It probably was a good thing, Candace was so tightly wound she only relieved the excess stress by continuing to grip and ungrip her steering wheel.

****

Barrington felt trapped.  Again he was forced against his will.  This time he received a call just an hour ago demanding his presence for a meet.  So here he was sitting at a martini bar off Sunset Blvd. waiting.

The lunch crowd was thinning as the afternoon moved forward.  Helena was running late, but she had no fears she knew her engagement who be waiting, after all he had no choice but to wait if he knew what was good for him. 

Arriving at her destination she opened the door and felt the blast of cold air coming from within.  The bar was dingy and poorly lit.  It gave Helena the impression she was walking into a dark cave.  She waited a few moments to let her eyes adjust to light.  She wanted to make this quick.  It was unusual that Helena herself would make this connection, she usually delegated this kind of meeting.  It was critical that he get his role correct and Helena knew he would be offended so she wanted to make her point clear.  This had to be done right.

Walking up to Barrington, Helena could read him like a book.  Trepidation was written everywhere, in his posture, his face and his shaking hands.

Barrington could feel Helena’s eyes examining him as she walked up.  Picking up his vodka martini, he cursed that his hand shook.  Down went the remainder of his drink in one smooth gulp, this was his last source of courage.

****

Alice’s impatience at what was to happen finally exceeded her fear.  She had had enough of Candace’s dark mood.  “Are you ever going to tell me what we’re about to do or are you just going to keep strangling your stirring wheel?”

Candace continues in her silent rage driving towards their destination.  It is when she makes the next turn into an exclusive, private neighborhood that Alice sits up a little straighter in her seat.

“We’re going to Helena’s right now aren’t we?  We have to this is the neighborhood she lives in.  That’s where we’re going right?”

Candace finally turns her head and looks at Alice.  In her eyes she has a fire of someone on a mission.  “Yes, I’m tired of that bitch making all the calls.  We’re going to make a call of sorts of our own.”