy over Levi,” Bailey continued. “But nobody’s been able to actually get him out on a date.”
Sloane’s stomach tightened. “Does that include you?” she asked casually. “Are you crazy about Levi?”
Bailey gave a huff of laughter. “Um. No.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No. I don’t have time for a boyfriend.”
Huh. Sloane knew Bailey wasn’t working long hours. So why was she too busy for a boyfriend?
At that moment, Sloane’s cell phone chimed. She reached into her purse and found it, still walking. Dad. Huh. She tapped the screen to answer.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Sloane.”
Silence.
“Dad? Is everything okay?”
“Are you…where are you?”
“I’m on my way back to the office.” A shiver ran down her spine. “Why? What’s wrong?”
After a brief silence, he said, “I got a call from the police this morning.”
She stopped. Bailey kept going a few steps before noticing that she wasn’t with her any more, then paused and turned. Sloane held up a finger and turned a half turn away. “The police?”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “They found your mom.”
Chapter Twenty
“What?” Sloane’s skin went cold despite the June heat and her stomach knotted. “They found Mom? Is she…?” She swallowed. “Is she alive? Where is she?”
“Yeah.” His voice was thin. “She’s alive. She’s in jail. In California.”
Sloane’s face froze. Her lungs constricted. “Oh my God.”
“I don’t know all the details yet. The police are coming to see us tonight.”
“Oh. Do you want me to come?”
He cleared his throat. “Yeah. You should be here, cookie.”
She nodded, though he couldn’t see. “Okay. I’ll clear my schedule for this afternoon and be there…” She closed her eyes briefly, picturing her calendar and how long the drive would be to Oakville. “By five. Do you want me to see if Eric can come?” Obviously there was no way Becca could get there from New York.
“Okay. Thanks, cookie. See you soon.”
She ended the call, and paused with her head bent. Bailey turned and came back to her. “Are you okay, Sloane?”
She looked up at the younger woman and saw the concern etched on her forehead and in her eyes. “Yeah.” She forced a smile. “I’m okay. A little family issue has come up. Let’s get back to the office.”
“Okay, sure.”
They were only half a block away so they were soon there. Sloane headed straight to her office and pulled up her schedule on the computer. She narrowed her focus to this, one thing at a time, shutting out all the other swirling crap. She was going to have to cancel one meeting, but luckily that was it for today. She made the call and rescheduled, then phoned Eric.
“Hey, Sloane.” He sounded surprised to hear from her. “Whassup?”
“I have some news.” For a heartbeat she resented her father for making her do this. “Where are you? Are you alone?”
“Yeah, in my office.”
She took a deep breath. “The police called Dad today. They found Mom.”
Silence. Pretty much her reaction too. “Seriously?”
“Well, unless it’s some mix-up. They’re going to Dad’s place tonight to give them more details. I’m driving out there this afternoon. Do you want to come with me?”
“Shit. I can’t.” He paused. “I have an important client meeting this afternoon, I just can’t miss it.”
“I understand. It’s okay. I’ll call you and Becca once I know more.”
She debated calling Becca then decided she’d just make one call once she knew more. Then she headed to Mason’s office to let him know she was going to be out for the rest of the day.
He too showed concern. “Anything I can do?” he asked, when she told him a family emergency had called her out of town.