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She wasn’t ready to get up and deal with the world just yet. Laying her head back down, she ignored the god-awful sound. However, the longer it played, the more unbearable it became, making it impossible to ignore.
Grumbling, she rolled toward the edge of the bed and reached for the phone on the nightstand. She mentally cursed whoever dared to change her ringtone while she was gone to that horrible sound.
Without checking the caller ID, she swiped the screen and answered.
“Hello?” she mumbled, her voice sounding groggy.
“I’m on my way up!” the female voice snapped before ending the call.
Jessie’s eyes widened, hearing Lacie, her best friend's voice. She should’ve known that as soon as her uncle announced to the office that she was back, Lacie would be the first to come running.
Jessie jumped out of the bed and started running down the hall toward the elevator.
Lacie was more than her best friend. She was like a sister and was also Jessie’s personal assistant. But sometimes, Lacie’s over-the-top personality could be downright terrifying. It wasn’t just the way she could sweep into a room and instantly take over the conversation. It was the fact that she did it with the energy of an entire cheerleading squad and the determination of a beauty contestant wanting world peace. Jessie often joked that Lacie could talk someone into buying a pet llama and joining a roller derby team in one breath. However, the one thing Lacie never wavered from was her loyalty and friendship to Jessie.
As soon as Jessie literally skidded into the foyer, the elevator dinged, announcing its arrival. When the doors opened, allJessie caught was a blur of black hair before being tackled to the ground.
“Jessie!” Lacie cried as she hugged Jessie tight. “Oh my God, you’re really here. I thought…God, I thought you were dead or something. I’ve been so worried and scared! I almost didn’t believe your uncle when he called the entire staff in for a meeting and told us you were back.”
Jessie hugged her back tightly, feeling the tension melt a little from her shoulders. “I’m okay, Lacie. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you or anyone else.”
Lacie pulled back, tears streaming down her face as she wiped them furiously. “Sorry? Jessie, I’ve been terrified. You just disappeared! No phone call, no note, no explanation at all. What was I supposed to think? I missed you, girl. I thought something horrible had happened.”
“I know,” Jessie whispered as she peeled Lacie off her and helped her up off the floor. “I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t risk it. It was bad, Lace. Really bad. Come on, let’s go sit.”
They walked into the living room and sat on the sofa. Lacie’s eyes were glued to her as if afraid she might disappear again at any moment.
Jessie glanced out the window toward the terrace and saw the sky had darkened.
“Have you had dinner yet?” she asked Lacie.
“No.”
“How about I order some food for us? Then we can talk, and I’ll explain everything.”
Lacie nodded, but Jessie could see the determination in Lacie’s violet eyes. She knew that Lacie wasn’t leaving until she knew everything.
Jessie ordered from her favorite Chinese place just down the street. While they waited, she poured them both a glass of wine.
When the food arrived, they ate in silence for a few minutes before Lacie put her chopsticks down and eyed Jessie with a determined look. “Okay, talk. What in the hell happened?”
Jessie wanted to laugh at her best friend’s bossy tone, but she didn’t. Instead, she took a deep breath and began detailing her life for the last year and a half.
“First and foremost, you need to know I didn’t want to leave, but I had no choice.” She paused for a moment as she settled back onto the couch. “The threats started a couple of months after my dad died. At first, it was just letters—creepy but manageable. But then they started getting serious. Threats directed at the firm, certain employees, and people I care about. Do you remember when I shut down the office for a few days?”
Lacie nodded. “I do remember that. It was because of an electrical issue.”
“That’s what we told everyone. Lace, I had to close the office because some sick bastard had sent a letter to me that was laced with white powder.”
“What!?” Lacie screeched, sitting forward. “Someone sent you anthrax?”
“Well, we weren’t sure. So, as a precaution, we closed the office until the FBI could test it.”
“Holy shit, Jess.”
“Yeah. But that wasn’t the worst.”
“What is worse than getting anthrax in the mail?”
