chapter two
Robyn watched as Samuel Wright approached. She wasn't sure why she stood there and waited for him, because it was obvious what he was going to tell her. Maybe it was because he looked so determined, as if he were on a mission. As if giving her the ax was something that he had to do. Maybe he hadn't liked the way she walked into his company as if she owned the place. Maybe he should have locked the door, some irrational part of her brain chimed up.
Looking beyond him, she glared at Mark. He was the individual who'd engineered this little case of arranged mistaken identity in the first place. He gave her an apologetic look and blew out a frustrated breath before leaning against the wall. The ringing of a phone mounted nearby caused him to startle. He reached for the receiver just as Wright stopped in front of her. Turning her attention back to the tall man before her, she folded her arms over her chest and waited.
"I'm sorry for any inconvenience," he said. "My friend tends toward the over-protective. But, unfortunately, I won't be requiring your services--"
The tell-tell glint of arrogant superiority in his eyes sent a rush of irritation through her. "What happened to your head?" She cut him off mid sentence, gesturing toward the white of the bandage, much more clearly visible now. She suspected, based on the way Mark had gestured to it when they'd been talking on the other side of the room, that it had something to do with why he had hired her in the first place. And if Sam Wright detected the return glint in her eye, then all the better.
But he didn't react as she expected. Instead he paused and studied her, before asking, "Why do you want to know?"
Robyn blinked, mildly taken aback. "I'd. . . really like to know," she responded, finding that she meant it. Her irritation faded away as she continued to explain. "I imagine by the way he was gesturing toward it that it has something to do with why your friend tried to hire me. It seems a lot of--"
"You just wanted to keep your job," he cut her off to mutter. "Well, you can keep half the fee for your trouble."
Robyn's irritation was back with a healthy dose of anger. "No thanks, Mr. Wright. You'll be getting a full refund. I understood that my services aren't required. Do have a good day." She half-turned, ready to leave.
Sam reached for her arm, stopping her. "I didn't. . . "
"Sam, it's the school!" Mark's yell interrupted. "It's the after school coordinator," he went on. "She needs to talk to you. Says it's urgent."
Without another word, he left her standing, feeling at loose ends. Should she stay or should she go? There was really no reason for her to stay, not unless one counted the heavy looks that passed between the two men when Sam took the phone. There was something going on here -- something not good. She waited, feeling like a voyeur as she strained to hear Sam speaking into the receiver
There were several moments of silence as he listened to whomever was on the other end of the connection. Though she couldn't hear his words, she saw his reaction. He tensed and went deathly pale. There was nothing she could do to halt the involuntary step she took in his direction. He must have caught the motion because he looked toward her, then away as he continued to listen.
After saying a few words, he abruptly pushed the receiver in Mark's direction and headed out of the room at a near run.
"Sam! What is it? What's going on?" Mark quickly replaced the receiver. "Is Beth okay?" His voice was edged with anxiety.
"It's Sandra," Sam stopped and turned. He had a look in his eyes that Robyn couldn't define with a single word. So many emotions jumbled together, chief among them panic and determination. She listened intently as he continued, trying to understand the change.
"She showed up at the after school program. She was trying to take Beth, but Mrs. Washington wouldn't allow it because Bethany was frightened, and Sandra's not on the authorized persons list. Sandra made a scene. . . " His allowed the sentence to fade before taking a deep breath and heading toward the door again.
Mark watched Sam disappear through the doors that led to the front offices, wondering what sort of fall out Cassandra's latest intrusion would bring. In all the time he'd known her, Cassandra had held the upper hand. Sam had fallen for her hard and fast at the age of fifteen. Marrying her at 24 had practically had him floating. When Beth had come along, Sam told him that his life was complete.
Convinced and awed by his friend's apparent happiness, Mark tried for his own matrimonial bliss. It wasn't meant to be. His engagement to Patricia had been broken within a month. He still wasn't sure who'd wanted to end it more.
But Sam, despite the problems he and Sandra had, never gave up on her. Mark half-wondered if she came back to him, begging that he forgive her, how long it would take before Sam gave in to her. He'd hoped he would find someone else while she was in jail. But he hadn't even tried, not even with the women he'd attempted to set him up with. And now, he was heading off to confront the woman with Bethany in the mix. Mark couldn't let him do it alone.
His eyes fell on Robyn Sommers. As she turned from Sam's retreating figure, she looked almost as worried as he felt. Right then and there, another idea hit him. He had a feeling about Robyn Sommers.
"Is he going to be okay?" she asked.
Mark had to stifle a smile. Oh yes, he had a feeling about Robyn Sommers. But he had to get to it quickly. "Come with me," he said, heading out the way Sam had left.
Robyn followed behind him, asking more questions on the run. "I know it's none of my business, but--"
"Beth is his daughter," Mark answered as he quickly moved through the office, locking up and setting the alarm. "She's seven. Cassandra is his ex-wife. She can be a little unstable sometimes, and she's only recently gotten out of jail. She's the last person Beth needs to see right now."
"Is that who you wanted to hire me for? The daughter?"
"I'll keep that in mind," Mark said slyly as he directed her toward his car. "Actually, it all started that night we met in the ER. Sam was mugged coming in here Friday night -- that's what happened to his head. It was fishy because even though they took his wallet and his watch, they left the office untouched. His keys were sticking in the door, and they never set foot inside."
"That doesn't prove he needs a bodyguard," Robyn argued with him. "People get mugged all over the world every day."
"It's more than just that. I'm sure you heard about the Sauterbrandt contract."
Robyn shot him a confused look. "No, I'm afraid not."
Mark was exasperated. "You're kidding. It was in the art section Sunday. It's a big deal. Sam landed the contract."
Robyn shrugged. "Sorry. "
Mark decided he'd forgive her ignorance, besides, he didn't have time to educate her on the importance of the business to a small company like Renaissance. "Well, it's a very valuable collection, made more valuable by the rumors surrounding it. Also, old man Sauterbrandt is dying and there is a little family unrest thrown in for good measure. Nevermind that a lot of people are not happy about the way this contract panned out."
Doubt showed on her face, but she said, "If he's having those kinds of problems, then I'm the wrong person for the job anyway. I'm who you get if you're a local celebrity doing a personal appearance. Or if you're in town for the local trek convention. If there's more to it, you'll need a different level of protection. If you're really serious about this, my father could give you a couple names."
"I appreciate that," Mark said. "Your father's in this business, too?"
"It's his company." She left it there, though Mark really wanted to know more. How did a father and daughter end up in a personal protection business? But before he could voice the question, she spoke again.
"You can't force him to accept my or anyone's help, you know. I get the feeling that Sam Wright knows what he wants and doesn't want."
"True enough. But at least you're willing to give it a try. That'll mean a lot to Sam."
"Who says I'm willing to give it a try?"