HAUNTED

Chapter 8 – Hospital Visit

Nicole Armstrong, Alice mused to herself as she tucked her hair behind her ear. So that was the new owner of Laras restaurant. She looked cute with her blonde hair tied back in a pony tail. Surfer girl was the word that popped into Alices head instantly. She could google her to find out more of course, but instead she decided to put her through her ***** chart first. You never know, right? Alice almost yelped with delight when she saw Nickys name pop up on the screen. Suddenly she saw the names Nickys was linked with. One of them was all too familiar. She wondered what the connection between the two of them was. Maybe it was time to google Ms. Armstrong. Alice had just entered the name when there was a loud banging at the door. Alice sighed a little annoyed. This always seemed to happen when she was trying to work. People always kept bugging her when there were things to do, but never when she was just lounging on the couch watching the dust bunnies blow by. She got up and walked over to the door as the banging only seemed to be getting louder. When she opened the door she saw a very worn-out Shane leaning against the doorframe. It almost looked like shed been crying, but before she could say anything Shane just walked past her into the living room and slumped down on the couch. Alice shut the door and followed her hearing sobs coming from the Casanova who was now kind of curling into herself.

Shane, honey, what happened? Whats wrong? Alice asked as she sat down next to Shane and hugged her against her until she felt the sobs subside a bit.

I really messed up Al. I dont know how to fix it

What happened, Shane? Her friend unwrapped herself from Alices arms and wiped away her tears. She still couldnt believe how quickly things had unraveled. Maybe that too was a sign. Shane turned away from Alice and started clenching and unclenching her hands.

I messed up, Al. Real bad When it didnt seem like Shane was going to say anything further, Alice took hold of her hands in an attempt to comfort her. She didnt know what else to do. She hadnt seen Shane like this since well, since Cherie. And even then Shane had played it pretty close to her chest. But shed been more open about feelings and all that stuff since shed started dating Alex Oh no, it couldnt be about it Alex, could it?

How did you mess up Shane? Alice asked softly.

Its Cherie. I kissed Cherie.

You did what?! Alice almost jumped off the sofa.

After what that woman did to you? What were you thinking?

It gets worse Shane said. Alex walked in on it.

Oh my god Alice exclaimed. But why on earth would you kiss Cherie? I thought you were in love with Alex.

I am. And I didnt. She kissed me and I kinda kissed her back Shane said adding quickly, in a reflex.

A reflex? Alices voice sounded a little like Alex had done and Shane felt the tears stinging again. Before either of them could say anything Alices mobile rang. She quickly looked at the caller display.

Its Dana. Alice was still holding the phone in her hands not picking up, because she didnt want to stop Shane from telling her what exactly had happened.

Pick it up, Al. Maybe its important. Alice answered the phone and freakily enough Shane had been right. She listened for a few minutes nodding and saying yes and no.

Were on our way, Dana. You just stay there, sweetie. Shane was looking at Alice now. Shed heard the alarm in her voice and instantly she thought something might have happened to Dana. Nothing like someone elses misery to get your mind off your own.

Whats happened? Is Dana ok? Alice just nodded.

Yeah shes fine. Its Lara. Shes been in an accident. They dont know how serious it is yet. Dana is with her. I said wed come over. For a moment Alice got a faraway look on her face. Shane nudged her out of her reverie.

Shouldnt we go then? Alice hesitated. She didnt really want to go over there and watch Dana fret over Lara. She knew it was ridiculous. They were just friends. But still whenever she saw them together, she could swear that the spark that had been between them was still there. Naturally whenever she brought it up Dana would brush it away and call her paranoid. Theyd had many arguments over it and Alice knew she wasnt being rational. But she also knew that matters of the heart werent always rational.

Dont you want to talk about Cherie? Shane shook her head.

Later. Lets deal with this first. Alice nodded.

Ok, she said and she picked up her keys and walked to the door.

*****

Ce nest pas seulement un petit problme! Marina suppressed the urge to scream at the man standing in front of her. They had both spent the last few hours pouring over the company books and no matter what they did, the books still came up short. Someone was embezzling money and it was being done at such a scale, it could only be someone high up. That meant there were only a few someones who were under suspicion. And unfortunately they were all related to Marina.

She swiveled in her chair and just stared at the wall a few moments taking deep breaths to calm herself. Normally she would have dealt with a problem like this without even breaking a sweat. After all, doing business was in her blood. But the last few months had taken a toll on her. As soon as she managed to solve one problem, another one would crawl out of the woodwork and in her heart she knew her sister and eldest brother had something to do with it. They were deliberately trying to sabotage her hoping that sooner or later she would give up. But she would never give up and betray the trust her father had put in her by making her CEO of the company. He believed in her and so would she. With new determination Marina turned around. She had been putting it off for quite some time, but she had no choice now. If she didnt deal with her siblings, the problems would never desist.

Im sorry, she apologized to the accountant who was so good at his job, her father had hijacked him away from their competitors in Toulouse by offering him an obscene amount of money.

Perhaps we should discuss this further in the morning.

Bien sur, mademoiselle, he said and walked out of the office glancing at his watch. His wife was not going to be happy he was late again.

Marina gathered up the papers and slid them to the side of her desk. If she was going to deal with the root of the problem, there was no point in wasting time on the individual branches. She needed a game plan. And she was going to need help. She started making a mental list of ingredients and when she was satisfied, she finally leaned back and relaxed a little. Just knowing she was dealing with the problem, made her feel a little better.

*****

Alex furiously slammed down the phone. Shed contacted at least half a dozen people and none of them had been able to tell her who was responsible for this mess. She cursed under her breath just as one of the doctors walked in.

Problems? he asked as he opened his locker and started taking of his white coat. Alex just groaned.

I didnt know you were back at work here.

Im not. A friend of mine was in an accident. He closed his locker and walked over to where Alex was sitting and perched on the edge of the sofa. His former colleague looked absolutely wrecked. He hadnt seen her in a while. Not since she had resigned. It was a damn shame too, because shed been good and she had worked hard. Harder than anyone hed ever worked with.

Shouldnt you be with her? Alex leaned back in the sofa and pushed her hair out of her face.

Probably but theres not much I can do out there anyway.

So youre hiding in here? Alex started to deny it, but she couldnt. She knew he was right. She was hiding in the lounge. Hiding from bad news. Nicky was in surgery. What if she didnt make it? What was she going to do without her? Shed already had to bury too many people she loved. She wasnt sure shed be able to survive another one.

I hate hospitals, she said in a bland voice. The man laughed. It was deep and throaty.

Maybe you should have chosen a different profession then. Alex looked up at him.

I miss it, you know. I dont regret resigning, but it doesnt mean that I dont miss it. Before he could say anything, Alex got up.

Guess its time I stop hiding.

*****

When Shane and Alice finally found Dana she had almost worn a whole in the floor from pacing up and down. Dana saw them coming down the hall and flung herself at Alice.

Al, they wont tell me whats going on. What if its really bad? What if Laras going to die? Dana said her voice thick with panic. Then she just started sobbing. Shane felt sorry for her. She wanted to say everything was going to be ok. But sometimes things didnt turn out ok. That was life.

Sweetie, dont worry. Well find out whats going on. Dont worry, Alice cooed cradling Dana like a wounded puppy. She knew that Dana was just concerned about her friend, but seeing her in this state she couldnt ignore that jealous voice in her head. Dont be stupid, Alice. Obviously theyre more than friends. She hated it when she became irrational. Resolutely she pushed the voice out of her head.

Why dont I get us some coffee, while we wait, Shane offered and walked away from the scene without waiting for a reply. Taking one last look behind she rounded the corner and bumped into someone head on nearly getting knocked on her *****.

Oh god Im so sorry, Shane started to say when she saw who it was.

Hey dude.

Hey, Alex replied. Shane was looking downright nervous and uncomfortable. Involuntarily Alex had to smile. It wasnt often she got to see this side of Shane. Usually she was too cool. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind.

Shane, is everything alright?

Yeah, why wouldnt it be? Shane asked with a surprised look on her face.

Uhm maybe cos youre in a hospital, chre, Alex quipped.

Oh no, Im fine, its Lara. She was in an accident. What are you doing here? Suddenly the pieces fell together for Alex.

Lara would be the chef, right? She was in building that came down on her? Shane nodded surprised.

How did you know? Alex sighed and leaned against the wall.

Nicky was in the same accident

She was with Lara? Shane walked over and took Alex hand in hers. Before Alex could say anything, she said softly,

I know we need to talk, but for now can I just be there for you? Alex wasnt sure this was such a good idea, but being here with Shane beside her just felt so right. She simply nodded and pulled Shane into a hug. They just seemed to melt into each others arms. Alex rested her head on Shanes shoulder and she felt Shanes hands on the small of her back. Shane literally felt Alex relax under her touch. She so badly wanted to tell Alex how sorry she was about what had happened before, but now just wasnt the right time. They suddenly pulled apart, when a loud voice boomed behind them.

No necking in the hallways, young ladies. Alex face lit up when she saw who the voice belonged to.

Steve!!! she yelled and flung her arms around his neck as he lifted her up and twirled her in the air.

Im so glad youre here, she said taking in what according to Steve on the phone had been the new and improved him. She had to admit that the casual look suited him. He was wearing low slung faded jeans with a black polo t-shirt. His hair was long the way it had been in college just curling above the neck and hanging into his eyes when he leaned forward.

I hopped in the car right after you called. How is she? he asked. Shane could hear the worry in his voice. So this was the elusive third musketeer.

We dont know yet, Shane spoke before Alex could say anything.

Im sorry. Shane, this is Steve, our other housemate. Steve, meet Shane. He smiled and held out his hand.

So this is the illustrious Shane. The one who managed to make an honest woman out of Alex. Shane smiled uncomfortably as she took his hand.

Oi you, Ive always been an honest woman at least unlike you I dont forget the names of the women Im sleeping with while Im sleeping with them, she replied sharply and punched him in the arm. They both fell into a fit of laughter at the memory. Shane was looking at them as if theyd grown a second head each. Alex grinned.

Its a long story. Ill tell you later.

No, you wont, Steve replied tersely.

Anyway, I have news, he said quickly trying to change the subject. I found out the company that was supposed to guarantee the safety of that building.

Wow, youre good, Ive been trying to find that out for the last hour and a half.

Well, Im better than you, Steve quipped sticking out his tongue at her. Alex resisted the urge to hit him again. Sometimes they could act like such teenagers. Things were even worse when the three of them were all together. The thought of Nicky sobered her up.

Whats the company?

J-Star Industries, Steve said reading from a little scrap of paper he had pulled out of his jeans.

Mmm sounds familiar, Alex said to no one in particular.

Its owned by Steven Jaffe. Do you know him? Both Alex and Shane stared at him in disbelief.

Bloody hel! Alex let out and Shane couldnt agree more.